Chapter 01: Mother

Hi, I am Raiku Takeshi, a high school student. It seems like the creator is finally writing the next chapter. As I found myself in my room, I realized that today the chapter will be about my family. I am excited to find out what type of family I have, since the author has never mentioned my family until now. So, it was kinda lonely at home. Maybe I should go and check it myself.

He walked and turned the knob, but he saw an entirely black place. Maybe the chapter is not created yet. As he took a step, he saw the stairs going downstairs, created one by one each time he took a step.

Walking down, I heard a humming coming from the kitchen. As I peeked, I found a lady in her late 40s washing the dishes. She wore a green apron over her clothes.

"Umm..." I felt nervous. Hearing the little noise, the lady turned.

"Ohya... Raiku, you woke up... Good morning."

Hearing her saying my name was heartwarming, even if I had no connection with her until I saw her. Yet, I felt a connection—that she is one of the most important people in my life. And now, the house where I lived alone is not empty anymore; there is someone who will always be waiting for me when I go out.

"G... Good... Mor-ing—" In nervousness, I bit my tongue. She ran to me in concern, patting my back as I was coughing.

"Hey, are you alright?" she asked, worried.

"Yeah, I am..." I replied.

"Ok, come. I have prepared a breakfast for you," she said as she guided me to the table and went back to clean the dishes.

I sat down and found a simple breakfast. An omelet, milk, and bread. Even if it was simple, for me, it was a gift to myself from the creator. I was so happy; if I did not hold myself back, I would start crying for joy. Everyday was the same until now, but...

I started eating, and with each bite I took, I could say she did everything in her power to create this breakfast to be so special.

"Umm... Excuse me..." I called her.

"Hmm?" She turned. "Do you want anything?" she asked me.

"No... Nothing... It was just..." My lips shook, as the word I was about to say was a dream of mine that was finally fulfilled. "Thank you... M... Mom," I said, my cheeks red with embarrassment.

Her eyes widened at first, then her eyes softened as she gave me a gentle smile.

"Welcome..."

"I... If you want me to do something for you, I am here... right?" I offered, as I wanted to explore this warmness I got after so long.

"Let's see..." She thought, hand on her chin, and said, "Ah... right. Could you bring me some vegetables from the departmental store?"

"Departmental store?" I was confused, but I accepted. "Okay..."

I waited for a minute as she noted down a list of things she wanted to buy. Bidding my farewell, I exited.

As my house is often drawn in manga, it was fully created from the outside and its nearby area, but the path was different, so I started walking to a distance at the point where the path wasn't drawn. I waited as I lifted my head... A big hand holding a hand slowly created my way to the departmental store.

Walking to the departmental store, I saw some people without faces. Yes, often the creator who draws the characters draws the NPC people without faces. It was horrifying for me at first, as I could hear their voices even though they didn't have faces, but soon I realized the better I adjusted here.

The departmental store was fully drawn by the creator, yet it was empty, with only one person at the cash counter. I took everything that was written and paid the amount, walking back to my house. I started to feel something strange, as the path I had taken was being erased by the creator after every step. It is not the first time that has happened, but it was so rare. Maybe he wanted to redraw the entire scene later.

I opened the gate and entered.

"I am back...! Mom.... Mom, I brought the things you wanted..." I called her but received no response. I walked to the kitchen and called her again. "Mom....?"

Being worried about her, I checked each drawn part of the house: the garden, bathroom, toilet, and my room. But I found nothing. Soon, I realized what was happening as I checked the list she had given to me.

"Ah... Now I see." The list was empty, as there was nothing written there. The things I brought were also fading.

My face went dull, just like always. It seems like the creator thinks adding a new character which has very little significance is better not to be added. The creator drew her for me and also erased her for his story's sake.

But it's alright. I may have the memories of her now, but soon, he will erase the entire chapter scenario. I will forget about this memory again.