Since that day, Hajime started seeing less and less of Sophia. She sometimes stayed longer in her study room than Aurora did in her lab.
Hajime felt helpless and completely clueless. He didn't understand why she had become distant to him. He wanted to ask her questions but every time he brought it up she avoided the subject.
"Sakura, have you seen mom?"
"No, not since this morning," answered Sakura, shaking her head dramatically.
"She was supposed to give me my assignment but she's not in her study," he complained.
"I know, but I haven't seen her."
"You haven't seen her at all?"
"Nope."
"Hmm, I suppose I'll check the lab." Hajime hummed.
"Wanna come?"
"No." Sakura flatly refused.
"Okay."
Hajime wasn't going to force her to accompany him. He knew that she hated the basement because of Aurora's tests.
As he headed down the basement stairs, the eerie quiet started to become noticeable. It was too quiet.
The basement was dimly lit. Only a couple of candles were burning and the torches along the walls were unlit.
'Weird, mom always lights all of the candles.'
Hajime stepped inside as he felt a pit in his stomach.
"Hello? Is anybody here?" called out Hajime.
Nobody answered.
"Mommy are you there?"
"Anyone?"
"Mom, can you come out?"
The door swung shut behind him.
Hajime's heartbeat started to speed up while his palms started to sweat and his hands began trembling.
He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm himself.
"Mommy are you here?" Hajime shouted.
No reply.
"Come on mom. Stop playing games."
Hajime continued down the hallway. He noticed that there were no signs of activity. He checked every room except the laboratory. He did not want to go in there, he dreaded the thought of it.
"Mom, please show yourself," Hajime begged.
He stood still, waiting, hoping she would come out. But nothing happened.
After a few minutes Hajime decided to enter the laboratory. The lights were turned off and it was pitch black.
The candle he was holding lighted the silhouette of a woman's figure standing in the center of the room.
"Mom?" asked Hajime hesitantly.
"Mom, are you there?"
Silence.
"Mom, this isn't funny anymore."
No response.
The figure slowly turned around and faced Hajime. Sophia's eyes were glowing, her expression was blank.
"A-are you okay, mom?" stammered Hajime.
"..."
Sophia remained silent.
He was feeling even more creeped out now.
Hajime slowly reached out and touched Sophia's hand.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Sophia's voice echoed throughout the entire basement. Hajime was caught off guard as he took a step back.
"What?" asked Hajime as he tried to make sense of what was happening
"Get away from me!" snarled Sophia.
"What's wrong?"
"Go away, now!" she roared.
"Wha-what's wrong with you?"
Sophia clenched her fists causing her nails to dig into her palms.
"You're useless," she spat.
"Huh?"
"You're nothing but a pathetic waste of space. Do you understand? I hate you. I never wanted you."
Hajime couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth. Was she insane? Why was she saying such horrible things?
"You're just a reminder that I wasn't able to accomplish anything."
"Accomplish anything? What are you talking about?"
"Don't you understand? You're just a waste of flesh and bones. I should have killed myself the day they ordered me to have a baby. But no, I was weak, and I succumbed to peer pressure. I gave birth to you, and you were a disappointment."
"..."
"You're even worse than an Aetherless, at least they can be used as slaves."
"What are you saying, mom? Please stop."
"Useless, worthless, a burden. That's all you ever were, and all you ever will be. I'd rather die than deal with you anymore."
"..."
Sophia raised her hands and a dagger started to form in her hands.
"..."
She slowly moved towards Hajime.
"Look at me."
"..."
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you."
Hajime was paralyzed with fear. He has never experienced something like this before. He didn't know what to do or how to react. Hajime stood still.
Sophia grabbed Hajime's jaw and forced him to look directly into her eyes.
She glared at him, her eyes full of malice.
"Your existence is what made me kill myself."
Sophia took her dagger and aimed it at her throat. She plunged the dagger into her neck with enough force to pierce her windpipe.
"Huh?" Sophia questioned as the dagger never reached her.
Blood poured from Hajime's hand as the blade made a hole in his flesh. Sophia looked into Hajime's eyes as she saw her reflection along with the dagger that should've killed her.
"AAAH!" Hajime screamed.
"NO!" Sophia shouted, backing away in horror.
