It's a Chastity-Reversed World, But It's Different From What I Imagined? - 71

Chapter 71: Mother and Child

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Talking to Yui-san had lightened my heart. Following her advice, I decided to send a message to Ran-san. Normally, I only replied to messages Ran-san sent me. That was because I didn’t want to disturb her. But Yui-san’s advice made me realize I’d been too passive.

I’d thought I was the one choosing, that it was natural for me to be chosen. I believed I could be loved without doing anything. Even though I’d learned the hard way that this was wrong, I hadn’t truly understood it.

『I’m in a private open-air bath right now.』

I took a selfie with the open-air bath and the scenery in the background, setting up my phone to capture myself. It was my first time doing something like this, and it felt awkward, but Yui-san said appealing to others is important.

“Sent.”

I retook the photos a few times but managed to capture the scenery, the bath, and myself in it.

“Taking photos is kinda tough, huh. I should thank the girls who take pictures for the cheer squad. Looking back, their photos really capture the energy and lively expressions.”

I sent the scenery from the open-air bath to Seiya too.

“Man, I’ve really been enjoying myself since starting high school.”

A notification pinged, and Seiya replied.

“Oh, looks like Seiya’s having a family dinner?”

He sent a picture of what looked like fancy French cuisine in response to my scenery photo.

“Looks delicious.”

Next, I opened Ran-san’s message.

“Huh? ‘No nudes. Definitely not’?”

I checked the image again, confused by Ran-san’s cryptic message. It showed my back, shirtless, soaking in the hot spring. Oh, but this was like when Yuna showed her back on a video call, right? I did the same thing.

“Ran-san, it’s fine, really.”

Ran-san sent a sticker of a rabbit with a bright red face. Looking at messages from Seiya and Ran-san while soaking in the scenic open-air bath lifted my spirits.

A lot had happened since I started high school. This was the first time I’d had a chance to reflect on myself so slowly.

“I owe Yui-san so much. I gotta do something to thank her next time.”

Feeling glad I’d come on this trip, I slipped into bed after a fulfilling day. I must’ve been exhausted because I fell asleep instantly, like I passed out. In the dead of night, I woke up to the presence of someone. I was sure I’d locked the door, so I was startled by an intruder, but then I remembered this wasn’t home.

“Yoru.”

Hearing that voice, I jolted upright in shock. The covers were pulled back, and in the darkness, I faced my mother, who was completely naked. My mind was a mess, unable to process what was happening.

A night crawling? Mom? Sei Kurose? Why is she here?

Questions swirled and vanished.

“Mom?”

“Yoru, you’re awake?”

She answered my question with a question.

“I just woke up. I sensed someone.”

“Oh, your danger perception is sharp.”

I always thought I was weak to surprises. I couldn’t dodge when the student council president or Terumi-senpai caught me off guard. But this time, the unfamiliar environment probably made my nerves hyper-alert.

“Yoru? What do you think when you look at me?”

My mother’s naked body, illuminated by moonlight, looked almost otherworldly. She was always stunningly beautiful, with a toned body that didn’t seem like it had borne two children. Her large breasts and feminine allure were undeniable. But…

“I don’t feel anything.”

Well, of course. Getting aroused by my mother’s naked body? My (Yoru’s) heart isn’t wired that way.

A memory from childhood flashed back—showering with my mother after going to the dojo.

The memory of bathing together as a family. It felt the same now—nothing. It was just my family standing naked. Even if Mom was rarely home, seeing her naked didn’t stir anything in me.

“…I see. You’re different, aren’t you?”

I had no idea what she was thinking. If there was one thing I could say…

“But honestly, I’m scared. I don’t understand what you want, Mom. Back in middle school, you called me gross, didn’t you? So why… Why are you standing naked in front of your sleeping son at night? It doesn’t make sense.”

Is it because this is a chastity-reversed world? Is that why a mother would visit her son at night? Is there such a world? Is this normal?

“You’re… My child, aren’t you? Then, hold me. After losing him, I still raised you all this time, didn’t I? You’ve grown up looking just like him, matured into a man, haven’t you? Then you’re mine. If someone else is going to take you… I’ll take you first.”

There was a madness in her eyes, but her face also held loneliness and desperation. Her strong words carried a fragile, pained tone.

I really don’t understand what she wants. But I think a mother trying to make her son hate her is wrong.

I quietly approached and hugged her.

“Mom, I’m not Dad. And I’m not yours.”

As I held her, she was trembling. A lonely woman, trembling yet pretending to be strong.

She’s probably seeing Dad’s shadow in me.

“I’m sorry. I can’t be yours. If that’s what you want, I’ll leave home. Mom, right now, you’re being gross. This is downright incredulous. We can’t stay together like this.”

With the Male Protection Law, I could survive even if I cut ties with my parents. Heck, I could start a NewTube channel and work to earn money.

I voiced my complete rejection and stepped away from her.

“Don’t go… Please don’t go.”

Mom started crying. The strong, resolute figure she’d always been was gone. She clung to my clothes, desperate.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ll apologize, so please don’t leave me alone. I don’t want Yui, Tsuki, or you, Yoru, to be taken from me.”

I gently pulled the sobbing, clinging Mom away. I knelt to meet her eyes.

“Mom, I’m not yours. I can’t be your man either. Someday, I’ll leave you and belong to someone else. I don’t ask for anything more than a parent from you.”

Parent and child. Yui-san is probably like a mother to me. But since I don’t remember my father, Mother Se is like a father figure to me. Her resolute demeanor, her strictness about society’s harshness, her scolding as a parent…. In my memories, there’s a Mom who genuinely tried to raise me.

“That’s fine. As long as you stay by my side, Yoru.”

“Hmm, I plan to leave the nest someday. But we’re family, so if you need help, I’ll come to your aid. That’s what being parent and child means to me.”

Mom pouted at my words, but she looked relieved, like something had been lifted from her, and she dove into my chest, crying.

“Mom, thank you for always working hard to support us. I can’t accept your feelings, but I know you’ve worked hard to raise me. Let’s keep being parent and child from now on.”

It was a strange feeling. For the first time, I really talked with my crying mother.

I let her soak in the open-air bath with its beautiful view, and we sat side by side, talking. About my father, who I didn’t remember…. How she felt raising me all this time… We talked a lot, and when she finished saying everything she’d been holding in, her face was calm.

“I should’ve talked to you more.”

Mom, who’d stubbornly clung to her own desires, had let her emotions spiral out of control. After talking so much, the exhausted Mom fell asleep in my bed.

“We should’ve talked more, huh…”

A whirlwind of emotions swirled inside me about Mom. Anger at her selfishness, resentment for neglecting her kids, frustration at her arrogance, trying to control everything… But even if I cut ties with her, the blood connection wouldn’t disappear.

Night and stars… Maybe we’re just not compatible.

“Mom really loves me (Yoru), doesn’t she?”

While carrying Dad’s shadow…. Pouring love into her son in her own way. Her distorted love had somehow blurred the boundaries.

Is it because this is a reversed chastity world? If so, what a scary place this world is.

“This world… This world is really different from what I thought.”

I left Mom sleeping in the bed and slipped into another to sleep.

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