kscans

Chapter 10 - Mother’s Face

Rika-chan didn’t have a single scratch. After saying that, I showed her a photo that Rika-chan had sent me in the evening, looking like an idiot and a middle-aged girl. Seeing that, Chika-san also seemed to have calmed down, and asked if she could take a short break, which I accepted.

"…I’m sorry for interrupting the conversation."
"No, it’s fine. Even I, as an outsider, was getting anxious. It must be even more so for a real parent."

Chika-san, who had returned to the room, had regained her composure, so for now, I could breathe a sigh of relief.

"Shall I explain the situation? Earlier today, I was wandering around the city, and there was a resonance."
"Resonance? What… Ah, could it be?"
"Yes, it seems that the connection to Chika-san blood still remains within me."

Even though it’s been almost twenty years since she’s been involved in the underground, her quick wit is still impressive. She seemed to have reached the same conclusion as I did.

"I-I see… So the connection is still there. Even now… From that time, all along."

I wanted to tell her to stop making such suspicious remarks now that she’s calmed down, but I swallowed it and continued the conversation.

"Anyway, I rushed there in seconds and eliminated the ‘leftover dregs’ to rescue her."
"Leftover dregs?"
"Ah… A new type of strange creature that’s been appearing lately."
"That side has changed a lot too, huh… Are you still with the Mutual Aid Association?"
"Nah. I stopped somewhere."

The Mutual Aid Association is an organization established and run by former ordinary citizens. They provide support to those who, like themselves, have inadvertently become involved in the underground. My affiliation is also with them, to some extent. Before the Mutual Aid Association existed, traditional anti-occult organizations or government-affiliated agencies used to handle the protection, but… In the public eye, they have to maintain a clean image, but that doesn’t exist in the underground. So they often end up being convenient pawns. It’s not so much a hobby as it is for the national interest. Well, even if it’s for the greater good, for those who get caught up in it, it’s not a pleasant experience. That’s why those who disliked the current situation established the Mutual Aid Association. I’ve heard that it’s become much easier to work with them since their establishment.

"Normally, I would have just briefly explained the situation and then handed them over to the Mutual Aid Association, but…"

In Rika-chan’s case, it’s not that simple. Not only is there a connection to her parent, but she also possesses a unique aptitude. I can’t decide anything without first discussing it with Chika-san, who shares the same power.

"Chika-san."
"…Yes."
"As was the case with me, ordinary civilians who get dragged into the dark side should be given a certain level of self-defense ability before being allowed to choose whether to remain there or return to the surface and endure a certain level of inconvenience."

Will you stay in the underground? Will you swallow the inconvenience and return to the surface?
This is what Chikage, who has taken on the role of our guide, told me.

"But if Chika-san wishes it, I will do something about it. I will trample over everything to ensure that Rika-chan can live freely on the surface without any inconvenience."
"……"
"I have become stronger. Much stronger than I was back then. Even if I take on all the people in the world, both the surface and the underworld, I’ll still win."

There is violence.

"With that power, I have saved the world from crisis many times since then. My connections are not limited to just Japan."

There is authority.
If Rika-chan’s safety is not backed up, I could threaten to emigrate to the United States, and they would frantically cooperate. When it comes to a world-ending crisis, all of the countries will synchronize their steps, but otherwise, the international situation remains as it is on the surface.

"I’m not saying you have to decide right away… Chika-san?"

Chika-san suddenly stood up, took out her smartphone, and started making a call somewhere. Ignoring my bewildered state, the situation progressed.

"Ah, is that you? It’s me. Yes, I have an important matter to discuss. Let’s get a divorce."

Huh!?

"Did you think I didn’t know? I have evidence, and I can get a lawyer to act at any time. A discussion? There’s no way I’d do that. I don’t have time to waste on you. I’ve decided to focus on Rika-chan. The custody will naturally be mine. The foolish woman who’s your mistress won’t want my child either, right? Even if you go to court, it’ll just be a waste of time and money. If you get divorced right now, I won’t demand compensation, and I’ll even give you a share of the assets. Please decide on the spot right now. Otherwise, I’ll immediately file for a lawsuit… Yes, that’s a wise decision. I’ll send your personal belongings along with the divorce papers, so please submit them. Ah, I’ll change the locks, so please dispose of the ones you have now."

A sudden development. That’s the only way to describe it. After hanging up the phone, Chikage told me, who was staring blankly.

"I decided to live on the surface because I didn’t know that."
"Chika… san?"
"Even if I attended school and such, I wasn’t truly there in the real sense."

I wanted to know. The ordinary. The uneventful daily life.
As Chika-san spoke calmly, I could only listen without saying anything.

"At first, the days were so hectic that I didn’t have time to think, but as I calmed down, I started to wonder if I was just running away."

Is it right to live outwardly by sealing my power and pretending not to see it? Isn’t denying my power the same as denying myself? He said he had been questioning himself, but couldn’t find the answer. (/tn: no open quote here, maybe just inner monolog?)

"But now I understand clearly. Everything, including me, is part of who I am."
"…"
"Thank you, Hiro-kun. For me, for Rika. But feelings alone are enough. We, mother and daughter, will face the power and live with it."

Her smile was so beautiful that I forgot to breathe and was mesmerized.

"… Mother is strong, huh. You’ve really become a fine woman. I, a mere brat, am dazzled by you."
"That’s not true. Hiro-kun is a good man too. Since back then."
"Thank you. I understand Chika-san’s thinking. Then I’ll cooperate along those lines."

I need to return to the Mutual Aid Association… Ah, before that, I need to have a talk with Rika-chan. I felt heavy when I came, but now I’m in a very good mood.

"Thank you. Then, can I ask you a favor right away?"
"? Sure, no problem."
"I want you to help me release my seal. Hiro-kun, you can probably do it by force."
"… Can’t you release it yourself?"
"That’s the thing. Once the seal is released, it takes a lot of effort to reapply it, so I only have the temporary key to loosen it."

Ah… Now that she mention it, that makes sense. Of course. Such a powerful seal would require a massive effort to completely remove. If I were to remove it all, it would be too much trouble when the need for that power arises.

"Understood. If that’s the case, leave it to me."

She had once lured me into the extraordinary, and now I was the one to take her into the extraordinary. Life is full of surprises… Huh!?

"W-What are you suddenly…?"

Chika-san suddenly started undressing. Excited and confused by the sexy lingerie, Chika-san said to me.

"I need you to release the seal."

As she gently stroked her lower abdomen, a crimson pattern emerged.

"Then, please."

Uh, could you please stop showing me your womanly allure after showing me your motherly strength? Even though I was about to catch a cold from the temperature difference, I destroyed the seal. After destroying the seal, I said I had to take care of some procedures and immediately left the apartment.

(Damn it!! The image of her in her underwear is seared into my mind!!)

Because I didn’t just glance, but stared intently, the excitement won’t subside…