I’m Nao, and I live with my husband, Kazunari, and our three-year-old daughter, Rin. Because of my career and our finances, we’ve decided Rin will be an only child. My brother, Koji, is ten years older than me, but we’ve always been super close. He married Keiko years ago, and now they have three girls—Ayane in eighth grade, Kaori in fourth, and six-year-old Madoka. Since Rin doesn’t have siblings, she has the time of her life whenever we visit—they dote on her nonstop. I grew up close to my brother, so of course I hoped Rin would build the same kind of bond with his kids.
But… things haven’t exactly worked out that way.
I get that having three kids keeps you busy. But not even one single free day? That’s impossible. Rin looks forward to seeing her cousins every time, yet she keeps getting let down. It breaks my heart.
And the way they brush us off without even considering how we feel? I can’t help feeling angry. Honestly… maybe it’s time I finally speak up and say what needs to be said.