Chapter 3 Meetings, Partings, and Reunions. The Bonds We Share…Really Rattle Us.
Back at Porta’s game of traps at Deathmother Castle.
As the game progressed, certain feelings were blossoming between Masato and the Heavenly Kings.
They were staring passionately into each other’s eyes.
“Masato Oosuki. I just all of a sudden can’t take my eyes off you… Are these emotions welling up with in me…? No, don’t make me explain. Humph.”
“Amante…thank you. You’re making me blush.”
“Aaaactually…I’m also starting to think you’re pretty coooool. Are you at all into older womeeen? I could really teach you a thing or twoooo. Mwa-ha-haaa.”
“Sorella, that sultry look in your eyes is…definitely tempting…”
“Sonny, you already know how I feel. I been fond of ya since we met, and I’d love nothin’ better than to stay by your side. You in?”
“Fratello, you’re speaking your truth, and that makes me so happy. Like, I’m all choked up.”
Masato and the three girls stared at one another, hands on their hearts, feeling the beating within.
Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Ba-bump. Their hearts pounded away.
“Amante, Sorella, Fratello…thank you all. I know…”
“““We’ll always be together!”””
“Always… Yeah, like hell we will! Knock it off already! Pleeeeeeeease, you stupid die!! Stop being an asshole!”
Masato’s turn. He hurled the die…
…and rolled a 1.
“““Aughhhhhhhhhhhhh?!”””
“Hell yeah!”
He stepped right over the words YOU CAN’T REACH THE GOAL UNTIL YOU ROLL A 1! and leaped onto the final square.
Masato cleared the game of traps!
Wise and Medhi had cleared it earlier and were napping in the hall with the boxes of cookies. Their eyes fluttered open.
“……Mm? Is it finally over? That took way too long. Seriously, are you cursed or something?”
“I kept count for the first twenty tries, but…what was the final number?”
“Fifty-eight! I went so far beyond anger, I achieved enlightenment!”
“Missing a one in six chance to that degree is downright miraculous,” marveled Wise. “I’m impressed!”
“Anyway,” said Medhi, “all three of us cleared the game, which means…”
“Exactly!”
Masato, Wise, and Medhi turned and smiled.
The three Heavenly Kings were permanently stuck one step from the exit and glared at them more balefully than any vengeful spirit. Veins throbbing.
“This isn’t funny! The happier you look, the angrier I get!”
“Arghhh… Unbelieeeevable! We were getting to know each other soooo well, only for you to betray us like thiiiis! Scuuum!”
“Don’t blame us,” said Wise. “You just didn’t get lucky.”
“Probably karma coming back to bite you,” said Medhi.
“Say, sonny, I don’t suppose you could somehow pull me out with you…?”
“Afraid not, Fratello. We’re enemies, after all. We can’t support your schemes. Sorry.”
They turned to leave.
“Masato Oosuki! Just so we know, what’s your goal here?”
“Our goal? First…Porta. We need to find her, and talk.”
“Then we’ll leave her to youuuu. She’s soooooo stubborn! We don’t stand a chaaaance. Buuut…”
“We’ll take care of Porta’s mother, too. We’re not letting you go after her.”
“’Fraid that’s where we draw the line. We’ll be outta this game soon enough.”
“And then we’ll show up at the perfect mooooment! And get herrrr! Mwah-ha-haaah!”
“And if you try and stop us, we’ll take you down with her. Be ready to get kicked out of the way!”
“You’re hell bent on attacking her mother, huh? Jeez.”
Masato glanced at the three of them, and grinned.
“Wh-what?”
“No big deal. Just…in that video you showed us, all three of you were trying to cheer Porta up. And defending her.”
“Well, suuuure… We can’t agree with her desire to have a moooom…but she’s so earneeest. I meeean…”
“As a man, I have a strong sense of duty. Something touches my heart, I’m gonna take action.”
“Huh… I guess Hahako was right. Deep down, you aren’t bad people. Maybe given the right opportunity, you’ll all change.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Are you legitimately stupid? Idiot,” Amante snapped.
“Yeah, just an idiot talking to himself. Forget I said anything.” Masato grinned, deflecting it easily.
Masato, Wise, and Medhi glanced at each other, nodded gravely, and ran off, following the trail of stuffed animals in the halls to resume their pursuit of Porta.
Meanwhile, at the Mom Shop in Catharn…
Mamako, Mone, and Shiraaase were gathered around the table, frowning at a map of the world.
“Well, Mamako? Think you can pull off the transport?” asked Mone.
“Mm…I’m not so sure. I’ve never used a spell like that and have no idea how it feels. And I don’t even know where the place is…”
Mamako was holding a jewel that served as a transport item. She was trying to send herself back to Deathmother Castle, but without much success.
“Then perhaps you should ask Mother Earth for help? That might work somehow,” suggested Shiraaase.
“Yes…I suppose I should.”
She put the map of the world on the ground, hoping it would help.
Then she held the Holy Sword of Mother Earth, Terra di Madre, aloft.
“Mother Earth…I want to hurry back to my beloved son and his friends…if you know how that feels, lend me your power!”
The note answered her call, showing their location on the map—the special child-locating mom skill, A Mother’s Fangs…
…did nothing. Total silence.
“Oh my! It seems I’ve failed.”
“Usually, no matter how insane it sounds, you can easily pull it off…but if this won’t work, your opponent clearly has countermeasures in place.”
“I wonder what kind of countermeasures?” said Mone. “Hmm…maybe, like, a barrier around the place they’re at? So you can’t locate it?”
“That could be… It does feel a bit like that,” said Mamako. “But…hmm…” She cocked her head, staring at her feet. “It’s like the earth isn’t feeling well…and doesn’t really approve of me finding Ma-kun and running to him.”
“It doesn’t approve? You mean, it doesn’t think you need to go?” asked Shiraaase.
“Like it wants you to let them handle it?” said Mone.
“Yes…maybe that’s it…”
Mamako sheathed her sword, and slowly sat down.
“I can let Ma-kun and the girls handle the rest… That much I feel is true. I mean, they’ve all grown so strong. Both in battle and their everyday lives. Even without me at their side and helping, I’m sure they can take care of themselves.”
“R-really? I guess I wouldn’t know,” Mone said.
“They certainly have become much more reliable, but…”
“I know! So…as worried as I am, part of me thinks…maybe this is for the best.”
As children grow, they stop needing your help. A parent’s role comes to an end.
That’s a joyous thing, but also…very sad.
Dealing with emotions all parents eventually experience, Mamako smiled weakly and stared out the window.
Mone and Shiraaase glanced at each other, worried.
“Personally, I want to have my mother spoil me all the time, and I never want to leave her side so…”
“Yes, Mone, you were created to be a Dark God of Spoiling, so you would think that way. You may be working at the Mom Shop to overcome that need and be more independent, but changing what lies deep down is not so easily done.”
