Chapter 246. [Expanding The Family!]

“Did, did you see that livestream, Mom!?”

“No, I was busy with work, and it’s called ‘ESMR,’ right? I don’t really understand those things, so I didn’t watch it, but a clip came up.”

“I see!? Is that so!? I’m grateful!?”

There’s nothing to do but cry and thank Cutout-san!

Goodness, what an unnecessary fuss!

“By the way, have you always been uninterested in men and liked girls?”

“Cough cough!? W-where did that come from!?”

“Well, it was on the livestream.”

“That’s not it!? That, yes! It’s just a performance! It’s for the viewers!”

“Oh, acting, huh?”

Being stared at so intensely, I averted my gaze.

Why do mothers occasionally have eyes that seem to see through everything?

No, there’s nothing to see through!

Wait, who am I even trying to justify myself to?

“Anyway, Mom… umm.”

Trying to change the subject to divert attention.

What came to mind was…

“Are you busy with work again lately?”

“Mm, well, kinda~”

Mom brought work documents home from the office and was working at home.

I proposed to her with a “Hmm.”

“If work is tough, you can quit anytime. I’ll support you.”

The situation has changed since we had a similar conversation before.

With the promise to Ogu Mama and my determination to continue as a VTuber for a while longer.

Not for free, though; she’ll help with some behind-the-scenes work.

But Mom returned my proposal with a bewildered look.

“Sure, maybe compared to you, it’s not a huge sum, but what I’m doing is also important work, you know? Besides, you’ve come this far partly because of this company’s paycheck.”

“Um, I didn’t mean to belittle that.”

“I know. But it’s okay. Being busy isn’t for negative reasons; it’s because the company’s performance is improving.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Besides, quitting during such a busy time would inconvenience everyone.”

“Ugh!?”

Realizing I’ve been selfish, I’m at a loss for words.

Mom continued, “However.”

“If it were a job you hated, I’d say quit. Besides, I have no intention of taking on extra work.”

She said and laughed casually.

Her smile was confident, charming, and oddly feminine.

“Surprisingly, one can find ‘fulfillment’ or ‘purpose’ at any age.”

Surely. Mom also has dreams from her student days that couldn’t be fulfilled.

What they are? I don’t intend to ask such a delicate question. It’s a closed chapter.

But perhaps her prime is now.

Or maybe it’s in the future, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or from today.

“Hey, Mom, do you have any plans to remarry?”

“My boss mentioned that too. Even though I have no such intention, colleagues invite me out for meals, or proposals from the company director’s son. Oh, thinking about it makes me angry.”

As expected, she seems to captivate men quite a bit.

However, those men seem to have no luck. Unfortunately, Mom has already…

“Mom, you already have a ‘new family’, you know~!”

Yes. Surprisingly, our family grew while I was in America.

That might be Mom’s newfound ‘purpose in life.’

“Actually, now that I think about it, the main reason I work is probably to earn ‘this one’s’ food money, right~?”

Mom said in a playful tone.

From somewhere, a “Meow~?” response is heard.

Approaching with a jingle of a collar bell was a small kitten.

There was something familiar about its fur.

[[What’s up? Food? Is it dinner time? Are you giving me food?]]

“Aww~! You’re being so affectionate! How cute~! Let me pet you~!”

“I think it’s the child of Mana-nee’s cat that we looked after before, right?”

“That’s right~! We ended up adopting it. The manager and I are cat buddies now!”

I can tell how Mom feels about the kitten.

—Words are a mirror to the heart.

Anyway, I thought she’d be lonely in America.

Turns out, not at all.

Honestly, I was quite worried, so this is a relief.

[[Hey, kitten. Remember, I’m your boss here, okay? Remember that well!]]

“You’re really good at mimicking cat sounds.”

I poke the kitten’s forehead while Mom holds it.

“Don’t grow up to be as mischievous as your father.”, I say.

The next time I come back will probably be in six months.

By then, this kitten will have grown a lot.

“Hey, Iroha.”

“What?”

“Mom has enough savings to support you. So, if anything happens, feel free to come back.”

“…! Thank you.”

Maybe Mom isn’t quitting her job just for herself.

It might be to keep a place where I can always return… a last resort.

If that time comes, I won’t hesitate to ask for help.

And so, the last week of summer vacation passed by…

***

The last day of summer vacation.

At the airport, I was about to be seen off by Irena and others.