Chapter 70 : Visiting The Koishikawas (2)

During winter, the most important item in the Koishikawa family's living room was a huge kotatsu* that Master Koishikawa procured ten years ago at an astronomical price.

According to Madam Koishikawa, he could have bought two kotatsus with that money. Master Koishikawa liked to argue that one huge kotatsu brought the family together, while two kotatsu split the family into two.

Midori never once dreamed that the day would come when she had to share that kotatsu with Hanae.

Hanae kept her eyes trained on the polished table surface and her hands neatly folded on her lap.

Midori stared at the young woman who shared the same name with her traitorous best friend.

Their brief meeting at the tea house was the only time Midori came in contact with Hanae. Any other impression she had about her stemmed from the original host's painful memories.