“Blegh, you make it sound like I haven’t grown at all! That’s not fair.”
“No, no, I didn’t mean that…but, well, generally speaking, I think Mamako is right. As children grow up, they become independent, and parents have to let them… Oh…!”
“Mm? Ms. Shiraaase, what is it?”
Shiraaase had jumped to her feet and run over to the counter.
She picked up the documents on the children’s rapid growth, thinking quickly.
“Children growing…they no longer need parents…mothers wrestling with those emotions, but pulling back…mom power responds, reducing its output…this is bad news.”
“Oh? How so?”
“That means everything is working out exactly as our enemy planned.”
Her methods may be forceful, but children growing up and leaving their parents was a natural process
Using that natural process to make mothers step back from the spotlight of their own volition…would mean the Libere Rebellion’s goal of eliminating mothers would easily come to pass.
I can’t just let her have things her way…but…
Mamako was their most effective measure against this sort of thing, but she was on the verge of deciding it was best to step back.
And even the powers that mothers drew upon were giving up.
What should I do?
How did one overcome a disadvantage created by a logically sound argument? Shiraaase had to think of something…
As she tried…
They heard a horse whinny. A carriage had pulled up in front of the Mom Shop.
A castle dignitary came rushing in, in full formal attire.
“I apologize for the sudden intrusion! Forgive me, but the situation is dire! Is Mamako Oosuki’s party here?”
“Ah, yes, I am, at least…”
“Oh! So you are! I see the children aren’t with you but…p-please, come to the castle posthaste! The queen has an urgent request for you!”
“The queen? Oh, my! What could it be?”
Mamako, Shiraaase, and Mone looked at one another, baffled.
Since there was no telling when more concerned mothers would arrive with reports of rapid child maturation, they couldn’t very well leave the Mom Shop unattended—so Mone remained behind.
Mamako and Shiraaase accepted the invitation to the castle. The carriage swept them along at top speed.
Once they’d arrived, they were invited not to a reception room, but to the queen’s private quarters, as friends.
“Your Majesty, pardon the intrusion.”
“Oh my! Mamako! Thank you for coming. And you must be…Ms. Shiraaase, from management, right? I believe we met at the prince’s courtship ball.”
“I’m honored you remembered me. It is likewise an honor to meet Your Majesty in—in?”
Mid formal greeting, Shiraaase froze—her eyes glued to the knife, fork, and lobster lodged in the queen’s hairdo.
“Is this a test of my comedic timing?”
“Er, um…I doubt that very much…”
“Whatever is the matter? Is there something on my head? …Oh, right! I’ve just returned from a scouting mission and haven’t had time to freshen up. I must be rather disheveled! How embarrassing… Ladies?”
The door to the side room opened, and several ladies-in-waiting filed in.
They pretended to redo her hair, while surreptitiously removing the cutlery and lobster, then left—all without a trace of surprise ever crossing their faces. “Much better. A relief, yes?” “Yes.” “Absolutely.” Mamako and Shiraaase were much more relieved than the queen herself.
Anyway. They were led to a nearby couch, and the queen sat down opposite them.
“First, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for responding to my invitation on such short notice. I cannot thank you enough. However, I don’t see your children anywhere…?”
“Ma-kun and the girls…they’re, um, on an adventure…”
“An adventure? They went without you?”
“Not quite, no… How should I put this…”
“Mamako’s party was in the midst of solving one incident when an enemy scheme resulted in Mamako being sent back to Catharn.”
“Oh my! How awful.”
The queen gave Mamako a long, searching look. She seemed concerned about Mamako’s very un-Mamako-like hemming and hawing.
“It sounds as if you’re very busy—I do hope my summons isn’t interrupting anything.”
“N-no, don’t worry about that. I believe we can leave that matter in the children’s hands. Even without me by their side, they will undoubtedly solve everything themselves. I am so proud of them, you know.”
Mamako smiled. She seemed to think this was a bright, cheery smile.
It did not look like one to the queen’s eyes. Her frown deepened.
“Ms. Shiraaase, do you know what’s happened to Mamako? She seems gloomy…almost depressed.”
“I can infooorm you that your assessment is entirely correct.”
Shiraaase showed the queen a number of reports she’d brought with her from the Mom Shop.
The particular reports she’d selected were ones documenting not only the rapid growth of the children, but also the harrowing admissions from mothers who had started to accept their children’s independence.
The queen soon caught on and let out a deep sigh.
“That would explain it. Well, perhaps this is actually the perfect timing, then.”
“Meaning?”
“Mamako has shown me how a mother should be and saved both me and my child. I owe her a great debt. I believe this is my chance to communicate something critical to her—something every mother needs to know.”
“Very well. I shall leave this in Your Majesty’s hands.”
“Please do.”
Shiraaase bowed her head with a smile.
The queen turned to face Mamako.
“Let’s get down to business,” she said. “Listen closely. Currently events are unfolding all over the world that may very well threaten its very existence. The situation is extremely grave.”
“What? What’s happening?”
“First, the earth and the sea are developing sudden depressions. I myself witnessed the development of one in the ocean’s surface not long ago. Similar phenomena have been reported on land, and when these happen in populated areas, the damage is immense.”
“I have seen this phenomenon myself,” said Shiraaase. “A relatively small depression, roughly three meters in diameter, appeared in the middle of the Catharn capital. I nearly fell in. Twice.”
“Oh dear…”
“And we cannot ignore these sad reports of unnatural child development tearing families apart. The goal of this world is for parents and children to remain close forever, to live happy lives, hand in hand. That is the ultimate theme of the world, and should that be denied, the world itself would lose its reason to exist.”
“Oh my! If that happens…what will become of it…?”
“In plain terms, the game world will fail. Management will inform—no, infooorm—everyone that service is ending. Right, Ms. Shiraaase?”
“It is an honor to have you humor my peccadilloes.”
Shiraaase bowed her head. It seemed they shared a love of bad puns.
But this was a serious conversation.
“I believe these two phenomena are connected. Seeing you like this, Mamako, only confirms that.”
“Me? Like this…?”
“Mamako, the fact that your son has grown and is pulling away from you has left you feeling lonely and depressed. Depressed —like the depressions forming on the earth and ocean.”
“…Huh?” Mamako looked surprised.
The queen nodded. “Mother Earth and Mother Ocean grant power in response to a mother’s emotions. Yet they also sense the emotions of mothers and are influenced by them. Ms. Shiraaase, this is pure speculation on my part but…from an Admin standpoint, what is your take on the matter?”
“I’m afraid I’m not that well-versed in the particulars of the game’s design. No, that’s not entirely true… Regardless of the design specifications, we have one individual bringing about all manner of extreme feats in the name of mothers everywhere. Someone right here with us.”
