A Righteous Person
The short-haired woman spotted her child.
She was beside a young man not far away.
The woman frowned.
When had her child gotten over to that young man?
And...
Did her child know him?
A flicker of confusion crossed the short-haired woman's eyes.
But...
Her child was fine.
Her child hadn't disappeared.
The short-haired woman felt a wave of relief.
The nerves that had been taut just moments ago slowly relaxed.
Her clenched fist gradually loosened, too.
She strode toward her child.
She completely forgot about the person she'd been at odds with just a second earlier.
The woman opposite her: ...
The sudden "turn of events" left her a little bewildered.
The short-haired woman—
She followed the short-haired woman's gaze.
The little girl came into view, and she understood.
The short-haired woman had gone to find her child.
What about her?
Should she call after the short-haired woman as she walked away?
Or stay and wait for her to come back so they could continue their argument?
Or...
Leave?
But if she just left like this...
Wouldn't it feel a little like slinking away?
The woman frowned.
An argument that ended without a proper conclusion was frustrating.
The short-haired woman hurried over to her child.
She glanced at the stranger beside the girl, then bent down and focused on her.
"Nannan, how did you get over here?"
The little girl looked flustered.
She twisted her fingers uncertainly. "...You, you were arguing so loudly..."
The little girl's voice was very faint.
"I was scared."
The short-haired woman froze.
Then she gave a rueful smile, understanding.
Scared...
Of course. How could an argument between adults not frighten a child?
"It's okay."
The short-haired woman reached out and gently smoothed the loose hair