“Aughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” This was the ultimate mom skill, activated when a mother’s instincts perfectly melded with those of the earth and ocean—A Motherly Trinity. MegaMamako appeared! Masato was still screaming. Even Hahako and Shiraaase’s jaws had dropped so hard they almost dislocated. Actually, the shock knocked Shiraaase over—she hit her head, died, and was replaced by a coffin. No matter how many times he blinked, MegaMamako was still there. “Well, Ma-kun, let’s find out what happens first! Will you beat the game…or will Mommy catch you?” “Uh, no, waaaaait!” “Let’s go! When you were little, we always used to chase each other around! And Mommy never lost, not even once! I’m gonna get youuu!” MegaMamako reached out her incredibly huge hands, trying to scoop up the flying ship! “D-Dad! Daaaad! Full speed ahead! Noowwwwww!” “Aye-aye!” The fateful battle began. The flying ship shot forward at speeds so great, the hull creaked. MegaMamako smiled, easily keeping up. She reached out her arms to catch the ship and Masato on it, to cradle it to her chest. “Crap, crap, crap! She’s gonna catch us! Only one option, then… Kazuno! Medhimama! Deathmother! Please!” When in doubt, ask a mom. “What do you want me to do? Okay, sure, I said we’d keep in her in check, but not this! …Memama, I bet you can handle it.” “Huh? Kazuno, what’s that supposed to mean? You can’t just say anything that crosses your mind! We all have our limits, and dealing with a Mamako this big is mine! …Well, Hotta can handle it, I’m sure. After all, she is Dark-Mom Deathmother.” “That’s not a valid reason! Don’t rope me into this mess! …B-but…no matter how big she is, it’s still Mamako, so…” Deathmother spawned the Traveling Merchant’s unique equipment—the magic shoulder bag. It opened its monstrous maw, spewing items. Specifically, tea and cookies—big enough for MegaMamako. “Mamako! Tea’s ready! Will you join us?” “Uh, Hotta? No way that’ll work—” “Oh, how lovely! Don’t mind if I do.” “Yikes. She totally bit.” MegaMamako picked up the teacup and a cookie. Both her hands were full! She couldn’t catch Masato now. “Nice, Deathmother! Thanks for that!” “No matter how big she gets, Mamako is still herself. That’s the key to victory! Keep your wits about you. Masato, I’m sure you can handle this.” “Okay! I’ll try.” A mom-along adventure had certainly left him with a wealth of mom knowledge. He knew all the things that could distract his mother. “Yo, Mom! Got a sec?” “Yes, Ma-kun? What is it?” “I was just wondering if you’d done any laundry today.” “Laundry? Did I…? Oh dear! That is a question… I usually hang it out to dry at the inn—is it still hanging out there? Or did I take it in last night…? Oh my! I just don’t remember. Which is it…?” MegaMamako stopped in her tracks, trying to remember. Success! The flying ship gained valuable distance. “Okay, this is working! …Dad, how much farther?” “We’re close! I can see our destination! Look up ahead!” When they did, they saw a sheer cliff stretching to the clouds above. “Still a ways out… Porta, can you see more?” “Yes! That’s the stairs we climbed! I can see the door that wouldn’t open!” “Cool. Then that’s Heaven’s Ruins, all right. I don’t wanna do that climb again; let’s hope we can restart from the door. What do you think, Dad?” “This ship has a hovering function, so we can pull right up alongside.” “Awesome.” The ship gained altitude, emerging through the clouds. Not long after, Masato’s eyes could make out the shape of the door. If nothing else happened, then… But something did. “Oh, right! I finished the laundry last night. I was all worried about nothing! And I’ve finished the tea. The cookies were lovely!” Mamako was back in action. She set the teacup down on a nearby island and was hot on the group’s heels once more. It took her only a few steps to catch up. “How are you so fast?! That’s not even fair!” “Hee-hee. MegaMommy has megalegs! I’m sorry, Ma-kun, but this game of tag is all over. I’m gonna get you!” “No you’re not. I know how to handle you now! …Moms, take it away.” “We’ve got this. At least, this time anyway. Ready, Memama?” “I’d rather stay out of it, but very well. I’ll work with you this once, Kazuno.” Kazuno struck an aggressive, daring pose, and Medhimama an elegant, confident one. “Mamako, let’s have a nice chat, shall we?” “Mom talks are a mother’s