Chapter 6 Oh, Someone’s Here. Who’s That? I Don’t Know Them… Or Do I?
A beam of light descended on the hill above Catharn’s capital.
The mysterious nun, Shiraaase, emerged from the transport circle.
“I’m heeeeeeere! Hello, fantasy world! …That’s the sort of ridiculous fuss Masato kicked up his first time. Really takes you back.”
She surveyed the area as another beam appeared behind her.
A boy stepped out. He had neat, even features, light armor, and a big sword on his back. This Swordsman was young—he appeared to be around fifteen years old.
His eyes wide, he turned, taking in the world around him.
“So this is the game world… I’d heard the stories, but this truly is a genuine achievement. Everything I see, touch, and smell is just like reality.”
“Who could have birthed this technology? The world is filled with amazing people. Come to think of it, we breezed past the Transport Palace setup—what did you put your name as?”
“My name? Yes…well, it is an RPG, so please call me Hawk. I took it from one of the kanji in my name.”
“That kanji means ‘falcon,’ you realize. ‘Hawk’ is a different kanji.”
“Er, really?”
“However, once registered, the rules dictate you can never change your name, so we’ll be calling you Hawk forever. Welcome to the game, Hawk.”
“What an embarrassing mistake… Dammit! Dammit…!”
Hawk was already pounding the ground.
Shiraaase gave that a bit of side-eye and then smiled.
“That’s exactly how a certain someone reacted after setting up his account. Blood is thicker than water.”
“What was that?”
“Just talking to myself. Heh-heh. Hawk, let us proceed. I can infooorm you that, I, Shiraaase, will be your guide. As that is my name!”
“Uh, yeah. Thaaank you.”
They headed down the hill.
“Let us begin at the starting location, the capital of Catharn. There, you can begin your inspection by learning the basics and the customs involved. I’d love to add ‘to your heart’s content’ but—”
“We’ve got a dinner with all interested parties, and we need to be back in time.”
“So your stay will be until evening arrives. I shall infooorm you when it is time. Do you have any specific plans for your inspection?”
“No, not really. Guide me where you will, Shirase. I’m here representing business concerns, so whatever you think would help make the call on whether to put this plan in action…”
“Rather than this spiel, why not honestly infooorm me you wish to meet your wife and child?”
“I don’t know about thaaat… I’ve never been able to keep secrets from her, so if we meet, I’m afraid I’d blab everything.”
“Perhaps it is best not to infooorm her yet, yes. Though I may be Shiraaase, there are some things I cannot infooorm her of. Despite my name.”
“As you say, Shirase. Which is why I’m here in disguise, so that my identity will not be revealed should a chance encounter occur. Even so, I believe a glimpse from a distance would be preferable to an actual interaction.”
“And yet?” Shiraaase’s grin had a hint of impishness to it.
Hawk looked sheepish. “Okay, you’re right. I’m here for work, but a part of me does miss spending time with them.”
“Mixing business and personal, I see. How unbecoming of your position.”
Her ruthless comment stabbed Hawk to the quick.
“…Um, Shirase? Why the sudden hostile turn?”
“Whatever do you mean? It can’t possibly be because you keep calling me Shirase no matter how many times I infooorm you that I am Shiraaase… Oh?”
They had just stepped onto the road into Catharn…
And at the edge of the city, there was a plume of smoke and the boom of an explosion.
Followed by another, and another—explosions going off all over.
For a moment, both stood stunned.
“Shirase—I mean, Shiraaase! What is the meaning of this? Please infooorm!”
“I’m afraid I have no idea. In the interest of safety, we should go no closer—although perhaps you will find those you’re looking for at the center of this commotion.”
“In that case, let’s go!”
There was a serious glint in Hawk’s eyes, which earned him a nod of approval.
Catharn was a war zone.
The citizens had fled into the buildings and were peering anxiously out. Armed adventurers were racing about in a frenzy. Every main road, every side street, even the rooftops and sewers, had become battlefields.
The enemy came in all shapes and sizes: humanoid, animallike, even shaped like pins or keychains. As thin as shadows, but clearly very real, they flitted this way and that, targeting and attacking any and all people.
Including the Hero, Masato.
“Dammit! What are these things?!”
A humanoid one was flitting about overhead, taunting him. Masato set his sights on it, swinging Firmamento, the Holy Sword of the Heavens.
A mighty shock wave rocketed up, struck home, and shattered the shadow, but…
It didn’t take it long to put itself back together and lunge at him, shrieking.
“Argh, again?!”
“Then I’ll blow it to the end of the world! …Spara la magia…!”
The Sage Wise rushed in with her powerful chain casting!
But the shadow struck first. Releasing a strange vibration.
Masato was unaffected.
Wise’s magic was sealed!
“…Are you serious with this shit…?” Slump.
“Wise, I get it, but girls really shouldn’t talk like that.”
“Her words are as unattractive as her figure. Step aside, I’ll handle this. Spara la magia per mirare… Purificare!”
