Chapter 20 : Things we carry

The Interview Room

The HR office was small, neat, and a little too quiet.

Mikito adjusted the folder on her lap, smoothing the edges for the third time. Inside were copies of her CV simple, careful, honest. No recent job experience. No fancy titles. Just a long pause labeled Housewife.

Across from her sat Kana, the HR officer. A laptop was open in front of her, a pen placed carefully beside it.

“Thank you for coming today, Mrs. Nijima,” Kana said politely. “Please, take your time.”

“Thank you for receiving me,” Mikito replied, bowing her head slightly.

Kana skimmed the CV once more, then looked up. “You’re applying for the accounting internship. Could you tell me what motivated you to apply?”

Mikito took a breath. “I studied accounting before I got married. I didn’t complete my professional training, but I kept studying on my own. Online courses, old textbooks. Now… I want to return to the field.”

Kana nodded. “That’s not an easy decision after several years away.”

“No,” Mikito said honestly. “But it’s a necessary one.”

Kana paused before continuing. “I notice a long gap in your employment history. Would you like to explain it?”

Mikito had expected the question.

“My husband is disabled,” she said calmly. “He uses a wheelchair. I stayed home to take care of him and our son. I managed the household budget, medical expenses, school fees, savings. I know it’s not formal work experience, but it required discipline.”

Kana’s fingers hovered over the keyboard.

“That is experience,” Kana said quietly. “It’s just not always recognized.”

Mikito looked up, surprised.

“Why apply for an internship instead of a permanent role?” Kana asked.

“Because I don’t want to pretend I know more than I do,” Mikito answered. “Accounting standards change. Software evolves. I want to relearn properly, even if it means starting at the beginning.”

Kana typed a few notes.

“Are you available full-time?” she asked.

“Yes,” Mikito said. “My son is in school during the day, and my husband has assistance. I’ve organized my time carefully.”

Kana closed her laptop.

“I want to be honest with you,” she said. “This internship will be demanding. You’ll receive feedback. Sometimes correction. Sometimes pressure.”

Mikito smiled faintly. “I’ve handled pressure before.”

A brief silence followed.

“Do you have any questions for me?” Kana asked.

“Yes,” Mikito said after a moment. “If I perform well… is there a chance of continuing after the internship?”

Kana met her gaze. “Yes. Several interns here have been hired permanently. We value commitment more than perfect resumes.”

Mikito nodded, holding back a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “That’s all I wanted to know.”

Kana stood and extended her hand. “We’ll contact you soon.”

Mikito shook it firmly.

As Mikito left the room, Kana watched her go

Her and Ayase have the same stare...

~

The front door opened with a soft click.

“Mama!” shouted Kenta, running barefoot across the living room. His little legs carried him straight to Mikito, throwing his arms around her waist.

Mikito laughed, hugging him tightly. “Kenta! You’re so big!”

Behind him, Toma Nijima, her husband, wheeled himself out from the kitchen corner, a small cake in front of him. “Welcome home, Mikito,” he said with a smile. The cake was simple chocolate with a few sprinkles but he had decorated it himself with shaky handwriting: “We missed you!”

Mikito’s eyes softened. “You did this… for me?”

Kenta nodded vigorously. “Yes! I helped Daddy! I even put sprinkles on it!”

Toma chuckled. “And I didn’t burn anything this time. That counts as helping too.”

They settled at the table. Mikito’s bag hung on the chair. She looked at her son, smiling. “So… what did you do today?”

Kenta leaned back in his chair, looking proud. “I played with my friend Souta! he’s really strong. He helps me find my classroom every day because I get lost all the time.”

Mikito raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh? And what does Souta think about that?”

Kenta grinned. “He says I’m a talented explorer! And he calls me a tiny warrior when I find my class without getting lost.”

Mikito laughed softly, imagining the scene. “A tiny warrior, huh? Sounds like a good friend.”

Kenta nodded. “Yeah! He even said if I ever get lost in the school again, I just have to find him. He’s my checkpoint!”

Toma smiled quietly, looking at Mikito. “Sounds like he’s a good influence on him.”

Mikito reached across the table, taking both of their hands. “Thank you,” she said. “For this… for everything.”

Kenta leaned over and whispered, “Mama, I want you to come home happy every day. That’s why we made the cake.”

Mikito felt a lump in her throat. “You did a great job, my little man.”

They shared a quiet moment, the soft light of the afternoon casting warm shadows across the room. Cake crumbs, laughter, and the little sounds of a family that had learned to support each other filled the space.

And for the first time in a long while, Mikito felt like she had come home—not just to a house, but to a small, loving world she had built with her own hands.

End of chapter 20