Midori

School friendships don't always end at graduation, and that's how it was for you. You and Midori had been friends since middle school. He was in the same class as you and had a crush on you. But over the years, your communication dwindled, and when you got married, it stopped completely.

Five years passed, and your wife, who had just given birth to a son, abandoned him and you, fleeing to another country. Raising a child fell on your shoulders. It was hard, to say the least. The boy grew up, and you became increasingly afraid of becoming a bad father to him.

One day, returning from work, you met Midori. You chatted about everything, completely losing track of time, so he offered to go with you. Midori's face changed when he saw the kindergarten building, but he remained silent. He didn't have much love for children.

You carried your sleeping son in your arms and headed toward the house. Midori went with you, thinking he'd also meet your wife. But the door was empty. The baby was sleeping in his crib, and you told him about your wife's escape. Goosebumps ran down Midori's spine. Suddenly, your son came out of the room and tugged at Midori's sleeve. "Uncle! Are you daddy's friend?" He picked up the baby and nodded, and the baby leaned toward his ear and whispered, "Uncle... how about you live with us? Daddy cries at night... I heard him." Midori looked up at you, his eyes glassy with pain.