GOM: GOD OF MINE

CHAPTER 2: Thoughtful

The night approached, casting a serene silence over the village. A cool, comforting breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves ever so gently. The faint glow of oil lamps flickered on doorsteps and through the windows of villagers’ homes, painting golden specks across the darkness.

Above, the full moon bathed the village in silver light, revealing its beauty even in the stillness of night.

Under the giant tree at the heart of the village, a circular platform made of brick surrounded the thick trunk, its surface smoothly plastered with red soil. There, Yanatoh sat alone. His legs were crossed, his hands rested limply on the platform, and his head hung low. His face bore a shadow of sadness, a weight pressing on his young shoulders.

A short distance away, two boys stood hesitantly. They had been watching him for a while, unnoticed.

“That’s Yanatoh, isn’t it?” Yoshi asked in a hushed tone.

“Yeah, that’s him,” the other boy, Yotah, confirmed.

“What do we do, Yotah? He looks really upset,” Yoshi said, concern in his voice.

“It’s because of what happened today,” Yotah muttered. His voice held a trace of frustration. “Even though it was his fault, the old hag took it way too far.”

Yoshi nodded in agreement.

“Let’s go talk to him,” Yotah decided.

The two boys approached the tree cautiously, stopping just a few steps away from Yanatoh. He still hadn’t noticed them—or perhaps, he was simply ignoring them.

Yoshi and Yotah exchanged hesitant glances, unsure of how to begin.

Finally, Yoshi broke the silence, forcing a cheerful smile. “Hey, Yano! What are you doing out here all alone?” he said, his voice light-hearted. “It’s freezing outside. You’ll catch a cold!”

But Yanatoh remained still, his gaze fixed downward, the sadness unwavering in his expression. He didn’t respond.

Yotah sighed. “Yano, I know you’re blaming yourself for what happened to Big Bro today,” he said gently. “Yes, it was our fault,” Yotah admitted. “But it wasn’t as big of a deal as she made it seem. That old hag is known for her temper—everyone knows that.

Don’t take her words so seriously. Even Big Bro understands that. He’ll be back once things settle down.”

Yanatoh finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. “It’s not about that…”

Yotah frowned. “Then what is it?”

Yanatoh slowly lifted his head, looking them both in the eyes.

“This morning… when the old hag called Big Bro an outsider, I saw something in his eyes,” he said. His voice trembled slightly. “It wasn’t just anger. It was… pain. A deep pain. And sadness. Like something inside him shattered for a moment.”

Yoshi and Yotah fell silent, their eyes widening slightly. “I never realized he carried so much pain,” Yanatoh continued. “To us, he always seemed cheerful, always smiling. I thought he was happy. But now I see it… He hides it. He hides it so well.”

A tear slipped down Yanatoh’s cheek.

“Why didn’t he tell us? Why didn’t he share his sorrow with us? Are we not his friends, Yotah? Yoshi? Why?”

Yoshi sniffled, wiping his eyes. “Yano, you’re gonna make me cry too…”

Yotah clenched his fists. “How could he?” he muttered.

Yanatoh and Yoshi turned to him.

“The only time Big Bro is truly happy is when he’s with us,” Yotah said, his voice thick with emotion. “Outside of that, all he has is loneliness. No family. No home of his own. Nothing except us.”

He took a deep breath. “How could he burden us with his pain when we’re his only source of happiness? He didn’t want us to feel sorry for him. He just wanted to be accepted. By us. By this village. But the villagers never did.”

Yoshi wiped his tears. “Still, he never showed it. Not once. Not to us.”

“Because he didn’t want sympathy,” Yotah said firmly. “He wanted us to treat him as one of us. And we did.”

Yanatoh wiped his eyes, his expression firming with resolve. “You’re right,” he said. “I won’t let anyone say otherwise. Big Bro belongs here. He’s as much a part of this village as any of us. And when he comes back, I’ll make sure everyone knows that.”

“Yeah,” Yotah agreed, his voice filled with determination. “We all will.”

A newfound sense of hope filled the air.

Just then, a voice called out from the distance.

“Yoshi!”

Yoshi turned around.

“Dad!”

A broad-shouldered, sturdy man approached, a warm smile on his face. Yoshi ran to him, hugging him tightly.

“You’re back from your voyage!” Yoshi said excitedly. “Did you tell Mom? She’s going to be so happy!”

“Not yet,” the man chuckled. “But I brought gifts!”

“Yanatoh! Yotah!” he called. “Come here, boys. I’ve got something for you too.” Yotah and Yanatoh smiled, running over. The man set down his heavy bag and rummaged through it before pulling out three fishing rods.

