Cold Man And Miss Stone
81. Love And Delusion [End]

Four years later.

"Mommy, can I ask you something?"

Emilia stopped dismembering the fruit on the cutting board and turned towards the sound her daughter heard. "Sure," murmured Emilia. "But Indonesian please."

As a form of basic education for his son, Emilia did set language rules. One week for English, one week for English. It is Indonesian week, but Yumi is still often wrong due to confusion.

It was natural, hence Emilia continued to train him.

"Okay."

"Hm?"

"Well," correct the boy. "Then, may I ask you a question?"

"Please." Emilia hinted she was approaching. Groping the air until it felt the little body of the braided girl coming, resting on her thighs. "What's wrong?"

"Did you love Mom?"

"Surprising question." Emilia rubbed her son's head. "Can Mom ask why Yumi asked?"

"Because ... Uncle said—ups, I mean, Uncle Nine says that love is delusion."

What exactly did he talk about with Nine to such a talk?

Emilia hinted at Yumi sitting on her lap first. "Can you continue cutting this?"

"Yes, Mother."

Emilia again cut the fruit without looking at it. "Nine's statement is not wrong. Love is delusional. Delusions are contrary to reason. And love can be in harmony, it can be out of tune."

"So, do you love Dad or not? Do you love Mom or not? Is that not real?" the boy asked curiously deeply.

"If Yumi asks, maybe not?"

"Seriously? So why are you married him?" Again he slipped.

"Because of the decision."

"Mom, I don't understand."

"Because I decided to spend all of my time with Dad." Emilia pulled the knife over after it was finished, putting the pieces of fruit into a large bowl. "Love is for a moment, Yumi. Love is selfish and picky. Something like, Yumi likes a pink slime, then a week later Yumi buys a green slime."

"Is that the same thing?"

"Of course it is." Emilia even fell into a flutter. "Mom doesn't like Dad's habit of being quiet. Ye know? Dad always said 'rest, Emilia, I don't want you to get hurt'. As if Mom could just choke on water."

Yumi laughs.

"He just told Mom to take a break. My mother was bored too. Then you know what he said when Mom complained? She said, let's have another child so you can take care of her. If anyone else hears, he'll be prosecuted for harassment of women."

"Because Mom chose," Emilia replied as she hugged her. "Mom chose to accept it. Like I chose to have you and your sister."

Without Emilia seeing, Samuel stood at the outside door holding Yumi's two-year-old sister.

The man sent a signal for Yumi to be quiet, slowly closing in on Emilia.

But Emilia's ears were too sharp. Samuel's move was inaudible, but Yumi's stifled laughter was clearly heard.

"You're back?" tanyanya direct. Sure it was Samuel.

"This hero misses you." Samuel immediately moved his son into Emilia's arms after Yumi went down. "He hesitated a little down to sea without you."

Emilia patted her son's head. Samuel named him Gama. It's nice to find his father if Samuel isn't around, but fussy looking for his mother if invited away by his father.

"What are you talking about?" samuel asked as Yumi left with the initiative to get a change of clothes for Gama.

"He is learning about love."

"From you? He should have learned from me."

"Surely he asked me." Emilia taunted back, though she immediately laughed Samuel ruffled her hair. "Please help Yumi eat. Let me put Gama to bed in the room."

"Okay." Samuel hints at the housekeeper leading Emilia because the distance to the room is quite difficult.

Yumi was moved to bring clothes for Gama. "Here you go, Brother."

"Thank you, honey. Go first with Dad. I'll accompany Gama to rest."

Samuel ruffled his waist to look at his daughter who had not forgotten the slime setoples. "What's that, Sweetheart?"

"Can you play slime with me?"

"If you ask me with care."

Yumi pout. "It's very difficult to change the language. I enjoy my english. Can I just use it because Mommy can't hear us."

"But I can hear you. Do you wanna play or nah?"

"Okay." Yumi spread her hands, asking to be carried. Once in the air, Yumi immediately kissed her cheek. "Can I ask you something?"

"Did you love Mom?"

"Yep, because Uncle Nine said love is delusional."

"Maybe." Samuel answered in harmony with Emilia. "Because the real thing is that Father and Mother have you, Gama, and your future sister."

Why confuse a word or perhaps something invisible? Samuel preferred to stare at the reality where Emilia was, smiling alongside Yumi and Gama.

...*...