Playing Family Chapter 3 12 (Final Episode)
Although I hadn't asked for it in advance, once the flurry of conversation had died down, a friend from my music class sat at the grand piano and began playing, as if providing live music for the party.
Pachelbel's "Canon," Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Bach's "Air on the G String," Liszt's "Liebestraum," Chopin's Nocturne Op. 72, No. 1 in E minor (posthumous), and Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata."
In the end, my own preferences won out for the concert program. I chose pieces that Tatsuya was familiar with and that held memories for Sakurako as well.
I had debated using "Moonlight" to express a sense of requiem, but since Tatsuya was playing a requiem, I decided against choosing a piece that might feel like we were competing, and chose "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" instead.
Just being able to play on the grand piano that sat in the center of the mansion's large living room made my heart soar. My friend's playing didn't feel like background music for a lounge; perhaps because they were conscious of it being a concert, the volume was high and the style was powerful. Even so, they seemed to be enjoying the occasion.
As I was drinking by myself, Kajitani approached me.
"It was a great turnout."
Coming from Kajitani, who muttered it under his breath, that was the highest form of praise.
"…Thank you for coming."
I offered a polite acknowledgment as well.
"Yeah, about that time. I really appreciate your help with Yoshihiko. I'm sorry I never thanked you."
Uncharacteristically for him, Kajitani bowed his head.
"They say that for children who are becoming school-refusers, instead of forcing them to go to school, it's more effective to take the plunge and say something like, 'Do whatever you want.'"
"And that 'starting over in an environment different from your current home life' is one method, so if studying abroad is an option, I recommend it. ...That's what a school teacher tipped me off about, anyway."
Recommending study abroad to Yoshihiko wasn't just my own idea. I had been taught the strategy through Mr. Yoshihara.
"So that's how it was...."
"At the time, I was surprised at how much influence a mother has. He came back with a completely different look on his face."
"I'm glad that, following that, you were able to make sure he could properly go to Canada."
"Actually, that kid... he didn't have enough attendance days in his second year of junior high, and he was threatened with the possibility of needing a review, so he was on edge until just recently. It was only the day before yesterday that his visa was approved and it was certain he could go."
"Oh my!"
"I was relieved when it was decided he could go."
"…And your mother-in-law?"
"She's happy for Yoshihiko. She's already picking out souvenirs, saying things like, 'Canada only has maple syrup, doesn't it?'"
"I see."
Laughter welled up naturally. It felt somehow funny to be talking harmoniously with my ex-husband, whom I had married and gone through a messy divorce with.
"Still, you really managed to get into a good spot. ...You have real estate other than this place, right? That's amazing."
Sensing the cunning side of Kajitani, I frowned.
"Are you getting remarried? …Or are you already? You found a good man."
I cast a deliberately cold gaze at Kajitani and said,
"What are you talking about? …The assets belong to Tatsuya. We are both just managing them. …And a proper marriage probably won't happen."
"I see. That's…"
I don't know what Kajitani wanted to say. But no matter what he thought or what he said, my heart no longer rippled like it used to.
It wasn't that I had lost my emotions. I was wrapped in a generous feeling that allowed me to accept anything. I had become able to interact with him calmly.
Seeing me, who had changed so much from before, Kajitani laughed and said,
"…Then it's like you're playing 'house'."
I snorted at those words and said,
"No. We are 'playing family'."
"Playing family?"
You probably wouldn't understand, but this is actually quite fun, I chuckled to myself.
~The End~
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[Novel] Playing Family Chapter 1 1
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