Once again, spoilers lurk beyond this point, especially in the story-specific sections. You've been warned.
On 'Growing Older'
- okaasan: 'mother'
- otousan: 'father'
- imouto-chan: 'dear little sister'
- oneechan: 'big sister'
- sensei: a term of respect used for an educated professional (a
doctor, in this case)
When a person whose only impulse is to fix every problem she comes across – even if it's beyond her power – runs into a situation that's entirely beyond her capacity to change or affect, one of several things can happen:
She might realise she has limits, and learn to accept them.
She might try to come at the problem from a different angle, trying to find another solution.
Or she might drive herself harder and harder, berating herself for her continual 'failure' until her mind and soul snap under the pressure.
No prizes for guessing which category Rika falls under.
Like her otousan, Rika has the capacity to be utterly obsessive and single-minded. Also like her otousan, Rika is very susceptible to emotional damage. She's put herself in an untenable position. She thinks she's grown up, but her heart is still that of a child.
It's a hard lesson for a child like Rika to learn. But it's one she'll have to face soon.