Okay, let's end the online meeting for today. Good work, everyone."
The voice from the laptop kept coming from the living room.
"Yes, you worked really hard at today's meeting, Aya."
"Ah, no, you're praising me too much."
In the office, a woman in her forties with wavy black hair was talking to her.
Yume Omori, age unknown, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at LightShop.
"Haha, it's because of all your achievements that you've accumulated over the past ten years, you know."
"Ten years?" Aya's voice reminded her of her age bond with Kana, and the time felt so fast that there was little to remember everything.
"Time really flew by, huh?"
"You and many things have happened."
They laughed. "Yeah, especially when our new recruit suddenly said, 'I became a mother.' That really shocked me, you know?"
"Ahh, I'm sorry," Aya apologized.
"And I'm very grateful for that time. Like that when Kana was still in kindergarten and I was called to school because she was sick...."
"Or that time at the school festival, parent visitation day, or allowing me to work from home and letting me take more paid leave."
Aya gave a gentle smile to Omori and said, "Every time, Omori-san, you always gave me some easy way out."
"Relax, you don't need to worry about anything," Omori said. "Creating an environment where my workers can perform at their best is also part of my job. Other than that…"
"As a woman, I want to support you, Aya, who voluntarily adopted Kana. Becoming a mother for your niece who lost both of her parents..."
Omori's words somehow made Aya's eyes tear up a bit.
"Omori!!!"
"So, how's it going?"
Confused. "What do you mean?"
"It's about time for you to find a man."
Shocking but true. "Wait, what...?"
"I mean, your daughter's in high school, right? Soon she will find a boy, fall in love, and in a couple of years, she will move into her boyfriend's home. And if she gets married soon, that would be good too."
"But what will happen to you? I mean, you are still unmarried and beautiful. After your daughter moves out of your home, then what will happen?"
Aya was listening to Omori, but her heart was aching. She was still thinking about what would happen.
"Hello..." Aya didn't reply. "Hello, Aya..."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Please, think about yourself too."
They hung up. The call finished. But in Aya's mind, a new war had just begun.
She was thinking of the little girl; she had given her everything. One day she would leave her to find her own happiness.
Actually, Aya never thought about this. She always thought that she would be with Kana forever.
She was afraid of marriage, too. If she ever got married, then the person marrying her would be Kana's stepfather, a complete stranger.
She didn't want a stranger to come between Kana and her.
Then, from her mind, an interesting idea popped out.
What if she fell in love with a boy who lives in their neighborhood?
Then, the whole problem would be solved. If Kana were living in the neighborhood, she would never feel lonely.
Then, the problem was who the boy would be.
Without a second thought, Amane's face appeared in front of her.
Amane is a good boy with good grades and good looks. I mean, he's the whole hero material of some Korean drama.
"That's it. If I want Kana to be with me, I have to set her up with Amane."
"I will make him my son-in-law. "