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Natori Naoto and Matoba Seiya was 6 years old when they witnessed the final name from the book of friends returned.
Father and Papa were predictably sitting behind their beautiful Mother. Sitting in front of Mother was a youkai that resembled an odd mix of chicken and fish. The green book that they recognize as Book of Friends floated on top of Mother’s lap and the last weathered paper stood up straight.
Mother seemed hesitant for a moment, his dainty fingers shook and his lips quivered in uncertainty. It almost seemed like he did not want to do this, like he was forced to.
Mother was one second away from shutting down the whole thing and putting it off until god knows how long.
But when Mother’s honeyed orbs landed on the ayakashi in front of him, waiting and staring at him expectantly, Mother’s resolve hardened and tore the paper from its binding.
Nyanko-sensei, who lounged beside Mother, laid a paw on Mother’s lap. A small contact that earned Mother’s sweet smile.
“ … Mizuki, I release your name. Please take it.” Mother clamped the paper between his lips, he released his breath into the paper and clapped his hand.
Ayakashi ink flew from the paper and entered the youkai’s temple.
Naoto and Seiya were mesmerized. There is no wind, yet their Mother’s hair swayed as if warm summer wind carded through it with its fingers. Afternoon sunlight shone upon Mother’s slender figure, adding yet another mystique effect on their already beautiful mother. It was a wonderful sight.
“Well done, Takashi. With this one, you have finishedーah, Takashiー!” Father lunged forward to catch Mother’s limp figure.
Seiya and Naoto panicked! Mother fainted!
Before any of the twins managed to hover, Papa held them in each arm. “Calm down. This always happens every time your mother returns names. He just exerted quite a lot of power and energy; he’ll wake up soon.” Papa said in his pacifying tone.
The twins wanted to believe their Papa badly, but Mother looked extremely pale and flushed at the same time! He laid there in Father’s arms, unmoving except his rising and falling chest.
Seiya and Naoto reluctantly nodded, obediently waiting for their mother to regain consciousness.
“Your mother is exceptionally strong. Once he told me that whenever he returns names, memories of the distant past invade his mind.” Father began, quietly. “Memories of the name owner and his grandmother; your great grandmother.”
Ah, is that what this is? Mother is currently watching those memories? That is interesting … What kind of memories are their mother watching, they wondered. Was it pleasant? Was it nostalgic? Mother's closed eyes almost seemed serene.
True to Papa’s words (Seiya and Naoto never doubted their Papa!), Mother opened his eyes with a silent gasp.
His gaze was a little unfocused at first, as if unused to being back to earth, before he relaxed in Father’s arms.
The youkai, Mizuki, thanked Mother for his kindness and for fulfilling his grandmother’s promiseーthen the body of the youkai began to disperse into hundreds of small light, disappear. It will return back to its journey now that he had met Reiko’s spawn, it said.
“Ah … “ Mother didn’t get to say anything and tears were already flowing down his glass-bead-like eyes. His hands were grasped onto the lights to no avail.
“Mother, why are you crying?” Seiya crawled to their mother and sat on his lap. His small fingers wiped the tears futilely as another line streamed down to replace it.
Mother only smiled down at Seiya. “Mother is a little sad now that the book is empty.” A soft hand stroke the top of Seiya’s dark tresses. “Sensei, I’m sorry. There is no more name for you to inherit from me. Did I break our promise?”
Their family cat’s eyes glow bright green for a moment before returning to normal. Sensei scoffed. “Psh, I knew it would happen one way or another. Our promise is still intact, Natsume.”
The tension in Mother’s shoulders lessened and Mother smiled weakly. “I’m glad. I’m … glad.” For some reason Mother’s tears doubled.
This time Naoto siddled beside Mother. Naoto laid his head on Mother’s side, hugging his small waist. “Then why are you crying? Naotoー we will make it better.” Naoto whimpered.
Papa looks like he just bit a bitter lemon behind them. “Come on, let’s give your mother some space. How about you go get Nanase-san to brew us some tea, hm?”
The twins were reluctant to leave their mother’s side.
Father pat Seiya’s back. “It will help your mother feel better. You both remember your mother’s favorite brew, no? Go on.” Naoto bit his lip. Deciding that fighting their fathers is going to be pointless, Naoto stood up and grabbed Seiya’s arm.
“Come on, if we’re quick we can get back to cuddle Mama some more.” Naoto coaxed his dark haired twin.
“Seiya will be back with tea and cookies, Mother.” Seiya left a small peck on Mother’s cheek before going with his brother. Once they closed the shoji door, they hid.
Urgent rustling noises came from behind the shoji and the twins could hear their parents voice faintly.
“Takashi-kun … “
“Takashi … “
“Tell us what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, My Sweet.”
“It’s … nothing.”
“That’s not nothing, stupid Natsume! You’re overthinking again, aren’t you?”
“Sensei … “
The twins felt bad for eavesdropping, but they’re curious on why their Sires were so adamant to make them leave the room.
After quite a long pause, they can hear Mother’s voice again.
“I'm sad … because there’s nothing left from my grandmother. There are no more stories of Reiko-san to listen to, to see, to remember. The only constant thing in my life is gone .” Mother’s voice became smaller as he sobbed. “I have no way of connecting with my only known relative in this world. How can I not be sad?”
“Takashi-kun,” it was Papa’s voice. “I understand you’re coping with loss, I cannot imagine what pain you’re experiencing right now.”
“You have us now: me, Shuuichi-san, Seiya, Naoto and even the kitty.” Father continued Papa’s words. “We’re here for you.”
“So please cease your tears and smile. We cannot bear to see you crying your pretty eyes out.”
“Stupid, crying over something trivial. You’re so lost in the past that you cannot see the present.” Sensei grumbled though with no heat.
The twins then heard a small wet giggle.
“You’re right.” sniffle, “I’m sorry, I’m feeling much better now. You’re right . I have all of you now. I’m not alone anymore.
I love you so muchー”
Seiya and Naoto stood up and ran towards the kitchen, their parents' voices faded as they fled the scene.
Hm, hm, they were worried for nothing! Papa and Father love Mother dearly so! The only thing they can help right now is to bring the tea and cookies. When they get back, they will give their mother the biggest hug and shower his with kissesーto tell him that they love him so. So Mother need not feel lonely nor sad about his book.