The next day.
Sniff Sniff
"Isn't this the smell of..." Hana trailed off. Having just woken up, she's still out of it. Her wavy lavender hair reduced to a bed head monstrosity. Yet, without even changing out of her pajamas, she stepped out of her room and followed the scent of grilled fish to the familiar kitchen. Her lavender eyes landing on the diligent back of her beloved son. Wearing a white shirt, black shorts, and a dark blue apron.
Her soft slippers producing faint thuds on the polished wood floor as she approaches Andy from behind.
And without warning, she slid her hands around his waist and pulled him into a gentle embrace. Her jaw resting on his shoulder as she met his surprised expression with the loving gaze of a mother. "Good morning, Andy." she says.
A soft sigh escapes me before I could respond. "Good morning, mama. You haven't gotten rid of the habit of surprising me while I'm cooking, huh?" I reply, yet my words held no bite. They were more akin to friendly banter.
I shift my attention back to the grilled fishes before me. Judging by their appearance, they'll be done very soon.
"Mm... Are you making a traditional breakfast today?" mother asks, her arms still wrapped around my waist. And with such close proximity, I couldn't avoid inhaling that strange wine-like scent I always smell from her. Eventually, I just chalked it up to a wine perfume she puts on. It doesn't make sense, but I really don't care to figure it out anymore.
"Yeah. I didn't want the fish to stay in the freezer for too long." I reply. A few seconds after, I grab the two grilled fishes with a pair of chopsticks, then set them down on a plate.
"I can't wait... The last time I had a traditional breakfast is when I went to a ryokan before you were born." mom commented. Gazing at the fish with a small smile on her lips.
"Ha... Please go wash up and change, mama." I turn and jab a finger at her cheek. The digit sinking into her soft cheek. A lighthearted laugh escaped her at my little scolding. "Alright. Mama will be back soon." she says. Her arms remained wrapped around me for a couple more seconds before slowly pulling back. My shoulder feeling light without her jaw resting on it.
But before mama turned around to leave, I felt her gaze linger on my exposed nape, for some reason. But nothing came of it. She simply left soon after. Mama does strange things like that, but I learned not to think much of it. I'm sure it's just something mothers do in this world.
So while she washes up, I set the table up for breakfast. Today, I had made a traditional Japanese breakfast. Consisting of white rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and tamagoyaki (rolled omelet). I was scared I'd mess up the miso soup or the tamagoyaki, but they turned out pretty well, at least they look it to me.
And before I knew it, I had finished setting up the table. I stood to the side, admiring my work. However, that didn't last long as a familiar pair of hands slid across my waist again. I glance to my left and meet my mother's affectionate gaze.
Before I could utter a word, mom began to pepper my cheek with kisses. "M-Mama, stop it!" I throw up a hand to block her attacks on my defenseless cheek. However, instead of backing off, mother placed a kiss on my palm. "I'm just rewarding my baby for today's meal. Is there something wrong with that?" she asks, her lips curling into a smile.
I look away and glue my eyes to the floor. An undeniable warmth rising in my cheek. "It's embarrassing..." I mutter. And for a moment, mom simply stared at me, observing my reaction. The corners of her lips rising further. "This isn't anything to be embarrassed about, Andy. This is just something a normal mother and son do on a regular basis." she says. It sounds ridiculous, but oddly enough, I felt compelled to believe her.
"... Let's eat before the food gets cold." I reason, hoping this will take her off me. "Hm~ Alright. Wouldn't want my baby's hard work to go to waste." mother says as she slides away from me. Finally allowing us to sit down and eat.
After sitting down, I bring my palms together for the pre-meal ritual. "Thank you for the fo- OD?!?!" before I could finish, I felt something brush against my leg. I snap to my mother across the table, her lips curved into a wide smirk. "Mama!" I yell angrily. I'm certain it was my mother teasing me with her foot, since she's done this before.
"Haha! Sorry, sorry!" she says, laughing out loud, clearly having enjoyed my reaction. 'Ugh... When did mama get this touchy feely?' I wondered. My mother wasn't this touchy before, but I did notice her get braver and braver with every passing day. 'I like us bonding like this, but her teasing goes a bit far sometimes. That's why I need to up my game so I can get payback on her!'
.
.
After finishing breakfast, I'm now washing the dishes. Since it's just us two, it should only take a few minutes as usual.
'Now should be a good time, I think.' I say to myself. I am of course referring to convincing my mother to let me attend the year-end convention as a hired cosplayer. 'I have some cards up my sleeve, in case I need them.'
