The waitress at the breakfast eatery set the food on the table. There was sumptuous tamagoyaki, rice, grilled fish, and miso soup.
But none of them picked up their chopsticks. Takeda Tetsuya heaved a heavy sigh under Ameko's resolute gaze.
He lit a cigarette and said, "What for? You'll be going to China in two months! Why would you involve yourself in all of this?"
"I want to know the truth about what happened back then. A part of you that still loves mum, right?"
"Feelings are not that important anymore at our age," Takeda Tetsuya answered hesitantly while taking a drag. "When I was young, I also thought that I could love a woman forever. But the truth is, after so many years, I've almost completely forgotten what she looks like."
There was a pause before he continued, "But whatever it is. I owe the both of you. How is Nanako? Is she well?"