Mazao showed a puzzled expression when I didn't provide an answer.
I thought for a moment and then shifted the topic: "If you're scared, it's okay to wait a little longer."
"Wait...until when?"
It seemed Mazao didn't realize anything was amiss, she slowly said: "Although I'm scared...no, precisely because I'm scared, I want to meet my parents as soon as possible. Otherwise, my resolve might erode over time. If I flee using excuses this time, I might find excuses to escape again next time. I would become more and more delaying, and eventually pretend to forget without realizing it. I don't want to become like that."
Her words resonated with me. Yes, that's part of my thoughts too. That's why I've come to find her.
Then she continued: "It's not just about meeting my parents, I also want to confront my past head-on. For me, this requires even greater resolve. If I don't dare to see my parents, I will likely flee from my past later. This is the first step I have to take."