"Mama, could I go to the year-end convention in X convention arena? I'll be going with Takamine-san and Isozaki-san." I ask with my back turned. Keeping my voice as casual as I can.
"Hm... I don't see any issue with it. Takamine-san and Isozaki-san are both good people. I'm sure they'll take care of you." Mom replied.
"Ah. When are you going?" she added. 'I want to follow along, but I don't think they'll enjoy themselves if I'm near.' Hana thought to herself.
"It's a 3-day event, and I'll be going on the 2nd day which is the 29th." I reply. The clink of the plates accompanying it.
"I see. What kind of convention is it?" Mom's voice dropped ever so slightly, like she's probing me.
"It's an otaku convention." I reply, explaining it just enough, not going into detail.
Andy couldn't see, but Hana's eyes widened slightly at his response. "I didn't know you were into that sort of thing, Andy."
"Haha... is it that surprising?" I joke. 'Crud. I'm almost done with the dishes.'
"Well, yeah. I've heard not many men like otaku culture, since it's catered to women. So what exactly will you be doing there?" Mom asks as I rack the last plate, finishing the chore that served as an excuse for not meeting her gaze. And of course the question is the one I feared.
"I'll be... working at a booth as a cosplayer, and after my shift is done I'll tour the convention with Takamine-san and Isozaki-san." I say, trying my best to make it seem normal.
Yet, as if mocking my wish, silence followed suit. For a few breaths, mom didn't speak. And I, I just kept my back turned to her.
"Andy, look at me." Mom demanded. Her tone strict, no longer gentle as before.
Staying like this won't do any good, so I obediently turned around and met my mother's stern gaze.
Without breaking sight, she stood up from her seat. "Come here." she commanded. Her tone telling me I don't have a say in this.
I raise my foot and take a step. My soft slippers creating a faint thud on the polished wood floor. Every step I took felt heavy, like a criminal about to receive his verdict.
With the last step, I now stood before my mother. Her eyes looking down at me with a seriousness I've never seen on her before.
"... Andy, why didn't you tell me you accepted a job? And a cosplayer... That means you'll have to dress up as a character, right? Show me the character." Mom demanded.
"I didn't accept the job , yet. And as for the character I'll cosplay as..." I slip my hand in my pocket and take out my phone. Turning it on, I navigate to a sketch the publisher sent me of the costume on a mannequin.
"This is the costume I'll wear." I say as I show my screen to mom. 'Please don't ask where he's from!' I begged internally.
"Hm..." mom carefully scanned the costume with clinical precision. Her eyes narrowed on a certain region.
"... Tell them to increase the size of the shorts. They're too revealing." Mom says.
I visibly brightened at my mother's words. "Does this mean I can go?!" I ask.
Mom raised a brow at my question. "When did I say you couldn't?"
My eyes widen in response. "Eh? You weren't against me cosplaying to begin with?"
A sigh escaped mom. "I only wanted to make sure you didn't get roped into anything dangerous or sketchy, Andy. Talk to me before you make any big decisions, okay? So I can help you if need be." mom says.
"Oh. I just thought..." I trailed off, unsure what to say.
Seeing this, mom placed a hand on my shoulder. "Andy, I just want you to be safe and happy. I have no intention of controlling you. Period." Mom says, her expression softening.
'Mama... she...'
I take a step and wrap my arms tightly around my mother. "Thank you, mama." I say while meeting her eyes. Genuine gratitude and love for my mother.
Mom's lips curled into a gentle smile, one that I'm familiar with. Her arms wrapping around me, reciprocating my embrace. "Mama will always love you, Andy. Never forget that."
Nod
"I won't, mama." I reply.
A second later, I stand on my toes and place a kiss on mom's cheek. When I pulled back, mom stared at me for a moment before leaning in.
And for a second, it looked like she was going for my lips, but it still ended up on my cheek. 'That was a strange pathing.'
After kissing my cheek, mom pulled back. "Mama has work to do, okay? I'll see you at lunch, Andy."
Nod
"Okay, mama. Good luck with work!" I say with a beaming smile. Sending my best wishes to my mother.
I then finally separated from her. Yet, my body was already missing her touch, for a reason I don't know.
After waving goodbye to mom, I head to my room so I can reply to Tak*shobo Publishing's email.
.
.
'That was close.... I almost kissed Andy on the lips...' Hana thought to herself.
'Just a bit longer... The test results will come soon. When I have that, I'll be free to love my son as a man.'
And judging by the way he reacts to my touch, I'm sure he won't be against it.
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