Akira's SPIRAL

"Mom, let's go home already. My feet are tired."

"No, we haven't bought anything for dinner yet. Be a good boy and hold on a little longer, okay?"

"Ugh, come on, stop talking to me like that, it's embarrassing."

The usual supermarket food section, the usual after-school shopping trip with Mom. Today I was dragged along again to buy dinner supplies.

Mom was in such a good mood I could almost hear her humming, while I trailed behind her in a bit of a huff. This had practically become a daily routine.

I didn't need to buy anything and just wanted to go home, but Mom kept going from aisle to aisle looking at this and that, so I couldn't leave. Why do women's shopping trips always take so long?

"Hey, Akira. What do you want for dinner? Tell me anything."

"Anything's fine, just hurry up. I'm exhausted."

"Hmm, anything? Then how about your least favorite—natto with sesame cucumber salad?"

"Urk... U-um, maybe something with meat?"

What kind of combination was that? I could tell Mom was getting a little annoyed, so I hastily recommended meat.

Hearing that, Mom started mumbling, "Meat, huh... So for pork, tonight we could have sweet and sour pork... or maybe tonkatsu is also tempting..." When Mom gets like this, it takes forever. Come on, just decide already—why do you have to think so much?

I thought about leaving Mom to her one-woman deliberation and going home by myself, but she had a firm grip on my hand so I couldn't escape. At my age, holding Mom's hand while shopping was just too embarrassing.

"Mom, are you done yet? Can I go home?"

"I told you no, it's dangerous outside."

"Ugh, hurry up. And why do I even have to come along anyway?"

"Stop complaining. Do you want another punishment?"

"Ugh..."

Saying that, she shut me up immediately. I hated being bossed around by Mom, but I hated punishment even more. Seeing me puffing out my cheeks in a sulk, Mom said, "Oh, fine," and suddenly hugged me, patting my head.

"Hey, Mom, cut it out!"

"I went a little too far, huh. Look, if you're bored, go check out the snacks. I'll buy you up to three today."

"Ugh, stop treating me like a kid, Mom!"

"Enough with the backtalk. Do you want to be punished?"

"Eep... I-I'm going!"

"Okay, have fun."

Ugh, I could never defy Mom's "punishment" threat. Escaping from Mom, who was giggling to herself, I ran off toward the snack aisle.

"Sigh..."

Once Mom was out of sight, I let out a sigh. I always wondered why Mom had to be so forceful.

Let me introduce myself—I'm Muraki Akira. I'm already in middle school, but my mom still fusses over me all the time. I'm 13.

Seriously, you have no idea how overprotective she is. She's always nagging about my language and grades, and whenever I go out she interrogates me with "Who are you going with, where, and what for?" And when I get home, she grills me about every detail of my day.

Even now, she dragged me along shopping because "It's dangerous for Akira to go alone." When I protest that I'm not in elementary school anymore, she just says, "Quiet and listen to your mother," and completely ignores me. I have so many things I want to do, too.

"Ah, this is so boring... Maybe I'll just head home now."

I couldn't help complaining. Going back would just be boring, so maybe I could sneak off now... But if I did that, I'd definitely get punished. I knew all too well how scary her punishment was from the time I went missing and she turned pale with worry. So I couldn't do it. Thinking about it made me sigh again.

Okay, about the punishment... it's, well, embarrassing, but... it's a spanking. Bare bottom, hand smacking over and over. That's Mom's punishment.

Mom's punishment hurts so much that just hearing the word "punishment" makes my whole body tremble. When my butt gets hit over and over, the pain becomes unbearable, and even if I cry and struggle, Mom won't stop. She doesn't let up until I've been reduced to tears and my bottom is bright red and swollen. That's what Mom's punishment is like.

I absolutely hate being punished, so I try to be on my best behavior around Mom... but if I do even the slightest thing wrong or disobey, I get punished right away. I have to be really, really good all the time. I think it's way too strict.

Once, I told her that at my age, having my bare bottom smacked was humiliating. She shot back:

"How could I possibly spank anywhere other than my cute Akira's bottom?"

...and I had no comeback. I mean, I'd rather she didn't spank me at all, but saying that would just earn me another punishment.

"Sigh..."

Thinking about it only made me more depressed, so I decided to stop.

Since I was here anyway, I started looking at snacks to buy. Chocolate? Or maybe cookies today? Oh, but it's hot so maybe ice cream... Since Mom said I could get three, I thought I'd get all of them. Just as I reached for the chocolate, someone suddenly called out to me.

"Oh, if it isn't Muraki-kun?"

"Huh? ...Urk, Ms. Mikawa!?"

"What's with that reaction? How rude."

