Chapter 166

“You’re leaving already? It wouldn’t hurt to take a breather.” “We do have urgent business… Oh, I know! Your net fishing event might have been canceled, but I know a delightful event that’s happening instead! You should look forward to that.” “Oh? What could that be? If you say it’s delightful, Mamako, I’m sure something genuinely incredible will happen. We’ll all look forward to that! See you again.” “Yes, I wish you all the best of fortunes. Come on, Ma-kun.” “Ugh…f-fine! But just for today!” He held Mommy’s hand so he wouldn’t fall down. So did the other group. “I’ll let you hold her haaaand, Amaaaante. I’m da big shiiiiishter.” “Amante, ya gotta show it. In body language.” “I—I know! Humph!” Toddler Sorella held a white hand. Toddler Fratello held the left hand. And toddler Amante took the right. All three were holding hands with Hahako. The beach fight had left everyone covered in sand, but they’d cleaned themselves off and were ready— “Oh, hang on. We have some fresh seaweed here; would you like some? It’s perfect for wrapping onigiri! The children would love that.” ““Oh, are you sure?”” Mamako and Hahako stopped. “What about some fried mackerel?” “Perfect for breakfast!” “I’ve got some whitefish…” “Oh, those look good!” More and more offers of gifts, all of them irresistible to a mother. This was dangerous. “If you could just wait a moment, I’ll run and fetch them! Won’t be a minute!” “I suppose a minute won’t be—” “Wait, wait! Hey, Mommy! Aren’t we in a hurry?” “Oh, that’s right. We are…we are, but…” The irresistible lure of idle chatter, the ultimate pleasure for a mom! Pocchi’s mother was not about to let this opportunity pass her by! Her smile broadened. As she searched for a topic, any topic, a topic strong enough to stop Mamako in her tracks…her eyes locked on to three-year-old Masato and the three toddler Kings. “Oh, right. Have they had all their shots? There’s a pediatrician’s office right down the road from here.” ““““Eep?!”””” “They had…wait, have they? They’re about three now. I think they’re due for a Japanese encephalitis shot!” “There’s a standard schedule in your MCH handbook. There are two shots for three-year-olds, with a bit of a gap in between. You’ve got to make sure they’re taken care of.” ““““Augh?!”””” More needles. More doctors. “But I refushe!” The toddlers reflectively tried to escape, but Mamako and Hahako took their hands firmly, not letting it happen. “No, no, no, noooo! No more shooootsh!” Flail. “Mah worsht memoriesh, dredged up again!” Tremble. “We’re children! We feel da pain sho much more intenshly! And you wanna inflict dat on ush again? Never! Masato Oosuki, do shomething!” “Argh, you leave me with no choice! C’mon!” The terrible three-year-olds prepared for war! The ultimate attack of cornered children! ““““WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”””” They exploded with sobs. “Crap, that’s loud!” The older girls covered their ears, even closed their eyes! It was very unpleasant! Heh-heh-heh…nothing can defeat a crying child! Victory is ours! In the face of this ultimate attack, even Mamako and Hahako would be forced to surrender, to respect their children’s wishes… ““Okay, here we go!”” They smiled. ““““It’s ineffective?!”””” If it was for their children’s own good, mothers could harden their hearts, ignore any selfish behavior, and haul them right to the clinic. Mothers were strong like that. “M-Mamako, we’ll just kill some time nearby,” said Wise. “Let’s agree to meet up at the giant fir later,” added Medhi. “Yes, that should be fine. Enjoy yourselves!” “Good luck, little ones! I’ll be rooting for you from very far away!” cheered Porta. “…Me too,” Mone said. She was acting oddly quiet, but she followed after Wise, Medhi, and Porta. Hypodermic time. The toddlers had been dragged off to the pediatrician’s office. Their crying was no longer audible. The girls were walking on the deserted shore, sighing with relief. “How can Mamako and Hahako stand all that? That’s a real feat.” “I think they’re really great! I respect them!” “I can only hope we’re capable of that someday. But what do we do now?” “Mm…I’m not all that hungry, so I guess we could look at clothes? If you’ve got any better ideas, I’m up for anything. Huh?” When Wise looked around the group, she noticed someone missing. Mone was way at the back, both hands clutching her chest. “Yo, Mone, what’s up?” “Mone? Is something wrong?” “I’m afraid so…looking at Masato and those girls…I just really wanted someone to hold my hand. I really needed a hug. I got really jealous and wanted someone to spoil me…maybe that’s why.” Mone smiled apologetically and looked down at the hands on her chest. They were covering a hole. A hole in her chest, like a bottomless pit—nothing visible within those depths. “Augh, what the hell is that? What’s going on?! Eep!” “I don’t really know, myself. It’s like a wind blowing through my heart…if I don’t fill it with something, something bad’s gonna happen. What do we do?” “I—I know! I’ll get something to fill it!” “Porta? Wait! If you get too close…” Too late. When Porta stepped closer to Mone, she was lifted up. “Whoa?!” A moment later, her body was sucked into the hole, and she was gone. “Porta?! Holy crap!” “I was afraid of that…I can’t hold back the craving. What do we do?” “That’s what we want to know! How do we stop it? How can we help?” “Help? …Um, well…maybe if the two of you spoil me…” Mone’s eyes looked up at them, turning hollow. And Wise and Medhi were sucked into the hole in her chest so fast, they could not even scream. “Huh? Where’d they go? I’m all alone…so lonely…someone spoil me, please…” Mone leaned forward, staring into the hole in her chest. And then Mone herself was sucked into it, vanishing into thin air.