Pushing Wise out of the way with an elegant hip attack was the Cleric, Medhi. Her staff let out a holy light, purifying all evil.
The light blotted out the shadow…but it was back a short while later.
“I can’t believe it…even my magic doesn’t work?”
“Ha-ha! At least you’re useless, too. But these things suck! Masato! What the hell are they?”
“Don’t ask me! Only one option left… Mom!”
“I hear you. I’m not sure I can do it, but I’ll try!”
The kids stepped back, making way for Mamako.
In her right hand, the Holy Sword of Earth, Terra di Madre. In her left hand, the Holy Sword of the Ocean, Altura. She swung both blades with all her might.
Innumerable rock spikes thrust out of the ground. Countless water bullets were born from thin air. All enemies in sight were pummeled…and yet the shadows soon returned.
“Oh dear. I was afraid of that.”
“Argh, even a mom attack doesn’t work? What the hell?!”
“Super obnoxious! Argh!” Wise griped. “But, um…this seems real bad?!”
The mom attack had just annoyed the shadows, and they were all charging at her together!
“Step back, please. Hurry! …Spara la magia per mirare… Alto Barriera!”
Medhi’s magical defenses created a safe zone, and the party quickly dove in. Just in the nick of time.
Shadow after shadow slammed against the barrier. As if they were aiming for record rainfall. Medhi managed to keep the barrier up, but sootlike bits of shadows were steadily obscuring their line of sight.
“Yo, this is terrifying! What kinda disaster-force crap is this?!”
“How should I know?! …Hang on—where’s Porta?”
“Porta’s safe behind me, don’t worry.”
“Urgh…I’m fine with monsters, but ghosts are so scaryyy!”
The Traveling Merchant, Porta, was clinging to Medhi, her face buried in her back, doing her best not to see anything.
Porta wasn’t the only one who felt like covering their eyes.
There were sinister shadows in every direction. Every adventurer in the capital was out fighting them, but clearly losing.
The enemy themselves weren’t very strong, but they could possess people and make them fight each other. Right next to them, a male Mage was attacking his own party with fire spells. A Warrior male and Thief girl were covered in flames, rolling on the ground, shrieking.
Porta slapped her hands over her ears, shaking. Mamako patted her on the back.
“Ohhhh…wh-what’s going on? Why would anything like this happen? I’m so confused…”
“I don’t know. We had breakfast like always and got ready to head out on a quest…and then we heard the screams… Oh, hold on!”
“What’s up, Mom? Figure something out?”
Mamako nodded gravely.
“I heard today was the twice-yearly junk collection day. We were in such a rush, I forgot to put ours out!”
“Ha-ha-ha. Mom, this is hardly the time for that.” Twitch, twitch.
“R-right. So many veins on your face, Ma-kun! I’m sorry. That was important to Mommy, so I was a little worried, but… Oh?”
It was suddenly quiet. The shadow assault had died down.
They squinted through the soot-stained barrier wall…and saw no shadows nearby.
“What now…?”
“I dunno…but maybe we can step out? Masato, you try.”
“I’m not the party guinea pig!”
“Then Mommy will be brave for you.”
“Huh? No, wait! I’m the Hero, being brave is my… Argh…”
Too late. While Masato was dithering, Mamako stepped right out through the barrier wall. Dusting the shadow soot off herself, she moved this way and that, investigating.
There were countless black marks on the ground and walls, but nothing moving. Nothing anywhere nearby.
Mamako turned back, making a big circle with her arms. Indicating it was okay.
“Wai—Mom! Behind you!”
“Huh?”
Mamako blinked—and a much larger humanoid shadow came hurtling out of the sky.
Masato jumped forward, raising his sword, but too late for the shock wave to reach…
Then.
“You’ll not touch her!”
A boy Swordsman leaped from a rooftop, hurtling through the air and slicing the shadow in twain. It shattered, then vanished.
Caught off guard, Masato stood stunned, forgetting to blink.
The landing was definitely rough on the boy’s legs. He curled up, groaning for a moment, then jumped back on his feet and ran to Mamako’s side.
“A-are you okay?! You aren’t hurt, are you?!”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks for your help… Oh?”
Smiling, Mamako had started to thank him, but then she gave his neat-featured face a long stare and cocked her head.
“Oh my… Are you perhaps…?”
“Huh?”
“No perhaps about it. You are, aren’t you?”
“Er, you can tell? No, wait. Nope! We have nothing to say here…!”
The boy Swordsman backed away, but Mamako kept pace, eyes never leaving him.
She nodded, thoroughly convinced. She opened her mouth…
But then:
“Hawk’s identity shall not be revealed! Psha!”
A mysterious nun leaped from a rooftop and turned into a coffin upon her landing.
* * *
Medhi revived her. They figured somebody should.
Met with a chorus of glares, Shiraaase merrily waved, said, “Yoo-hoo,” and got up.
“Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I must remember not to get swept up in these things.”
