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He wasn't her son, nor was she his mother. They didn’t share the same blood or carry the same last name, but there was something about him, something that made him unique and special, something that made him her son, despite all the previous differences.
She clearly remembered all the nights she stayed awake to protect Obanai from the “monsters” in the night. She remembered how the child clung to her frail, sick body, with tears in his eyes and his cheeks wet. The little one wouldn’t stop trembling until he finally managed to fall asleep again. It was understandable. Her son was afraid of her, and how could he not be, if his damned family had taken care to traumatize him.
It hurt her every time Obanai clung to her, and she cried upon seeing the boy’s suffering under her touch. This child was her son, and now it was her responsibility to provide him with protection and love. She wouldn’t fail... or at least, that’s what she wanted to believe.
___
The sun was starting to set, creating a beautiful sunset. The strong autumn wind caressed Ruka's soft skin, her hair billowing with the rhythm of the air.
Her husband was working, and her children had gone to visit their grandmother (except for Obanai). It was a quiet afternoon, and she had prepared a warm chicken and rice soup to share with her son. She hated Wednesdays, as Obanai always came home too late for her liking. She was scared that something might happen to him on the way home or, worse, that his family would try to take him away.
The peaceful afternoon soon filled with nerves, as 45 minutes had already passed since Obanai left his last class, and he still hadn’t come home. She bit her nails anxiously, imagining a thousand terrible scenarios that could be happening to him.
She called his cell phone five times, but none were answered. An hour had passed since his usual time to come home, and she didn’t think twice. She grabbed her phone, the car keys, and when she was about to head out to look for her wallet... the door opened.
Her son’s body appeared, beaten, with his uniform dirty and disheveled. His beautiful straight hair no longer looked so smooth, and blood dripped from his nose.
—Obanai?! What happened to you?
She had no time to ask more questions, as Obanai ran straight to the bathroom. She couldn’t help but notice that the boy's tears mixed with the dried blood on his face.
She ran after him and struggled a bit to open the door, which he was keeping shut from the other side. When she finally managed to enter, she saw the problem.
—Why am I like this?! —Obanai shouted with tears in his eyes.
Her son’s cheeks were exposed, without the bandages he usually wore. Two scars, one on each side of his face, pulled at his mouth when he spoke. Ruka remembered all the self-esteem issues Obanai had since he was little.
—Like what, son? My eyes only see a beautiful boy —Ruka said, trying to calm down while her hands gently caressed the terrified boy’s shoulders, turning him softly toward the mirror.
—I’m horrible, can’t you see?! Everyone hates me, Mom, I’m a monster —Obanai said on the verge of a panic attack.
—Obanai...
Ruka said, catching her son’s attention as they both appeared in the mirror.
—When I look at you, I don’t see a monster. Do you want to know what I see? I see a strong and brave boy. A kind boy, a boy who cares about others. A boy who has gone through so much suffering at such a young age and still... hasn’t stopped smiling.
Ruka commented, listing all the strengths she saw in her beloved son.
—That’s not true! I’m a dumb, ugly, cowardly boy. I don’t deserve food or to be loved. All I deserve is suffering and pain!
The way Obanai shouted all those cruel words broke her heart. She knew her son was going through a hard time, and that’s precisely why she had done everything possible to make him feel comfortable. Unfortunately, she had failed, and she felt terrible for letting her son down.
—Obanai, who made you think all of that? Was it your brothers, your father, or someone from school? Your teachers, classmates... was it me?
She dismissed the possibility that the damage had been caused by his father or brothers. They sometimes had fights over which game to play or Obanai’s issues with eating, but never anything that would leave her little son with those thoughts.
—Hmm…
Obanai hesitated to reveal the truth to his mother, fearing he would get the kids in trouble if he did.
—My son, don’t hesitate to tell me. Whoever it is, they won’t do it again because we won’t allow it. But you have to tell me, my love.
—It was... my classmates…
Obanai revealed, not resisting his mother’s pleas.
—It’s okay, love, everything is fine. Don’t worry.
Ruka said, seeing how Obanai’s tears appeared again.
—Did they do this to you too?
Ruka asked, referring to his disheveled clothes and dripping nose, with small drops of blood.
—Yes…
Obanai replied, feeling like he had betrayed his “friends” by doing exactly what they told him not to do.
—It’s okay, love, everything will be fine, I promise. How about you take a shower while I warm up the delicious food I made for you?
Ruka spoke sweetly to reassure Obanai.
She would definitely talk to her husband to find a solution. Who did those kids think they were? Ruka didn’t like wishing harm on anyone, but she hoped those children would have to go through the same thing her son did, just to see if they would enjoy mocking her little one’s feelings.
___
It was an exhausting afternoon. Ruka was tired and just wanted to rest a little. No matter what, Obanai would never be the reason for her fatigue; the only culprit was the illness that was consuming her faster and faster.
Since they were both alone at home, they decided to lie down together.
Obanai was sweating a little due to the blankets and his thick pajamas. Ruka, not caring, ran her hand through her son’s black hair. He was already falling asleep when his mother’s words woke him up.
—No matter what happens, Obanai, I will always, always be here for you.
Ruka kissed Obanai’s cheek, and the light finally went out so they could both rest.
She would always be there to protect her little one; she promised that and wouldn’t fail as a mother. Obanai would never lack for anything, as she would give him everything.
And she was right: Obanai never lacked for anything. He always had it all... until his beloved mother was gone.
Now the entire Rengoku family was present at the funeral of who was their mother and wife, the one who fought against cancer and smiled until her last moment of life. Her memory would forever burn brightly in the depths of their hearts. Especially in Obanai’s, the boy who learned that there is no greater love than that of a mother for her child.