As the night deepened, casting long shadows across the hospital room, Emi sat on the bed, surrounded by a variety of food. Plates of steaming dishes cluttered the small table beside her, and her appetite seemed insatiable. She shoveled food into her mouth at a breakneck pace, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.
“Honey, slow down! You’re going to choke,” Kioko said, a note of exasperation in her voice as she watched her daughter devour everything in sight.
“I can’t, Mom,” Emi managed between mouthfuls. “After using my Palaces, I’m starving. I could eat the entire world right now if I wanted to!” Her voice was a little muffled, but the excitement and hunger were evident.
Kioko watched her for a moment longer before asking softly, “How are your wounds, by the way? Are they healing?”
Emi paused for a split second, glancing up at her mother. “Oh, I didn’t ask—how are your wounds doing?” she asked, her tone suddenly concerned.
Kioko sighed, leaning back in her chair. “I’m better now. Rex healed me after you told that brat to hit me in the head.”
Emi stopped mid-bite and averted her gaze, a sheepish look crossing her face. She could feel her mother’s eyes on her, waiting for an answer, and for a moment, the room felt too quiet.
Kioko smirked slightly, noticing her daughter’s silence. “What happened? Did a cat catch your tongue?” Without waiting for a reply, she reached over and playfully grabbed hold of Emi’s cheeks, pulling them apart gently but firmly.
“Oww, oww, Mom! That hurts!” Emi protested, her words garbled as Kioko tugged at her cheeks. “You shouldn’t be doing that to someone who helped save the world!”
Kioko chuckled and released her, sitting back with a satisfied grin. “Yeah, yeah. Keep eating, world-saver.”
Emi rubbed her cheeks, pouting slightly, though the moment quickly passed. Her eyes softened as she looked at her mother. “You know, if Dad were here, he’d say congratulations.”
The air in the room shifted with the mention of her father, and Kioko’s smile faded slightly. The unspoken heaviness of his absence lingered between them. “But he isn’t here anymore, is he?” Kioko said softly, her voice carrying a note of melancholy. “He died from sickness, just like my dad did.”
Emi looked down at her plate, guilt gnawing at her. “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to bring up those memories. I know your childhood wasn’t… easy.”
Kioko smiled faintly, her expression thoughtful. “It’s okay. I’m not really angry with her—my mother, I mean. She’s probably living out her old age somewhere far away.”
Emi looked up, her brow furrowed. “But don’t you want to know where she is? I mean, she’s still your mom, right?”
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Kioko shook her head, her smile unwavering but tinged with something deeper. “Not really. I don’t mind where she is right now.”
Her words were calm, but in the back of her mind, a storm was brewing. It was a lie—one she had told herself over and over again. Beneath her cool exterior, Kioko felt anger bubbling up, memories she tried to bury clawing their way to the surface. She could never truly forget how her mother had abandoned her, selling her off for money like she was an object. And then there was Griffin—Griffin, who had stopped the sale and told her everything, his face etched in her mind with that stupid, smug expression. The very thought of it made her blood boil.
Her hands clenched into fists in her lap, but outwardly, she remained composed. “That’s a lie,” she thought, feeling the anger coursing through her veins. “I’m absolutely pissed at her! She sold me off to family for money, and Griffin of all people had to be the one to stop it.” Her teeth ground together, and she fought to keep her emotions in check.
“Mom? Are you okay?” Emi asked, her voice tinged with worry. She had noticed the shift in her mother’s demeanor.
Kioko forced herself to relax, unclenching her fists and offering Emi a reassuring smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said, standing up abruptly. “I’m just going to get some fresh air.”
Without waiting for a reply, Kioko walked out of the room, her mind swirling with the memories she had tried so hard to suppress. She needed to clear her head before the anger consumed her.
As Kioko disappeared down the hallway, Emi sighed and pushed her plate away, her appetite suddenly diminished. She turned her attention to the door, where she noticed someone entering. The figure that stepped into the room was tall and commanding, her presence filling the space immediately.
“Who are you?” Emi asked, her curiosity piqued.
The woman looked at her with sharp eyes and introduced herself, “I’m Rona, leader or director of the Yeager Force.”
Emi blinked in surprise. “Cool. So, how much do you get paid, and how many hot guys are there in the Yeager Force?” she asked with a mischievous grin.
Rona blinked, her expression one of utter confusion. “What?”
“What?” Emi replied quickly, trying to play it off as if she hadn’t just said something completely random.
Rona shook her head, deciding to ignore the strange comment. “Never mind what you said. I came here to talk to you.”
Emi straightened up, sensing the seriousness in Rona’s tone. “What is it?” she asked.
“You were a civilian in Japan, and then you helped save the world. Why?” Rona asked, her gaze intense as she awaited Emi’s answer.
Emi shrugged, as if the answer was obvious. “Well, because I was bored, and I wanted to do some fighting.”
Rona’s eyes widened in disbelief. “So you’re telling me you risked your life to save people because you were bored!?”
“Yup,” Emi said, her expression nonchalant.
Rona stared at her for a moment, then sighed, shaking her head. “You’re the biggest idiot I’ve ever met. Well, except for Griffin and Adam.”
Emi grinned, unbothered by the insult. Rona coughed, regaining her composure. “But that’s not the point. You’ve proven yourself to be a true fighter. Leon told me about your abilities and your potential with flux energy. So, I’m offering you this.” She held out a badge, its surface gleaming under the fluorescent lights.
Emi’s eyes widened as she took the badge, examining it closely. “What’s this for?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“It’s a rank badge for the Elite Force, or the Special Forces—take your pick of names. It’s the highest rank in the Yeager Force.”
“Whoa, that’s so cool!” Emi exclaimed, her excitement palpable. She turned the badge over in her hands, admiring the intricate design. “I’ll definitely accept it! But wait a minute—who took the third spot?” she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Rona replied with a cryptic smile.
Emi’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I bet it was that jerk Nur, wasn’t it? Probably because he can run at light speed. Thanks a lot, author, for making me fourth best,” she muttered under her breath, her tone sarcastic.
Rona frowned, her confusion evident. “What are you even talking about?”
“Honestly, I have no idea what I’m saying. It’s really weird,” Emi replied with a sheepish grin.
Rona sighed, rubbing her temples. “I’m just going to leave you to rest,” she said, her patience clearly wearing thin.
“Yeah, see ya,” Emi said, waving her off casually.
As Rona left the room, Emi turned to look out the window, her reflection staring back at her. She held the badge tightly in her hand, the weight of it grounding her. For the first time in a long time, she felt special. This was the excitement she had been craving—the thrill of adventure, the feeling of being part of something bigger than herself.
The night outside was calm, the city lights twinkling in the distance. Emi’s mind buzzed with thoughts of what lay ahead, but for now, she allowed herself to savor this moment of triumph. She had earned this rank, this recognition, and it felt good. She smiled to herself, her heart light as she drifted into a peaceful sleep, the badge still clutched in her hand.