delight. Our one indulgence. I can’t imagine you would refuse.” “Oh my! What should I do? I have to catch Ma-kun, but…I am curious. I think I can spare a minute… Just one!” “Certainly. Heh-heh-heh… But mom talks never end. We can keep her here for an hour or two…” “So? What’s this about?” MegaMamako asked. “It’s, um…” Medhimama looked at Kazuno, who blinked and looked at Medhimama. Medhimama then blinked back at her. Neither of them could think of anything. “Gosh! Nothing at all? Then I guess we’ll have to catch up later.” MegaMamako smiled and looked back at Masato. “The heck?!” Operation: Mom Chat failed! Masato was in trouble…! “W-wait! Mamako, wait! I have a topic! Don’t go yet!” “Oh, Kazuno? What is it?” “Um, um…the, uh…the thing! Right!” Words came tumbling out. “My dumb daughter said she promised to marry Masato. What are your thoughts on that?” Of all things. ““Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!”” Masato and Wise’s shrieks were in perfect harmony. “Yo, Wise, why would you say that?!” “I didn’t! Mom just made that up! …Gawd, Mom! What’s wrong with you?!” “Aw, calm down. Look, it proved super effective against Mamako.” “Oh my! Oh my goodness gracious! Oh my heavens! She did? They did? Ma-kun and Wise? Oh my oh my oh my!” MegaMamako was befuddled! She stopped dead in her tracks. “Ha-ha! See? That’s mom power for you.” “Get off your high horse, Mom! This isn’t a joke!” “Oh, be quiet. We just have to get her in a tizzy about her kid. That’s what mom talks are all about! …Memama, you’re next.” “Very well. I’m in this to win.” Medhimama gave Medhi a quick look. Medhi smiled and nodded. She was totally on board. “Mamako, if I might interject? My daughter insists she has a prior claim on Masato’s hand.” “Ohhhhh?! Medhi was first?! And then Wise?!” “Yes. He’s two-timing! And that’s hardly right. I think this calls for a parent conference!” “Y-y-yes, indeed it does! We have to talk this out right now!” MegaMamako was beside herself! Her mind was so preoccupied with marriage, she’d completely forgotten about catching Masato. This version of Operation: Mom Chat was a success. “So many problems with this but…at least it looks like we can get there safely,” said Masato. Everyone else thought as much, too. Until… “Kazuno! Medhimama! I need every last detail! Tell me everything you know!” MegaMamako grabbed the ship with both hands, pulling it to her ear. They were caught. “Huh? …Aughhh!” “See? Your dumb plan totally backfired!” Wise yelled. “B-but…we did distract her! We did our job! Right, Memama?” “Y-yes! This is…exactly what we wanted! We’ll keep her busy chatting about this. Hotta, could you get us some tea?” “I don’t know what else I’d do. Masato…good luck.” Kazuno, Medhimama, and Dark-Mom Deathmother ran off toward Mamako…and away from their daughters. “Good luck? With what?! …Dad? Can we wriggle free?” “I’m afraid not. I’ve got it floored, but she’s not budging!” “Crap. We’re so close, too!” Masato could clearly make out Heaven’s Ruins, but no amount of long jumping would get him there. They were high in the sky, the ground miles below. Without flight, they’d never get anywhere. “Mwah-ha-hahhhh! This is the job for meeee!” Sorella hopped on her giant magic tome, floating upward. “Glad one of us can fly! Thanks, Sorella!” “Suuuure. Come on! All aboooard!” “No telling what’s up ahead,” said Amante. “The interception squad’s coming, too!” “Mm. Ya can’t leave me behind, sonny.” “We’re coming, too, duh.” “Of course. Till the bitter end.” “Yes! I’m on my way!” The tome was something like three by six feet, and seven people had just jumped on. It dropped like a stone. “Too heavyyy! I can’t flyyy!” “Yeah, I figured,” said Masato. “Masato and I are maaandatory. Maybe two moooore? Who’ll it beee? Masato, you chooooose.” “Two more…” Who would he take to the last dungeon? There might be monsters in Heaven’s Ruins. Combat considered, he should probably take Wise and Medhi. “…Masato…” Porta knew she’d be left behind and looked very sad. Maybe he should leave his main party and take Amante and Fratello. “Hmmm?” Wise was cracking her knuckles. “You know exactly who to choose, don’t you?” Medhi was doing her most terrifying beautiful girl smile. Nope. That option would be fatal. “Um, gimme a sec. This is super hard! I dunno!” Every option left someone out. Masato was clutching his head. But… “Masato, a