[#CreativeAward2025 #FantasyNovelCategory] Maaaaaam! Episode 21

Episode 20 is here

"I apologize for the trouble my husband has caused."

Saying this, the woman who called herself Shime bowed her head to Bon and the others.

"Just a moment ago, this man said he lost his family in the war..."

Even Bon was taken aback and couldn't hide his confusion. The heat of the battle from just moments ago had vanished, and he was blinking in bewilderment.

"Mam..."

When Bon felt his hem being tugged and looked down, Yuta was smiling and pointing.

"What is it?"

It looked like Yuta was pointing at Shime, so,

"You shouldn't point at other people."

As he scolded Yuta, a small face peeked out from behind Shime. It was a boy close in age to Yuta and Sato.

"Mam, friend."

Yuta trotted toward Shime. Behind him, the large-bodied Pes followed closely.

"Keshi, say hello."

Shime tried to gently push him forward, but he hid behind her. He grabbed his mother's hem and buried his face in her clothes.

"Hello!"

Yuta called out to him, so he lifted his face a little, but when he saw Pes behind him, he flinched and hid his face again.

"This dog is a good boy, so he's not scary."

Yuki said gently.

"Not scary! Let's play! Let's play together!"

As if drawn by Yuta's voice, the boy gently moved away from his mother, and Bon picked him up and placed him on Peth.

Yuta, it's okay to let your friend ride, right?
Yeah!

With that as a signal, the five children and the dog left the spot and began to play. The two mothers narrowed their eyes and watched them for a while, but.

Well, ma'am. From here on, it's a discussion between adults.
Yes.
How much of what this man says is true?
It all started with a misunderstanding.

Looking down at Saku, who was still curled up in pain from the ache in his right side, Shime began to speak.

That man lied!

Saku shouted, his face twisted in pain.

He didn't lie.
When I asked about his family, he twisted his face...
That's because you were gripping his shoulder so hard it hurt, so he twisted his face in pain!
Huh?

Leaving the surprised Saku as he was, Shime turned to Bon and continued her story.

This man, you see, he's been making misunderstandings like this since before the war. I've been cleaning up after him constantly!
W-what are you talking about!
Because it's the truth!

Caught up in the sudden marital spat, Bon froze, not knowing what to do.

Maaaaaam!

The bright voices of the children could be heard from afar.

Go play a little longer!
Okay!

Bon muttered to himself, wondering if this was what they meant by truth being stranger than fiction.

Continues to Episode 22to be continued

Click here if you want to read "Maaaaaam!" from the beginning♪