Chapter 5: Shadows of the Past
Kagome's life was a delicate balance between her responsibilities as a shrine maiden and her dreams of becoming a doctor. She was currently enrolled in medical school, working tirelessly to pursue her passion for healing and helping others. However, her pursuit of this dream had not come without its challenges, and one of the most significant challenges was her strained relationship with her mother, Ku Loon.
Ku Loon had never hidden her disappointment in Kagome's lack of a Quirk. In a world where Quirks were considered the norm, being Quirkless was seen as a deficiency. Ku Loon, who had a powerful Quirk herself, couldn't fathom how her own daughter had been born without one.
Their arguments were frequent and emotionally charged. Ku Loon often berated Kagome for not embracing her heritage and obtaining a Quirk, as if it were a choice she could make. She constantly pressured Kagome to abandon her medical studies and find a job that was more in line with their family's expectations.
One evening, their disagreement reached a breaking point. Kagome had just returned home from a long day of classes and was met with a barrage of harsh words from her mother.
"Kagome, you're wasting your life with this nonsense!" Ku Loon's voice was filled with anger and frustration. "You should be using your time to find a job, to contribute to our family's legacy. Instead, you're pursuing a hopeless dream of becoming a doctor when you don't even have a Quirk!"
Tears welled up in Kagome's eyes as she tried to defend her choices. "Mother, I want to help people. Being a doctor is my passion, and I believe I can make a difference without a Quirk."
Ku Loon's expression hardened, and she raised her voice even higher. "Passion won't put food on the table, Kagome! You're a disappointment to this family. Your father would be ashamed if he were here to see this."
The mention of her absent father cut deep, and Kagome couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She turned and fled from the house, desperate for a moment of respite from the constant pressure and criticism.
As she found herself in a nearby park, her tears flowed freely, mingling with the evening rain. Kagome's heart ached with the weight of her mother's expectations and her own desire to prove herself. She felt lost and alone, unsure of how to reconcile her dreams with her family's demands.
Unbeknownst to Kagome, she wasn't alone in the park that evening. Eri, accompanied by her father, Chisaki Kai, had decided to take a leisurely walk. Eri's curiosity had led her to this park before, and she had felt a strange connection to it, as if it were a place where wishes could be heard.
As they strolled through the park, Eri's innocent eyes caught sight of Kagome sitting alone on a bench, her shoulders shaking with sobs. Eri tugged on her father's hand, her voice barely above a whisper. "Papa, look... it's Kagome-san."
Kai followed Eri's gaze and saw Kagome, the kind-hearted shrine maiden who had come to their aid when they needed it most. He remembered her warm smile and the compassion in her eyes. Without hesitation, he nodded and crouched down to Eri's level. "Let's go say hello, Eri."
Eri's small hand slipped into her father's larger one as they approached Kagome. The rain had dampened Kagome's clothes and hair, but she seemed unaware of their presence until Eri softly called out her name.
"Kagome-san..."
Startled, Kagome looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting Eri's. She was taken aback to see the young girl and her father standing before her. She hastily wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, trying to regain her composure. "Eri-chan, Chisaki-san... I didn't expect to see you here."
Kai's gaze was filled with concern as he addressed Kagome. "Is everything alright, Kagome-san? Eri noticed that you seemed upset."
Kagome hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But the kindness in their eyes and the genuine concern they showed made her feel safe. She decided to share a part of her struggles. "It's... just some family issues, Chisaki-san. My mother doesn't understand my dreams, and we had a heated argument."
Eri's empathetic nature kicked in, and she took a step closer to Kagome. "I'm sorry you're sad, Kagome-san. My papa says that sometimes talking about it helps."
Kai nodded in agreement with his daughter's words. "Eri is right. If you ever need someone to talk to, Kagome-san, we're here for you."
Kagome was touched by their offer of support. She hadn't expected such kindness from virtual strangers. With a grateful smile, she nodded. "Thank you, both of you. Your presence is comforting."
As the rain continued to fall around them, Kagome, Eri, and Kai stood together in the park, their lives connected by a shared moment of vulnerability and compassion. In that moment, Kagome felt a glimmer of hope that, perhaps, she could find the strength to pursue her dreams and mend her relationship with her mother, no matter how challenging the path ahead might be.