A Model's Walk
categoryStory:
Character:
levelBond:
モデルのステップ
| category | story | ending | Body | levelBond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthia's Story | A Model's Walk | A Model's Walk |
Cynthia is filled with anger at this moment. "Mom, where did they take you?" "I'm fine here. Just focus on your work. That show..." "Tell me the address of that care home. Let's talk when we meet." Moments later, the urgent click of high heels echoes down the hallway. She strides ahead, phone buzzing relentlessly in her hand – undoubtedly another call from the company. Cynthia had received an invitation to an international fashion show, which was supposed to be a good thing. But then her company sent her mother to a care home without even consulting her, just to keep Cynthia "undistracted" for the show. "Wait for me, Mom." Cynthia steps forward and grasps the cold door handle, and the metallic feel of the handle reminds her of the poor orphanage of her childhood. Her refusal of such cold indifference is precisely why she strives to have a good work-life balance and insists on taking care of her ailing mother herself. Cynthia's expression darkens visibly with each passing second. She takes a deep breath and opens the door... "Haha! Tsumo, White Dragon, 2 Doras!" Cynthia is stunned. The sunny room is filled with the sound of laughter. There are several mahjong tables in the activity room, and her mother is beaming while enjoying the praise of her friends. She hasn't seen her mother smile so freely since her father died in that accident. "Oh, my girl is here." "Is this your daughter? Hey, young lady, your mom's always telling us how proud she is of you." "Now this is a real star. Just look at her temperament – truly one of a kind." Her mother notices her arrival and smiles, waving her over. Still in a daze, Cynthia slowly makes her way to the table. "I've seen your mahjong skills before. Play this game for me and show them a trick or two." After taking a look at her smiling mother beside her, Cynthia swallows all the questions running through her head and starts socializing. "...Okay then. Watch out, everyone." "Haha, mahjong's way more fun with you young folks. Let's play!" Cynthia loses the game. She offers an embarrassed smile and pushes her mother's wheelchair out of the activity room. Though the care home garden is lush with greenery, her thoughts are heavy as her gaze lingers on her mother's frail silhouette. "Did you lose on purpose?" "They are your friends. When they're happy, you're happy." "You don't get many chances to relax, so it's more important to have fun." "You're too good for your own good, dear. Always putting others first – quit the violin back then, and now you want to give up the show. If it wasn't for me..." "Is that why you moved here?" Cynthia interrupts her mother and becomes emotional again. "Don't believe anything Soumu or the others say. The company can't threaten me, and I can definitely take good care of you." "...Did you think your boss forced me to come here?" "Is that not what happened?" The model list for the fashion show hasn't been reported by any media yet. So, unless her own company let it slip, there's no way her mother could know about this. "Silly child, I'm your mother, and I always want to know more about you. I'm the one who asked your boss about these things." "I thought this was a great idea. We could take this chance to have a fresh start." Cynthia's mother motions for her to come closer and looks at her gently. "I've wanted to come here for a long time now. The nurses are nice, I've made good friends, and we can chat and play mahjong together. You really don't need to worry about me so much." "Mom..." "It's okay." Her mom said, with a gentle gesture to stop her. "I've often dreamed of you playing the violin when you were little ever since your father was gone. I kept feeling like I was dragging you down... But now, seeing you so passionate about your new career, I can finally rest easy at night." "My good girl, just keep moving forward. I'll always love you no matter where life takes you." "..." Cynthia kneels as she listens to her mother's comforting words, and the sight of her mother's face – wrinkles and loving eyes – soothes her restless heart. It was that same look she saw when she was in the orphanage – the warm, reliable gaze that made her decide to accept the young couple's adoption, becoming a child with a family for the first time. This gaze never changed in the years that followed. After a long silence, Cynthia feels tears welling up. She quickly hides them by burying her face in her mother's lap, just like she did as a little girl. "I understand, Mom." "In that case, will you give your company a call back?" "...Hmph! That'll have to wait until I'm in a better mood." A lightness seems to return to Cynthia's voice, like that of a child gazing at a path unfolding before her, full of promise. Her future has just begun. |
絆レベル3 |