Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?, Vol. 2

Medhimama tried to catch it with the Aperto staff, but Medhidragon had put too much force behind it. “Gah!” Medhimama was flung aside, slamming into a mountain of rubble. The staff fell from her hand.

A direct hit from a blow with fatal force…yet Medhimama got back up.

Staring up at her daughter’s new form, she bit her lip, holding it in.

“Sigh… Honestly, I don’t know how I have the nerve to act like a mom now.”

“I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU! NOT EVER!”

“Medhi…you’re really scary right now,” Medhimama whispered. “You’ve been bottling feelings like this up inside you all along, but you trusted me and followed me… You’re quite amazing.”

Medhimama faced off against Medhidragon once more.

Despite the situation, there was nothing but kindness on her face.

Masato blinked.

Oh… For once, Medhimama is actually being a mom.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was definitely something mom-like going on there. Masato was sure of that.

Maybe this was some sort of skill. That wasn’t clear.

But Masato started running. Like he’d suddenly realized what he had to do, he quickly placed himself in front of Medhimama. Soaking the next blow aimed at her.

“Unh! …Yep, pretty rough.”

“Masato! I said stand down! This is my…!”

“I know! You’re the only one who can resolve this mess! But we aren’t getting anywhere this way! First, we’ve gotta do something about Medhi!”

“What…what can we do?”

“I got this! I’m a hero who saves the bonds between parents and children! So trust me! …Wise! You ready?”

The Sage had finished replenishing her MP and called back, “Okay! Ready when you are! I know exactly what you’re thinking! …Porta, you’d better keep your distance!”

“Okay! Good luck!”

When she was sure Porta was on safe ground, Wise started chanting.

“…Spara la magia per mirare… Bomba Vento! And! Bomba Vento!”

Wise’s powerful chain cast wind mage activated, striking Medhidragon’s legs. The explosive winds lifted her, leaving her massive body floating in the air.

Flying enemies were tailor-made for our powerful hero. Buffeted by the comfortable back draft, Masato tightened his grip on Firmamento. He raised it high above him, prepared to deliver a crushing blow.

“Even Wise gets it right sometimes! Now it’s time to give this naughty child the appropriate punishment… Wait, what?!”

Just as Masato was about to unleash a shock wave…

The Aperto staff rose up off the floor somehow, hovering in front of Medhidragon.

A dim light emerged from the staff, and the rubble the light hit rose up, forming a defensive wall to protect Medhidragon.

“Hey, hey, hey, what the hell? What’s going on?! …Dammit, why would you make the defensive shell thicker?!”

Masato quickly swung the sword, striking the wall of rubble with his shock wave. But the wall was too strong, and he couldn’t get through. Medhidragon was now completely out of sight.

And then…

“Then let’s see how Mommy’s attacks do! Hyah!”

Her voice was immediately followed by countless rock spikes and water bullets. Each AOE attack was monstrously powerful at the best of times, and this time they had only one target—nothing to divide up the damage. The overwhelming force of this onslaught easily cut through the wall.

One rock spike severed the staff, and one water bullet pierced the gem of darkness, shattering it. Instantly, the rubble forming the wall crumbled and fell to the ground.

It was obvious who was responsible for this. Masato glanced back where the attack had originated and saw Mamako smiling at him, a flame-red sword in one hand and a deep blue sword in the other.

“Geez… For all the trouble you cause, you sure know exactly when to step in sometimes. Guess that’s part of being a mom, huh?”

Not nearly as put out as he sounded, Masato turned to attack again.

Ready to slice through the horrible emotions shrouding Medhi.

No matter what explosions the heart unleashed, deep down, there was still part of her that just wanted to love the person who mattered most.

“The one you care about most is waiting for you with open arms! Give her a good hug and tell her everything you’ve ever wanted to say! Hahhhhh!”

Masato swung Firmamento with all his might. The massive shock wave that came out was not the usual one but one with a warm glow.

This shock wave sliced only what it should slice; it struck Medhidragon, cutting only the shell of turbulent emotion.

“Good! Just as I planned! …Oh, Medhi!”

As the sides of the monster fell away, the real Medhi appeared from inside. She fell slowly to the ground, cradled by the wind. Masato…stayed right where he was.

The one who should be there to catch her ran forward. Medhimama.

“Medhi!”

She caught her daughter, holding her tight. Her daughter struggled, trying to free herself, but she wouldn’t let go. She held her with all her might.

“I’m sorry,” Medhimama said.

Tears ran down her daughter’s cheeks.

“D-don’t say that… I swore…I swore I wouldn’t forgive you! I’m done forgiving you! I always do that, and…”

She kept insisting, but she gradually stopped struggling. In time, she was sobbing quietly in her mother’s arms.

