Only With You, My Heart Feels Light

"She… she… is Aunt Mana?"

Hisako's breath caught in her throat as she stood frozen in place, eyes wide with disbelief. The elegant, ethereal woman in the distance—the one whose graceful steps carried a weight of dignity—was unmistakably Erina's mother.

The same mother Erina had never spoken of in detail.

The same mother who had vanished from their lives long ago.

Hisako's mind raced with memories. As a child, she had once asked her parents about Erina's mother. Their response was a stern warning: "Don't ask about that again." That had frightened her then, and she'd never brought it up again.

Later, it was Erina herself—through a clenched jaw and an indifferent tone—who confessed that her mother had left them. No details. No explanations.

And yet here she was.

Mana Nakiri, the lost matriarch, standing before them not as a ghost of the past, but as flesh and blood.

Hisako's heart tightened. Everything Erina had endured over the years—the brutal training, the unbearable pressure, the isolation—suddenly made so much more sense.

Her loyalty surged tenfold. Lady Erina… how much have you suffered alone?

"Erina," Mana began, her voice gentle but faltering. "It's been so long…"

She took a step forward, visibly holding back tears. Her perfectly composed demeanor cracked, her voice thick with emotion as she continued.

"When I left, you were just a little girl. You used to hide behind me and cling to my clothes like a frightened kitten…"

It was a memory meant to comfort—but it only made things worse.

"…Of all the things to say," Erina muttered, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "We've just reunited, and that's the first thing you say? Embarrassing childhood stories… in front of everyone?"

But her voice trembled. The sharpness in her words couldn't mask the storm of emotions churning within.

Yes, she had dreamt of this moment countless times.

But this wasn't one of the versions she'd imagined.

Mana… Her mother. The one who had disappeared without explanation. The one who hadn't been there during the worst years of her life. How could she forgive her so easily?

"Erina, I—" Mana stepped forward again, but her daughter took a step back.

"You think we can just go back? That things can be 'peaceful' again?"

The Tavern fell completely silent.

"You left me," Erina said, her voice hollow. "When I was a child, you disappeared. When Father forced me into those hellish God's Tongue trainings, where were you then?"

Her fists trembled at her sides.

"You weren't there. You didn't protect me. You let him torment me."

Her gaze burned into Mana's soul.

"I hate you."

Her words were venom, yet they spilled from a place of deep anguish.

"To me, you've never been a mother. Not really."

Mana flinched. Her lips parted as if to respond, but she said nothing. What could she say?

The pain in her daughter's eyes was more searing than any insult.

For the first time in a long while, the iron-hearted woman known as Mana Nakiri felt completely powerless.

Zane had remained silent through the exchange, standing slightly off to the side. His eyes moved between mother and daughter, the thick tension wrapping around them like chains.

So this is the weight they carry…

With a quiet sigh, he stepped forward.

His hand reached out gently to Mana's shoulder, giving her a firm squeeze and a reassuring smile. Without words, he told her:

You're not alone anymore.

Then he turned toward Erina.

"Erina," he said calmly, "for now, let's set this aside."

"You must've missed my cooking a lot during the training camp. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come all the way here tonight."

"She even skipped the celebration!" Hisako added quickly.

"Hisako!" Erina snapped, cheeks coloring. "Stop saying nonsense."

But she didn't deny it.

Instead, she looked away and muttered, "I was just… passing by."

Zane chuckled. "Well, you're in luck. I just developed a new dish. Want to try it?"

"…Maybe."

His smile widened. "It's called Golden Ratio Shumai. Look over there—your mother's already tasted it."

"Hmph, judging by the name, it's probably similar to the Rising Dragon Dumplings," she said, masking her interest. "Fine, I'll try a steamer."

"Coming right up."

He turned toward the kitchen but paused.

He opened the fridge, then frowned. "Damn. No bok choy."

"What?"

Erina's heart sank slightly.

"I need bok choy to complete the shumai," he explained. "Can't make it without all four ingredients."

"Then what now?"

"Don't worry. I've got something else in mind."

Zane's eyes sparkled. "How about some Egg Beauty Chicken?"

"Egg… Beauty Chicken?"

"You'll love it."

Erina glanced at Hisako, then gave a small nod. "Fine. Make two. One for me, one for Hisako."

The dish came to life.

Zane's hands moved with confident precision.

He diced steamed chicken breast, chopped ham into tiny pieces, peeled and minced bamboo shoots. The chicken's organs were cleaned, the liver and gizzard simmered in a pot with scallions and Shaoxing wine. Egg crepes were made, shrimp coated in cornstarch, wrapped and steamed, then placed delicately around the chicken like petals of a blossoming flower.

Finally, a rich golden broth was poured over the ensemble, creating a vision of warmth, beauty, and comfort.

The result was nothing short of stunning.

Golden, fragrant, and intricate—like a culinary embrace.

Erina took a bite.

The egg was tender and rich. The shrimp provided a pleasant elasticity. The chicken melted on her tongue, filling her with warmth.

She closed her eyes, savoring every bite.

"…This is different."

"It's comforting. Familiar, yet elegant. The egg shumai are like little flowers… surrounding the chicken like a guardian circle."

Zane wiped his hands and leaned back.

"You know," he said gently, "this dish is a little like oyakodon. Chicken and egg—parent and child."

Erina paused.

He continued, "You may not understand your mother's pain… but she didn't abandon you on a whim. The God's Tongue is a curse. A legacy of pain passed through generations."

"When your mother realized you'd inherited it too, she left to find a way to end the cycle."

"I'm not saying she was right or wrong."

"But I do know this—unless someone breaks the curse, you'll suffer just as she did. And so will your child, if it ever comes to that."

He looked at her, his voice firm now.

"But as long as I'm here…"

"I'll use my cooking to heal both of you."

Mana sat in stunned silence. His words echoed in her mind, clearing the fog of guilt that had hung over her for years.

This young man…

He wasn't just kind. He was the first person to stand between her and Erina's pain—to try to bridge the abyss.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away.

Zane… thank you.

"Fake kindness."

Erina's voice cracked.

"I don't need healing. I just…"

Her shoulders trembled. Her hands curled at her sides.

"Zane, during the training camp… I missed you."

"I know you can break this curse."

"But I'm scared. Scared that if I believe in you too much, I'll lose myself."

She bit her lip.

"But when I'm with you, I feel… free. For once, I'm not the bearer of the God's Tongue."

"I'm just… me."

She raised her tear-filled eyes to him.

"Only when I'm with you, I feel truly happy."

"You fool," Zane said with a soft laugh, brushing his fingers against her forehead. "You don't need to say such things."

Erina didn't flinch from his touch.

Instead, her heart raced.

"Zane… will you stay with me?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Zane smiled. "As long as you want me to."

Nearby, Mana wiped her eyes.

"Erina…"

"I still resent you," Erina admitted, turning to her mother. "But I'll try to understand you."

That was all Mana needed to hear.

She stepped forward, her hand gently touching Erina's cheek.

"It's been ten years… and I've long forgotten how your face looked."

"I was selfish. I ran from the pain of the God's Tongue and left you behind."

"I deserve your hate… but I'll spend the rest of my life making up for it."

And so, in the heart of the Tavern, amidst the scent of steamed chicken and healing broth…

A broken family took its first step toward healing.

Together.