Chapter 10: Since I was planning the next operation, I decided to ask

“Haruto-san, did it fail?”

“Did what fail?”

While I was reporting the outcome and talking to Hoshiko over the phone, she suddenly brought that up.

“Because, Luna-oneechan was rubbing my head and going, ‘Don’t do anything unnecessary!’”

“No, it was definitely a success. Thanks.”

This was just the first phase of the operation, but it produced more than satisfactory results.

After I got home and activated the measuring device, I found the erosion rate had dropped below 60%. Compared to when I acted alone, it had made a significant impact.

I couldn’t thank Hoshiko enough.

“Haruto-san, you don’t have much money, right? She told me not to go overboard and drag you into anything reckless...”

“...It wasn’t that reckless.”

I wouldn’t go as far as to call it reckless. People seemed to enjoy it, after all.

In any case, if there are visible results, it’s worth continuing.

“Is there anything else you think would make Hidaka happy?”

“Hmm. In that case, it might be best to ask Mom.”

“Your mother?”

“I think she probably knows more about Oneechan than I do.”

With her recommendation, my next research subject was decided.

“In that case, maybe I should ask your dad too.”

Two heads are better than one.

As I made the suggestion, Hoshiko immediately shot it down.

“Don’t ask my dad. He’ll definitely be against it!”

Apparently, it’s not good to ask a father about his daughter.

...Earth culture is complicated.

“So that’s what’s going on.”

“My, my.”

After I gave a general explanation, Youta’s mother—Tsukimi—covered her mouth lightly with her hand.

“You want to make Luna happy, is that it?”

“Yes. Hidaka has done a lot for me.”

Thanks to Hoshiko’s introduction, the conversation was smooth.

Right now, I was in Youta’s living room, sitting across from his mother. Youta wasn’t home today either. Apparently, Hoshiko had dragged him out forcefully.

“We should be the ones thanking you. ...That girl’s been going through a rebellious phase lately. She’s completely distanced herself from the friends she used to be so close with... These days, you’re the only one who spends time with her, Haruto-kun.”

“No... I don’t have many friends myself. And I think Hidaka is just confused right now.”

The Youta I originally knew was very sociable. Not necessarily the center of the class, but the kind of person who had a connection with everyone. That’s how I saw her.

To begin with, it was partially our fault that Youta had changed. So, if anything, I deserve to be blamed—not thanked.

“If there’s a place she used to like... anything you can think of would help, Ma’am.”

“You know, you can call me Mom if you want.”

“That’s a bit much.”

Youta’s mother often teases me like that. Maybe she knows I don’t have any parents.

That said, it’s true she doesn’t really fit the image of an “aunt.” With her youthful appearance, depending on what she’s wearing, she could easily pass for someone Youta’s age. You could even mistake her for Hoshiko’s older sister.

Unfortunately, she doesn’t resemble Youta much in hair or skin tone...

By the way, Youta’s father is quite tall. Sadly, his son didn’t inherit that trait.

“Anyway, somewhere that would make Luna happy, huh...”

“I’d prefer somewhere from her early childhood, if possible.”

Youta’s memories seem to exist in two versions—those that have been altered, and those that haven’t. Apparently, if there’s a gender-related inconsistency, the alteration effect kicks in. That’s why the younger the memory—when gender differences were less noticeable—the weaker the signs of tampering.

Youta’s mother closed her eyes and traced back through her memories.

“Maybe the amusement park. We went when Hoshiko could barely walk. She was absolutely delighted.”

“An amusement park... I see.”

The one she mentioned was Shirasagi Park, a relatively unknown place. Built about twenty years ago, it had somehow managed to stay open despite the economic downturn.

...I recalled having used it as a destination in past operations. Amusement parks tend to be places where positive emotions gather easily.

“Oh! You know, an album might help.”

As if struck with inspiration, she clapped her hands together. With that, she hurried upstairs.

“This one’s from when Luna was five.”

“...I see.”

Youta’s mother pointed excitedly at a young child riding a coffee cup-shaped amusement ride.

It was a little girl with silver hair and sun-kissed skin.
Wearing a one-piece dress, she was smiling brightly and waving at the camera.

That was Youta—his appearance rewritten by the Sacred Beasts.

Their thoroughness was almost admirable in a twisted sort of way.

It was as if they were trying to erase every last trace that Youta had ever existed in this world.
I couldn’t begin to imagine how deeply that must have scarred her heart.

“Luna gets angry when I bring out the album these days. So I only get to look at it on rare occasions like this.”

That was understandable. Knowing the truth, I could relate to how Youta must feel.

To her, these were memories being told of someone else entirely.

—No, there were definitely parts that aligned with Youta’s actual memories.
But the one in every picture was always the girl named Luna.
There wasn’t even a sliver of space left for Youta to exist.

Still, she continued to share those memories with such tenderness.

“This was the time she ate that thing,” she said.
“She threw a tantrum because she wanted this.”
The stories were endless.

Is this what a mother’s love looks like?

“...Thank you for today.”

I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

I gave a small bow and stood up from my seat.

“Oh? You’re heading out already?”

“Yes. I shouldn’t be here if—Hidaka comes back.”

“I see... it is supposed to be a surprise, isn’t it?”

Thankfully, Youta’s mother didn’t seem offended.

“Keep being good to Luna, okay?”

“...I will.”

My response came after a brief pause.

“How nostalgic...”

After seeing Haruto off, I flipped slowly through the photo album.

Luna had always been such a sociable child, so naturally, many of the photos were with other kids her age.

In all of them, she’s smiling.
All except one, where she’s looking downcast.

I think that was the time Hoshiko got bullied by an older boy, and Luna got into a fight trying to protect her.
She was no match for him—he was bigger—but she came home upset and told me the story.

And yet, she didn’t shed a single tear.

Even when I hugged her and said, “You did great,” she just clenched her teeth and held it in.

It was such a brave moment that her father couldn’t help but snap a photo.

“You were already being a good big brother back then... weren’t you?”

I murmured to myself—then caught the oddness of my own words.

“Big brother? But Luna’s a girl... Goodness, I must be getting old.”

Well, I can’t just sit here reminiscing. Time to get back to housework.

I hope things go well for Haruto-kun...

Still, a date at that amusement park, of all places...

If my daughter’s old enough for that, maybe it really is only natural that I’m getting older too.