“…When I first learned this child was growing inside me, I wondered if I could ever be a good mother,” Medhimama slowly began. Medhi was leaning against her. “What made a mother good? How could I be a good mother? That’s all I thought about. I looked it up online, I ran out and bought books…and it was one of those. Maybe you’ve read it, Mamako. It was a bestseller when both of us would have been with child.”

“Oh, do you mean If You Want to Be a Good Mother, Raise a Good Child? I remember reading a book with that title.”

“Yes, that one. You read it, too…yet you certainly have raised a very different child. I wonder where I went wrong.”

Medhimama shook her head ruefully.

“I decided to raise my daughter properly and did everything I could think of. We studied every day. I made sure she balanced book learning with physical activity. And…I considered her mental health to the degree I deemed it necessary.”

“I’ve got a lot of doubts about whether that was actually enough.”

“Yes, Masato. You might be right. It wasn’t nearly enough. To raise a daughter who always did what I said, I micromanaged her heart, overriding her free will. And as a result, I placed an enormous burden on her. It’s all my fault.”

“Mother…”

“Apologizing for it now doesn’t fix what I’ve done, but at least let me say it. I really am sorry.”

There were tears in her eyes. She put her arms around Medhi, pulling her close.

“I knew you were stressed-out. I saw you kicking the wall, swearing under your breath… I knew you were in a bad state. I knew it was all my fault. That’s why I wanted to join this game. I thought we could somehow fix the problems between us here. But then I forgot all that somehow…and finally said what I said. I don’t know why I… I’m an awful person.”

“No, hold on. It’s too soon to say that,” Masato said, interrupting her. He looked behind him. “Yo, Wise, Porta? What you got?”

“Mm… Yeah… I’ve got a nasty hunch about it, personally. Reeks kinda like when my mom was being a total idiot… Hmm, I dunno how to describe it… How about you, Porta?”

“I appraised it but was unable to determine the materials or effects! I’ve never encountered any equipment like this before!”

They were both investigating the Aperto staff. Wise was scowling at it with deep suspicion, and even with her skills, Porta had been unable to get any useful information.

Unknown, huh? What does that mean?

He would much rather have found some conclusive evidence.

But for now, he could make good use of that inconclusive evidence.

“…Medhimama, that staff seems to have some sort of effect that releases darker impulses. When you powered her up with it, Medhi turned into that dragon.”

“Huh? Oh, well, yes… That does seem to be…”

“So it seems possible that you were also under the influence of it. Your desire to be a good mother was strengthened and twisted. When you spoke those words, it wasn’t what you really meant. You were just at the mercy of some weird power. Before then, you weren’t acting for yourself. You really were acting for Medhi’s benefit. I think that’s safe to say, right?”

“I’m sure of it. I didn’t put my daughter through all this just so that I could be the best mother. I only wanted to raise Medhi right… But as for the results…”

“No, Mother. I’m glad you said that.”

She’d been strict, but it was all for Medhi. Medhi had been right to have faith in her mother. She hadn’t been betrayed. The love between them was real.

Medhi hugged her mother back. And this time, she spoke from the heart.

“You’ve been strict because you thought it was best for me. And I’m really glad you feel that way. But…I would really like it if you spent as much time considering my feelings and my needs. Can you promise me that?”

“I promise,” Medhimama said. “I’m going to change. I want to be the kind of mother who always puts your needs first. I hope you’ll still be my daughter.”

“Yes, Mother. I will always be your daughter.”

They embraced again, strengthening the bonds between them.

Masato’s party watched, smiling.

“Well, Medhi’s rampage is over, the air between them is cleared up, everyone’s said their piece, and now we just have to see how successful Medhimama is at changing. All’s well that ends well.”

“Yes. Everyone!”

“Well done?”

“Yes! Well done!”

Hands were raised, clapped, and high-fived. Strategy complete.

And then two late arrivals entered.

“Oh,” Mr. Burly said. “Looks like everyone’s having fun!”

“It seems everything’s been taken care of. Excellent news,” Shiraaase said.

“Mm? What’s up?”

“What’s up? We heard the sounds of a furious battle and came to see what was happening! I planned to step in and help, if necessary, but it seems I was too late!”

“In my case, I deliberately arrived late, keeping my own personal safety paramount, but it seems this was the perfect timing.”

“You seem to be your usual self, Shiraaase.”

“Either way, all problems with the Cleric Medhi appear to be resolved! Enjoy what’s left of the field…”

“You’ll be able to take the exam the day after tomorrow with clear hearts and minds. Heh-heh-heh.”

“…What?”

Shiraaase had muttered something under her breath that Masato hoped he’d misheard.

But school was school, after all.