“Ho-ho-ho! Indubitably. I personally saw her use a simple push on the back to break the laws between dimensions! I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
“This individual even influenced the game’s main systems to create Hahako—just one example of the world moving in ways it was never intended to. And that daily connection to Mothers Earth and Ocean, to that incredible power—if she has shared that, consciously or not…”
“Then other mothers receive those blessings, share their feelings, and affect the earth and ocean. It seems highly plausible…if no less mind-boggling.”
“Certainly. Mind-boggling is the perfect word.”
“Um…so who are we talking about again?” asked Mamako.
The individual in question was staring blankly at Shiraaase and the queen. Total lack of self-awareness.
Regardless:
“Well, with that understood, the path is clear,” said the queen. “Only one thing for us to do. Right, Mamako?”
“Er…um…”
“Let me make this simple. The two phenomena we’re dealing with are connected. The earth and ocean’s depressions stem from depressed mothers. The mothers are depressed because of what the Libere Rebellion is doing. Which means…”
“Which means… Oh, I see! If we can persuade Porta’s mother, the Rebellion leader, then that will put an end to everything!”
“You’ve already identified the enemy leader? In that case…”
“Yes! Let us hear a Mamako-like response!”
“Very well! Then…”
Mamako sprang to her feet, raising her fist in the air.
Then an idea struck her, and she lowered her arm.
“…I’m sure Ma-kun and the girls will handle that. I’m better off making a nice meal and waiting for them to come back. Yes, I think that’s best.”
She sat down again listlessly.
But…
“That, too, is a motherly response. But Mamako—it isn’t how you do things.”
The queen caught her gaze and held it.
“Listen, Mamako. Because you lent us your power, my son, the prince, found his perfect match. They successfully married and are living happily ever after. But as a result…I grew depressed.”
“What? Why…?”
“We are royals, so family matters work differently than many—but my son now has a family of his own. They have started their own lives together. That means I can no longer expect him to remain at his mother’s side—especially if I have faith in him.”
“That is true… There are times when you know it’s better for your children to pull away.”
“Yes. So I had to allow him his independence. And I missed him terribly. But then a thought struck me.”
“…What thought?”
“I hit upon the perfect method. I can maintain a certain distance from him, yet still see his face, hear his voice, and spend as much time with him as before.”
“Wh-what is this miraculous method?”
Mamako leaned in, eager to hear more. The queen smiled proudly.
“I go see him all the time.”
Mamako’s jaw dropped. It took a moment for the meaning to sink in. Shiraaase got there first, clapping her hands once in recognition.
The queen’s grin broadened.
“It’s quite simple. Anytime I have any business to take care of, we meet, talk, and spend time together. That’s all! But this next part is key. Critically important. Listen carefully.”
“Y-yes…go on.”
“Things don’t always work out that way. When I don’t actually have business to take care of, I just…make some up.”
“…Huh?”
“This is a trick only a mother can pull off. I think it’s safe to call it a mom skill.”
Imagine a mother who had just folded some laundry. By delivering it personally to a child’s room, she can catch a glimpse of what her child is up to.
Imagine a child has moved into an apartment of their own, and their mother is on a sightseeing tour in the area, but she takes a break to pop in for a quick visit.
This kind of mom action is an effect of the special mom skill, A Mother’s Visit. Must be.
“I mean, I want to see my son! I want to see his face, talk to him, spend time with him. And the only way to make that happen is to invent a pretext to see him! Yes…like if I were you right now, Mamako…”
“You could follow a different path from Masato’s party, pursing a different goal, but the result of it—you coincidentally meet up. Or is that pushing it?”
“Oh my, Ms. Shiraaase! That might be pushing your luck, ho-ho-ho.”
“It will likely have a huge effect on everyone she gets involved with and the world itself! How terrifyingly convenient. Heh-heh-heh.”
Shiraaase and the queen shared a vaguely sinister laugh. Meanwhile, Mamako was thinking this over, taking it very seriously.
“Mamako,” the queen said. “I think sometimes mothers should be a little foolish. You shouldn’t pretend to be wise and hide how you feel. You shouldn’t decide something is in the child’s best interests. It’s important to be honest with yourself as a mother. See?”
“……Yes. I am a mother.”
Mamako slowly raised her head. No trace of doubt remained in her mind.
The queen nodded.
“Looks like we have nothing to worry about.”
“No, Your Majesty. I’m sorry to make you worry. I’m fine now. I just remembered some business I have to take care of, so if you’ll excuse me…”
“Ho-ho-ho! Far be it from me to get between you and your business. As the queen, I shall see the hero’s mother off on her journey… Ah, right. One more thing I should mention…”
“Oh? What’s that?”
“Even for you, Mamako, adventuring alone is far too dangerous. You should gather a party at the guild and prepare for the upcoming journey—this is the core principle of any RPG.”
The queen gave her a wink loaded with significance.
“First, gather a party at the Adventurers Guild. I did that with Ma-kun when we first started this game! I remember it so well.”
“Your show of strength caused considerable damage to the building and myself, but…good times. Let’s head there again.”
Mamako and Shiraaase had left the castle and were headed toward the guild, dodging depressions in the road.
There were a number of adventurers assembled outside the building. “…Hey, look!” “What? Seriously?!” The moment they spied Mamako, a stir ran through the crowd, looks of admiration turning toward her.
“Oh my! We’ve already found some adventurers!”
“Hold your horses. This is the start point for all adventures in Catharn. In other words, adventurers registered here all have their levels set quite low, so they can easily join the parties of new players.”
“I see! That does make sense. I feel sorry for the adventurers here, but they don’t seem like they’d be very helpful.”
“That is a problem… We’re about to head directly to the headquarters of the enemy. Taking beginners along would just slow us down.”
“Oh dear. We don’t want that.”
“I fear you operating on your own would get you to Masato faster than that partying with them…which means the queen’s suggestion must have some other merit.”
At this point, they’d reached the guild doors and stepped inside.
“Oh, there she is!”
“I’m glad she arrived before I was forced to order a second cup of tea.”
Two women were resting on a couch nearby.
One wore a flashy evening gown covered in sequins. She had a deep tan and sported a pair of devil-like horns.
The other wore holy robes lavishly decorated in nouveau riche chic. She had a haughty expression on her face.
At the sight of them, Shiraaase’s eyes widened, and Mamako let out a cry of surprise.
“Kazuno?! And Medhimama?!”
“Mamako, Shiraaase, ’sup? We meet again. But you’re so late! I was about to die of boredom.”
“That’s a lie. You’ve been having a grand old time sitting here gossiping about the adventurers’ muscles. I was ashamed to be seen with you.”
“Spare me the kink shaming. It’s none of your business what I like.”
