(A deep silence prevails after Honoka's father turns off the television. He remained standing in his place for a few moments, then slowly turned toward everyone. The determination he had clung to throughout the confrontation was no longer in his eyes; instead, it was replaced by a heavy exhaustion and regret.)
He raises his gaze to Honoka. She was standing in silence, feelings of fear and hope blended in her eyes. Then he looks at Yoshika, who was still holding Ahmed's hand, as if fearing that what happened would repeat itself once more.
The father takes a deep breath, then says in a broken voice:
Honoka's Father (in Japanese): "...I lost."
Everyone looks at him in silence. He continues speaking, his head hung low in shame.
Honoka's Father: "I didn't lose to Ahmed... nor to the principal..."
He pauses for a moment.
Honoka's Father: "...Rather, I lost to my own conscience."
The mother's tears stream down silently. As for Honoka, she feels her heart beating rapidly, hearing her father speak with such honesty for the first time.
The father raises his head with difficulty, then looks directly at his two daughters.
Honoka's Father: "I thought that escaping from the truth would protect us... and that denying you would make people forget."
He shakes his head mournfully.
Honoka's Father: "But I never thought for a single day about what that would leave in your hearts."
Yoshika's tears fall silently, while Honoka places her hand over her mouth, trying to suppress her sobbing.
The father takes a slow step forward. Then he bows deeply before his two daughters with all respect.
Honoka's Father: "Honoka... Yoshika..."
His voice trembles.
Honoka's Father: "I... apologize to both of you."
He falls silent for a moment, then continues:
Honoka's Father: "I know that an apology alone will not erase the pain I caused... nor will it bring back the days you lived in fear and loneliness."
He raises his head slightly, his eyes brimming with tears.
Honoka's Father: "But... if there is a small place for forgiveness in your hearts... I will spend the rest of my life trying to be a father worthy of this chance."
Silence falls. Honoka looks at her father, years of pain blending in her heart with the dawn of a new hope. As for Yoshika, she looks at her sister, as if waiting for her to take the first step.
Ahmed and Misaki exchange a calm look, while the principal smiles a faint smile, feeling that the truth, no matter how delayed, has begun to open a door for reconciliation.
Honoka takes a deep breath... and slowly raises her foot, stepping toward her father.