When I returned Nina-chan to her room, I went back to my own, only to find that my father wasn't there.
Inside, my mother was preparing by taking clothes out of her luggage for the bath, and meanwhile, Hina sat on the bed, watching TV. I glanced at the screen and saw a talk show covering the recent "mass unconsciousness incident at a Tokyo elementary school."
The topic wasn't exactly pleasant, so I turned away and asked my mother, "Where did Dad go?"
"He's taking a shower," she said, nodding toward the bathroom.
Sure enough, when I listened closely, I could hear the water running from that direction.
"He should try the hot springs," I said.
"He doesn't want to; with so many other guests around, I think he'd rather not show his scars," she said with a gentle smile.
