Episode 19
For Eiji, who had no children, family meant only one person—his ex-wife.
And yet, whether he was at work, walking outside, or coming home, at every moment his heart was always centered on her.
With Mana at his side, his heart had been in perpetual spring, and he had been happy.
It was only about three months after the divorce that I—an utterly foolish man—finally realized:
“I had been given happiness, so much happiness, by Mana.”
A little over a year after the divorce, I happened to run into my ex-wife’s younger cousin in the men’s section of a department store.
We had been on good terms back when I was married to Mana.
Though the situation was awkward, she greeted me properly, which was a relief.
It seemed she was there alone, shopping for her husband’s clothes.
—
I hadn’t thought about what to say.
But because she was connected to my ex-wife, I couldn’t bring myself to simply walk away.
So I ended up inviting her out for tea.
“Long time no see.”
“Yes, it’s been a while, brother-in-law. Have you been well?”
“I’m managing somehow… but I’m lonely.”
Without thinking, I let the truth slip out.
“…Right, that’s what I’d normally say too. But is that really true?”
Her words startled me.
This wasn’t the kind of girl who would make snide remarks.
So what exactly did she mean?
“Hey, what do you mean by that? Was it a joke or something?”
“…Brother-in-law.”
“?”
“First, put your hand on your chest and really reflect on your past actions! No lying. If you look back honestly, I don’t think my words will feel so strange to you.”
Of course, I carried sins of my own. But… was it possible that she knew something even my wife hadn’t?
No, impossible. That couldn’t be.
As I turned those thoughts over in my mind—
—she suddenly dropped a bombshell.
