Mrs. Momota gave my entire team the next day off, a gracious gesture acknowledging our success. Originally, she had planned for us to have the entire week. Still, we collectively decided to dive back into work sooner rather than later. After all, our first task had been a triumph, and the momentum was on our side. The plan now was to locate Director Eto, a task that demanded our immediate attention.

Violet Shaw, Annabelle Tucker, Aubriana Walton, and Evie Elliott, test subjects we rescued, were now pilots of the formidable, armored goliaths and were undergoing extensive physical and physiological examinations. Doctors Morishita Nao Gina and Vincent Blair meticulously oversaw these tests, ensuring that our newly appointed pilots were in prime condition for their newfound roles. Alongside their duties as Doctors, Morishita Nao Gina and Vincent Blair were now co-directors of the burgeoning facility. Mrs. Momota and Director Vance provided oversight, guiding the project—dubbed Valkyrie—toward its promising future.

As the sedan rolled to a stop outside my residence, I let out a sigh, grateful for the day's accomplishments. Stepping out of the car, I was greeted by the new figure of Mister Jefferies, my personal chauffeur. Tall and lanky, with a demeanor befitting his profession, Mister Jefferies was a new presence in my life, shuttling me between the office, my residence, and the mysterious "Site 101."

"I'll be here promptly at 8:30 am Wednesday morning, Mister Nishimoto," Mister Jefferies stated, his voice carrying a note of professionalism.

"Thank you, Mister Jefferies. I'll be ready," I replied, acknowledging his commitment to punctuality.

"It is a pleasure," Mister Jefferies said with a slight bow before retreating to his post behind the wheel.

Entering my residence, I was met with a heartwarming sight—my mother, Sakura, asleep on the sofa in front of the holo-TV. It was apparent from her attire, a stark contrast of red and black, that she was a sophisticated woman with a keen sense of fashion. She was wearing a tight white, short-sleeved blouse, a black, high-waisted pencil skirt that hugged her curves, and black sheer pantyhose that hugged her form. A set of red, closed-toes heels lay on the floor in front of the sofa. Despite her conservative attire, she was still an alluring woman with a curvy figure and red-capped nails that only added to her seductive allure. Her high-pitched voice lent her an air of innocence that was belied by her red lips and azure-blue eyes. Her hair was long and straight, falling to her shoulders in rich dark tresses that complemented her pale, perfect skin. I could feel my heart rate quicken as I took in the sight of her elegant attire.

The aroma of her cooking lingered in the air, a testament to her unwavering dedication to her family. Despite the late hour, she had waited up for my return, her love and concern evident in every detail.

Gently rousing her from her slumber, I whispered, "Mom, you should go to bed. I'll take care of everything."

Blinking sleepily, Sakura stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Oh, Rin, your home," she murmured, her voice tinged with relief. "I wanted to make sure you had something to eat before bed."

Smiling gratefully, I reassured her, "I appreciate it, Mom, but you need your rest too. I'll heat up some leftovers."

With a gentle nudge, I guided her towards her bedroom, ensuring she was settled before returning to the kitchen. As I reheated the meal she had prepared, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for her selflessness and unwavering support.

The night air was still as I sat down to eat, the quiet of the house a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. Yet amidst the tranquility, my mind buzzed with anticipation for the challenges that lay ahead. Director Eto remained elusive, a puzzle yet to be solved, and the success of Valkyrie hinged on finding him.

But for now, I allowed myself a moment of respite, savoring the simple comforts of home and the warmth of my mother's love. Tomorrow would bring new trials and new triumphs, but tonight, I found solace in the familiar embrace of family.

"How was your day, honey?" Mom asked.

"It went well, Mom. Just the usual workday," I replied.

I didn't want to tell her how my day actually went. Sakura didn't need to know the danger I had winded up in.

As we ate together, I noticed that she was popping those weight-loss pills that had made her numb in certain areas. I needed to find out more about these diet pills.

After eating, I sat down on the sofa, and Mom joined me. It wasn't too late, and I was starting to relax. The events of today had taken more of a toll on me than I had realized. I hadn't had that much excitement and adrenaline rush ever. While mindlessly surfing channels, a strange sight caught my attention. My mother was acting incredibly odd. Her movements were odd as she kept shifting her hips and thighs like she had to go to the bathroom. Her facial expression was strange, too, and Mom kept grimacing as if she was in discomfort. She was also fidgeting with some clothes on the nearby table, making some quick adjustments that I thought nothing of, so I kept on watching TV. Mom seemed to be distracted by the noise coming from the television and not paying much attention to anything else. She then grabbed her phone from the side table, scrolling and tapping frantically. She was also making weird whimpering sounds as if she was trying to suppress spasms or something. I wondered what the heck was going on with her. The more I watched, the weirder it got. Her eyes were rolling in the back of her head, and she looked like she was struggling to maintain her composure.

