Chapter 5: The Search for the Mother

[Inside Shin’s car]

“So Elena, where does your mom live? We’re literally on a freaking mountain road right now!” Shin barks, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

Elena, scrolling through Issac’s phone like it’s her own, casually replies,

“My mom always loved the mountains. She was obsessed with carving wood. Honestly, I didn’t expect her to sell our old Kyoto house and move to Shirakawa-go.”

[Flashback – 3 days ago / Issac’s Apartment]

Elena’s voice was unusually soft.

“…I know where my mom lives. But… my dad left me when I was a kid. I don’t know where he is now.”

The room went dead silent.

Then, like a synchronized comedy duo, Shin and I pointed at her dramatically.

“Then it’s decided! We’ll find your mom first—then your corpse!”

Elena blinked.

“…That… sounded way creepier than you intended.”

Issac scratched his head.

“So where’s your mom? Don’t tell me it’s super far. I don’t own a car, you know.”

Elena smirked smugly.

“It ain’t far. We used to live in Kyoto. We can reach there by train in 23 minutes.”

I slapped my thigh confidently.

“Then train it is! Shin, book the tickets!”

“You got it,” Shin nodded, then raised an eyebrow. “But what about Cupp? Is he coming too? Couldn’t he teleport us there with his stupid god powers?”

Cupp crossed his arms, glaring.

“I’m restricted from using godly powers for ‘unwanted things.’ Apparently, stealing ramen cups and seducing cashiers are considered offenses. So, you’ll be in my care.”

He smugly shoved Issac’s phone in my face.

“See? You already clicked ‘I Agree’ when you summoned me. It’s literally in the terms and policy.”

I squinted at the glowing screen.

“…Why the hell did my summon contract look like an iTunes agreement!?”

[The Next Day – Train Station]

Notification pops up on Issac’s phone

Train canceled due to heavy snowfall

I stared at the screen like it had just insulted my entire bloodline.

“…Why snow? Why today of all days?! Do you enjoy ruining my life!?”

Elena gently patted my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, Issac… we could rent an SUV.”

Shin suddenly slammed his hand against his chest proudly.

“You don’t need to rent one. I’ve got us covered. Remember her?”

I blinked at him.

“…Wait. Shin. You… have a car?”

Shin’s grin widened.

“Yup. Wanna see?” He whips out his phone and shows a picture of a Volkswagen T5 Transporter.

Elena and I instantly shot up like rockets.

“SHIN, YOU’RE THE FREAKING BEST!!”

[Some time later – Outside a Japanese-Style House]

We finally stood in front of a traditional Japanese house nestled in the snow. The roof tiles were heavy with frost, smoke rose from the chimney, and the faint smell of grilled mochi drifted out.

Elena adjusted her sundress (yes, still wearing that in the freezing cold like it’s not -3°C) and took a deep breath.

“This is it… Mom’s house…”

knock knock knock

The sliding door creaked open.

But instead of her mom… it was another woman entirely. Mid-thirties, kind face, apron on, and a look that screamed ‘I’m about to ask if you’ve eaten.’

Elena froze like her soul just left her body.

“…Mom?”

The lady tilted her head.

“Mom? Eh? I don’t even have a daughter that old. But please, come in. It’s cold outside.”

Before we could protest, she ushered us in like stray cats and sat us at a low table. Within minutes—tea, senbei, and a small mountain of snacks appeared in front of us.

Shin immediately stuffed his mouth full.

“…Issac… even if this is the wrong house… I might just stay here forever.”

I leaned forward, whispering to the woman, “Sorry, um, but do you happen to know who used to live here?”

She sipped her tea calmly.

“Oh yes. A woodcarver lady. Very nice. But she sold this house months ago and moved further into the mountains. People say she wanted somewhere… quieter.”

Elena’s hands trembled as she gripped her teacup.

“…So she… really left this house.”

Cupp, already munching rice crackers, added unhelpfully:

“Plot twist: your mom is actually a mountain hermit now. Maybe raising raccoons.”

Elena snapped her head toward him with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

“…Shut. Up.”

