kscans

Chapter 11 - Nice To Meet You

The next day. After leaving Chika's house last night, I immediately contacted Rika. When I asked if we could meet tomorrow, she instantly agreed. And now, I've come to the lodging with Chika, but...

"Ah, Uncle!"

When I opened the reception room door, Rika greeted me with a smile. I silently moved to the side. Instantly, Rika's face transformed into shock.

"Y-You... why are you with Uncle..."

'You,' huh? This is quite the obvious rebellious phase move. Since my parents weren't around, I never went through this phase myself, but this is exactly how my friends who did acted.

"..."

"H-Hey... what's going on... Um, Uncle, what is this—"

Before she could finish questioning me about the situation, Chika, who had been silent, moved faster.

"I'M SO SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!"

An instant hug followed by an apology.

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry, Rika... Rikaaaaaaaaa..."

"Eh, wait... What... What is this... ah... M-Mom! Stop it!!"

Faced with Chika apologizing through loud sobs, Rika seemed to drop her attitude. 'Mom,' huh... What a cute way to call her.

"I'm zo zorry for making you go through such hard timezzzzz!!!"

"Geez... What's going on... Someone please explain..."

She probably maintains a cool and strict demeanor at home. That's why Rika can't hide her confusion at seeing her mother crying so openly without any restraint. Though I feel bad for the clearly confused Rika, my heart is feeling incredibly warm right now. They're both good kids. Even if they can't immediately return to how things were, their relationship will surely improve. The first step in rebuilding their family. Just thinking that this scene unfolding before me represents that...

(Getting older really does make you more emotional...)

After about ten minutes, when Chika had calmed down, we decided to have a proper talk. Responding to Rika's demand for an explanation, I began to speak.

"First, let me tell you this. I used to fight alongside your mother in the Supernatural World."

"...Huh?"

"Yeah, that's the expected reaction. But it's not a lie. This was when I was seventeen."

Telling stories about the past to young people is kind of embarrassing.

"After the fighting ended, we naturally grew distant and until recently, we didn't even know what the other was doing. Then by chance, we met again at a business partner's... thinking about it now, fate really is mysterious. After that, we went drinking together, and that's when I heard about her having a daughter. That's why I recognized you right away when we met in the park that day. You look just like your mother did when she was young."

Thanks to that, I took quite the emotional hit...

"...So, you helped me back then because I'm Mom's child?"

"Yeah, that's right. Wouldn't anyone try to stop their friend's child from going down the wrong path?"

"...Is that why you came to save me so desperately too?"

"That's right."

Rika looks dissatisfied. I can pretty much guess what she's thinking, so I added.

"Are you unhappy about being seen through the filter of being Chika's daughter? But you know, most human relationships start that way. It's like when you meet a friend of a friend and become friends yourself, right? It's the same thing. Even if it starts through a filter, if you genuinely want to connect with someone, that filter disappears quickly."

I smiled as I continued.

"So let me introduce myself properly. I'm Satou Hideo, a 34-year-old old man who's recently been worried about hair loss."

"Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand, and she hesitantly shook it back.

"Thank you. I'd be happy to learn more about Rika from now on."

"...Yeah."

Well, time to pass the baton.

"Chika."

"Yes, I know. Hey, Rika."

"?"

"I told you I was in the Supernatural World, but unlike you, I wasn't suddenly dragged into it."

"What do you mean?"

"I was part of that world from the beginning. I was born into a special family and had special powers."

And I clearly conveyed that this power has been passed down to Rika as well.

"It's an immense power. A dangerous power that could attract the attention of ill-intentioned people. But that's part of who Rika is. If possible, I want you to face it properly."

To those words, Rika responded,

"...I don't really understand when you suddenly tell me something like that."

"Yes, that's fine. You're still a child after all. I'd just be happy if you could keep Mom's words somewhere in the back of your mind."

"...Okay."

From the way things are going, this shouldn't turn out badly. Chika-san and I breathed a sigh of relief, but then—

"Wait, what do you mean by special birth? Like, are we descendants of some amazing clan or something?"

"..."

"Huh? Why are you both quiet?"

"...Well, let's put that aside for now."

"...Yeah, let's leave that topic for another time."

"Didn't you just tell me to face it properly!?"

Well, I mean... Unlike Chika-san who used to lack common sense about the surface world, Rika is different. How could we tell her? That her grandparents did something crazy at a power spot, resulting in a mutant baby being born. When I first heard this story, I thought it was ridiculous. Like how some delinquent couple's reckless actions resulted in producing someone with incredible powers...

"By the way! Mom, you've decided to get a divorce."

"What a change of topic! Though I agree with the divorce! I've been thinking we should dump that worthless guy anyway!"

"So I'd be happy if Rika came back home... Oh, if you don't like the current apartment, we could move?"

"Don't try to change the subject! What is it!? Tell me!!"

"...Well, eventually."

"You're being evasive!?"

When Chika-san looked to me for help with her eyes, I stepped in.

"Anyway. Let me explain about what happens from here on."

"What about Hikaru-kun?"

"I'll explain to him later, don't worry."

We obviously can't have him participate in this discussion.

"From now on, you'll both join an organization called the Mutual Aid Society, which supports people who've stepped into the Supernatural World."

"You mean to develop self-defense skills?"

"That's right. You'll train with an instructor while taking on simple jobs. And don't worry, you'll be paid."

Though it's only about 100,000 yen since they're basically beginners, but that's a lot of money for kids.

"I used to buy lots of clothes and games with that money myself."

"Ah... you did spend money as soon as you got it, Hiro-kun."

"Well of course. Being a high school student, those guys too..."

My words trail off.

"Uncle? Mom... what's wrong?"

"Just remembering some old friends."

Two close friends I killed with my own hands.

(I wonder if they're doing well over there...)