Chapter 1
The Unforgettable Image and the Step Not Taken
The theatrical productions of Torajiro Ohara were now captivating the world. However, deep within his heart, the image of his wife, Yoko, who passed away seven years ago, rested like a profound shadow on the stage. The only one who could color that shadow with vivid hues was Saki, a composer.
Saki not only possessed outstanding musical talent but also understood Torajiro’s passion for his work and, above all, his deep solitude, which she respected wholeheartedly. The age difference meant nothing to her, and her feelings accumulated deeply and quietly. Yet, whenever she glimpsed Torajiro’s lingering feelings for Yoko, Saki couldn’t bring herself to take a single step forward. Her love was blocked by an invisible wall named his past.
In a new twist, Torajiro had a fateful reunion at an Italian opera house. The person was Kanako Yokomizo, a woman he had worked hard alongside at a dress research studio. She was now a globally renowned clothing pattern designer, even receiving offers from the Milan Collection.
From that moment on, they naturally started spending time together, and their relationship gradually morphed into something vaguely defined. For Torajiro, who couldn’t forget Yoko, it felt like a temporary sanctuary to fill the void of his loss.
Miyo, hearing this story from Saki, quietly told herself, “Give up. She’s a wonderful match, a person from a world different from mine.”
It was a difficult decision for Miyo, made partly out of empathy for Saki’s heartache and partly to conceal her own secret feelings for Torajiro.
～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷
Chapter 2
The Limping Life and the Heart Seeking a Future
Meanwhile, Kakeru’s heart had long been trapped in a fog. Having lost his parents in a childhood car accident and being the sole survivor, the guilt overshadowed his future. Life was fragile, he felt no sense of truly living, and he couldn’t enjoy life brightly like Saki. He simply spent his days in a blur, unable to see what lay ahead.
The only place Kakeru felt he could truly let his guard down was with Rabbit Lara’s family, the rabbits living at Miyo’s house.
One day, an incredible miracle occurred in the Lara family. Bibi, the mother rabbit, gave birth to four babies. The four looked strikingly similar to Emma, Bibi, Lila, and the fluffy adult rabbits.
But there was one difference.
Only Mike, a pale brown baby rabbit who resembled Lara, had a slight limp. It was a light, hopping limp, barely noticeable unless you looked closely. The other baby rabbits paid it no mind.
However, Lara, the family elder, noticed it.
From that day on, Lara’s devoted licking began. Lara would hold Mike in the middle of her fluffy body and gently, gently continue to lick the painful leg. Kusukusu, Yuruyuru, Goshigoshi. It was like a heartfelt massage. Miyo watched the scene, smiling.
Kakeru observed this every day. At first, he was skeptical, but day by day, Mike’s footing grew more certain.
And then, one day, the miracle happened.
Mike’s leg was completely functional. He could run around just like the other rabbits.
A rush of warmth flooded Kakeru’s chest. He was deeply moved by Lara’s unconditional love and the resilience of life.
“That’s it, I’ll become a caregiver.”
In that moment, the door to his future, which had been closed for so long, opened with a sound. Maybe what God had given him wasn’t a fleeting life, but a future dedicated to supporting life. Kakeru realized that this path, decided in an instant, was the light his heart had been seeking all along.
～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷
Chapter 3
The Brightest Star and the Embrace of Return
Kakeru immediately sent an email to Saki on his smartphone.
“That’s wonderful. I think that future is perfectly suited for you, Kakeru-kun.”
Kakeru’s heart warmed at Saki’s simple reply. “Saki-chan really is my brightest star,” he thought, gazing intently at her message. Miyo, who had resolved to give up on him, watched this scene with complicated feelings.
Just then, a video call came through on Miyo’s smartphone.
“Miyo-chan, is now a good time?”
The face of Torajiro, who was at Narita Airport, filled the screen.
“…” Miyo couldn’t speak.
“I thought about it in Italy. I realized the person I love most in the world is Miyo. The time I feel most at peace is when you’re by my side.”
…Still, no words came out. Large tears began to stream from Miyo’s eyes.
Is there a time difference because it’s an international call? Torajiro tilted his head slightly.
At that moment, Kakeru’s live commentary echoed from off-screen.
“Big sister Miyo has tears welling up and can’t speak right now. Ah, she’s collapsing onto the table. Oh, oh, the entire Lara family has gathered around Miyo. They seem terribly worried about what’s happened to Miyo. Mr. Torajiro, please hurry and come home.”
When Kakeru’s broadcast finished, a soft atmosphere, like Lara’s fluffy fur, wafted between Narita and Miyo’s room.
Torajiro’s uncertainty, Saki’s deep love, Kakeru’s renewal, and Miyo’s confusion—all these emotions were quietly and warmly connected by the small miracle brought about by the pale brown baby rabbit and the return of the person she loved.
～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷～🔷
Postscript
Kakeru’s decision and Torajiro’s return will surely give Saki the courage to take a new step in her own heart. The readers, too, will feel hope for the future that is about to begin for the people in this story.
“Oh dear! Torajiro and Miyo have turned into Rabbits!”
“Kakeru and Saki are Rabbits too!”
Rabbit Lala and the Quartet, and their children, were overjoyed.
And so, they all lived happily ever after.
Copyright © 2025 painted and written by Michiko Yamada. All Rights Reserved.