I need time to cool off.

Inside the car driven by Hayashi’s mother, Hayashi and her mother talked nonstop. A long-awaited reunion between parent and child. Normally, you’d expect lighthearted conversation in a situation like this, but everything I overheard was nothing but gloom.

The main topic of conversation was Hayashi’s father.

Before we got into the Hayashi family’s car, a single sentence from Hayashi’s mother at the doorstep had completely shattered any atmosphere of a heartfelt parent-child reunion.

“It’s lung cancer.”

As we traveled, the updates Hayashi’s mother gave about her father’s condition didn’t sound promising at all.

“It’s ironic, isn’t it? That man quit smoking the day we found out I was pregnant with you. Said it was bad for the baby.”

“…Dad…”

“Well, I suppose it’s the toll of years of overworking himself. You know how he was—always so dedicated to his job. No need to tell you, but he was incredibly strict with others, right? But he was even harder on himself.”

I think the only reason someone can be strict with others is because they’re strict with themselves first.

When someone’s harsh with you, it’s natural to dislike them. Only someone prepared to be hated can afford to be that strict.

“Sure, he made plenty of enemies. But he always said it was for the family. He became the first among his peers to get promoted to department head, and a lot of people relied on him. You probably didn’t know, but he collapsed from overwork three times, right? Not exactly a heartwarming story, I know. I wished he’d just take it easy—mentally and physically, it was exhausting for me too. But that man, he never listened to my wishes. Speaking of which…”

“…Yeah.”

“The only wish of mine he ever granted… was to make sure you could live a happy life. That’s about it, I think.”

“…I see.”

Hayashi’s response lacked energy. She was probably being crushed by guilt.

From what I’d heard so far, I felt like I’d gotten a small glimpse into who Hayashi’s father was as a person. I wondered how much you could really know about someone from just a few minutes of conversation, but I felt like I understood something.

…He was similar.

He hated anything unfair.

He lived for others.

Even if no one praised him, even if his own daughter resented him, he stubbornly held to his principles.

…Truly, just a few minutes of listening made me think Hayashi’s father… was so much like Hayashi herself.

With that realization, the whole disownment incident started to make sense.

He probably said it in the heat of the moment. His daughter kept acting selfishly, saying whatever she wanted, and he got angry and spoke without thinking. He regretted it afterward…

But he couldn’t take it back, and it was too late to fix things.

It was exactly the same situation Hayashi was in now.

Hayashi was probably drowning in the biggest regret of her life right now.

She must be wondering why she didn’t try harder to face her father.

It was only when she was backed into a corner that Hayashi finally realized how she truly felt about him deep down.

How do I know all this?

I just do.

Because we’d been living together for a whole month…

After a while, the conversation about her father died down, and a heavy, somber mood filled the car.

As an outsider, I had no right to butt into their conversation. So I stayed silent. Even if I could speak up, I didn’t have the confidence to change the atmosphere.

“…Hayashi.”

Still, even if I had no right to interrupt, and even if I couldn’t change the mood, I spoke up.

“Your dad sounds like an incredible person.”

“…Yeah, he is.”

I once said something to Hayashi.

It was right after we graduated high school, when we reunited after a long time, and I let her stay at my place.

Even though she was being hurt, she still stubbornly planned to go back to her boyfriend’s house. That’s when I told her.

“Living for others like that—it’s something truly amazing. Honestly.”

Hayashi spoke up.

By now, the lingering resentment she held toward her father was probably gone.

“We both just needed a little time to cool off.”

That reminded me of something she said the first day I took her in.

Hayashi.

It seems the ones who really needed time to cool off… weren’t you and your ex, but you and your father.