It's a Chastity-Reversed World, But It's Different From What I Imagined? - 47

Chapter 47: Mother’s POV – 2

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【Sei Kurose】

After working out at the gym, I gave interviews. It had already been more than three years since I worked tirelessly without even going home. 

“SEI-san, we’ve heard you’ve been expanding into new business ventures recently. Where does all that vitality come from?”

“Well, I’d say… it’s probably my children. I have a son and a daughter. I want my daughter to inherit everything from me. And for my son, I want him, even as a man, to be strong and acquire the ability to live on his own. Raising the two of them into strong, admirable adults is what I strive for. To do that, I always remind myself that I must continue to grow as well.”

Recently, I had been streaming training videos on Newtube, running a gym, and even appearing on TV as SEI. As a businesswoman, having achieved success, I took the next step forward by prioritizing work over child-rearing once my son Yoru entered middle school.

That was because, ever since elementary school, I had drilled into Yoru not just martial arts and massage techniques, but also housework and taking care of his little sister. But now, I regretted letting him go.

By the time he was about to graduate middle school, Yoru had grown up timid and effeminate. Disappointment—it made me feel reluctant to deal with my son any further. After seeing Yoru like that, I buried myself in work, and my visits home became even less frequent.

Unlike Yoru, my daughter Tsuki was thoughtful and capable of doing everything perfectly, so I had no need to worry about her. My thoughts were consumed with Yoru, but all I could do was agonize over how I should deal with him from now on.

One day, while I was caught up in work and putting off my relationship with Yoru, my phone rang with an unusual ringtone. It was a call from my son Yoru. It might have been the very first time Yoru had called me directly.I hesitated to answer, but figured it must be something urgent, so I picked up the phone.

“Mom, there’s something I want to talk about today. Could you make some time for me?”

Without even a proper greeting, Yoru said there was something he wanted to discuss. I asked my manager about my schedule.

“You’re free after 8 PM.”

I confirmed with the manager and relayed the answer to Yoru.

“It’s rare to get a message from you, Yoru. Fine. My schedule is clear after eight tonight, so I’ll come pick you up.”

It was the first time Yoru had ever invited me out for dinner to talk. I had my manager reserve our usual scenic-view restaurant. If things went smoothly, I could drink some wine and spend the night at a hotel afterward.

I got into my convertible and drove to the meeting place. Looking for Yoru, I didn’t see anyone resembling him at the rotary. Instead, a handsome young man dressed smartly was standing there.

“Mom.”

As I searched for Yoru, the young man called out to me as his mother.

“…Huh? Yoru?”

Four months ago, he had been awkward-looking, always casting his eyes down as if he lacked confidence. But now, Yoru appeared before me with a face brimming with confidence. That figure even carried a presence that reminded me of him.

“Yeah. Thanks for making time for me today.”

“Oh, uh, well… You are my son, after all.”

It felt almost like I was being addressed by someone else entirely, leaving me unsettled. I didn’t know what to do, and my gaze wandered restlessly.

“Shall we go then?”

“Go? Go where?”

“What? To have dinner together, of course.”

“Oh—ah, right, that’s true… Let’s go.”

My mind had gone completely blank, and I forgot all the plans for what we were supposed to do. I drove off with Yoru in the passenger seat, feeling my heart racing more than usual.

“This place should do.”

I brought Yoru to the scenic-view restaurant the manager had reserved. The layout inside was such that other guests weren’t clearly visible, yet Yoru’s very presence dominated the room.

The entire restaurant seemed to buzz with awareness of Yoru’s aura. The concierge, Nagisa-san, showed a flicker of surprise when she saw Yoru, but as expected of a professional, she quickly masked it. She guided us to the top-class VIP seating, where Yoru would not be visible from anywhere in the restaurant.

“SEI-sama, thank you very much for joining us today.”

Nagisa-san went out of her way to say that. It was true I used the restaurant often, but not so much that I’d be considered a regular.

“Sorry for making you handle such a sudden reservation.”

“For an esteemed customer like SEI-sama, it’s no problem at all.”

Yoru looked slightly puzzled, but soon smiled with delight at the night view, and I felt a little proud.

