(And LIFT!)
I pick up another box of documents and take it to the hospital's storage room. I've been cleaning up and reorganizing SO MUCH stuff after the yakuza people trashed the place! But...my punishment could be worse. In many ways, I deserve much worse.
I head into the room used for holding all patient medical files. Normally, I wouldn't be allowed in here, but...Mr. Wave gave me permission since some of the stuff I'd be reorganizing would go in here. After everything I've done...I have no right to call him 'father'.
I put down the box and start to organize the files under their respective names. Some of these names I recognize, but I don't know most of...!!!
Hokuto Yamaguchi.
(Mother!)
Kata. Kata. Kata. Kata.
I take the files and find some recorded patient interviews. Most of them are professional, focusing on my mother's condition, but as the interviews get closer to today's date, the discussions get a bit more casual. Sometimes even personal.
Then I play the last one.
Kata.
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A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
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"<...Oh.>" Mr. Wave says, disheartened.
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I hear mom chuckle.
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Mr. Wave takes a deep breath.
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"<...You think I could do it?>"
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Silence.
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Kata.
I pause the recording.
"So, you know?" I hear Mr. Wave say behind me.
"I..."
"Say no more." he continues.
"No, I have to say something! All this time, I..."
He hugs me from behind, then strokes my hair with his right hand.
"Don't feel guilty. You've done nothing wrong. We were all tricked by Riva. And you're right, I didn't live up to your mother's expectations."
"...You're wrong. You were willing to sacrifice everything for our sake. It wasn't all Riva. I just...couldn't accept you, as I've only seen you as a businessman. But the fault is mine for not opening up to you. You've tried to open up to me while I refused to do the same. So, forgive me."
"I don't blame you. 'Bad communication is something families do.' Your mother told me that once. But even so, you're my daughter, and you're worth more to me than any amount of money."
I turn around and hug him tightly.
"Thank you...father."