A Life Once More

After separating from our sibling hug, I helped all of them unpack and get settled. Euphi and Cain at some point went to their rooms and fell asleep, leaving me and Mom alone.

It was now 7 p.m.

Mom and I were sitting in the living room with some stupid videos playing from Itube for background noise. As we talked, I scrolled for apartments to rent because I didn't plan on settling down or permanently staying wherever I moved. I still had a whole world to explore and a shit ton of money — I couldn't waste my freedom just yet!

"Where do you plan on moving?"

I kept scrolling but still answered.

"Probably near the university. It'll make getting to class easier, and there's a lot of stuff to do surprisingly. OH!"

I just remembered about getting her to sign that dude's card.

"Why the reaction?" She looked at me amused.

"I promised this guy at this café you'd sign his card. It's one from that Game of Wars series."

She looked confused. Putting a finger to her chin, her red eyes showed that she didn't remember anything about it.

"U-uh, I don't remember either, but it was definitely us on the card."

She shrugged, the loose sleeve of her hoodie sliding down her arm a bit. "Sure, I'll do it tomorrow."

"Works for me," I said, tapping my thumb lightly against my phone screen.

"It better. I figure you'll get quick access to wherever you decide to stay!" she added, her voice carrying a smug tone.

I looked at her, confused.

"Hehe~, privileges of having both fame and money. You get to skip a lot of the bullshit!" she said, twirling a strand of hair absentmindedly.

"Just make sure you stop cussing in front of my cute little sister!" I retorted, tossing a cushion weakly in her direction.

"This is my house!" she declared, smacking the pillow down and puffing out her chest slightly like she won some grand debate.

"...ugh. Fair," I muttered, sinking deeper into the couch cushions.

"Hmph~" she huffed, crossing her arms with overdramatic flair.

Despite being a grown adult, Mom really acted like a child sometimes. I enjoyed this side of her way more than any other.

"By the way..." she said, her voice dropping into something oddly serious, a sharp contrast to her usual playfulness.

"Yes?" I replied, my thumb pausing mid-scroll as the shift in her tone grabbed my attention.

I looked up from my phone, the screen's blue light still lingering in my eyes, and caught the strange, almost mischievous look on her face. The soft hum of the background videos seemed to fade under the weight of whatever she was about to say.

"I'm not ready to be a grandmother just yet," she declared, a teasing glint flashing in her red eyes.

[PFFT~] I couldn't even be bothered to retort this Ezryn's laughter.

"I'm not even ready to be a dad yet!" I shot back, feeling a warm flush creep up my neck.

"Just whenever you do it," she continued, waving a hand vaguely in the air like she was passing off responsibility, "make sure you two are being safe."

"M-Mom, please stop!"

"No, this is important! Also, give me her number."

'W-Whatever.' Back on my phone, I scrolled to messages and sent Kate's contact. I felt a little surprised they didn't get each other's numbers whenever I was in the hospital, but bringing that up now would just spoil the mood.

Mom smiled and nodded, seeing the notification.

"What a cute way of having her program 'Eiz~'"

"What did I do to deserve this..." Her teasing wasn't something I could handle anymore. Back on Earth, I wasn't used to parents acting like this. Mine were kind of like this but to a very small degree — it was like comparing the Earth to the Sun.

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Mom didn't care about my dilemma though.

"You need to get a license and a car too."

She was right. I had completely forgotten about that. If I was going to go on my own, then these two things were necessary. Not that I couldn't use Marcus or Jack, but that would kind of defeat the purpose of moving out.

'I'll just save them for emergencies!' Again, knowing Mom, I can do whatever and whenever, but if I just kept using things from the family, then what was the point of moving out?

"Hey, where do you think is a good place to visit for a Christmas trip?" I asked because Mom was surely knowledgeable. She's traveled for work after all. I'm sure Eiz did too, but well, no need to say what I mean, right?

"Hmm?" She hummed a bit before continuing, "Aurindell. It's the prettiest place in the world during the winter. Mind you, it is cold as fuck."

My eye twitched hearing her curse so casually again. I didn't mind it, but it just felt weird. I can't explain it.

"I'm assuming it's up north?"

"Not really, about two countries northeast."

"Um. That doesn't really help, Mom. I don't even remember what country we are in..." I admitted, scratching the back of my neck, feeling the awkwardness settle thick in the air.

"..." She stared at me with cold, judgmental eyes, the weight of her silence making the room feel ten degrees colder. I could almost hear the tick-tick of the clock on the wall, stretching the moment painfully long.

"SO, you did lose more than just what you said!" she finally snapped, her voice loud enough to make the living room lamp rattle slightly.

"P-Dudu~" I muttered, immediately looking away awkwardly, my voice cracking

"Hah~, Fine. We are in the entertainment capital of the world; Amarika."

'Amarika... wow. Totally not a rip-off of the original.'

Keeping my thoughts to myself, I just nodded and didn't comment.

"Aurindell is in between Swinterland and Swedan."

My face stiffened. These horrible rip-offs were disgusting and a complete disgrace to me. I wasn't even from the originals I knew, but I'm crying for the people.

'G-God these names are horrible.'

[To be fair, if someone from this world ended up in your body they'd probably feel the same.]

'Well, then whoever that person is can feel my pain!'

[I doubt someone actually did...]

'Great, that means we saved someone!'

[Hah~]

"Aurindell is the best choice because it allows for easy access between the other two countries and has the best spot for northern lights and stuff. They also have Christmas festivals, and the whole country is in the spirit."

Mom didn't even give me the chance to respond to Ezryn. I digested the information and, feeling more curious, I asked about the other seasons.

"I don't know about fall, but summer is definitely Veylora. As for spring, hmm. Oh! It's a country in the furthest east of the continent, Asakaze. I forgot the translation but I think it was like morning wind or something. Don't quote me though."

"Where are we going for Convergence Week?"

"I, as the supreme mom and undisputed adult of this household, have decided we're going somewhere even I haven't been yet. It's right in the heart of the continent; a country called Mongai. Supposedly, they have the best chocolate and coffee in the entire world!"

"WE MUST GO!" I exploded without thinking. As a true coffee addict, I felt my blood surge with righteous purpose. I had to taste this heavenly concoction, no matter the cost!