I tried to to be cool. I tried to be calm. I tried to pretend I was somewhere else. Even so, I could feel myself breaking rapidly I took deep, long breath as I watched more and more people enter the hall, the clocking ticking closer and closer to the beginning of the service. David rabbited on about random topics while his wife hummed as she reminiscence. Hitsugi was mostly silent. He giggled a few times when people entered, what he found comical, I wasn't always sure, but other wise he was thoughtful.

Eventually, the minister stepped in and made his way to the podium, switching on the mic.

"Are all attendees seated? Are we waiting for anyone"

The room was filled with muttering.

"Then we will begin. Today... We are here to say our final goodbyes to Kimico Matsu. I think we can all agree that it is wonderful to see so many people here to show their love her on this day"

The attendees muttered in agreement. I was silent.

"I will now read a passage from the bible. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord"

I bible passage at my mother's funeral... She wasn't religious at all. She thought it was all rubbish and just something for lost people to believe in. I knew she would have never approved of this. I wanted to say something, tell the minister to be quiet, but I kept my mouth shut. It wouldn't do any favors.

There was a moment of silence once the minister had finished, which was interrupted by a cough from someone at the back of the hall.

"Would anyone like to take the stage to say a few words about the deceased?"

I felt Hitsugi's hand on my thigh. I looked at him with nervous expression, and he replied with a comforting smile.

"Go on" he whispered.

I bit my lip, but before I could stand, someone spoke.

"I would, if I may"

I turned round to see a man dressed in tailored black suit with a black shirt standing a few rows back from me. I didn't recognize him. He seemed so confident and proud, his head held high as he waited for permission. He seemed so refined. He wasn't just a man, he was a gentleman, and a successful-looking one at that. The gentleman looked like he had been heavily scrubbed head to foot. Nothing about him was out of place, even his hair was perfect.

The gentleman slowly walked up to the podium, eyes on the floor. Once there, he brought a folded piece of paper out of his jacket pocket and cleared his throat, before taking a deep breath.

Who was he? I had never seen him before but yet he had known well enough to come to her funeral with a prepared speech.

"I knew Kimico for many years" he began in a solemn voice " though I saw little of her. She was a dear friend, though she meant more than that to me. I deeply regret not being there for her in her hours of need-"

"Who's that?" Hitsugi's whispered wormed into my ear.

"Don't know..." I whispered back.

"-Kimico was a beautiful, intelligent woman. The world has lost someone very special. I pray she rests in peace and her memory lives on with us all"

The strange gentleman nodded at the crowd before thanking them in a respectful manner and stepping down. I watched him walk through the crowd. His head turned as he passed. He looked at me. It wasn't a moment, it was seconds. I prolonged gaze.

I didn't know him, but clearly he knew me...

"Would anyone else like to say a few words about the deceased?"

I felt Hitsugi's gaze on me. I swallowed and stood up without a word. My stomach turned as I felt all eyes on me. The minister simply nodded, holding out a hand to the podium as I awkwardly made my way past Tsu and David. My lungs felt tight and my head heavy as I got closer. I took the speaking place and looked out into the hall. I felt like hobbit among giants as the gazes remain glued on me. Just like the gentleman, I clear my throat a I prepared to speak.

"I... I haven't prepared a speech" I stuttered "But... Here goes. Kim was my mother and I would never ask for another. She wasn't the best mum. I think she's was too young to look after me in my early years. I believe she tried her hardest. Just... maybe her youth got in the way. She could never afford me the newest clothes, but there was always food in the fridge. Our house was small with little in it, but she made it a home. She couldn't always be around to love me, but I always felt she did."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes, my heart breaking as I spoke. Although I tried to hide it, my voice made it obviously to all that I was breaking down.

"She did some stupid things. After I was 7, I don't have a memory of her without some alcohol in her hand. She did worse... But I think it was her way to cope. For me. Or... maybe with me."

I couldn't stop it anymore. The tears were falling. I scrunched up my eyes and carried on.

"I wish I had been a better son. I wish I hadn't cried so much when I was small and I wish I had tried harder to get along with others. Then maybe she wouldn't had worried about me so much. Maybe she would have been able to handle me... Maybe I'm the reason she drank... Or maybe it was because she was on her own. She was my age when she had me. 15. I can't even look after myself so... I don't blame her for falling. I love my mother... I wish she was here so I could tell her. Just once more. And maybe an apology for not saying good morning and goodbye to her the morning she died"

I opened my eyes and looked up. My eyes fell on Hitsugi. His jaw slightly open, his sad eyes sparkling with liquid. A small smile appeared as he met my gaze. I closed my eyes and looked down.

"I love you mum. I want you to come back... I want my mum"

I cracked.

I let it out.

I cried.

With in seconds of my finished speech, someone was by my side, their hand on my shoulder, the other on my arm. Hitsugi softly hushed me and led me back to our seats.

"Beautiful words of love" I heard the minister stay once he was back at the mic, receiving mumbled of agreement from the attendees.

I sat down slowly, my body feeling heavy. I thought I'd be embarrassed to cry in front of so many people. But I wasn't. I didn't care. All I cared about was that my mother was here.

Tsu muttered something to me but my brain couldn't register it.

I could hear nothing. All I could do was feel. All I felt was my own sadness.

As I began to calm, returning to reality, I found the minister was still rambling religious nonsense. I tried not to think of my mother, as difficult as it was due to it being her funeral. Eventually my mind settled on a subject linked to my mother, but not simply about her.

Who was this man that claimed to have known my mother so well?

What did you think guys?!