Kinuyo had taught Kazu painting since she was seven. It was Kinuyo who had encouraged her to study to get into a fine arts university. After graduating, Kazu had begun working part-time at Kinuyo’s painting school. Now Kinuyo was hospitalized, Kazu was teaching all the classes.

“I know you’re busy here too, so thank you so much for taking the art classes again this week.”

“Of course, not a problem,” Kazu replied.

“Thank you for the orange juice,” Yohsuke said nodding toward Kazu and Nagare, who were both standing behind the counter. Yohsuke left the café first.

clang-dong

“Okay, I’ll be off.”

Kyoko waved goodbye and followed Yohsuke out of the door.

clang-dong

When the two left the café, so did the lively atmosphere, leaving the room silent. The café did not play background music, which meant when no one was talking, you could hear the woman in the white dress turning the pages of her novel.

“How did they say Kinuyo was getting along?” Nagare asked Kazu as he stood polishing a glass—his tone no different than if he had been talking to himself. Kazu slowly nodded her head once but she didn’t answer his question.

“I see,” Nagare said softly and then disappeared off into the back room.

Left in the café were Gohtaro, Kazu and the woman in the white dress.

Kazu was behind the counter tidying up in her usual way. “I’d like to hear more now, if it’s all right with you?”

Kazu was ready to listen to Gohtaro’s reason for returning to the past.

He looked up at her for an instant then immediately averted his eyes. He took a slow deep breath.

“...Actually,” he began, suggesting that perhaps earlier he had been purposely holding back about his reasons. Maybe because Kyoko was just a bystander, and it was none of her business.

But now, apart from the woman in the white dress, it was just Gohtaro and Kazu. He began explaining hesitantly.

“My daughter is getting married.”

“Married?”

“Yeah, I mean...really, she’s Shuichi’s daughter,” he mumbled. “I want to show my daughter who her real father was.” He brought out a very slim digital camera from his suit pocket. “I thought if I could record a message from Shuichi...” He sounded lonely and small.

Kazu stared at him in this state. “What happens afterwards?” she asked quietly. She wanted to know what would happen after he revealed that he was not her true father.

Gohtaro felt a jolt in his heart.

This waitress won’t be fooled by lies.

He spoke while staring into space, as if he had prepared his answer. “I can only see it being the end of my role,” he said with quiet resignation.