Chapter 185: Name
Walking along a street lined with blooming cherry blossoms, Subaru felt much more relaxed. Although the dark circles under his eyes hadn't disappeared, those things don't vanish just because your mood lightens.
"Dad, you're really popular. Quite a few people greeted you along the way."
"Really popular? I'm taking a rare day off, and everyone comes up asking if I'm unemployed."
"Alright, stop pretending in front of me. Acting like that only makes me dislike you."
"Wow, so I really rank third in your heart, Subaru? But somehow, that third place feels like you just made it up."
"Ah, I didn't expect you to notice. My apologies. Next time, I'll hide it properly so my fragile dad doesn't get upset."
"Hmm… Dad, I'm not someone so easily defeated. Remarks like that don't bother me at all."
"If it doesn't bother you, then please don't make a face like your heart is in pain. That's way too dramatic."
"I didn't expect you to notice, Subaru. My skills still aren't enough… I can't do anything…"
"Please, don't perform comedy in public—it'll just cause trouble for others."
Sighing helplessly, Subaru ended the topic. He and Kenichi continued walking slowly and leisurely. Come to think of it, how long had it been since they spent time together like this? Thinking back, Subaru realized he had long forgotten such trivial matters. But it didn't matter—these things weren't important. He could still be grateful to stand by his father's side.
After walking a bit, the two sat down at a bench.
"Here, this is cola filled with fatherly love—cold and refreshing. Drink it with gratitude."
Subaru reached out, grabbed the cola, and opened the pull tab, aiming it away.
"Tch!"
"So this is cola full of fatherly love? If I'm not careful, I might even resent the words 'fatherly love.' My hands are all sticky—what a waste of money."
Kenichi carefully observed his son, sighed, and sat beside him, opening his own drink.
"Subaru, do you have someone you like…? No, is there a girl you like?"
"Why not just say it straight? Asking in circles like this is annoying. I don't have the patience for it."
"Well, I wanted to ask anyway. But I don't care about society's usual expectations, and I don't think school is everything. Isn't it fine like this?"
"Is that so? Fine like this… not going to school, staying at home… no, staying in my room every day, repeating the same dull routine."
"That's not good. But life is mostly a dull, repetitive routine for most people. For me, though, my days aren't dull—I have an unlovable son and a beautiful, lovely wife. For me, every day has its own joy."
"Right, right, Dad's interests are endless. No dull days for you at all. So why today, suddenly, are you talking to me like this? Haven't you ever done this before?"
"Hmm… why today… maybe because your condition looks human-like now—not your face, but your vitality."
"Vitality… even with these heavy dark circles, you say I look human? Wow, my previous self really must have looked terrible."
"I was genuinely surprised seeing you this morning. Your strength suddenly increased, I almost thought my arms would break. And you finished all the green peas for breakfast!"
"Plus you helped Mom clean the dishes. Honestly, at that moment, I thought maybe the sun had risen in the wrong direction."
"The sun always rises from the east… anyway, so you think I've grown up, and that's why today is a good opportunity to talk?"
"Yes, because today's Subaru is very different."
"I still don't think I've made much progress. Today is just a whim."
"A whim, huh… so you'll go back to your old self afterward?"
"Ah, because I didn't go to school."
"So why didn't you go to school?"
Finally, Kenichi couldn't help asking.
"So, Subaru, you've been teasing me to ask, haven't you? But looking at you, I can tell you wouldn't say it outright."
Subaru said nothing. Silence filled the space between them, awkward yet quiet.
"Then, can you tell me who is first in your heart?"
"Why are you asking? It has nothing to do with you."
"How can it not? Your precious son has unconsciously let someone take first place in his heart. As a dad who was once first, of course I'm not willing to give up—I want a fair contest."
"Even if I tell you, you won't recognize who it is."
"If you don't say, how could I know?"
"Since you insist on knowing, I'll tell you. You'll never take first place from him again. It's time to let go of that idea."
Kenichi's expression turned proud.
"He is my dearest friend. Remember his name well—it's a mountain you can never reach! Hahaha, savor the feeling of failure, boy…"
"Subaru?"
At that moment, Subaru's face fell completely. Who is he? What's his name? Why does he call him his dearest friend? Subaru didn't even have a proper friend. How could he have a dearest friend?
"Hey! Subaru, are you okay? Feeling unwell? You look terrible. Do you want me to take you to the hospital?"
Hearing his father's panicked voice, Subaru forced his gaze onto his dad's face.
His name is…
"The name is…"
"Forget the name! I'm taking you to the hospital now!"
He grabbed his father's hand, Subaru clutching his hair with both hands, bloodshot lines appearing in his eyes.
"I mustn't forget his name! I absolutely cannot forget! Without him, I wouldn't be here! I should be dead! If not for him, I wouldn't have started changing myself, chasing after him! Without him… I could never change… change WHAT?!"
"Hold on, I'm calling now!"
"My dream is to keep everyone smiling and safe…"
"Ah, I remember… the name."
"Now's not the time to think about names, Subaru. I'm taking you to the hospital."
"Kamijou Touma."
"What?"
"Kamijou Touma. That's his name. Sorry for worrying you, Dad. I'm okay now."
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