Sophia stumbled back and landed on her butt.
Hajime pulled the dagger out of his hand and threw it on the floor. He held his injured hand and winced.
"Holy fuck this hurts."
"H-h-honey? What did I?" mumbled Sophia, unable to complete her sentence.
"It's okay, mom. It wasn't your fault," soothed Hajime.
Sophia sobbed.
"I'm so sorry, Hajime," she wept.
"It's okay, you didn't mean it." Hajime comforted, kneeling to her level.
"No, it's not," she wailed, covering her face.
Hajime hugged her.
"Everything is going to be alright, mom." said Hajime as he gently caressed her back with his holeless hand.
After a few minutes Sophia stopped crying. She sniffed and wiped away her tears.
"Mom? Mind telling me what happened?" asked Hajime as he looked at his dominant right hand.
"It was the pills. That's what triggered it," she said, closing her eyes.
"Pill?"
"I was trying to increase my mana production through a specially designed supplement. When I opened my eyes and saw you, I thought it was a hallucination. My mind immediately went to a dark place and it was like I was possessed."
"So you didn't mean any of those words you said."
"Of course not! I didn't mean to say such awful things."
Hajime didn't fully believe her since he knew she subconsciously must have meant something from those insults.
"Okay, let's get you cleaned up," said Sophia, her voice was hoarse and shaky.
She hurried to one of the cabinets and grabbed the first aid kit. She sat next to Hajime, opening the box. The only thing that could help Hajime now was a bandage and some basic anti-biotics that Aurora was working on.
"It's gonna sting." Sophia warned.
"I know. Thanks."
Sophia pulled a bottle of alcohol from the kit. She tore open the plastic and poured it over Hajime's wound. She placed a piece of cotton over the open area and pressed down firmly.
"Fuck!" Hajime cursed as he gripped his hand tightly.
"Keep pressure," she commanded.
He held his breath. The pain subsided after a few seconds.
"Mom, you're not allowed to study any more magic. And you're going to give me all of the pills. Understood?"
"Huh?" Sophia mumbled
"You heard me. This won't happen again. I don't want you experimenting with any more medicines."
"B-but what am I supposed to do? I need to improve my mana. I can still get stronger."
"We'll find another way," he said sternly, refusing to relent on the issue.
"How? It's not like there's a manual or guidebook on how to increase your mana. It's not like a class that you can just take. And even if there was, do you really expect me to just sit here and do nothing?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
"That's not fair! I need to get stronger! I have to!"
"Are you so desperate to get stronger that you'd sacrifice me?"
"..."
"What happens if you take a few more pills, and you go into a coma, or worse, lose control of your mana. What will happen to me? What about Sakura?"
"..."
"Give me six years mom. In that time, I'll figure out how to help you get stronger."
"How?"
"If I tell you, you'd just run off and go search for it, no?"
Hajime gently grabbed her chin and made her red eyes look into his.
"Trust me or I'll spank you. Do you hear me?"
'Oh man, these hormones are killing me. Can I get drunk by pouring alcohol on my hand?'
Sophia's cheeks flushed and her mouth hung open.
"O-okay."
Hajime let go of her face and smiled.
"That's a good girl."
"Uhhhh-" smoke practically came out of her ears when Hajime referred to her as a girl.
'What the hell is wrong with you Sophia? You're too old to be blushing. Get yourself together.'
"You have a little blood on your lips," Hajime pointed.
"Huh?" she let out a dumbfounded response.
"Right here."
Hajime leaned forward and kissed Sophia's lips.
"Ahhh!" Sophia shrieked as she grabbed her face.
"I think I deserved at least that right?"
"Umm, yeah, I suppose," she stuttered before wiping her mouth.
"Good, I'm glad that's settled."
"No wait, what the heck is wrong with you!? You're not an adult yet!"
"Not an adult? But I'm twelve. I'm a teenager now. It's not like I did anything weird."
"But kissing leads to sex, and sex leads to no mana. That's a no no Hajime"
"No, it doesn't. Sex is just sex," he countered.
"Ahem, who told you that? Tell me."
"Aurora taught me about sex when I was ten and told me it could lead to a child. Don't worry. I won't let that happen."
"Aurora. What."
"Nothing."