With a tinge of bitterness in his expression, Chester began speaking in a low voice so as not to wake Cheryl up.
I returned with a nod.
「That idiot son of mine, managing to get a wife who is good but, when she gave birth to this child, she pushed herself too hard and …….
He wanted to abort Cheryl, so as to save her but, she said that no matter what she wanted to give birth to Cheryl so, just as the midwife warned us, she ….
But still my son loved this child. (ED: heads-up Tomoya) Even though the child provided him with no benefits, he brought her up without a mother. He was a decent guy, that kid.」
「 ….. Is that so? Then – 」
「Aa, my son has passed away too. (TLN: the feels) When this child was five years old, he said he would go to the mountains to get some vegetables, and then he fell off a cliff (TLN: -_- anti-climatic)(ED: inb4 plot twist). Cheryl, from a very young age she lost both her parents.」
Moistening his mouth with the teacup in his hand, Chester let out a small sigh.
His expression – in my 60 years of experience, was the first time I witnessed such sadness. (TLN: melancholy?)(ED: anguish?)
「Such is the story, losing her close ones at a young age, becoming alone at the age of five.
…. Then, the maternal side who took in the child – they, labeled her a taboo child.
In the first place, the maternal side was opposed to the marriage. I too, was repulsive. Acting unlike my age, and beating up everyone.
…. Well, that’s fine (it actually says sore wa ii, but idk how to phrase)」
Chester gently narrowed his eyes, laying his hand on Cheryl’s.
He was a man that was like a sharp blade, hurting anyone that touched him but, sometimes he can be like this too, huh?
After being affectionate with Cheryl for awhile, Chester cast a strong gaze towards me.
His face too, was something I had never seen before. (TLN: “too” cos he never saw Chester’s gentle or sad side)
「Promise me. No matter what happens, I’ll leave this world before you do. When that time comes, don’t let this child be alone ….. 」
– When I entrusted Alma with the Shijima style, was I making such a face too I wonder.
A strong desire. For the sake of his precious grandchild, to make a request for after his own death, such was his face.
…. Today was filled with surprises. Twice in a day, people whom I thought I had totally understood had revealed new faces to me.
As I thought, having a grandchild really changes a person. I never would have thought that Chester would have shown such a face.