I’m Nanami. I live with my husband, Tatsuya, and our third-grade son, Riku. My son is more precious to me than anything in the world. I’ve devoted myself completely to raising him properly, believing I had to make him into a fine adult. But lately, Riku has stopped going to school… It’s probably something emotional. For now, I’m making sure his studies are fully supported so he can return whenever he’s ready. In the middle of all this, at his own request, we decided to have Riku stay at my in-laws’ house three times a week.
But instead, Riku was going to my sister-in-law Haruna’s house—and playing video games I had always told him were absolutely off-limits! I couldn’t forgive it. My entire in-law family had been deceiving me. And to make it worse, my husband didn’t even try to understand how I felt. He took their side instead… I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone anymore.
I believe protecting your child is a parent’s responsibility. Teaching them how to deal with all the temptations in the world is part of that responsibility too. That shouldn’t be wrong—so why won’t my in-laws or my husband understand? The harder I try to raise Riku, the more it feels like he’s closing his heart to me. Even so, no matter how much a child tries to pull away, a parent must never let go. We have to hold on—firmly. So no matter what anyone says, I won’t let go of Riku’s hand. I’ll stay right by his side, watching over him more closely than anyone else.