“Seriously. What happened to ‘don’t try this at home’? Show a little remorse! …But what the heck was that? You said something about ‘Hawk’s identity’?”
“Can we assume this boy is Hawk?” Medhi asked.
The boy in question was keeping his distance, back turned to avoid meeting Mamako’s gaze.
Shiraaase nodded. “For reasons, I have decided it would be more entertaining to infooorm you of nothing but his name.”
“Shiraaase, you’d better explain while I’m still smiling.” Crack, crack.
“Cracking your knuckles in preparation for fisticuffs is inadvisable, Wise. They say excessive knuckle cracking can lead to fat fingers. Let’s all take a deep breath. Speaking seriously, there are business concerns that prevent me from revealing too much about Hawk’s identity.”
“Business concerns? What does that mean? I’m even more curious!”
“My, Porta. I’m saying no, yet you’re being so relentless… What now…?”
Shiraaase glanced toward Hawk.
Picking up on that, he considered things for a moment, then gave up and approached the party.
“I’m a Swordsman. The name’s Hawk, age fifteen. Management’s generosity has allowed me to observe this world from the perspective of a test player. That’s all I’m at liberty to say. My apologies.”
After that polite speech, he bowed with flawless form.
His body language was far too perfect. Suspicious. “He’s a Medhi-type.” “What does that mean?” Wise and Medhi’s glares intensified. Porta’s gaze was pure curiosity, hoping he would explain more, but…
“Fine, we’ll go with that,” Masato said.
“Wha—Masato? You can’t just—”
“I said it’s fine, Wise. I mean, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.”
“Well, true…” said Medhi.
“Ahh! What generosity! The Hero’s magnanimity knows no bounds! Magnifique!”
Shiraaase had sprung into full-on gush, shoving the girls aside to clasp Masato’s hand.
“Masato! You’ve overcome countless adventures and achieved true growth! I am impressed.”
“Thaaanks.”
“Such a transformation from when you first started, and were furious that your mother was with you, and constantly berating me for keeping that a secret from you.”
“I dunno about ‘berate,’ but…yeah, I did learn a few things.”
Painful memories did have their uses. This thought made him feel really mature.
Shiraaase was still being mildly aggravating, so he gently pushed her hands away, and turned to his party, intending to convince them…
“Masato…when did you get so incredible…? Sniff.” Teary-eyed.
“I always believed you’d grow up one day. Sniff.” Teary-eyed.
“What’s with the maternal looks? Does everyone gotta tease me here?”
“Mommy’s glad you’ve turned out to be such a good boy, Ma-kun! Sniff!” Teary-eyed.
“Now my actual mom’s joined in. With real tears!”
“Masato, you look so grown up! I respect you!” Sparkle!
“Yes, much better! Porta’s pure gaze is the greatest reward! Well, I’m just gonna assume this means we’re all in agreement now, which means…”
Masato turned to face Hawk.
“Swordsman Hawk. Welcome. I’m Masato. Like you, a test player. We’re the same age, so that makes us equals here, right?”
“Uh, yes, sure…”
“Then there’s one thing I ought to say: Thanks for saving my mother.”
“Huh?”
Masato bowed his head.
When he looked up, he found that Hawk appeared quite surprised.
“You can even express gratitude now… How you’ve grown! Ohhh!” Even Hawk was teary-eyed.
“You don’t need to jump on this bandwagon! Geez, you’re getting way too swept up in things!”
“Ha-ha-ha, sorry. I was just so happy.”
“About what? Makes no sense… Anyway you’ve clearly got your reasons, so we won’t pry. Just take it easy, okay?”
“…Thank you.”
Masato held out a fist, and Hawk looked genuinely moved by the gesture. He bumped it back.
Then Hawk turned his gaze to Mamako.
Both exchanged tender looks. Mamako smiled.
“So you can’t tell us everything. That’s fine, Hawk. I won’t ask,” said Mamako. “If I’ve learned one thing here, it’s not to be too pushy.”
“The two of you have grown so much on your adventures! Sniff!” Teary-eyed.
“Yes! Especially Ma-kun, it’s been leaps and bounds! Sniff!” Teary-eyed.
“Knock it off already! This conversation’s going in circles! Everyone, eyes front! First thing we gotta do is solve the current crisis! Look around you!”
The walls and ground were covered in black marks—the remains of the shadows. Moments before, they’d been in the thick of battle and had definitely not defeated these foes…yet their enemy had vanished.
It was clear these mysterious enemies were still threatening Catharn.
Everyone looked grim.
“If you’re here, Ms. Shiraaase, then do you have anything you can tell us?” asked Porta.
“I’d be only too glad…but I’m afraid not. My apologies. I have no knowledge of this.”
“Even you don’t know? This is legit bad. We’ve gotta figure out what’s what.”
“If the shadows return, we could get pinned down again. We should act now.”
“Gotta find some clues, any clues,” said Masato. “We’ll work with the other adventurers and search the town.”