They seemed to have broken the ice, at least…
The two women rose from their seats and stepped forward.
Wise’s mother, the Queen of the Night—Kazuno.
Medhi’s mother, Medhimama.
There was no mistaking them.
“It really is you! I can’t believe it,” Mamako said.
“I agree. I never imagined you were still alive…”
“Hey! Shiraaase! What the heck? Why would you assume I died?”
“Don’t pay that woman the slightest attention. She is a stealth goofball.”
“Hee-hee-hee, I see! You both became close to your children, cleared the game successfully, and returned to the real world ahead of us, right? So what brings you here?”
Kazuno and Medhimama glanced at each other, and grimaced.
“Where to begin…? You know, you’re better at this sort of thing, Memama. Take it away.”
“I will never willingly allow you to call me that, but very well. You see…”
Medhimama took a deep breath. Ready, set…
“Kazuno and I were hired to capture the producer who fled into the game world. As for why we had been chosen, we were told the primary reason is that we have experience living in this world, but in truth, I assume the fact that we owe management was a big part of it. Neither of us was in a position to refuse, in other words. I’m afraid Kazuno and I were already acquainted with one another, having met several times during the investigations into the trouble we each caused. We contacted each other and met up here in the game world approximately one hour ago. Just as we were about to launch our investigation, we received a message from management telling us to remain on standby at the Adventurers Guild and rendezvous with Mamako. Which brings us here.”
“That’s the gist of it, yeah.”
A hurricane of words, yet so easily understood. “Oh, I see.” “Ah, yes, indeed.” Mamako and Shiraaase nodded, feeling up to speed.
“That’s the official version anyway. Kazuno will explain our actual motivations. Take it away.”
“Er, why? Who cares…?”
“Now, now. You want to show how you’ve improved as a mother, don’t you? Don’t let shame get in your way.”
“Y-you’re really making me do this…ugh…”
Medhimama gave Kazuno a push, placing her in front.
Mamako and Shiraaase watched expectantly. Kazuno’s gaze darted this way and that, but she finally opened her mouth.
“Well, um…I guess…I’m more of a mother than I realized, so I started thinking…”
“Thinking what?”
“‘What’s she up to now? Like, is she doing all right?’ You know.”
“Hmm…and who are you referring to?”
“Well, obviously…that dumb daughter of mine.”
“G-g-good Lord! What brought this about?! Kazuno?! The woman who called herself the Queen of the Night collected hunks from towns and villages and sprawled proudly back on a chair made from hotties?! And now you’re acting like a real mother and actually concerned about your daughter’s well-being?!”
“Sh-Shiraaase! Don’t go digging that stuff up now!”
“Kazuno, calm down. She’s messing with you again. That’s what Shiraaase does.”
Even up against veteran mothers, Shiraaase was merciless. “I’ve discovered a rich new vein to mine.” “Perhaps you should rein it in a bit…” But even with Mamako’s warning, Shiraaase would continue to charge forward! Undaunted!
Kazuno appeared ready to die of humiliation, but then she suddenly smiled.
“Since my dumb daughter isn’t here, I can admit it—I thought this job would be the perfect excuse to check in on her. That’s why I accepted it.”
Medhimama nodded in agreement.
“We heard you talking as you entered. You’re headed to the enemy headquarters to meet up with the children? What’s going on?”
“That’s right! We have urgent business there! And while we’re at it, we expect to bump into Ma-kun and the girls. That’s why I need to gather a party!”
“I see. In that case…”
“We have every reason to help.”
Both mothers nodded.
Kazuno produced an extravagantly decorated magic tome and gave everyone a bewitching smile.
“I can use any spell in this world with a single word. As a Great Sage…as the Queen of the Night, nay, the Night Queen, will you allow me to join your journey?”
Medhimama produced a staff studded with jewels and struck a dignified pose.
“A single swing of my new staff can protect and heal anything. Will you accept the Cleric Medhimama into your party?”
Both had top-class gear, and the ridiculous powers granted only to mothers. No party members could be better.
Mamako had no reason to turn them down. She nodded, fighting to hold back the tears.
“Kazuno, Medhimama, I’ll be counting on you both.”
“Thank you.”
“Uh, wait, Mamako…I changed my name when I reregistered, but…oh, never mind.”
Mamako held out her hand, and Medhimama and Kazuno placed theirs on it.
“Ms. Shiraaase, won’t you join us?”
“If I won’t get in the way, I’d be glad to. I can provide support…and lead the pep squad.”
“I feel like you might just rob us of pep instead…”
“But the more the merrier!”
With Shiraaase’s hand on theirs, the four mothers’ hearts were one!
“It’s the dawn of a Mom RPG! Let’s get going.”
“So I can meet all the hot slim-yet-ripped men! I’m kidding, of course.”
“To complete the errand we’ve taken on, and while we’re at it…”
“Run into our beloved children! Yay!”
The opening fanfare echoed through all four hearts, and the mothers’ adventure began!
There was only one problem.
“So, what do we actually do? We haven’t actually settled on anything.” Mamako smiled.
““Er…we thought you had a plan.””
“Let’s begin by touring the world and dealing with problems occurring in each part of it. As we resolve those issues, we can gather clues, drawing us ever closer to the truth—and the enemy boss. Probably.”
“Probably…I know that’s how games always work, but are we sure about this? It sounds like a lot of work, you know.”
“Don’t worry. No matter what trouble lies in our path, we can overcome it! With such unparalleled mothers assembled, I’m sure of it! We’re a match for any challenge!”
Medhimama was really emphasizing that notion.
But then a carriage pulled up outside the guild. “Oh? It’s that gentleman from earlier.” The same official who’d come calling at the Mom Shop.
“Pardon me! Is Mamako Oosuki… Ah, there you are! Is this your party?”
“It is. What brings you here?”
“The queen has sent a gift! One she hopes will assist you in your adventure. Please accept it!”
Four servants came staggering in with a giant treasure chest.
At once, the chest opened! A blinding light came from within, illuminating the four expectant faces!
“Always pleased to receive financial sup—augh!” Shock!
“Er…y-you’re kidding, right…?” …Tremble, shudder…
“Oh-ho? Didn’t expect this!” Grin.
“Oh my! How lovely!” Beam.
There came a variety of reactions, but what lay within the chest…?!
“…This…is a trap, huh?”
Masato was sitting in front of a stuffed lizard they’d found lying on the side of a corridor.
He’d lost track of how many stuffed animals this was.
We figured if we followed the plushies, we’d find Porta, but…
…That belief had just led to their racing around the maze of Deathmother Castle corridors ever since they’d escaped the board game.
Bears, rabbits, cats, dogs…all kinds of stuffed animals, placed like they were marking the path…
But the end results?
No signs of Porta, no locations arrived at—and they were worn out from all that running.
