Raising a Child wasn't Easy

Himari spent the next day in leisure. It was rare for her to get a day off without applying for it. Even though it was only for one day, she still appreciated it.

The wound that she got yesterday had stopped bleeding. Even though most of it had yet to be covered with scabs, it was already good enough. She diligently applied the cream on it to quicken the process of healing.

"Chobi! Do you want to follow me?" Himari yelled at her fat cat that was splayed on the floor.

Today, Chobi didn't leave the house. Himari didn't know whether it was because she didn't go to school or Chobi was really lazy today.

But, the sight of his Mama getting ready to leave the house attracted Chobi's attention. He quickly jumped on his feet, stretched his entire body out then ran to Himari.

Himari laughed when the feline rubbed his head against her leg.

"Let's go."

Because the time was just a little over ten o'clock, the streets were almost empty save for the housewives who went shopping for groceries. Himari stopped and shared a talk and two with them before she continued walking.

This neighborhood was as peaceful as the previous one although it was clear that the houses here were more modern. Even so, Himari loved the tranquility of both places.

While Himari was walking down the street, heading to the canal that was located not far from the apartment, Chobi jumped on the fences of people's homes, following her from above.

"Chobi, do you think you're above me, huh?" Himari jokingly said so as she looked up to where Chobi was.

"Meow~"

The human and the cat finally arrived at the canal. It was deserted by people now since most children would play at the canalside in the evening.

As the breeze blew across the field, the green grass followed along by tilting their pointy head to where the wind blew. Himari's long hair fluttered by the wind, dancing gently above her waist. The faint fragrance of flowers coming from nearby houses swirled in the air, soothing her mind.

Himari sat on a bench placed under a tree. Chobi went running around the field, chasing the flying leaves.

Seeing this sight reminded Himari of the days when she had just broken up with Jun.

It was not her intention to think about him after all this time, but, the idea of him coming back to the country and they would inevitably meet again in the reunion sent her mind to chaos.

Himari admitted that she was only calm on the surface. She self-assuredly said to Nanako and her mother that she would face Jun with confidence while in reality, there were times when she was dreading the day.

Let the day came quicker ah! Just so she wouldn't be thinking about it again!

Himari stood up, playfully kicking the tiny stones at her feet and chased after Chobi.

"Meow~"

"Haha! Come back, Chobi!"

Chobi mewled while running back to his Mama. Himari picked him up, carried him in one arm and brought him to the canal.

The clear water of the canal reflected their faces on the surface. Chobi meowed again, stretched out a paw and tapped on the surface.

"Meow!"

"Hahaha!"

The furry cat jolted when ripples forming due to his interference. Himari laughed out loud due to his reaction.

"What's wrong with you? So afraid of the water?"

"Meow meow!"

Chobi struggled out of his Mama's arm. Himari let him be. The orange fat cat jumped on the ground, flicked his tail up high and ran to chase after the moving grasses due to the wind.

LINE~

The notification rang clear in the air. Himari's focus was shifted to her phone. She quickly brought it out of the pocket of her one-piece cotton dress.

Ring~ Ring~

"Ah?"

Before she could open the message, her phone blasted its ringtone, catching Himari off guard. A string of unknown numbers was displayed on the screen.

"Who it is?" murmured Himari faintly.

She had never seen this number.

Was it an insurance agent?

In the end, Himari still picked it up.

"Hello."

"Hello, is that Teacher Kato? I'm the father of Kasai Yuuto."

A man's voice sounded from the end of the line, slightly startling Himari especially once she heard the caller's name.

"...Mr. Kasai?"

"Yes."

Himari was dumbfounded.

Why did he call her?

"I am sorry for disturbing you. The principal said you're on a day off today because of what happened yesterday. I call you to talk about my son."

While Himari was still in a blur, President Kasai smoothly spoke about the intention of him calling.

"About Student Kasai? Do you need my help for anything?" asked Himari cautiously.

It's nerve-wracking when she thought that she was currently talking to one of the top leaders in the business world in the country. Although the man was actually one of the students' fathers, it was still not an easy task.

