Chapter 5 Is a Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks Still a Mom Through and Through?
The flying ship fled higher, but the earthen and oceanic hands kept on reaching for it.
“How far are they gonna chase us? Give it up already!” Amante howled, stabbing the tip of an earthen finger as it drew near the stern. The hand was too massive to feel the blow—it didn’t even flinch. It just grabbed for the ship like nothing had happened.
“My rapier is all wrong for this… Fratello! Sorella!”
“Mm. On it.”
“The interception squad won’t be bested that easilyyyy! Fratello cannon, goooo!”
A magic gust of wind fired Fratello at the hand, and she hit it with her ultimate punch. “Mah!” A lucky crit! The explosive impact knocked the fingertip back.
It sent Fratello flying, too.
“Ahhhhhh! She’s falling off the shiiip! Lemme go catch herrrr!”
“All yours! …Argh, the next one’s incoming!”
This was the oceanic hand. A torrent of salt water fell from the palm as it loomed above, grabbing for the deck.
Piercing attacks were clearly the wrong way to go. “I’m the last person who should be here!” Amante was helpless to fight; all she could do was assume defensive maneuvers.
But then the oceanic hand stopped.
“Huh……?”
“Sorry I’m late. I have forcefully relinked my motherly powers, stopping the attack for now. It will not last long, I’m afraid.”
“Mama Hahako! You’re here?”
The ground next to Amante warped, and Hahako rose up from it.
She had synched the oceanic hand to her own, holding it in place—but it was clear she couldn’t stave it off much longer. It was already moving again—and the earthen hand joined it.
“Argh, what’s with these things? If even our mom can’t control them…”
“She is completely out of control,” said Hahako. “She will not accept emotional input from any other mother. The reserve of energy she had been secretly accumulating has overflowed. We’re lucky it did not directly damage this world—but that danger may yet await us.”
“Ugh. What a pain!”
“She is the strongest of us. Her power is greater than anyone’s, and none of us stand a chance against her. Only the cause can solve this…and that may be wishful thinking.”
Hahako glanced back at Centrale with a worried frown.
The top of Centrale was a bridge that doubled as an observation deck, commanding a full view of the surrounding environs. Everyone not on the interception squad was gathered here—and Hayato was at the ship’s wheel.
“This is as high as we can get, I’m afraid. From here on out, we just have to maintain top speed and hope. I’ve got to focus on steering, so if someone else can relay the hands’ movements to me…”
“Eep! They’re coming after us really fast!”
“Ah, the earth hand’s coming in on starboard! Masato’s dad, evasive maneuvers!”
“The water hand’s closing in on port! You must avoid it!”
“Both sides, huh? Then our only path is down!”
The girls were helping, albeit somewhat chaotically. Hayato sent the ship into a dive. They plunged through the clouds, then swooped low across the ocean’s surface.
“Well? Did the cloud cover make them lose track of—?”
“Nope, not for a second! Masato’s dad, turn starboard!”
“Wait, Hayato! Don’t listen to Kazuno. Port! Hard to port!”
“Hey, Memama! Port’s wrong! We gotta go starboard!”
“Calm down, both of you! They’re coming from both sides! I’m taking over!” said Deathmother. “I’ll access the systems and calculate the best answer— Aaaggghhh?! My tablet battery’s dead! Shiraaase, hand me your PDA!”
“I can infooorm you I forgot it somewhere.”
“At a time like this?!”
“I can also infooorm you I was kidding and it’s right here. Heh-heh-heh.”
“Does this look like a good time to be joking?! You’re the worst!”
“A-at any rate, they’re coming from both sides, so up we go!” said Hayato.
The mothers were helping, although no less chaotically than their daughters. This time the ship swooped upward, back through the clouds. Higher and higher!
But still the hands came after them! They dove and rose and twisted and turned. The flying ship was rocketing around like a roller coaster, veering wildly through the sky—and wreaking havoc on the bridge.
Only two people remained calm.
“You okay, Mom?”
“Yes, Ma-kun. I’m holding on to you! Hee-hee-hee.”
“I think this railing would be steadier, but fine.”
Mamako was all smiles, snuggling up against Masato, who was vacantly watching the massive hands attack.
“Masato! Why are you being so chill?! And you too, Mamako!” Wise shouted.
“I mean, those hands just…don’t feel threatening, y’know? They’re actually kinda…gentle, and warm… Mom, you agree, right?”
“I agree with Ma-kun. I don’t see a problem if they catch us.”
“R-really?” said Medhi. “Well, if Mamako says so…”
“Maybe we don’t have to run!” said Porta.
“No…we must. If we’re caught, it’s all over,” Demon Lord Hayato insisted. He glanced at Masato and Mamako and made up his mind. “Masato, listen up. Those two hands are Mother Earth and Mother Ocean—the manifestation of matriarchal power. In other words…Mamako’s power.”
