There's Only Mom in the World

After eating and drinking his fill, Tsugikuni Kuuga was ready to fulfill the true purpose of his visit. He felt that before heading out on his first mission, he couldn't leave in peace without curing Rengoku Ruka. This warmth was his to protect.

Rengoku Ruka had already lain down on the bed, while the Rengoku father and son stood anxiously behind Kuuga. After all, this was a complete cure, and they had to ensure the safety of both Kuuga and Ruka.

"Auntie Ruka, this time might be very painful, because it's not just suppression anymore!" Kuuga warned.

"Then I'll leave it to you. You've worked so hard all this time!" Ruka said, a hint of concern in her voice.

She still remembered the day Kuuga suddenly showed up at their door, claiming to be from the Butterfly Mansion and wanting to try treating her illness. She'd thought it was a joke at first, but looking at Kuuga's young yet determined face, Rengoku Ruka agreed.

She never expected that this sudden child would become her lucky star. Her frail body had indeed improved a lot, to the point she could even get out of bed and walk.

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

"So I won't have regrets in my heart! Auntie Ruka is so gentle and considerate, and Uncle works hard to kill demons and protect others. Good people's endings shouldn't be painful!" Kuuga smiled.

Rengoku Ruka didn't speak, but gently stroked Kuuga's head, just like a mother.

"Then I'll begin!"

Kuuga believed his ability could treat many illnesses, and from what he understood, Rengoku Ruka's problem was likely with her lungs.

Kuuga's hand hovered in midair, and the Tai Chi healing technique activated, accompanied by beams of light shooting out from black and white faces.

Perhaps to an ordinary person, they could only see Kuuga's healing light, but in Kuuga's eyes, the patient was surrounded by yin and yang energy.

Kuuga still remembered the first time he treated Rengoku Ruka—her black energy had almost completely swallowed the white energy, even worse than Oyakata-sama's condition.

But fortunately, every time Kuuga suppressed it, the black energy stopped growing. Combined with his success in curing Suzuko, Kuuga was now confident he could completely eradicate it, even if he'd probably pass out.

Though the treatment process was painful, Rengoku Ruka endured it the whole time. Even as her body trembled, she made no sound—she didn't want her husband and sons to worry, nor did she want to distract Kuuga.

As for Kuuga, his clothes were soaked with sweat. Compared to suppression, complete treatment was what truly baffled him, because it rapidly consumed his mental power.

Kuuga was already feeling dizzy and lightheaded, but there was a benefit—at least he felt his mental power had noticeably improved.

Now he was just a little short of balancing the yin and yang energy, but Kuuga couldn't hold on any longer. He stumbled and fell straight down.

Fortunately, Rengoku Shinjuro was quick to react and caught Kuuga in one smooth motion.

"Kuuga, you should stop!" Rengoku Shinjuro said, extremely worried.

Kuuga wanted to push him away but couldn't. He said weakly, "Uncle, I'm fine. Just a little more and I can cure Auntie Ruka. I can do this!"

"But..."

"Really, I'm fine. At worst, I'll just sleep for a while. Nothing will happen to my body. If I don't cure Auntie Ruka, I won't be able to live with myself!"

"Tch!" Rengoku Shinjuro had no choice but to let Kuuga go.

The three men of the Rengoku family clenched their fists. All they could do now was pray.

Kuuga quickly threw himself back into the work. Fortunately, Rengoku Ruka's yin and yang energy reached balance, and Kuuga breathed a sigh of relief.

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

Then he collapsed on the spot. He felt a bit sorry for his sisters again, but he was grateful to heaven for letting him witness the lives of these people who shouldn't exist.

Maybe before, they only lived in a two-dimensional world, but now they truly lived before Kuuga's eyes.

Rengoku Ruka, despite her weak body, hugged Kuuga, tears streaming uncontrollably.

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

In his haze, Kuuga thought he saw his mother, because that warm embrace was something only a mother could give—though he had never felt it before.

"Mom!"

Hearing Kuuga call her that, Rengoku Ruka was startled at first, then smiled and replied:

"Mom's here. Go to sleep."

Then Rengoku Ruka began to hum a lullaby, and Kuuga fell asleep.

He had a dream. In the dream, he had a mother, a father, Shinobu, an older sister—in short, he was very happy.

And in reality, the Rengoku couple had long treated Kuuga like their own son. Rengoku Ruka knew this was a son heaven had given her. Kuuga had brought happiness to their entire family.

Half a month passed quickly. During that time, the Butterfly Sisters both came to visit Kuuga. Though they wanted to take him back to the Butterfly Mansion, at the Rengoku family's request, Kuuga stayed there.

Kuuga opened his eyes and sat up in bed. Looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, he was a bit dazed. How long had he been asleep? And this didn't seem like the Butterfly Mansion.

Rengoku Ruka walked in carrying a basin of water. Seeing Kuuga awake, she nearly dropped it.

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

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

Then his stomach growled loudly, and he felt a bit embarrassed.

"I think you need to eat. After all, you've been asleep for fifteen days!"

What the hell! Half a month? He'd slept that long this time? Had Auntie Ruka been taking care of him all this time?

Soon, Rengoku Ruka brought in a bowl of noodles. Kuuga didn't overthink it and started eating right away.

"Oh, by the way, Kuuga, would you be willing to be my adopted son? Shinjuro and I discussed it long ago, but I don't know if you'd agree. I know it's sudden." Rengoku Ruka asked.

"Is that really okay?" Kuuga said, somewhat surprised.

Of course, this was something Tsugikuni Kuuga never could have imagined—after all, he had been alone since childhood, with no real understanding of words like "Mom" or "Father."

"Of course you can. Having a kind child like you would make me very happy!" Ruka Kyogoku said warmly.

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

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

Tsugikuni Kuuga never expected that what happened in his dream would become reality—he had a mother now, a dream he had never dared to even think about.

"Mom!"

"Yes! From today on, you're part of our family!" Ruka Kyogoku pulled Tsugikuni Kuuga into a hug, her eyes full of tenderness.

Tsugikuni Kuuga finally understood what it meant to say there's nothing in the world better than a mother.