"I call you to personally apologize about my son's behavior yesterday. I admit that his misdeed has caused you harm, Teacher Kato. As his father, I apologize. I also want to pay for your medical expenses. I heard the wound is small but, if you're not careful with it, you might suffer from consequences."

Himari pursed her lips at the unexpected personal apology.

She had witnessed President Kasai apologized to the teachers during the first time Yuuto fought with Izumi. Even though she was there at the scene, to have the man calling her number to apologize directly still surprised her.

"Mr. Kasai, I believe your son did it in an accident, you don't have to apologize to this extent."

"I'm sorry. I just want to do something as Yuuto's father," President Kasai's voice sounded low next to her ear.

Himari threw her gaze to the canal in front of her. The bright sunlight fell on the clear water surface, sending sprinkles in its wake.

The view before her eyes was serene.

"I heard that your son would be sent to the boarding school abroad," Himari diverted the topic. The image of the transfer files that she saw on Teacher Ayase's desk popped into her mind.

"Yes. My son Yuuto would go there next week," admitted President Kasai.

Himari smiled faintly, "I'm sorry if I might sound rude or unprofessional but, please allow me to say something to you, Mr. Kasai."

"Yes. Please."

Although the president sounded a bit clueless he still let the teacher spoke.

"In adults', our eyes, we see what your son has done as something horrendous but, I wonder if sending him abroad during the heat of the moment would solve the root cause."

"...Pardon? What do you mean, Teacher Kato?"

"I do not have any experience in raising a child yet, I think you and your wife should spend more time with your son. Let him know that you two believe that he could change. It would take time but, it might uproot whatever injustice and grievances that your son feels."

Himari didn't agree with Yuuto's behaviors but, she couldn't help but wonder, was overindulgence the only cause that made the boy acted like that?

The parents' job wasn't to only give their children stern warnings every time they misbehaved. They had to set good examples as well.

"Your son looked remorseful after he threw the rock at me. I think you should talk more with your son. Try to find out what makes him have such a view that he could use people as he wants. It is purely because your family overly pampered him or there's also another thing that we don't know about?"

It was true that Himari didn't understand how every family worked especially the ones in high society but, to her, sending Yuuto abroad immediately seemed like his parents had half-given up on him.

"What I said isn't absolute. It's just my opinion. Once again, I'm sorry if I've overstepped my boundary."

President Kasai and his wife might think sending Yuuto to a boarding school would help to humanize his views but, what about the resentment that followed the boy along with him?

Raising a child wasn't easy.

There were too many aspects to look over.

There were too many opinions to consider.

"...I'll think about that. Thank you for your advice, Teacher Kato."

President Kasai's voice sounded again after a long stretch of silence. Himari inwardly let out a breath of relief because he didn't sound mad at her.

"I wish you and your family all the best, Mr. Kasai, no matter what is your decision."

"Thank you, Teacher Kato. I sincerely thank you. I'll hang up now."

"Yes. Goodbye."

"En."

The line was disconnected.

Himari tilted her head up, staring at the waves of clouds in the sky. Somehow, her heart felt lighter after talking to Yuuto's father.

"Ah!"

She suddenly remembered something! Didn't she receive a message before the call distracted her attention?

Himari quickly opened the messaging app.

It was Kazuya.

[Kazuya: MoonBoyKnockingDoor.jpg]

[Kazuya: You there?]

Himari didn't realize how bright her smile was once she read the messages from him.

[Himari: Sorry, late reply. Sitting by the canalside, contemplating of my existence]

Then, she took a photo of the canal in front of her.

[Himari: Canal.jpg]

[Himari: Isn't it a good day?]

What came next was a photo of an office table with documents scattered on the surface.

[Kazuya: Not so good to me. Am so tempted to run away from here but]

[Kazuya: As an adult, I have responsibilities]

[Kazuya: MoonBoyGrumbling.jpg]

From a smile, Himari let out a chuckle. She was reminded of their silly conversation last night.

[Himari: Hehe, what a fine reality of being an adult]

From a complicated mood, a wave of joy seeped into her heart, spreading its warmth to her entire being.