‘’Saying your final words even though you’re not going to die. I see you’re still doing stupid things like before. You never change, do you? ’’

I heard my mother talking at me and looked around

“Mom! Is that you? Where are you? I can't see you?”

“I'm right here Yuuto, just listen to what I have to say-”

I interrupted her out of confusion

“Mom! Am I in heaven already? Is that how you’re talking to me?”

She got pissed about what I said and shouted

“YOU GOING TO HEAVEN! AS IF I'M GOING TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN YOU DIMWIT! I BETTER NOT SEE YOU HERE FOR ATLEAST ANOTHER 70 YEARS! GOT IT! “

I replied to her like a soldier talking to a higher officer out of habit like in the past

“Yes Ma’am”

”If you come with me to heaven whose going to take care of Kaede and your stupid father. Those two can't do anything without you”

“Then why are you here if I'm not in heaven?”

“I just came here to give you the push you need in life. I saw how your future plays out and boy is it exciting. There's no way I'm letting my son come with me when he has such a happy future ahead of him”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You'll find out soon so don't worry. My time is running out so I'll keep it simple…“

Time? What does she mean by that?

”…First tell that stupid love-struck husband of mine to get over me and marry another women. He's getting old and needs a woman to take care of him. So tell him to throw his sentiments in the trash and find a mother who will love Kaede just like her own daughter. The only good point about him is his good looks so finding a woman won't be hard for him”

“You’re even dissing him from heaven. You really are my mother”

She then shouted because of her short fuse to any comments about her saying

”OF COURSE I'M YOUR MOTHER! DID YOU THINK I WAS SOME RANDOM GHOST!?”

She's scary as ever

“Sorry-Sorry! You can continue”

“Next tell my favourite child Kaede that-”

“Favourite child! Is that something a mother should say to her children?”

“JUST SHUT UP YOUR TRAP AND LET ME SPEAK!”

Just like in the past, her scary tone made me shut up instantly. My mother when she's angry was the only thing that ever scared me. She would turn into a demon if anyone pissed her off and you better hope you’re not on the receiving end

”Now.…Tell my angel Kaede that she's become a beautiful and strong young girl and will always be happy wherever she goes. I'm so happy that she's not a cry-baby anymore and can stand up for herself now. Also tell her to stop eating junk food, go to sleep on time, not to watch too much TV and boys are all wolf's in-”

“Hahaha!”

“Why are you laughing? What’s so funny?”

“No it's just that I was saying the exact same thing before. We really are mother and son”

“Of course we think alike; after all you’re my son. You’re also the one who resembles me the most in the family”

I wonder about that. Kaede is the one who resembles my mother. The only thing I got from her, is her mean look

”You don't have to worry about that stuff since I'm there to take care of her”

“Oh right. I forgot about that. You've become a really reliable brother haven't you?”

“Well I do have to keep the promise we made”

“I'm glad you remember. Then tell her that wherever she may be I'll always be watching and protecting her so she doesn't have to feel lonely without me. Tell her I love her with all my heart and will always be by her side. Also tell her that mama is proud of her for not wetting the bed anymore”

I chuckled

“I'm not sure how she'll react to the last part”

”And you Yuuto. I'm so happy that my little Yuuto has become such a handsome and reliable man that he's willing to sacrifice himself to save someone. I'm proud of you Yuuto and I always will be. Although you've gone through some harsh moments in your life, you've never given up on your dream and are still are pursuing it. With that much dedication I'm sure it will come true. Don't mind what others might say about you, since you'll meet people in the future who will see you for who you truly are. You'll always be the precious baby boy that I held in my hands that day, so don't forget that I'll always love you and support you no matter what you decide to do. Never change who you are and continue to protect your loved ones like you've been doing all these years and your life will definitely change for the better“

*bell sounds*

A bell?

”Oh I guess my time has run out. I'll have to go now”

Huh? She's going? After all these years I meet her and that's all?

I frantically shouted

“Mom! Where are you going?! Don't leave me!”

She then gently said

“I'm not going anywhere Yuuto. I'll always be with all three of you. The only one who's going somewhere is you, back to where you belong. Now I'll be pushing you on the count of three”

“No wait mom!”

“One..”

“I still want to talk to you!”

“Two..”

“Please don't go!”

!!!

At the third count I could finally see my mother floating behind me. She was as beautiful as the last day I saw her, wearing the same white one piece dress. She then opened her mouth and said her final words

“Don't forget to name your future restaurants after me like you promised…”

She then gave her big old smile that would always comfort me whenever I was sad in the past and finally said

“Bye Yuuto”

I knew I could only say one thing to her at that moment

“Bye mom. I'm the luckiest in the world to have been your son. I love you”

She then placed her warm hands on my back and pushed me forward

She quickly started to fade away with a smiling face after she pushed me but just had enough time to pat my head before she completely disappeared

“Thank you mom. Thank you for giving me this second chance at life. I'll live it to the fullest just like you said”