"Is that so..."
For the first time, Jessica Ushiromiya saw her mother looking so helpless, and she could not help feeling flustered.
Until just moments ago, she had looked down on all these relatives, including her mother, but those feelings had now vanished without a trace.
The instant she saw her mother's utterly exhausted expression, those feelings disappeared completely. What surfaced in her mind instead were the words George had said. He had said that their parents were trying too, that the burden of a family was a heavy responsibility one had to keep struggling under, even if it dirtied one's hands.
Perhaps because no one had ever tried to understand that hardship, her mother had been left standing alone in such a dim corridor.
Jessica had always disliked her mother, so she had not intended to soften merely because she saw her looking somewhat dejected. To say something considerate, she had to clench her fists and force the words out from the depths of her heart.
"You two sure had a deep conversation."
"This has nothing to do with you. Go away."
"Is your headache bad? Should I go get you some medicine?"
"Don't mind me. I'm begging you, just let me be alone for a while."
Natsuhi Ushiromiya was not deliberately being cold. She merely wanted her daughter to stay away from her current state, lest she take out her temper on her. Naturally, that intention did not get across.
"Okay."
Jessica lowered her head sadly. Seeing her expression, Natsuhi felt the consideration Jessica was trying so hard to show her mother. She gently shook her head, brushing away the feelings that might make her unable to stop herself from being harsh toward her daughter.
"Then I'll go. I'll stay with my cousins so I won't disturb you