“…”
“What’s wrong? You have such a serious look on your face. Today, I am incredibly happy to be your bride, you know? Unless it’s ‘you’ve started to hate me,’ I’ll forgive you for anything… so, tell me.”
Misako smiled mischievously and stared at me with a serious gaze.
I took a deep breath, made up my mind, and began to speak.
“It’s about Tetsuya. …I’m sorry. I love you, Misako, but this whole thing is half revenge against Tetsuya.”
Misako stared at me with a blank face.
She looked a bit underwhelmed, with a gaze that seemed somewhat cold.
“What, you were worried about something like that? He did such terrible things to you. It’s only natural that you would resent Tetsuya.”
“But you know, he’s your own child, the one you gave birth to in pain, right?”
“Yes, he is my real child. —But I dislike that child. So, you don’t need to worry about it.”
“You dislike him?”
“Yes. Even back when his father, Tetsuyaji, was alive, he only used abusive language. He’s a child who would say things like, ‘You get cheated on because you’re an old lady,’ or ‘You should get a divorce soon because a young mother would be better,’ while I was hurting from being cheated on. No matter how much I warned him, he only caused trouble. …Even for maternal love, there is a limit.”
“I see, but he’s the important heir, right?”
He was called a young master in society and was so well-off.
“Heir?”
Misako laughed through her nose as if it were ridiculous.
“No. If I left the company to a fool like that, it would go bankrupt in three days. My ‘Fujisaki Trading’ is only the eighth largest in the group, but it still has over 300 employees. I cannot let them end up on the streets for the sake of someone like Tetsuya. After I retire, Tetsuyaji’s younger brother, Tsuguharu, is scheduled to take over, and then my nephew, Haruyoshi, will follow.”
“Just because he’s your son doesn’t mean he can inherit it.”
“Isn’t that obvious? Haruyoshi graduated at the top of his class from the T University Department of Economics. It’s even rude to compare him to Tetsuya, who plays around so much that even advancing to the next grade is in jeopardy. There’s no promotion for him within the group. He’d be lucky if he could even become a section manager. We don’t have any chairs here that can be sat in just by holding the ‘Fujisaki’ name. I’m the president not because I was Tetsuyaji’s wife, but simply because I was talented.”
“I see… but what about the bond between parent and child…”
“It existed once, in the past.”
A dry shadow passed through the depths of Misako’s eyes for a moment.
“But you know, after being ignored and worn down so much, it bottomed out a long time ago. I can’t tell you how many times I had to bow my head, be humiliated, and have money extorted from me because of Tetsuya. I wonder if it was my fault for spoiling him to make up for the loneliness I caused him. That child only thinks of me as an ATM and just laughed at my suffering. …I’ve had enough.”
“Misako… you worked hard.”
“Yes, I was at my limit. Still, because I am his mother, I decided to take care of him until he became an adult, or at least until he graduated high school. That’s all that has changed, just slightly early. He can live well enough on the money I’ve left for him.”
Misako softened her expression and wrapped her hands around mine.
“I don’t love him, and I’ve fulfilled my duty. Your ‘revenge’ isn’t exactly something to be proud of, but there is no reason for you to worry about it. You’re my husband, so don’t mope around forever.”
“……Thank you.”
“More than that, there is something more important.”
“Something important?”
“Yes, something important…”
Why was the smile she gave me somehow a little bit scary?
“Tetsuya doesn’t matter anymore. …More than that, will you tell me why you came to love me?”
Misako stared at me with a serious gaze, and tightened her grip on my hands.
“I know you love me. But, why did an 18-year-old boy choose 38-year-old me? That is what I want to know.”
“I… lost my family in an accident and was lonely for a long time. My relatives were distant, and there was no warmth.”
“I see. So, it’s because you were lonely…”
“That may be part of it. But when I saw you desperately bowing your head for Tetsuya, I thought, what a kind mother you are.”
“Fufu, is that close to a first love for a friend’s mother or admiration for a kindergarten teacher?”
“Maybe it started that way. But before I knew it, I stopped thinking of you as an ‘ideal mother’ and started loving you as a woman.”
Misako smiled happily.
“I see… Then I will also be your mother, Ren. To be loved not only as a wife but also as a mother is the greatest luxury.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am. In return, please love me not only as a husband but also as your cute ‘son.’ —Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I love you, Misako.”
“You really are such a cute, good boy…”
Misako held me deeply in her arms.