NOVEL NEXT Chapter 393
I wonder if it’s right to play such a prank on someone who truly worries about me, but honestly, it’s hard to hold back.
Kagami is my mom.
I absolutely don’t think she hasn’t played her role as a mother properly. Rather, I think her efforts and grace are overflowing.
However, Kagami isn’t just a perfect protective shield for me; she’s more like a giant shadow that hides me from the hot sun—a bit more…
A bit more, yeah.
Like family.
You might question if there’s a need to say that “we’re family” when we already are, but that’s truly how I feel.
In describing one’s parents, people often express it like they live together as sisters or brothers, or sometimes like friends. For me, Kagami was just that.
The best friend in a world that would never leave my side.
Because of that, our relationship wasn’t just heavy.
Moreover, I thought I owed Kagami for her youth. She had to give up her shining years to raise me during my childhood.
…Last time, I hadn’t even thought about talking to Kagami.
But now that I’m here, I don’t want to just look at her without doing anything. That would just be a waste of time because of me.
“…So, you want to follow your mom in reverse?”
“Yeah. Is it possible?”
“Sometimes, I feel like I don’t really know what you’re thinking.”
“There’s no need to understand. Just go with the flow.”
“Is she like this usually?”
As Yuka whispered to me, she looked toward Sota, who chuckled awkwardly.
And with a serious expression, he replied, “Yeah, sometimes.”
I frowned at that statement.
“…Is that something to say for someone dating their younger sister in Akihabara?”
“No, it wasn’t a date!”
Sota answered with a hint of fear at my question.
That would be disappointing for Shii to hear.
…Let’s keep that to ourselves.
“And what’s wrong with Akihabara? You both went there, didn’t you?”
“Well, we both originally liked manga.”
“…But doesn’t that sound a little weird when you put it that way?”
Yuka responded, as if taken aback by my words.
“Fine. So, how skilled is your mom at following people?”
Yuka asked me, sounding somewhat amused.
“As you can see.”
I glanced back slightly. Kagami darted into a nearby alley and peeked back at us, but honestly, it was ridiculous to think she could hide from us after that.
“…”
The three of us looked straight ahead again.
“Well, it doesn’t seem impossible. I’ve walked around a bit since I came this morning, so I’m familiar with the route.”
“Hey, you guys have been talking like experts since a while ago.”
Sota made a valid point, and we both went silent.
Even if Sota learns Yuka’s identity in the main story, there’s no reason to let him know in advance at this point. In Yuka’s case, it was something that should never be discovered.
“Yeah, why are you asking me such a favor?”
Yuka pretended to be just an ordinary person now.
Well, it wasn’t like she was genuinely distressed. Judging by her glimmering eyes, she seemed to be enjoying the situation.
Isn’t it fun to hang out with friends? Especially on a school trip. I lived a life far from such experiences for various reasons most of the time.
Though she is a friend’s mom… still, she doesn’t seem to think uncomfortably about Kagami.
“She’s started moving again.”
Yuka said without even turning around. I didn’t know how she noticed, but I decided not to ask about it.
“Then, let’s go this way.”
Yuka led Sota and me toward another alley.
*
As Yuka said, Kagami couldn’t keep up with us quickly.
Her stamina was average, not exceptional. Well, considering how long she’s been working, she had her share of endurance, but that didn’t mean she was particularly outstanding compared to others.
As we quickly moved and hid between the alleys, Kagami soon lost us and looked around in confusion.
I quietly approached Kagami from behind and called out—
“Mom.”
“Eek!?”
When I called her from behind, Kagami seems to have never imagined that would happen, as she turned around in shock.
And our eyes locked, freezing both of us.
“Ah, did you know?”
She had noticed last time, so would she not notice this time?
Honestly, it was a bit funny.
“Uh, um, well, Koto Ne, I…”
Kagami stammered, trying to explain herself while looking flustered, but I walked over to her without saying anything.
Then I spread my arms wide and tightly hugged Kagami.
“…Koto Ne.”
