Sukuna had expected his parents to say something about what he did a few moments ago. And he was correct, as soon as he announce his presence, his mother, Kaori, was the first to confront him.
Kaori looked up at her son, her mouth and hands trembling. She opened her mouth, before immediately closing it. She huffed before stepping away, heading upstairs while Sukuna looked on in confusion.
He'd expected a scolding, not whatever that was. The pink haired boy scratched his head, entering the living room, noticing his father staring at the television. He then looked at what Jin was watching, news commentators arguing about legality, about him.
"That's one hell of a debut, son." Sukuna glanced down at his father smiling at him. He didn't know what to reply to him, staying silent was the best course of action.
"Dad I—"
"Ahh save the apologies to mom." Jin grumbled, waving him off before patting on the empty space beside him. Sukuna joined his father on the couch.
"I've always discussed this with Kaori. I told her that when there's a fight happening, if you have the power to step in you'd a hundred percent do something about it. She doesn't believe me of course." Jin chuckled, shaking his head.
"Her intentions are well, of course, she doesn't accept passivity, never has never will, but she hasn't yet accepted the fact that you're reckless too. She's worried about you, son." The pink haired doctor patted his son's shoulder.
"When you were out, we were watching the news, the livestream for the slime villain fight was showing. She had a panic attack when she saw you suddenly appearing on screen. At first she was in denial, but Kaori could recognize those eyes anywhere." Sukuna silently listened.
"Then..." Jin chuckled. " Then your mother started cursing at the heroes because none of them stepped in. I think she almost fainted when Death Arms looked like he was about to hit you, imagine her surprise when you fought back and taunted him on live TV. You have unbelievable speed by the way, I see that the quirk is getting stronger?" His father asked, getting a little off topic. Sukuna only nodded, wanting to hear more of the story.
"Kaori's just worried, son. You know how she is, always cheerful, optimistic, full of brightness." Sukuna nodded in agreement at his father's words as Jin continued.
"I'm going to tell you what's going on in her mind. She lost the assumption that the world would leave you alone if we raised you right. It's like a talisman. If you are kind, be careful, and do your best, the world will mostly behave. Watching you step in on live TV shattered that illusion cleanly."
"She knows why you did it, but she's sad for you, Sukuna. Her grief isn't 'you shouldn't have done that', it's 'I wish you didn't have to.' Do you understand?"
"Yes. I should probably go to her now." His son replied. Jin nodded, patting his son's back supportively.
"Go, my boy."
...
"Mom?..." Sukuna called after knocking the door, slowly opening it. He immediately rushed to her side, noticing that she was sniffing while holding tissues, her eye bags red and puffy.
"I'm sorry..." He whispered, kneeling beside her. Kaori shook her head.
"Save it. Are you hurt anywhere? Did that villain do anything to you?" Kaori asked, her breath shaky. Sukuna shook his head, a small frown on him. Clearly she's sad about something, but she still worries about him instead of focusing on her own emotions.
"No, he didn't—"
"What about that Death Arms bastard? I swear if I see him he'll get a taste of what a Domain Expansion is—"
"It's alright, mom. I'm fine." Sukuna interrupted, holding her hands gently. Kaori sighed, shaking her head.
"I'm scared, you know? I swear my heart stopped when the camera panned to your face. I saw how the crowd reacted to you, especially when you put your hand near Death Arms, they were surprised that you have the guts to do that." She sighed again.
"I don't know, I'm just scared. It's not like you did the wrong thing, you did what was right, but as your mother I can't help but be very worried. This wasn't what I imagined for your debut... Heh..." She did a mix of a laugh and a sob, before blowing her nose into the tissue. Sukuna couldn't help but smile a little in amusement.
"Did you think my debut was going to be structured, sanitized? Was it a stage-managed moment where adults were in charge and I'm one of many, not the one the camera lingered on?... Did you think I was in a costume, having a name chosen with care, a license somewhere in the background, getting applause instead of sirens?" Sukuna questioned, having an idea of what his mother expected. Kaori silently nodded.
"That's exactly what I thought of... When you said you wanted to join UA last week I... I can't help it..." Mothers want the best for their child, that Sukuna understood, so there was no blaming her fantasies.
It wasn't just fear for his safety. It was the loss of narrative control. Parents tell themselves stories about how their children's lives will unfold because those stories make the future survivable.
"What I saw instead was raw exposure... You can't even call that a debut, it's just a decision made in real time... But..." She looked at her son, patting his head.
"I think I'd prefer this than the silly ones I had imagined, it's much more fitting for my son. Jin was right...Yes..."
" What did dad say?" Sukuna asked.
"He said the other day... 'the world wouldn't bend to protect my child, Sukuna would be the one doing the bending'..." Kaori recounted. She looked down at him.
"I don't know what's going to come next, Sukuna. But please be careful no matter what. And you're not alone in this..." She hugged him.
"Jin has told me about your big plans, and while I do have some objections to it, I also have no right to control my son's dreams. But know this..." She looked at him seriously.
"If you're going to shoulder responsibility, you don't get to do it alone young man. Martyrdom is not allowed, not in this household you hear?"
"Yes ma'am." Sukuna nodded. Kaori smiled, nodding at him.
" Good." She heard a notification ringtone coming from somewhere, and looked to see her son taking out his phone. Kaori tilted her head, noticing that he had a grimace on his face.
Sukuna read the message sent to him by none other than Mina. The message goes like this:
'My house. Now. We have talking to do.'
"Mom..." Sukuna called. Kaori nodded at him.
"Mina wants me to go to her home, and I don't think she's taking 'no' or 'later' for an answer." Sukuna explained. Kaori giggled, patting her sons back while shaking her head.
"Well well well, if it isn't the consequences of your decisions."
"Mom this isn't funny." Sukuna deadpanned at his mother who cackled loudly.
"Oh it's hilarious! It's like Mina caught you cheating on her or something!"
"We're not dating." Sukuna grumbled, slowly getting up. Kaori sighed.
"But you totally should, just saying. Mina's a sweet girl, she'd do you a lot of good."
"I..." Sukuna paused. Practically everyone he's met has told him that he and Mina would look good together, his parents included.
"Let me sort this out myself..." He whispered, heading towards the door.
"Just don't let it be a sad ending, alright?"
" Yeah... Alright..." He whispered before glancing back at his mother. He approached her before hugging her. Kaori had a surprised look on her face, her son rarely initiated hugs after all.
Sukuna kissed his mother on the cheek before releasing the hug. " Love you mom, I'll be back before dinner. That's if Mina let's me leave..." He mumbled before leaving the room. Kaori stared at where her son was standing, before she broke out into a smile.
"You've changed..."
To be continued....
(Kaori's Quirk: Domain
Jin's Quirk: Regeneration
Sukuna's Quirk: Demon King)