“I can’t… I’m exhausted… She’s nowhere to be found…”
“And this is the enemy base, so the monsters here are pretty tough…”
Wise and Medhi were both collapsed against the wall—and that wall was the only thing keeping them even vaguely upright. They clearly weren’t moving for a while.
So they’d been forced to take a break. Masato had sat down, too, making sure not to crush the boxes of cookies.
“Looks like she really doesn’t want us getting to her mother…”
“Porta’s intentions are crystal clear. Definitely a ‘whatever it takes’ approach…”
“Yet the way she’s still looking after us is really cute.”
Medhi forced herself to her feet, moving over to the lizard.
When she moved it aside, she found several HP and MP Potions behind it.
“She loves her mother. But she clearly still cares about us, too. Isn’t she wonderful?”
“Yeah… But that just makes me worry more,” said Masato. “As tired as we are, Porta must be running herself ragged.”
“And you know she doesn’t really want to be doing this,” added Wise.
“But it’s for her beloved mommy, so…”
“She’s ignoring how she really feels, forcing herself to do it.”
“And that’ll lead to darkness growing within. Like it used to inside Medhi.”
Could this be the sudden emergence of Dark Porta, throwing poison items at her friends with an adorable smile?!
“Holy crap! If Porta winds up like Medhi, it’ll be the end of everything!”
“Masato? What exactly is that supposed to mean? I haven’t ended anything.” Medhi’s smile was not a smile, and she was grinding an HP recovery potion bottle into his stomach. “Sorry, please stop.” “No.” She was pushing him toward the vomit threshold.
But anyway, that was enough joking around.
Masato stood up and chugged the HP potion.
“Right, let’s get back to it. We’ve gotta catch Porta…but…”
““But…?””
But how?
Masato couldn’t think of a follow-up.
…What should we do?
He had to organize his thoughts. What did they want to do?
Get Porta back in their party. Especially now that she’d joined the enemy side.
But Porta’s mother was part of said enemy.
To get Porta back, they would have to tear apart that family bond.
“Masato?”
“Masato?”
“W-wait, I’m thinking. Um…”
They were leaning in close, their eyes demanding that he say something now. That he prove his leadership skills. “Masato?” “Masatooo?” “Wait!” Their faces were really close.
Focus. Think.
If they just wanted to be together, that would be one thing, but…
Porta’s mother was the Rebellion leader. Mastermind of all the cases they’d resolved. The root of all evil.
And her treatment of her own daughter could hardly be called warm and doting.
That was two major problems.
We’ve got to do something about her mother, but…
Porta was standing in their way, trying to prevent them from reaching her. Which meant they had to talk her into stopping.
So they had to talk to Porta.
But how? What’s our angle? What would get through to her?
Having thought it all through under the watchful eyes of Wise and Medhi…
Masato concluded…!
“R-right, we’ve gotta find Porta, and we’ll figure out what to do once we do— Oh.”
Just as he was punting the problem down the road, having found no solution…!
His gaze had wandered, aimlessly looking down the hall toward the corner—
“Wah! They saw me again!”
—and Porta’s face was peering around it. Their eyes met!
“Porta! Why are you here?! Coming to check on us is one thing, but you can’t let yourself be seen! You’ve gotta hide better!”
“You shut up! Us finding her is a good thing!”
“Hurry, chase after her! We can’t lose sight of her again!”
“R-right…uh, but the teacher said not to run in the halls…”
““On your marks…get set…go!””
Leaving Masato in the wind, the girls raced off. “If you go that fast, I can see your panties!” “Then don’t look!” “Your own fault if you do!” Ignoring his pleas, they let their skirts flare all the way out! Today was blue and white, respectively!
“Porta! Wait up!”
“We won’t do anything violent, so let us catch you!”
“No! I won’t be caught! If I get caught, I can’t protect my mommy!”
“Man, Porta’s fast! There’s no way we’ll ever catch her! We should just give up and—”
““DASH!””
“Okay…”
Porta raced through the halls, her natural quickness carrying her along.
She drew ahead of them, then abruptly turned and entered a room on one side of the corridor.
Masato and the girls caught up to find a door with the number IV on it.
“This is a Heavenly King’s bedroom,” said Wise. “Like in the last hideout…”
“She’s going to fight us in her room?” asked Medhi.
“Then we’d better be careful. This is Porta’s domain! Who knows what sorts of traps she’s set…? Take it slow, take it easy, carefully plan a strategy…”
““CHARGE!”” Slam.
“Yeah, I figured that would happen.”
Wise slammed the door open without a trace of caution, and she and Medhi burst into the room. Masato was forced to follow them.
This was definitely Porta’s bedroom. It looked exactly like the image Sorella had shown them. A vast room with nothing in it save a table and a bed.
But there was no sign of Porta herself.
“Think she’s hiding somewhere?” wondered Masato.
“Probably. I’d wager the closet, personally.”
“But perhaps she just wants us to think that and she’s actually used an item to disguise herself.”
“And she had that Thou Dost Not Wish to Fight Water. An item to avoid enemy encounters could be used to keep us from noticing her.”
Maybe she was only pretending to hide but was actually right next to them!
If they started searching the room, Porta might be planning on slipping out behind them the second they stepped away from the door! Maybe even lock it behind them, trapping them here!
“Right, then it’s time for my big bro sensor! Activating sensor…now!”
Masato activated his big bro sensor. This allowed him to locate his adorable little sister no matter where she was! Because he was her big bro!
Imagining where Porta’s face might be—“Here!”—he tickled her cheeks!
“I gotcha, Porta! …Ha-ha, I guess it’s not gonna be that easy…”
“Eeeep! That tickles!”
“Whaa?! She’s actually here?!”
Porta appeared, reeling from the cheek assault!
“Nice, Masato! You’re amazing! That was only a little creepy!”
“To summarize: incredibly creepy!”
“Nobody asked for a summary! …Anyway, I caught her! I caught you, Porta!”
“Eeeep! I-I’m not caught yet!” Porta slipped out of tickle hell and ran to the bed. “I guess I have to fight! Masato! Wise! Medhi! I’ll take you on!”
“Fight… No, wait, Porta! You can’t mean that!”
“Calm down a minute! Why would we ever fight you? That makes no sense!”
“It does make sense! If I win, I’ll be able to protect my mommy! So…!”
“Ah…Masato, Wise, careful!”
Porta took a bottle of glittering liquid out of her shoulder bag and sprinkled it on the stuffed animals on her bed.
They all sprang to life and began charging toward the party!
“Yikes…seriously?! …I guess they are just stuffed animals, though.”
“Hate to break it to you, but this is a futile gesture. Oh well! Guess I’ll just blow them all away with my magic!”
The moment Wise pulled out her magic tome…
Porta called out an order. “Cheetah! Go!”