Upon my actions, Kagami muttered in disbelief.
“I’m right here, Mom. So you don’t need to worry too much.”
“…”
Kagami slowly raised her hands and touched my back.
The tips of her fingers were trembling a bit.
“Is… everything okay?”
Kagami cautiously asked. Her voice was slightly shaking.
“I’m fine.”
I’m not even a teenager.
More than that, I’m just glad to see Kagami here.
Knowing my life could disappear at any moment, Kagami acts this way. So she can protect me anytime, anywhere.
“It’s alright, Mom.”
At my words, a long breath escaped from Kagami.
Then, the hand that had been gently rubbing my back held me more tightly.
Though it was an alley, Kyoto is a famous tourist spot. People were walking around, glancing at us.
But to say it this way is a bit…
Kagami and I both had looks that could be called beauties, so there weren’t any strange stares.
As I released the hug and stepped back slightly, I said, “Mom, let’s go get something delicious to eat.”
“W-Would that really be alright? I…”
“It’ll be fine if you just say you happened to meet your friends. It’s Kyoto, so that’s totally plausible.”
“…”
It was a bit of a stretch, but I had no intention of hiding Kagami from my friends.
Well, thinking that Kagami might get a bit embarrassed, it would be wise to go somewhere farther away from here.
Looking back, Sota and Yuka were watching me from a short distance. Both had complicated expressions, as if they didn’t know exactly what face to make, and in the end, I burst into laughter.
*
In reality, both Yuka and Sota had quite a few things that could make Kagami uncomfortable.
First off, just thinking of Yuka’s position is enough. She was in a role where she could hurt or even kill me while taking care of me.
It would be complicated feelings even if she had siblings with her, but the fact that Kagami was my mother made it even more uncomfortable. Naturally, it was to be expected.
As for Sota, while he was far from feeling guilt, he had to show some decorum since she was a friend’s mom, and more than that, given how passionately I had monitored him for quite a while, he felt a bit of those emotions.
But then again, if you think about it, Sota should feel uncomfortable about me too. My dad had been super cautious whenever I was with Sota.
… Maybe I also resemble my dad a bit.
Well, anyway.
That said, it seems like they don’t feel such discomfort even in a situation like this. The travel destination probably played a big part. Feeling a bit excited, it’s easy to overlook slightly uncomfortable feelings.
“This is delicious.”
As I scooped some matcha ice cream with my spoon and said, Kagami nodded.
For some reason, her eyes sparkled.
If I had known this would happen, I should have prepared a school uniform! Even though Yuka and I are from different schools, we’re hanging out together, so if I just said she was a student…
Hmm, it might be a bit difficult after all.
Kagami looked a bit younger and had a very attractive appearance, but when she wore a school uniform, she wouldn’t look like a student in the first place. No matter what, there’s quite a big difference between a 20-something and a teenager’s face.
Though there might be demand for that kind of thing.
I just wouldn’t want my mom to be seen like that by others.
I was sitting next to my mom.
Every time Kagami took a bite of ice cream, she laughed happily. Just being here right now seemed to bring her immense joy.
Yuka, sitting across from us, and Sota, beside her, looked at Kagami with slightly dumbfounded expressions.
“Mom, is there anywhere you want to see?”
While saying that, I pulled out a pamphlet from my bag.
“Is that really okay?”
Kagami asked, soon snapped back to reality after my words, but I nodded with a smile.
“Since we’re here anyway.”
“…”
And as I spoke, Yuka and Sota stared at me intently.
“Should I say you’re filial…?”
Sota muttered, and Yuka jabbed his arm with her elbow.
It seems the two of them somewhat knew what kind of life we lived.
“I’ve been here before,” I said, looking up at Kagami.
“This time, let’s roam around properly together.”
“…”
At my words, Kagami blushed slightly as if embarrassed but also smiled, showing a hint of excitement.
The appearance of her long-lost childhood emerged a bit on her face.
… It was the face of Kagami I remembered from my childhood.