It was my homeroom teacher, Mikawa Keiko-sensei. I instinctively tensed up. Why was Ms. Mikawa here? Then I remembered she lived in the same school district.

Ugh, of all people to run into. Running into this woman on top of Mom was just going to make me even more depressed. This teacher was just as naggy as Mom—actually, maybe even worse. She's famous at school for being strict and unpleasant, and I've gotten into arguments with her more times than I can count.

"What a coincidence. What are you doing here? Running an errand?"

"Uh, y-yeah, something like that."

I hastily lied. There was no way I could admit I was just tagging along with Mom.

"Huh, I wouldn't have pegged you for the helpful type, Muraki-kun. Maybe you're a good boy in front of your mother?"

"Urk, none of your business! It's got nothing to do with you, Ms. Mikawa."

Ugh, it stung because she was right. At school, where Mom wasn't around, I'd ignore teachers and act up, but at home, doing that meant instant punishment. I figured as long as I didn't get caught, it was fine to cut loose at school, but Ms. Mikawa, who handles student discipline, wouldn't let me get away with it. She'd scold me and we'd argue. Why did all these naggy people have to flock to me?

"None of my business, huh... And yet you're so cheeky in front of me~"

"Just drop it. What are you doing here anyway, Ms. Mikawa?"

"Oh, I'm picking up dinner and tomorrow's bento side dishes, of course. I'm busy too, you know—working, shopping, and cooking all by myself. It would help if you were a good boy at school too, Muraki-kun."

"Ugh, why does everything have to come back to me with you?"

This is exactly why I hated this teacher. Always nagging and saying nasty things. She was definitely the number one most sarcastic person in the whole school.

"Maybe I should ask your mother how she manages to make you behave."

"E-Excuse me..."

Oh no. Right, my mom was nearby. I suddenly realized how bad this could get. If this snarky teacher and my mom met, I was done for! If she tattled on all my bad behavior at school, there'd be no hope. My butt would be served up on a platter!

"U-um, well, I'll be going now! Excuse me!"

"Hey, wait. What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

Sensing danger, I tried to make a quick escape. But the quick-handed Ms. Mikawa grabbed my clothes and stopped me easily. I guess that's what you get from the teacher in charge of problem kids—but this was no time to be impressed!

"L-let go! Let me go, sensei! No, help—!"

"I'm not even scolding you, am I? Why are you so scared? You're usually more than happy to talk back to me."

I didn't have time to answer! I had to get away before Mom showed up, before punishment came!

As I struggled with all my might, the cruelest, worst possible voice came from behind me.

"Akira~? Still looking at snacks? Time to go home~"

"!! M-Mom!?"

There she was, standing at the entrance to the food section, peering in at me. No! Why now of all times!? Oh no, she noticed the teacher grabbing me! Mom's eyes went wide as she saw us.

"Are you the mother? Ah, I see. So that's how it is."

Oh no, she figured it out! Seeing the smug look spreading across Ms. Mikawa's face, I knew she'd realized I was scared of Mom. Oh no, oh no, knowing this teacher...

"Hehe. What a perfect opportunity. I suppose I should inform the parent about Muraki-kun's reputation at school."

"No... don't!"

"Eek—!"

I thrashed around in fear. My yelling made Ms. Mikawa loosen her grip just enough for me to break free and dive into Mom's chest. I couldn't afford to be embarrassed in front of the teacher anymore. All I could think about was escaping punishment.

"M-Mom!"

"What's wrong, Akira? Do you know that person?"

"U-uh, not at all! She's just some mean old lady who was picking on me! Let's go home!"

"E-excuse me~?"

Ms. Mikawa's temple twitched visibly. But I didn't care. I had to get away, fast! The teacher plastered a strained smile back on her face and turned to Mom.

"Ahem. So you're Akira-kun's mother. Nice to meet you. I'm Akira-kun's homeroom—"

"WAAAHHH!!"

I screamed as loud as I could to stop her. But a sharp pinch on my bottom cut my voice short.

"Ow... that hurts..."

"Be quiet. My apologies, please continue."

Scolded by Mom, I couldn't say another word. Ah, there was no stopping it now. She was going to tell Mom everything about school!

"Yes. I'm Mikawa Keiko, Akira-kun's homeroom teacher. I have a few things regarding Akira-kun's misconduct at school that I'd like to share with his guardian."

*TWIST!*

"Eeek!"

Just as she said that, Mom gave my bottom a vicious reverse twist. The pain made me cling to her instinctively. I looked up with tear-filled eyes to see her glaring at me with a terrifying expression.

"...Please continue, sensei."

Ah... no, please no. I shook my head desperately, begging Ms. Mikawa with pleading eyes. But she just gave me a mean little smile and kept going.

