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Today was Mother’s Day. Your first ever Mother’s Day’s. To a child that wasn’t biologically yours, nor were you sure if he even considered you something akin to a mother. You felt more like a live-in babysitter, not even a nanny. So, you didn’t really have your hopes up, but—
“How did you burn the water?” You could hear the scowl on Megumi’s face.
“I didn’t burn it!” As well as the look of dismay that Satoru always had when Megumi said something harsh.
“It smells burnt.”
“Water can’t be burnt, Megumi.”
“And somehow you did it.”
You peeked around the corner, eyes widened at the scene before you. Simply put…it was a mess. There was food everywhere ( yes, everywhere ), there was black smoke coming from a pot on the stove, and both of them were covered head to toe in flour.
As much as you should have been frustrated with them (or at least exasperated, knowing that all of this needed to be cleaned sooner rather than later). But you couldn’t, you just couldn’t.
“Can you not see the black smoke coming from that pot, Satoru? Of course, it’s brunt.”
Satoru jumped, head whipping around. “H-honey?” His eyes flicked between you, and the mess. “Now, before you get mad—”
Megumi hopped off the footstool he was standing on, rushing to your side. “See! Even mom agrees! Only Satoru is dumb enough to burn water!”
You froze. Satoru gasped. Megumi looked between the two of you.
He pulled back. “...oh, do you…do you not want me to call you mom?”
You dropped to your knees, meeting him at eye level. “I was just surprised, is all. I’m…I’m actually really happy that you called me ‘mom’, Megumi.”
“Really? So, I can keep calling you mom?” Your heart hurt at the tears that were gathering in his eyes.
You smiled, opening your arms to him. “Of course, baby.”
Once his little arms wrapped around you as best as they could, all of your fears and doubts from the morning washed away. You were an important figure in Megumi’s life. Someone he felt close enough to call “Mom”.
Someone who he loved.
“So…” Satoru started, but Megumi immediately shut him down.
“No.”
He chuckled. “Had to try it.”
You and Megumi were still not talking. You had a fight, or rather, Megumi was upset with you for interfering in his life. However, you couldn’t just not . You were called to pick him up last week for fighting (although it was more akin to straight up beating people up). You tried to talk to him in the car about it, but he just kept shutting you down.
You didn’t understand, but he refused to help you understand.
You didn’t need to worry about it, but how could you not when he was bruised and bloody.
It was none of your business.
But you thought he was your son…unless that changed with time as well.
“Leave me alone!”
The force behind the door slam caused the car to rock harshly, but that didn’t shake you because—
“He called me by my name…” How long had it been since he’d used your actual name? When did it change? Just now or long before?
Your hands tighten around the steering wheel. You slumped forward, breath catching in your throat.
You were trying your best. You really were.
…but maybe you weren’t
Maybe he would have been better off with actual parents , not two young adults who don’t know what a good parent even was.
Maybe you’re the reason why he’s like this.
Yes…
You were the problem.
You decided to stay out of sight for Mother’s Day. Much to Satoru’s chagrin, but he knew not to push you or Megumi, so he let the two of you be.
For now.
Mother’s Day became a simpler affair over the years. A card, flowers or chocolate, and maybe a night out with the family. Slowly, but surely, Mother’s Day was just becoming the second Sunday in May for you again.
“Sorry for not getting you anything today, mom.” Megumi apologized as he approached you as you were lounging on the couch.
You waved him off. “It’s fine. You coming home to me every day is enough.”
He smiled, moving to leave, but you grabbed his wrist. “That doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay the tax. ”
He groaned, but leaned down regardless. “Why do we still do this…”
“Because I said so.” You gave him a peck on the check. “Now go to your room, and get a good night’s rest, young man.”
He chuckled. “Yes, mom. I love you.”
“I love you too, Megumi.”
What was Mother’s Day without a child?
Today was the second Sunday in May.
Just a day before you lost him.