Since the day Toji departed, my daily life had become agonizingly dull. As expected, Satoru's visits grew less frequent until they ceased altogether. I wondered if something had happened, feeling a tinge of regret, but I resigned myself to it; after all, we were bound by fate to cross paths again eventually. Still, the boredom was unavoidable.
Toji had shown a twisted form of mercy during his rampage; despite the brutal beatings, not a single person had died. They were simply left to wallow in their agony.
My mother, Zenin Saya, must have sensed the change in my mood, for she eventually approached me.
"Touya, are you very bored? Your expression hasn't been quite right lately. Is it because young Toji left?"
"Yes. Was it that obvious? Honestly, it's just a bit tedious... Playing with Naoya is fun, but I miss the friends I've made. It feels a bit empty now that they're gone."
"Hmm... In that case, why don't we go see the festival as a family in a few days? I heard there's a cherry blossom festival being held nearby. Doesn't that sound like fun?"
'Cherry blossoms... I certainly haven't seen them much since being born into this life. The Zenin estate is tucked so deep into the mountains, after all.'
"I'd like that. Going to see the blossoms together sounds like it would be fun."
"Good. Then I'll look into the details and pick a date. Just endure the boredom a little longer, alright?"
I gave a small nod as my mother affectionately stroked my hair.
'I hope that day comes quickly. Being stuck in the estate every day is stifling.'
A few days later, the day of our planned outing arrived. I let go of Naoya, whom I had been holding, and stretched my limbs.
'Wait. Why is it so hot?'
I felt a radiating heat coming from Naoya's body. To be certain, I placed my hand on her forehead. There was no doubt about it. Naoya was sick.
I immediately bolted from my seat and ran toward my father. I shouted the moment I burst through the door of the Clan Head's office.
"Father! Naoya is sick. She's burning up!"
"What? We're going right now. Ah, right—the physician. I'll bring the Zenin Physician, so you go fetch your mother."
Despite the urgency, my father barked out instructions with sharp precision before sprinting out. I immediately found my mother, explained the situation, and returned to my room where Naoya was resting.
When we arrived, Father was already there, engaged in a grave conversation with the resident physician. Mother rushed over and touched Naoya's cheek.
"Oh goodness... She's like a fireball. Our poor daughter must be in so much pain..."
"What is it, then? Naoya's condition. It's nothing serious, is it?"
"It is not critical. It appears to be a typical fever brought on by a cold. She will recover with rest. It would be best for her to remain in her room for at least the rest of the day."
Both my parents, who had been watching the physician with desperate eyes, exhaled deeply in relief. I did the same.
"Phew... Thank heaven, dear. I was worried Naoya had caught some terrible disease..."
"Exactly. Since the physician says she'll be fine with rest, we'll just have to monitor the situation."
Father nodded, then spoke as if suddenly remembering something.
"Now that I think about it, today was the day we were supposed to go to the festival. It seems we won't be able to go."
"I know, Father. It's disappointing, but we have no choice since Naoya is unwell."
Mother, who had been listening silently while looking at Naoya, looked up and spoke.
"Why don't the two of you go anyway? I'll stay by Naoya's side all day and nurse her."
"No, Mother. What's the point of going when Naoya is sick?"
"Don't be like that, Touya. Go on. I'm saying this because you haven't looked well lately. Naoya and I can go another time. Don't worry too much."
Father fell into thought for a moment before finally speaking.
"Shall we do that then? It just so happens I finished all my work early so we could all leave together. Touya needs to breathe some outside air once in a while."
"Wait, really? Is that okay?"
'It actually sounds fun... Should I go to clear my head?'
"Of course. Go and don't worry about Naoya. I'll make sure she's properly cared for!"
Watching my mother speak while clenching her fist, I had a thought.
'My mother is still so young at heart. Full of energy.'
"Alright. Then I'll go with Father."
"Good. A wise choice, son. Have a wonderful time with your father."
"Then let us depart immediately, Touya. Flowers are always most beautiful when the sun is at its zenith."
Following my father's lead, I prepared to leave and knocked on his office door. He emerged wearing a hakama similar to mine.
"Oho. We're even dressed alike. Anyone can see we're father and son. Though, you didn't really inherit my looks."
"I suppose not. I think I take after Mother more."
Engaging in trivial banter, we exited the estate. When we reached the entrance, I noticed there was no car prepared for the festival.
"Father. There's no car? How are we getting there?"
My father gave a sly grin, then suddenly scooped me up and tucked me under his arm.
"Father...? No, you wouldn't."
"Kahahaha! It's exactly what you're thinking. Why bother with a car when I'm faster? It's not like we have to maintain formalities right now. Here we go!"
