Chapter 1: Lilies
Akio's Pov- age 6
The morning light shone on my face, though I was already awake, and waiting for my mother to wake up. It was Mother's Day, and I had a special surprise that I knew she would love. After all, it's been just her and me since I could remember, and she deserved the world.
My mother was a famous singer and performer and has been on the top charts in Japan for the last ten years. Her name was Shekita Roy, and her quirk was like a hologram illusion- like stories being brought to life by light. She was popular but returned to the shadows since I've been in the picture.
As far as my father, I never knew him, though my mom would describe him as humble and kind. Strong, as in his ability to fight off crime and being a man. She would tell me he didn't want to leave and was still alive, but he was doing it to protect us. But I saw the pain in her eyes whenever she would talk about him not being with us. So, I stopped asking about him when I was four. What mattered now was that my mom was here with me, my world.
I remember wanting to be just like her, and since my quirk took after my grandmother's, she would teach me how to use it for entertainment purposes. Imagine it in my head before making it and animating it to life. My quirk was Metallic Illusion. My drawback was being exhausted and only having to eat things with hints of iron in them. It's not that dramatic, right? It was a great time with her. She even taught me how to sing and I would soak up her lessons like a sponge.
I slowly got out of bed and walked to my door, my little hands reaching for the doorknob. As I opened the door the familiar golden hue reflected in the hall. I quietly made it down the hall to the kitchen and pulled out a stool for me to reach over the counters. I put water in the kettle for my mother’s favorite jasmine tea, setting the stove to just the right temperature to boil it perfectly. My mother wasn't a big fan of coffee, but she loved tea and would drink it regularly.
My tiny legs got down and went to the fridge to look in it; I heard footsteps coming and closed the refrigerator. "Momma, you aren't supposed to be awake yet," I told her as she went to the kitchen. Her black hair was a little messy, and her hazel eyes shimmered in the sunlight. Her pale skin, like mine, glowed golden in the morning light.
"Aw, I'm sorry, baby. I couldn't sleep anymore." My mother said, her silky voice was always a pleasure to hear.
I sighed dramatically, "It's fine, but that's one surprise out the window." I said to her, "I guess it is a good thing you're awake, though. I wasn't sure what to make you for a momma's day meal." My voice had lightened up on the last sentence.
My mother giggled softly, "You were going to cook breakfast for me?"
I looked back at my mom with a bright grin. "Of course I was; I already got your tea going. Some kids in my class were going to make breakfast for their mommas so they could serve it in bed.. You've been working so hard that you could use more rest. So I wanted to surprise you."
"That’s very thoughtful of you, Akio. You’re such a kind young girl." my mother said before her fingers brushed through my hair. "Tell you what, honey, why don't we do something different?"
I tilted my head, "different, how?" I asked curiously.
"Let's make breakfast together. I'll teach you how to make omelets." My mother said before pressing her lips on my forehead.
"That sounds way better, momma," I said happily with a slight giggle.
My mother and I made omelets together and sat at the dining table with our tea. "This looks so good, momma," I said, almost drooling at the omelets.
My mother giggled, "It would probably taste even better, too."
I giggled with my mom. "Happy Momma's Day, Mommy," I said to her as we both sat down.
"Thanks, honey," my mother said warmly.
We were both eating when I forgot something- how could I forget such an important piece?! I looked at the empty vase and gasped. "Oh no! I forgot your big surprise!" I said to my mother as if it was the end of the world.
My mother looked at me puzzled, "Big surprise?"
I nodded vigorously, "May I pretty please go to the backyard? I've been working on it for several weeks, and they should be ready by now," I pleaded to her.
"In the backyard? Honey, you know I feel about you going out there alone." My mother said to me with a hesitant look.
I got on my knees next to her and begged her to let me go. "Please, momma! I promise I'll be back in ten seconds."
My mother sighed and looked at me. My mastery of puppy eyes must've worked on her. "Okay, ten seconds, Akio, nothing more." She told me in a motherly, stern voice.
I got up and hugged my mother before quickly going to the back sliding door and opening it. I raced outside and pulled a wooden board aside to reveal my ready-to-pick Lilies. They were her absolute favorite, and my teacher gave me the seeds for them a while ago. Every night, I would sneak out here and water them a little after my mother had slept. So, I knew nothing dangerous would happen.
After carefully plucking them, I pulled out the ribbon my mom had in my hair and tied a cute bow to make a bouquet. I smiled, put the wooden board back, and dashed back inside in a giggling fit.
As I was closing the sliding glass door, the door seemed to be stuck and wasn't moving. The golden morning light seemed to dim as his shadow fell over me. "Darn it, close!" I said before looking up to see a tall, middle-aged man towering over me with a creepy smile.
His hair was slightly grown out and white. His skin was colored in a light tan, almost beige. His hand was holding the door open. My eyes widened before I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Get out, you stupid PERV!" I said to the man as I struggled to close the door. But to no avail; it wouldn't budge, and if anything, it opened, and I stumbled back, looking up in terror at the man, as he picked me up and I screamed at the top of my lungs.
The lilies I had plucked fell from my hands, some petals breaking off.
The last gift I ever gave her... I never got to see that smile… The one she does when she looks at them…