“Then as an adventurer myself, I’d like to assist,” Hawk offered.
He glanced at Shiraaase, who briefly considered it, then nodded back.
“A good opportunity to learn how adventurers operate. But it would never do to have you get injured, so let’s have you operate with a reliable party. That’s my condition.”
“And by ‘reliable party,’ you mean…?”
“Clearly us. Heh-heh.” Wise stepped forward, representing the Hero’s party.
“Except for this Sage, the rest of us certainly qualify.”
“Hey! I’m reliable, too! My magic’s crazy good when it isn’t sealed!”
“Masato, Wise, and Medhi are all very strong! I’ll do my best to help!”
“Plus, my mom’ll be with us in case there’s ghosts.”
“Yes!” Porta said, secured firmly in Mamako’s arms.
“So feel free to join us, Hawk,” said Masato.
“You have my blessing, too,” said Mamako. “Let’s adventure together, Hawk.”
“…Very well. I’ll take that offer.”
Masato’s and Mamako’s smiles got Hawk to join the party.
Shiraaase nodded her approval then turned on her heel.
“Hawk, this is as far as I can guide you. Your time here is limited, but enjoy it. I shall kick back and enjoy a spot of tea nearby, so please find me when it’s time to go.”
“Er, you’re…going to do nothing?”
“Don’t worry, she’s just saying that. She’ll actually be investigating this mess through routes inaccessible to us. That’s what she does.”
“I see…”
Shiraaase gave Masato and Hawk a thumbs-up, clearly indicating that was totally what she was going to do. Then she went into a nearby café. A woman of her word, for better or for worse.
They began by doing a circuit of the capital.
Every road was coated in shadow soot, and they exchanged info with passing adventurers, trying to determine the cause.
“I’m getting the sense the shadows appeared all over at roughly the same time.”
“They just popped up this morning, quite early on. I wonder if something set them off?”
“Hmm, good to know. All we can really tell you in return is that we successfully fended them off with barrier magic.”
“Yeah, that’s basically what we did. Guess a spell like that is mandatory, huh?”
“We’ll spread the word on that. Bye!”
The male Warrior and female Mage (both in their late twenties) headed off.
The conversation over, Masato set out, and Hawk matched his pace.
“Did you know them, Masato?”
“Nah, can’t say we’ve met before.”
“Huh…you can approach total strangers and even chat with them… You’ve gained such valuable social skills! Sniff.”
“That’s, like, normal. Talking to everyone is how you progress in RPGs. If you’re being all shy, you’ll never finish any quests. And can we drop that gag already? Before I have to take a swing at someone.”
“You learn basic human interactions because you need them to progress in the game… Mm, impressive.”
Hawk appeared unduly impressed with Masato’s information gathering.
And Mamako was next to him, nodding vigorously. “Ma-kun’s so amazing… Sniff!” “Mama, here! Wipe your tears!” Porta handed her a handkerchief, but it was instantly soaked.
Hawk and Mamako were generating a warm and fuzzy vibe. Masato led the way, looking deeply uncomfortable.
Wise and Medhi took up the rear, leaving a bit of distance. Both clearly nonplussed.
“…Medhi, what d’you think of this Hawk guy?”
“Well…Masato’s right in that he doesn’t seem like a bad person. But I am curious who he really is.”
“All that stuff he said about business concerns and management’s generosity… He’s gotta be on the admin side of things. Right?”
“Definitely. Despite the rules stating that parents and children must play together, he’s all on his own…like Porta…or perhaps he’s a parent? The way he acts isn’t trying to be grown up. It is grown up.”
“Then he’s using transformation magic like my mom did? He’s got some nerve going with a disguise that hot…”
The girls’ looks of suspicion (and whispering) were stabbing Hawk in the back.
Unable to withstand it, he turned to face them.
“Er, ahem. Wise and Medhi, was it?”
“Uh, yeah. That’s right…”
“Did you need something?”
“Not ‘need’ so much as…I believe it would be for the best if we could all cooperate here. If I may make a somewhat bold inquiry…”
“Shoot.”
“Are either of you, perchance, in a relationship with Masato?”
“““Whaa…?!”””
Masato’s yelp was just as loud as the girls’. All three frowned.
“Er, huh? Why the puzzled looks? At your age I assumed there would be at least a little something going on…”
“Hawk, sorry, but our party doesn’t follow that trope.”
“Oh?”
“It’s not exactly Mamako’s fault, though. If Masato does something cool, nobody’s gonna be like, ‘Eek, he’s so hot!’ here. I mean, I sure don’t.”
“I am quietly maneuvering for his attentions, but more in the sense of anytime it looks like he and Wise might be having a moment, I step in and ruin it. That’s how I do romance. And since that basically never happens, I don’t really get anywhere.”
“Wow, Medhi,” said Masato. “That’s pretty blunt, even for you…”
“Gosh, girls these days are quite complicated… Ha-ha…”
“Anyway, all that love interest stuff’s kinda pointless, but…there’s one thing I can say.”