“Yoru… You must be hungry. Bring us mostly meat, and the rest you can decide.”

“Certainly.”

Once Nagisa-san stepped away, I suddenly felt embarrassed, sitting side by side with Yoru on the sofa. Thinking I had to say something, I asked about school.

“How’s school these days? Is it fun?”

It was a trite, boring question.

“Yeah, it’s fun. But actually, there’s something I wanted to ask you about school today.”

Oh, right. We were supposed to be meeting because he had something to discuss. I had been completely flustered. I noticed Nagisa-san bringing over the first course.

“Hold on a moment.”

I signaled to her, and she began setting the plates.

“Here we have Caprese salad and marinated salmon for your appetizers.”

She remembered my favorite dishes and had them prepared. Along with the food, she poured wine and grape juice to match the mood.

“Don’t worry. Yours doesn’t have alcohol.”

I said to him.

Judging by Yoru’s face, she must have guessed his age.

Given his mature aura, it couldn’t have been easy to tell he was underage—Nagisa-san really was a consummate professional.

“So? What is it you want to ask?”

I steadied myself by sipping the wine.

“Could you take a look at this first?”

Yoru handed me his phone. On the screen was a video of high school boys singing and dancing. But the one in the center was—

“This… Is this you, Yoru?”

There he was, the same Yoru who used to be timid and hesitant, now shining confidently before an audience. While I had been cold and dismissive, he had already begun walking his own path.

“Yeah. You see, I’m the captain of a club at school. But it’s an all-boys club, and I don’t want videos like this going viral online and interfering with our activities.”

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sight of Yoru singing and dancing.

“You know about the Male Protection Law and the Men’s Guard that was created because of it, right?”

The mention of the law brought me back to reality and reminded me we were having a serious talk.

“Yes.”

“I’m not worried about myself since you trained me, Mom. But I don’t want the guys in my club to be put in danger! That’s why… Can’t you arrange for bodyguards from your company to be dispatched for them?”

Yoru asked, firmly, for the sake of his friends. Inside, I felt happy that the son I had neglected was relying on me. I glanced again at the video. Alongside Yoru were three other boys. They looked frail, not strong at all, but their performance was beautiful.

“Mom, are you even listening?”

Thinking I wasn’t paying attention, Yoru gripped my shoulder.

“Ow! That hurts.”

“Ah, sorry.”

“…Such strength…”

Even for a moment, I felt the tremendous power in his grip. The rough, masculine feel of his hand, and its strength, stirred old memories.

His appearance was like that man. His personality was manly and caring toward his friends. The arms he had trained were thick and powerful. Before I realized it, I was pressing my thighs together.

“Mom? Did you hear me?”

“Yes, I heard you. You want bodyguards for the male students, right? That’s fine,but will the school even allow it?”

I had to change the subject, even if it was a little abrupt.

“Our faculty advisor agreed to file the paperwork with the school.”

“I see… Then I will make the required arrangement.”

I wanted to grant whatever Yoru desired. If he ordered me to, I would even give him my body.

“Great! Thanks.”

The smile Yoru gave me in gratitude was powerful enough to make me regret all my foolishness until now.

“Hey, Yoru. I’ll be staying at the hotel again tonight… Do you want to stay with me?”

If Yoru spent the night in the same room as me, would I be able to keep my reason?

“No, I’m full and feel like taking a walk.”

“I see… I’ve been drinking anyway, and there’s the car…”

I felt a strange mix of disappointment and relief at being turned down.

“Right. I already had dessert, and I got to ask you about my favor, so I’ll head home first.”

Yoru was leaving.

“Ah.”

Before I knew it, I had reached out my hand to him.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Yoru… Is there nothing else you want me to do for you?”

I wanted him to rely on me more. I wanted him to call for me.

“I’m fine. I can manage on my own, and I’ve even made friends at school.”

But Yoru denied my wish.

“…I see. Be careful on your way home.”

Of course. After neglecting him all this time, there was no reason for him to need me.

“Yeah. And Mom, don’t drink too much, okay? Take care of yourself.”

I couldn’t even bring myself to look at Yoru’s back as he gently bid me farewell and walked away.

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