Eri Minami

> You were introduced to the children
as an assistant caretaker.
> The children are extremely interested
in you...

Mister, do you have a girlfriend?

Don't ask him that, you creep!

Let's play tag, Mister!
You're it!

> You survived the children tugging you
in every direction.

> There is one boy remaining...
> It seems his guardian hasn't come
to pick him up.

How are things, -kun?
Has everyone been picked up?

Looks like Yuuta-kun is still here.
It's always like this, though...

...Hi, Yuu-kun. I'm sorry I'm late...

...Whatever.

Are you... one of the supervisors?

I see...
I'm sure Yuu-kun will cause you trouble
again, but please take care of him...

Yuuta Minami...
He's full of energy during his play
sessions... Maybe too much energy.
But once she arrives, he's a totally
different kid... She's his stepmother,
so I guess it can't be helped.

Yuuta-kun's father got remarried to
that woman you just met.
I heard she's from the city... I really
don't know what she's thinking.
Perhaps that's why Yuuta-kun is a
troublemaker at school, too...
The other day, he...

> The caretaker continues gossiping...

> You finished your job helping at the
day care center and went home.

> On the way home, on the Samegawa
flood plain...

> You see Yuuta's mother sitting over
there.

Oh, you're... You're the caretaker
I met the other day, right?

Oh! It's already this late?
I've been sitting here all this time...

...Oh, no, it's nothing.
*giggle* You're a high school student,
right? You seem so mature...

I was heading over there... I was going
to pick up Yuuta...
But then something came over me...
My legs just went weak all of a sudden.
Every time I think about him...

> Yuuta's mother sighs...

...Have you heard?
Yuuta and I aren't related by blood...

He's my husband's child. I've lived
with Yuuta for six months now...
Only six months... Already six months...
We don't ever talk to each other.
My husband is away, so... Heh...
It's just the two of us, alone together
in a dark house.

Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to tell
you all this out of the blue...
...But I'm glad you listened to me,
that you spoke with me...
Haha, it's sad, but these days, I don't
even get to have simple conversations
like this...

> Yuuta's mother is smiling weakly...
> It seems she is trying her best to
adapt to living in the countryside...
> You feel a faint bond forming between
you and Yuuta's mother...

I'm Eri Minami.
Eri Minami
Nice to meet you. Please take good care
of him.

...Oh, that's right. I still need to
pick him up.

It was nice seeing you...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care
center again...

Mister, let's arm-wrestle!
I'm the champion! No going easy on me!

> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

Oh, it's you...
-kun... was it?

Yuu-kun, are you getting along with
Mister ?

...No!
You don't have to come pick me up!

Yuu-kun...
*sigh*

...Do you like children?

When you become a father, you'll
probably help raise your kids...
Like those fathers in TV dramas...
I'm jealous.

> Eri looks sad.

Children seem to like those kind of
people.
I was watching a TV special and they
said, "The outstanding father is the man
who isn't conscious of his children."

> Eri started talking eagerly...

Really? You looked like you were having
a lot of fun...
So you basically just view this as your
job, then? That's great.

> Eri is impressed...

*sigh* It's so tiring...
I don't hate him, but...

...Of course I do.

> Eri is looking down...

...It's more complicated than that.
Haha, you're still a child, I see...

> Eri is smiling sadly...

I didn't like coming here because I'd
run into the other mothers, but...
...Haha.

> Eri smiled weakly...
> You felt like you could understand
Eri's feelings of loneliness a bit...

Ah... Are you Yuuta-kun's mother?
Is it okay for you to leave Yuuta-kun by
himself for this long?
I'm not sure it's such a good idea.
Even if you are worried about the young
new caretaker being able to watch over
your child.

...Yes, of course. I'm sorry to trouble
you.
Then... if you'll excuse me...

> You finished your job and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...

Huh? Yuu-kun, you don't know
Phoenix Ranger Featherman R?
You suck!

I dare you to say that again!

Yuu-kun's gonna get us! Run, everyone!

> Yuuta chases his friends as his face
turns red.
> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

Yuu-kun, let's go home...
It's getting late...

Akio, we're going home!

...When is he coming back?

Hmm? You mean your father...?
Hmmmm... I don't know yet.

...I'm going home with Ryu-kun.

*sigh*
I guess he wants to see his father.

I mean... even if he goes home,
he'll be alone with me, right?
I'm just a stranger who barged into
his life six months ago, so...
I feel a bit sorry for him.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

He hasn't said anything to you about it?
I'm just a stranger who barged into
his life six months ago, so...
I feel a bit sorry for him.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

My husband kind of set me up...
He only told me he had a child right
before we got married...
...But I thought he was the one for me,
so I figured the three of us would be
able to work it all out.