"Certainly. Akira-kun's grades and attendance are fine, but he has some issues with classroom behavior. He talks back whenever any teacher corrects him, which disrupts lessons, and he's become a frequent topic of discussion among the staff."

"Sniff...!"

"When his attitude is particularly bad, teachers sometimes lose their temper, but he'll hit them back in retaliation—many of our teachers are at their wits' end..."

"Wahhh...!"

With every word from Ms. Mikawa, my bottom was twisted and pulled, forcing out strangled cries. How cruel—she was looking down at me with a face that clearly said she was enjoying this. And Mom, too angry to even meet her eyes, kept squeezing and twisting my bottom.

...Ugh, someone help me.

"...And then there was the time I called Akira-kun in privately to warn him..."

...Huh? No. No way, sensei...!?

I looked up at her in shock. She met my eyes and gave me the smuggest smile. She was going to tell them...!? About that time in the guidance office...!?

"When I asked Akira-kun, 'Don't you feel bad for your parents who think you're trying your best?' do you know what his answer was?"

"Eep... no, don't, sensei! Please, anything but that! Wahhh...!"

"It's fine. Please tell me."

Ah, please don't, sensei! Tears started streaming down my face from sheer terror. I absolutely didn't want Mom to know. Please, I'm begging you.

"'That's none of your business—my naggy mom is just annoying'—that was Akira-kun's reply to me."

*TWIST—SQUEEZE—!!!*

"Ow, ow, ow!! Mom, I'm sorry!!"

She yanked my bottom up with incredible force multiple times. I clung desperately to Mom, trying to endure the pain. I was too scared to even look at her face, sobbing into her chest.

"Sensei, I understand clearly. I will give this child a firm talking-to."

"Yes. Thank you for your cooperation."

Mom bowed to the teacher and silently pulled me along. Yanked by the arm, I shuffled after her like I was being dragged to hell.

Ugh... there was no escape... today, I was going to die.

As I passed Ms. Mikawa with a look of utter despair, I glared at her with all the resentment I could muster. She just smiled lightly and said:

"Make sure you get a good scolding."

Hearing that devilish line from the sarcastic teacher, I could only hang my head, looking like I was about to die.

"Akira, you know what's coming, right?"

"Yes..."

Mom sat upright on the tatami mat and patted the spot next to her, announcing my punishment. I had already resigned myself, and obediently sat beside her, waiting for it.

I'd apologized over and over on the way home, but Mom hadn't said a word. Once we got home, she took me straight to the living room, and without letting me make any excuses, the punishment began.

She took my hand and laid me across her lap. She adjusted my hips a few times, positioning my bottom where it was easiest to spank, then held my back down firmly.

Ugh, this alone was so humiliating...

My bottom stuck up high in the air. If I moved it from this position, the punishment would get even worse, so I absolutely couldn't struggle. I knew there was no chance of mercy, so I just had to stay still until it was over...

"Ah, Mom..."

My pants and underwear were pulled down together, and the embarrassing position made a weird noise escape my throat. She ran her hand over my bare bottom, making me whimper even more.

"Akira, I'm going to be strict today. Crying won't get you out of it."

"Ugh, I'm sorry..."

"To think my Akira was such a bad boy. I'll have to spank you plenty to make you good again."

The hand that had been stroking me lifted off my bottom. Here it comes... I braced myself, tensing up. In the next instant, a loud slap landed on my bottom.

*SMACK!*

"Owwah!"

Even though I was braced for it, the first strike was incredibly painful, making my body jerk and my legs kick up. Still, I managed not to move my bottom. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to endure the stinging pain.

"That hurts..."

"What are you complaining about on the first one? Now, reflect on what you've done!"

*SMACK! THWACK!*

"Ow...!! That hurts...!!"

Mom's hand came down on my right, then my left. Each slap was so hard it took my breath away. It hurt way more than usual, and I could tell she was angrier than usual—my bottom clenched involuntarily.

"Ugh... it hurts..."

"If you move your bottom... you know what happens, right? Bear with it."

"Yes..."

Then she stroked my bottom for a moment, then smacked it again. Another stroke, another smack before I could catch my breath. She'd spank just as the pain from the last one was fading—right at the edge of what I could bear. My bottom kept getting sorer and sorer, and before long I was crying. But the punishment didn't let up, and the tears just kept coming.

"Only twenty so far. Still too early to cry, Akira."

"I'm sorry... Mom, I'm sorry..."

"Akira, do you know why I'm angry? It's not about your classroom behavior."

"...I... I don't know... Eek!"

"You promised you wouldn't keep secrets from me, didn't you? And yet how many have you hidden? There are more, aren't there!"

That was the angriest I'd heard Mom all day. And with that, the punishment grew even harsher.

The spanks came faster and faster, and I couldn't hold out much longer. I tried my hardest not to move my bottom, but as the pace quickened into a steady barrage, I reached my limit.