moment?” Hahako stepped in—red light on her right hand, blue on her left. “Hahako, that light…” “This is a portion of the motherly power fueling Mamako—the opposite of her desire to keep you here. This light is her desire to push you forward.” This was a move designed to give a child courage—the mom skill A Mother’s Push. The feelings from their hug had been real. She did want to help him, too. These two desires were contradictory, but both a part of Mamako nonetheless. It was just a question of whether she knew it or not… MegaMamako was still busy chatting with the other moms. “Sheesh, being a parent is hard, huh?” “Very. But in her stead, I entrust this to you. Accept it.” Her smiling face just like Mamako’s, Hahako put her hands on Masato’s back. The light suddenly burst, then scattered and took the shape of a bird’s wings. Masato grew pure white wings. “I’ve got wings…?! Holy crap!” “Time to flee the nest. Go on, Masato.” “Y-yeah… I’ll spread my wings…and fly…!” It wasn’t hard. All he had to do was picture it, and the wings on his back began to flap. Masato left the ground. “Whoa!” Porta shouted. “Masato! You’re flying!” “Hey! How dare you be cool!” Wise yelled. “I’m seeing things,” said Medhi. “I must be weary.” “This is real, dammit!” “Well done. Now then. Wise, Medhi, Porta—these are from your mothers.” Hahako summoned new lights, touching each girl’s back in turn. All three of them grew wings and floated into the air. “Wooo! I’m flying! Damn, this is awesome!” “Masato, your heroines have all become angels. Feel free to lavish praise upon us.” “They really are kinda angelic looking, so…I dunno what to say.” “W-wait! I can’t actually fly! Augh!” Porta’s wings were on the small side. Perhaps Dark-Mom Deathmother secretly didn’t want her flying the coop just yet. She couldn’t flap right—so Wise and Medhi each took a hand. The three of them together could fly just fine. Now all four of them were soaring free. Hahako’s daughters looked a bit jealous, but they had to settle for riding the giant tome. They deliberately made it fly higher than Masato’s party so they could look down on them. “Fine, fine. You sure look like you’re having fun, not that I need to point that out to you. Just don’t let it go to your heads,” said Amante. “Now that we’re all flying, we’d better head straight to these ruins.” “Oh, right…,” Masato replied. “Okay, Hahako! We’re heading out!” “Understood. I hope you don’t mind that I give my final farewell.” “Final…? Oh…” “Yes. I exist only in this game. Once you beat it, we shall never meet again. So this is our last parting.” With a hint of melancholy, Hahako cast her eyes downward—but then, just like Mamako herself, Hahako beamed, undaunted. “I am grateful for everything you did for me. There is much I would like to say—but I have no time to say it. Instead, let me promise you this—I won’t forget these feelings, or the time we spent together. Even if everyone in this world forgets, I never will. Ever.” “We won’t forget you, either. I promise we won’t.” “Thank you… Then go on. Take care. And be good to your mothers.” “Yes! We will! Hahako, thank you so much!” The Hero’s party bowed. And then Masato flew away from the ship. Wise and Medhi pulled Porta after them, the tome riders close behind. They all headed for Heaven’s Ruins. Hahako stood still, watching them go. The group flew straight to the ruin doors, bypassing the endless staircase, restarting right where they’d gotten stuck before—or at least, that was the plan. “Sage Wise! Cleric Medhi! What are you doing?” Amante shouted. “You’re dropping steadily! Don’t you know how to fly?!” “Oh, shut up! We’re flying as hard as we can!” Wise shouted back. “But yeah, we’re losing altitude, and I have no clue why!” “Our wings are fueled by motherly power… Perhaps the farther we get from the source, the weaker they get?” Medhi wondered aloud. “B-but this means…” “We’re going to fall into the ocean!” Porta yelled. “Nope! Don’t worry. You’ve got the Hero of the Heavens with you!” With the power the Heavens had bestowed in him, Masato could keep the whole party flying! He drew the Holy Sword, Firmamento… But it was broken. “Ohhh, right, it died a noble death in the battle with Dad. Ha-ha!” “The hell are you laughing for?! We’re free-falling here!” Wise hollered. “Augh, that water’s coming up faaaast!!” “What a pickle. Sorella, help ’em out.” “Fiiiine. Spara la magia per mirare… Forte Ventooooo!” “No, not—!” Just before Masato and his party hit the water, an explosive gust of wind hit them. It caught their outstretched wings, and all four were flung— —right to the base of the stairs leading up to Heaven’s Ruins. “Gah!” Masato hit the ground first. Then—“Hngg!”