DEG
"Me?"
("Yes, you are," said the soft voice. "Where's my son?")
DEG
WHAT THE HELL!!
THIS IS RENJI'S MOTHER!
"Y-Your son—"
("Why is the phone in your hand?" Renji's mother asked. "Are you his new sex partner?")
"What? No!"
("No? Then who?")
Wait a minute… wait a minute…
Why is the female Japanese dialect so bad? Did he call from far away? I-In Holland, maybe?
"I… I don't know who am I to him."
How could Ginnan say he was only being hired as a gigolo, right?
("Oh… can't tell," said Renji's mother. "Maybe I should wait for Renji to say it himself later.")
"Eh? S-Say what?"
There was a small laugh from there. ("His new boyfriend,") the woman said as light as a breeze. ("He's always hiding things from me before he's sure.")
"What does it mean…"
("My son is…") said Renji's mother again. ("He likes to play games. But once he's attracted to someone, he'll be researched for a while. His nature, origins, etc. Of course, he'll only tell me when he intends to propose—")
"W-WHAT?!"
("Ouch my ears!")
Ginnan immediately took Renji's phone away from his lips. Then squeeze it in front of the chest. Frantic.
("Hello, Son?")
Impossible.
Too scary to imagine.
But why do Renji's family members always say things so easily anyway? Now Ginnan knew where Renji's character came from.
"Yeah… um—sorry…" Ginnan said. "I shouted at you earlier. Mn, I was… just too shocked, Auntie—"
("Oh… hahaha no problem,") said the woman. ("But maybe it's better if we get to know each other from now on. You're one of those people around my son after all.")
"So…"
("What's your name, son? I'm Nana Isamu. My real name is Narchty Naszcrowsky.")
Narchty—what?
Ginnan got dizzy to hear that. "I… I'm Ginnan Takahashi," he said. Then turned to Renji who suddenly growled in his sleep. Like having a nightmare. "Mn, may I ask… Aunt Nana?"
("Oh? Ask what?")
"Your son is seriously ill, did you know?"
("Badly sick?!") shocked Nana. ("Why? Did he have heart disease or something?")
Impossible.
Doesn't Nana know?
"No, Ma'am," said Ginnan. "But bulimia. He has a hard time eating like most people."
("Oh…") Nana sighed.
Uh? Not surprised?
"So Auntie already knows?" asked Ginnan in surprise.
Nana's voice turned softer. Maybe she was smiling right now. ("Yes. He's been like that since he was little,") she said. ("Did he throw up again?")
"Yes, ma'am. Just now," said Ginnan. "A few days ago too. But he's been hospitalized for three days."
("Oh … so it's relapsed again,") said Nana. ("Mn, you know… the last time he was like that was a very long time ago. Probably before he moved out of here.")
Moved out?
From where?
"Oh…"
Nana nodded. ("Mm-hm… at first since my husband was seriously ill. And maybe it's because Renji's too sensitive and stress. So, he was shaken too,") but after that, there was a snort of a smile. ("But that was then. It's fine now. So… I'm kind of surprised to hear he relapse again.")
"So."
("Do you know why?")
Even though he thought about it, Ginnan still shook his head. "Sorry, I don't know, Auntie."
("Oh…") Nana mumbled. ("Maybe I'll just ask Haruki later—")
"Eh… don't!"
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Nana confused. ("Why?")
Ginnan's heart immediately went crazy. Very stupid. Stupid. By banning it, it's obvious that he knows more or less why… right?
"No. Not!" cried Ginnan. Then immediately divert attention. "Aunty, may I ask you something else?"
("Another thing? What?")
"Mn, I… I'm a man," Ginnan said. "Why are you so receptive? I mean, if we were lovers," Honestly, Ginnan was very curious. This woman is a mother, right? How can she sound okay?
("Oh, about that...")
"Yes..."
("Mn, frankly this is a rather difficult question,") said Nana. ("But since I'm sure you're good, I'll still say it.")
Ginnan tightened his grip on the phone subconsciously. "Mn."
("So, why, huh?") Nana laughed. ("Maybe because... I'd rather see him happy than keep losing his way.")