I Ended up as the Hero’s Mother After Reincarnating?! - Chapter 9.2

Chapter 9.2

Chapter 9 – Farewell, Thank you, Hello (part 2)

TL: Januva

Editor: Puissansa

First Published on Ainushi

「Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?」

Kindly but firmly, Kaa-san directed a strong gaze at me .  Don’t gloss over the issue, speak your mind – and speak clearly .

That’s why I lowered my head deeply once again, for a whole 5 seconds .

I wanted to apologize to both my parents .

「I’m sorry for dying all of sudden… . I’m sorry…」

It might just be a selfish desire on my part, but I’ve become a mother .

「I am now a mother, so…」

Because of that, I felt like I now understood the pain that parents felt when separated from their child .

How much sadness did she suffer from my* death?

The creases must be deeper than when I* was alive .

(TL note: “ore” masculine pronoun)

I now knew that time does not heal all wounds . I finally understood that .

「I wanted to apologize . 」

She heaved a sigh of astonishment and seemed worried for me .

But I was no longer her son .

I no longer had the qualifications to receive her worry… .

「Well, you are definitely no longer my son . My son wasn’t such a beauty too . 」

Kaa-san said it in a joking manner .

「But no matter who gives birth to you, no matter how your appearance changes, the fact is that you are my child . 」

She reached over the table and hugged my head .

「So don’t apologize . 」

Her voice sounded so sorrowful .

Aah, I see .

It must be sad to be told something like that by her own child .

Seriously, I’m such an unfilial child .

I almost apologized once again without thinking, but stopped myself just in time .

Instead, I packed all the gratitude I had into the following words .

「Although 『I*』ended up dying early, I’m glad to have been born as Kaa-san and Tou-san’s child . Thank you . 」

(TL note: “ore” – masculine)

Though, as expected of Kaa-sa; she is always in control of the pace of the conversation .

「I only have complaints . All the investments we’ve spent on you ended up going to waste after all . 」

「Horrible! How can you say that!?」

Ah, how long has it been .

It has really been so long since I last spoke in such a rough manner . I’m about to start crying…

「But well, it’s good to see you doing well, you know?」

She joked again when she saw me on the verge of tears .

「… . it doesn’t change the fact that I’m dead . 」

While feeling grateful for her small act of consideration, I replied with a slightly quivering voice and forcibly held back my tears .

「Besides, I’m still pregnant? And the contractions are killing me? How am I considered well*?」

(TL note: feminine cutesy way of speaking here)

「… . well, that might suit your current cute appearance… but when I think about your former appearance, it feels somewhat unpleasant . 」

「Unpleasant… I think that’s the first time someone said that to me after I’ve changed into this body…?」

I pout my lips and glare at her reproachfully .

In response, she laughed cheerfully .

However, she quickly stopped .

「Even so… to become a mother at such a young age…」

「Ah-hahaha… . 」

This time, it’s my turn to laugh . It was a bitter laugh however .

「V-various things happened」

「Various, you say… . is your partner a good person?」

「Rather than a good person… . he’s more like a perverted lolicon kidnapping rapist?」

「What!? Are you alright?」

「I’m fine . I’ve already escaped . 」

「That’s good then… wait, that’s no good for a pregnant mother!」

「It’s fine, it’s already over after all . Sorry for worrying you . 」

I unconsciously slipped into my old tone .

But that likely won’t ever happen again .

My previous self has long since ran out of time .

A time that I can’t return to .

The unbridled happiness that I was feeling now caused the stress that I had built up from labour to melt away like snow .

I spoke a lot .

Of my current family .

Of a friend I finally made .

I spoke of a great deal of things .

The time I have now, here, is almost like a miracle .

If God really does exist, this was really such a tasteful thing to do .

As a true blue Japanese, God is God (LOL) to me . But, I could feel the beginnings of faith in God about to sprout . For now, I’ll just thank God honestly with 『Thanks ☆』in a cute manner .

… . Nonetheless, this must be a lie . My vision is distorting after all .

Is there water in my eyes?

… . No, my very existence was flickering . That’s the feeling I’m getting .

Even though I’d like to stay here a little longer… .

「… . Seems like time’s up」

Saying so in a regretful voice, she pulled me closer and wrapped her hands around mine .

It’s the wrinkle-filled hands of an elderly .

And upon these wrinkled hands, tears landed .

*Pota, pota, potata…*

There was a large amount of water dripping from my eyes . They are by no means tears .

As I told myself that, I sniffed .

「Although I said I won’t watch over you anymore… . but you really do make me worry… . 」

There’s no need . I’m not kid… . no wait, I am a child now .

