Mom and Dad

“Baldy!”

“Baldy! Baldy! Baldy!”

The voices of my peers surrounded me. They formed a circle and danced around me, like I was some sacrificial animal.

I sat there hugging my knees, not doing anything until…

“Why the heck are you just sitting there, Yuu-chan?! Get up and punt their faces!”

Her voice echoed across the playground. She was almost thirty years old, which seemed unimaginably old for children my age. When the bullies saw her, they ran away without second thought.

I got up and dusted my pants, pretending nothing happened. My mom, Kazakiri Kuuga, placed a hand on my head and sighed.

“If you can’t stand up for yourself, then who will? I can’t be by your side forever.”

“...”

“Say something, Yuu-chan.”

“...”

“Let’s watch Super Sentai together!”

“...”

“I’m going to eat all your snacks if you don’t talk to me.”

“...”

“Yuu-chan? If one day, you grow up to be a strong and happy kid, I’d be the happiest mom in the world.” She pulled me into an embrace, and I tried to hold back my tears. “Your dad is coming home late from work again today. Can you cook us something, Yuu-chan? I’m too lazy to cook.”

She said while holding me tight. I laughed, and tears rolled down, wetting her Kamen-Rider shirt. She was smiling, and her short, neatly-trimmed brown hair tickled my cheeks.

“Will you stay with me forever?” I pulled on her shirt.

“I’ll be with you until your day of flight.”

…Liar. You backed on your promise, mom.

Dad found someone to replace you. He stopped waiting. Everyone stopped waiting. Except for me.

Deep down, I hoped that Kazakiri Kuuga would never go back on her words. She’ll be with me.

Because I haven’t gone anywhere. I haven’t taken my day of flight. I am still the same chick in her nest, waiting for her return.

“Ouch…”

I rolled on my bed, but I felt all wet and sticky. I could smell something rusty. I touched my back and looked at my hand in the dark.

It was stained with something black.

“...Huh…?”

I tried to reach for the light switch, but lost my balance and fell down from the bed. There was a splash.

“Ah…gah….” I could not force any words from my throat. I clambered up and managed to hit the table lamp’s switch. Its pale yellow light illuminated the room.

Blood… There was blood everywhere. It almost looked like somebody was mutilated right here on my bed, and the blood was coming from my own back. There were two lumps there, like nasty tumors.

I grabbed my phone and dialed dad, but I fell to the floor before I could say anything.

“Yuuya? What’s wrong? Why are you calling this late at night? You could’ve just knocked.” I could hear his groggy voice, but had no strength to reply.

“Yuuya? Hey, what’s wrong, bud?”

“...”

“Yuuya! Hang in there! I’m heading over now!”

I could hear his footsteps as he approached and rushed into the room.

“My goodness, why is it starting already?” He carefully moved my body onto the bed. “Hang in there, Yuuya. You’ll be fine. I’ll handle this. Kana-chan, can you take care of the blood?”

“Yes. I will have Akame help.”

“Dad…” My voice was hoarse.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this, bud. Trust me.”