Chapter 22: Madozono Tomoe's Perspective: ~Onee-sama's Secret~

Continuing from Tomoe's perspective ~

Finally, the scene moves forward a little bit~ (^∀^;)

Chapter 22: Madozono Tomoe's Perspective: ~Onee-sama's Secret~

"Even if I'm facing destruction....."

Even after falling asleep and waking up in the morning, the words her Onee-sama had uttered pierced Tomoe's heart like a thorn, and she could not forget them.

Destruction

That was certainly a bad word.

Thinking this, Tomoe tried her best to act as if everything was normal, so as not to let her Onee-sama realize what she had heard.

Then, when she was alone, she decided to check the meaning of the word in the dictionary.

【Destruction】Reading: Hametsu (ha-metsu)

① To perish. Also, for everything to go wrong.

② The collapse of a person's life, personality, family, nation, etc.

③ The loss of all social status and possessions, and falling into ruin.

Knowing the true meaning of the words, Tomoe's heart pounded loudly.

(Onee-sama must be hiding something life-threatening...!

Should I directly question Onee-sama about it?)

.....No.

She couldn't possibly ask.

Even if she did, her kind Onee-sama, would surely just smile and brush it off, so as not to worry her.

Young Tomoe began to be tormented by anxiety and fear of possibly losing her Onee-sama.

Her personal maid, Kanaya, was the first to notice this.

"Tomoe-ojou-sama, is there something bothering you?"

When Kanaya asked her directly, Tomoe, tears streaming down her face, poured out her anxieties.

She worried that her Onee-sama might be harboring a secret that could endanger her life.

Hearing Tomoe's troubles, Kanaya hesitated to respond.

She had a hunch that Maria's secret was about her destiny—that in the future, as a Saint, she might fight a powerful Kaima and lose her life.

However, the matter of that "Destiny" is not something that someone as insignificant as a servant or attendant can casually speak of.

Though it pained her to do so, Kanaya decided to offer only advice.

"If it's about Maria-ojou-sama, why don't you try ask Madam?"

"Okaa-sama...?"

Tomoe's expression clouded over.

Even though her mother's attitude towards her had changed, the thought of talking to her alone, even just imagining it, was still incredibly difficult.

"Yes. If Madam feels that it's alright for Tomoe-ojou-sama to know now, she will surely answer.

Conversely, if she doesn't answer, that means it's something Tomoe-ojou-sama shouldn't know yet."

If there's anyone who should tell Tomoe about Maria's destiny, it's her mother, and the head of the Madozono family, Mima.

Kanaya decided to entrust the decision of whether or not to tell young Tomoe the truth to Mima.

"I'm sure it will be alright. What's important is Tomoe-ojou-sama's feelings.

How worried you are about Maria-ojou-sama.

If you tell her those feeling clearly, even if Madam doesn't answer, she will surely explain why it's not something Tomoe-ojou-sama should know right now."

"T-Tell Okaa-sama.... My feeling....?"

"Yes. When it comes to matters concerning Maria-ojou-sama, that is a matter only the Madozono family, Tomoe-ojou-sama and Madam, can discuss. We, the attendants, cannot possibly interfere...

Tomoe-ojou-sama. What will you do?"

Kanaya ended her sentence with a slightly dismissive question.

Kanaya believed in Tomoe's growth and transformation over the past six months.

"I, I..."

Tomoe hesitated, her voice trembling.

Even now, with her kindness restored, Mima was still a figure that Tomoe feared.

But.....

"It suits you, Tomoe-chan. You're really cute."

"That's right. Let's grow up together, Tomoe-chan."

In Tomoe's mind, Maria's smile kept coming to mind.

And her concern for Maria's safety outweighed her fear of her mother.

“I... I'm going to talk to Okaa-sama…!”

“Understood.”

Kanaya nodded with a broad smile at Tomoe's resolve.

Then she checked Mima's daily schedule and contacted her mother, the head maid, Sougi, to arrange a time for Tomoe to meet her.

Just because she was Mima's biological daughter didn't mean she could meet Mima, the head of the Madozono family, anytime during the day.

