A few days later, one evening, Shin-chan pushed open the front door and called out as usual.
"You're back!"
The living room fell silent for a second, then a listless voice came from inside.
"Okay... you're back..."
Shin-chan froze for a moment, quickly kicked off his shoes, and glanced into the living room.
Miya sat beside the dining table with her chin propped on both hands, her eyes vacant. Her entire body radiated an air of I don't want to move.
Shin-chan walked over.
"Mom."
"Mm..."
"You're acting weird today."
Miya said nothing.
Shin-chan stared at Miya for two seconds. "Mom, shouldn't you be saying, 'It should be me who's back'?"
Miya nodded. "Since you know that, make sure you say it properly from now on."
Shin-chan: "..."
This wasn't right.
This was completely wrong.
Usually, if he said that, Mom would definitely jump up and yell at him, saying something like, "What kind of stupid nonsense are you talking about?"
Shin-chan leaned closer and stared at Miya's face.
Miya got creeped out by the way he was looking at her.
"What?"
"Mom, are you sick?"
Miya paused, then shook her head.
"No. I'm just a little tired. There are snacks in the fridge—go get some yourself."
Shin-chan's eyes lit up, and he immediately tossed his earlier doubts to the back of his mind. Thump-thump-thump, he ran over and opened the refrigerator.
Strawberry pudding!
After only a few bites, Shin-chan couldn't help looking back again.
Miya was still in the same position, staring out the window without moving.
Shin-chan scratched his head and continued eating his snack.
Forget it. He didn't understand grown-up stuff anyway.
After finishing the pudding, Shin-chan threw the empty cup into the trash and went thump-thump-thumping back to find Miya.
This time, Miya had gotten up.