Wise glanced at Masato then smiled.
“Being with Masato’s really easy.”
“I agree. I’ve never been this comfortable around someone before.”
Medhi, too, gave him a sidelong—but relaxed—smile.
Masato let out a long sigh.
“One always self-destructs, the other’s driven by dark power—they just do whatever they want. And I’ve found letting them be themselves is the best way to handle it. The best way for us all to have fun.”
He meant every word of that.
“See? You are having fun. You oughta thank me for that, Masato.”
“Try expressing your gratitude in actions or merchandise.”
“Ha. Ha. Hah! …Porta, you’re my only solace in life.”
“Eep?!”
Masato had abruptly grabbed Porta and yoinked her into the air. “I can feel the solace!” Nothing could be better than her unvarnished purity. It kept the snark and menace at bay.
“If being with Ma-kun is easy and comfortable, then both of you show promise,” Mamako said.
“Uh, Mom? What kinda promise?”
“Courtship tends to be about the thrill of the chase, but when it comes to married life, the most important thing is how comfortable and at ease you are with each other. That’s Mommy’s personal experience talking. I was just thinking that either Wise or Medhi could marry you, and you’d live a happy life together.”
“Man, marriage is such a long way off…”
“The secret to happiness is comfort and ease, huh? Gosh, I dunno what to say there… Ah-ha-ha!” Blush.
“Why are you blushing, Hawk? I don’t get it. And Mom, don’t make it weird. Ignore her, girls. I mean, you always do, so…”
Wise and Medhi had been through worse with impunity. Masato turned, certain they could weather this…
And found them both frantically fanning themselves with their hands, trying to cool their beet red faces.
“Yo…”
“I-I’m not letting it get to me! Don’t get the wrong idea!”
“In a sense, ‘dating’ is an ephemeral proposition, while marriage is a grounded real world concern, so perhaps we should look to the future and invest in a promising real estate lot.”
“You’ve got parental approval! Can’t hurt to seal the deal! Ha-ha-ha!”
“Yo, Hawk! Knock this off! I’m so confused about your place in all this… Right, no more distractions! We’re in the middle of a crisis! Let’s hurry up and gather information! Moving on!”
“Yes, we’ll continue this discussion once we’ve solved this case! Hee-hee.”
“We will not!”
“Oh? Ma-kun, look at that!”
Mamako pointed ahead at the trash collection spot. Several teenagers were gathered around, looking very sad.
When Masato tried to approach, the group cast their teary-eyed glances to the ground and ran off.
“It looked like they’d all been crying…,” said Mamako.
“Yeah. What happened here?”
Something clearly had gone down. The garbage collection area was covered in the soot the shadows had left behind—and a lot more of it than anywhere else.
“I’m not sure how those teens are involved, but it’s possible this is where the shadows spawned.”
“Medhi and I are totally on the same wavelength. There should be more trash zones around. See any, Porta?”
“Yes! That way and that way—they’re all along the street!”
“Let’s scope ’em out then.”
They darted off to investigate.
After running around willy-nilly for a while, they grew certain the garbage zones showed more signs of shadows than anywhere else.
But that was all they learned. There was no real evidence to prove these zones were the source, and the cause itself remained a mystery.
Tired of running around, the party decided to take a break at the Mom Shop.
“We’re gonna have to track down those kids from earlier and ask them…but first, here’s our rest stop.”
On the corner of a quiet street stood what looked like a café—but the sign out front said MOM SHOP.
Their employee—a girl named Mone—was busy scrubbing soot off the outside walls.
“Yo, Mone. Mind if we pop in?”
“Oh! Masato—and everyone else! Look at this mess! Weirdo things flying everywhere, it’s awful! …Huh? Never seen him before. Aha! He must be the cause.”
“I am?”
“How dare you pile more work on my plate! You’ve got a lot of nerve! I’ll unleash my true power and defeat you! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
“Knock it off.”
Masato dropped a karate chop on Mone’s head before she could go into Dark God mode. Then he quickly introduced Hawk.
Mone gave Hawk’s features a close inspection. “Never been one for a pretty face, so I’ll stick with you.” “Awfully rude…” She had her arms around Masato and was rubbing her cheek on him, recharging her spoil quotient.
“Given how your party usually operates, I assumed you’d found the culprit right off and come here to figure out what to do with them!”
“That would’ve been preferable.”
“We’re short on clues so far. And we’ve been walking for ages, so we’re dying for a rest,” said Wise.
“I see! Well, go on in. I gotta get this cleaned up, so help yourselves to tea. She’s waiting for you.”
“She…?”
Medhi opened the door and peered in.
“Welcome. I can infooorm you that I am the ‘she’ in question.”
A nun was sitting at the counter, sipping elegantly from a teacup.
“Did you appear with uncanny timing to get us the info we need, or have you just been killing time?” asked Masato. “Hard to tell.”
“I think it’s the former! Ms. Shiraaase never lets us down!”
