"This is the end..." The words repeated in his mind. There was no escape.
"I told you, Mom!" Elena's voice was shaky but sharp and accusing. "I told you there was something wrong with my brother! See? He was trying to kill himself! I don't know how he became like this!"
Her words were like arrows. He wished he could cover his ears, escape the situation, or go back in time to get rid of those cursed pills. But he stood there, helpless, watching his mother's face shift from warmth and tenderness to coldness.
"Elena, be quiet!" Rita's voice was firm, different from the one he'd known just moments ago. It wasn't the voice of a loving mother, but of a woman trying to control a difficult situation.
Then, Rita turned to Miyata. Her eyes, which had been shining with love moments before, were now cold.
"Miyata..." she said slowly, holding the two pills in Elena's palm. Before speaking in a low voice, "What's your explanation for this?"
The question was simple, but it was the hardest Miyata had ever faced in his life. He tried to gather his thoughts, but his mind was blank. There was no logical explanation. How could he explain the presence of suicide pills in his pocket after he'd convinced them he had changed?
"I... I don't know..." The words stumbled out of his mouth.
"You don't know?" Rita's voice rose slightly. "Were you planning to kill yourself again? After all you said? After all your tears?"
"No, Mom! I swear, no!" Miyata shouted, trying to defend himself. "I don't want to die anymore! I've changed! Believe me!"
But his words were empty. The pills in Rita's hand spoke louder than his voice. Elena stood behind her mother, her eyes full of accusations.
"If you weren't planning on killing yourself, why do you have these pills?" Rita asked, her eyes fixed on him.
Miyata felt a rope tightening around his neck. Rita was smart, very smart. She knew words alone weren't enough. She wanted a logical, tangible explanation that would make her believe him.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to piece together his scattered thoughts. He had to invent a new lie, one convincing enough to get him out of this predicament.
"I... I was planning to kill myself," Miyata said in a low voice, feigning remorse. "I was so desperate, I thought death was the only solution. But..."
"But what?" his sister interrupted.
Miyata ignored his sister's sarcasm and continued with feigned enthusiasm, "No, Mom! I thought about it all night. I thought about you and Elena. I thought about all I've done to you both, and all I could do for you. I realized that death isn't the solution. Running away won't solve anything. I decided I have to live, face my mistakes."
The words came out of his mouth as if they were the absolute truth, full of emotion. His eyes were teary, and a slight tremor ran through his body. He hoped this would be enough.
Suddenly, Rita's composure broke. She dropped the pills from her hand and collapsed to the floor, weeping. "Oh my God, my son!" she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "You've suffered so much! You were alone! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, my boy!"
Miyata didn't expect this reaction. His mother was still truly innocent, believing anything her children told her. Guilt churned in his gut. He was exploiting her blind love.
Rita slowly got up, walked over to Miyata, and hugged him tightly. Her embrace was warm and comforting, like a mother's hug he hadn't felt in a long time. Her hair was soft, and her scent filled his chest.
"I'll throw these pills away myself," Rita whispered, still hugging him. "But... you must promise me one thing."
"What is it, Mom?" Miyata asked in a broken voice.
"You won't leave Elena's side again. You'll be together all the time, everywhere you go. She's small, and she'll be able to protect you."
It sounded ridiculous. Elena was younger than him and needed his protection. He tried to protest, but Rita immediately cut him off.
"This is an order, Miyata. Not a request. I won't let you out of her sight again."
Miyata tried to act like a guilty puppy, using his innocent look. "Mom, you can't think of it like..."
"It's no use," Rita interrupted sternly. "The decision has been made. Now, go and check the prize I bought for you. Elena put it in your room."
Miyata nodded slowly, feeling frustrated. He didn't expect his mother to be this strict. "Okay, Mom..."
Rita left him to go to his room, and finally, he was alone. Miyata walked to his room, opened the door, and found a small box on his desk, wrapped in shiny gift paper.
Miyata sat in his chair and took a deep breath. He opened the box slowly and found something that made him freeze. It wasn't a book, a toy, or even a piece of clothing. It was an official document with a familiar logo. It was a registration form for UA academy, one of the most prestigious academies in the country. Most importantly, the form had a "Accepted" stamp.
Miyata couldn't help but smile. His mother truly cared about him.
"Well, it's time to try out my special skill," Miyata said before a faint smile appeared on his lips. Why wouldn't it? He was about to become a supernatural being.
Miyata looked around the spacious room before using his power. "..."
End of chapter