“Mom’s… Oh, I get it. Now that you mention it—I dunno how to put this, but it feels just like her.”
“And the feelings driving them are Mamako’s. Those hands are trying to catch you, Masato—and keep you trapped in this world. They’re trying to stop you from beating the game.”
“Huh?” Masato gaped at Mamako. She looked baffled. “Trying to stop me…? Mom, you know better. You agreed it was time we finished. You said so!”
“Y-yes, I did. Mommy would never lie to you, Ma-kun. I’m on board with your decision. What matters most is how you feel. So…”
“So you overrode your own emotions?” Hayato asked. “You completely erased any desire you might have to keep playing the game with Masato?”
“W-well…”
Mamako got very quiet. She shot Masato a sheepish look; that made the answer clear.
“Mamako, be honest,” said Hayato. “There’s a part of you that really wants to catch Masato and keep him here in the game world—isn’t there?”
“…Yes. There is.”
“Can you control it?”
“I’m sorry—I don’t think I can. When you and Ma-kun finished your little fight, I thought, ‘Oh, we just have to beat the game now!’ and these feelings just came bursting up inside me… Overflowing…”
“Gah?! Now more hands are spawning!” Masato yelped.
“Masato’s dad! We’ve gotta hurry!”
“They’re getting stronger! We know what that means!”
Wise and Kazuno had yelled at once, and when everyone looked back—there were now twice as many hands.
Dark-Mom Deathmother was peering at Shriaaase’s PDA, gulping audibly. “This is so bad. So much land and sea getting converted to energy and funneled into those hands. Soon the world won’t have any land or sea left!”
“It’ll be the end of this world. Hahako has informed us that they’re not accepting interference from other mothers—unless Mamako herself can get her emotions under control, there’s no stopping things. I wish I could infooorm you otherwise.”
“It’s all my fault… I’m so, so sorry… Really, I am.”
A tear rolled down Mamako’s cheek, and she buried her face in her hands.
This was all caused by the greatest mother’s unbridled love for her son. No one could blame Mamako for it. But neither could they offer words of consolation. Silence settled over the bridge.
But as Masato worked out what was going on…
“Snort… Ah-ha-ha-ha!”
…he burst out laughing.
“Ma-kun?”
“It’s just…this is the most Mom thing ever.”
“Is it?”
“Mom, you’ve always been so selfish. I ask you not to stand so close, you do it anyway. I tell you not to hug me, you hug me harder… You’re way more chained to your mom instincts than you think you are. And it’s because you’re so true to that side of you that your mom powers are this strong, and you can pull off all this crazy stuff and always get your way. That’s who you are!”
“I-I don’t think—”
“Trust me. That’s how we got here! Right?”
“Well…I suppose…” Mamako started hanging her head again.
“Wait, wait. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not blaming you here. Okay?”
Masato cupped her cheeks with both hands and then squeezed, giving her a silly face. He lifted her head back up.
Then he looked silly-faced Mamako right in the eye.
“Mom, that’s exactly how I want you to be. That’s just who you are, as my mom. I hate to say it…but ultimately, this is all because you love your son so damn much.”
Deeply mortified though he was, his brain about to fizzle out, Masato still hung in there.
Silly-faced Mamako gave him her brightest smile, nodding. Love is selfish.
“Mommy loves you, Ma-kun. I love you so, so much!”
“Okay, thanks. So we know you’re gonna be selfish like that… But that works out just fine for me.”
“It does?”
“If you’re selfish all the time, that means I get to be just as selfish. It goes both ways, right? It’s time we had a selfishness duel.”
“A duel? Ma-kun and Mommy?”
Masato nodded and let go of her cheeks. He faced her down.
“Mom. I’m gonna beat this game and head toward my future.” A stern declaration.
Mamako stared back, just as serious. “Mommy would love to support you in that…but adventuring with you has just been far too wonderful. This game has brought me such joy that I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to let you beat it. That’s how Mommy really feels.”
“And thus, the world’s in crisis. I’ve gotta clear the game as soon as possible and force my way out from under your smothering love. That’s why I need to beat this game.”
“I really am sorry for all the trouble I’m causing… Oh, I know! If you promise not to beat the game, I’m sure I’ll be able to control my feelings again. Then we can have a nice long think about the future together—over the next decade or two, here in the game.”
“We’re getting nowhere with this… You’ve left me with no choice!”
“Which of us is more selfish, then? Ma-kun or Mommy? Now that’s a real duel.”
Who would win? The child who wanted to stretch his wings and fly toward the future? Or the mother who wished to cling to the joy she had here in this game?
Masato vs Mamako. The honest-to-goodness final battle.
The strongest mother against her own son. Everyone watched anxiously…
“First, Mom, I need a favor.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“I need you to agree to some handicaps.”