“Cool, let’s trust Porta’s judgment.”
They all filed in and took seats around the table.
Shiraaase had tea ready, and she passed out cups and cookies.
“…Okay. Well, Shiraaase? Infooorm away. We’re counting on you!”
“By all means. While you were desperately racing around trying to solve this case, I was not merely resting on my laurels. Observe.”
She pointed at the cookies she’d passed out.
“What about the cookies? They got something to do with the case?”
“These cookies…were made personally by yours truly.”
“Wh-whaaat?!” Thunk!
Masato was so surprised, he leaped to his feet.
And pretending not to know this nun, he headed for the front door. “Masato, calm down. Take a breath. Sorry, that was one tease too much.” Shiraaase gently pulled him back.
Recovered.
“Observe this instead.”
She pulled a number of documents from the counter and spread them out on the table.
All of them Mom Shop investigations. Records of consultations from troubled homes.
My child won’t speak to me since I cleaned his room. I’m so sad.
Mom threw my treasures in the trash. They weren’t trash! I hate her.
The entire pile was about the treatment of the children’s belongings.
“They’ve been receiving a great number of similar requests the last few days. Apparently today was junk collection day, held twice a year. And to prepare for it, the mothers did a thorough cleaning of the entire house, and this created friction with their children.”
“Junk collection day… Mom mentioned that earlier.”
“Hmm…I remember there being a big argument about whether to throw out Masato’s stroller…”
“Huh? My what?”
“Oh no, never mind! Talking to myself! Ha-ha-ha!”
Hawk was being very suspicious.
But Medhi had been mulling this over and finally asked, “Ms. Shiraaase, can you tell us more about this junk collection?”
“It’s perfectly normal. Professional workers collect the junk dropped at designated collection zones, hauling it to recycling centers.”
“I see,” said Medhi. “It’s all adding up.”
“Mm-hmm. I get it now,” agreed Wise. “The junk was all left in those trash zones. Which means…”
“The kids we saw there were crying about their lost treasures!” said Porta.
“Yes, I think so, too. That’s why they all looked so sad…”
“And their sadness and anger turned into shadows, which lashed out? Is that sort of thing feasible in this game?” Hawk asked.
Nobody answered. None of them could be sure.
“I don’t think we can rule it out, but…”
A manifestation of childhood frustration…?
Just then:
“Pardon me! Do you mind?”
“Hey! Gimme back my dolly! It’s my treasure! You’re stupid, Mommy!”
“Don’t call Mommy stupid! I told you to put everything that mattered in your toy box! You’re the one who didn’t put it away safely! Oh, this isn’t the time!”
A middle-aged woman with a small child rushed into the Mom Shop, beside herself.
They didn’t need to ask why. The little girl she was dragging after her had very familiar shadows welling up from within.
A shadow shaped like a dress-up doll left the girl and flung itself at Masato.
“No way. That’s the cause? Wait—why’s it coming for me?!”
“Masato! Duck!”
Hawk swiftly grabbed his sword and unleashed a horizontal slash that cut the shadow in two.
It re-formed quickly enough but did not attack again—instead, it flew out the Mom Shop window.
“Thanks, Hawk!”
“You’re welcome. Look at you, using such proper manners… Sniff… But I suppose this isn’t the time.”
“Ya think?”
They rushed back outside.
But when they looked for the shadow, there were shadows everywhere. More shadows emerging from buildings all over, all headed off in the same direction.
Mone must have been hit by the shadow as it emerged from the Mom Shop—she was covered in soot. She grabbed Masato, said, “Rub, rub!” and wiped her face on him.
“Hey!”
“Stay still! And what was that? More of them?!”
“Yeah. We’ll do something about it, so you handle the client. Let’s give chase!”
“Hold it, Masato,” Wise demanded. “Chasing is all well and good, but do you have an actual plan? There’s tons of these things! No way we can beat them.”
“None of our attacks were effective. I can ward off their attacks with my barrier, but a defensive battle is hardly productive,” said Medhi.
“That’s true, but…I figure it’ll work out…somehow?”
“It will?”
“Can we trust you on that?”
“I think Masato will figure something out!”
“Er…uh, well. That’s…”
Wise, Medhi, and Porta were all staring straight at him, and Masato couldn’t meet their eyes.
Then…
“Don’t worry,” Shiraaase said. Utterly confident. “I can infooorm you that I have a sche—plan. The shadows are formed from the grief and rage of children. They are grudges manifest! Which means we should be able to purify and exorcise them.”
“I’m afraid purification spells were ineffective…”
“But those spells count as regular attacks. We’ll have to use irregular methods here. Can I borrow you a moment, Mamako? We’ll need to prepare.”
“You need Mom’s help?”
Shiraaase shot him a thin, extremely suspicious smile. Mamako blinked in surprise. Masato looked from one to the other, a sinking feeling in his chest.
Mom again… Well, makes sense. I’m sure she’ll manage something.