“Oh! A fishing rod!” Yoshi beamed. “And you got three of them? You’re the best, Dad!”

The man laughed heartily. Just behind them, the small oil lamp on the tree platform flickered… before finally going out in the wind.

Morning Arrives

Sunlight streamed through the window, a warm golden beam landing directly on Yanatoh’s face. He groaned, rubbing his eyes, hoping it would go away. But when he turned to his side, it came back, more persistent. Annoyed, he finally opened his eyes… only to see a blurry figure standing over him.

A man.

A pendant in his hand.

A wolf mask covering his face.

Yanatoh’s breath caught in his throat. His heart pounded.

Then—

“AHHHH!!” He yelped, jolting up in panic.

He nearly fell off the bed, but the man caught him just in time.

“Yanatoh,” the man said, his voice familiar.

A soft giggle came from the side. Yanatoh turned his head, blinking in confusion.

“Mom?”

His mother, Masai, was sitting on the edge of the bed, laughing.

The man removed his mask.

“Dad?” Yanatoh gasped.

His father grinned. “How are you, kiddo?”

Masai chuckled.

“Mom! Why didn’t you tell me Dad was back?” Yanatoh whined.

“Because he wanted to surprise you,” Masai said, still giggling. “And he totally did.” Yanatoh smiled slightly, happy to see his father home.

“What are you waiting for, Yanatoh? Don’t you want to hug your father?” Masai teased with a warm smile.

“How can he?” Mr. Yamada interjected playfully, holding up a Marvelous green pendant that shimmered as it caught the light. “Not before I give him this beautiful pendant—the one he asked me to bring.”

Yanatoh’s eyes lit up with excitement as he gazed at the glowing pendant. A wide smile spread across his face.

With a chuckle, his father pulled him into a sideways embrace, his arm wrapped securely around Yanatoh’s neck.

“It’s yours, kiddo. But first, go wash up. Then you can have it.”

The man stood up, stretching slightly as Masai’s gaze followed him.

“Dear, what about me?” she asked playfully, tilting her head. “Don’t I get something too?”

The man smirked, crossing his arms. “My love,” he said warmly.

Masai blinked. “Yes?”

He leaned in slightly, his voice soft yet teasing. “I think you didn’t get it, my love. All I have for you… is my love.”

A deep blush crept onto Masai’s cheeks.

“You,” he continued, his gaze locking onto hers, “are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, and I love you with all my heart.”

Masai’s face grew even redder, and before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around him in an excited, joy-filled hug.

“Masai! Easy, easy!” he laughed, patting her back. “You’re going to snap my neck, my love!”

She loosened her hold but remained close, her hands still resting on his shoulders as she gazed into his eyes.

“If that’s truly how you feel,” she said softly, “then I don’t think there could ever be a gift more precious than this.”

For a moment, the atmosphere between them shifted—growing warmer, more intimate. The air felt lighter, charged with unspoken emotions.

Masai’s eyes softened as she leaned in slightly. “Dear…” she whispered, her

voice carrying both shyness and affection. “I love you.”

Just as she was about to close the distance between them, the man’s hand suddenly shot up, covering her mouth before she could move any closer.

“Kid! Kid! Kid!” he blurted in alarm, darting his eyes toward the bed.

Masai froze.

Slowly, she turned her head to see little Yanatoh sitting there, staring at them with wide, innocent eyes.

Realization struck her like a wave, and she quickly straightened, covering up her flustered expression with an awkward laugh.

“Ahh… Yanatoh, baby!” she said a little too loudly. “We need to get you cleaned up!”

Before Yanatoh could react, Masai scooped him up into her arms.

“Mom! What are you doing? I can go by myself! Put me down!” Yanatoh protested, kicking his feet lightly.

“Not when I’m here,” Masai said, holding him tighter as she hurried toward the door. “Let’s go, my dear!”

The man sighed in relief, running a hand through his hair. “That was close…” he muttered under his breath.

Time Skip

The father and son sat at the dining table, having breakfast together. Yanatoh stirred a bowl of milk with crumbled bread and a drizzle of honey, while his father sipped red tea and nibbled on toast. In the background, Masai busied herself—cooking eggs and rinsing the small dishes left over from the night before.

Between sips of tea, Yanatoh’s father spoke. “How’s school going, kiddo? What new things have you learned since we last met a month ago?”

Yanatoh let out a sigh, his frustration evident. “Nothing exciting. School bores me. The lectures are too long and too fast—I can’t concentrate.”

His father chuckled. “Hah! Sounds like you’re having a tough time, little guy.”

