I left the sleepy Amana-chan in charge of the black sound and called a certain person out in the hallway.

　I managed to get the girl's selfishness out of her, but I thought I would ask that person if there was anything I should be aware of in terms of actually shopping.

　After a few calls, the person on the other end answered the phone.

'Good evening, Hayakawa-san. It's Minami.
Good evening, Amari. Good job.

　A dignified and audible voice can be heard from the speaker of the phone.
　The person on the other end of the phone - Amana-chan's mother, Amana - comes to greet me, so I return the greeting.

''How's Tenna doing?''
He'll sleep through the night.
'That's good to hear. Are you sure you're not causing me any trouble?
Not at all. You're so good, you'll think I'm being watched out for.
"I guess I'm doing my best not to be disliked by Hayakawa-san.

　Tenashi easily showed me how Amana-chan was feeling, but honestly, there was no way I was going to dislike that girl.
　Then I reported to Amari about the events during the day.

　I told her about playing house, playing in the park... and, of course, about Kuroon.

''──Why did my sister come to me without contacting me?
Your sister?
Oh. I'm Kuroon, he just started high school this year.

　Thanks to you, I don't have to worry about the food, though.

"Hayakawa-san has a sister...
Amanashi?


　But for some reason, Amanashi on the other end of the phone was dumbfounded, and when I called out to her, I could see that she was startled in a small, breathless way.
　Was she thinking about something?

You okay?　If you're tired from work, I'll hang up, but...
''──No. I was surprised that Hayakawa-san had a sister, so I couldn't help but fall silent.''
Yeah.....

　Are you really that surprised that you have a sister?
　I felt uncomfortable with the situation, but decided to continue with my report.　

'So, it looks like my sister will be with me while I keep Amana-chan in my care.　

Really?　I think that's normal. But Amana-chan also misses Kurone, so it won't be a bad thing.
She's Hayakawa-san's sister, so I'm not worried about her.

　I'm grateful for that, and I inwardly patted my chest.　
　As I realized when I was about to be reported to the Black Sound, the trust from Amari is quite reassuring.
　Once again, I'll try not to betray that trust.

　As I reminded myself of this, I realized I hadn't yet told her about tomorrow's outing.

''That's right. Actually, the three of us are going to go shopping at the mall tomorrow at Kuroone-s suggestion.''
Shopping?
Yeah. What do I need to know?
"Uh, yeah, wait a minute. You don't have to do all that...

　As expected, or rather, from Tenashi's point of view, she only intended to have her daughter taken care of, but she started to refrain from asking him to do so much for her.
　Even over the phone, I could tell that she was confused, and I couldn't help but smile as I realized that we are similar in that way, just like parents and children.

It's not a duty or anything like that, it's just a normal kind of thank you. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get along with Amana as well, and I'll be able to see to it that we don't stray from each other.
''But........no, I understand. I'm sure Tenna would be happy if she was going out with Hayakawa-san and the others.
I was thinking...
'Well, it seems to be boiling over for some reason...'

　Even Amari seemed to think that she would agree with me, and she asked me back, questioning my reaction.
　Once I told her about Amana-chan's refrained state, I had a momentary lapse in thinking whether I wouldn't go into the over-interference I promised her, but I decided to tell her boldly.

''Well what do you think Amana-chan said when she heard Kurone's proposal?''
"...what...?
'I refrained. He said it's too brazen to ask you to buy something for him when he's indebted to you, and it would get us in trouble.
"...

　I could see Amari gasp on the other end of the phone.　
　I easily guessed what she would say next and interjected before she could tell me.

''Wata──''
'Cause it's not like you're saying it's your fault, okay?　That was just that she doesn't know how to be selfish to anyone other than Amanashi. When I told her that me and Kurone weren't bothering her, she said she wanted to go and was looking forward to shopping.
Is that so? It seems that Ms. Hayakawa-san has a better way with her children than I do, and as a mother, I will lose my confidence...''
'It's not because of the way Amari was raised. It's the result of caring for others in her own way. At least, Amana-chan is a good mother, which is why I've been able to help her.

　As I told you in my words, she's a busy single mother, but the reason she's so cheerful and compassionate with Amana-chan is definitely due to the good way she's raised her.
　She's a really good mother to be able to do that much for the first time.

Even if the people around you and Tenri herself don't think so, I don't think there's any mother who can make her child as proud as you are.
..........

　Just like Tenashi trusted me and left Amana in my care, I can seriously believe that because I trust her too.
　At the words I told her with that thought, Amari on the other end of the phone fell silent.

　The silence finally made me realize that I was getting off topic.
　In addition to that, the embarrassment of spitting out some kind of green line came late, so I hurriedly asked for attention while shopping to change the air.

So, is there anything to pay attention to while shopping?
'What?　Oh, yes, well, you can buy only one thing you want, if you want it. Please don't let the rest get lost.''
Oh, oh, okay. Well, I gotta go.
"Yes good night.

　With that, I ended the call quickly.
　It's been a long time since someone said 'goodnight' to me, even though it was over the phone, and I feel as if it touched my heart very much.

　The way she patted me on the head before, or the way she handed me my lunch two days a week in a worthy manner, makes me strangely aware of the fact that the other person was a widow with a child.

　I think I understand, just a little bit, the feelings of the men who work at the same company as her and the guys who approach Sakai.
　She returned to her room with these thoughts, which she didn't have to tell anyone.