The stuffed cheetah ran very quickly, jumping on Wise’s face!
“Wah! Hey, stop that! I can’t chant when you… Oh, but…your fur is really soft…”
“Why are you grinning like an idiot?! Don’t go getting your magic sealed physically!”
“There’s no saving her now… It falls to me to put these animals to rest.”
Medhi raised her staff.
Porta didn’t let that pass unnoticed.
“Whoa! She’s casting a death spell! Alpaca, stop her!”
The alpaca charged, leaping on Medhi’s face!
“Mmph?! Hey, stop mphat! Now I can’t… Oh…but you are terrifyingly mmoft…”
“Medhi’s trapped in a plush cage, too… Well done, Porta. But I won’t be so easily bested!”
Masato hesitated for a moment but made up his mind and drew the Holy Sword Firmamento!
He held it tightly in both hands, but…
“Huh? This doesn’t feel like the way we do things, but… Oh well!”
He was in the middle of a fight. He wasn’t about to point his sword at Porta, but he fixed his gaze on his real opponents.
“Sorry, but I’ve never been a stuffed animal fan. I can slice them apart effortlessly.”
“If you do that, I’ll feel so bad for the poor animals! Masato, you meanie! You’re making me sad!”
“Argh…this is fatal…!”
Porta’s voice was sapping Masato’s fighting spirit! A powerful debuff!
Porta’s attacks were too powerful!
“I don’t want to put you in any danger, but I have to protect Mommy! Stuffed animals, get him!”
“Argh…well, if I use the flat of the blade, I won’t cut them!”
A dozen stuffed animals hurled themselves at Masato.
The first to reach him was a penguin. He knocked it aside with his blade. It was just a stuffed animal—extremely light. It flew all the way to the wall.
“Piece of cake! Okay, next…!”
But the moment his eyes turned to the other animals…
The penguin ricocheted off the wall like a bouncy ball, rocketing toward the side of Masato’s head. A direct, fluffy hit!
“Mmph! Yo, what…? That is really soft! Thanks!”
It was a direct hit, but that felt more like a reward! When the penguin went flying off again, he accidentally thanked it.
Masato saw a turtle approaching next and batted it away. Then came an elephant, a dolphin, and a cow, one after another. Each made soft little sounds as they ricocheted. “This is kinda fun!” Super fun.
And the results…
“Ha-ha-ha! Like I said, piece of cake! …Wait…huh?”
The stuffed animals he knocked away were bouncing off the walls, the floor, and the ceiling, popping back at him.
And it kinda seemed like they got faster every time they bounced. Like terrifyingly fast stuffed pinballs…attacking from all directions…
“Oof?! Blegh…augh? H-hang on a second?!”
“Wah! Mm! Ah-ha! This is…oh, such bliss!”
“Eep! Hyah! Mmph! So fluffyyy!”
“Hey, girls! I get it, but could you not wallow in it? They are actually starting to drain our HP here…damn it!”
It was time to stop pitying them. Masato changed his grip on the sword and aimed the blade at the chicken coming toward him.
But it didn’t cut like he expected—it simply bounced off. In the right circumstances, cotton’s extreme bounciness created so much friction, it was harder to cut than iron.
“Sheesh, never figured stuffed animals would be such a threat…”
“Stuffed animals are cute! Cute is powerful!”
“That’s you in a nutshell, Porta! But if that’s what’s going on here…well, we can’t hold back anymore! You ready for this, Porta?”
“Yes! I’m ready for anything! I have an ultimate attack ready! This will end things! Here goes!”
“No, I’d prefer you keep holding back, actually.”
Porta took the little doll off her shoulder bag—Piita.
Then she took out a bottle of glittering liquid. “One Fight!” she said, and put the bottle to Piita’s lips, making it drink.
The liquid seeped into Piita…and then with a thump, its body began pulsating. The palm-sized doll was getting larger and larger.
Soon it was taller than Porta, then Masato, then…
“…Yo…this can’t be happening…”
“Wha…th-this is…”
“That is far too big.”
“This is Piita’s fighting form! Pretty Prodigious Piita!”
The ceiling in the room was so high, you had to strain to see it, but even when the doll bumped its head on the ceiling, it kept growing.
Leaning farther and farther forward, Pretty Prodigious Piita loomed over them…equally terrifying in both size and position.
“Uh…uh, Porta? Hang on a sec, here.”
“W-Wise is right… Let’s stop for a moment… This is really worrisome…”
“Piita’s attack! Ultimate pile-on!”
“Doesn’t sound like an ultimate move but holy craaaaaaap?! Stopppp!!”
Piita’s massive body swayed…then toppled toward them.
All three party members tried to scramble away. “Bff?!” “Hey!” “Mm!” But the stuffed animal pinball was ongoing and knocking them backward.
Unable to escape, there was a soft fooomp and Piita landed on top of them.
That ended the battle…
“Y-yes! I won! …Huh?”
Feeling like she’d done something very bad, Porta hung her head.
Then Piita’s giant mass moved, slowly rising up.
Masato and the girls had their hands raised, their legs planted, forcing it backward.
“It ain’t over yet! Our battle is just beginning!”
“But that phrasing’s definitely over! Hnggg!”
“Wow! You’re all okay! Thank goodness… No, wait! I can’t believe you survived my ultimate attack! How are you all unharmed?!”
“It’s thanks to you, Porta!” said Medhi. “Look!”
The three of them were covered in stuffed animals—the same ones that had been tormenting them.
When the massive Piita had fallen, the stuffed animals had merged together, and their bounciness had softened the blow.
“I knew it all along, Porta!” said Masato. “You say you want to fight, but you didn’t want to hurt us, either!”
“Th-that’s…true, but…”
“Then let’s stop all of this! You don’t have to fight us.”
“But…but if I don’t fight…if I don’t drive you off…I can’t not do that! I have to protect my mommy!”
Porta broke into a run. Ignoring their cries, she headed straight for the door. Like she was running away.
But then Piita stirred. “Whoa…!” One big hand blocked the door, not letting Porta pass.
“Piita…why… Whoaaaa?!”
Piita had stopped trying to pile on the party. It jumped up, reached out its other hand, and scooped Porta up, hugging her to its belly.
“Ooooh…Piita caught me…”
“I feel like something similar happened once before… Wasn’t there a giant girl?” asked Wise.
“Porta’s so cute, anyone would want to hug her,” said Medhi. “Now…”
“That’s enough. Porta, we need to talk.”
They gathered around, eyes at her level. Porta reluctantly nodded.
Masato himself wasn’t really sure what to do here. He had nothing in mind.
So he just ran on impulse.
“First, I want to clear something up. We aren’t here to defeat your mom, Porta.”
“Huh? …Y-you aren’t?!”