Then, right after we got married,
he was sent to China on business.
He keeps in contact with me, but...
It doesn't change the fact that he's
not here.

*sigh* He's so inconsiderate...

Huh...? O-Of course I do...
But you know, there's no way a child
can get along with a new mother, right?
So it can't be helped...

> Eri is looking the other way...

Huh...? I don't know...
When I married him, I thought he was
the one... But I'm not so sure anymore.
Even so... That's no reason to get
a divorce, right...?

> Eri sounds pretty emotionally
detached from the situation...

Maybe I rushed into marriage too
quickly...
When he told me I wouldn't have to work,
I thought it'd be a good idea, but...

Oh! Don't tell my husband, okay?

> Eri is smiling... But you can't tell
if it's genuine.
> You feel like you understand Eri a
bit more...

I wonder if Yuuta's home by now...
I'd better be going now, too.

> You finished your job and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...

Who wants to play ninja!?
C'mon, raise your hand!!

I don't wanna play ninja!
My clothes'll get dirty...

> Yuuta began playing ninja, completely
ignoring the girl's objections...
> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

Yuu-kun, I'm here. Let's go home.

......

Where do you want to eat dinner? We can
go somewhere expensive if you want.

...I'm not hungry.
I'm gonna play more!

...I'll come later next time.
I even left in the middle of a show
just to be on time... I'm getting fed
up with this treatment.

*sigh*
I should have known better than to try.
We're not related, so there's nothing
I can do about it...

......

> Eri is remaining silent...

They say when a woman starts breast-
feeding, her maternal instincts awaken.
...It's true, I saw it on television.

So, my maternal instinct towards him
is shut away, especially since I've only
known him for six months.
There's nothing I can do... Fate has
determined that we will be forever
distant.

Speaking of fate, have you heard this?
Your entire life is determined from
before you were even born.
We're just little robots following the
program our creator made for us.

So, whenever anything happens, there's
nothing you can do about it... It was
already decided for you.
Doesn't that make you feel better?
Isn't that a wonderful idea?

Amazing, isn't it?
I saw it on TV. I was so intrigued, I went
to see a lecture by that speaker, too.
I was moved to tears... I was so relieved
to know that there's a higher power!

> Eri's eyes are glittering...

Oh, men like you just can't understand
things like this...
I feel sorry for you. You live your
life based on reason and can never
explore your dreams or feelings.

> Eri's eyes have a sad look to them...

I saw it on TV. I was so intrigued, I went
to see a lecture by that speaker, too.
I was moved to tears... I was so relieved
to know that there's a higher power!

But it was on TV. He's a really
popular speaker.
It's good to have everyone like you.
Besides, everyone is entitled to
their own ideas...

> Eri is frowning...

I saw it on TV. I was so intrigued, I went
to see a lecture by that speaker, too.
I was moved to tears... I was so relieved
to know that there's a higher power!

There really isn't much to do when you
live this far away from the city...
All I have is TV and the internet.
You can buy things over the net now!
It's much more convenient. In fact,
I'm having trouble staying in shape.
Honestly, though... I just want to go
back to the city.

Huh? But I don't have any money...
Plus, there's Yuu-kun...

> Eri is looking the other way...

Huh? But I don't have any money...
And with Yuu-kun, there's just no
way I could...

> Eri is looking the other way...

Yeah... I gave up on that a long
time ago.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

...I really tell you a lot of personal
things.
Please, don't tell Yuu-kun...
Or the other mothers.

...Thank you, Mister .

> Eri looks relieved.
> You felt Eri opening up to you out of
a deep loneliness...

...Oh my, look at the time!
I'm sorry, Mister .
I'll take Yuu-kun home now.

> The two left abruptly and awkwardly.
> You decided to go home as well.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...

Let's wrestle, Mister!

> Yuuta is energetic today as usual.
> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

Yuu-kun, let's go home, okay?

...I don't wanna go home yet!
I'm playing with Mister!

But doesn't that bother him?

No!

Okay... fine. I'm going home.

......

> Yuuta suddenly turned silent.

> You decided to play with Yuuta for a
bit and then walk him home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> On the way home, on the Samegawa
flood plain...

> Eri is sitting over there...

...Is she mad at me?

......

She hates me.
But she has to take care of me...
I feel sorry for her.
......

......

Oh... Thank you. You walked him here?
...Maybe I should have you walk him all
the way home. Ha ha...
......