Moving my bottom would only make it hurt more, but I couldn't take it anymore...!!

The pain was so overwhelming I wanted to scream, but it wouldn't stop. Forgetting the rule about not moving, I finally started thrashing.

"It hurts, it hurts, Mom!!"

"Stop it! I told you crying won't save you! I'm going to teach you so you'll never keep secrets from me again!"

Her voice was so fierce it made me flinch, and that alone made me cry even more. The slaps kept coming relentlessly, regardless of my struggling. The pain was too much—I didn't know what was happening anymore, all I could do was cry and beg.

"Waaah! It hurts!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Reflect, Akira!!"

No matter how much I apologized, the spanking didn't stop. Even when I screamed I'd never do it again, she wouldn't forgive me. This had never happened before—I'd never seen Mom so scary.

All I could do was cry, scream, and thrash. But Mom wouldn't let me off. Through the unrelenting pain on my bottom, I swore to myself I'd never keep secrets again.

"Ow... it still hurts..."

The morning after that hellish punishment. At school, I couldn't even sit on my chair and was on the verge of tears.

I'd lost count of how many times I was spanked. I remembered the punishment stopping at some point, but I'd been crying too hard to move from Mom's lap, and I guess I fell asleep there.

When I woke up, there was a cold pack on my bottom. Mom noticed I was awake and said, "I'm sorry, that must have hurt, right?" while stroking my head and bottom to comfort me. I was a day late, but I let myself be spoiled by Mom completely.

Mom was so scary yesterday... Just thinking about it now made me certain I never wanted to make her angry again.

"Hehe, good morning, Muraki-kun. Judging by your expression, you got quite the scolding."

"Huh? Urk, Ms. Mikawa!?"

She'd caught me rubbing my bottom again. I quickly pulled my hand away.

She greeted me with her usual sarcastic tone. Come to think of it, it was all her fault my bottom ended up like this. Seeing her smiling smugly almost made me want to kill her.

"Don't make such a scary face, Muraki-kun. You must feel so much better after being scolded properly, right?"

"N-none of your business!"

...It stung because she was right. Though I didn't want to admit it.

---

After that, Mom promised that as long as I didn't keep secrets, she wouldn't punish me as readily as before.

When she was comforting me, she asked why I'd kept secrets. Even though I was scared, I honestly told her, "Because I get punished right away." Mom actually apologized for that.

"I might still punish you, but if you talk to me properly, it won't be as harsh," she said. She told me to be honest about even small things, and I promised to keep that.

Yeah... it hurt a lot... but I felt somehow lighter. I used to flinch every time I heard the word "punishment." It made me a little happy that Mom actually listened to me.

Still, Mom's overprotectiveness hasn't changed at all... This morning, even though I said I could do it myself, she forced medicine on my bottom and changed the cold pack. Still, I figured it was better than having "punishment" hanging over my head.

---

"So? Have you reflected? Ready to be a good boy in front of me now?"

"...No. I don't care about the other teachers, but I'm never going to do what you say, Ms. Mikawa."

I refused immediately. Anyone but her! I'd rather honestly tell Mom, "I talked back because I hate that teacher," than be good in front of her! I'd resist to the very end!

"I thought you'd say that. Actually, your mother asked me to do something for her."

"...Huh?"

What? Mom asked this sarcastic teacher? As I looked confused, she leaned close to my ear and whispered:

"'If Akira misbehaves at school, please punish him at your own discretion.'"

"Ehhh!?"

Mom, what are you saying~!?

"I called your house last night. Didn't you notice? Your mom said she can't manage everything about school too, so she's leaving discipline there to me. I'm flattered by the trust."

"B-but still, you can't—"

"Oh, but this is parent-approved. No one can blame me. Or are you planning to tell the whole school that I spank you?"

"Ugh... ugh..."

I couldn't do that, and I had no comeback. I just hung my head in frustration.

"Just give up. If you behave, I won't punish you. First, pay attention in class. Understood?"

"Ugh, yes..."

"Speak up! Do you want to be punished!?"

"Yes!"

If I got punished now, I'd die! I straightened my back and answered hastily.

"Hehe, what a good answer. Ah, I'm so relieved—now I know how to make Muraki-kun into a good boy. All I have to say is the word 'punishment.'"

"...That's so mean."

With a light smile, Ms. Mikawa said, "So be a good boy now," in the most triumphant tone I'd ever heard, and walked away. It was probably the most sarcastic parting shot she'd ever given—and the most infuriating.

"Sigh..."

Just when I felt a bit better, I ended up feeling down again. Maybe I'd never escape the word "punishment." Thinking about what life at home and school would be like from now on, I let out another heavy sigh.