Johnny let his mother's words sink in. "Yes, I am here. I am Johnny"
Slowly, the memories of the real "Johnny" surfaced. He remembered how often he had snapped at his mother because the food was bland. He remembered how often he ran off when his father asked for help in the workshop because he preferred playing with his friends. He remembered how often he made his parents worry.
Guilt slammed into Guts' chest.
In his old life, he never had the chance to be a good son. Gambino hated him. Shisu died because of him. But here, he had a second chance. God—or the Planet—had given him an opportunity to atone for his sins by loving these people.
Johnny slowly released his embrace, then looked up at his mother's face. He saw the fine lines at the corners of Marilla's eyes. He saw the gray hairs starting to sprout amidst the Brown. These were the marks of hard work, the toll of raising a troublesome brat like him.
Johnny swallowed hard, holding back a fresh wave of emotion.
"Mom..."
Johnny looked directly into his mother's eyes. That gaze was no longer the look of a spoiled child. It was the gaze of a man who had realized the value of something precious.
"I'm sorry," Johnny said softly.
Marilla frowned, confused. "Sorry? For what?"
"For everything," Johnny answered quickly. He clasped his mother's hand with both of his small ones.
"I'm sorry for being a brat all this time. I'm sorry for talking back to you. I'm sorry for being lazy when Dad needed help and for just being a burden to you both."
Marilla's mouth parted slightly. She had never heard Johnny speak with such maturity.
"I promise, Mom," Johnny continued, his voice strengthening, filled with the steel determination he once used when swearing to slaughter apostles. But this time, the vow was for life.
"Starting today, I'm going to change. I'll wake up early. I'll help Dad at the workshop. I'll take care of you. I won't let anything... not a single nightmare or any monster... hurt this family."
Marilla stared at her son for a moment, searching for any sign of a lie in his eyes. But she found none. All she saw was a burning sincerity.
Her eyes watered again. She smiled, the most genuine and relieved smile Johnny had ever seen.
"Oh, you..." Marilla chuckled, wiping away her own tears. "That nightmare really rattled your brain, huh? But... I'm happy to hear it."
Marilla pinched Johnny's cheek gently.
"Then prove it to me. Now, go wash that puffy face, change your clothes, and come down for breakfast. Your father will be happy if you actually want to help in the workshop without needing to be yelled at."
Johnny nodded firmly. "Yes, Mom."
Marilla stood up, picked up her laundry basket, and walked out of the room. But before closing the door, she looked back, staring at her son's back, which now seemed a little broader, a little more upright.
"I love you, Johnny," she said softly.
The door closed.
Johnny sat alone on the edge of the bed again. He raised his hand, clenching it into a fist in front of his face.
"Guts died in the Eclipse," he thought. "From now on... I will live as Johnny. And I will protect this small life with my own."
He stood up. His footsteps were heavy and solid. His first day in the new world had begun.