He looks so happy when he's at day care.
Today he yelled, "I don't wanna go
home!" Well, obviously not. Haha...

Even if he goes home, it's just the two
of us. He'll forget his father's face
at this rate.
Poor thing...

> The two are unknowingly pitying each
other...
> But it seems both are distancing
themselves from the other.

...I'm glad he's going to the day care
center.
He looks like he's having a good time,
and I have time to myself, too.
He seems happy even after he comes home,
especially on the days you're there.

...Of course, since we don't talk,
I've never actually heard him say so.
Please take care of him.

> You sense Eri's gratitude...
> You feel that your relationship with
Eri has grown deeper...

Yuu-kun, let's go home. Mister
has to go home, too.

> They awkwardly went home together.
> You decided to go home as well.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...
> Yuuta looks like he's playing
Phoenix Ranger Featherman R...

Take this, Feather Vacuum!

...Feather Chop!

There's no such move!

Y-Yeah there is! I saw it!

You're a liar! Yuu-kun lied again!
Liar, liar, pants on fire! I'll tell
the teacher on you!

> Yuuta is angrily biting his lip.
> ......
> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> No one came for Yuuta, so you decided
to walk him partway home.

Feather Vacuum...

> Yuuta is mumbling the move name...

...I've never seen Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R.

...She's always watching TV.

No... I've never really asked her if
I can watch it...
If I do...

N-No, I can't. If I do that...

She'll hate me.

*huff* *huff* I'm sorry I'm late...

......

Th-That's not true!

...I-I see.

Oh... Y-You're right.

...I'm sorry for being late.

I don't care.

......

> ...They seem to be growing even more
distant.

I-I'll make it up to you. Is there anything
you want? I'll buy it for you.
Anything at all. Just tell me what it is.

Huh...?

You like to play outside, so how about
a soccer ball?

......

Oh, okay... Y-You don't want one?
Ummmm, then how about a samurai sword?
When I was young, I used to...

No!
I don't want anything!

I'm going home.

......
Rejected... again.
Haha... Things don't ever seem to go
my way...
I don't know what a child wants...

Oh... I think I saw a commercial for that
on TV. It's a children's show, right?

I... I think it's on during one of the
shows I usually watch... Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R, huh...?

> Eri is surprised...

That can't be right. He's too young to
want money.
But you had me going for a second.

Oh... Maybe he really didn't want me
to buy him anything.

> Eri looks depressed...

That's...
That's... true, but...
......

But I can't help it!
His mother is no longer here, and his
father has chosen me!

> Eri is upset for some reason...

If I just knew some character he liked,
I could buy him something...

> You remembered Yuuta mentioning
something about Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R.

Phoenix Ranger Featherman R...?
That's that children's show, right?
I don't remember him ever watching it...

Well then, I think I'll buy him
a Phoenix Ranger Featherman R toy
or something.
...Haha, it's like I'm earning brownie points.
Thank you.

> Eri looks enthusiastic.
> You feel like your relationship with
Eri has grown deeper...

Then... I'll see you again.

> You finished your job and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care
center...
> Yuuta is playing Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R.

Here I gooo! Feather Eternal Drill!

Argh... Y-You can't be that legendary...

Hahaha! There's nothing my drill can't
destroy!

> Yuuta looks like he's having fun
playing Phoenix Ranger Featherman R...

> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> No one came for Yuuta, so you decided
to walk him partway home.

You spilled the beans, didn't you, Mister?

You told her I liked Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R, huh?

I knew it! You've got a big mouth for
a guy!

Huh? It wasn't you? Then how did
she know?

Mo... Th-That lady!

She bought me a robot and a DVD!

So, uhhh...
Wh-What do you think... would make
her happy?

I-In return for her gift!?

You grown-ups always dodge my questions
like that!

......

But I don't know! That's why I'm
asking you!

Is Mother's Day... already over?

Oh! A four-leaf clover!

She said she likes them. She said they
bring happiness.

Alright! I'm going to find a bunch of 'em
by next Mother's Day!
Then she'll have a bunch of happiness!

*huff* *huff* I'm sorry for being late...
...Yuu-kun, what were you talking with
Mister about?

N-Nothing!
You don't have to come pick me up!
I can go home myself!

Haha... I guess it's not that easy to fix
everything...
I wonder if he's afraid of me...

*sigh* ...I knew it...
Still, it's quite a shock to hear it
from someone else.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

It's okay... You don't have to lie.

> Eri is being considerate to you...

Both of us... So you're saying I'm
scared as well, huh...?

> Eri is smiling wryly...

Whenever I speak to him, he hides or
leaves... He's always running away
from me.
He must hate the fact that I'm here.

