Chapter 41

Mother's Day

How do you say "Thank you"?

Story 1

Yukiho: We're supposed to write down our thoughts for homework tonight... I have a feeling it's going to be a long evening. Alisa: Tell me about it. It’s so hard to put your thoughts into words! Alisa: Oh, by the way, are you all ready for Sunday, Yukiho? Yukiho: Huh? Sunday? Is something going on Sunday? Alisa: Yes! This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Yukiho: What?! Alisa: I’m going to write my mom a letter. I was curious about what you had planned.Yukiho: I totally forgot… Alisa: Hmm? What’d you say? Yukiho: A-A-Umm… Ah, ha, ha… N-Nothing! Alisa: Nothing? Yukiho: I mean, I’m prepared, it’s just a secret. Alisa: Oh, I see! You must really be looking forward to Mother’s Day, then. Yukiho: Y-Yup! I sure am! Yukiho: Anyway, see you tomorrow, Alisa! Alisa: Yeah, see you tomorrow! Yukiho: Mother’s Day… What am I gonna do?! Yukiho: I can never figure out what to get her. Every year I start off really wanting to make her happy… Yukiho: *Sigh* I should’ve started so much earlier. Yukiho: But maybe Honoka’s got something planned… Honoka: I’m ho-ooome! Yukiho: Oh, sis! I’ve been waiting all afternoon for you to get home. Honoka: Why? I’m not scheduled to work in the bakery today. Yukiho: It’s not about work. I need your advice about something. Can I come in your room? Honoka: Uhh… I guess? Honoka: Ahh! Mother’s Day?! Yukiho: You forgot too?! Yukiho: It’s this coming Sunday. Let’s brainstorm together and thing of something to get mom. Honoka: Hmmmmmmmmm… Maybe, like… a handkerchief? Honoka: And… let’s see… Honoka: A coupon for a free backrub? Yukiho: Uhh, hello? Clearly you forgot, but we get her handkerchiefs and backrub coupons EVERY year. Honoka: O-Oh… Yukiho: Year after year after year after year after year. Her drawer is stuffed to the brim with handkerchiefs and coupons! Honoka: It is? I had no idea… Yukiho: Last year we talked and said we’d work really hard to think of something better next time… Honoka: I can’t believe we totally forgot about the holiday itself… Yukiho: Isn’t there anything we can get right away that she’ll be happy to receive? Honoka: I’ve got it! Yukiho: Huh? Honoka: We’ll go to mom and ask her now! Follow me, Yukiho! Yukiho: Whaaaaaaaat?! Yukiho: Is asking mom directly really a good idea? Hey, wait! Honoka! Honoka: Mom! Hey, mom! Honoka’s mother: Hmm? Where’s the fire, you two? Honoka: Hey mom, anything you’ve been wanting to get for yourself lately? Honoka’s mother: Oh my, where’s this coming from? Hmm… I can’t really think of anything. Honoka: Think! THINK of something right now! Yukiho: it doesn’t matter what. Just say the first thing that comes to mind! Honoka’s mother: Hmm… All right. I want a winning lottery ticket worth a hundred million yen! Honoka: That’s too extravagant! Yukiho: Come on, be serious. Honoka’s mother: Yes, yes. You girls are so demanding. Okay, how about a Hawaiian vacation? Honoka: It’s no use. She’s not taking us seriously. Honoka’s mother: Ah, ha, ha, ha! There’s nothing I want that badly right this second. Now, you two get your homework done before dinner. Honoka: Hey! Mom, wait! Honoka: Right! That does it! At times like this… Yukiho: At times like this…? Honoka: We’ll ask everyone else!

