Fragments Of Past - Forgotten Promises

Chapter 5 - Everything felt right

I groaned as I tried to lift myself out of bed, my body weak and uncooperative. The trip back to 2006 had drained me more than I expected. My legs trembled under my weight, and before I knew it, I collapsed back onto the mattress, frustration welling up inside me. But as I lay there, staring at the familiar posters on the walls and the soft morning light filtering through the window, I knew I had to try again.

After a few deep breaths, I managed to push myself up, my movements slow and deliberate. Each step felt like a monumental effort as I dragged myself toward the door. Gripping the railing tightly, I descended the stairs, every muscle in my body protesting with each step.

The smell of breakfast hit me as I reached the bottom, and my heart started racing. I knew what waited for me in the kitchen. I rounded the corner, and sure enough, there she was—Mom.

I stood in the doorway of our small kitchen, taking a moment to soak it all in. Kazumi, my mom, was at the stove, humming one of her favorite tunes. Her back was to me, and I could picture her short black hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, swaying slightly with every movement. She wore that old, slightly stained apron—the one that was practically a family heirloom at this point. Everything felt so familiar, so real. It was like I had never lost her.

“Mm—Mom…” I whispered, my voice barely breaking the silence.

She turned at the sound of my voice, surprise flashing across her face before her expression shifted to that classic look of concern. “Yuki? What’s wrong, honey?” Her voice was soft but had that familiar edge of worry. Then, with her signature teasing tone, she added, “Did you forget to do your homework again? I swear, if I have to remind you one more time…”

I felt a smile tugging at my lips. Homework? Please. I rushed forward, wrapping my arms around her tightly. The warmth of her body, the soft scent of  the detergent she always used—it all came rushing back, overwhelming me. She was here. She was really here.

For a moment, Mom seemed taken aback, probably caught off guard by my sudden display of affection. But then she relaxed into my embrace, patting my back gently. “Hey, it’s okay,” she murmured, still sounding a bit puzzled. “What’s gotten into you, Yuki? Did you have a nightmare or something?”

Nightmare? No, just a lovely stroll through the emotional rollercoaster that is my life. I pulled back just enough to look at her, my vision blurred with tears. “I just… I missed you, Mom.”

Her expression softened, her brow furrowing slightly as she searched my face, probably trying to decipher my emotional state. “Well, I’m right here, aren’t I? No need to get all dramatic on me. Save that for the soap operas.”

I chuckled, the sound shaky and tinged with both relief and sadness.

“Thanks, Mom. For everything.”

She gave me a suspicious look. “Everything? I hope that doesn’t mean I’m getting a last-minute request to skip your chores today. Because if it does, you’re out of luck. I’m onto your tricks.”

I laughed. “No, no! I promise I won’t use this moment of emotional vulnerability to wriggle out of my responsibilities. I’m just… appreciating what I have.”

Kazumi raised an eyebrow, glancing at me with that curious smile of hers. “You’re being unusually polite today. What’s gotten into you? Did you secretly become a monk while I wasn’t looking? Because if you did, you definitely need to work on your cooking skills.”