“Wha—Masato, you’re cheating already?!”
“Can it, Wise. I’m not cheating! I’m making a smart decision based on analysis of combat ability.” He put her in a headlock to shut her up. “Sorry, Mom. But if I wanna win, I gotta play smart. First, the red girl, Medhi, and Porta—all three of them are on my team. You girls on board with that?”
“Okay, okay. No way you’d win on your own, so I’ll lend a hand.”
“I’ll help, too. Masato doesn’t have a chance in a million of winning otherwise.”
“You don’t both need to make that point.”
“I really get how Mama feels! But I promised I’d help Masato! So I’m on Team Masato!”
“Glad to have you. Also, Dad, can I count you in, too?”
“That was always the plan. And because I knew this might happen, I called in powerful allies.” Demon Lord Hayato gave the signal…
And Kazuno, Medhimama, and Dark-Mom Deathmother all surrounded Mamako, smiling.
“Oh my! All three of you are mothers, so does that mean you’re on my side?”
“We’re moms, sure…but we’re here to keep you in check,” said Kazuno. “When it came time to let your son free, I figured you wouldn’t take it well.”
“We’re the only people who can take you on,” said Medhimama. “Nobody but us can do it. Nobody.”
“The plan is to have a lot of fun, just us mom friends, and help distract you from Masato! …And while we’re at it, what say we form an idol group with all four of us?”
“Saorideath! If you say another word, I’ll end you!” Grrr!
“What’s done is done! Those memories stay sealed!” Hiss!
“S-s-s-sorry!!”
Dark-Mom Deathmother suddenly found herself cowering before two ferocious beasts…but at any rate, all three moms were on Masato’s team.
Outside, Hahako and her daughters were intercepting like mad. Masato figured that meant they were on his side, too.
So this was actually Mamako vs everyone else.
“Okay, I’d say that’s balanced enough.”
“Goodness, Ma-kun! You’re so ruthless!”
“I’m up against you, Mom. Gimme this one at least. So! The sides are set, but…we still haven’t figured out the most important thing!”
“That’s right. How do you go about beating the game, Ma-kun? If we don’t figure that out…well, I’d be totally fine with it. Hee-hee-hee.”
“I wouldn’t! Which means…infooorm away, Shiraaase!”
At his call…
The mysterious nun stopped twiddling her thumbs at the edge of the deck and stood up.
“Heh…and here I thought you’d forgotten about me. Now it’s my chance to shine! Without Shiraaase’s infooormation, you are certainly one helpless Hero. Very well. I shall offer my guidance.”
“Please do. How do we beat the game?”
“Masato, the Hero chosen by the Heavens, can only return to the real world through the transport point located in Heaven’s Ruins.”
“Heaven’s Ruins… The place with the doors that wouldn’t open because my job had bugged out?”
“Shall we head straight there?”
“No time to waste! Make it happen.”
“That will lead directly to beating the game. Are you sure?”
“Yep. That’s the goal.”
“Understood. Then I have one last piece of infooormation for you—and everyone else. Listen closely.”
Shiraaase looked extremely serious all of a sudden. Everyone held their breath. She gazed at each face in turn then closed her eyes.
“The game known as MMMMMORPG (working title) is currently a beta build—the final testing phase. The results of this final test will lead directly to the start of the official launch. And that final test—is drawing to a close.”
“What did that final test involve?”
“It began with the introduction of the Demon Lord, Hayato. Everything since had been part of the test. A child who has deepened their family bonds by playing this game—in this case, Masato—must desire a future beyond the end of the game itself. Our goal was to see if he could actually take the steps necessary to beat the game. After all, the government can hardly agree to something that would contribute to childhood video game addiction.”
“So if I win this Oosuki family duel and beat the game—your test is a success.”
“Indeed. The game will proceed toward the official launch—and corresponding to that will be the end of the beta test.”
The end.
Everyone gulped.
“This version of the game world will be carried over into the final release,” Shiraaase continued. “However, do not assume that any of you will be allowed to adventure here again.”
“Wh-what does that mean?” Porta asked.
“The reason is simple. This game is designed for mothers and their children to enjoy together—with the goal of solving any problems they’re experiencing. None of you have any significant frictions with your parents anymore—so you no longer qualify to participate.”
This left everyone speechless. The moment Masato beat the game—it was over for all of them. He had to think about that one.
“Masato,” Shiraaase said, “beating this game is the end of your adventure. You can never come back to this world. Will you still head to Heaven’s Ruins?”
Those eyes of hers never wavered—least of all now. He could feel his friends staring at his back.
And so…
“I will,” he said. “I’ve made my choice. It’s time for me to move on.”
Masato was past hesitating. He turned around, and his friends nodded. They agreed with him.