With my baby growing bigger, my awareness as a parent grew, and I ended up forgetting that I am a 11 year old bishoujo ☆ .

「Take this with you at the very least . 」

She pressed something into my hands .

I took a look at it… . Geez, when did she prepare something like this?

Or should I say, why the heck does she have this?

「A long time ago, before you were born, Mother-in-law… . your Obaa-chan gave it to me . It’s supposed to be returned to the shrine, but it was kept preciously together with the maternity book . If there is an expiration date, then it probably has already passed that, but well it’s better than nothing . Hold on to it . 」

Expiration dates really do exist for these… .

Nevertheless, I was happy . Very much so .

「Thank… you… I’ll… take good care of it… . 」

This will be my lifetime’s greatest treasure . I’ll definitely take good care of it, Kaa-san… .

But, with this… . already… .

I sob uncontrollably .

「Farewell… . I can’t come…again…」

「Mm, I know . That’s why… . 『Bye bye』」

Born as a daughter of nobility, Rifirudeidoa, abducted by the King to become concubine Fria, and finally becoming just Ria, I have already heard countless 『Bye bye』 .

Holding the precious present to my chest with one hand, I opened my free hand widely and waved . And I acknowledge it . I mean, it’s fine, isn’t it?

It might be embarrassing for my previous self, but  it isn’t embarrassing for my current self, Ria .

I gave up putting on a brave front and let my tears flow out unrestrained .

「This will be our last meeting, smile, please . 」

At her rebuke, I stopped saying bye bye tearfully and roughly rubbed the edges of my eyes .

And with my best smile, I… . returned to my world .

The last sight of Kaa-san was… . just like me, tearfully smiling .

*chirin chirin*

The windchimes were loud and incessant .

I don’t get how it’s supposed to be a seasonal song . It’s just noise to me .

I don’t know why my son liked it so much .

「What’s with this… . Just when I finally got to see a good dream . 」

The sun was already setting before I knew it .

The light permeating through the window was deep red .

What a pointless way to spend the day .

I was a little amazed at myself for doing so .

Heaving a deep sigh, I stretched my body and felt my bones creaking .

It is natural for an old woman getting on with the years to get a sore back from sleeping on the table since noon .

「Yoisho-」

After a few more cracks, I stood up .

Even places that I’ve never paid attention to started creaking as the years pass . I smiled wryly to myself .

At this moment, the sun’s rays reflected into my eyes . Squinting from the glare, I followed the source of the reflection .

On the table were 2 cups .

Left in them were water and half melted ice .

Drawing in a sharp intake of breath, I stopped breathing due to shock .

I soon regained my composure and searched the drawers in a panic, looking for the item that should be there .

I found it in no time .

Or more accurately, I found that it’s no longer there .

The item that I received from my mother-in-law when I was giving birth .

It was kept carefully with the maternity book, but there are no traces of it now .

Aah- if so, I hope I handed it over properly… .

I intended to carry it to my grave .

If there wasn’t an expiration date on it, then I would have passed it on to his wife… .

But well, that child wasn’t very popular with the ladies, so I would have had to carry it to my grave .

Even so, to think that he would become a silver haired beauty .

Kami-sama sure knows how to do things .

I took the cup that child drank from and rubbed the edge where the traces of her lips remained .

My late son returned as a girl .

This is truly worthy of being called a miracle . Even as someone who does not have strong belief in God, I feel thankful .

It’s enough to make me consider putting my hands together in prayer .

But, just what should I pray to?

Taoism’s ancestors or Buddha? Christianity’s Jesus Christ or Virgin Mary?

「But I’m Japanese after all . 」

After giving it some thought, I decided to face the shinto household shrine and clap my hands twice before it .

For the first time in my life, I bowed deeply and sincerely .

「… . I now have something to boast about when my stupid husband gets back . 」

For a brief moment, I felt content .

The dark walls of home usually feels so lonely .

Since losing my child and with my husband always somewhere else, I’m usually alone at home .

But, today was different .

Even though my child went off to a faraway world and turned into another existence, he is still living life to the fullest .

I may not know if he attained happiness, but I’m sure this time… .

That’s why I have to live the rest of my life in happiness too .

「I assumed that I’d be able to meet him once I died, but that doesn’t seem to be case, huh . 」

Chuckling to myself, I was resolved to living a long fulfilling life .

She turned into a widow not long afterwards .

Though mysteriously, she was not lonely .

Ever since that day, she began various hobbies that kept the loneliness away .

People began to naturally gather around her and their daily lives were lively and fun .

「Well then, what should I do today?」

That’s right, she’s living happily .