Story 2

Hanayo: Hmm... Maybe like this? Umi: What’re you drawing, Hanayo? Hanayo: Oh, I’m drawing a portrait of my mom. It’s almost Mother’s Day, after all. Rin: Wow! Hanayo, that looks just like her! Man, you really are a great artist. Hanayo: *Giggle* You think? Honoka: *Gasp* I knew it. They’re all ready for Mother’s Day! Rin: Oh, hi, Honoka! Umi: Have you figured out what you’re doing for Mother’s Day? Honoka: To be honest, I haven’t. I wanted to talk to you all about what you’re doing. Rin: Umi and I agreed to work together to make wreaths out of carnations. Wanna join us? Maki: Mother’s Day? Maki: I set up a lunch date for my mother and father. Honoka: Lunch? Your present is lunch? Maki: My mother is very fond of Japanese gardens. So I made reservations at a restaurant with a fantastic view of a beautiful garden. Honoka: Gardens… Views… Oh, to be rich… Maki: Hello? Honoka? Eli: My mother want a new scarf. She dropped a little hint about how she’d been shopping for one, but couldn’t find one she liked. Kotori: Now I see! So that’s why you wanted to know how to knit a scarf. Eli: Yes. It’s going to be mine and Alisa’s gift to her. That’s the plan, anyway. We don’t have much time left. Is it difficult? Kotori: Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. They’re not too tough to make, so as long as you’ve got fabric, you’ll finish in time for Mother’s Day. Kotori: We’ll go shopping after school for a nice, comfortable fabric that’ll look good on your mom. Eli: Thank you, Kotori. Is it all right if I bring Alisa? Kotori: Of course! Eli: By the way, what’re your plans for Mother’s Day? Kotori: My mom and I cook together every year. This time we’re thinking of making cheesecake. Kotori: Given a choice, I think it’s better to make something my mom likes. Honoka: *Stare* Kotori: Eek! Eli: Honoka! Are you feeling all right? Honoka: Eli’s making a scarf, Kotori’s making cheesecake… Honoka: But I… I… Kotori: Are you okay? Get a grip, Honoka! Nozomi: I get it. You’re super worried about what to get your mom for Mother’s Day. Nico: What’ve you given her in the past? Honoka: Not much more than handkerchiefs… This year I really wanted to give her something new that would make her happy. Honoka: The problem is, I can’t think of anything I could give her that she’d be excited to receive. Umi: If she’s happy with what you give her normally, there’s no reason to stress out about getting something different. Maki: That makes sense. Your mom probably expects to get the same thing by now. Honoka: No… Apparently all those handkerchiefs are stuffed into a drawer that’s gotten so full, it’s about to burst. Rin: Oh I totally get that! They just pile up over time, I just pack them into a drawer like little sardines! Hanayo: R-Rin… Honoka: *Sigh* Exactly. Nozomi: I don’t get to see my mom on Mother’s Day, so I write her a letter. Eli: I can’t see mine on the day itself, either. It makes me feel a little sad. Honoka: Oh, right… You two don’t get to see your moms every day. Nico: Neither do I! Rin: Huh? Nico, I thought you lived with your mom? Nico: I do, but she’s so busy with her job every day. Nico: She gets home late, and leaves early. *Sigh* I miss my mommy… Hanayo: Well, your mom’s an incredibly capable profession, Nico. Nico: You’re darn right! Like mother, like daughter. She’s the most perfect mom in the world who can do anything. That’s why her time’s in such high demand! Kotori: Tee-Tee. But with you around, Cocoro, Cocoa, and Cotaro must not be too lonely. Nico: Precisely! I’m there to substitute for her when she’s at work, so they’re all very content. Nozomi: Absence makes the heart grow fonder. When we do get to spend time together, you can really feel the love. Eli: Yes. I’m so happy when we finally do see each other! Honoka: Seeing your mom makes you happy, huh… Nozomi: Honoka. If you can’t think of a present for your mom, why not show her how you feel, instead? Honoka: How I feel? Nozomi: Yes. You don’t come right out and say thank you to her that often, right? Rin: Come to think of it, neither do I… Nozomi: I’m sure your mom would be thrilled if you showed her how grateful you are for everything she does. Honoka: Show her my gratitude… Honoka: Yeah… yeah! That’s perfect! Honoka: All right, everyone. I need your help with something. Kotori: … Umi: We’re all ears, Honoka. Nozomi: Heh, heh, heh. I guess that settles the problem of helping Honoka pick a Mother’s Day present?

