When thinking of Jundori and their possible children, I oftentimes find myself focusing on Junpei. He had an abusive father growing up, that would no doubt influence the way he would raise his children. He’d be trying to be better at every little turn. There’s a ton of reasons I like the idea of papa Junpei, goofy yet caring, and so very protective if he needed to be. Thanks to Q, we know that he wants kids (We seriously don’t talk about that cutscene enough. He lays the scene out for us, yet we ignore him…sign….I’ll write that scene out for you one day, Mr. Ace Detective.)
But, recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about mama Chidori. We know because of Shadow Cry (Strega’s holy text) that she likes the idea of having her own children one day (even if at the time, it seemed impossible.) So, what would she be like as a mother?
I like to imagine her as a very quiet, yet present mom. The best way to describe it is by telling you about a friend of mine I had growing up. Her dad was a retired military officer, and he had a terrifying voice. When he instructed her to do something, it sounded like a booming demand, it scared me to death. Yet, she wasn’t scared at all. She was so used to it, she just said “Okay.” And did what he asked her to do. Afterwords, I pulled her aside and asked if he was mad at us. She told me that he wasn’t mad at all, he just sounds like that. I imagine Chidori being the opposite. Quiet, displaying most of her affection through physical touch, and familiar expressions. What others might consider to be “silent treatment,” her child(ren) view it as just who she is. It doesn’t harm or upset them in any way, she’s the only mother they’ve ever had, it’s all they’ve ever known. Of course, Chidori isn’t mute, she still speaks to them, corrects any bad behaviour, and whispers them praise. But, she just much rather keep things simple.
She’s more strict than Junpei, but not overbearing. She sets the rules, he enforces them. Her kid(s) don’t really act up around her…they save the misbehaving for their dad.
Her quiet nature goes out the window if she feels like one of her child(ren) may be in danger.
She tries to be have physical contact with her children at all times out in public. Holding them in her arms, resting them on her back, or holding their hand. If she isn’t doing it, Junpei is. Even if they are in a stroller, carriage, or wagon, she makes absolutely sure she or Junpei could quickly pick them up if needed.
She makes an effort to never cry in front of her children, but after every single big milestone, she finds the time to sneak away and cry. She doesn’t have any of the memories they are making…it’s such a bittersweet feeling.
Lastly, I’ve had this idea in my head for awhile.
She’s cradling her first (possibly only) baby. They’re super little, still in the newborn stage, but at home. She examines their little face, eyes, nose, every tiny detail. The love in her chest is so incredibly deep, it’s a feeling she can’t even describe.
In that moment, she wonders if at one point, even for just a little bit…someone ever loved her like this.