—Wise, Medhi, and Porta all landed beautifully on top of him. Finally—“Hngah?!”—Amante, Sorella, and Fratello all jumped down on top of him, too. Not quite the recovery they’d hoped for, but…at the very least, they were on dry land. “Eep! Sorry, Masato!” “It’s f-fine… As long as you’re safe, Porta…” “’Kay, Masato, forward march,” Wise ordered. With six girls on his back, Masato crawled up the stairs. “Nope, that’s physically impossible.” Everyone got off. He glanced toward the water and saw MegaMamako clutching the flying ship. She had both hands on it, and all her attention was on the chatting moms. Didn’t look like she’d seen the rest of them fly away. “No telling when she’ll notice us,” said Masato. “Let’s get climbing. Full speed to the doors above.” They started moving toward the clouds and the door beyond, running up the stairs. “Oh! Careful! Monsters incoming!” Porta always spotted them first. A flock of wyverns was quickly approaching. Battle time. “All right! Flying enemies are—” “Masato? Did you forget again?” Medhi asked. “Sorry. I’m weaponless.” Slump. “Psh. You just stand there and watch, then,” Amante scoffed. “We’ll take care of them.” “We got this one, sonny.” “Feast your eyes on the three Hahako sisters’ teamwoooork.” No sooner had the words left their mouths… …than Amante broke into a run. So fast, she ran straight up the cliff face into an aerial spin that placed her above the wyverns. “Hmph!” Rapier thrusts like torrential rain pummeled all foes into a downward spiral— Where Fratello stood waiting. “Mah!” A disarmingly cute battle cry, but her fists sent foe after foe flying. As for Sorella… “Get theeeem!” She was spawning skeleton armies beneath her tome, and they were swarming any wyvern survivors. Brutal. The battle was over in a flash. The wyvern swarm was defeated! The three Hahako sisters turned toward the Hero’s party. “Sage Wise, Cleric Medhi, Traveling Merchant Porta, and Masato Oosuki. What do you make of our combat performance? Your evaluations, please.” “Why…? Okay, sure,” replied Masato. “I mean, I legit thought, ‘Damn, they’re good.’” “Are you guys, like, way stronger than before?” Wise asked. “I thought the same,” Medhi added. “Although maybe just mildly stronger. Not very much.” “Arghhh… You can’t say anythiiing without being a little snot, Medhi. I guess that’s just you being youuuu.” “I thought you were great! Amante, Sorella, Fratello, you’re all amazing!” “Mm. You’re a peach, Porta.” “Thanks, everyone. Yes—we’re all strong,” said Amante. “And we got this strong by fighting you. In other words, this is the strength you gave us. But I’m not gonna admit to that!” “If we take that further, this is something you’ll be leaving behiiiind. That and us becoming Hahako’s daughterrrs. It’s all because of youuuu.” “And that’ll all stay put. Not just our ol’ lady Hahako. We’ll remember y’all, too. Ain’t no way we could forget.” “So, uh…well, there you have it.” Speech over, the three of them turned and headed up the stairs. Not too fast; one step at time. As if they were savoring their last moments together. Masato and the girls felt the same way. They followed. “Hey, Amante…” “What, Sage Wise?” “Watch your feet. One false move and you’ll go tumbling down. Bruise yourself again.” “I’m afraid the bruise we got when we first met has long since faded.” Amante proudly smacked her butt. With a satisfying crack. “Sorella, your back is wide open. Anyone could land a hit!” “Mwa-ha-hahhh. You say that, but you don’t even want to hit meee. You’re a proper lady, Medhiiii. You don’t need to force yourself to keep the dark power things going, you knoooow.” “I will if I want to.” Medhi tapped her staff on Sorella’s back. Sorella wriggled as if that tickled. “Um, Fratello! Thank you for being so nice when I was one of the Four Heavenly Kings!” “Mm, I was plumb tickled to get a li’l sister. Was nice bein’ a big brother for a spell!” “Um…but you’re a girl, Fratello, so more like a big sister—” “You fool! I’m a man!” “Eep! S-sorry.” Fratello straightened her tiny, clearly feminine