Story 3

Nico: Are you there, mom? It's me, Nico. Nico: We don’t get many chances to sit down and talk… But we still know. Nico: We know that you love us. Nico: So you can go to work without worrying about us. We’ll make dinner and be waiting for you! Nico: Did you get all that? Nozomi: Hi. It’s Nozomi! Nozomi: My daily life is full of fun and excitement. And I have you to thank, mom. Nozomi: Sometimes it’s a bit lonely without you around, but I’m doing fine. Nozomi: I’ve made a bunch of wonderful friends. Nozomi: Eight of them, in fact. Can you believe that? I’m not even sure I deserve them all. Nozomi: I wish I could introduce them to you. That’s a promise for the next time you come back. Kotori: You work the woof through like so, then pull the thread all the way through. Eli: And when you tie them together, it makes the scarf’s fringes, right? Kotori: See? It takes time to do it right, but it’s not that difficult. Eli: Yes. When I get home, Alisa and I will continue working on it. Eli: This is wonderful. I think we’ll finish in time for Mother’s Day. Kotori: That reminds me. Are you two going to record a video message for your mom? Eli: We are! Even though the original idea was for Honoka to record one for her mom, we’re doing it as well. Eli: It’s just like Honoka to put her friends before herself. Kotori: Yup! When I heard the plan, I couldn’t help but be inspired by her. Eli: I never would’ve thought to record video messages. I was shocked, but delighted, too. We owe Honoka a great deal of thanks. Kotori: Yeah. She always focuses so intently on figuring out how to make people happy. Eli: I’ll say! I’m sure her mother will have a wonderful Mother’s Day. Honoka: That’s very nice! Nico, Nozomi, your video messages came out perfect! Rin: Eli and Alisa are the last ones, right? Hanayo: I bet your mom will be really excited, Nico. Umi: I hope the videos manage to communicate the feelings you don’t normally get to express. Maki: It really was a great idea. How did you think of it? Honoka: When Eli said how happy she is when she finally gets to see her mom. I thought that her mom would probably love to hear her say that. Honoka: And then, Nozomi said I should show my mom how I feel. Those two things gave me the idea. Rin: I see my mom every day, so she might not be all that excited. What do you all think? Umi: You have a point. Maybe some of us take it for granted that our mothers are always around. Hanayo: Honoka, how do you feel when you see your mom? Honoka: H-How do I feel? Honoka’s mother: Honoka! Can you please take these hoagie rice balls to the lady who lives around the corner? Honoka: What? I’m about to head back to school for club stuff! Honoka’s mother: Honoka, I believe I asked YOU to work today, and you railroaded Yukiho into taking your shift! Honoka: I-I promise I’ll work tomorrow! Honoka: Ah, ha, ha, ha! Ha… Honoka: It’s, uhh… It’s really nothing special. Hanayo: Hmm? Maki: So? Did you decide to record a video for your mom, too? Honoka: Huh? Maki: Well, you were wracking your brain trying to decide what to get your mom for Mother’s Day. Honoka: I-I totally forgot! Umi: You… forgot?! Hanayo: You were preoccupied with recording videos for everyone else, weren’t you? Honoka: What do I do… What do I do now?! Rin: We’re all doing videos and presents. Maybe you should pick one of those? Honoka: Hmm… Honoka: I guess I’ll have to. I’m out of time. Umi: Are you sure? Honoka: Should I not? Rin: It doesn’t matter if you give the same present as someone else. All that matters is you show your gratitude! Umi: And are you grateful? How do you feel inside, Honoka? Honoka: I… Umi: It seems to me that you’re only trying to fulfill your obligation for Mother’s Day, and not actually thinking about your mother at all. Honoka: .................. Hanayo: It’s not like that at all, right? Honoka?? Maki: Yeah… It’s admirable that you’re thinking of everyone else’s mothers, too, but you should put your own mother first. Umi: Maybe before you try to express your feelings, you should spend some time trying to understand them. Honoka: Okay…