He might call himself the Hero and the party leader, but that was empty posturing. Today, his faith in her overcame his instinct to rebel. Proof of how he’d grown.
“We’ll go after the shadows. Mom, you get ready. We’re counting on you!”
“That’s lovely! I always know right where you are, Ma-kun! I’ll catch up in a jiffy!”
They nodded, and Masato rushed off with the girls in tow.
Hawk lingered behind.
“Hawk, you look after him, okay?”
“…Yes. I certainly can’t botch things like I did during parental leave.”
Mamako gave him a gentle pat on the back, and he ran off.
Following the swarm of shadows as they streaked across the sky, Masato’s party raced through the streets of Catharn, ending up at the area farthest from the capital’s center.
“Looks like the recycling center!” Porta said, pointing ahead.
They could see stacks of paper, scrap metal, bottles—all kinds of recyclable waste.
Cautiously, they headed farther in—and found a large warehouse. The doors were open wide, and inside were heaps of still-usable furniture. Looked like this building was for storing anything that could be repurposed.
This was where the shadows were gathering.
“They want their treasures back so badly, they’re chasing them here?”
“Which means everything placed in the trash wound up here. Wait…I’ve got a bad feeling. Careful.”
When Masato took a step toward the warehouse, Hawk stopped him, raising his sword.
It was pitch-black inside—far darker than the sun above should allow. Like it was filled with shadows…
And a moment later, horrifying hands reached out from every warehouse window, grabbing at one and all.
Porta hastily hid behind Wise and Medhi.
“Eek?! Th-they seem really mad!”
“We’re not here to steal their treasures!”
“But saying that won’t make them listen. We’d better defend ourselves! …Spara la magia per mirare… Alto Barriera!”
“I’d love to send ’em all packing, but if I accidentally harm their treasures, they’d haunt me forever. Spara la magia per mirare… Barriera! And! Barriera!”
A triple-layer barrier wall surrounded them on all sides, but shadowy hands smashed against it.
The walls held for now, but the hands were laying on the squeeze. There was a horrid noise, and fractures ran along the walls.
“Holy crap, they’re strong! We might be screwed!”
“They’re going to crush us! Masato, get your barrier up…!”
“No, we need to splinter their attacks! Be right back!”
“Ah! Masato!”
Masato jumped out from the barrier and quickly sliced through three of the shadow arms.
They scattered, vanishing.
“Good, it’s working! If I keep this up…”
“Don’t get cocky! Look to your right! And your left!”
“Huh?”
Shadow hands were shooting in from both sides. He looked right, left, then right again… “Uh-oh!” …and panicked.
But Hawk came rushing in, grabbed his collar, and yanked him back, then cut down both hands with a mighty downward swing. The fury-fueled blow was so strong, it dug a gouge in the ground as it fell.
“That was close… Thanks, Hawk—”
“Don’t thank me here! Jumping out without looking where you’re going—you’ve been yelled at for that before, remember?”
“I have? Uh…”
That did jog his memory.
One of the rare occasions when Mamako wasn’t home.
Masato had escaped his father’s watchful gaze and run outside. Just as a bicycle went whizzing by. His father had come running and grabbed him in the nick of time.
“Yeah, I have. Sorry. Won’t happen again.”
Masato admitted his error.
Hawk had been ready to scold him further, but his expression relaxed, and he rubbed Masato’s head.
…Huh?
That head rub felt weirdly familiar. Baffling.
Hawk was a handsome kid Masato’s own age—nothing like his father. He smiled at Masato.
“The fight isn’t over yet. You up for it?”
“Uh—yeah! I am!”
“Good. Then let’s do this together.”
“Okay! Two dudes, joining forces!”
It was time for some bad-ass dude-combo play, but there were a good thirty enemy hands coming at them. ““Too many!”” They both quickly retreated back behind the barrier.
““Th-that was close…””
“Geez, you get a chance to shine, and neither of you is up to the task. Urk…”
“Like peas in a pod. Hard to believe you’ve never met before. Urk…”
“Wise, Medhi, you can’t let your MP run out! Let me keep you stocked up!”
Porta had them both gulping down MP Potions. Looked like the barriers were safe for now.
The shadow hands’ onslaught was getting stronger. They were coating the walls, blocking out the light. Inside, it was getting steadily darker.
“Give us a break here…”
“We’re in serious trouble, huh?”
The darkness was swallowing them. They tried to stand their ground, but their fears were getting to them, and they wound up huddling together.
Then…
“Mm? Masato, do you hear that?”
“Hear what? …Oh, now I do.”
There was a bell ringing. Getting closer. And as it did, the shadows outside the barrier thinned.
As the darkness lifted, a blinding light poured in. On the side opposite the warehouse, a dazzling white glow moved steadily toward them.
“Is that…Mom?”
It was Mamako. Clad in holy white robes, like the holy mother.
Shiraaase was following after her, in full habit, ringing a bell like she was Mamako’s first disciple. Behind them, a whole crowd of women. Masato’s mom-identification skill was going off—every one of them was a mother.
