Hoshino's Mom POV
*PAIN*
My head throbbed, a searing pain around my temples stirring my mind awake. I didn't feel like getting up yet, so I kept my eyes closed and stubbornly stayed on the sofa.
*PAIN* *PAIN* *PAIN*
With three drums of pain, I let out a small, irritated sigh.
I guess I have no choice.
I slowly opened my eyes, my vision gradually stitching itself back together.
The living room curtains were still drawn—a courtesy from my family, leaving them closed while I slept. Yet, through the thin gaps, a ray of sunlight leaked in and pierced my eyes.
*PAIN* *PAIN* *PAIN*
The blinding light sent waves of intense pain through my head, causing me to squint and throw a hand over my eyes.
My arm hadn't been up for long, but the muscles were already failing, my strength seeping away.
Ugh. Great.
Without even the luxury of staying down any longer, I pushed myself off the couch and made my way to the kitchen cabinet.
I didn't weigh much—maybe around a hundred pounds or so—but that didn't stop my legs from shuddering under my weight with every step I took.
Once I got close enough to the kitchen counter, I pressed a hand to its surface, taking some of the burden off my legs, and used it to guide myself to the cabinet.
I grabbed a small bowl and a pair of chopsticks, then moved to the rice cooker. It was nearly empty, with just enough rice to fill one last bowl.
…Looks like I'll have to make more later today.
After scooping the rice into the bowl, I returned to the couch, pulled the blanket over my legs, and started to eat. The rice was cold and stale—the kind of stale that sucked the moisture out of your mouth and clung to your throat as you swallowed each grain.
I'd never allow my kids—or my Husband—to eat such a thing. But for me, it was fine. After all, I just needed to fill my stomach before my daily dose of medication.
I continued to chew absentmindedly until the bowl was empty. Then I stood up, set the bowl in the sink, and made my way over to the kitchen counter where the countless bottles of medication sat.
Grabbing one of the dozen bottles, I swallowed the pill without even chasing it with water.
I didn't return to the couch right away. Instead, I leaned against the fridge, allowing the medication a chance to settle before lying down again.
*PAIN* *PAIN* *PAin* *pain*
I let out a slow, relieved breath.
While the pain never fully went away, at least now I could walk without feeling every pulse of it in my head.
After a couple of minutes, I returned to the couch and wrapped myself in the blanket once again. It should have been around noon by now, which for most people would be considered far too late to start the day—especially for a stay-at-home mom.
While I did have to start preparing for dinner soon, there were other—more important—things that I needed to sort out first. The first being…
What am I supposed to do about my Son?
I knew the name of the person who was being a bad influence on him, but so what? What did that really accomplish for me? It gave me deeper insight as to what was going on, sure—but that was it. I wasn't any closer to helping him.
In fact, knowing that it was a girl who'd influenced him to this degree made it much worse. I was his age once too, and because of that, I knew how dangerous these types of relationships could be.
Maybe to him, it was just your normal, loving high-school romance. But as his Mom, I saw it from a different angle.
This relationship… was unhealthy for him.
So, as his Mom, it was my job to ensure that he didn't stray too far from the right path.
The obvious answer to most parents would be to simply "talk to your kids," but I knew my Son wouldn't listen to me. When I was his age, I didn't listen to anyone who told me my relationships were bad. And I knew his Dad was the same way. Julie was too. She even used to come to me for dating advice when she was younger. It was simply a part of growing up.
Maybe if it were another time, I'd let him learn the hard way. But right now was an important time for him. University entrance exams were approaching fast. During this time, he needed to focus on school more than anything. He couldn't afford a setback like this. And if he ended up getting his heart broken, who knew how long that'd affect his studies.
I absolutely cannot let that happen!
Which left me with only one option—I had to resolve this by force. Maybe not by the end of the summer like I wanted, but at least before the next set of midterms.
I was hoping to get his Dad on my side so we could approach him together. After all, if it were the two of us pressuring him, then maybe, just maybe, there was a chance he'd actually listen. I really put all my hopes on that one plan.
But I was mistaken.
I never would have thought his Dad would trust his Son, much less say no to me after everything I'd said.
*pain* *paIN* *PAIN*
Just thinking back on the conversation I had with him in the car made my blood boil. With each memory that flickered by, the migraine sharpened.
That… traitor.
I dug my nails into the leather of the sofa, using it to bleed off some of the pressure flooding my head.
How could he say no to his Wife?!
Can't he do something for once?!
I gritted my teeth, and the muscles in my temples tightened, amplifying the headache. But this time, with pain came clarity.
...What else was I expecting?
Of course he'd do nothing.
That's all he ever does.
A small, hollow chuckle rang out into the cold, empty air of the living room.
I shouldn't have expected anything from him anyway.
That was entirely my fault.
I closed my eyes and let out a deep, steadying breath, clearing my head and chest of all the unnecessary thoughts and feelings.
What if… I ask Julie for advice?
It wouldn't be the first time I'd come to her for advice, so it wasn't like it'd be coming out of nowhere. The only problem was I'd never come to her regarding my children's love lives before. If it were her, there was a good chance that she'd tell me to simply stay out of it.
Which meant that… I was out of options. It wasn't like I could do anything too drastic, such as stripping him of his freedom. Aside from the fact that he'd detest me if I did so, other repercussions came with that—mainly mental and social ones. So there really was no other choice left for me.
But just as that thought landed, I shook my head. My brain rattled, sending a sharp jolt of pain to my nerves. I kept shaking anyway.
No… there has to be another way. There has to be another person who could get through to him, or at least someone who could help me—
Then—I stopped. I didn't move. I didn't think. I simply stared at the shadows lurking within on ceiling with wide, unblinking eyes.
There is one more person…
Someone who he would listen to. Someone who could agree with me. And someone who he actually loved. In fact, I couldn't believe I didn't think of this sooner. Looking back, she should've been my first option.
…Lily.
His one and only little sister.
Out of everyone in this family—no, everyone in the world—she had the best chance of reaching him. While he may not show it, as his Mom, I knew better than anyone just how much he cared for his sister.
He always had. I'd seen him take care of her ever since she was just a baby. He even used to look out for her whenever my Husband or I weren't watching them when they were kids. And that still hasn't changed to this day.
I thought it did during the winter a few years back, but when Lily and I fought in May—he was the first one to help her.
The only problem was whether Lily would actually side with me. Lately, she and I have been fighting a lot. So if it came to getting her on my side, I doubted that she would actually team up with me. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if she went against me out of pure spite.
But if it came to protecting her Brother… things might be different. After all, just like him, I knew better than anyone how much she adored him.
Because, just like him… she had ever since they were little.
Slowly, my lips curled into a smile, and a plan began to form in my head. My original plan to help my Son before summer ended might have to be pushed back a bit—but that was okay. By now, I was sure it was going to take quite a bit of time. But I was ready for that.
As long as it happened in the end, that was all that mattered.