Chapter 14: Chapter 12: Mother Mercy
"Urgh..."
A groan escaped my lips as I opened my eyes for what felt like years. The sunlight that filtered through the windows blinded me for a few seconds before I grew accustomed to it. Seems to be about Midday.
Looking around the room I was in, it seems I'm in a hospital, the pure white walls were spotless and the antiseptic smell stung my nose. I must've been brought here after the incident. I pushed myself way too hard that day, I was practically falling apart.
I didn't want to get up but a wave of indescribable anger pushed me. Those emotions...That conversation I had...how was that even possible? I took over this body, didn't I? It was prepared for me by ROB, so how? He talked to me and I understood. At that moment, I felt more in sync with my body than I ever did before.
It wasn't noticeable before but I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin even with my body in that terrible state. Like I truly belong now. I am Akutagawa, and he is me. I've changed but I'm still the same.
While I was thinking to myself, a groan was heard nearby as I looked to my bedside.
A woman with pitch-black hair that reached her lower back, pure white skin, and grey eyes yawned as she stretched herself. There were dark circles below her eyes with noticeable swelling like she'd been crying.
As her eyes met mine, we sat in silence for a while before a tear flowed down her cheek and a relieved smile broke out on her face. I've spent a lifetime with her and at the same time I've just met her, but she's never looked more beautiful to me than she does now. She's my mother, Natsuko Akutagawa.
"Hey mom," my voice was barely a whisper because of my dry throat. It felt like sandpaper was rubbing together inside my throat. Uncomfortable but still bearable.
She didn't say a word and only flung herself onto me, gripping me into a death hug. I feel like this happened before, didn't it? Whatever, I'll just enjoy it for now and put aside the pain.
After a few minutes of hugging, she finally let me go. Good because I don't think I would have lasted any longer under her crazy strength.
"So how long was I out for?", I asked her curiously. My body is pretty numb right now but I can tell it's in better condition compared to when I was admitted.
"About a week or so...", she said casually as she rummaged through her bag for something.
"Oh a week", I nodded along before stiffening. A week? A full week of being unconscious? Does that mean...I missed the sports festival!?
"You had a very speedy recovery according to the doctors. Recovery girl gave you some treatment as well which is why you've been asleep for a week straight. A few of your classmates stopped by, mostly a pink girl and a redhead. Said they were your friends", my mother said as a devilish smirk formed on her face.
"You never told me about any friends Ryuuuu, especially a girl friend", she hummed, staring at me suspiciously. I couldn't help the sweat that poured down my back.
"She's...just a friend. We've just hung out sometimes. That's all".
"Hmmm... I'll believe that for now. But I'm proud of you. You finally have some friends to talk to. I remember when you were just a little boy...". My mother started telling stories about me as a child and I sat quietly beside her. It was steadily growing darker as the sun set and she finally stopped, silence filling the room.
I didn't know what to say and the atmosphere felt weird all of a sudden. As I opened my mouth to speak, my mother spoke before me.
"Ryu, I've been discussing with your father and we think that maybe...maybe being a hero isn't the best for you...", my mother said and my mouth hung open as I stared at her.
"What?", I couldn't help but ask. You don't want me to become a hero? After all that hard work I put in?
"The incident. When your father and I heard about it we were so scared. We called your phone constantly but no one picked up. We feared the worst until we got a call telling us you were in the hospital. When we arrived the doctors were already operating on you...They said it's best that you didn't continue putting strain on your body at this time", she said, her voice trembling slightly.
"So what? You're pulling me out?", I couldn't help the anger that slipped into my tone. It's the same. The same as all the other times isn't it? I'm being looked down upon again. This...it's unacceptable.
"All this time...Everyone keeps treating me like some kind of sick puppy, throwing your sympathy and pity at me. Do you know...", I couldn't stop my voice from shaking as I gripped the bed sheets.
"Ryu, that's not what-"
"NO! I WON'T HAVE IT! IT'S NOT FAIR! YOU'RE TAKING THIS AWAY FROM ME WHEN I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CHANCE TO START IT! I'M NOT WEAK! I CAN BE BETTER! I AM BETTER! SO WHY-"
"I'M WORRIED ABOUT YOU RYU! YOUR FATHER IS WORRIED ABOUT YOU! WE FINALLY LET YOU GO OUT TO EXPERIENCE SCHOOL AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENS! I SAW MY SON BLOODIED AND UNCONSCIOUS ON A BED WITH HIS LIFE HANGING BY A THREAD! DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT FELT!?", my mother screamed at me, taking me by surprise. I've never seen her like this. It's the first time she's ever yelled at me.
Tears fell from her bloodshot eyes as she started sobbing beside me. I feel like shit. I didn't think about how she must've felt. We've been together for all this time, I've almost never left my parent's side so the news of me being severely injured must've been a heavy blow to them.
"Mom...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to...", I swallowed as I grit my teeth.
"I just...this is what I want to do. I can't stay with you and dad for the rest of my life. I've finally made some friends and everything's never seemed more clear. Being a hero is the way I want to prove to myself, to everyone so please...", I reached out and held her hand. She squeezed it tightly and we sat in silence again as I awaited her response.
"Fine."
She finally spoke up and wiped away the tears around her eyes, sniffing and clearing her throat.
"If this is really what you want then your father and I will support you. I know how important this is to you. I've been with you for so long, you're my son so of course I know how you feel even though you've never said anything. You're not weak Ryu. I want you to look at yourself for a minute. You started with a handicap but you managed to get first place in the entrance exams to UA. You outperformed so many people. You did your best. Is that something a weak person could do?", she smiled at me as she brushed a few strands of hair from my face.
"Keep moving forward like you always have, we'll always be with you if you ever stumble".
As she said that my tears fell. I couldn't control it. All my previous frustration was let go in that moment as the floodgates opened.
"Thanks mom", I sniffed as I smiled brightly.
"It's no problem sweetie. Also, you're grounded", she said with a smile.
"Eh? What do you mean grounded?"
"Well you went and scared your father and I to death and you even dared to raise your voice at me. If you weren't in the hospital right now...", she trailed off as the smile on her face became increasingly more malicious.
"Ah, oh dearest mother, oh sweet kind mother of mine, mercy please hehe", I chuckled nervously as I put my hands together and begged.
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Maerdy Note: Had a bad dream last night. So this dude was outside my backdoor and he was trying to get me to let him in by tricking me but I denied him entry of course. Long story short he got in and I died miserably. Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed. Headpats to appease my troubled mind pls and thx
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