back, standing bolt upright, and doing her best “manly” walk. But a few steps later, she slowed down. Fratello had pulled up alongside Masato. She had the shark hoodie pulled low over her eyes, so he couldn’t see her face…but could hear her sniffing. A delicate little fist tapped him in the ribs. “I’m a man, and men don’t waste words. So I’ll just say one thing: I’m glad we met.” “Yeah, Fratello. I’m glad we met, too.” He reached out and rubbed her head, and got another elbow jab in return. “One farewell isn’t neeearly enough. Let’s all make a playyyy.” Sorella clung to Masato’s other arm, staring up at him with her bewitching, languid eyes. “It’s our last chaaaance. Let’s have one final rooound.” “Gambling again? Fine! I’m in. What are we betting on?” “Ummmm…well…hmm. Good questiooon… I had so many ideas, too… Where’d they gooooo…?” Sorella trailed off into silence. Face buried in her hands, she moved away from Masato…and threw her arms around Wise and Medhi. They patted her trembling back. Before they knew it, they’d reached the stone doors. Amante had been in the lead. She stopped, stepping sideways so Masato could pass—but she didn’t turn around. “I hear this door only opens for the Hero. Seems like a fitting end, Masato Oosuki! Prove you’re this so-called Hero after all.” “I’d be glad to. I’ll show you I’m the best Hero around! At least, the best normal one.” He stepped up to the door. There was a low rumble, and the door swung open. The path had opened for the Hero. “See, Amante? It did open.” “Apparently. So go on! Head in. This is as far as we go. Plus, she’s catching up.” There was a lot of noise coming from down below. A mass of earth, and a mass of water, each shaped roughly like human hands. If you squinted, you might think they were modeled after Mamako’s—but neither was exactly maintaining form. “Looks like those are the remnants of Mother Earth and Mother Ocean. Only a matter of time before they relay intel back to Mamako Oosuki. Won’t be long before she comes running. You’d better get a move on.” “Okay. Also, Amante…” “Just—! Go on in!” She wouldn’t even look at him. Sorella was in tears. Wise and Medhi were crying with her as she pushed them forward. Fratello had tears streaming down her cheeks, and she did the same to Porta (who was also sobbing). The girls were all pushed through the door. Amante slapped Masato’s back, and he, too, was inside. The door began to close. This was good-bye. “Amante!” he shouted. “I said, just go!” Just before it closed, with only a crack left visible—she finally turned around. “I want to say, ‘See you again,’ but I can’t say that, can I? And I’m definitely not about to say ‘Good-bye!’ I don’t even know what else I can say! …So just go on in, you dumb Hero!” She tried to grin but was crying too hard—and then she vanished from sight. Masato stared at the closed door for a long minute then turned on his heel. “…Let’s go,” he said. The girls rubbed their eyes—several times—and nodded. Inside the room it was dimly lit. Fairly spacious—the walls and ceiling were lost in shadow. All they could make out was the floor, and the pattern that led farther in, beckoning them. It was quiet. So quiet, Masato could hear lingering sniffles. They walked forward, no one speaking. Then someone slapped him hard on the back. Wise, of course. She hit him a few more times, lashing out—but there was no strength behind the blows. “I think my tear ducts are broken,” she said. “Yeah, I can tell. I held out, though! I’m a man.” He said that last bit in Fratello’s voice. “Um, I don’t think now’s the time to be such a hard-ass. What use is masculinity anyway?” “I seem to recall hearing this place has something that will make the Hero of the Heavens cry with joy.” “Yes! That was written on the quest posting! I remember it distinctly!” That stopped Masato in his tracks. “Oh, yeah. I totally forgot…but…” He looked around. No signs of anything. So they walked some more. Nothing but darkness. No treasures, not even a support pillar. But at last, they found an exit. A small, doorless gate. Beyond this gate was a space clearly not of the same world—perhaps some other dimension. Framed by flowers in full bloom, white stairs stretched upward—as if they led to Heaven. Masato stopped outside the entrance. “Seriously, nothing here? …I had such hopes, too.” “Hopes for what, Masato?” Porta asked. “Perhaps