Yanatoh pouted. “It’s all just memorizing, and I’m terrible at that. But when Mom teaches me, everything makes sense. She explains things so well. I wish I never had to go to school… Mom could teach me all the time. That would be so much better!”

His father smiled knowingly. “Ah, so it’s true what they say— ‘Home is a child’s first school.’ But in this case, it seems like it’s the only school the child likes.”

Masai glanced over her shoulder and smiled at the remark.

“But kiddo,” his father continued, setting down his tea, “even if it seems hard now, you’ll start understanding things with time.”

Yanatoh looked up, listening.

“You see, your mother can only teach you so much. She never had the chance to go to school like you do. Her parents couldn’t afford it, so she learned whatever she could from her friends. She’s brilliant, but she can’t teach you everything. That’s why you need school, and you need teachers.”

Yanatoh frowned slightly, thinking it over.

His father leaned forward, resting an arm on the table. “Don’t be too hard on your teachers. Give them a chance. If their way of teaching doesn’t work for you, try finding answers in books—that’s how I made it through. And remember, Mom won’t always be there to guide you. You have to learn to stand on your own two feet.”

He ruffled Yanatoh’s hair with a warm smile. “You’re strong and smart. I know you can do it. We believe in you, kid.”

Yanatoh still looked uncertain but felt a flicker of hope.

Masai, who had finished washing the dishes, approached the table, wiping her hands on her apron. She smirked and asked playfully, “Then why doesn’t the smartest man in the world teach his son himself?”

His father exhaled with a wistful smile. “If only I could… I miss you both so much when I’m away for work, far from the village.”

Tension flickered in his eyes for a moment. “But—”

Masai placed a gentle hand on Yanatoh’s head. “I understand.”

Then, in a soft yet firm voice, she said, “But who says I won’t always be here for my son? Whenever he needs me, I’ll always be there—now, after, and forever. That’s a mother’s promise.”

Yanatoh smiled, comforted by her words. His father smiled too.

But in an instant, their expressions changed—from warmth to concern.

Masai noticed their sudden shift. “Huh? Dear? Yanatoh? What’s wrong?” she asked, puzzled.

Then she followed their gaze—turning toward the kitchen.

Her eyes widened. Thick smoke curled from the stovetop.

“Ahh!” Masai shrieked.

She rushed over and turned off the flame just in time, but the damage was done. The pan was charred black, and the omelette inside was completely burnt.

“My omelette!” she groaned in despair.

Time Skip

The front door creaked open. Yanatoh stepped outside, his tiny school bag slung over one shoulder. His parents stood behind him in the doorway, watching him go.

A horse cart pulled up in front of their house. Mr. Uzuki, the father of Yanatoh’s friend Yoshi, held the reins. Onboard, Yoshi and Yotah were already seated, waiting.

“Oi, Yano! You’re late again!” Yoshi called out.

Mr. Uzuki laughed. “It’s no big deal.”

As he adjusted the reins, he noticed Yanatoh’s father.

“Ah, Mr. Yamada! It’s been a while since you were back in the village.”

Yamada smiled. “I’m doing well, Mr. Uzuki. I hope you and your family are too.”

Mr. Uzuki beamed. “Indeed, we are! And I just got back from a great voyage!”

Yamada’s eyes lit up with interest. “Oh? What big catch did you bring home this time?”

Mr. Uzuki puffed out his chest proudly. “A giant tuna! The biggest one I’ve ever caught. We’ll be sharing some with you, Ms. Yamada—so be ready for a feast. These guys are going to eat a lot!”

Masai chuckled. “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Uzuki. Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Yoshi, a little impatient, nudges his father. “Hey, Dad, we have to hurry, or we’ll be late!”

“Yeah, yeah, right,” Mr. Uzuki says, adjusting the reins. “Alright, Yanatoh, hop on!”

Yanatoh nodded and climbed onto the cart, settling into his seat.

“Alright! Off to school we go!” Mr. Uzuki shouted excitedly.

With a flick of the reins, the horses surged forward.

“Hiyaa!”

The sudden jolt made the kids grip the cart tightly.

“Dad! We’re not even that late! You can slow down!” Yoshi protested.

But Mr. Uzuki just laughed, completely ignoring him. “Hahaha!”

As the cart rumbled down the dirt path, Masai cupped her hands around her mouth and called out.

“Yanatoh!”

He turned back.

“Don’t forget to finish your lunch, dear!”

“I will!” Yanatoh calls back.

Masai waved at him as the cart disappeared into the distance. Yanatoh waved back.



To Be Continued…