Chapter 22 — A Mother's Worry, A Son's Promise
The next morning sunlight poured softly through my curtains, painting the room in a gentle glow. For a few seconds, I lay there in peace, staring at the ceiling, thinking about yesterday — Reina's apology, Saeko's bright smile, the chaos in the sports field, and… the girl who had to face punishment for crossing the line.
Everything felt like a blur. I sighed and sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Another day begins."
After getting dressed and fixing my uniform, I made my way downstairs, already smelling the sweet aroma of breakfast.
As soon as I stepped into the dining room, I knew something was off.
My mom Ayaka, and my sisters Aoi and Sakura, were sitting there — not eating, not talking. Just… waiting.
Their expressions were calm, but the air felt heavy.
I sat down slowly. "Morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Haru," my mother replied, her voice soft but serious. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, I did," I said carefully. "What's wrong?"
Aoi folded her arms. "We need to talk."
Sakura smiled faintly, trying to ease the tension. "Don't look so scared, little brother. We just… have questions."
I blinked. "About what?"
Mom looked straight into my eyes. "About the girl who touched you yesterday."
My heart skipped a beat. "...Oh."
Her tone wasn't angry at me — it was full of concern, deep and genuine. But behind that concern, I could see anger — not toward me, but toward what happened.
Aoi leaned forward. "Mother saw the video. We all did."
Sakura nodded. "It's spreading online. People are talking about how you handled it calmly. But that's not what worries us."
Ayaka's hand tightened around her cup. "What worries me is that someone dared to touch you without permission. I sent you to that school because I thought it was safe. And yet—"
"Mom," I interrupted gently, "please don't worry. It's not your fault. And Reina already stopped her. Everything was handled."
At the mention of Reina's name, the room fell silent.
"Reina?" Aoi repeated carefully.
"Reina Shimizu," I explained. "She's the one who stood up for me. She stopped that girl before things got worse."
Ayaka's eyebrows raised slightly. "So… a girl defended you?"
"Yes."
Sakura rested her chin on her hand. "That's… unusual."
Aoi nodded. "Most boys rely on protection teams or family guards. For a girl to step in like that…"
Mom sighed, rubbing her temples. "I should be grateful, but it still worries me. A boy shouldn't have to go through that."
"I'm fine, Mom," I said softly. "Really. You don't have to call the school."
Her eyes widened slightly. "How did you—"
I smiled faintly. "I know you, Mom. You were already planning to."
Sakura chuckled quietly. "He knows us too well."
Aoi adjusted her glasses, still serious. "We have the right to make sure our brother is safe."
"True," I said, "but there's a difference between checking and… scaring the entire school."
Ayaka's lips curved into a small, reluctant smile. "You think I'd scare them?"
"Yes," I replied honestly.
That made Sakura laugh softly. Even Aoi had to hide a tiny smile.
Mom sighed, her eyes softening. "You've grown up, haven't you?"
I shrugged. "Maybe just a little."
She leaned forward, her tone gentle but firm. "Then tell me honestly. Are these girls — Saeko and Reina — treating you well?"
"Yes," I said without hesitation. "They're kind. Saeko's shy, and Reina's… learning to open up. I don't think they're bad people."
Aoi looked thoughtful. "Learning to open up? What do you mean?"
"She misunderstood me before," I explained. "But she apologized. She's different now."
Mom's eyes softened, but her voice stayed serious. "You really trust them, don't you?"
I nodded. "I do."
For a long moment, none of them spoke. Then Mom smiled gently — that calm, motherly smile I'd always known.
"You've always had a kind heart, Haru," she said. "Even in this world, where people can be selfish and unfair… you still try to see the good in others."
I smiled back. "You raised me that way."
Her expression softened even more. Then she exhaled slowly — but I could see something still lingering in her eyes.
"Alright," she said finally. "I won't call the school."
Relief washed over me. "Thank you."
"But…" she continued, and I froze.
"...but?"
Aoi's serious expression returned. "We'll meet them."
"Wait, what—"
Sakura smiled sweetly. "We just want to talk to them, that's all."
Ayaka added calmly, "If they're going to be close to you, we deserve to know them personally. Don't you think that's fair?"
I hesitated. "I… guess it is."
She smiled softly, placing her hand on my head. "Don't worry. We won't embarrass you. We just want to understand what kind of people they are."
Aoi nodded. "If they truly care about you, they'll understand."
Sakura giggled. "And if they don't… well, they'll wish they did."
I gave a small laugh. "Alright, alright. I'll talk to them. But promise me — no scaring, no threatening."
"Of course," Mom said with a sweet smile that didn't convince me at all.
"Promise," Aoi echoed.
"Cross my heart," Sakura added playfully.
I sighed, defeated. "Fine. You can meet them."
Ayaka reached over and squeezed my hand gently. "Thank you, Haru. I know you think I overreact sometimes… but you're all I have. You and your sisters are my whole world."
"I know, Mom."
She smiled warmly. "I just want you to be safe and happy."
"I am," I said softly.
---
Later that day, I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting my school jacket before heading out.
I looked at my reflection and smiled faintly.
"This world really is strange," I murmured. "But somehow, I feel lucky."
I thought about Saeko's kindness, Reina's honesty, and my family's endless protectiveness.
It was chaotic, yes — but it was love. Real love, in its own way.
I picked up my bag and turned off the lights, walking toward the door.
As I opened it, I heard my mom's voice from the hallway:
"Sweetie, don't forget to tell those girls we'd like to meet them."
I froze mid-step. "Wait… you mean here?"
Aoi's calm voice followed, "Of course. We wouldn't want to cause a scene at your school."
Sakura giggled softly from the living room. "Tell them to come this weekend. We'll prepare something nice — a calm, friendly meeting."
I turned around slowly, narrowing my eyes. "You mean an interrogation."
Ayaka smiled sweetly, pretending not to hear me. "Tea. Snacks. Conversation. Nothing more."
Aoi added smoothly, "Background understanding. Not interrogation."
Sakura waved her hand playfully. "Relax, Haru. We just want to see what kind of girls captured your attention."
I sighed, half-amused and half-terrified. "Alright, I'll tell them."
Mom's voice softened. "Thank you, my son. We just want to understand the people around you. You're precious to us — and we want to make sure you're surrounded by the right ones."
I smiled gently. "I know, Mom."
As I left my room and walked down the hall, I couldn't help but chuckle quietly.
"It's going to be fine," I told myself. "It's just tea and conversation…"
But deep inside, I already knew — when my mom and sisters meet Saeko and Reina, "tea" would be the last thing calm about that day.
---
To be continued...