The Love of My Childhood Friend, Who Has Overcome a Terminally Ill Diagnosis, Is Overwhelming
After parking our car at an hourly parking lot near the high-rise apartment building where Kanade and her family lived, we headed toward her house, relying on our smartphones for directions.
“Wow, what an impressive high-rise!”
Well, even though I said we were relying on our smartphones… the high-rise apartment building where Kanade and her family lived stood out in the quiet residential neighborhood, much like a landmark tower rising up in the city center.
I could understand my mother’s words of admiration.
“Ugh, I wonder when we’ll ever be able to live in a tower block like this.”
“Eh, I’d prefer a detached house, though. I’ve heard stories about how a hierarchy forms between the different floors in tower blocks.”
“I guess that kind of thing is rampant everywhere.”
My parents were having a conversation that made me cringe right in front of me.
“Well then, shall we head over?”
We entered the high-rise and soon arrived in front of Kanade’s apartment.
“I’m feeling a little nervous, actually.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Ichinose family, after all.”
“Alright, I’m going to ring the bell.”
As soon as my father rang the doorbell, we heard the sound of footsteps shuffling from inside.
“Coming!”
“…It’s been a while.”
“…Yeah. It’s been a while.”
The long-awaited reunion between me and Kanade’s parents was tearless on both sides… It seemed as though they were quietly, yet genuinely, happy to see each other again.
“Thank you so much for coming all this way today.”
“No, it’s nothing. Come on in.”
“We’re intruding.”
“We’re intruding.”
I watched their exchange from a step behind, and though their conversation felt somewhat formal, for some reason it made me smile a little.
“Thank you so much for coming all this way.”
After showing us into the living room, Kanade’s mother said.
“You’re the one who came all this way, aren’t you? How was France?”
“It was fun. …Though saying that might be a lie.”
Kanade’s father nodded with a wry smile.
“But… it was a valuable experience. I never thought I’d have the chance to learn something new at my age.”
“I see… That’s good to hear.”
“What have you two been up to since you came back here?”
“He’s just working a regular job.”
Sitting next to Kanade’s mother, her father gave a wry smile.
“As for me… lately, I’ve been giving lectures.”
“Lectures?”
“Yes. …There’s a demand from all kinds of people for the perspective of parents whose child has been given a terminal diagnosis.”
…Indeed, facing a child who has been given a terminal diagnosis must require a certain resolve.
For example, people who find themselves in a situation similar to Kanade’s parents’… the valuable, firsthand experiences they can hear from Kanade’s parents would likely be very helpful.
It’s not just that.
…Death. Especially the death of a young child… has a certain allure from an entertainment perspective as well.
“…To be honest, while we were over there, there was a time when we were struggling financially.”
Even if it was for the treatment of a child given a terminal diagnosis, the costs of long-term treatment abroad were bound to be exorbitant, weren’t they?
“So… while I was looking for various ways to raise money, I received that kind of offer.”
…I felt a bit conflicted.
“…At first, I hesitated.”
After all, the choice Kanade’s parents made was nothing less than turning Kanade into a spectacle.
“Because I was hesitant, I honestly asked her about it.”
…But after hearing Kanade’s mother’s words, I realized it immediately.
“And she just said, ‘Why don’t you give a lecture?’ without a moment’s hesitation.”
…That’s exactly what Kanade would have said.
“Kanade is such a strong girl.”
“…Yes. She’s become so strong, I can hardly believe she’s my own child.”
After saying that, Kanade’s mother gave a wry smile.
“But above all… it seems there was something she wanted to prioritize over being put on display.”
“What was that?”
“She said she wanted to leave behind proof that she lived.”
…Indeed, regardless of the form it took, if Kanade’s parents held a lecture about their child who had been given a terminal diagnosis, an unspecified number of people would have the opportunity to learn about Kanade.
And then, drawing inspiration from Kanade’s life… those who heard her mother’s story would reflect on how to live their own lives moving forward.
That truly meant… that Kanade’s way of living had changed the way others lived.
In other words, it would serve as proof that Kanade had lived.
“…She really is a strong girl, isn’t she?”
Kanade’s mother smiled proudly.
“…Oh. I mean, it’s a bit late to ask now, but where’s Kanade?”
A solemn atmosphere hung in the living room.
My mother… only now realized that Kanade wasn’t in the living room.
“…Ah.”
Kanade’s mother, who until just a moment ago had been talking about her daughter with pride—yet with a hint of sadness—… looked away and scratched her cheek.
“She said she doesn’t want to see him.”
“……Huh?”
“Akkun.”
……Wait, what?
“Akkun, did you get into a fight with my daughter or something?”
……My parents’ stares pierced my cheeks.
“……Um, actually, I had a competition with Kanade on a test.”
“Uh-huh, uh-huh.”
“I totally crushed her.”
…I mean, I absolutely destroyed her.
“Hehhe. How pathetic.”
…Kanade’s mom was desperately trying to hold back her laughter.
“Really. That kid didn’t study at all until right before she came back to Japan. There’s no way she could challenge A-kun and win.”
…After a moment… Kanade’s mom said with an exasperated look.
“…Akkun. Sorry. She’s in her room—could you go get her?”
“…Eh?”
“If you don’t go, who’s going to?”
Her mother gave me a sharp slap on the back.
“…Alright, I’ll go check on her.”
“Okay.”
“Take your time.”
It seemed like Kanade’s mother and mine… were actually enjoying the situation.
Maiasa