something that would make him cry with joy,” said Medhi. “Or flying enemies, or the strongest power or sword in the world.” “Yeah, sounds right. You’d expect those to be hidden in the last dungeon. Any gamer would be salty if you accidentally beat the game without picking that stuff up…,” said Wise. “Oh, hang on. Is that why he’ll end up crying?” “Precisely. He’s sure there must be something, scours the place top to bottom, yet winds up with only tears for his trouble.” “That’d definitely make me cry, but not for joy! This game isn’t that heartless. No, I meant…” He turned back, staring into the void beyond. “It would’ve been nice if this place had been filled with the memories of all this world’s citizens. I mean, their memories of us are sealed away somewhere, right? If we could release them and let everybody remember us again…” Like Hahako had done for her daughters. Or would that just cause more grief? Masato shook his head. “No, maybe this is better. Maybe they’re better off forgetting us. All we’d be able to do is say good-bye. And that’d make things harder for everyone…” But before he could say anything else… “Boooo! Don’t go getting all gloomy on me.” He heard a voice—Mone’s voice. A single speck of light appeared in the darkness then burst, and suddenly Mone appeared. She came running toward the party and threw her arms around Masato, nuzzling her cheek against his chest. “Gotcha! Tee-hee! Rubrub. Rubrub! Recharging spoilmeter!” “M-Mone? Why are you here…?” “It’s not just me! Ta-da!” Countless beads of light appeared at once before bursting, the resulting flash so bright, the party closed their eyes… And when they opened them, the darkened hall was filled with people. Everyone from Catharn. From Maman Village. Mr. Burly and his students. Pocchi, Pocchi’s mom, the roustabouts, and the members of Mom’s Guild. The casino owner and staff. The beastkin mom Growlette and everyone else from the World Matriarchal Arts Tournament. And so many more. Everyone they’d met, all smiling through tears. And everyone was calling their names. Mone finished dampening Masato’s shirt with her own tears before gently stepping back. “I’d love to cuddle more, but I’ll spare you. I can’t stay attached to you forever, Masato.” “Oh? Then you’ve grown, too, Mone.” “Heh-heh. You bet! …Masato, Wise, Medhi, Porta…this is good-bye. But don’t worry! I won’t forget you. All of us are gonna remember. So you don’t need to cry those tears of joy, Masato.” “…I’m not crying.” “Heh-heh-heh. Sure, let’s say you aren’t. You just really look like you are. Anyway, Masato, you said all you could do was say good-bye, but that’s not true. We know something else to send you off with. Okay, everybody!” The crowd spoke as one: “Thank you for adventuring in our world!” Masato bowed his head low. “I should be thanking you. You’ve all done so much for me! Thank you!” The girls each bowed in turn. They were sobbing too hard to get many words out, but they said their thank-yous as well. When Masato looked up again, Mone’s face was a mess with tears, but she smiled anyway. “Okay! Then on you go. Run for it! Don’t even think about turning around! Go! Now!” “You got it!” The Hero’s party turned and raced through the door. And as they did… She’s here! He felt his mother coming. They started running up the white staircase, and edges of the sky began to twist. As effortlessly as passing through curtains, beautifully pale oversized fingers parted space itself, the body following right behind. It was MegaMamako’s smiling face. “Hee-hee-hee! Ma-kun, I found you! Our game of tag is alllll done.” “You finally made it, huh, Mom?” “Hurry, Masato! We already said good-bye! If we get caught and dragged back, we’ll look super pathetic!” “For the sake of everyone who saw us off, we must complete our journey here!” “You have to reach the transport point, Masato! Go on ahead! I’ll slow Mama down!” “Porta… Okay! I’ll trust you!” “Yes! I’ve got this!” Porta had been lagging behind anyway, and now she stopped dead, turning to face MegaMamako. “Oh my, Porta! Are you going up against me?” “That’s right! I’m going to use the power of me and Mommy’s tight-knit bond to stop you! Here goes!” Porta took Piita and Piitamama off her shoulder bag and held them high. The dolls were wearing the power-up outfits Dark-Mom Deathmother had made for them, and they grew beyond Pretty Prodigious