VAGABOND

XXVI: going down!

» [XXXTENTACION - SLIPKNOT (Ft. Kim$oul & Killstation)] «
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"Hey, Ma."

"Kamiwaii? Is everything alright?" His mother, Kureo, asked, her voice laced with concern.

Kamiwaii glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting someone to be there. "Yeah, Ma, I'm good." He replied, his breath slightly uneven.

"I don't know, Kamiwaii. I just had this feeling... like something was wrong. I needed to hear your voice." She said, her worry clear.

Kamiwaii smirked, recognizing not only her motherly intuition but her functionality as well. "It's all good, Ma. I'm on my way back to the dorms now. Me and the guys are about to watch the game." He added with a light chuckle.

There was a brief silence on the other end before his mother spoke again, her voice softening. "I know things haven't always been easy between us... after everything that happened. But I need you to know I'm here, no matter what."

Kamiwaii's expression softened, his smirk fading as he slowed his pace, the weight of her words settling in. "Yeah, Ma, I know. We've had our moments... but you've always had my back. I'm good now. Things are different."

She heaved. "You're sure? I don't want you carrying around all that weight." She said, her voice thick with unspoken emotion. "I know you've been through a lot... and I don't want to lose you again."

Kamiwaii's eyes dropped to the ground for a moment, remembering the fights, the distance, the cold silences between them. It had been tough, and sometimes, he still felt the sting of their past. But hearing her now—sincere, vulnerable—made something inside him shift. He rubbed his hand over his face, then let out a breath. "I'm not going anywhere, Ma. Alive or in the dirt, you'll always be my first priority."

His mom's voice cracked slightly, but there was a smile in it now. "I'm proud of you, Kamiwaii. I really am. Just... don't forget where you came from. Don't forget me."

He smiled faintly, his voice softer. "I won't. Love you, Ma."

"I love you too." She replied, her tone full of relief. "Take care of yourself. And those boys of yours, too."

Kamiwaii chuckled quietly, glancing at Sutō, Kodomo and Waizu, who were walking ahead of him, talking and laughing as usual. "I will, Ma. I will."

"Good. Now, go enjoy the game. But promise me you'll stay out of trouble, alright?"

He smirked. "I'll try."

With a final exchange of goodbyes, Kamiwaii hung up the phone, slipping it back into his pocket. As he looked up, the boys had stopped, waiting for him to catch up.

Sutō raised an eyebrow. "Everything good, vro?"

Kamiwaii nodded, his mood shifting. The tension in his shoulders had loosened. "Yeah, all good. Just had to check in with Ma. You know how it is."

Kodomo gave a knowing grin. "Yeah, vro, we get it. Family's everything. So, what's next? Game time?"

"Yeah." Kamiwaii replied, his voice light as he fell back into step with his friends. "Let's head back to the dorm."

***

"Was that Kami, Mama?" Kamiwaii's little brother asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of concern.

Kureo hesitated for a moment, her expression shifting between worry and frustration. She exhaled softly before turning to face him, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, baby, it was him." She said, though the warmth in her voice felt strained.