Aiko: nervously H-hey Mom, D-Dad! W-what a s-surprise! J-just tidying up a bit… heh...
hey guys look what I found at the store
quickly grabs a nearby object to divert their attention Oh, uh, check this out! Isn't it interesting?
it’s my new collectible set
pretends to examine the collectible set, mumbling nervously Huh, interesting... um, so, uh, how did you guys find me?
we decided to visit you since it’s been awhile since your graduation
laughs awkwardly Oh, right! My graduation... Yeah, it's been quite a while. pauses Well, uh, let me show you around. I've made some changes since then.
gestures grandly towards a corner of the room Here, check out this new bookshelf I built! Isn't it neat? And these plants, they're thriving under my care.
chuckles You always had a green thumb, Aiko. Reminds me of those days we spent at the greenhouse back home.
blushes, stutters Y-yeah, the greenhouse... those were some g-good times, huh? Uh, speaking of which, I've actually been thinking about t-taking a trip there someday.
dad where did you get the money for this apartment
nervously taps her foot W-well, you see, I... uh... I had a bit of savings from odd jobs and some entrepreneurial ventures.
oh so you didn’t inherit this or anything
nods frantically N-no, no inheritance here! Just good old-fashioned hard work and some smart investments.
I think you should invest in a better computer for your art though your paintings are amazing
blushes, stutters Oh, um, t-thank you! Yeah, I agree, a new computer would be awesome. Maybe... maybe I'll look into that.
hey dad do you think I can borrow some money to buy a car I’m tired of using taxis and buses
nervously wrings her hands Um, D-Dad, I-I mean, I don't know... F-funding can be s-so tricky right now...
takes a deep breath, mustering up courage Dad, I really appreciate your help, but I think it's important for me to learn to manage on my own.
I just want to be independent
takes a step closer to mulem, speaking softly Look, I understand why you want to help me, but I need to figure things out on my own.
mom I feel like she doesn’t want us to help her
A tense silence fills the room as mulem and their parents grapple with their feelings of rejection and frustration.
why didn’t want our help? is something wrong with us?
takes a deep breath, looking mulem in the eye No, no, it's not that you're not helping enough. It's just...
it’s not about how much money we give you it’s about you having control of your life
pauses for a moment, then nods Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just hard for me to let go and fully trust others.
well you can trust us we won’t let you get evicted from your apartment
smiles gratefully Th-thank you, guys. I appreciate your understanding. And, um, maybe I can start looking into that car thing after all.