"Hey, Mom? Are you okay?" I questioned; my voice laced with concern as I looked at her.

"Oh... um... I'm fine, dear. Just..." Mom's voice faltered, her gaze drifting to the floor.

The way my mother squeezed her thighs together firmly against one another was quite hard to ignore. While she might have believed that she was doing it unconsciously, it was almost as if she was unaware of what these actions were doing to me. I was certain that it was intentional. It gave off a strange sense of intimacy and seduction, not something anyone would normally expect from a reserved, conservative woman. Her facial expressions and body language only added to the allure. Her demeanor was odd compared to her regular, calm, and composed demeanor. Yet, the strange sight didn't end there as she was also muttering some words under her breath and swaying her hips. I noticed that she was doing it unconsciously, as if it was part of her regular routine. For some strange reason, it bothered me more than it should. It brought forth a strange sense of intimacy and seduction, unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I was certain that there was a deeper purpose behind this than she cared to think about.

The delicate, feminine curves of her body were evident in the way she sat, her thighs squeezed together. That little extra space she occupied within her chair was an invitation to my eyes, beckoning them to feast on her in every way. My breath caught in my throat as she shifted slightly, causing the dress to cling to her every fold. I swallowed hard, my mouth going dry as the warmth of her womanhood permeated my heart and mind. The delicate, feminine curves of her body were evident in the way she sat, her thighs squeezed together. That little extra space she occupied within her chair was an invitation to my eyes, beckoning them to feast on her in every way. My breath caught in my throat as she shifted slightly, causing the dress to cling to her every fold. I swallowed hard, my mouth going dry as the warmth of her womanhood permeated my heart and mind.

The mother I knew was reserved and conservative. Yet her subtle and suggestive behavior seemed anything but. For instance, the way she squeezed her thighs together or the lingering looks she gave me when she thought I wasn't looking created an air of intimacy that made me curious. It was a side of my mother I had never seen before, and the way she moved her body in subtle ways added to the allure. Perhaps she was not the conservative woman I thought she was, but someone more passionate and seductive than I ever imagined.

"Are you sure that you are okay, Mom?" I asked again.

"Um... well...," Mom said, trailing off again.

"If something is wrong, let me know," I said, trying to reassure her.

"Ah... um... well...," Mom said, stuttering. "I have been taking these diet pills, and lately they have made me... well numb in some cases and... more sensitive in other cases."

"Okay, go on," I said.

This new information was different from the two encounters I had with her yesterday. I had been intimate with her in both cases, and she hadn't even known. Now, I was finding out she was more sensitive. 'What did that mean?'

Mom hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Um... well, my doctor, Mrs. Rhodes, indirectly prescribed me an item that I could use to alleviate the symptoms," she finally explained.

Curiosity piqued, I leaned in and asked, "What was the item?"

Without a word, Mom got up and walked over to the coffee table. She opened the drawer and pulled out a small box, which she handed to me. As I turned it over in my hands, I saw the label Dreams for Her Kegel Exerciser. My surprise was evident on my face as I looked up at Mom.

"Debbie said this would help me with my... urges," Mom admitted. "Up until yesterday, the diet pills I had been taking were enough to suppress... my urges."

"You mean those weight loss pills?" I interjected, recalling her mentioning how they left her feeling numb.

Mom's expression softened, her eyes betraying a mixture of sadness and resignation. "They aren't diet pills," she admitted quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Especially since your father has increased his workload."

A tremor coursed through her hands, and she clenched them tightly in her lap, a visible manifestation of her inner turmoil. Taking a moment to regain her composure, she continued, her words weighed down by the burden of her revelation.

"The truth is... your Dad left me years ago," Mom confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "So, I've been alone for a while now. He helps out, but he's not coming back to me."

A wave of disbelief washed over me as I processed her words. My father, the pillar of our family, had found solace elsewhere, leaving my mother to bear the weight of his abandonment alone.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I murmured, my heart aching for her. "I had no idea."

Her gaze met mine, filled with a silent plea for understanding. "Your father found another lover. His partner at the firm. You know him."

The revelation hit me like a freight train, shattering the illusion of stability that had surrounded our family for so long. But amidst the chaos of my emotions, one thought remained clear—I needed to be there for my mother, now more than ever. 'Had my sneaky encounters with her sent her into overdrive?'

"What else can you do about these... symptoms?" I inquired, pushing aside my own turmoil to focus on her well-being.

"I'm going to see Doctor Rhodes tomorrow. Would you come with me?" Mom asked, her voice tentative yet hopeful.

"Of course, Mom. I'll be there every step of the way," I reassured her, determination firm in my voice. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you."