Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara Ne — Okaasan No

When Yuki woke up an hour later, she found her son’s arm linked through hers. She kissed the top of his head. He pretended to stay asleep.

And Haruki, for the first time in years, didn’t add his usual line. okaasan no koto nanka zenzen suki janain dakara ne

“Mm?”

“Okaasan no koto nanka zenzen suki janain dakara ne” — “It’s not like I like you or anything, Mom.” Every morning, thirteen-year-old Haruki muttered this under his breath before slamming the front door. His mother, Yuki, would just smile from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “Have a good day, Haru!” When Yuki woke up an hour later, she

The next morning, walking home in the frozen dawn, Haruki kicked a can down the empty street. Yuki walked beside him, still wearing his scarf. And Haruki, for the first time in years,

“Hey, Mom.”