Life in the Hiroshi-Emi household seemed perfect after the reunion, but the "three months of mourning" had left a deep mark on Ren's soul. Although he was now independent—cooking his own ramen and managing his school schedule—a lingering fear haunted him. Every morning, he would check his mother's pulse while she slept, terrified that the "fake death" might one day become a reality.
Emi noticed this. She realized that while she had taught him to be independent, she hadn't yet taught him how to handle the fear of loss. One evening, Ren sat on the balcony, strumming his guitar to a melancholy tune. "Mom," he whispered as she sat beside him, "I'm scared that if I stop being the perfect son, you'll disappear again."
Emi took his hand, her heart aching. "Ren, I didn't leave because you weren't perfect. I left so you could find the person you were meant to be. Love isn't a cage, and it isn't a reward for good behavior. It's a safety net." To help him heal, she encouraged his band, "The Crimson Tides," to enter a national competition. She wanted him to find a passion that belonged only to him—something that would remain even if she wasn't standing right next to him.