Although Akira was curious about how much money Miyako's father would send, Granny Kobayashi seemed uninterested.
She didn't ask for the specific amount, only gave a string of numbers and said that if he wanted to send money, he should send it to that account.
"Then, I have something I want to say to Shion. Could you please relay it for me?"
"You can tell her yourself, I have the speakerphone on."
"…"
Then there was a period of silence. Miyako Kazuhiro was probably brewing what he wanted to say to his daughter.
Miyako, who was wiping the table, stopped her hands. After making eye contact with Granny Kobayashi, Granny Kobayashi nodded, so she put down the rag and stood near the landline, waiting.
"Cough… Shion… are you listening?"
"…Yes, I'm here."
"Phew… That's good. Although I was willing to trust what Granny Kobayashi said, I'm completely relieved after hearing your voice."
Akira noticed that Miyako Kazuhiro addressed Granny Kobayashi not as Kobayashi-san, but as Kobayashi-sama, which is a very solemn and respectful address.
Like earlier today, Akira had used the address 'Class President-sama' for the class president, but that was mostly teasing and joking, whereas Miyako Kazuhiro's respect for Granny Kobayashi was genuine.
Although Akira had vaguely sensed it before, the Kobayashi family was indeed no ordinary family.
Of course, the fact that they could buy a detached house in Chiyoda Ward, a central district of Tokyo, already indicated that the Kobayashi family had immense power.
So Akira was curious about what glorious deeds the Kobayashi family's grandfather, as a senior transmigrator, had left behind, and whether it was related to how Japan in this world developed into its current state.
On the other side, the father and daughter's heart-to-heart talk continued, but it was mainly Miyako Kazuhiro doing the one-sided output.
"Have you eaten? I've been worried about your health these past two days, afraid that your body wouldn't hold up."
"I have."
"That's good. I believe the food provided at Granny Kobayashi's house should be very good."
However, it's not good at all, Uncle. Your daughter was almost in tears from the super-spicy curry rice.
There really isn't much edible food at the Kobayashi house, so the money you give is very important.
Whether it's a daily curry hot pot hell or being able to eat something good, it all depends on how much money you can give.
Akira silently chanted 'give more, give more' in his heart, and after Miyako Kazuhiro concernedly asked about his daughter's health and recent situation, he finally brought up the family issue.
"I'm truly sorry, I didn't expect things to turn out this way… But, I must tell you, don't think it's your fault, Shion, this whole thing is my fault, and it has nothing to do with you."
"..."
Miyako Kazuhiro took all the blame first, attributing the mistakes to himself, wanting to relieve Shion's psychological burden.
Because he didn't know the specific details of the matter, Akira couldn't be sure whether Miyako had made any mistakes.
However, observing Miyako's expression, it was still very solemn and had not lightened because of these words, so she most likely still felt it was her fault.
"I was too foolish; I didn't perceive your mother's thoughts and intentions, nor did I consider her feelings, which is why I said those words that hurt her."
"...That sentence was just the trigger for Mother's outburst, but this emotion had been accumulating for a very long time."
Miyako said so.
"I understand, that's why she suddenly broke down, isn't it? But I originally had the chance to slowly heal her heart, and I missed that opportunity, even causing her to become like this… The day you called me Father, I was truly happy from the bottom of my heart, like I had a real daughter. Perhaps that happiness made me a bit carried away, which is why I said something I shouldn't have…"
"Mother… has she woken up?"
"She's awake, but her emotions are still very unstable. I've already taken Tomiko to see a psychologist, and the doctor said to be prepared for long-term treatment."
"Mother, I'll leave her to you… I won't be going back."
"Ah, I understand your feelings, Shion, that you don't want to go home, so I won't ask you to. And it's indeed not suitable for your mother to see you right now… But I will always stay by your mother's side, comforting her. No matter how long it takes, I will help her recover. One day, you and your mother will be able to meet again, so until that day comes, Shion, please take care of yourself."
"Yes…"
"Also, I'm not saying this to comfort you, but Tomiko truly regrets saying those words to you. Even someone who has been hurt shouldn't continue to hurt others, especially their own daughter."
"…"