CHAPTER 2 — PART 1: M—MOMMY?

It had been a week, and Amai and I were still trying to come up with ways to improve my power.

"For now, do physical training, Yami. The thing is... any training my past wielders did is too much for your body. You'd break like a set of Legos."

I let out a groan. Why Legos!?

"So, I'm supposed to join a gym or something?"

"That's actually not a bad idea. You need to get physically stronger. Back when I was with Aimi-sama, she trained with wrestlers."

"Wrestlers...? What?" My face scrunched up.

My mother trained with wrestlers... what else will I learn about my flirty but enigmatic Mother?

"Yes! They helped her get way stronger! You can definitely do it! And maybe get another badge."

"Badge? What are you talking about now?"

"Listen, Master. There are categories that Battle Maidens specialize in, and there has never been a Battle Maiden who can do all of them."

"O...kay? What are these categories?"

"Speedster, Brute, Brainiac, Buffer, Shield, Caster."

I immediately remembered what Ryuna-san had said to me a while back...

You were ready for that. Impressive. One more point. It seems you have a high combat IQ. Are you maybe a brainiac? No... I saw your speed against Oharu; you're a speedster. And yet... you have no experience in battle.

So that's what she meant...

"Umm... what do they mean?"

Amai sighed deeply and began, "Speedster... is just what it sounds like. You're extremely fast. Brute... a lot of Battle Maidens hate that name. It sounds too crude... but basically, a Brute is someone really strong. Brainiac is very smart. They strategize and... stuff. A Buffer is someone who gives buffs. Imagine a fantasy game—they give support magic. That's it. Shield is someone who is really tough. They can take hits and attacks better than the average Battle Maiden. And lastly, a Caster just shoots magic. That's it."

"And by a badge, you can show that you master every category by wearing those badges."

"I see... who came up with this...? It sounds so... rushed."

"I don't know, Master. Some idiot, probably."

"A-anyway, let's get back to training... so you want me to join a gym?"

"Not just any gym. Throbbing Metal!"

"Throbbing... M-Metal? What kind of name is that!?"

"Beats me, Master."

I sighed deeply, lost in a forest of confusion.

"Where the hell is this gym then?"

...

"Wait! Wait! WAIT!!!"

Katsumi nervously pressed her back against me as I dragged her along.

"You said you wanted to be a Hero too, right? So no holding back!"

"I-I did say that... but I'm not ready..."

"Neither was I, when my mother decided to enroll me here. And also when that cocky princess challenged me to that duel..."

Well, Oharu wanted me dead, so...

Suddenly, with a burst of strength, Katsumi lifted me like I weighed nothing, slinging me over her shoulder.

"H-Hey! Put me down!"

I did not expect her to overpower me so easily.

This was new. She had freakish strength. I mean, she was ripped, but I didn't think she had that much—hey!! Watch where you're grabbing!!

I flinched as she accidentally grabbed my ass.

"My bad! You're struggling too much, so I had to keep you from falling!"

She set me down and looked away shyly.

Why are you looking like that?

"Fine then, stay behind. I'll be the Hero first."

She flinched, then pouted and groaned like a kid.

"You really are going to use that card?"

"I am. So either join me, or eat my dust."

This was probably the only way to push her. She did say I was her rival, so maybe this would make her want to beat me.

"I... I refuse to be beaten! I'll be the best hero ever!"

She's too easy...

With that, we finally entered the massive gymnasium.

Amai sighed in my head, making me curious.

"Something wrong, Amai?"

"I'm just... nostalgic. I haven't been here in a while," Amai said softly.

My lips curved a little.

Maybe this place wasn't so bad after all...

"Hello~ Welcome to Throbbing Metal. Would you like a membership?"

A syrupy voice spoke from behind me. When I turned to see who it was, my eyes widened...

A mature gothic mommy type—exactly my kind of woman.

She seemed older than me, ripped like she could crush steel, with that confident vibe that made my heart skip.

Her gym outfit was pure her: a black sports bra that showed off her toned abs and strong shoulders, paired with tight dark gray leggings that hugged her thick thighs and curvy hips. Black fingerless gloves, fishnet arm sleeves peeking out, and heavy combat boots instead of sneakers—goth as hell, but built for lifting heavy.

Her pale skin almost glowed under the gym lights. Long black hair with choppy bangs framed her sharp face, falling wild over one eye. Smoky eyeliner made her piercing silver eyes pop, and a silver lip ring caught the light when she smirked.

Scars on her arms told stories of real fights. A choker with a spike pendant sat tight around her neck.

Damn... she was perfect. My type to a T.

I felt my face heat up just staring.

"So that's your type?" Katsumi narrowed her eyes at me and looked away, annoyed.

Oh... Jesus Christ... It's her...

That was the first time I ever heard Amai being nervous; her whisper in my head was a bit chilling.

