"... Eh? Rika passed out? "
After calming down my mother, I tried to explain what happened with rika. Then we go to my room, my mother sitting beside rika while checking her condition. Working as a nurse, mom thoroughly and Professionally, checking rika's pulse, complexion, etc
"Yes, I don't know why, she suddenly hugged me while crying, and then she passed out... "
"... It's all right, she just collapse from fatigue. She will be fine after some rest."
"really? Thank goodness. "
"...... "
Suddenly mom just stare at me, as if looking at something strange, then she softly smile at me
"Kou-chan... Thank you... "
"eh? "
Mom suddenly thank me
"After all I did... It's not strange for you to not see me as a parent anymore...moreover because of my negligence, that thing happened between you and rika. I am really sorry... "
"mom? "
"for you to call me mom again....and for you to care about rika...I am really grateful.... "
"... "
"I know, I don't deserve your forgiveness, but, I hope... I wish... you and rika can interact as siblings again. I know asking something from you now is extremely selfish of me after all that, but please, kou-chan, even if you cannot forgive me anymore, all I ask is from you, please be together again with rika... Please, grant this selfish parent's wish... Please...."
"... "
What happened...? For the last 4 months,... For mom and rika to become like this... What happened to me..? What did I do? What have I done? I feel... Afraid.
I was afraid to know the truth. It's scary, I'm afraid that, if I know the truth I will end up hating mom and rika. I have a feeling, the moment I know the truth, this family... Will collapse. No... I don't want that...
Feeling confused, overwhelmed, and extremely afraid, I can only say...
"ah, yes... Of course, mom.. "
"kou-chan..... Thank you... "
Then mom hugged me tightly while crying and smiling.
I am afraid... If I know the truth and ended up hating mom and destroying this smile, i...
Being alone in my mind, the only thing I can hear now is the sound of my own heartbeat...