Holy Mamako smiled at everyone as she passed. She and the mothers stood before the warehouse.
“O turmoiled grudges, hear my words. Your mothers meant no harm. They simply wanted to clean. The cause of all this is but a small conflict of interest. Your mothers regret not communicating better. They’ve come to reclaim their children’s treasures. So that they can once again stand eye to eye with their offspring. Come, let us all go home together.”
Holy Mamako spread her arms, and the desire to communicate made her levitate. Truly, a divine sight. The words rippled out from her heart, spreading far and wide.
The special mom skill A Mother’s Rebirth activated.
The desire to try again spoke to the area recyclables, and they gleamed with the light of reincarnation.
The swirling lights gathered in the skies above them, forming a vortex shaped like the recycling symbol.
“What’s going on…?”
“Look! The shadows in the warehouse!”
The shadows pouring out of every window were reaching toward the vortex of rebirth, as if it was inhaling them. Those manifestations of grief and wrath seemed almost delighted. That contradiction was awfully similar to a child’s need for the very parents they push against.
The vortex of rebirth purified the negative emotions, recycling them into joy and returning them whence they came.
Light poured into the warehouse, beautifully illuminating the dolls, stuffed animals, figures, keychains, and all the children’s treasures within.
A miracle had occurred. “““Praise be to Our Lady Mamako.””” Wise, Medhi, and Porta took a knee, praying to the divinity of Holy Mamako. Amen.
Masato was just gaping at all of this. Hawk was much the same.
“Uh, Masato, a word? Mamako appears to be…levitating?”
“Mm. My mom’s basically just…ridiculous. These things happen all the time.”
“They do…? Oh…”
“Yup. This is just one example. Mom’s crazy OP, so she’s the only one who ever does anything, and I never get a chance to shine, and sometimes that really gets to me but…when you think about it, Mom being amazing just stands to reason.”
“How so?”
“I mean, she gave birth to me and raised me, y’know? She’s already done stuff I totally couldn’t do myself. That alone is impressive enough.”
“I see. That’s certainly true.”
“Right? And you know, I say that, but…I still grumble about it inside.”
“Aha…”
Hawk took a long look at Masato. “Sniff…” “Why all the waterworks?!” And smiled happily, wiping the tears away.
“I’m gonna help with treasure recovery. Hawk, you take a breather. Getting mixed up in a mess like this your first day in the game really takes it outta you, right?”
Masato ran off after his party, who had already headed into the warehouse.
Hawk watched him go, and Holy Mamako hovered over next to him.
“The fact that he can be so considerate like that… It’s a testament to his mother’s upbringing.”
“I didn’t do a thing. I merely watched over Ma-kun as he grew.”
“Still, you also did so much for him, it gets on his nerves. But no matter. I’ve left all the child-rearing to you, so there’s only one thing I can say: Thank you.”
“Hee-hee-hee. You’re welcome.”
They exchanged looks of deep affection and then turned to watch Masato go.
The busy day was drawing to a peaceful close.
“That’s my dolly! The one Mommy took!”
“Mm-hmm, good! And from now on, you’re going to keep it in the toy box, right?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“Then thank you so much for your help. You’ve really made a difference.”
The little girl waved, and Mone waved back. The clients left the Mom Shop hand in hand.
The other mothers were carrying their children’s treasure back home.
All signs of the shadow infestation were gone, and the party breathed a sigh of relief. Another case successfully closed.
“Now, Mommy needs to get dinner ready.”
“Please,” said Masato. “Oh, and one extra portion. Shiraaase joining us is typical, but you’re in, too, Hawk—right?”
“It would be an honor. I’ll be happy to—”
“I’m afraid I must infooorm you otherwise, Hawk.”
She pointed at her arm. There was no watch on it, but she was clearly indicating time was up.
Hawk looked like his world had just ended, but he managed to recover his wits.
“How silly of me. My inspection was only temporary—I was here only for a quick look at what the game was like. It’s a shame, but I must go. A pleasure meeting you all.”
“Oh. Then…”
“Let’s meet again.”
Masato and Hawk shook hands.
A long shake. Staring at each other, neither letting go.
“…What’s the matter?”
“I dunno, I just…have a weird feeling we actually will meet again.”
“Aha. Strange. I feel the same way.”
Hawk let go, then patted Masato on the shoulder, grinning merrily.
He bowed to the girls, exchanged a long look with Mamako, and walked off with Shiraaase.
“So, like, I’ve been thinking somethin’.”
“I thought the same thing!”
“I imagine my thoughts are similar. But let’s leave them unsaid.”
The girls were whispering again, but no matter.
Masato watched Hawk go and frowned to himself.
“Mom, is Hawk…?”
“What’s that, dear?”
“…No, never mind. Let’s get this shopping over with. I’ll carry it for you.”
His growling stomach put wings on his feet, and he hustled toward the store.
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