Chapter 60
The first thing that caught Ryosaku's eye as he was led into the reception room was...the portrait of Teacher Yoshiko displayed on the wall...Ryosaku had never seen it since they met on the day of the farewell ceremony. It was her gentle smile.
Next to Yoshiko's teacher, a portrait of her father, believed to be her father, was also displayed.
Similarly, he looks at Ryosaku with a soft and warm gaze.
Teacher Yoshiko's mother asked Ryosaku to sit on the sofa and brought him Japanese sweets and hot tea from the back room.
"Ryosaku-san... I'm sorry for inviting you alone into such a small room. I asked the rest of them to wait at the bus before you."
She said so and offered Ryosaku Japanese sweets Monaka and tea.
"Yoshiko...she really liked Ryosaku-san. She always told me happily, ``He's as cute as my real son."
When I actually see you in front of me like this...I feel like I can understand Yoshiko's feelings. Ryosaku-san, you have really clear eyes. I don't know what she should say...I feel like she's drawing me in, it's so strange. "
Ryosaku was confused.
He had never received such praise from anyone regarding his eyes.
"Ryosaku-san... there's a reason why I called you here. It's about Yoshiko's letter addressed to you..."
He was startled.
About the letter from Teacher Yoshiko, in which Teacher Kitano told her in advance, "You don't have to worry about anything."
He keenly sensed that the truth about the mystery was finally being revealed.
"That letter...actually, I posted it. I'm sure you somehow knew..."
Ryosaku was also vaguely aware of this.
He didn't want to think that that letter had been mailed after Teacher Yoshiko's death.
What he remembers is...Yoshiko Teacher, still healthy and with a bright smile.
Even at this moment, after visiting the grave, Ryosaku felt as if Teacher Yoshiko would show up here, gently calling his name.
"Teacher Yoshiko is alive''...that's what he wanted to think.
"The morning Yoshiko collapsed... I was so confused and sad that I completely forgot about her letter to you... For a while, it sat on the desk in Yoshiko's study. I left the letter unattended. I'm sorry I was rude to you..."
"...No, Suzuki-san. You put Teacher Yoshiko's letter in an envelope... and sent it for me. Thank you so much. I... I can't find any better words to express my gratitude..."
"Please call me 'Mom'."
"Eh... yes?"
"I want Ryosaku-san to call me ``Mom.'' You're not my grandchild...I'm starting to think of you, like Yoshiko, like my own son. Please..... Call me "Mom.'' "
"...Mom"
"Thank you, Ryosaku-san. I'm very happy."
After saying that, her mother covered her face with both hands and sobbed to stifle her voice.
