The park was still in the wake of Kuro’s departure as I stood before the woman I’d encountered earlier that day—the woman who looked exactly like my mother.
She had chestnut-brown hair that reached her waist and dark eyes. Dressed in a black jacket over a white shirt and trousers that looked like jeans, her lively, youthful appearance was the spitting image of the mother I remembered.
Perhaps that was why I had called out to her reflexively. "Mom."
However...
"Well, that’s quite a greeting," she said with a faint, awkward smile. "Do I really look old enough to have a son as big as you?"
"Ah—no! I’m sorry."
"Ahaha, I’m not actually angry, you know."
The way she spoke, her wry smile, her every gesture—they all overlapped perfectly with my memories. Even though they were identical, she was someone else.
"Um..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you for earlier today. I’d like to return the money you lent me."
"Don't worry about that. I just happened to see you, and it was only 2R, after all."
"No, I couldn't possibly..."
"Now, now. You should learn to accept a person's kindness gracefully."
"Eh? Ah, yes!"
I felt completely thrown off my pace. There was something about the way she spoke that made it feel impossible to argue. It felt exactly like being lectured by my mother.
"Oh, that reminds me, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Luce. It’s nice to meet you."
"...Luce-san?"
"That’s right. Since fate brought us together here, would you mind telling me your name too?"
"...I’m Kaito Miyama."
Even if her face and voice were identical, her name was different. I should have expected that, yet a heavy sense of disappointment settled in my chest. I realized then that some part of me had been hoping—wishing—that she really was my mother.
"Kaito Miyama? That’s an unusual name. Oh, are you from another world, by any chance?"
"Yes, that’s right."
"I see! This is my first time talking to an otherworlder. I feel like I’ve stumbled onto something special... Wait, are you okay? You look pale."
"Ah, well..."
It was something I had been told many times before: my emotions were always written plainly on my face. Luce-san leaned in, looking concerned as she noticed my troubled expression. I had to find a way to play it off.
"I’ve got it! You’re hungry, aren't you?"
"...Huh?"
"Yes, yes. You can’t keep your spirits up on an empty stomach!"
"N-No, I’m not really hungry..."
"Then this is for you! You can have my special handmade sandwich. I just happened to have it on me!"
"..."
She wasn't listening to a word I said. I wasn't even slightly hungry—I’d just finished dinner a short while ago. Then again, my mother was the type who rarely listened to what others said, too. Did people who looked alike also share the same personalities?
I looked at the sandwich she was holding out. My Sympathy Magic picked up nothing but pure goodwill from her, making it even harder to refuse.
"Thank you very much."
"You're very welcome! Now, take a big bite!"
"Right..."
Swept up in her momentum, I took a bite of the sandwich.
In that moment, I knew for certain that this woman was not my mother.
"It’s... delicious."
"Really? I’m glad."
It was wrong. This wasn't my mother’s cooking.
My mother had been a terrible cook. Her vegetable slices were always uneven, her seasoning was erratic, and she could never have made a sandwich look this professional. She was hopelessly clumsy, but she had been the brightest, most positive, and kindest person I’d ever known.
Luce-san looked exactly like her, but she was different. She was just someone who happened to look the same.
"Oh? You look even worse now. Are you feeling sick?"
"No, I’m fine."
"Hmm. You shouldn't push yourself. You should head back and get some rest."
"Yes... you're right."
I’d known there was a high probability that she was a stranger, but having it confirmed left a hollow ache deep in my chest.
"I’m sorry. You went out of your way to talk to me, and I..."
"Don't worry about it. Let’s have a proper chat another time."
"Yes. Thank you for the sandwich. It really was wonderful."
"You're welcome!"
Unable to fully process my emotions, I took her advice and started back toward the Central Tower. I gave a small bow to Luce-san, who was waving enthusiastically, and walked away from the plaza.
Dear Mother, Father—Despite the disappointment, a part of me is relieved to have found the truth so quickly. I’ll be fine. It was a shock, but thanks to Isis-san and Lilia-san, I can handle this. I can accept the fact that Luce is someone else—that she isn't my mother.
"I’m sorry, Kaito... Please forgive me for not being able to say anything yet."
After watching Kaito until he disappeared from sight, Luce—or rather, Akari Miyama—whispered softly before turning into a dark alleyway.
Her voice, barely a whisper, was swallowed by the night wind and reached no one.