How did i end up like this?

About ten years have passed since we started living here... 

...And I can tell that my mom is slowly fading away. 

I first noticed something was wrong about three years ago. The amount of aura surrounding her—her Ten—was clearly decreasing. Every time she gave me breast milk, every time she conjured something for me, her aura was gradually diminishing. 

Ten reveals a portion of one's visible aura. Since visible aura is the aura that appears on the surface, you can't gauge someone's latent aura just by looking at their Ten. That's why I didn't notice it sooner. I had no idea her latent aura was steadily decreasing...

If only my mom could use Ren, I might've realized it much earlier. But my mom can't use any Nen techniques other than Ten and Hatsu... The fact that even her Ten is being affected is proof that her latent aura has decreased significantly...

Is there only 20 or 30 percent left? Maybe even less...

I've already figured it out. This mom isn't a Nen beast I created. If she were something I made with my Nen, she wouldn't know things I'm unaware of. I've already asked her about my father's name, what he did, and how she met him. It's too detailed to be just my imagination.

If she's not my Nen creation, then whose is she? It's obvious. There's no one else it could be but my real mom, who was forced to awaken her Nen because of me and died from exhaustion.

Even after death, she created this form of herself to raise and protect me... Even though I was the reason she died...!

And now, she's fading away again. Every time she does something for me, her aura is consumed... The aura she uses doesn't recover; it slowly but surely moves her closer to disappearing entirely...

Of course, I'm not going to let that happen. I tried refusing her breast milk and started eating scraps of food and even rats. I didn't care how disgusting it was—it was better than losing my mom!

But every time, my mom would scold me, saying, "You mustn't eat such filthy things!"...

After being scolded three times, I became convinced that "eating dirty things is wrong"...

And every time she scolded me harshly, her aura was consumed even more... My actions only sped up her disappearance.

"Aisha-chan, you must be getting hungry, right? Let's have a meal."

Even if I refused the breast milk, it would be pointless. I'd just end up drinking it after being scolded... So, I drank it. I accepted my mom's final act of love...

She's on the verge of disappearing now... After giving me her last bit of breast milk, she's slowly fading away...

"I'm sorry. I couldn't stay with you until the very end."

"Why… are you apologizing? I'm… the one who should… say sorry… I'm the reason… you died..."

"It's okay. It's only natural for a mother to give her life for her child. You don't need to apologize."

"...Thank you… for giving birth… to me…"

"It's okay. If anything, I'm the one who should thank you. Thank you for being born."

"...Thank you… for raising… me…"

"It's okay. That's what mothers do. I'm so happy to see you grow up healthy."

"...Thank you… for loving… me…"

"It's okay. There's no mother who doesn't love her child. If there were, I'd knock some sense into them."

"...No… I don't want you to go! Stay with me… forever! I won't… be selfish anymore…!"

"I'm sorry. I want to stay with you forever too, but… it seems I can't..."

"Nooo! Don't go! Don't leave me!"

"It's okay, Aisha. This is my final request. Listen carefully."

"Don't say… it's your final request..."

"It's good to be lively, but you also need to be graceful. You're a lovely girl, after all."

"...Okay."

"Take care of your health. Never eat anything dirty."

"...Okay."

"You're kind, Aisha-chan, but don't trust everyone blindly. Observe people carefully, listen to what they say, and make your own judgments."

"I'm not… that stupid…"

"That's good to hear. Now, there's just one more thing... Be happy. Pain and sadness will always come in life. But overcome those hardships and find happiness."

"I can't… How can I be happy… without you...?"

"It's okay. I know you can do it. After all, you're my proud daughter."

"...I'll… try my best."

"Good girl. ...It's almost time to say goodbye..."

"Mom!? Talk to me… more! Please!"

"The only regret I have is… not being able to see you in a wedding dress. You would've looked so beautiful..."

"Then stay alive until then! I'll give you all the aura you need!"

"Stop being so selfish... This is my final request. Don't cry. Show me your smile. I don't want the last face I see of my daughter to be a tearful one."

"O-okay... Is… is this good?"

"Yes, you look so lovely... Aisha, you're… my pride… and joy. It's okay… I'll always… be watching over you............"

"?! No, Mom!? Don't disappear! Don't leave me all alone!!"

That day, it rained in Meteor City. So, the water streaming down my cheeks was just rain. I promised my mom. I wouldn't cry. So, this… is just rain.

...

A full day has passed since my mom disappeared. I'm still sad, but I've started to process my emotions a little.

Humans aren't creatures who can sustain intense emotions forever. No matter how strong the feeling, the passage of time cruelly wears it down. Of course, this sadness won't completely disappear.

...But I can't wallow in grief forever. I made a promise to my mom. To be happy. To overcome pain and sadness and find happiness. So, I can't just sit here forever. Staying here means I can't keep my promise to her.

But there's something I need to do before I leave this place.

"Nice to meet you. We might have met before, but it's been over ten years, so I'll say it's nice to meet you."

"...What do you want, girl? Do you know this is the council chamber of Meteor City?"

"Yes. You're the ones who decide the policies of Meteor City, right? I came here because I have a small request. Don't worry, I don't intend to harm any of you."

"...How did you get here?"

"By using Zetsu. I found this place by eavesdropping on people outside and gathering information. Oh, and the guards are just unconscious. I didn't injure them, and there won't be any lasting effects... May I state my business?"

"...What is it?"

"Before that, I have a question. Do you know about the danger zone about 20 kilometers northwest of here?"

"!? ...Ah, the one that appeared about ten years ago..."

"My request is simple: please don't interfere with that area. Can you do that for me?"

"...That's fine. We've already decided through discussion not to touch that area."

"Then it's settled. Now, 'Wait, girl'... What is it?"

"I understand your request. But who exactly are you? I've never seen a girl like you in Meteor City. At the very least, someone with your appearance wouldn't go unnoticed."

"...Are you complimenting me? I'm a little embarrassed since no one but my mom has ever praised me before. Oh, sorry. I didn't answer your question. It would be rude to leave without answering, so I'll explain."

"I was the one living in that danger zone. Does that clear things up?"

"...!? You mean… the rumored demon parent and child!?"

"...My mom was as kind as an angel. If you insult her again, I won't take your life, but I'll make sure you lose an arm or two...!"

Gasp!

"...Sorry. I accidentally let my aura slip. I'll rein it in now..."

"Anyway, I plan to leave Meteor City for a while, and I don't want the place where my mom rests to be desecrated by others."

"...Understood. I'll make sure everyone knows to stay away..."

"Thank you. ...Oh, right. It feels unfair to only make requests of you, so I'll hear yours as well. Is there anything you need? If it's something I can do and isn't unreasonable, I'll consider it."

"...Then, if we ever face a situation we can't handle on our own, could we borrow your strength...?"

"...I see. That's quite clever. But I don't have a way to contact you..."

"You can let us know once you've figured out a method of contact."

"Understood. If that works for you, then it's settled. Now, I'll take my leave. Take care, everyone."

...

This should do it. As long as this agreement holds, that place won't be disturbed even if I leave. If the place filled with memories of my mom were to be ruined, I might lose control in my anger...!

I've really changed, haven't I...? It must be because of my mom's overbearing education... She was such a handful. "Don't do this, don't do that, do this, do that"—she was the epitome of a strict mother.

...Mom. I'll do my best, so please keep watching over me...