The Most Beautiful Girl in School Has Become a Mother - Chapter 9: Imiya Miori's Past

“You don’t understand to be a mother… what does that mean?”

I didn’t quite understand the meaning of what Imiya-san said, so I asked her.

I don’t understand the mother──from those words, I felt a heavy atmosphere. It wasn’t a topic one would normally discuss with friends in everyday conversation; there was a weighty resonance to it.

She prefaced her words by saying, “I hope you don’t take it the wrong way,” and then continued.

“I… my dad and mom are gone.”

“Huh?”

“My mother wasn’t around when I became aware of things, and as for my father, I don’t even know what he looks like.”

A shocking statement came out of her mouth.

Imiya Miori easily talked about the past without paying any mind to my confusion.

It seems that Imiya-san’s parents went against both families’ objections and got married almost like a runaway couple. However, shortly after she was born, her parents divorced. For a while, her mother raised her alone, but being a single mother with a newborn was physically and mentally demanding. The strain took its toll, and by the time she turned two, her mother fell seriously ill due to overwork.

Realizing that she couldn’t raise her daughter any longer, the mother bowed her head to her parents and returned home. However, by that time, her health had deteriorated significantly, and she passed away without recovering, leaving Imiya-san behind. As for the father, it seems that no one knows what happened to him after the divorce.

From then on, she lived under the care of her maternal grandparents.

“That’s why… I don’t understand what it means to be a mother. I don’t know how to interact with her correctly as a mother, or how to play the role of a mother. I have… no memories to refer to.”

I could only listen in silence. I had no idea what to say or what words would be appropriate, so I could only remain silent.

It was the same for Shinya. Since Sumomo was a friend, she probably knew that fact too. With a sigh, she directed her gaze towards the rooftop railing.

This is information that Imiya Miori generally does not disclose. At least, I had never heard of it, and judging by Shinya’s surprised reaction, it seemed to be the first time for him too. It’s probably a truth that she only shares with her really close friends.

──This is the worst.

I thought that instantly.

The request I made, thinking only of my sister, might have ended up hurting her immensely. Only the fear and regret of that possibility swirled through my entire being.

“Um, I just talk about something unpleasant──”

“Oh. You don’t have to apologize, okay?”

When I tried to string together an apology, she interrupted me as if she had read my mind.

“Because it’s not like it’s a bad or unpleasant thing. It’s just that my parents were like that… I just talked about that fact.”

Imiya-san laughed weakly.

It was completely different from the smile she always spread around her. It was a serene smile, yet filled with a sense of resignation, as if she had given up on life. At the very least, it was not the kind of smile a second-year high school girl would show.

“But when I talk about this, everyone struggles to find the right words and apologizes, looking really sorry, so I always end up feeling sorry for myself. That’s why I just decided not to talk about it with anyone. So, really, don’t worry about it?”

“Why… Did you tell me that?”

Imiya-san says that, but in the end, it must have turned out just as she predicted.

From the way she’s talking now, it seems like she probably only shares her family situation with a few close friends, like Sumomo. For me and Imiya-san, today is probably the first time we’ve really talked. I don’t think it’s something I should be telling someone like that.

“That’s because Sanada-kun explained it properly.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. You explained the reasons, including the family situation, and I understood how you felt. So I thought it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t explain my reasons.”

It’s not fair──I get that, but I didn’t want to force her to talk either.

If it would make her feel uncomfortable, it would have been better to keep it under wraps. But if she absolutely can’t do it, then I have no choice but to step back.

Even if that were the case, the fact that she tries to respond to my feelings is what makes this girl, Imiya Miori, who she is. I think she is a good person, but at the same time, she has a slightly self-sacrificing nature.

“Besides, if it’s me, I wouldn’t be able to fulfill Shuri-chan’s request. If she wants a mother, but the person playing the mother doesn’t know the right answers, then I wouldn’t be able to do anything for her, right? That would be so sad.”

She furrowed her brows and gave a troubled smile, then let out a small sigh.

When I see that troubled face, I can’t help but feel an indescribable emotion. Various feelings well up inside me, but I don’t know what to say.

“I know this is the same answer as the day before yesterday, but… I really think you should look for another mother. I want to help if I can, but it’s just not possible for me… I’m sorry.”

After that, Imiya-san, with an apologetic look on her face, forced a smile and said, “Well, see you later,” as she walked towards the rooftop entrance.

Just like the day before yesterday, I could only watch her small back in a daze.