Just Being Alive Is Amazing: Starting Life Over in a Chastity-Reversed World - Chapter 4: Nice to… Meet You? ②

Chapter 4: Nice to… Meet You? ②

For a while, my mother held my hand, tears streaming down her face, but she gradually regained her composure.

“Sorry. It must be confusing to have a strange old lady suddenly crying over you, right?”

“…!”

As expected, Dr. Kudo had informed her about my amnesia beforehand.

She knows everything about me, but I know nothing about her.

Facing this unbridgeable gap makes my chest tighten.

“…I’m sorry…”

The words that slipped out of my mouth were an apology.

“It’s okay… Just knowing you’re alive… If I wished for more, I’d be tempting fate.”

She wiped her tears with one hand, looking into my eyes as she spoke.

“We can take our time helping you remember, and even if your memories never come back, you’re still my son.”

She gripped my hand firmly, assuring me she’d accept me despite my lack of memories.

Knowing she’d welcome me as family brought a sense of relief, lightening my heart a little.

“Oh… I should start with introductions, shouldn’t I? I’m Izumi Kaori. Your mother.”

Smiling, she—Kaori-san—began introducing herself.

She called herself an “old lady” earlier, but with her gentle, almond-shaped eyes, rich orange long hair tucked behind her ear, and a suit that she wore effortlessly, she didn’t look like the mother of a 15-year-old at all. Despite her youthful appearance, her poised demeanor in the suit exuded an adult charm.

“I’m Izumi Takuya… Nice to meet you, Kaori-san…”

She probably knows everything about me, but it felt rude not to introduce myself, so I did.

“Kaori-san, huh…”

When I called her by her name, Kaori-san’s eyes widened in surprise.

Maybe calling her Kaori-san was too distant… But calling her “Mom” right away feels a bit challenging.

“I’m thrilled that Taku-chan would call me by my first name, but I’d love it if you could call me ‘Mom’ instead.”

“Okay… Mom…”

“Ufufu♡ That’s perfect, Taku-chan. You can call me ‘Mom’ little by little. ‘Mama’ is fine too♡”

When I called her Mom, she smiled happily. It hit me again that to Kaori-san—to Mom—I’m still her son, even without my memories.

After talking with Mom for a while, Nakano-san, who had stepped out, returned.

“Kaori-san, visiting hours are about to end.”

“Ara, has it been that long already? Taku-chan, are you feeling tired?”

“I’m… fine.”

I was a bit tired, but it was a comforting time.

Still, calling her “Mom” and using polite speech feel so unfamiliar. Mom smiled and said, “You don’t have to be so formal…” but she feels more like a beautiful older sister than a mother, which makes me even more reserved.

“Well, I’ll head out now, Taku-chan. I’ll come back this evening with your sisters.”

“Sisters?”

It seems I have older sisters in this world. And since she said “sisters,” there’s probably more than one. There might even be brothers or younger siblings too.

“I’ll talk to them about you before we come, so don’t feel pressured, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Knowing I’ll have to endure that awkward atmosphere again makes my chest tighten.

Will it be like this every time I meet someone who knew me before I reincarnated?

“It’ll be okay. Mom’s here with you… right?”

My anxiety must have shown on my face. Mom warmly encouraged me, holding my hand.

“Well, I’ll get going now, Taku-chan.”

“Okay, see you later.”

“Ufufu, I’ll be back. Nakano-san, please take care of my son.”

When I said goodbye, Mom responded with a smile, bowed deeply to Nakano-san, and left the room.

“Takuya-san, you must be a bit tired, so please rest until the evening visiting hours. If anything comes up, press the nurse call like you did this morning.”

“Yes… understood.”

My stamina seems to have taken a hit, and as my resistance to sleepiness weakens, my eyelids feel heavy. I’ll take it easy and rest to prepare for the evening visit.

“No matter how small it is, don’t hesitate to call us, okay? Even if you just want water or feel itchy, please don’t hold back.”

She’s really emphasizing the nurse call… Well, she’s right—I can’t do much on my own in this condition. I’ll take her up on the offer and rely on them. Trying to move on my own might just cause more trouble.

“Got it. Thank you.”

“You can count on us!”

When I assured her I’d use the nurse call, Nakano-san responded with a radiant smile.

“Then, please rest until the evening. I’ll come back when visiting hours approach.”

With that, Nakano-san reclined my bed and closed the curtains.

The moment I lay down and the room darkened, an overwhelming wave of sleepiness hit me, and I quickly lost consciousness.