23 23 Reason for loneliness





 After I left Mr. Minami, I found myself driving my delivery truck in all directions to make deliveries, and the time was past four in the afternoon.

 Let's be honest.
 Work is pushing me crazy.

 I should have just bought a quick lunch to begin with.
 Aside from the fact that I met with Minami-san, I wasted my time getting rid of a pissed off junior colleague.
 You know, the kind of thing that can lightly register in the black history books, like being busy later while trying to be cool like that!

 Hmmm........although I'm going to visit Amana-chan now, I really don't have time to talk to her today because I really don't have time to talk to her.

 
 However, there's a little bit of room to spare when you deliver food to the South family - so don't even think about it, you idiot!

 Many times the evil feelings come sideways, but each time I shake my head and desperately endure them.

 Anyway, let's just get the delivery done.
 I calmed myself down and parked the delivery truck in the parking lot of the Avery Smile apartment building.

 I got out of the car and was about to pick up the packages in the back when a familiar high-pitched, energetic voice comes into my ears.

'Ah, onii-san!
Really!
Hi there...

 The three voices are Amana's friends, Hasumi, Tomoyuri, and Kana-chan.
 Since they didn't have their school bags on their backs, they were probably on their way back from playing at Amana-chan's house during the Golden Week holidays.

Hello," she said, "I just played with Amana earlier. Were you playing with Amana earlier?
Boo! I wasn't just playing around!
We were talking about tomorrow's 'Juggernaut'!
Well, I'm going to draw a picture, and then I'm going to present it to my parents...

 Oh, I didn't know you have a class visit.
 I thought it was difficult to come during the Golden Week, but it makes sense that it's the easiest time to come, in a way.
 It's not easy when you have a work schedule like I do as a delivery person, though.

 But, well.....

I've never had my parents come to a class visit, so I'm jealous of them all.
""What...?"

 As soon as I casually said that, the three of them came staring at me with a shocked expression on their faces.
 Oops, I must have given them a misunderstanding.
 I realized I didn't say enough, so I hurriedly added, "It's okay, it's okay, I didn't imagine that.

'It's okay, it's okay, it's not like I imagined it would be. My parents didn't come because they were simply too busy with work.

 When I told them that, the three of them let out a breath of relief.
 I guess I let them get the wrong idea after all.

''Good, good........''
We were afraid we were going to say something stupid.
You scared the shit out of me, man.
Bad, bad.

 I don't think I'm exaggerating, but I realize that the more I take them seriously, the more kind-hearted they are.
 The fact that they're friends of Amana-chan's makes me feel very warm and fuzzy.

 By the way, I didn't mind it so much, but my sister was very unhappy with it, because she was in a period when she wanted to be pampered.
 Nowadays, her words and actions are very strong, but at heart she is still a lonely person....
 When they were thinking back to the days when they were brother and sister, the three of them said a question to each other: 'Come to think of it,' they said.

"We've never seen our mom at home.
Me too. Your mother wasn't the only one who didn't show up for the day's recreational activities, either.
I've never seen a kana...

 I couldn't believe my ears at the conversation between Hasumi and Tomoyuri.
 What do you mean?
 Does this mean that Ms. South, who is supposed to be that daughter first, isn't coming to a valuable family event?

 I couldn't believe how hard she was working for Amana, even in our short relationship, just because I knew how hard she was working for her. 
 I don't know what type of job she has, but she seems to be finishing work about as close to the time I first met her, so there's no way she's not working weekends off.

   

'I see...'
But, Amana-chan, you looked so lonely...
Huh!

I know my mommy is working hard on the job for you. It's a bit sad, but I don't want to make Mommy suffer, so I've decided to be patient.

 Hearing Kana-chan's words, the thoughts that Amana-chan had mentioned unexpectedly came to mind.
 She really is so healthy that it's hard to believe she's a first grader.
 With that recognition reaffirmed, I left the three of them.

 I took my bags of food and headed to room 184 and pressed the intercom.

''Yes!''
Umineko Transport. We've got a package for you.
"I'm coming, sir!

 There was a light sound and soon after, Amana responded cheerfully.
 Then the front door opened and we met up for the first time in three days.

 I was relieved to see that she wore her hair up in a two-sided updo today, and every hairstyle she had was cute and looked good on her.

'I'm always a very good sport!
Okay, so here's the seal.
Yes!

 After the usual exchange, Amana looks at me expectantly with something in her eyes.
 She's cute.
 But.........

'Sorry, I'm busy today, I have to go right away.
'Oh I'm sorry...'

 Ugh!
 My heart hurts with guilt!
 But I'm sorry, but I'm seriously out of time today.

 I don't have any but I do have one question.
 That's all I need to know.

"Amana-chan. Hasumi-chan and the others told me that you have a class visit tomorrow, right?
'Oh, yes! Mommy only has to do her work on the last day of school, but the three days of the school year are after lunch, so I'll be able to do it!
"! I see. Well, good for you then.

 He answered my questions with a carefree smile.
 Apparently, my fears were unfounded.

 I caught a glimpse of Ms. Minami's determination to attend her daughter's class.

I'll see you another time then.
Yeah, I'll see you later!

 Reassured by this, I parted with Amana-chan, wishing her good luck for tomorrow.
 Although I was extremely reluctant to do so, I couldn't go back on my promise twice, so I made a desperate decision to return to the delivery truck.

 I hope that the father and son's first class visit will go well.  

 Little did I know that this wish would later come true in a way I didn't expect.