Suddenly, that gothic chick leaned in and stared at my face.

"Wait... your presence... it's so fucking familiar."

My face heated up even more.

Is the gym hot? Or is it her... I mean me? I mean... arrghhh!!!

"And your aura... is it... Aimi-chan?"

She knows my mother? This is great news!!

"My mother? What about her?" I tried to sound casual, almost biting my tongue.

"Shut the fuck up. You're her son?"

Wow... her vocab fits her like a glove.

"I am. Nice to meet you, um..."

"Reina Kurokawa. And you, boy?"

Even her name... is perfect...

"I'm Yami Oshima." I almost stuttered. Almost...

"Yami-kun~ Nice name. I like it."

She likes me!! She said she likes meeeeee!!!

"So~ What brings a handsome young man to this hellish place~?"

"Well..." I felt her arm hook over my shoulder, pulling herself closer and making my heart race like crazy.

"I—I came here to... get s-stronger..."

"She's too close..." Katsumi's annoyance grew even more.

Hearing Katsumi, Reina grinned, showing her beautiful canine.

"Relax. I'm Aimi's best friend, and Yami feels exactly like her. Why wouldn't I want to get closer to my best friend's son?"

"Tch... groomer," Katsumi groaned.

"I don't mind!" I exclaimed with no shame.

"Y—Yami!?" Katsumi's eyes popped out of her sockets.

Reina couldn't help but laugh. What a sexy laugh...

"That's great~" She smirked at me. "Good to know~."

"Enough!!" Katsumi pulled me away and stepped in front of me.

"Excuse me, you groomer. We are here to join this gym. Just do your job."

"Party pooper," I said flatly, and I got a hard slap to the head.

"OWW!?"

"As your rival, I'll have to keep you in check," Katsumi said, clearly pissed off.

Oh... I forgot Katsumi was the righteous type. She definitely didn't like the idea of me being groomed, but come on!! Who doesn't like older women!? Especially a gothic one!!

Will I ever find someone who knows ball?!

"So, you said you wanted to get stronger, huh?" Reina's grin turned predatory, excited even.

"Y—yeah. I've been looking for ways to improve my physical strength."

"That's easy. I'll be your personal trainer, handsome~."

The whole gym went silent. Everyone working out looked at us nervously.

"Oh shit... another one?"

"He's just a kid... he's dead."

"I feel bad for him... he's too young..."

Hey! Hey! Heeey!! What the hell is this mood!?

Even Katsumi looked worried. Why were they feeling pity for me?!

I even saw a guy making the sign of the cross. Now that really worried me!

Amai... why are they like this?

You see, Reina-san is famous... uhh... infamous for having the harshest and most dangerous training. Your mother was one of the few who managed to survive it.

Oh... crap baskets... that's how bad it is?

"Yami-kun~ I'll personally give you a membership."

"Huh? Why would you go that far for me? We just met..."

"It seems you're deaf-toned, boy. You remind me of your mother a lot. It feels like she's standing right in front of me."

"So... because I look like and feel like her... You want to help me?"

"No. I owe your mother a lot. Besides, she promised me a powerful boyfriend, and I said I trusted her. So I waited."

I... don't like where this is going... wait, I do like where this is going! What the hell!!

She grinned again, as sensual as before.

"You seem to be the first man to have magic~ And you're Aimi's son~ I think this is fate~ Don't you think~?"

"Woah, woah, woah, slow down, groomer-san! This is wrong! Very wrong! How old are you even!?" Katsumi stepped in front of me protectively.

"Does that even matter?"

"YESSS!!! IT DOES!!!" Katsumi barked.

Reina sighed. "I'm 28."

"Perfect age..." I let the thought slip out by accident.

Another sharp slap to my head. "OWWW!?"

"Yami, keep quiet..."

"Tell me, what's the age of consent here in Kazumaki~?"

Katsumi flinched and stammered, "16... why do you ask?"

"Yami-kun~ How old are you~?"

"Umm... 16..."

"If the boy wants it, let him have it~."

"Grrr... Yami, why the hell do you like older women!?" Katsumi shot me a deadly glare.

I flinched. She really put me on the spot!

"Well... since my mother abandoned me at birth... I guess I craved a mother's love..."

"Aimi-chan did what?" Reina's expression hardened.

"Wait... your mother... abandoned you?" Katsumi's face turned gloomy.

"Yeah... that's why my father died. That's why I... attempted sui—" I stopped myself, shook my head, and sighed. "I had a rough childhood... or rather, no childhood at all. My mother could've helped us, could've saved my father from those Blighted... but whatever. It's in the past. I can tell she's trying her best for me now."

Reina didn't hesitate. She pulled me into a warm embrace, resting her chin on my head. My face pressed against her sweaty mounds.

"I'm sorry to hear that. You must've been through a lot... but you're not alone anymore. You have me. And that party pooper..."

