My consciousness was oddly clear for a dream, yet I found myself in an absurd situation: a woman I’d never met before was claiming to be my mother. Honestly, what was going on?
I didn't recognize the woman standing before me calling herself Machina. Besides, I already had a mother back home.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean biologically. It’s in a much broader sense. You were born in the world I created, so that makes you My Child."
"I-I see... Wait. Does that mean you're the God of the World I used to live in?"
"Yes, that's exactly right."
The claim had startled me, but it turned out to be that kind of metaphorical "motherhood." Still... I felt like I'd heard this somewhere before. Or rather, I felt like I knew someone who said similar things, but... I couldn't remember.
It was a bizarre sensation, as if that specific memory had been hollowed out of my mind.
"Oops, sorry. Due to certain circumstances, I've made it so that you can't remember 'The Other Me' while you're here."
"U-Uh-huh?"
"Well, how should I put it... My Child seemed to think this was a dream at first, and that's close in a way. I’ve temporarily invited your spirit into this space while your body sleeps. However, this is pushing the limits of my agreement—bordering on a Breach of Contract—and I’ll likely catch heat from Shallow Vernal. That’s why I’ve placed restrictions on you: 'Can't remember The Other Me here' and 'Forget what was talked about here upon waking.'"
"...I-I see."
It was an insane explanation, but if she really was a god, I suppose it wasn't outside the realm of possibility. Between one thing and another, I’d dealt with so many logic-defying events lately that I was starting to get used to them. I accepted the news with surprising composure.
I wasn't sure whether to be proud of my personal growth or lament the fact that my life had become abnormal enough to make this feel routine.
As I ruminated on that, I realized I should probably figure out how to address her. Given that she was a god, I wondered if I should use a more formal title.
"Ah, no, just call me whatever is easy for you. Of course, you could even call me 'Mother'..."
"...Then, I'll go with Machina-san."
"You could even call me Mama, you know?"
"I look forward to our talk, Machina-san."
"Ah, yeah. Likewise..."
What was this feeling? She looked like a refined, gentle beauty, and her voice was kind... and yet, for some reason I couldn't grasp, I felt an underlying sense of danger.
Particularly when she mentioned me calling her mother, a chill ran down my spine. It was as if my body were sounding an instinctive alarm.
I wanted to believe it was just my imagination, but for a split second, I thought I saw Dark Hearts lurking deep within her rainbow-colored eyes.
"...Umm, changing the subject, why did you bring me here? Judging by what you said earlier, did you have a specific reason for calling me, even if it risks a Breach of Contract with Shiro-san?"
"Yes, exactly! My Child is so smart. You tend to sell yourself short, but you have a sharp eye and a quick wit. Sure, you have your ditzier moments, but that’s just part of My Child's charm. It’s not a flaw—it’s a feature! An intellectual, cool guy who’s also occasionally adorable... that’s better than a two-for-one deal. From my perspective, your 'licking' points are off the charts. I really do want to pamper My Child constantly—or rather, I just want to lick you... Oops, I got a 'little' sidetracked there."
...A little? Did she really just say "lick" with a straight face? I had to have misheard her. Please let it be a misunderstanding... I was too terrified to ask for clarification.
And just as I feared, I really did feel a strange sense of danger. The air felt heavy and oppressive, the kind of humid atmosphere that made me break out in a cold, greasy sweat.
"I brought you here because I wanted to see My Child face-to-face, of course... but also because I’ve been wanting to have a proper talk with you for a while now."
"A talk?"
"Yes. Well, I'd like to say let's sit down and take our time since talking while standing is a bit much... but sorry, wait a moment."
After saying that, Machina-san clenched her right fist and slammed it directly into her own face. No shockwave reached me, but behind her, the space itself groaned and buckled with the sound of cracking glass. She must have swung with terrifying force.
I mean... what was this woman doing?!
"...U-Umm, what was that all of a sudden?"
"Sorry about that. My 'Love for My Child Big Bang' was about to trigger... If I let my influence get any stronger, Shallow Vernal will definitely notice, so I have to keep myself in check."
"...I-I see."
The fact that she didn't just call it a simple explosion was terrifying, and that chilling sensation returned to my spine.
Just as I thought... underneath that refined exterior, madness was clearly bubbling to the surface. Yet, strangely enough, some part of me felt like this was "still on the better side." Why on earth did I feel that way?
Serious-senpai: "...So you can exercise self-restraint..."
Machina: "Paradise (Eden) is strictly a terminal, so the best I can do there is temporarily cut the connection. But with this body, I can deal direct damage to myself, which makes it easier to keep my impulses under control. Besides, if I interfere any further, Shallow Vernal will find out and lodge a complaint..."