アイは3人の子供を育てるシングルマザー。元夫と2年前に離婚してから、4人でアパートで暮らしている。離婚当初は険悪だった関係も今は改善し、子供たちも元夫との面会を楽しみにしている。長男のマモルは面倒見がよく、弟たちの世話もしている。元夫とはいい関係を築いており、子供たちは元夫と過ごす時間を楽しみにしている。元夫が再び家族としてやり直したいと言ってきて、アイはどう受け止めるか悩んでいる。【第2話】へ続く。
I, Ai, am a single mother raising three children (10-year-old Mamoru, 6-year-old Satoshi, 2-year-old Hiroto). I divorced my ex-husband, Kiichi, two years ago, and had to leave the house with the children. Since then, the four of us have been living in an apartment. When we got divorced, I thought, in a very hostile atmosphere, “I don’t want to see his face anymore!” but now that feeling has passed. I can now enjoy being with the three children together much more than before. Kiichi also says, “It’s fun to be together,” and most importantly, I look forward to visiting days with Kiichi.
Perhaps because the father isn’t living with us, my eldest son, Mamoru, has grown up to be a very reliable child. He often helps take care of his two younger brothers. Although we don’t live a wealthy life, surrounded by kind children, I am very happy. I have built a good relationship with Kiichi, my ex-husband now, and the children are eagerly awaiting the visiting day. And today is that day.
We headed to the meeting place.
Meetings with Kiichi often involve having a meal and then playing in the park. This is what the children want. Whenever Kiichi asks the kids, “Where do you want to go?” they always say, “We want to play soccer with dad in the park!”
Kiichi, out of breath, approached the bench where I was sitting. I poured barley tea from the thermos I brought into a cup for Kiichi.
After a brief silence…
Kiichi, after finishing the barley tea, sat next to me and started a conversation.
“Can we… start over?” “Huh?” I was surprised by Kiichi’s words.
“Of course, I understand that this might seem like a convenient story. We were once separated… Mamoru even changed schools, I know it won’t be easy for you to accept this right away. Still, my feeling of ‘I want to be together after all’ has been growing stronger.” I don’t know how to respond to Kiichi’s confession.
I was surprised by Kiichi’s sudden confession. Certainly, I haven’t come to dislike Kiichi. And the children are very fond of Kiichi, and I look forward to the monthly visiting days. Maybe if we become a family again, things might work out this time. But I also understand that it’s not that simple. Because it’s not easy, I need to think carefully… What should I do?
To be continued in “Episode 2”.
Original idea: Mama Star Community, Script: motte, Artwork: Uotshi, Editing: Tsukada Moe