[That has to be a Kida gene, this whole idea of putting hopes and dreams on a tiny bundle of cells that has yet to finish developing into a real human being, this small human which will have its own feelings and opinions. But, then, Nariko had to exist under the weight of her mother's expectations, and the constant knowledge that she always failed - so maybe that's why it'll always leave an unsettling taste in her mouth.

No matter what they're planning on doing, this is a moment that's worth pulling him up for a kiss.]

That's the keyword, 'better'. [It's moments like these that make her feel unrelentingly protective, and right now it's not something she even thinks to hide.]

You are a good father, Masaomi, and we are always a family. There hasn't been a single day that we haven't loved them and cared for them. You know that it could have been so much worse.

[Maybe it deserves to be classified as 'messing up', but it's resulted in rough edges that they can guide their children into smoothing out. They will still be successful, happy adults despite what their parents have caused in them, and she really just wants him to begin to absorb that.]

You have to believe me, because I'd tell you if you were awful.

[That's an awful joke said with a thick, emotional tone of hers.]