Today was the day Tenna's grandfather, Watpei, and her grandmother, Mayumi, would be returning home.
　Even though it was only a week, the time they spent with their grandparents was a pleasant memory for Tenna.

'See you later, grandpa and grandma!
Ummm ... still a little more...
'No! What if you leave the house too long and someone gets in?
G.........

　Even though he was coming home soon, Watei was reluctant to leave Tenna.
　Not only can Tenna, but also her grandmother and Tenri can't hide a wry smile at her grandfather's disgusting appearance.

But even after we return, that man will still be there, right?　I'm messing around with Amari and Tenna under the pretense of making deliveries...
He's not the kind of person who would let you out~ Hayakawa-san is someone you can bring home, so don't be mean to him~.
But you know what?
'Already, father. You are free to think what you think of Mr. Hayakawa personally, but please don't force it on us.

　Even after meeting Wa, Watohira dislikes him completely.
　I understand that this is a reaction to the fact that he cares about me, but even so, it doesn't feel good to have someone you love speak ill of you, even if it's your grandfather.

I don't want to say anything bad about him!
Ugh....

　When Tenna, who has been taught by Tenashi not to speak ill of him, tells him so, Watpei wrinkles his brow and falls silent, as if he's biting down on a bitter worm.
　Tenashi and Mayumi giggle at the sight of a grandfather being pissed off at his grandson.
　But when they were about to go to the front door, Tenna told Tenashi something.

'Mum, I have to go to the toilet for a while.'
'Take your time, don't be in a hurry. I'll be waiting for you in the parking lot.
Yes!

　Feeling sorry for her grandparents who were about to leave, Tenna headed to the bathroom.
　When she finished soon, she was walking to the parking lot of the apartment building where the three of them were, she was thinking about something.

　Tenna doesn't have a father.
　Still, she feels that she receives lavish love from her family.
　So he also understands that he is a lucky man.

　Even if he is a single parent, that doesn't change.
　But the moment you see your friend's family or go out with your child, you can't help but think about it.

　I'm not going to be able to tell you what it would be like if my father was alive.

　Even the young Amana realizes that it's useless to think about such drivel.
　Nevertheless, once you become aware of it, cloud-grabbing imaginations float incessantly.

　I've seen my father's face in pictures.
　He must have heard his voice when he was a baby, but he doesn't remember it, and he doesn't know what it feels like to be held in his arms.
　As he interacted with Wa, he couldn't help but wonder if this is what it would be like with his father.

　From his point of view, it would be annoying, and he would feel guilty about it.

　Still, I had a feeling that he would probably laugh and pat me on the head.

''──Hmph.''

　Just picturing that scene naturally brought a smile to her face.
　Thinking of how she can't wait for the next delivery date, Tenna spotted Tenri and the others in the rear.

　Suddenly, a little mischievous feeling of 'let's sneak up on them' springs up.

　It was a child's own way of wondering about the 'Otona Doji Kaiwa'.
　As I approached slowly, hiding in the shadows of the car so that Amari and the others wouldn't see me, I could hear them talking.

''Amari is totally becoming like a mother, isn't she~''
Oh no, I'm not as good as your mother yet.
'No, no, no, there's no need to be modest,'

　It seemed that Tenashi was being praised.
　Tenna, who listened in the shadows and understood that, was as happy as she was.

　Since her favorite mother was being praised, it was an extremely natural recognition for her.

You are a good person, Hayakawa-san, isn't it?
I don't like it.
You've already told me you don't have that kind of relationship with him.
What do you think?　I'm sure he'll take care of both of you~?
'No way. A woman with a child like me is not a love interest.

　Even Tenna, a first-grade student, guesses that the conversation is the kind that prompts her to wonder if Tenashi and Wa are dating.
　If they become lovers, will Wa be his father?

　It was a topic that Tenna couldn't miss out on just because of her earlier fantasy, but it seems that Tenashi doesn't intend to do so.
　I can't help but feel a little disappointed.

　And the words that continued pierced her ears deeply and profoundly as she was completely listening to the conversation.







''Besides, I'm not the one who is (s)heaven(s)nana(s)'s (s)real(s) mother(s) and parent(s) and I don't(s) know(s) this(s) and(s)...''
What...?

　I couldn't understand what on earth Amari had said.
　It's not that I didn't understand the meaning, it's because I had a strong feeling that I didn't want to understand.
　However, no matter how many times I ruminate in my head, it's not a mishearing.

''Well.......it's already been seven years since then.......''
I still don't forgive the man who caused that accident.
''... me too. I deprived Tenna of her parents and the opportunity to see her grow up, which those two should have wanted to see. I will never forgive them.

　My grandparents seemed to know what was going on, and unlike Tenna, they didn't seem surprised and nodded at Tenashi's words.

　─ Why don't your grandfather and auntie say anything?
　You're not your mother's kid?

　

''──Mama,''
What's the faintest thing about it?

　Unable to stay, Tenna stepped out of the shadow of the car to question the three of them and called out to them.
　Tenna, who didn't think she was being listened to, rolls her eyes and shudders, and her grandparents are all in disbelief, but Tenna opens her mouth without a care in the world.

''What do you mean my mom isn't Amana's mom?
That's not...

　Her face turned blue and from a strong sense of frustration and guilt, Amari seemed unable to spin her words well.

''──Why don't you tell me it's not?　Did she lie to you about that?
I...

　But from Tenna's point of view, what wasn't instantly denied was like an answer to a question.
　Even when she turned her gaze to Watei and Mayumi, who knew the same secret, the two of them just fell silent without saying a word.

　Not knowing what to believe anymore, Tenna slowly retreated with tears in the corners of her eyes.


No, no!　I didn't want to hate you...

　At the words that spilled out with the thought of being betrayed, Tenashi quickly denies it and reaches out a trembling hand to Tenna.　

''No!　I don't like the idea of a liar's mommy!
What...?

　However, Tianna paid off his hands and ran off.
　It was already too late for Tenashi's excuse.

　Even though she ran out to chase after Tenna alone, Tenri was stunned and cowered as she lost the words to call her due to her rejection.

''Tenri!　Hurry up and get after the tenna!
Let's go! We'll find him.
Okay, yes!

　She was reprimanded by her parents who couldn't bear to see her go.
　Once she recovers from her shock, she rushes after Tenna, but she loses sight of her.

　Watahira and Mayumi extend their stay to search for her, but due to the difference in their physical strength, they are unable to find her and time passes.

　It was about 30 minutes after Tenna had gone missing when they received a call from Wa.