Naruhito (26)
Rikimaru’s mother said,
“You may be children, but you possess power comparable to adults. That’s impressive, but you must be aware and use it responsibly. It’s a terrifying thing to be able to easily take someone’s life. Just because you’re with Lord Kujou or with Hitachimaru doesn’t make it okay.”
“Yes.”
Rikimaru nodded quietly.
I tilted my head. What does she mean by terrifying? It’s natural to be able to kill someone easily. That’s the purpose of this power.
Mother stared at me, not nodding.
“Do not kill people, do not hurt them?”
“Of course.”
Huh? Is that so? Then why are we training? Puzzled, I compared the expressions of Rikimaru and Mother.
“Naruhito, you…”
Rikimaru, lying sideways on the bed, looked at my face and exclaimed in surprise.
“You use your power to protect your loved ones, not to attack.”
Mother sat in a chair next to the bed, beckoning me as she spoke. She rubbed my left arm, only reaching up to my elbow, and held it horizontally on her lap.
To protect…?
“Little Naru, haven’t you been to school?”
She looked into my eyes, speaking gently. Rikimaru, shaking his head, answered in my place.
“He has never been to school because he was on the battlefield.”
“I see. Despite being so small, you were on the battlefield. How long were you there? And did you go to school before that?”
“I don’t know what school is. I was there for three years.”
“… Little Naru, how old are you?”
I often get asked that, and it’s a bit troublesome. Maybe I should just decide on an age.
“I don’t think he knows.”
Rikimaru’s replied.
“What about your parents?”
“He doesn’t seem to know about that either, Mother. I believe Naruhito thinks ‘Mother’ is just your name. Words like ‘big brother’ or ‘big sister’ didn’t make sense for him either.”
“……”
I would remember if you told me. Isn’t Mother not a name? A title? Like Grandpa? Big brother is probably Hitachimaru and Princess Akemi. I believe Big sister is probably Otoha. In picture books, there are lots of grandpas and grandmas.
“My name is Senmonin Aoba.”
Should I call her Aoba, then? Or is Mother okay?
“I’m Naruhito.”
“Who gave you that name?”
“Hiiro did.”
“Did you have another name before that?”
Yes, I did.
“Thirteen.”
When I answered, Aoba hugged me. Nice scent. She’s so soft. Even more comfortable than Otoha.
“This is a tough one.”
When I happily snuggled up, for some reason, Aoba muttered in a teary voice.
“Little Naru, have you ever killed someone?”