When Two Negatives Make a Positive, Does a Positive and a Negative Also Make... a Positive?

"I've never seen such a father!"

After that, Kuru and Kurumi found an inn to stay at. During that time, Katie did nothing but cry. Kuru had no good solution for it and could only complain helplessly to Kurumi.

"What kind of person is he? He has no idea how much Katie has suffered. Anyone else would probably have given up long ago! Katie finally came back safely, so even if he doesn't like her, he shouldn't treat her like this...!!"

"No, it's all my fault... Father isn't to blame..."

Hearing Kuru's complaints, Katie wiped at the swollen, reddened corners of her eyes and shook her head.

"Father... he hates me. I know... He hates me for taking Mother away..."

"That happened?"

"Yes... Mother... died when she gave birth to me... So Father has never liked me..."

Katie bit her lip and lowered her head.

"Father has disliked me ever since I was little... It's all my fault... But even though Father doesn't like me, he still let me stay here... That's already enough..."

"But... even if your mother died giving birth to you, he still shouldn't treat you like this..."

"Kuru..."

At that moment, Kurumi, who had been standing nearby, suddenly interrupted Kuru's complaints. She looked at Katie and asked softly.

"So... Katie? What do you plan to do next?"

"I... I don't know."

Katie looked rather lost in the face of Kurumi's question.

"I'll go find Father again after he calms down. I don't know what I did wrong, but if I go back and sincerely apologize to Father, then he should forgive me..."

"And then? You can't keep living like this forever..."

"..."

Katie had no answer. Just as Kuru said, she couldn't go on like this forever. But... other than home, where else could she go?