SPY x FAMILY (SPY×FAMILY)

AUSTIN'S TROUBLES

Cecile Hall Tutor Thomas Austin (55) Years as an Educator: 30

It was... just a dream...

You're so loud. What's your problem?

I-I'm sorry...

It happened again.

I keep having nightmares lately.

Is it because of the incident?

I could introduce you to a quite renowned psychiatrist if you'd like.

So, yes... Mr. Henderson recommended you.

Hello, Mr. Austin.

Thank you very much for coming to see me.

Have some tea.

Oh, thank you.

You see, I'm been having trouble sleeping lately.

As embarrassing as it is to admit,

I feel that the busjacking incident the other day may still be affecting me.

There's absolutely no need for you to be embarrassed.

It was a terrifying incident. What you're experiencing is perfectly normal.

Notions such as "You'd be fine because you're an adult"

or "You have a weak mind" are absolutely false.

My own daughter was also involved, so I can very much relate.

Let us both regain our old lives together.

He seems like a nice person.

Come to think of it, I heard that some of the children are also getting counseling here.

Yes. We've been seeing them as a team.

In cases like this, it's important to start treatment in the early stages

Thomas Austin.

Since he's one of the dorm teachers,

before your symptoms become chronic.

he's close to the students and has quite a bond with them.

This doesn't just apply to children. It's the same for adults, as well.

I'm sure he took care of many of the famous graduates from that school.

First, we need to fully evaluate your current situation,

and then find the most appropriate direction for your treatment.

He's been working there for years, so I'm sure his network is wide, too.

We'll have to establish ongoing treatment to achieve that.

Please make sure you understand that.

It wouldn't hurt to have him owe me a favor.

Right...

Now, could you tell me what happened?

And I've been waking up often at night due to nightmares...

Do you remember the dreams?

No, not at all.

Do you have any flashbacks to the incident?

Hmm... I'm not sure.

Other than that, my hands shake,

I feel lethargic during the day, and I get irritated for no apparent reason.

Did your symptoms start right after the incident?

I... believe so. Yes.

Comparing what he's saying, where he's looking, his mannerisms, the tone of his voice,

and consistency with the surrounding situation and information...

Small incongruities start to stick with me, like a tiny bone lodged in my throat.

Um...

Will I be able to continue my job teaching?

If I were to get fired...

Please don't worry.

If what you're experiencing is acute stress disorder,

most cases resolve themselves naturally over time.

There's no rush. You can take your time recovering.

All right. Let's end here for today.

I'll see you again next Thursday.

Thank you very much.

That man was lying.

Here's your schedule for this week.

I'm not certain he actually realizes it, though.

Could you look into it?

Understood.

We spoke for zero minutes and twelve seconds.

I don't seem to be getting any better.

I was moaning in my sleep again yesterday, and my wife yelled at me to be quiet.

Have you been with your wife long?

Huh? Yes, it's been about twenty years.

What have you and your wife been talking about lately?

Huh? Like I said, she just tells me to be quiet.

Er, I don't think that counts as a conversation.

I'm confused.

Does talking about my wife have anything to do with my treatment?

Have you told her that you've been coming here?

N-No, I haven't! I could never!

Why is that?

Why? Well...

I-It's because I'm scared.

Scared? Why would you be scared?

Because... I don't know what she'll say to me if I become

even more useless.

You are an established teacher.

Th-That doesn't matter!

Anyway, if you could just do something

with the aftereffects I'm experiencing from that incident...

I beg your pardon, Mr. Austin, but over the past week,

I spoke to several people close to you.

Mr. Austin, you've been experiencing these symptoms

since several months before the incident, haven't you?

N-No...

This is because of the busjackers!

My hands keep shaking recently.

I wonder if I'll be okay at the entrance ceremony.

Sir? Sir!

I'm sorry. My mind was elsewhere.

Mr. Austin, you look quite pale.

Should we get someone else to lead this museum trip?

I just haven't been getting enough sleep lately. I'll be fine.

You've been plagued with it daily, haven't you?

Something that scares you even more than the busjacking.

You're just not productive at all.

Maybe I'll report you to the State Security Service and have them take you away.

You should wash your brain with the laundry.

Dinner will be Hamburg steaks made from your own ground meat.

What? You said anything was fine.

No!

This is all because of the busjacking.

No, it's me.

This is all my fault.

I'm sorry I got admitted to the hospital.

I've been getting excellent sleep since I don't have to listen to your annoying teeth grinding,

so you can just stay in the hospital forever.

Oh, of course, you'll be paying the bill yourself.

Please calm down, Mr. Austin!

But there's no way that's possible!

How could my wife be more terrifying than the terrorists?!

Fear comes in different forms for everyone.

First, you need to accept how you really feel.

Dr. Forger!

What should I do?

You need to face your fear.

What's important here is conversation.

No!

No matter what I say to her, her only response is a sigh!

Let's just calmly try to track down the cause of this.

The thing is, I haven't the slightest idea.

Nightfall's investigative report

You stood her up on your anniversary.

You don't help out with housework or childcare.

You leave your dirty socks out. You have issues with her mother.

Seems like plenty of reasons.

Well, it is difficult to truly maintain a relationship.

I'm always extremely careful when I'm home.

If my true identity were revealed or if our marriage ended,

it would be a matter of life or death for me.

Well, I do try to pay attention to my wife's expressions.

It's not just a matter of expressions.

Are you also gaining clues on how she feels by the tone of her voice and other things?

There's plenty of information to go on, such as how fast she's breathing,

how many times she blinks, and the sound of her footsteps.

Th-That's amazing! You do all of that?

Twilight. That'd be impossible for normal people.

The most important thing is to properly express your gratitude for her.

You also need to acknowledge your role in the household,

and start by doing whatever you can.

I-I can't.

I'm doing my best to improve.

But I lose my ability to speak, or mess up because my hands start to shake.

It all backfires on me.

Just how scared of your wife are you?

Then, first, let's start with treatment to ease your trauma.

It's very painful to have to face your fears,

but if you keep avoiding it, it'll delay your recovery.

First, you need to actually face it, then gradually start conquering your fears.

Do you think I can do that?

Don't worry. Let's get through this together.

Close your eyes and relax your breathing.

First, try to remember a time when your wife scared you.

All right.

Stop!

Don't look at me like that when you have a knife in your hand!

It's all right, Mr. Austin!

You're at the clinic! You're safe!

Stop! Don't rub those onions into my eyes!

I apologize for eating your pudding without permission!

You can actually wage wars over socks or pudding?

My eyes! My eyes! They burn!

Authentic marriages seem... rough.

Ow! It hurts so bad!

If I were your wife, I'd never let something like that happen, Twilight.

Please stop! I'll do anything! Just, please, forgive me!

The Next Day

Good morning, Mr. Austin.

How have things been with your wife?

It's been gradual, but I'm becoming able to speak to her.

That's the first step toward peace.

And so the world became just a little more peaceful.

A NORMAL MIXER

Ugh, this work just won't end!

Same!

Well, good luck with overtime, ladies.

Sir, why don't we get a drink?

Great idea!

Damn it!

Would you like me to help you?

Seriously? You're an angel, Yor!

I still haven't had the chance to properly thank you for teaching me how to cook.

Yes. You should pay me back.

Sharon, help us, too!

Seriously? What a drag.

You've started initiating conversations with us a lot more lately, Yor.

Huh?!

I-If it's a bother, I apologize!

I mean, it's fine.

True...