“Nope! We’re here for you,” said Wise. “We came to see you, Porta. We were worried.”
“You just vanished without explaining anything! Of course we were worried sick,” said Medhi.
“You were…worried about me? I-I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to worry you…”
Still in Piita’s embrace, Porta bowed her head. Such a nice, honest girl.
And that made Masato smile.
“So we’re not your enemies, okay?”
“Yes! I was all wrong. I didn’t need to fight you! I’m sorry.”
“Mm, good. But I’ll be honest, we’re a little mad at your mom.”
“Huh…?”
It hurt to see her look so scared, but Masato wasn’t about to stop now.
“We’ve been given a glimpse of what it’s like for you here. I dunno how it works, but Sorella was recording things… Uh, don’t worry, I didn’t see the part where you changed clothes.”
“That’s okay! I don’t mind if you see me change, Masato!”
“Gah! That’s a delightful thing to hear… But this isn’t a laughing matter. It was really sad to watch you eating all alone like that.”
“Well…I was a little sad, too…”
“And, like, when you tried to say, ‘Good morning’ and your mother wouldn’t let you…or even look at you. That was just mean. I got real ticked off.”
“……!”
“I just don’t think that’s right,” said Masato. “It’s all too sad. It’s just—!”
“But it’s the truth,” Porta said, desperately trying to smile.
“My mommy…hates me.”
That definitely wasn’t a smile.
“Back in the real world, she was always like that. She never said good morning. I’ve never had a conversation where she was looking at me. We never ate together.”
“But why…?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I did something to make her hate me and I just don’t remember. That’s all I can think of.”
“No, wait, Porta… That can’t be true.”
“There’s no way anyone could hate you, Porta!”
“Yes. It doesn’t make sense. You’re so cute and thoughtful and you work so hard! What’s wrong with any of that?”
“But—my mommy—hates me!!”
Her voice came out in sobs, big tears gushing down her cheeks.
“When we started this game, my mommy wouldn’t come with me! She just sent me an e-mail saying she would if I was good! But no matter how long I waited, she never came! Because she hates me!”
“Wait, Porta. There’s gotta be a reason…”
“I thought that! I thought she wasn’t coming because there was something she had to do that was more important than spending time with me! I thought she must like that other thing better!”
“Porta, calm down! That’s so not true! I’m sure it isn’t!”
“It is! I did everything I could to make her like me! I got Masato and Mama to let me join your party, then Wise and Medhi joined, and I worked so hard! But my mommy never came! Because she hates me!”
“We all know how hard you try. And I promise you nobody could hate someone like that.”
“But Mommy hates me! When I saw the wanted poster and called her, she came…but she was the same as always! So, I…I thought if I tried even harder, for her, where she could see me…then maybe…she wouldn’t…she…”
After that, it stopped being words. The sobs just drowned everything else out.
Wise and Medhi just hugged her as tight as they could, stroking her head, rubbing her back.
Masato stared at the ceiling, feeling his eyes getting moist, and hoping the tears wouldn’t come.
……But what now?
He had one idea. Something he’d felt while battling Porta.
He knelt down in front of her, speaking softly.
“Porta, hearing you talk like this…well, now I’ve got an even bigger problem with your mom.”
“It’s not my mommy’s fault! She’s not a bad person! Please forgive her!”
“I can’t. Look, everything she’s done with the Libere Rebellion? We can forget that. What I can’t get past is the way she treats you. I can’t do nothing while someone treats a member of my party like this.”
“I’m fine! I can handle it! So—!”
“You’re not fine, though.”
The desperation on her face was painful to look at. He cupped her cheeks—“Hah!” “Mpphhh?!”—and gave them a good squeeze while he wiped her tears.
He then gave her his best brotherly smile.
“So we’re gonna do something. Your feelings will be our weapon.”
“Huh? They will?”
“Yep. If she won’t look at you, we’ll make her. We’ll just hit her with an emotional bomb.”
“B-but…”
“No buts. You’ve been on all our adventures, Porta. You know that’s how we’ve always solved this kind of problem. We turn sadness into joy. Like we did with Wise, and with Medhi. Right?”
He shot them an impish smile.
They both puffed up their chests proudly.
“Yep! I hit my dumb mom with everything I had! I slammed her with a daughter’s feelings!”
“As did I. Although I forget if it was a blow from my tail or the dragon breath that did the trick.”
“Probably both. You landed a bunch of critical hits. But well, let’s forget about any mistakes that were made… Porta, I know a lot’s happened, and you panicked and maybe you forgot how we do things. But this is how we got where we are now. Remember?”
“Y-yes! I remember! I remember now!”
Porta was nodding. The sadness had faded, and her eyes were sparkling again.
Masato took his hands away from her cheeks.
“Okay, Porta. Ready to go hit your mom with all those emotions?”
“My emotions… Mommy…”
“What do you want to tell her?”
She didn’t hesitate.
“I want… I want my mommy to love me! I’ve never been able to tell her that, so I really want to lay it on her!”
A typically Porta-like expression of utmost earnestness, words conveying distilled purity.
It was like they finally had the old Porta back. “She’s gonna be fine.” “Seems like it.” Wise and Medhi finally released the supportive hugs.
Even giant Piita seemed relieved. It let go of her and reverted to its original size.
Porta put it back in her shoulder bag and nodded.
“Masato! I’m ready to go! I want to go see Mommy right now! I want to hit her with my feelings!”
“Oh, you’re all fired up! That’s great, Porta. So…I’d love to do that, but I also have some bad news.”
“Wh-what bad news?”
“All this time, we’ve overcome our problems with the full power of the party. The five of us, Mom included. It was all of us together that solved everything. But right now…it’s just the three of us.”
“Oh, right. Three…”
“Myself, Masato, Wise. Three of us.”
“Whaaat? I-I’m not in the party? I’m…oh!”
Porta finally noticed Masato’s meaningful stare.
She was still wearing the Libere coat. “I’ll go change!” She dashed over to her closet and started undressing…
“…Masato.” Glare.
“…Masato.” Glare.
“Porta said she doesn’t mind! …Er, yeah, I suppose that’s not the point. Okay.”
Masato turned right and savored the sounds instead. That was stimulation enough, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. No, wait…
He was supposed to be steeling his nerves.
“Uh, Masato, tell me—do we actually have a shot at this?”
“Honestly, I dunno. I’ve been doing my best to think of a plan…but part of me thinks we’d be better off just letting Porta’s pure emotions do the heavy lifting. So let’s do that.”
“I think that’s a wise choice. Porta’s purity is the ultimate weapon.”
“Yeah. I don’t know what her mom’s like, but no way she can ignore feelings that powerful. Like, even my mom got it eventually.”
“Even my extremely stubborn mother understood by the time the dust settled.”
