Only Mother Is Good in This World

After eating and drinking their fill, Tsugikuni Kuuga was finally going to accomplish the true purpose of this trip. Before his first mission, he felt he would not be at ease leaving unless he cured Ruka Kyogoku. He would protect this warmth himself.

Ruka Kyogoku was already lying on the bed, while the Rengoku father and son stood anxiously behind Kuuga. Since this time was meant to be a complete cure, they had to ensure the safety of both Kuuga and Ruka Kyogoku.

"Auntie Ruka, this might be very painful, because I won't just be suppressing it this time!" Kuuga warned her.

"Then I'll be counting on you. You've worked so hard all these times!" Ruka said, her heart aching for him.

She still remembered the day Kuuga had suddenly come to their home. He said he was from the Butterfly Mansion and wanted to try treating her illness. She had thought he was joking, but when she saw Kuuga's young yet determined face, Ruka Kyogoku agreed.

She had never expected that this child who had suddenly appeared would turn out to be her lucky star. Her frail body had indeed improved greatly, and she could even get out of bed and walk around.

"Kuuga, why do you want to save Auntie?" Ruka Kyogoku suddenly asked.

"So I won't have any regrets in my heart! Auntie Ruka is so gentle and considerate, and Uncle works so hard to kill demons and protect others. Good people shouldn't end up suffering!" Kuuga said with a smile.

Ruka Kyogoku said nothing, merely gently stroking Kuuga's head like a mother.

"Then I'll begin!"

Kuuga believed his ability should be able to treat many illnesses, and from what he understood, Ruka Kyogoku's problem was in her lungs.

Kuuga raised his hand in the air, and the Tai Chi healing technique activated, releasing beams of light from the black-and-white face.

Perhaps ordinary people could only see Kuuga's healing beams, but in Kuuga's eyes, the patient was surrounded by yin and yang energies.

Kuuga still remembered the first time he had treated Ruka Kyogoku. Her black energy had nearly swallowed up the white energy completely. It had been even worse than Oyakata-sama's condition.

Fortunately, after each suppression by Kuuga, the black energy stopped growing. Combined with his success in curing Suzuko, Kuuga was already confident he could eradicate it completely, though he would most likely pass out afterward.

Though the treatment was painful, Ruka Kyogoku endured it all along. Even as her entire body trembled, she did not make a sound. She did not want her husband and sons to worry, nor did she want Kuuga to lose focus.

As for Kuuga, sweat had already soaked his clothes. Compared to suppression, complete treatment was what truly troubled him, because it rapidly consumed his Mental Power.

Kuuga was already feeling dizzy and lightheaded, but there was an upside to it—he could clearly feel his Mental Power improving.

There was only a tiny bit left before the yin and yang energies reached balance, but Kuuga gave out first. He staggered and fell straight down.

Fortunately, Rengoku Shinjuro reacted quickly and caught Kuuga in one swift motion.

"Kuuga, why don't you stop?" Rengoku Shinjuro said worriedly.

Kuuga wanted to push him away, but could not. Weakly, he said, "Uncle, I'm fine. Auntie Ruka is just one step away from being cured. I can do this!"

"But..."

"I'm really fine. At most, I'll sleep for a while. Nothing will happen to my body. If I can't cure Auntie Ruka, I won't be able to forgive myself!"

"...Sigh." Rengoku Shinjuro could only let Kuuga go.

The three Rengoku men all clenched their fists. Right now, there was nothing they could do except pray.

Kuuga quickly resumed the treatment. Fortunately, Ruka Kyogoku's yin and yang energies reached equilibrium, and Kuuga finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's done. Auntie Ruka is fine now!" Kuuga revealed a relieved smile.

Then he collapsed directly to the ground. He had let his sisters down again, but he was grateful to heaven for allowing him to witness the lives of these people who should not have existed.

Perhaps they had once only existed in a two-dimensional world, but now, they were truly alive before Kuuga's eyes.

Ruka Kyogoku also dragged her weakened body over and embraced Kuuga, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

"Child, I'm so sorry! You've suffered so much!"

In his haze, Kuuga thought he had seen his mother, because only a mother could have such a warm embrace, though he had never experienced one before.

"Mom!"

Hearing Kuuga call her that, Ruka Kyogoku froze for a moment before answering with a smile.

"Mom's here. Go to sleep."

Then Ruka Kyogoku began singing a lullaby, and Kuuga fell asleep.

He had a dream. In it, he had a mother, a father, Shinobu, and sisters. In short, he was very happy.

Of course, reality was the same. The Rengoku Couple had long treated Kuuga as their own son. Ruka Kyogoku knew heaven had gifted this son to her, and Kuuga had brought happiness to their entire family.

Half a month passed quickly. During that time, the Butterfly Sisters had both come to see Kuuga. Though they wanted to take him back to the Butterfly Mansion, at the Rengoku Family's request, Kuuga remained here.

Kuuga opened his eyes and sat up in bed. Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, he was rather bewildered. How long had I been asleep? And this doesn't seem to be the Butterfly Mansion.

Ruka Kyogoku entered carrying a basin of water. When she saw that Kuuga was awake, she nearly dropped it.

"Kuuga, you're awake! Is your body all right?"

"Auntie Ruka, I feel full of strength right now!" Kuuga said, even flexing his muscles.

Then Kuuga's stomach growled, leaving him instantly embarrassed.

"I think what you need is food. After all, you've been asleep for fifteen days!"

Damn! Half a month? Did I really sleep that long? Has Auntie Ruka been taking care of me this entire time?

Before long, Ruka Kyogoku returned with a bowl of noodles. Kuuga did not think twice and immediately began eating.

"Oh, right. Kuuga, would you be willing to become my godson? Shinjuro and I discussed it long ago, but we don't know whether you'd agree. I know this is rather sudden," Ruka Kyogoku asked.

"Is that really okay?" Kuuga said in surprise.

Of course, Kuuga had never imagined such a thing. After all, he had been alone since childhood and had little understanding of words like father and mother.

"Of course it is. Having a kind child like you would make me very happy!" Ruka Kyogoku said kindly.

"Then can I call you Mom?" Kuuga asked.

"Of course you can!" Ruka Kyogoku nodded with a smile.

Kuuga had never expected what happened in his dream to become reality. He had a mother too now. It was a dream he had never even dared to imagine.

"Mom!"

"Yes! From today onward, you're part of our family!" Ruka Kyogoku pulled Kuuga into an embrace, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Kuuga finally understood what it meant that only mother was good in this world.