size into…P-P-P-P-Pretty Prodigious size! Piita and Piitamama were now about half MegaMamako’s size, and each of them grabbed on to one of her legs, not letting go. “Oh my. Oh dear. My legs won’t move at all! You’re so strong.” “I did it! Now Mama can’t chase after Masato! We win!” “Hee-hee-hee… I don’t know about that.” “Huh?” MegaMamako smiled happily and knelt down. Wings unfurled on her back—one made from trees and leaves and earthy materials, the other from seaweed and other aquatic materials. “Whoaaaaaa! Mama grew wings!” “This is MegaMommy’s second form! Okay, Porta dear, careful the wind doesn’t send you flying! Here I go!” “Aiiiiieeee!” A single flap of her wings, and MegaMamako’s massive form took to the air. Piita and Piitamama were still clinging to her legs, and she was after Masato again. He, Wise, and Medhi were only halfway up the stairs. They could just make out the top, but flying MegaMamako was closing in. “Ma-kun, look at me! Mommy’s flying! My wings go flappy flap!” Flappy flap. “Yo, stop! The wind pressure’s nuts! We’ll be blown away! …Argh, how is my mom so broken?! What’s even happening?!” “Pretty obvious, duh! She’s just being the same old OP Mamako! Only one option left… Medhi!” “Wise and I will slow her down. Masato, run for it!” “Gotcha! Thanks!” Masato never broke stride. Wise and Medhi stopped, facing MegaMamako. “Okay, Mamako. I know you’re in a hurry, but you’ve gotta go through us first.” “Oh, I don’t mind. It sounds like I need to give you both another mom interview.” “You mean you want to check if we’re suitable to be Masato’s life partner, then?” “Hee-hee. More or less!” “Augh! Th-that was just stuff our moms made up…but sure, it works in our favor here. Not like there’s no chance of that happening!” “Then let’s get started. What would the two of you do for your future husband?” “An easy question,” said Medhi. “If his mother starts acting too selfish…” “Then it’s the wife’s job to show her who’s boss!” Wise had her tome in hand and was pouring all her magic power into it. Unable to withstand the sheer quantity of magic, the tome split apart, and the pages flew in all directions, forming a massive magic circle around her. “The ultimate magic my mom taught me—it takes everything I’ve got. Prepare yourself for a one-time-only super-ultimate spell!” “G-gosh, Wise! You’re even sacrificing your bust size—your very life is on the line! …I shouldn’t point that out, though.” “You just did! And I’m not sacrificing squat, Medhi!” “It was a joke. I wasn’t being mean. Promise!” “Fine, whatever. That’s just how you communicate, Medhi. I know you act all evil, but you’re actually nice deep down. If you were truly that nasty, we’d never have gotten along so well.” “Heh-heh-heh. I’m so glad you understand me.” Medhi smiled happily, but quickly turned grim, focusing her attention on her staff. “Then I shall unleash the power my mother granted me… Conforto Staff, now is the time to unleash my true self!” Dark power erupted from her every pore—and that, too, was instantly blown away by a pure white light that shone from Medhi’s very core. And as the light faded, Medhi became a dragon. Pure white scales, not a trace of corruption. Angelic wings. And where her visage had once been terrifying, now she was almost divine. Medhi transformed into Holy Medhidragon! “WISE, I’M READY WHEN YOU ARE.” “Roger that. All right, Mamako! Here goes nothing!” “Yes, go right ahead. Let’s see how you ‘show me who’s boss’!” MegaMamako reached out her hands, trying to sweep Wise and Holy Medhidragon into a MegaMom embrace. If they got caught in that, they’d be relentlessly cuddled. And given MegaMamako’s size, fleeing was not an option. They had to stop those arms from reaching Masato—to protect his wishes. Wise and Medhi attacked. “Full power! …Spara la magia per mirare… Laurea della Madre!” This was a wife’s nuke of stubbornness, spelling the end of a mother’s role. “I’LL STAKE EVERYTHING ON THIS ATTACK! NEWLYWED BREATH!” A wife’s beam of stubbornness, rocking the foundations of a mother’s domain. Wise’s spell hit the oceanic wing while Holy Medhidragon’s breath hit the earthen one. Two attacks slammed home, attacking the very nature of motherhood. A powerful explosion blew the oceanic wing clean off! A gaping hole opened in the earthen wing, and it crumbled apart! No longer capable of flight, MegaMamako crashed