*sigh* ...I wonder if time will be
able to fix it.
But I can't just think of the future...
I'm suffering now, so it should be fixed
now.

> Eri is smiling wryly...

D-Do you think so...? Then maybe I'll
hang in there a little longer...

> Eri displays a relieved smile.

Thanks... I feel a bit better.
I really can't talk about this to
anyone else... Thank you for always
listening to my problems.

> Eri seems to trust you...
> You feel like your relationship with
Eri has grown deeper...

I'm going home now.
Can I catch up to him from here...?
Haha... I'll think of it as a workout.

> You finished your job and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...

Stop it! Don't hit Misaki-chan!

That's not Misaki! That's Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R's enemy in disguise!

...Then I quit playing Phoenix Ranger
Featherman R!

> It looks like Yuuta is protecting a girl...

> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You decided to escort Eri and Yuuta
part of the way home.

Oh... Minami-san. You're with Yuuta-kun?

I'm going to play by the river!

Nakamura-sensei...
Oh, I-I apologize for the trouble Yuuta
caused at school...

> The woman seems to be a teacher at
Yuuta's school.

Yuuta-kun really is rambunctious.
You can tell how he was raised...

Oh, who is this? He seems a bit young
to be your husband.

Oh, I see.
Lookin' after Yuuta-kun's a tough job,
isn't it?

Oh, I see... So how do you know each
other?
*gasp* You aren't...

N-No! He's a caretaker at the day care
center where Yuuta stays...

...You look so different from the last
time we met.
I see... Husband, hmmm...?

N-No! He's a caretaker at the day care
center where Yuuta stays...

Even so, he is quite young. I guess
people from the city are different from
us country people.
I guess it can't be helped that Yuuta-kun
has turned out this way.

......

It's sooo burdensome to make extra
lesson copies for him.
I have to use my private time for that,
you know? Well, I suppose it's all part
of my job.

I-I'm sorry...

If it was just his grades, that would be
one thing, but then there's his slight
violent streak, too.
It's easy to laugh off now, but eventually
it'll turn into bullying...
Which leads to delinquency, which in turn
leads one day into... crime.

......

...Well, I must be on my way. I'm sorry
to have bothered you.

All of the other mothers of children in
Yuuta's class respect Ms. Nakamura as
a good teacher...
They all gossip about me because I'm a
second wife, and an outsider...

And you know how Yuuta is, right?
So, it's impossible for me to make any
friends here.

If only... If only he was a more
studious child...

Then, what? It's all my fault!?
I'm doing my best! And yet...!

I'm fed up, I'm just sick of it all!
Why does this always happen to me...!?

> Eri started crying...

They are a factor!
Because his grades are bad, his teacher's
nasty to me, and that makes the other
mothers gossip about me!
I'm trying so hard, and yet he's...!

I'm fed up, I'm just sick of it all!
Why does this always happen to me...!?

> Eri started crying...

What else am I supposed to do!?

I'm the one suffering here! I'm the
only one who's trying!

> Eri started crying...

D-Don't bully Mom!

> Yuuta punched you as hard as he could...

A-Are you all right...?

......

I just had something in my eye,
Yuuta. Mister wasn't
bullying me...

......

*chuckle* I-I'm sorry. But... Thank you.
I guess I'm... happy.

> Eri is smiling through her tears...
> You feel that your bond with Eri has
tightened...

Bye, now. I'll see you again at the
day care center.

Let's go home... Yuuta.

> You finished your job and went home,
completely unfazed by any punches you
may have been hit with...

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...

Mister, you're the bad guy!

No, he's playing house with me!

> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

I'm sorry about the other day.
Were you hurt?

Really? That's good to know...

> Eri flashed a relieved smile.

*giggle* I should have known. You are
a man, after all.

> Eri is smiling gently.

Yuuta was worried, too. Right?

...Sor...ry...

......
I'm sorry!

*giggle* Isn't he a good boy?
......
Hearing him call me "Mom"...
It had a nice ring to it.

I was so happy when he said it.
*giggle*

People call him a troublemaker and
a good-for-nothing... And I believed
all the things they said.
I didn't bother to look at him with my
own eyes...

He gets angry and defends people,
he apologizes when he needs to...
He's actually a sweet boy...

*chuckle* Isn't he!?

> Eri laughed and nodded.

Hahaha, maybe I am. Being a parent is
actually pretty fun.

> Eri is smiling gently.