Thanks to Kanaya's request, a meeting was arranged in Mima's office between Maria and Tomoe's lessons schedule

"Tomoe. Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

Still seated in the head of the household's chair, Mima began, gazing at Tomoe.

To Tomoe, her mother seemed even larger and more frightening than usual.

Beside Mima stood the head maid, Sougi, who, too, watched Tomoe's every move with a watchful gaze.

Tomoe's heart pounded rapidly and loudly in front of the two of them.

After swallowing hard, Tomoe gathered her courage and forced out a voice.

"Okaa-sama.... Is Onee-sama... sick...?"

At Tomoe's words, Mima's expression changed to one of understanding.

Then, she immediately told Sougi.

"Sougi, I'm going to take a break for a while. You should rest too."

"Understood."

She was telling her to leave the room so the mother and daughter could have a family talk.

Following Mima's implicit instructions, Sougi bowed and left the office.

"Tomoe.... Why did you think Maria was sick?"

After Sougi left the room, Mima spoke with a heavy heart.

"The other day, when I was sleeping with Okaa-sama and Onee-sama, I heard Onee-sama talking in her sleep...

She said, that even if she's facing destruction, she will protect Okaa-sama, me, and all other girls."

"........ I see ......"

Upon hearing Tomoe's reply, Mima lowered her head.

After a moment of silence, she rose from her chair, came to Tomoe, and knelt down in front of her, meeting her gaze directly.

"Tomoe. I'm only going to say this once. So listen carefully."

"...Y-Yes!"

"As your mother, I wish for you to live a happy life."

"....."

"But if you intend to live by Maria's side from now on, you must give up on living a happy life."

"Wha.....!!"

Tomoe almost asked why.

But those words never came out of Tomoe's mouth.

Her mother's words, "I'm only going to say this once," and the serious gaze fixed intently into her eyes, wouldn't allow it.

"But, conversely, if you give up on living with Maria... You can live happily ever after as an ordinary Exorcist."

Her mother's voice was gentle, as if trying to reason with her daughter.

It was a soft tone she had never heard six months ago.

Something in Tomoe's heart wavered at the word "happiness."

"So, Tomoe..... You must choose."

"Must.... choose...?"

"That's right. This isn't about testing you or anything like that. It's not about who is right or wrong... Really....

What's important is how you want to live. Your will. It's a matter of your heart."

Mima gently placed her hands on Tomoe's shoulders.

"Will you give up on being happy and live by Maria's side? Or will you leave Maria and live happily? 

The decision is yours."

A somber expression was on Mima's face.

She was suddenly forcing her young child to make a cruel choice.

Mima was aware of this, but it was a question she could not avoid.

"... I... I..."

Even without understanding her mother's true intentions, Tomoe sensed it instinctively, and after thinking hard, she voiced her feelings.

"As long as I can be by Onee-sama's side, that alone will make me happy!"

Hearing Tomoe's heartfelt reply, a slight smile played on Mima's lips.

However, the sadness in her eyes as she looked at Tomoe grew.

"Tomoe. As a mother, I'm glad you can say that. But....

That's not enough."

Mima, enduring her own anguish, quietly and coldly uttered these words.

"Just living by Maria's side with such a lighthearted attitude, that alone will only be a burden to Maria, a hindrance. That will eventually cause Maria suffering..."

"A hindrance...? I'll cause Onee-sama suffering...?"

"Yes... Tomoe, even as you are now, you will become an excellent Exorcist in the future.

But even that won't be enough to stay by Maria's side. That child is truly special.

If you want to walk alongside her, you must possess a power that surpasses even first-class levels. An absolute power. Only then can you say you are worthy of following Maria."

After taking a breath, Mima peered forcefully into the depths of Tomoe's eyes.

"Let me be blunt, Tomoe. It will be extremely difficult for you to possess the power to qualify for that. 

At best, you might only slightly surpass first-class's power...

I can't lie to you about this, as it concerns your life."

Mima's calm words deeply wounded Tomoe's heart.

Tears streamed uncontrollably from Tomoe's eyes...

AN:

It was a mother's love, however harsh it may have been...

Tomoe-chan, do your best...! (；ω；)