“I’ll never speak to you again!”
✦ ✦ ✦
A flash of anger sparked those words. His mounting frustration made his mouth move on its own.
Words spoken in the heat of the moment, unleashed on Mamako with all the heat intact…and they scored a direct hit. Her smile faded.
“…Oh… No, I didn’t mean…,” Masato stammered, aware he’d crossed a line. Too late.
Mamako stared at him, stunned. Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
She stared directly at him, crying.
“…I’m sorry. I just don’t know how or what to explain. Ms. Shirase and her people have a lot they’re working on, and I just don’t know how much of it I can tell you.”
“Oh, uh… Okay. I get it. If you can’t say, then…”
“But there is one thing I should tell you. I would never trick you. I would never do anything to try to hurt you, Ma-kun. Will you believe that, at least?”
“Yeah, I do…”
“I just want to get along with you, Ma-kun. I want to go on an adventure with you, talk to you about things, tackle different challenges with you, become closer as a family. That’s all. So… Sniff… So…”
“All right! All right already. I get it! I promise I understand!”
“So please…just…”
“Y-yeah…”
“Just don’t say anything that awful ever again… That was the worst thing anyone has ever said to me in all my life… It broke my heart.”
✦ ✦ ✦
The tears were still flowing down her cheeks, like waterfalls of sadness.
Masato had really done it this time.
He’d made his own mother so sad she couldn’t stop crying. It was his fault she was like this.
There was nothing worse a child could do.
What the hell am I even doing…?
This wasn’t even about his feelings. She’d brought him into this world, given him life, and wanted nothing more than for him to be happy. His soul couldn’t bear the idea of making her this miserable. He couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t even bear to look away.
Masato sat upright and then bent over until his forehead touched the arena stage.
“I’m sorry, Mom! I didn’t mean that! I would never do something like that! It just came out… I didn’t mean it at all! So…!”
Forgive me. Don’t cry. He was about to plead with her further when…
He felt her hands rubbing his head. Her gentle touch ruffling his hair, as if lightly scolding him.
“…M-Mom?”
“You know what I love more than anything, Ma-kun? When you’re being nice to me. When you’re being considerate.”
“I-I’m just…really sorry I said that.”
“I’m glad to hear it… That’s enough, now. Raise your head.”
“Um, uh… Okay…”
Masato glanced up, but he could still see the tears on her cheeks glistening. He couldn’t stand to stare directly at them, so he looked away.
“Now, now. Look at the person you’re talking to!” Mamako scolded.
“S-sorry,” he said, forcing himself to face her again.
Mamako watched him expectantly. She clearly wanted to join his party.
“Argh, I never dreamed my mother of all people would ever look at me like that…”
“Hey! Eyes on me! Listen when I’m speaking!”
“Y-yeah…”
“I just want to go on an adventure with you, Ma-kun! Will you add me to your party?”
Add Mom to party?
No doubt remained. He had only one option available.
“…Well, okay, then. I’m sure your firepower will be a huge help. I guess you can join the party. I guess…you can come with me.”
“Then I will! We’re going to have the best time, Ma-kun!”
“Right, um… I hope we will, Mom.”
Mamako joined the party.
“But, Ma-kun, let me make one thing clear.”
“Mm? What?”
“I don’t have fire powers. I’m not a Bunsen burner!”
“God, how many times do I have to tell you that’s not what the word means?!”
Masato couldn’t shake the feeling the greatest enemy they would face on this journey was his mother’s comprehension skills.