About ten years have passed since I began living here…
…And I can feel it—Mom is starting to fade.
I first noticed something was wrong about three years ago. The amount of aura cloaking her in Ten had clearly begun to decrease. Every time she nursed me, every time she manifested something for my sake, her aura diminished bit by bit.
In Ten, only a portion of one's aura is displayed. Since that aura is external, you can't measure someone's latent aura just by looking at Ten. That's why I didn't notice it sooner—that her hidden reserves of aura were gradually being consumed.
If only she had been able to use Ren, I would've realized much earlier. But she could only use Ten and Hatsu… The fact that her Ten itself was thinning out meant her inner aura reserves had dropped significantly.
What's left—twenty percent? Thirty? Maybe even less…
I already know the truth. This "Mother" isn't a nen beast I created. If it were, she wouldn't know things beyond my knowledge. And yet she spoke of my father—his name, what he did, how she met him. Too detailed, too real to be my imagination.
If she isn't my nen beast, then whose? The answer is obvious. The real mother, who was forced into awakening nen because of me and died of exhaustion—that's the only possibility.
Even in death, she created this self from her own will, to raise me, to protect me… Even though it was my fault she died...
And now, again, she is about to disappear. Every time she does something for me, her aura is consumed… And once lost, that aura never returns. Slowly, steadily, she's marching toward erasure.
Of course, I couldn't allow that. I refused her milk, tried to eat scraps, even rats I found. No matter how disgusting—it was still better than losing her!
But every time, she scolded me: "You mustn't eat such filthy things!"
After three scoldings like that, I became firmly imprinted with the belief that 'filthy things must not be eaten'.
And worse, every time she scolded me harshly, more of her aura was consumed. My actions only hastened her end.
"Aisha-chan, you must be hungry by now, right? Let's have a meal."
Even if I refuse, it's no use. She'll scold me again and I'll end up drinking anyway… So I drank. I accepted my mother's final gift of love.
She's almost gone now… giving me her last milk, and with each passing moment, becoming more transparent…
"I'm sorry… that I can't stay with you until the end."
"Why… why are you apologizing, Mom? I should be the one… I'm sorry… because of me… you died…"
"No. A mother giving her life for her child is only natural. You have nothing to apologize for."
"…Th… thank you… for… for giving birth to me…"
"No, it's me who should thank you. Thank you… for being born."
"Thank you… for raising me…"
"Of course. That's what mothers do. And I was happy… watching you grow strong."
"Th… thank you… for loving me…"
"That's only natural. What mother wouldn't love her child? If someone didn't, I'd knock some sense into her."
"…Don't… don't go, Mom! Please stay with me forever! I'll never be selfish again, I promise!"
"I'm sorry. I want to stay with you too… but it seems I can't anymore…"
"No!! Don't leave me!!"
"Listen, Aisha. This is Mother's final request. Please listen carefully."
"D… don't call it your 'final' request…"
"It's good to be energetic, but you must also be gentle and graceful. You're a lovely young girl, Aisha."
"…Okay…"
"Take care of your health. Never eat anything dirty or impure."
"…Okay…"
"You're kind, but don't trust just anyone. Watch carefully, listen carefully, and judge for yourself."
"I'm not… that dumb, you know."
"Then that's fine. And one more thing… Be happy. Hardship and sadness will always come as long as you live. But overcome them, and live happily."
"…I can't… If you're not here, I can't be happy…"
"You'll be fine. You'll overcome it. Because you're my proud daughter."
"…I'll… I'll try my best."
"That's my girl… It looks like it's time to say goodbye…"
"Mom!? No, talk with me longer!!"
"My only regret is not being able to see you in your bridal gown… I'm sure you would've been stunning."
"Then live until then! I'll give you all the aura you need!"
"Don't be selfish. This is my last request… Please don't cry. I don't want the last face I see of my daughter to be a crying one. Show me your smile."
"…O-okay. L-like this?"
"…Yes. So very cute… Aisha… You're my pride… Don't worry… I'll always… be watching over you…"
"?! Mom!? Don't disappear!! Don't leave me alone!!"
That day in Meteor City, it rained.
That's why the water running down my cheeks was only rain. I had promised Mother not to cry. So this… this was only rain.
A full day has passed since Mother disappeared. I'm still sad, but I've managed to regain a little composure.
Humans can't hold on to powerful emotions forever. No matter how strong the feeling, time wears it down. Of course, this grief will never vanish completely.
…but I can't stay drowning in sorrow forever. I promised her—I'd live happily. I'd overcome pain and sadness, and live happily. If I stayed here doing nothing, I wouldn't keep that promise.
But before I leave this place, there's something I must do.
"Nice to meet you. Perhaps we've met long ago, but it's been over ten years, so I'll say it's our first meeting."
"…You came here knowing this is the Council Chamber of Meteor City, girl? What business do you have?"
"Yes. You are the ones who decide this city's policies, aren't you? I came here for a small matter. Don't worry—I don't intend to harm you."
"…How did you get in here?"
"By concealing my presence. I found this place by listening to outsiders talk and piecing things together. Ah, the gatekeeper is only unconscious. I didn't harm him or leave lasting effects… Now, may I state my business?"
"…Go on."
"First, a question. Do you know of the hazardous zone about twenty kilometers northwest of here?"
"!? …Yes, the one that appeared around ten years ago…"
"My request is simple: Do not interfere with that place. Can you promise me that?"
"…That's fine. In fact, we had already agreed among ourselves not to touch that place."
"Then I'm satisfied. Well—"
"Wait, girl."
"…Yes?"
"We understand your request. But who are you? A girl like you would stand out in Meteor City, yet we've never seen you before."
"…Is that supposed to be a compliment? Aside from Mother, no one's ever praised me before, so I'm a little embarrassed. Ah, sorry, I haven't answered. Leaving without doing so would be rude. I'll answer."
"—I lived in that dangerous zone. Does that explain enough?"
"…!? You mean—you're from that rumored 'demon parent and child'!?"
"…My mother was an angel, the kindest person alive. Insult her again, and I won't take your life, but you'll lose an arm or two…!"
—The council members flinched.
"…Forgive me. I let my aura leak out. I'll suppress it…"
"In any case, I plan to leave Meteor City for a while. But I don't want the land where my mother rests to be defiled by others."
"…Understood. We'll spread word to guard it carefully."
"Thank you. Oh—and it wouldn't be fair for me to just demand things. Do you have any requests of me? If it's not unreasonable and within my ability, I'll accept."
"…Then how about this: If we ever face something beyond our power to handle alone, may we call upon your strength?"
"…I see. Clever. Very well, I accept. Though, I don't currently have a way for you to contact me…"
"Once you find a way, let us know."
"Understood. If that works for you, then I'll be going now. Farewell, everyone."
The chamber fell silent.
Good. This way, even if I leave, no one will disturb that place. If anyone were to desecrate the land of my memories with Mother, I might lose myself to rage…
I really have changed. This must be the result of Mother's overbearing education… Really, she was such a troublesome mom. Always saying "Don't do this, don't do that, do this, do that"… She was such a helicopter mom.
…Mom. I'll do my best. So please, keep watching over me…