to the ground at the edge of the stairs. “Goodness! Oh dear! You certainly showed me… My, myyy…!” “Yes, we did it! …But that’s…all I’ve got left…” “SAME HERE… THAT WAS MY LIMIT…” Wise slumped to the ground. Holy Medhidragon collapsed onto the stairs, changing back to her original form. Neither could get up again. But that was also true for MegaMamako. P-P-P-Pretty Prodigious Piita and Piitamamako had her legs held tight, clinging to her knees. She couldn’t fly, let alone move at all—they had MegaMamako perfectly restrained. “…W-we did it!” “Somehow, yes.” The smiles of a job well done. Wise and Medhi reached for a high five… “Hee-hee. Well, I’m glad you both told me exactly how you feel. I’d better catch up with Ma-kun and tell him all about it!” And just as those words left her mouth, a sphere of mingled crimson and blue shot out of MegaMamako, rocketing between Wise and Medhi. Bound for, of course… Masato had just climbed the final stair. “So this is the finish line…?” He was in a room, neither large nor small, filled with flowers—as if celebrating his victory. And at the center of that was a transport device. If he stepped onto that, the game was over. But… “…I knew she’d come.” Feeling a certain someone approaching, Masato knew he’d need to be armed and ready. He glanced around—“Oh, good”—and gathered some up, hiding them behind his back. Just in time, too—she was here. The mom-colored sphere descended before the transport point. The sphere itself dissolved, and the person within stepped out. “Hee-hee-hee. Ma-kun, it’s Mommy! I’m here!” Mamako. She was back to her original height—but her outfit had merged with the earth and the ocean, making her look extra spectacular. No swords at her hips—instead, there was a crimson ribbon on her right wrist and a deep blue ribbon on her left. His weapon hidden behind him, Masato moved to face her. “Seems like you’ve powered up.” “I have! This is MegaMommy’s final form. These ribbons were once the holy two-hit multi-target attack swords!” “What do they do?” “Mommy’s hugs are now doubled-up full-body embraces. It’s a big buff!” “That is the wrong way to buff yourself, but very you.” “Well, Ma-kun? Ready to leap into Mommy’s arms?” She spread her arms wide. The ribbons on her wrists stretched out—long enough to wrap around every inch of him. Mamako was trying to bind Masato to her. But before she could… “The first attack is mine! Mom, brace yourself.” He thrust his hidden weapon toward her. A carnation bouquet. “Mom, hear me out.” This surprise attack succeeded, and Mamako’s eyes opened wide. To mother, from son. “You’re scared to go back to the real world, Mom. Right now, we can talk like this—but you’re worried if we go home, things’ll get awkward between us again. That’s why you don’t want to stop playing, right?” Mamako seemed unsure how to respond, but after a moment, she managed a small nod. “…It’s not that I don’t trust you, Ma-kun. I just can’t help fretting.” “That bad, huh?” “Yes. Children don’t stop growing up and changing. You certainly haven’t. I barely recognize you. You’re being so nice to me now, but…that might change again. I know I shouldn’t assume the worst, but…” “Sheesh, Mom. You’re such a worrywart.” “I know! I wish I wasn’t. But no matter how old children get, mommies always worry. And your mommy’s so frustrated!” “Don’t do the sulky face.” Mamako had puffed out her cheeks, so he shook the bouquet in front of her like he was banishing the bad energy. Then he got serious. “I know it’s a cliché, but…nobody knows what the future holds. Maybe you’re right, and back home, it won’t all be fun times. But I might change for the worse even if we do keep playing this game together. Nothing’s set in stone. Right?” “Well…I know, but…” “So there’s no use thinking about it now. What’s the point? …You see, there’s actually a much bigger problem going on. One my life may well depend upon.” “Your life?! Wh-what could that be?!” Mamako turned pale. Masato’s expression grew very grave. “I’m starving. I wanna go home and have something to eat—something you cooked, Mom.” Then he broke into the broadest smile he could muster. Mamako blinked at him. “Your son’s on the brink of starvation! C’mon, Mom—what are you gonna do?” he asked. “What else? I mean…there’s nothing else I can do. I have to rush right home and get cooking, of course! Hrmph.”
Chapter 200
31 min read