It was a Saturday during Golden Week.
　Normally it would be a day off, but it was different at Amana's school.
　Today was the day for observing classes.

　It was the first time parents came to watch their children's classes in the afternoon, but it was the first time for them to do so, so the class seemed somewhat relaxed.

It was the first time for them to watch a class. Let's have it!
""Let's have it!"

　And so the time for lunch arrived.
　Today was not a school lunch but a bento lunch, so we had a lot of fun showing each other what was in the classroom.

My hamburger is this big!
Oh, my fried chicken is huge!
Wow, I'm so jealous, I can't eat that much...
Kana-chan, if it's hard to eat, I'll make a Amana for you.
Thanks, Amana-chan....

　The four of them, including Tenna, were no exception, and there was a congenial atmosphere in the air.　
　The three of them have been friends since nursery school.

　Hasumi was active and loved to play outside.
　Chiyuri could study, but she made a lot of mistakes, so to speak.
　Kana is the quietest of the four, but she is surprisingly assertive.

　Among the four, Amana is the kindest of the four.
　She is cheerful and friendly with everyone, and since she is both literate and skilled in the arts, she is often relied upon by both men and women.

　In such a situation, her classmates are always talking about their afternoon class observations.
　There are a variety of children who show their willingness to work hard in front of their parents, those who are nervous and anxious, and those who are positive that they will be able to see their parents at school.

　But Tenna's usual smile was gone and she had a dark expression on her face.

(Mom, is she done with her pee-pee now...?)

　The Minami family is a motherless family with no father.
　Her mother, Tenashi, was at work on weekdays and didn't spend much time at home, but on her days off, she left Tenna to her own devices.

　It's not that she doesn't feel lonely, as she mentioned in front of Wa.
　However, Tenna understands that the reason Tenashi is working hard at her job is undoubtedly for her own sake.
　She knows that she's taking care of him, so she can put up with the loneliness.

　Especially these days, he has the presence of Wa, who comes to deliver on Tuesdays and Fridays.
　Tenna loves him for being a friend to her, even though he is supposed to be busy.

　Nevertheless, he had developed a bad feeling about these family events.

　It was only vague and not clear.
　Tenna, who is skilled at reading the atmosphere, can endure this bad feeling so as not to show it.
　This is because he knows that if he expresses it, he will offend everyone who is looking forward to it.
　The patience I've cultivated through experience has been demonstrated in places like this.

　Whether that is fortunate or unfortunate will be up to each person.

　However, such Tenna was also positive this year.
　Tenashi would only leave for work in the morning, but she would try to make it in time for the class visit.
　Tenna's heart leapt with anticipation then.

　Rensui and the other three know that Tenri is a proud mother to Tenna.
　Her beautiful face and slender, polite appearance make her an ideal image of a woman, even in the eyes of her only daughter.

　When such a mother came to visit her class, she was inwardly excited to show off to her classmates.

　I'm sure they would be surprised, they would probably pay attention.
　At that time, she would brag out loud.

　This is your mother," he said.

"....

　I couldn't help but smile.
　With just that, I could realize how much Tenna was looking forward to it, even with a sidelong glance.

You're not going to be able to get away with it. Amachi, you look like you're having fun.
'Yes!　Because Kyou is going to come to me, Mommy!
Wow I'm sure people will be surprised.
Of course I'd love to be your mother, Amana-chan, just like you!

　Even from the perspective of the three people who knew what was going on, Tenna's changes were easy to understand.
　In particular, when Chiyuri met Tenri for the first time, she even asked her how she could become a beautiful woman like her.

　It was around that time that Tenna began to see Amari as a proud mother.

　While we were building up our hearts in anticipation, lunchtime was over and it was time for lunch break.
　Since it was a class observation, the boys were chatting in the classroom instead of going out to the school grounds.

　About 20 minutes later, when the class was about to start, my classmates' parents came into the classroom.
　Everyone is dressed tightly and some parents are talking to each other.

　Even the kids looked back and looked around, looking uncomfortable with nervousness and anticipation, waiting to see their own parents now and then.
　The children who had found their own parents seemed to be having a great time, waving their hands and introducing them to their friends.

　Catching on to that, Tenna also looked for Tenashi.
　However, she hasn't come yet.

　I've been promised that my mom will come.

　I'm sure you're right.

Oh!　It's our cousin and my cousin!

　Then Renshui's parents arrived.
　She was very happy that they had come.

''Kana's mom and dad are here too...''
So are my mom and dad!

　Around ten minutes before the class started, Kanna and Chiyuri's parents had arrived as well.
　But Amari still hasn't shown up.
　The time seems late for a mother who has told her daughter to try to act 10 minutes before the start of class.

　I'm just a little bit late, Mom.

　While suppressing the black anxiety that smoldered in my chest, I thought so stoutly.
　Tenri said, 'I'll make it in time.
　Then I take it positively that it can't be helped if I can't come 10 minutes before.

　But.........

　Even if the doorbell rings 5 minutes ago....


　I've done my homework..........


　When the teacher came into the classroom....




　When the class started..........







　Twenty minutes passed and Amari hadn't come to the classroom.