Konjiki no Gash!! Chapter 23

**A Mother’s Wish** (ママの願い, *Mama no Negai*) is the 23rd chapter of Makoto Raiku's Konjiki no Gash!!. This chapter was originally released in Japan as part of volume 3 on October 18, 2001.

## Plot

Kiyomaro becomes both confused and distrurbed after hearing Eshros suggest to Shinichi that he destroy the city he grew up in. While trying to think about everything, Kiyomaro gets distracted by Gash, who was biting him for not helping him earlier. Kiyomaro then tells Gash to quiet down before telling him that he suspects Shinichi, the man who helped Gash earlier at the park, to be a demon who wants to destroy the town. Both Kiyomaro and Gash are reluctant to believe that Shinichi truly is a bad person which is why they decide to continue quietly investigating the pair. Their investigation soon takes them to an elementary school where Shinichi tells Eshros that he used to be bullied there. Eshros assures Shinichi that they’ll be able to easily destroy the entire school as Eshros considers himself an elite demon who already knows eight spells. Shinichi ultimately agrees with Eshros that they should go through with their plan of destroying the school but suggests they do it the next morning. Just after coming to terms with the idea that they have to fight Eshros and Shinichi, Gash suddenly darts off in their direction. Kiyomaro yells for Gash to stop but Gash tells Kiyomaro he only plans on observing them a little longer.

At home that evening, Kiyomaro continues to think about Shinichi’s conversation with Eshros before wondering why Shinichi chose the next morning to destroy the school. Upon realizing the next morning would be a Saturday, Kiyomaro asks his mother Hana if elementary school kids have school that day to which she answers no. He then figures out that Shinichi intentionally chose that day to ensure that no kids get hurt. As he wonders why Shinichi would want to do that at all if his kindness is genuine, he makes the troubling realization that it is Eshros who is manipulating him to do this. From Shinichi’s perspective, he looks at a photograph of him and his mother and thinks back to an important conversation he had with her. In a flashback, Shinichi’s mother is seen in a hospital encouraging Shinichi to stand up for himself against his bullies. She then tells them if he could do that, then she wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore before hugging him.

Presently, Eshros comes into Shinichi’s room to remind him that they have a big day tomorrow and that the elementary school must be destroyed as bad places where bullying is allowed should not exist. Shinichi agrees with this sentiment and tells Eshros that he’s confident with his own decision. After Eshros leaves, he smirks and tells himself that he’ll become king in no time thanks to Shinichi making him stronger. Just outside, Gash witnesses everything and becomes engulfed in rage at Eshros’ manipulative tactics. The next morning, Eshros and Shinichi are confronted by Gash and Kiyomaro at the school. Shinichi tells Eshros he recognizes Gash and expresses uncertainty in fighting him. Eshros responds to this by reminding Shinichi that they have to or else he’ll be defeated. Eshros then claims that it’s Shinichi’s mother’s wish that Shinichi be able to carry out their plan and become stronger with him which resonates with Shinichi as he doesn’t want her to worry about him anymore.

Shinichi then casts *Gurandamu*, which allows Eshros to seemingly crush Gash and Kiyomaro between two large ground slabs. Unexpectedly for them however, Gash stopped the attack just in time and both he and Kiyomaro are ready to fight back.

## Features

### Characters by Appearance

* Kiyomaro Takamine
* Shinichi Akiyama
* Gash Bell
* Eshros
* Hana Takamine

### Locations

* Mochinoki City
	+ Takamine Residence