Setting Off on a Journey
"Although the problem has been resolved, if things go on like this your mother will still be worried.
And clearly something must have happened.
After all, the kind of thing you just said isn't something someone who's been hiding in his room would suddenly say. So, let's have a long-overdue parent-child talk."
Kenichi said as he sat down on a chair.
If one had to describe it, it was like the state of a boss forcing overtime after work is done and you're just killing time.
Normally, Subaru felt he would've kicked him out of the room. But now, Subaru looked outside at the street, then sat across from his father.
"Well then? What's this unmotivated father want to talk to me about?"
"Uh, well. Subaru, do you have a girl you like?"
"A middle schooler would ask that!!"
The topic was so ridiculous that Subaru had an exaggerated reaction.
Seeing Subaru's face frozen in shock, Kenichi flailed his hands.
"With such a strong reaction, it's super obvious you do like someone. Who is it?"
"Even if I said the name, you wouldn't know her, right?"
"You never know. Maybe I have her email address saved in my phone?" (Note: Kenichi could be called the king of being popular IRL)
"If a girl I liked gave her email address to my dad, even a hundred-year love would cool in a second!!
….I do have someone I like though."
Kenichi blinked several times before finally grasping the weight of Subaru's abrupt statement.
"I see..."
"At first it was just gratitude and some self-indulgent delusions... But gradually, I was drawn to her.
Along the way, I also met many incredible people.
They taught me, supported me, encouraged me.
None of them knew I was the son of Natsuki Kenichi.
To them, I was just Natsuki Subaru. No, that's not right..."
Subaru shook his head, and looked firmly at his father in front of him.
"No matter who I'm with, I am Natsuki Subaru. I've come to understand that it was me who assumed I was carrying a burden and collapsed under a weight that was never meant to exist."
"That's super late to realize. I'm the pillar of this family, you know. I never told you to take over, you just assumed you had to. Idiot."
Kenichi said this while showing off his strong muscles with a beaming smile.
"You've done things more painful than hitting me, okay!!"
Even while retorting like that, Subaru, seeing that smile head-on, felt the heavy weight that had long been hanging inside him finally fall away.
"I'm really sorry for keeping everything from you. For the mess of emotions I couldn't organize, and for not going to school and causing trouble. I'm truly sorry."
Subaru bowed down in apology before Kenichi.
"No need to worry so much.
In the end, it's also my fault for not noticing.
I didn't realize you admired someone as amazing as me so much. That's my oversight.
I should be the one apologizing. I was just too great for you."
"Even if that's true, I really don't want to admit it!"
"Hahaha, no need to be shy.
But Subaru, don't fall into the same pit twice! You've got my blood running through you.
I'm sure you can become at least half as awesome as me."
"Only half? Aren't they always saying the next generation surpasses the previous one?"
"That's because the other half of you comes from your mom. Considering how my handsome genes clearly showed up in you, I'd say your mom's side must be a negative value that got balanced out."
"Sorry Mom, I can't defend you!"
Unable to protect his absent mother, Subaru pressed his hands together and apologized to the air.
Amused by the gesture, Kenichi shook his head.
"But really, now that I understand you, just watch what I can do from afar. Half's not enough—actually, I have to surpass you."
"Good ambition. You'll be the one supporting me and your mom in the future! Eldest son!"
When he heard those words, Subaru stopped moving.
Because he had come to terms with himself—because he had long been prepared to apologize for what he'd done in the past—he could now finally express his true feelings.
Subaru thought the resentment he'd accumulated for years had melted away and he could now face his parents with a cheerful heart.
"Mm..."
Just as he was about to say "from now on," something surged from deep within him—
"...S-sorry."
"Subaru?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Kenichi's voice of confusion came from directly in front of him.
But Subaru couldn't see his face.
His field of vision was blocked by the tears pouring down, turning the world blurry.
He covered his face with both hands, trying hard to wipe away the tears. But no matter how much he wiped, the tears kept flowing, wouldn't stop.
Subaru had already realized it—from Astrea, from Al, from Beatrice—even back when he was summoned to another world, he had vaguely known.
He had known he probably could never return to his original world.
Being able to tell his "father" how he felt, to express all the dark emotions he had kept inside—despite all that, being forgiven—and now having the support to move forward...
Kenichi, from directly in front, embraced the still-crying Subaru. With strong, broad hands, he hugged his son, who was now nearly as tall as him, tightly, gently patting the sobbing boy's back like comforting a child.
"No matter how big you get, you're still my annoying son, aren't you. Really."
Despite saying that, he continued to embrace the crying Subaru with a loving, fatherly kindness.
After calming down, Subaru talked a long time with his parents again.
Of course, his airheaded mother had come to the room, lured in by his crying.
His father talked about his past love stories, his mother rambled on about mayonnaise and its connection to the world... Eventually, the room was once again empty.
Subaru changed into clean, neat slacks in his room, tightened his belt, and stood in front of the mirror.
After struggling a bit, he tied a dark green necktie. Then he put on a navy blue blazer over it.
"Student Natsuki Subaru, now dressed and ready."
Glancing around the room once more, he picked up his empty school bag.
Reflected in the mirror was a model high school student, ready to go to school—except the clock on the floor showed it was already near the end of the third period.
"Not even the worst students would leave home after the sun's fully risen like this."
Scratching his head with a wry smile, Subaru straightened his back, stood at the doorway, and faced into the room.
—This would be the last time he came to this place.
Subaru lowered his head slightly. Within that simple motion, a lifetime of emotions was contained.
The sound of the door closing echoed.
In the living room, his parents supported each other, watching Subaru with teary eyes.
His mother, after some hesitation, handed him a bento, and then, as usual, started rattling off cautionary advice.
"I may not be as perfect as you imagined, but I'm still the pillar of this household, Subaru..."
His father, for once, spoke in an unusually serious and confident tone.
Subaru, standing at the entranceway, took a deep breath, and showed a twisted smile to his already-tearing-up parents.
"I'm off!!!"
"Take care!!!"