Journal with Witch (違国日記)

Asa.

Your name was chosen with a great deal of care.

It embodies the beauty of all new things that come with each day.

I wish with all my heart that you'll be loved by everyone around you.

And I'll do everything I can to make that come true.

Asa's Personal Belongings

Asa, as your mother, I...

Ah, hey there.

Sorry about all the trouble.

No worries.

Journal with Witch

Episode 7 Leave in Writing

I'll have an iced caffè latte, please.

Coming right up.

How's Makio-san been?

So how's Makio doing?

Well, we can talk about her later.

Yeah.

By the way, I had no idea you'd changed jobs.

Yup, a year ago.

So I've got no connections and no foundation to get me anywhere.

I feel bad leaning on you like this.

Hey, I'm always happy to help.

To cut to the chase, they seem really excited to meet you.

Nice!

They seem to have a similar vision, so I think I can arrange something.

What do you say?

A casual meetup, or...?

Nah, I want to dive right into business.

Gotcha. Then let me give you their contact info.

Thanks a bunch!

I haven't been to a family-style restaurant in ages.

They're great for bringing kids along.

Can I call you Makio-san?

Thank you for making time today.

Oh, sure.

We've known Asa-chan since they were in elementary school.

We've got to get the parfait!

Strawberry or chocolate?

Um, I dunno... I can't decide!

You'll have some too, right?

For sure.

Then let's get one of each.

Let's do it!

I was friendly with her parents for quite a while.

I see...

To be honest, I still haven't really processed that they're gone.

It's all just so sudden, isn't it?

Anyway, when you didn't shown up for graduation or the entrance ceremony,

it had me worried about what kind of person you might be.

The shameless sort

I apologize for causing you concern...

Oh, no! I'm sorry.

You see, I heard all about you from Emiri and Asa-chan afterward.

I understand now that you're perfectly fine!

When you put it like that, I worry that I'm not fine at all.

But I'm trying my best...

That's what it means to raise a child.

I'm glad I met you today.

Wait, so Makio-san didn't mention anything to you?

Nope, I haven't seen her in a while.

Hang on, does this mean something's happened between you two?

Like what? Fess up.

Er, but you're her best friend.

If she hasn't told you, I dunno if I...

I'd never talk romance with her. Gross.

And "best friend"? Blegh!

Yeah, your friendship's always been weird like that.

Y'know, Kasamachi-kun...

Back in the day, you were the one who wanted to be introduced to us.

If you'd never said anything, I doubt we ever would've met.

N-Not ever?

Thinking back on it, I could never keep up with you guys.

I know.

Huh.

What's "huh" supposed to mean?

So, where?

Someone I met at the bar introduced us.

Wait, Toritetsu?

Hey, I like your ring.

Yup.

You know Masuda?

You mean Kesami.

What?

So, what are they up to?

Wait, I didn't know that.

I haven't even logged in to Facebook in forever.

Get this.

Hey, Kasamachi looks like that one dude.

I think we're thinking of the same one.

Stop talking shit.

I haven't even said anything yet.

I know you're about to talk shit.

So, what's the scoop?

I didn't think you'd be very happy.

If I got close to her again, I mean.

In my family, my dad never said a word when we went out.

It was like he was there all by himself.

Oh, man.

I hated that.

Your dad was kind of a quiet guy.

He never really had much to say.

She talks about her parents a lot.

I sometimes wonder if she's sharing too much.

It took me by surprise at first.

But maybe it's better for her to talk about things openly.

That might be true.

I wasn't in contact with my sister, so...

Hey, hey. Mom.

What now?

Excuse me.

Can I go buy swimsuits with Asa?

You already have swimsuits.

But I'm too tall for them now.

Really?

What's that face for?

I wanna buy some too.

How much have you grown?

Five centimeters.

What? Fine, I suppose.

Yay.

Wait, don't you have swimsuits too?

Like you would know!

That's entirely not the point.

I'm too tall for mine too, okay?

Only by, like, two centimeters.

Emiri, you traitor!

Wait, what? You were depressed?

After Makio-san and I split up.

No way. You mean back when I sent you that enraged text?

That's terrible. I'm sorry!

Oh, no, it wasn't because of the split or your text.

I just realized I couldn't work at the bank anymore.

Really?

I promise.

Wow... I didn't expect that.

Not from you, though that might be rude.

I get it.

Honestly, I couldn't believe it myself.

Okay, then I'll make a note for 5,000 yen in the cloud.

All right!

What cloud?

We keep notes in the cloud so we can share it like a bulletin board.

Since I tend to forget things.

You forget things?

Yes, I do.

Like what kind of things?

U-Um, well...

Anything, I guess.

We fought about that the other day.

That wasn't a fight.

What a great idea.

A friend gave me the advice.

It's 'cause Makio-chan can't stay organized.

She doesn't listen either. And she forgets even when she does.

Hey, do you think she could be, like, neurodivergent?

What's that?

It's no wonder.

You became a parent overnight.

It must've been a huge change.

Well, I suppose.

Though it's not like I'm her mother.

But it's not like she's my mom...

Still, you made the decision, didn't you?

To parent Asa-chan.

No, I'll never be her parent.

Nor am I trying to.

Although I am her guardian.

I'd just start crying and couldn't move.

I kept thinking, "Why me?"

"It's up to you to make it work."

"Get over it."

"You must not be trying hard enough."

I never said it out loud, but I'd judge other people that way.

And it all came back to bite me.

Until then, I never imagined myself being in a position of need.

I was too arrogant.

You told Makio about this?

Only recently.

I couldn't tell anyone until after I changed jobs.

And I was scared of how she might react, but...

Did you sleep lots?

Yeah, I slept a ton.

Then... that's good.

That was it.

That idiot!

No, I realized I was anxious for nothing.

It was a huge relief.

That's the side of her I fell for, you know?

Gosh.

My, my. How sweet.

I-I should get going...

Hold up! At least tell me how it started.

Oh, I don't think that's true. As long as you love her...

No, um, I didn't mean...

How do I word this?

Her parents were the people who raised her until now.

No one can replace them.

Not that I know what they were like as parents.

I wonder what Mom was really like.