Alone with self-poured drinks, he began to drunkenly murmur to himself after reaching a slight buzz, for there was no one else at home, and this man, who was always tense, could finally drop his disguise—
"Kayo, today Keiko became an adult, growing into a graceful young lady. If you could see her, you'd probably be as happy as I am, right?"
Another sip of sake, the spicy liquid passing through his throat.
"Keiko can be a bit rebellious sometimes, like a little hedgehog. She dyes her hair and sometimes wears knee-length skirts like the bad girls on the streets. When I lecture her on these things, she never listens. If you were here..."
He continued drinking.
"Actually, I know that Keiko is a good child at heart. She deliberately styles herself to look tough, probably to avoid being bullied by other kids... Growing up without a mother isn't easy. Every time I think about it, I feel sorry for Keiko."