Chapter 460 - The Fact is That they are Different People

In the park after Kuro left, basked in the still silence of the night, I met the woman who looked exactly like my mother that I had met during the day again.

She had brown hair that reached just above her waist and black eyes. Pants that resemble jeans that are easy to move around in, a black jacket and a white shirt...... She reminded me of a bubbly girl, just like my Mom that I know of.

I think that’s why I reflexively called her “Mom”.

However......

[......You’re quite rude to someone you first met, aren’t you? Do I look old enough to have a big kid like you?]

[Ah, n- no!? I’m sorry.]

[Ahaha, it’s not like I’m mad at you.]

The expression on her face as she spoke with a wry smile on her face, her gestures, all of her movements overlapped with the Mom within my memory.

Even though they resemble this much...... They really are...... different people huh......

[......Ummm.]

[Unnn?]

[Thank you for your help earlier. I will return your money.]

[Don’t worry about it. I just happened to see you troubled there earlier, and besides, it’s just 2Rs.]

[No, that’s not something I can......]

[......Hey, hey, if people want to help you, all you need to do is accept their kindness.]

[Eh? Ah, yes!]

How should I say this...... Rather than being swept by her tune, I kind of feel like I can’t go against her words. I guess it must be because she looks like Mom.

It makes me feel as if Mom is telling me those words......

[Ahh, speaking of which, I’ve never introduced myself, didn’t I? My name is “Luce”, nice to meet you.]

[......Luce-san...... is it?]

[Unnn. It may just be fate that we met here again tonight. If you don’t mind, can I ask your name?]

[......I’m Miyama Kaito.]

Her face and voice were exactly the same, but her name was different. I should have known that would be the case, but I couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of disappointment.

I guess I really was hoping for it somewhere within my mind...... That this person is actually my mother......

[Miyama Kaito? That’s an unusual name...... Ahh, could it be that you’re one of those otherworlders?]

[Y- Yes, that’s right.]

[I see~~ This is the first time I’ve ever talked to someone from another world. I kinda feel like I have an advantage compared to the others now...... wait, arehh? You don’t look so good.]

[......Ahh, errr......]

I’ve been told a lot of times that I’m the type of person who shows my emotions on my face. It seems like my depression seemed to have shown on my face, and Luce-san voiced out her concern.

This is bad. I should somehow fool her......

[I got it! You must be hungry, right?]

[......Huh?]

[Unnn, unnn, you can’t be lively with an empty stomach after all!]

[N- No, ummm...... It’s not like I’m hungry......]

[In that case, here! I’ll give you my special sandwich that I just happened to have!!!]

[..................]

She isn’t listening to me at all!? Not only am I not hungry, heck, I’ll have you know that I just ate earlier, okay?

......Ah~~ Speaking of which, Mom was the type who didn’t listen to others either. Since their faces look alike, do their personalities also resemble each other?

I mean, this sandwich that she held out to me...... What should I do about this? H- Hmmm, even with my Sympathy Magic, I can only sense good intentions from her, so it’s kind of hard to say no.

[......T- Thank you very much.]

[You’re welcome. Now, now, go ahead and gobble it up!]

[Eh, ah, yes......]

Pushed by Luce-san’s liveliness, I took a bite at the sandwich in my hand.

And at that moment, I was convinced that this person wasn’t my mother.

[......It’s delicious.]

[Really? That’s great.]

This is different. This is not...... my mother’s cooking.

Mom was a very bad cook. She chopped vegetables in different sizes, added too much or too little seasoning...... and couldn’t even make a sandwich in such a neat shape.

She was helplessly clumsy...... but she was very cheerful and positive about things...... She was the kindest mother anyone could ever have.

Luce-san was just like my mother...... but she was different. This person isn’t my mother. She’s just another person who looks like her......

[A- Arehh? Why do you look worse than before? Could it be that you’re not feeling well?]

[N- No, I’m alright.]

[Hmmm. You shouldn’t push yourself too hard...... I think you should go home early and get some rest already.]

[......I guess you’re right.]

I knew there was a good chance that she was someone else, but when I became certain that she really wasn’t my mother, an inexplicable feeling flooded within my heart.

[I’m sorry, even though you’ve gone out of your way to call out to me......]

[It’s okay, you don’t have to worry about it. Let’s talk again when we get the chance.]

[Yes...... Ahh, thank you for the sandwich. It was really delicious.]

[You’re welcome~~]

I couldn’t wrap my mind around things, so I decided to follow Luce-san’s advice and went back to Central Tower.

Bowing to Luce-san, who was greatly waving her hand in my direction, I began walking away from the plaza.

Dear Mom, Dad—————- Despite my disappointment, I was also relieved to find out early on that she was a different person. Unnn, I’m alright. I was shocked, but thanks to Isis-san and Lilia-san, I don’t feel that bad. I can properly take in something like this————— The fact that Luce-san and Mom are different people.

[......I’m sorry...... Kaito. Forgive me for not being able to say anything right now......]

After seeing off the departing Kaito until he was out of sight, Luce...... no, “Miyama Akari” quietly muttered, before walking into a dark alley.

Her whisper was drowned out by the night wind...... never reaching anyone’s ears.

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