[Inside Aiko’s House]

Issac leaned forward, phone in hand, squinting at Google Maps like it was some cursed scroll.

“Wait wait wait… Elena… you said Shirakawa-go?”

Elena nodded innocently.

“Yes. That’s what she told me last time.”

Issac’s jaw dropped.

“That’s four hours without snow. And look—” he tilted the phone, showing a bright red warning sign about road closures. “With this weather, it could take an entire day. And the trains are canceled. Which means… we’re stuck with the car.”

He slowly turned his head to glare at Elena.

“…We have to drive through the mountains. In your sundress. With my bad luck. And with those two freeloaders.”

Cupp, unfazed, raised his hand like a kid in class.

“Quick question. Important question. What’s your name, miss?”

The woman smiled politely.

“Oh, me? I’m Aiko Kurizawa. Nice to meet you all.”

Cupp’s eyes sparkled, and I swear if anime hearts could pop out of his head, they would’ve.

“A-Aiko… Kurizawa… what a divine name… an angel descended from the snowy heavens…”

Shin smacked him on the back of the head.

“Control yourself, God of Poverty. She just gave you rice crackers, not her hand in marriage.”

Cupp ignored him, bowing dramatically.

“My lady, I am but a humble summon, chained to this mortal buffoon Issac. But if you desire, I shall defect immediately and dedicate my eternal servitude to your beauty!”

Issac groaned, dragging his hands down his face.

“…Great. Four hours of blizzards, mountains, and now a lovesick scam-artist hobo in my backseat.”

Elena sipped her tea calmly, tail of her neko-ear headband swaying.

“…Nyaa~ road trip.”

aiko says she is also coming bc she have to give the owner the rest of the amount for the house cuppp jolts up says yes looks at shin and says thx man that u have a 7 seater

[PRESENT TIME]

the gaang stuck in the mountain bc the snow blocked the road

Aiko put her tea cup down gracefully and said,

“Actually… I’ll be coming with you. I still have to give the owner the remaining amount for this house.”

Cupp literally jolted out of his seat, sparkles in his eyes.

“YES! Truly the heavens bless me! Thank you, Shin—thank you for owning a 7-seater!”

He turned dramatically toward Shin and bowed so hard his massage hat almost fell off.

“You are my savior, my wingman, my partner in destiny!”

Shin just sighed, munching on rice crackers.

“…Bro, it’s just a van.”

Issac, already regretting his life choices, muttered under his breath,

“Yeah, and it’s gonna be my coffin.”

[PRESENT TIME – Mountain Road]

Snow howled against the van like angry ghosts. Shin’s Volkswagen T5 transporter rattled as it crawled up the frozen path.

Elena pressed her face against the frosted window.

“…Pretty.”

Issac hugged himself for warmth.

“Pretty?! The road is blocked! We’re literally stuck in the middle of nowhere!”

Shin, gripping the wheel:

“Relax, we’ll just wait for the plows to clear the way—”

Cupp cut in, grinning smugly.

“Or… we can wait here together, share warmth, share stories, share—” he slowly scooted closer to Aiko.

“—and share my fist if you don’t move back,” Shin barked, shoving him toward the back seat.

Aiko, unfazed, calmly opened a thermos and poured herself tea.

“Don’t worry. Being snowed in is normal here. It could take hours… maybe the whole night.”

Issac collapsed against his seat dramatically.

“…Great. Ghost girlfriend. Hobo god. Mediator maniac. Beautiful stranger. And me. Trapped in a snowstorm van. This is literally the plot of a bad horror movie.”

Elena tilted her head, tugging his sleeve.

“Then let’s make it romantic instead.”

“NO! Not here! Not now!”

“Thanks for reading chapter 5”

Henlo Guys,

Morris here i was in a rush creating the chap so icouldnt think straight and if anyonwe could help me co-author the story or turn it into manga it would be great help and thx for supporting me , it means alot to me helps me think ishould exist in this world thanks for everything guys see u guys soon bythe way my birth day is in 15 september and i wrote this chap in 12 september bye