T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 44 - Mother's Agony

Mouri Ran still remembers the last time she was asked to write an essay about becoming a good person.

She was 5 when it happened, in front of the whole class, with her classmates and friends observing her presentation. The title was called 'Becoming a Heroine'.

As Ran stood in front of her classmates, her small hands gripping the sides of the podium, she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. The classroom was filled with the chatter of her fellow kindergarteners, all curious to hear what she had to say about becoming a heroine.

"Good morning, everyone," Ran began, her voice slightly shaky but determined. She glanced over at Sonoko, who was sitting in the front row, giving her an encouraging thumbs-up. Gathering her thoughts, Ran continued, "Today, I want to talk to you about becoming a heroine. A heroine is someone who is kind, brave, and always helps others. I think being a heroine is really important, and I want to be one when I grow up."

Ran could feel the eyes of her classmates on her, but she pushed through her nervousness. She took a deep breath and continued, "To become a heroine, you need to be nice to your friends and help them when they need it. You should stand up for what is right and be honest. And even when things are scary, you should be brave and never give up."

As she spoke, Ran's confidence began to grow. She could see the smiles and nods from her classmates, and it gave her the motivation to keep going. "Heroes and heroines also have to remember to remain good, even if they feel like they are failing. Just like how my Tousan worked hard to become a great detective, we can practice being kind and helpful every day. And if we make a mistake, it's important to say sorry and learn from it."

Ran's words resonated with her classmates, and she could see their attention focused solely on her. "Being a heroine means being a good friend and always doing our best. It means being there for each other and spreading kindness wherever we go. So, let's all work together to become the best heroes and heroines we can be!"

As Ran finished her presentation, the classroom erupted in applause. Her classmates cheered and clapped, and Ran's heart swelled with pride. She glanced at Sonoko, who was beaming with pride, and then at her teacher, who nodded with approval. Despite her initial nervousness, Ran had successfully delivered her message about becoming a heroine, and she felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

From that day forward, Ran tried to live by the ideals she had spoken about in her presentation. She worked hard to be kind to others, help her friends, and stand up for what was right. And as she reflected on her journey since then, Ran realized that becoming a good person and a true heroine was an ongoing process, shaped by her experiences, challenges, and the people she encountered along the way.

...........................................................................

But then, now after learning of Ranran's past, that goal of becoming a kind-hearted heroine....has become a distant nightmare.

Sitting in front of Amelia, she felt very sick.

Amelia noticed the change in Ran's demeanour and the distress that washed over her. She could see the internal struggle and conflict within the 6-year-old girl sitting before her.

"You must be wondering.....why Ranran detested you? The answer is pretty straightforward, it may sound harsh, but you are not genuine with her."

Amelia's words cut through the turmoil in Ran's mind, and she looked up at her, her expression a mix of confusion and pain.

"Not genuine?" Ran repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I offered to be her friend, Amelia! But she turned back with a bamboo sword on me in school!"