We parked the car in a coin parking lot near the tower mansion where Kanade and her family lived, and then headed toward her house relying on a smartphone map.
"Wow, what a grand tower mansion."
Well, I say we relied on the smartphone, but... the tower mansion where Kanade lived asserted its presence in the quiet residential area, looking much like a landmark tower soaring in the city center. I could only nod at my mother's impressed words.
"Sigh, I wonder when we'll ever be able to live in a tower mansion like this."
"Eh, I'd prefer a detached house. I've heard stories that a hierarchy forms on every floor of those tower mansions."
"That kind of thing seems to be prevalent in every world, doesn't it?"
My parents carried on a weary conversation in front of me.
"Well then, shall we go?"
We entered the tower mansion and soon arrived in front of Kanade's home.
"I'm feeling a little nervous."
"Truly, it's been a long time since we've seen the Ichinoses."
"Alright, I'm pressing it."
When my father rang the chime, the pitter-patter of footsteps could soon be heard from inside.
"Coming."
"...It's been a long time."
"...Yeah. Long time no see."
The reunion between my parents and Kanade's parents after such a long time didn't involve any tears... It seemed very quiet, as if they were simply rejoicing in seeing each other again.
"Thank you for coming all this way today."
"No, please, come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Pardon the intrusion."
I watched their interaction from a step behind, and their conversation, which even felt somewhat formal, was somehow a bit heartwarming.
"Thank you so much for coming from so far away," Kanade's mother said after leading us to the living room.
"Aren't you the ones who came from far away? How was France?"
"It was fun... though saying that might be a lie."
Kanade's father nodded with a bitter smile.
"But... we gained a valuable experience. I never thought that at this age, I would have the opportunity to gain new learning."
"I see... That's good."
"What have you two been doing since you returned here?"
"He's working normally."
Sitting next to Kanade's mother, her father gave a wry smile.
"As for me... lately, I've been giving lectures."
"Lectures?"
"Yes... There's a demand from various groups to hear about a parent's feelings when their daughter is given a death sentence."
...Certainly, facing your own child who has been told they have little time left must require a corresponding amount of resolve. For example, for people who find themselves in a similar situation to Kanade's parents... hearing about their precious real-life experiences would likely be very helpful.
But it's not just that. ...Death, especially the death of a young child... also has an aspect that piques interest from an entertainment perspective.
"...To be honest, while we were over there, there was a time when we were short on money."
Even if it was for the treatment of a child with a death sentence, the costs of long-term treatment abroad couldn't help but pile up.
"So... while searching for various ways to raise money, I received an offer for those talks."
...I felt a bit complicated about it.
"...I hesitated at first."
Because the choice Kanade's parents made was nothing less than making a spectacle out of Kanade.
"Since I was hesitant, I consulted with her honestly."
...But hearing Kanade's mother's words, I realized it immediately.
"Then that girl, she agreed right away, telling me to go ahead and do the lectures."
...If it was Kanade, I'm sure she would say that.
"She's a strong girl, Kanade-chan is."
"...That's right. She's become such a strong girl that I can hardly believe she's my own child."
After saying that, Kanade's mother gave a wry smile.
"However, above all else... it seems there was something she wanted to prioritize over being made into a spectacle."
"What was that?"
"She said she wanted to leave proof that she lived."
...Certainly, in whatever form it took, if Kanade's parents held lectures about their child who was given a death sentence, an unspecified number of people would have the opportunity to know about Kanade. Thus, using Kanade's life as a lesson... the people who heard Kanade's mother's story would reflect on how to conduct their own lives thereafter.
That exactly... meant that Kanade's way of life changed the way others lived.
In other words, it would become proof that Kanade lived.
"...She really is a strong girl."
Kanade's mother smiled proudly.
"...Oh. Wait, this is a bit late, but where is Kanade-chan?"
The atmosphere in the living room was solemn. My mother... finally noticed that Kanade was not in the living room.
"...Ah—"
Kanade's mother, who until a moment ago had been talking about her daughter boastfully yet somehow sadly... scratched her cheek while looking away.
"She says she doesn't want to meet you."
"...Huh?"
"Specifically, Ak-kun."
...Eh.
"Ak-kun, did you have a fight with our girl?"
...My parents' gazes pierced my cheeks.
"...Um, actually, we had a showdown with a test..."
"Mm-hmm."
"And I totally crushed her."
It was, quite simply, a complete and utter defeat.
"Pfft. How silly."
Kanade's mother was desperately holding back her laughter.
"Really. That girl, even though she hadn't studied at all until right before returning home. There's no way she could win by challenging Ak-kun."
After a while... Kanade's mother said with an exasperated look.
"...Ak-kun. Sorry. She's in her room, so could you go call her?"
"...Ehhh."
"What do you mean 'Ehhh'? You're the one who has to go."
My mother slapped me on the back.
"...Then, I'll go see how she's doing for a bit."
"Okay."
"Take your time~"
My mother and Kanade's mother... somehow seemed to be enjoying the current situation.