Vol 1 Chapter 81 – Enveloped in Flames【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

“Where are you going?”

When I reached for the door, Mama’s hand pressed against it.

I couldn’t answer. I could barely make anything that could be called words.

“Le—”

But Mama understood everything from that single raspy syllable.

“You’re planning to leave? Just because you can’t speak, you think you have no value—that’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”

She said it like that was wrong.

But it should be true. After all, I’m called a songstress. If that’s the case, then my voice, my singing—that should be my value.

“Let’s talk, okay? Take your hand off the door.”

I couldn’t match Mama’s strength on my own anyway.

But more than that, the reason I took my hand off the door was because I wanted to hold my sketchbook.

I wanted to hear what Mama, who could find value in me beyond my voice, had to say—to me, who thought I had no value besides my voice. So I took my hand away of my own will.

“Thank you. I’ll go get the sketchbook right away.”

Saying that, Mama moved away a bit. The sketchbook was on the table with the cash card.

I could run away right now if I wanted to. But I became terribly afraid. Not of the possibility that I might die. But of Mama being sad.

That must be why my hand never reached for the door. My own death is, in the end, my own business. It concerns only me. But Mama’s sadness isn’t like that. It’s someone else’s business—it would affect someone other than myself.

After a few seconds, Mama came back with the sketchbook.

“Here.”

She handed it to me, and we sat facing each other knee-to-knee in the hallway by the entrance.

When someone sits down for you, it might be instinctive, but it’s reassuring. Probably because they make themselves smaller. Animals must be made to fear larger things.

I have to talk properly…

『Why did you stop me? What value do I have without a voice?』

That’s the reason I was leaving. I have no value, I can’t bring Mama any benefit.

“Your premise is wrong. You don’t need value. From the moment Mama decided to be Rin-kun’s Mama, value didn’t matter. But I don’t want you to think your only value is your voice, so I’ll tell you properly.”

Mama paused and looked straight into my eyes. There was no sign anywhere that she was thinking about it.

“You’re good with instruments and can even tune them. You’re cute enough to be a model. You’re such a kind child—just having you here heals my heart. You work hard, you’re Mama’s hero. You try anything and pick it up right away. Your gestures are adorable, the way you help out is adorable. There’s so much more. It’ll take until morning, but do you still want to hear?”

I was surprised by the words “you don’t need value,” and even more surprised by the value she listed. But I was happy. So happy that I couldn’t think about leaving anymore. Taking until morning—just how much value had Mama found in me?

That’s right. In the beginning, I came here with no value at all after being taken in. It seemed like Mama sensed potential in me as a VTuber, but she never tried to force me into it.

Ah, I didn’t need value after all. Even without value, Mama is still Mama. It’s really unfair.

『Can I still stay with the Akiba family?』

Even without asking, I already had the answer.

“Of course.”

But until I received those words directly, I couldn’t believe it.

『I might depend on you a lot, you know?』

I’d already received that answer long ago too.

“It’s Akiba Family Rule Number One.”

You must indulge Mama—hesitation is forbidden. That’s right, it’s okay to depend on her. I have to depend on her. Because I’ve been allowed to stay with the Akiba family.

Not for my sake. This is true unconditional love.

Even though we should be strangers, from the day I was taken in, we weren’t strangers anymore.

『I’m sorry.』

I’m sorry for trying to leave. I won’t run away anymore. I won’t go anywhere anymore.

I realized it. Losing family is sad. I had been about to do that sad thing.

Suddenly, Mama hugged me.

“Don’t ever try to leave again! Mama’s heart almost stopped!”

This is backwards. Mama is crying.

Just by trying to leave, I’d already hurt her.

I’m sorry. Mama, I’m sorry.

When I hugged her back, I noticed my own tears. My cheeks, wet with tears, were somehow warm.

Mama is as warm as a bonfire.