Chapter 59-2
"Everyone...welcome all the way. Now, please come into my house."
After saying this, the woman bowed deeply.
Even her gestures and voice resembled Yoshiko Suzuki teacher.
Ryosaku and his group, with Teacher Mizuki in the lead, slowly made their way down the long, aromatic cypress hallway.
They were guided to a large Japanese-style tatami room, a large hall that could accommodate all the children.
That is not all.
In the room, cushions for each person had already been laid out, and boxed meals with sweet bean paste, barley tea, and fruit had been prepared, giving the impression of the sincerity of the generous hospitality provided to the group that had come here today.
"Today, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for coming from such a far distance to visit my home for my daughter Yoshiko.I cannot provide much, and I am not sure if it will suit your tastes, but please do. Please take your time and relax."
Here, the second-year students' new homeroom teacher, Teacher Mizuki, collects the heartfelt letters to the late teacher that the second-year students and Ryosaku have written and gives them to the old woman.
Teacher Yoshiko's mother gently held the letters to her chest as if she was holding her own child...and sobbed violently, as if releasing the emotions she had suppressed up until then.
...It was a cry of a heart-wrenching soul, filled with such deep sadness that it shook the souls of everyone here, including Ryosaku, and that could only be uttered by someone who had lost their precious child.
It seemed like that.
Eventually, Yoshiko's mother stopped crying, turned to everyone, wiped away the remaining tears with a handkerchief, and said:
"...I'm sorry. I made you look very unsightly...'' It must have been some kind of coincidence that you all came to Yoshiko's birthplace today.Today... ・Actually, it's Yoshiko's birthday."
Everyone looked at each other as if they had agreed.
...It must be because each of them strongly felt that some great power of love had led them to the hometown of Teacher Suzuki.
Teacher Suzuki's mother told us a lot about her child's childhood and how she lived at home.
Listening to these stories, they were once again reminded of how much Teacher Yoshiko loved her home, cherished her family, and lived an honorable life worthy of her venerable family lineage.
It was a strange feeling.
In this way, just by listening to Yoshiko Teacher's mother talk, they feel as if the image of their late, kind teacher is coming back to life right before their eyes.
The second-year students looked at the nostalgic sight of their teacher, who always stood at the podium and spoke kindly to them.
On the other hand, Ryosaku felt the warmth of his teacher Yoshiko, who had encouraged him many times since Mieko had disappeared from school, and who had sometimes held him in her warm arms.
...Each of them was immersed in their precious memories with their teacher.
Eventually, Teacher Yoshiko's mother thanked everyone once again and even handed out candy and juice to each of them as souvenirs.
Then, Teacher Yoshiko's mother, who had spoken a few words with Teacher Mizuki, saw the children leave the room one by one, and then spoke to Ryosaku.
"...You're Ryosaku Takada-san. I've heard a lot about you from Yoshiko. Actually, I have something I'd like to tell you. I'll borrow Ryosaku-san for a moment as teacher Mizuki. Well, that's what I said..."
With that said, Teacher Yoshiko's mother led Ryosaku to a separate reception room.