“My mom’s ridiculous in her own way…but she’s always been a mom. She knows how her son feels.”
But as each of their thoughts turned to their mothers…
A shiver ran down their spines.
“Erk…I just got a really bad feeling…b-but maybe I’m just imagining things! Mothers always know how their kids feel! They’d never…never, you know, just hypothetically speaking, do anything that would drive their children to the brink of despair! Ha-ha-ha!”
“N-no, never! Ah-ha-ha!”
“Definitely not! Heh-heh-heh!”
The party forced some smiles.
But reality was far crueler.
Back at the Adventurers Guild in Catharn…
Shiraaase appeared in the doorway, clad in a business suit.
“What name should I give this time…? Shiiirase? Shirararassse? No…I think I’ll go with the mysterious producer-slash-manager, Shirase-P!”
Shirase-P named herself to no one in particular, or perhaps the world at large. She stepped outside, a massive overstuffed backpack on her shoulders.
“All right, everyone!” Shirase-P called, addressing the building. “To save the world and see your children in the process! A great adventure awaits! Let’s give it all we’ve got!”
Kazuno and Medhimama peered around the doorway, scowling.
“W-wait, Shiraaase…you can’t be serious?”
“Shiraaase? Who might that P? I am the producer/manager extraordinaire, Shirase-P!”
“Oh, God, she’s replacing random words with P… Are you seriously going to make us do this?”
“It wasn’t my idea! This is a proposal from the queen herself! The disturbances in the earth and ocean are caused by the unnatural independent streak in children around the world. The best way to stabilize the children is to turn the children’s hearts back toward their mothers!”
“I mean, I understand the logic, but…”
“But this is too much! It’s just stupid!”
“Not at all. It’s a wonderful idea. There is no better method to convey the wonders of mothers to children and the world. Come on out, you two! Your audience awaits!”
Indeed, a crowd of adventurers was gathering. “Mm? What’s up?” “Something going on?” The Adventurers Guild was the hub of any adventurer’s life—they were never in short supply.
Kazuno and Medhimama were looking paler by the moment.
“Y-you’re kidding. We really have to show ourselves in public dressed like this?”
“K-Kazuno…you couldn’t accidentally cast a transport spell? We could run away together!”
“Great idea! Let’s do this… Transportare! …Argh, my magic isn’t working…because Shirase-P has my magic tome…”
“Why did you let her take it?! She took all my gear, too, leaving me without a single spell!”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait! Seriously, wait! If I go out in public like this…and if that dumb daughter of mine sees me wearing this outfit…”
“P-perish the thought! If Medhi saw me like this, I wouldn’t just pass out, I’d die instantly!”
“Don’t worry! I’m sure Ma-kun and your girls will be delighted! I can already see them waving their glowsticks!”
“Please, as if that would ever happen! …Wait…”
“Augh! Mamako! Don’t…!”
From the back of the Adventurers Guild, moving like the wind…
Dancing out before Shirase-P and the adventurers…
“My love is boundless! I love you sooo much! Let me give you a biiig hug! I’m Mom Idol Number One, Mamako Oosuki! Hee-hee-hee.”
Wearing an adorable top and a short frilly skirt…
There was Mamako with her cute smile and a flirty wink. ?
In the darkest hour appears a mom idol to impart how wonderful mothers are!
“Hello, everyone! …Oh? No answer?”
This was all too sudden. The crowd of adventurers were frozen in silence.
Shirase-P nodded.
“You show up full of excitement and anticipation, but the audience is unmoved. That is how debuts go! This is a road every idol must walk down. It all starts here!”
“Right, Shirase-P! I’ll do my best! Hee-hee-hee!”
“Now there’s a beautiful smile! I love the enthusiasm. You’re the leader, the heart of the idol group, so please take center stage—and strike a symmetrical pose.”
“Like this?”
She spread both arms, as if waiting for a dive into Mommy’s bosom. “Perfect!” Shirase-P gave it the seal of approval.
“Next, Idols two and three! Come on out! The longer you keep us waiting, the more adventurers will arrive. Which works well from a strategic perspective…”
“Argh…f-fine! I just have to get it over with!”
“We agreed to do the job. And if Mamako’s so confident, I’m not about to be outdone! Ever!”
Fueled by irritation and a competitive spirit, Kazuno and Medhimama finally stepped through the door.
“Neither of us are honest with our feelings! You got a problem with me? Spit it out! Family squabbles are my thing! I’m Mom Idol Number Two, Night Queen! Quit your ogling!”
“Being strict is an expression of love! Side by side with the children, we’ll strive for greater heights! I’m Mom Idol Number Three, Medhimama! Oh-ho-ho!”
Clad in idol costumes that matched Mamako’s, the other two mom idols took their positions at her side, striking poses!
Kazuno went for the “Come at me!” delinquent pose. Nailed it.
Medhimama went for the strict-and-brainy class president look. Nailed it.
But the crowd was still just gaping at them in silence.
“Argh…kill me! Kill me now!”
“Kazuno, no idol would ever speak like that. Be proud! We can’t pull back now.”
Tears were streaming down both their cheeks, but Shirase-P started clapping for them.
“Well done, you two! …If I had my druthers, you’d have gone for a more idol-like ‘Tee-hee ?’ but…”
“Don’t push it! Consider how old we are! If we tried that, the audience would puke blood!”
“Hee-hee-hee. Don’t worry. We can do it if we try! Tee-hee! ?”
“That worked?! …W-well, maybe if you look as young as Mamako…”
“Mamako can do it… Very well, I’ve made up my mind. I’ve just got to act like an idol…like an idol…tee…tee…tee-haghhh?!” Blood puke.
“See? I knew it! Memama! Hang in there! Although your wounds are severe and you’re probably doomed!”
“Hmm…well, in that case I shall leave it up to your best judgment and your individual personalities. We don’t have much time, so let’s get started.”
With Shirase-P in the lead, the moms began to take their leave.
“Shirase-P, what is our idol group’s name?” asked Mamako.
“Oh, right! We hadn’t picked one yet. Let’s think about it as we go.”
“Uh, is this really the time? Memama’s in critical condition!”
“Kazuno…I don’t think I can make it… Just leave me here…”
“No, you’re definitely coming! No way I’m letting you wriggle out of it this easy!”
“Argh…group solidarity is a thorn in my side…”
The mom idol group walked away, before the stunned stares of the silent crowd. A sad launch—but they had much to accomplish.
Someday, they would be on a shining stage, basking in the cheers of their fans…
All in order to save the world, and to be reunited with their beloved children.
“Ma-kun…Mommy’s coming! Just you wait!” Mamako whispered, gazing up at the sky.
She envisioned Masato’s smile…and his eyes rolling back in his head and an anguished expression on his face, but surely that part was just her imagination.
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