Her words made my chest tight.

"It's okay now. You're safe. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore. Just close your eyes and let everything out."

That's... exactly what I wanted to hear... for so long. Shit... I couldn't hold back the tears. I started sobbing...

"It's been... really hard. I survived alone for years... worked multiple part-time jobs... lived in a small apartment with high rent... ate only ramen... showered in public bathrooms... couldn't continue school... had no social skills... was scared of people... still am..."

Katsumi felt it too. We were so similar. Almost like kin.

Reina held me tightly. "Oh baby, I'm so sorry... You can tell me anything. Talk to me. Visit me whenever you feel lonely."

"Thanks... Reina-san..."

"Call me Reina, okay?"

After a few minutes of being watched by the gym rats, I finally calmed down.

"Feeling better, baby?"

"Yeah, thanks... much better. Crying really helps let go of things." I tried to act tough, but I'd always been a crybaby. Every night after Dad's passing, I cried gallons. Even now, Amai had to comfort me sometimes.

Katsumi walked up and tapped my shoulder. "Yami, I'm glad you're feeling better. But in a way, I'm happy about what you said."

"Pardon me?"

"We're so much alike. We've both lost precious things. We both have insecurities. I know you're a hikikomori and a NEET. I'm sure you like manga and anime like me. But I'm not a NEET or hikikomori."

"I-I see... so we're the same, just without the NEET and hikikomori part..."

Reina's lips arched down a bit.

"No wonder he became a hikikomori and NEET. Poor baby's all power and no personality. That's sad."

A massive blow hit my heart, like an invisible arrow pierced my chest. "Gak!?"

"Maybe he hasn't had a girlfriend before either."

Another arrow. "Ghht!?"

"No first kiss."

Arrow.

"Never been on a date."

Headshot.

"You probably don't know what to do when a girl flirts with you."

Heart shot.

"Not to mention—"

"Stop! You're killing him!" Katsumi came to my rescue.

I fell to my knees, hands on the floor, comically gloomy.

Holy crap... she's ruthless... but sadly speaking the truth... My mind went monotone, one low octave.

"But don't sweat it, baby. That's why I'm here!" Reina grinned.

"Absolutely not! I won't let that happen!" Katsumi barked, standing her ground.

"And besides... what's so wrong about not having first experiences... huh?" Katsumi blushed too. In a way, it made her happy to know Yami was as clueless as her.

"Oh, you green sprouts~ This is adorable," Reina cackled. "There's nothing wrong with it. In fact, I advise you to stay that way until you know who to be with. You'll regret it if you pick the wrong person. I know I did. You'll wish you could take back those experiences for that special someone."

"Wow... I... thanks for that advice." Katsumi didn't expect wisdom from her.

"Yami, baby. I may have experience, but I assure you, I'm still pure."

I looked up from my gloomy state to gaze at her.

Katsumi blushed hard. Did she just admit she's a virgin!?

"I've dated, but no one made me happy."

"More like, everyone ran for their lives." Another girl appeared from behind us.

She looked a lot like Reina, but softer. Her hair was pretty pink, light and fluffy, with strands bouncing as she moved. Long enough to reach past her shoulders, framing her face cutely.

She had the same toned body as her sister, but her vibe was different. Instead of dark and sharp, she felt warm and bright. Lean, strong arms, toned legs, full of active, happy energy.

Simple white fitted workout top, light pink jacket tied around her waist, black gym shorts over leggings, clean running shoes. Sporty but soft and girly.

Sweet open face, big, lively eyes, cheerful smile that made her easy to trust. The kind of girl who laughs first, teases second, helps you up before you ask.

"Orime-chan? You little rascal, that hurt, you know?" Reina ruffled her sister's pink hair affectionately.

"Hehe~ It's the truth, sis! You scare everyone off!"

Katsumi and I believed it. We both nodded sagely.

"Reina-nee! I ask you again! Let me join the contest!! I'll be the best wrestler, even better than you!!"

"I said no. You'll get hurt, Orime-chan."

"But I'm almost as strong as you!"

"Strength means nothing. Skill is what you need."

"Hmm..." Orime pouted. Cutest thing I'd ever seen. I took an imaginary screenshot.

Orime turned to me and stared for a few long seconds.

I flinched and looked away awkwardly.

"Orime-chan, why are you staring at my future boyfriend?"

Orime's head snapped to Reina in disbelief. "Ehh? Aren't you way older than him? He looks around my age!" She turned back to me. "And his... aura, EHHHH!? He has magic!? Impossible!!!"

Oh yeah. I forgot I'm the only male in this world with magic.

Orime scooted really close and grabbed my hands, puppy eyes shining. "Please show me! I'M SO CURIOUS!!"

Well, at least she's actually excited.

By the looks of it, Reina seemed curious too.

"How about a match? Orime, you fight Yami~."