Chapter 179

Mahavairocana was pretty up there as far as Buddhas went, and in charge of a wide range of virtues. Beside the point. If I just get through this, I’m home free! With that belief in mind, Masako held it together… The next morning… “Ma-Mom, it’s morning. Get up, dude.” “…Hngg…I’m still sleepy…” “Well, fine. Then I’ll have to give you a wake-up kiss, man!” “Nope, don’t like that visual! Stop! I’m up!” Morning kisses were bad to begin with, but coming from his own face? Absolutely not. Masako pulled himself out of bed and looked around, still pretty dazed. It was only just starting to get light outside. The room itself was still dark. Porta was fast asleep on the next bed. “It’s too early…” “I always wake up this early, man. I’ve got laundry and breakfast prep to do!” “But that’s your… Oh, I’m you right now.” “I could take care of it, but if someone sees me at it, they’d find out! Dude!” “Right… Yeah, I’d better handle it.” He quickly got himself ready, and they snuck out of the room. First, laundry. “So how do you usually do this?” “Well…like this, yo.” The inn’s laundry room had a pot large enough for an adult to fit in. She put the clothes in it. “Water?” “I just use leftover bathwater, man.” Back and forth between the bath and the laundry room, with a bucket. “This is a ton of work… My arms are already worn out.” “Next, the detergent, then this.” Mamasato reached for the magic circle inscribed on the laundry pot. The water began to churn. “Huh… Maybe all the pots in those RPG homes are actually laundry machines…” “No time to stand around watching, man! We have to finish morning prep while it’s running.” “R-right…” Not even time to catch your breath. No rice cookers here. She had to wash that rice by hand, put rice and water in a clay pot, and put it on a burner made from a fire gem. Next, they had to chop up pickles and the ingredients for today’s miso soup. Following Mamasato’s instructions, Masako carefully sliced them all. Tonk, tonk, tonk. “Weirdly hard to make them all the same size…” “The laundry pot should be almost done! Let’s get that on the line, man.” “Er…but we’re still cooking?” “Gotta multitask, yo! Both laundry and cooking, quick as you like!” “Sheesh…” They adjusted the fire on the burner and dashed back to the laundry room. The pot had just finished draining, and the laundry was all stuck to the sides at the bottom. “Oof, they’re soaked and really heavy… We’ve gotta carry all this outside?” “The key is to stretch it all out so it doesn’t wrinkle.” They went out back and started hanging everything up. One piece at a time. “These are Wise’s—” “She wears different-colored panties every day, man!” Making extra sure to get the wrinkles out. “Yo, I’m worried about the rice. Let’s run and check on it.” “Run?!” They ran back into the kitchen to make sure the rice was okay. They also lit the burner under the miso soup then dashed back outside to finish hanging up the laundry. “Hoo boy…this is too much work on an empty stomach… I can’t even catch my breath…” “Our morning battle is just beginning, man!” They were still in the prologue. The sun was up—and it was finally actually morning. The girls were gathered around the table, still looking very sleepy. Time for breakfast. “Yawn…looks good. Mamako, more miso soup!” “Geez, you’re really chugging that! Uh—I mean, certainly, dear!” “Today’s pickles are fantastic, as usual. Can I have a few more?” “Er…oh, why, yes! There’s some in the kitchen! I’ll just go get them.” “Could I get another bowl of rice?” “C-certainly! I’ll make it a big one!” Serving everyone while trying to finish his own meal… Despite the frantic rush, Masako somehow ate his breakfast. “Whew…now can I get a break?” “First, we’ve got to do the dishes, man!” “I shoulda known.” Masako tearily carried the dishes to the sink and started washing, Mamasato supervising his every move. Seemingly oblivious to how much work this was, Wise called out, “Oh, Mamako! Got a sec?” “What the—I mean, yes? What is it?” “We’re gonna head out.” “We accepted a quest yesterday. It’s just a little errand, quite simple, nothing to worry about.” “I’m gonna join them! Is that okay?” “A quest…?” There was something worryingly sneaky about their smiles. If only he could be part of that… But that would mean running all over town as Mamako, and he was tired enough already. Only one option. Act like Mamako and send them off like she would. “That does sound nice!” Beam. “Your smile’s kinda stiffer than usual, but cool! Let’s get ready to go!” “Do take care! Ma-sato and I will rest here at the inn. We need a rest. Without rest we might die.” “Um, what are you talking about? The two of you gotta get ready for the symposium.” “…Oh…” Masako gasped in horror, but Mamasato was nodding. That was today. Once the girls were gone, Masako and Mamasato set out. “I wonder what this symposium will be like, man!” “I don’t see any way we’ll be able to enjoy ourselves. This will be nothing but exhausting—it’s basically suicide.” Masako was dragging his feet like a zombie as they neared the Mom Shop. There were so many moms gathered, they couldn’t even reach the shop. The whole road was packed. And they were so worked up, chattering away, that it was impossible to hear anything else. It was pandemonium. Pandemomium. “Oh my God…this is pure hell…” “Oh! Masato! Mamako! You’re late!” Mone called out. She was running around handing out drinks and treats. As one, the crowd of moms turned toward Masako. “Oh my!” “The star is here!” The crowd advanced on him. “Eeek! M-M-Mo—” “Ma-Mom, have fun, yo! I’ll just go help Mone out.” “Urp! You’re kidding?!” Mamasato was already gone. Masako was all alone, surrounded by moms. “Mamako, good morning! Today’s going to be so much fun.” “Uh, yes, let’s hope so…” “Your son came to help you? How lovely.” “Yes. I’m so proud of him!” Grin. “You don’t mind if we have a nice long chat today, do you, Mamako?” “Uh…be gentle?” Doing his best pleasant smile, he searched for an escape route. There was none. He was completely surrounded. I just gotta somehow keep them from realizing I’m not Mom! Caution was the key to survival. “Can I get right down to questions? My son just won’t talk to me anymore. It’s like he’s avoiding me!” “Best to just leave him be. It’s important to give him space.” Firm. “My! That really doesn’t sound like you, Mamako. You usually teach us tricks to get our kids to let us dote on them! Are you really Mamako?” “Urp…I was thinking from the son’s perspective…” The moms were starting to stare. Was this the limit of his Mamako act? “Oh, I’m just kidding! You’re clearly Mamako! Oh-ho-ho!” “Y-yeah! Hee-hee-hee! …Whew.” Masako was safe for now but already tired. He started to droop. “Oh, Mamako, are you okay? You’re so listless!” “Y-yeah, there was so much housework this morning. It wore me right out…” “What do you mean? There’s always housework!” “I did laundry, made breakfast, aired out the futons, and cleaned the house!” “We’ve got a dog, so I had to take it for a walk. Twice around the town!” “I took care of all my work deliveries this morning. Hustled so I could make it to this symposium!” “Seriously…? And they’re this fired up? That’s some crazy stamina…,” Masako muttered to himself. They were clearly a different species from a teenage boy. Nothing else made sense. Masako was in a cold sweat, barely focusing. “Oh! Isn’t that Mamako? Come, have a word with us!” “There’s more of them?!” More moms were pouring in. Three of them were weaving their way through the crowd. One had that reformed delinquent vibe. The second was elegant and dressed to the nines. And the third was a bit spacey but sweet, with a bag slung over her shoulder.