Mamako looked rather disappointed, but…she soon smiled. “I appreciate your feelings, Ma-kun. Now then…”
She drew both her swords. In her right hand, the Holy Sword of Mother Earth—Terra di Madre. In her left hand, the Holy Sword of Mother Ocean—Altura.
“Uh, M-Mom? Why are you…?”
“Hee-hee. Mommy means business. Ma-kun—let’s fight!”
Terra di Madre emitted a crimson glow, and Altura a deep blue one. Each light grew so bright, Mamako herself vanished from view…
And when the two lights faded, there was no sign of her.
“…Huh?”
Mamako had disappeared.
Leaving the Demon Lord Hayato on the bridge to steer the ship, everyone else moved to the prow. The plan was to disembark as soon as they reached their destination.
The ship was headed toward Heaven’s Ruins, flying steady and low. The two giant hands were no longer in pursuit.
“…The calm before the storm, huh?” Masato said.
Everyone nodded, looking tense. It was very quiet. The sky was blue. The breeze felt good.
“Oh! Hahako and her children are here!” Porta said. She’d been on lookout and had spotted them rushing up from the stern.
When they arrived, they appeared uninjured but exhausted. All of them were panting as they sat down heavily.
“Rest up. How’d it go?” Masato asked.
“It didn’t go,” Amante replied. “None of our attacks did squat. Impacts managed to knock ’em backward, but that’s it—and they never actually tried to hurt us. It was like they were toying with us.”
“I’d say we were dancing on the palm of her haaaand…but we never engaged with anything but the fingertiiiips.”
“Total lovey-dovey stuff. When I fell off the ship, she even scooped me up!”
“Yeah, that’s mom power for ya. Makes sense those hands would be that doting,” said Masato. “Hahako, what’s the situation now?”
“Both hands have vanished and show no signs of returning. I’ll take a look and see if I can learn anything else—one moment.”
Hahako held a palm toward the distant land, concentrating. Then she frowned.
“That’s odd. I have duped admin privileges and should have full access, but I can’t seem to connect… Perhaps control has been wrested away at a higher tier? …Deathmother, do you have any ideas?”
“We never implemented access privileges above the admin level. But I’m also locked out. This is so nuts, you have to laugh.” Dark-Mom Deathmother gave up poking at her tablet and threw up her hands. Everyone knew who was behind this.
So they all turned to look at Masato. They had one silent question: What the heck is your mom up to?
That’s what he wanted to know. Best to ignore them.
“Yo, Dad! How’s the flight going?” he yelled, turning toward Centrale.
“Just dandy! We should reach our destination shortly. If nothing untoward happens.” The answer came over the ship’s speakers.
Almost there—unless.
“…Something’s definitely about to go down, then.”
And no sooner had the words left his lips…
“Maaaaa-kuuuuuun…”
There came a sweet-sounding voice, like she was talking to a baby. Mamako’s voice was echoing across the ship’s deck.
Everyone braced themselves, looking around—but there was no sign of her.
“Did I keep you waiting? I’m sorry. It took me ages to get ready.”
“Nah, you’re good. So? Where are you?”
“Hee-hee-hee. Good question. Can you find me, Ma-kun? Mommy’s playing peek-a-boo!”
“What am I, a baby?”
“Don’t you remember, Ma-kun? This was how Mommy always made you laugh back when you were a baby. No matter how hard you were crying! …Peek-a…”
A pause. Then…
“…boo!”
Mamako’s hands left her face, revealing her smile.
That face was in the sky above the ship—the entire sky.
“……………Hah?”
Mamako’s face, so big she could easily swallow a flying ship with an entire city on top. She looked just like she always did, but far beyond giant—more like the myth about the Titan who carried the sky on his back.
“What do you think? Mommy fused with Mother Ocean and Mother Earth and got thiiiis big. Now I’m MegaMommy! Hee-hee-hee.”
“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.”
She shot Masato a pouty look then burst out laughing. Slapping his arm, doubled over with laughter…and a few tears.
So silly. So incredibly silly.
But that was how families talked. A normal, happy, close-knit family.
And that warmed a mom’s heart more than any drama, or any adventure.
Mamako took the carnations and linked arms with Masato. “Okay, Ma-kun. What do you want to eat?”
“Eh…anything’s fine.”
“Oh dear! That answer always worries me.”
Families talk like this in any world, in any home.
“Well, we’ve got requests! I want the usual.”
“I’ll take whatever you recommend, Mamako.”
“Mama, I want the best thing you can make!”
Their party came running up to join them, flinging their arms around Mamako.
“Wow, so many hungry kids,” said Masato.
“Hee-hee-hee. You’re right! Well, why don’t we invite you girls and your mothers over and have one big happy dinner?”
The Hero’s party stepped onto the transport device, which wrapped them in a light as warm as a mother’s love, and off they went.
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