It has been a while since Souren Manranyama was expelled from Wanzan Mountain and temporarily stayed at the Uesugi family before renting a house on her own.
Souren Manranyama sat on the tatami-covered wooden floor, leisurely watching Van bustling in the kitchen.
"What's wrong? Are you looking for something?" Souren Manranyama asked softly.
"Well... we're out of tea oil, so I'm going out to buy some."
"No need, I'll go."
"How can I let Miss Souren... I mean, we're living together as good friends, right?"
Souren Manranyama smiled and left the apartment before Van.
They have both gotten used to protecting each other, they just adapt to the change in how they address each other at a different pace.
After leaving the Wanzan Mountain for some time, the calm Souren Manranyama finally realized that she was being manipulated by Bai Yaxin. However, she wasn't particularly angry or regretful.
She knew very well that even if she knew about Bai Yaxin's plan in advance, she would still take the same action.
There is an indomitable stubbornness that cannot be cured.
In the supermarket downstairs, Souren Manranyama quickly found the tea oil Van mentioned. She also bought some pudding that she loves to eat and some ice cream that Van likes but never buys. She hurried to the checkout counter.
While checking out, Souren Manranyama unintentionally noticed that the mother of the Uesugi family, Uesugi Yukino, was working at the adjacent checkout counter.
As Souren Manranyama noticed Uesugi Yukino, Uesugi Yukino also noticed her. Their gazes met, and for a moment, both of them were a little stunned.
However, soon, surprise turned into the joy of a chance encounter. Both of them smiled and nodded at each other, no longer needing more words.
People who understand each other only need a nod, while those who cannot understand each other, whether through language or negotiation...
Even in war, with thousands of casualties, understanding is still impossible.
That's getting too deep. Souren Manranyama finished shopping and walked home, taking three steps in two.
Although her current life and the material level she had at Wanzan Mountain are like heaven and earth, Souren Manranyama doesn't miss the past at all.
This kind of life now is good.
Souren Manranyama sincerely feels this way.
Leaving behind the complicated past at Wanzan Mountain, living a simple life with Van, since losing her mother, Souren Manranyama has regained the long-lost joy of living.
As for the unresolved matters, Souren Manranyama wants to put them aside for now.
Life should start with cherishing oneself and caring for loved ones.
Every afternoon, at the entrance of Kyoto Municipal Elementary School, there is a modestly dressed but still very eye-catching young woman standing dignifiedly, waiting for her child to finish school.
In fact, in Kyoto, and even in Japan as a whole, it is not common for parents to personally pick up and drop off their children after they start elementary school.
There are many reasons for cultivating children's independence, giving them space to grow, etc... so parents rarely pick up and drop off their children.
The young woman who insists on picking up her child after school is named Koga Shie.
After wiping off the heavy makeup, she gives a fresh impression, and the child she picks up is naturally Koga Mizuo.
On one hand, Koga Shie wants to make up for the past lack of attention to her daughter. Now, excluding the time for school and sleep, Koga Shie has very little time to be with her daughter, so she doesn't want to miss any chance to be with her.
On the other hand, it is for the safety of her daughter. First of all, this is not just being overly cautious or overly protective, there are reasons for it. Recently, Koga Mizuo has..."Mom, why are you picking me up again!"
