True Family (本当の家族, Hontou no Kazoku?) is the twenty-third chapter of the My Happy Marriage manga adaptation.
Summary[]
Miyo's nightmares continue, and Kiyoka tries to help her through them by holding her hand at night. Miyo notices how he seems more tired lately and wants to do something to help him. However, she herself also feels exhausted from her constant nightmares, from which she only finds relief from a hand that brings her into the light in her dreams.
During a lesson, Hazuki compliments Miyo's cooking and bemoans her own lack of skill. She regrets giving up on it and not practicing more, which has to do with her failed marriage. Miyo is hesitant to ask about it at first but is soon overcome by curiosity. Hazuki married when she was seventeen and married into a military family. Her husband was a decade older than her but a kind and faithful person, and his family welcomed her warmly. Hazuki had thought she was lucky because she married a good person who she loved. They had a son two years later, but then her husband's family started hounding her about her outspoken nature and her lack of skill with housework. The pressures of raising a baby and dealing with her in-laws soon became too much for Hazuki until one day, when her husband suddenly declared that they would divorce. Hazuki was furious that he decided it on his own and the couple got into a huge fight, but the divorce still went through.
Miyo is shocked that Hazuki had gone through something terrible and is still able to talk about it with a smile. Yurie recounts that all of the Kudou servants had been shocked when it happened. It was only until later that Hazuki realized that her husband did it to save her and so she wouldn't have doubts about everything. She regrets that she didn't try harder to save her family and learn cooking. She tells Miyo that it's important to work hard, but also to honor her own feelings and think about what she wants to do. Miyo thinks of Kiyoka and states that she wants to stay by Kiyoka's side forever.
In the evening, Miyo finds Kiyoka sitting on the veranda. Hazuki's story has made her realize that she doesn't know what a real family is, as she never knew that family is supposed to take care of each other, and she worries if she will be able to get along with Kiyoka's family or handle having a child in the future if even Hazuki wasn't able to. Miyo, wanting to know what Kiyoka thinks about family, brings him a tray of tea and pickled vegetables and sits down next to him. After some brief conversation, Miyo tells him about what she heard today and asks who Hazuki is to him. Kiyoka admits that he and his sister are polar opposites and that he often found her annoying, but believes that feelings of like or dislike had nothing to do with their bond or understanding each other.
Miyo, seeing how much Kiyoka trusts Hazuki, feels a little jealous and wonders if she can be a part of his family one day as well. She believes it isn't something she should hope for, but living in Kiyoka's house and learning the warmth of a home has made her begin to desire Kiyoka's heart as well. Kiyoka apologizes for being too busy lately. Miyo pushes down her feelings of loneliness and tells him she's fine. Despite this, Kiyoka asks if there is anything troubling her and that he's here to listen if she wants to talk.
Seeing Miyo's diffidence, he asks her to come closer and takes her wrist. He tells her to tell him if she's feeling lonely or if things are getting too hard for her, as he wouldn't know if she doesn't tell him. Miyo considers telling him about her nightmares but decides to wait until work gets a little less busy for him. However, Kiyoka confesses that he feels lonely without her, forcing her to admit in embarrassment that she feels lonely as well. Kiyoka smiles at her and lightheartedly chides her for not telling him earlier. When Miyo apologizes, he points out that her apologies had grown much less stiff. Miyo hadn't realized and is embarrassed, but Kiyoka tells her that it's an indication that she has become much more relaxed and comfortable here now. His words make Miyo realize how lonely she has been feeling until now, but now there's a warmth in her heart. Kiyoka puts his arm around her shoulders and encourages her to be more honest and selfish, and that he will embrace it all. Miyo wonders if this means he is treating her as family, and if so, she shouldn't put a burden on him by telling him about her troubles as family is supposed to help each other. She decides that she is still all right for now.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Miyo Saimori
- Kiyoka Kudou
- Hazuki Kudou
- Yurie
- Hazuki's ex-husband
- Hazuki's son
- Kanoko Saimori (flashback)
- Kaya Saimori (flashback)
- Shinichi Saimori (flashback)
Chapter Notes[]
- The initial scene of Kiyoka holding Miyo's hand at night and Miyo noticing Kiyoka's exhaustion as he leaves for work is original to the manga.
- Hazuki talking about the prominence of household studies at girls' school and the division between women who could and couldn't cook is not included.
- Yurie's comment about all the staff being shocked about Hazuki's divorce is made during her story in the novel instead of after.
- Miyo's comments made as she listened to Hazuki's story are cut out.
- The mention of Hazuki's husband's family having its own servants and Hazuki thus not worrying about her lack of cooking skills is original to the manga.
- In the novel, Hazuki's relationship with her in-laws began to deteriorate before she had her son and temporarily improved after she gave birth, but it went back to how it was before after the excitement died down.
- In the novel, Miyo's realization about her lack of understanding of families takes place immediately after Hazuki's story.
- Miyo's insecurities and self-doubt, as well as her comparing herself to Hazuki, after listening to Hazuki's story is not included in the manga.
- Kiyoka and Miyo's conversation is rearranged. In the novel, Kiyoka first apologizes for being busy, Miyo asks about Hazuki to change the subject, and then the two of them confess their loneliness to each other.
- Miyo's headache isn't mentioned.
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| Volume 1 | |
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| Volume 2 | |
| Volume 3 | |
| Volume 4 |
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| Volume 5 | |
| Non-tankōbon | |