Story 4

Hanayo: I've got something to say, mom! Tee-hee. Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for everything! Hanayo: I love you, mom. You’re the kindest, warmest person I know. Hanayo: I feel so happy when you welcome me home everyday. So, I drew a portrait of you saying, “Welcome home!” Maki: Enjoy yourself, mom. Maki: Huh? Please, don’t worry about me. Today is your day. You work so hard all the time. I just want to give you one day where you can kick back and relax. Maki: We can always talk when you get back. You can tell me how it all went and everything else. Okay? Maki: Have fun, mom! Kotori: *Hums* Kotori: We don’t get to spend much time in the kitchen together. I’m so happy. Kotori: Next step is to mix in the cream cheese, mom! Kotori: What do you mean, I look a lot happier than usual? Kotori: Hee-hee. Of course I do. I get to spend Mother’s Day here, baking with you. Kotori: Thank you for everything you do, mom. Rin: Happy Mother’s Day, mom! Rin: You like flowers, right? Umi’s mom does, too. The two of us worked together to make flower wreaths for you both! Rin: And since yellow’s both our favorite color… I used yellow carnations! A bright, cheerful color is the perfect match for you. Umi: Yes. Rin’s mother’s wreath is yellow carnations, and yours is indigo hydrangeas. Umi: I hope that it will help put you at ease during rehearsals, even if it’s only a little bit. Umi: Thank you! I’ll try to remember how grateful I should be every day, and never take you for granted. Nico: Everyone! I’m making salad. Come in here and help! Cocoro: Coming! Cocoa: Comiiiing! Cotaro: Coming! Nozomi: Coming! Nico: Nozomi, are you sure you don’t mind helping? Nozomi: Not at all! I already mailed my letter to my mom, so to be honest, I had nothing to do for Mother’s Day itself. Nico: I wanted to make a really fancy meal for tonight. You really saved my bacon by coming over to help! Thanks a million, Nozomi. Nozomi: And I’m thrilled to be spending the evening at chez Yazawa! Nico: *Giggle* For one night only, there are five siblings! Let’s throw mom a party she’ll never forget. Eli: I wonder if mom’s gotten it by now. Alisa: Yeah. You think she’ll like it? Eli: *Chuckle* She might be reading the letter as we speak! Eli: Hello, mother. Are you well? Happy Mother’s Day! We made you a scarf as a token of our thanks for watching over us. Alisa: We thought spring colors would look good on you. When you wrap the scarf around your neck, be sure to think of us, okay? Eli: Also… I feel a bit shy, but we included a video from us as well. Our friends helped us put it together. Eli: With such a wonderful mother and wonderful friends to support us… Eli: Every day is special to Alisa and me. Honoka: Mom! Yukiho: Mom! Honoka’s mother: Yes, girls? What is it? Honoka, Yukiho: Happy Mother’s Day, mom! Honoka’s mother: Oh, my… Honoka’s mother: That’s right… I totally forgot today is Mother’s Day. Honoka’s mother: I thought you two had been staring at me a little too intently this past week… Honoka: *Giggle* Yukiho: We were hoping to give you something you really wanted, but all you came up with were silly things like lotto tickets and trips to Hawaii. Honoka’s mother: *Laughs* Sorry about that. Honoka: We can’t afford anything as expensive as a Hawaiian vacation, but… Honoka: We talked, and decided we should tell you exactly how grateful we are to you for raising us. Honoka’s mother: Silly girls. I don’t need expensive things. Honoka’s mother: Your love is the most valuable thing in the world to me. Honoka: B-But all the handkerchiefs and backrub coupons we give you every year just get stuffed in a drawer. Honoka’s mother: That’s because I’m so happy to have them, I can’t bring myself to use them up! Maybe I’m a hoarder… Honoka’s mother: Well, don’t keep me in suspense. What am I getting this year? Yukiho: This! Honoka’s mother: Homura Bakery Work Coupon…! Honoka’s mother: Mm-hmm. I’ll definitely use this! Something tells me it won’t be any more effective than usual, but I swear I’ll use this one! Honoka: See? Mom’s happy! Yukiho: You were right… Honoka: Also, we made up a song called “Thank you, mom.” Honoka’s mother: A song? You two can write songs? Yukiho: Not really… It might sound a little weird, but Honoka and I came up with it ourselves. Honoka: And now we’re gonna sing it for you! Honoka’s mother: Hold your horses! If you’re going to sing for me, I want your father to hear it, too! Honoka: Huh?! Honoka’s mother: Honeeeeeeeeey! Honoka’s mother: Oh, I almost forgot to tell you two something important as well. Honoka: What is it? Honoka’s mother: You can take me to Hawaii after you both finish school, grow up and get high-paying jobs. Yukiho: Mom?! Honoka: Don’t tell me you were serious about that! Honoka’s mother: *Laughs* I’m kidding! Honoka’s mother: Now then, Honoka, Yukiho. Honoka’s mother: Thank you. Your love came across loud and clear. Honoka: Mom… Yukiho: Thank goodness… Honoka’s mother: Now, I’m going to find your father… and a video camera! Yukiho: Th-This is turning into a big deal. Honoka: Ah, ha, ha… Hey, as long as mom’s happy. Honoka: Okay. I’m totally motivated! Let’s belt out a rousing chorus of “Thank you, mom!” Yukiho: Yeah!