Carrying me, Father activated Projection Sorcery and sprinted at high speeds. I was shaken violently by the sheer velocity.
"Father...! I think I'm going to throw up! No, I'm serious!"
"Hahaha! Just endure it a bit, you rascal! We'll be there soon."
Just as he said, I tried my best to hold it back and looked ahead. Only then did I realize how terrifyingly fast he was. With every step, my field of vision shifted as if we were teleporting.
"So this is the speed of Projection Sorcery... Truly, the fastest sorcerer?"
"That's right. This is your old man. There's no one faster than me. At least, not yet."
'In the future, Satoru Gojo will become even faster than this? High-speed movement using attraction and repulsion... I wonder if I can't do something like that?'
While I was dazed by such thoughts, we arrived at the entrance of the park where the festival was being held. Father tossed me aside like a sack of luggage, but I spun in mid-air to regain my balance and landed cleanly.
"Father, I'm only nine years old. You shouldn't just throw me like that."
"Didn't that landing look a bit too perfect for a complaint? Touya, you're being dramatic."
'I mean, that's true... but still, what would people think seeing someone toss a nine-year-old child?'
Shaking my head, I took my father's hand and finally scanned the entrance, where the cherry blossoms were in full, beautiful bloom.
"Wow... It's beautiful. It feels good to see cherry blossoms after such a long time."
"Have you even seen them before? Well, whatever. Let's go. We have to see the inside too."
Led by my father's hand, I stepped into the park and was surprised by the size of the crowd.
"Father. There are even more people than I thought. This must be a very famous festival."
"Indeed. Saya did a good job finding a place to take you all. Let's come together next year. Once Naoya is better."
"Yes. I'd like that. Naoya would be thrilled."
"So... Touya. Are you really not going to enter a betrothal? There are many influential clans involved, you know?"
His lips twitched as if he were trying to provoke me despite knowing my answer... Honestly, he acted more like a child than I did.
"Father. I said I'm not doing it. Are you really trying to marry off your nine-year-old son?"
"No, it's not that. You should play with girls too. You've only ever hung out with Toji and Satoru Gojo. At this rate, will you even be able to charm a woman like your father did?"
"Were you a playboy, Father? Mother would be sad to hear that."
Father snorted and led me forward at a slow pace.
"Hardly. In my entire life, there have only been two. My first wife and your mother. Believe it or not, I'm a man of singular devotion. Honestly, if I hadn't met your mother, I would have stayed single for the rest of my life."
This was new information. A love story from my father—I was actually quite intrigued.
"You must have loved your first wife very much."
"Very much. But she died. Illness. Even a recognized sorcerer of the Zenin couldn't save a wife dying from a mundane disease. Back then, I honestly didn't see the point in living. The children she bore hadn't inherited strong techniques, either. Due to the nature of the Zenin clan, I couldn't grant them special treatment. They weren't born strong."
Father was baring his inner thoughts, one by one. All I could do was walk beside him and listen.
"Then, a banquet was held by a neighboring clan. I only went to show my face, and that's where I saw Saya; she was there as an attendant. I fell in love at first sight. She didn't particularly resemble my first wife. I was just struck by lightning the moment I saw her. So, I did everything to forge a connection. It was the first time I'd ever worked so hard to woo a woman."
"And that's how Naoya and I came to be."
"Yes. It was the best choice of my life. These days, watching you kids grow up is what makes life worth living. Well, shall we stop this talk here? Let's just enjoy the cherry blossoms."
Father abruptly changed the subject as if he'd become embarrassed. I decided to let it go. It was strange and touching to hear such a story from him.
"The blossoms are beautiful. I never used to be interested in this sort of thing."
"It seemed that way. You were always training or playing with Naoya, never showing any interest in leaving the estate."
"I'll be out all the time when I'm older anyway. When I become the Clan Head, I'll have to interact with the other families."
"That's true. Which brings me back, Touya."
"What is it now, Father...?"
Father's expression suddenly shifted into one brimming with mischief.
"Are you *really* not going to enter a betrothal?"
"Seriously, I'm not! Why do you keep asking?"
"Because it's fun to see you actually throw a fit when you're usually so stoic! Hahaha!"
Flustered by my father's teasing, I ended up shouting at the top of my lungs.
"If you keep this up, I'll just marry that girl over there!"
I pointed a finger at a random girl of a similar age walking by. The girl, who was walking between her parents, stopped in her tracks, startled.
'Ah. That was incredibly rude of me. I let my emotions get the better of me.'
But wait, that attire... is it possibly... that family? No, it couldn't be, right?
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