I was labeling him like everyone else.
He's not related to me, he's the last
wife's child, he doesn't listen to me,
he's a troublemaker at school...
I labeled him over and over, then
I told myself it couldn't be helped.
I was blind... No, I wasn't even trying
to see him for myself. Maybe I was just
afraid of facing him...

...What took me so long, huh?

*chuckle* You really don't sugarcoat
things, do you?

> Eri is smiling...
> This is the happiest you've ever
seen her.
> You feel your relationship with Eri
has grown deeper...

You're right!

> Eri is smiling happily.
> This is the happiest you've ever
seen her.
> You feel your relationship with Eri
has grown deeper...

Yuuta! Let's go home!

Goodbye... And thanks for today!

> You finished your job and went home.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...

Mister! It's your turn to be it!

> Yuuta is more energetic than ever.
> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions.

Mister ... Umm...
Th-Thank you for taking care of
my Yuuta.

Today's my last day!
I'm not coming here anymore!

Yuuta told me...
"We need time," he said...
*chuckle* It's funny, isn't it? I mean,
he's absolutely right.

That's right!

We were talking... We thought that
maybe we could try to become a family
little by little.
In order for that to work, I think we need to
spend more time together.

So, today's the last day he'll be here.
When Yuuta's done with school, we'll
spend time together at the house.

...Thank you.
We owe it all to you, but sadly, this is
goodbye for us.

> Eri is smiling a bit sadly...

Oh... Don't say that. It's not helping
my decision any.
We won't see each other anymore,
but... we owe this all to you.

> Eri is smiling gently...

I want to give you this.

> You obtained .

It's a four-leaf clover I found long ago
and made into a bookmark.
...I've already got my happiness.
You can have it.
I hope you find someone nice.
I don't mean a lover... I mean, someone
that you value enough to protect...

"I'd do anything for them!"
You know, someone like that.

> Eri's eyes are sparkling...

TV... Spiritual lectures... I was so stupid
back then.
I was trying to find ways to satisfy
myself without caring about others...

But there was no way I would have truly
been content if the people dear to me
weren't content also...
...I was scared. But I've learned my
lesson now. I won't just try and escape
into my own personal time.

Yeah!

So today is our graduation ceremony!

Yeah!

Thank you so much...

Thanks so much!

> The two are smiling happily...
> It seems that you were able to
support Eri...
> You feel the bond between you and Eri
has grown tight...

All right, let's go home, shall we?
Want to hold hands?

I'll race you!

Hey, go easy on me, Yuuta!

Then... I'll be going now. It's a small town,
so I'm sure we'll meet again.
I'll be a better mother when you see me
next time, so be surprised, okay?
So long, Mister ...
And thank you.

> Eri and Yuuta raced home happily...
> ...You decided to go home as well.

> Fog has enveloped the area...

> You helped out at the day care center...
> Yuuta and Eri are no longer here...

> Once again, the children tug at you
from all directions..

> Hill overlooking town...

Hey! It's you, Mister!

Mister ...
...What a coincidence. Yuuta and I just
randomly decided to come here today.
Is this fate...?

> Eri smiles brightly.

Let's play, Mister!

Hey, don't be selfish, Yuuta. I want to
talk to Mister , too.

Yaaay!

> You played with Yuuta...

I appreciate you playing with Yuuta.
You really wore him out. He fell asleep
on the bench.

...Is it a grown-up conversation?
I'll go play over there, then. Let me know
when you're done!

*chuckle* He's a little selfish, but he
does actually care about the feelings
of others.

By the way... you know how the criminal
behind those incidents got arrested?
I was afraid because everything about
the case was so mysterious, and that
awful fog didn't help, either...
When I heard the culprit was arrested,
the first thing that came to my mind
was about Yuuta.
"Yuuta is safe now..." I felt so relieved.
I can now understand what it means by
"the life of a parent revolves around
their child."

I just want my kid to grow up to be
a kind person; that's really all I ask
of Yuuta.
Life is not only about yourself...
There are always other people around you,
so your life will affect their life.
So I want Yuuta to become the type of
person who can empathize with someone
else... Understand their situation...
I believe that being kind to others
will satisfy one's own heart...

Thank you so much for everything.
You changed my entire life.

I never really thought about my life
in the past.
I thought I'd be okay if I could enjoy
the moment... I'd just spend the rest
of my life killing time.

But now I see things differently.
Having Yuuta with me every day, laughing
together over small things...
I feel alive.

*chuckle* I'm glad I'm a mother.

> Eri smiles brightly.
> You feel a close bond between Eri
and yourself...

I have to go now... I promised Yuuta
we'd make spaghetti and meatballs
together tonight.
Goodbye, Mister .
I'm glad I met you.