The Good News

I was trying not to die while deadlifting two hundred kilograms.

In a quiet gym glimmering under warm lights.
Posters covered the walls, and calm music played softly in the background.

I picked up the sixty-kilograms plates with one hand, sat and rolled them onto the bar.

I grinned.

Who’s strong? I’m strong!

My hands were slightly trembling because of what I experienced two months ago. I was trying to lift two hundred kilograms, and I almost died standing. My soul almost left my body as I lifted it.

I was persistent to lift this bar for ten seconds, no matter what because of my pride and that teenage ego.

I had a feeling that those ten seconds would be the longest ten seconds I would ever experience.

Even longer than the ten seconds when I wet the bed ten years ago, and mom scolded me like my life depended on it.

…

I tapped my palms again and again on my muscular thighs and exhaled.

You can do it—Mahito!

My hands rolled on the bar with a hardened grip. I stared at the window in front of me.

It was two o'clock at night.

This time… I inhaled and lifted it!

I gritted my teeth.

Just ten seconds more, and I'll drop it!

I gazed at the ceiling.

I’m gonna die.

“Just two seconds more…” I muttered.

And why was I so persistent to hold the bar in the air for ten seconds?

Because I was stupid. Yours truly believed in an online video that stated that you’re not a real man if you’ll drop the bar before ten seconds, and the text was stated in an haiku form. Yes… I was really stupid.

I gasped, tried to place the bar down thoroughly, but I flinched when my back slightly snapped and it almost cracked.

I shouted. “It hurts!!!” and dropped the bar instantly onto the ground.

I lurched towards the sofa, but before I knew it, I felt the gym grow distant from me and I dropped on the floor and passed out.

…

I blinked my eyes gradually.

The background music still gave a peaceful ambience.

A drool dripped down from my mouth on the floor.

Peaceful!

I lifted myself up and shut my eyes again because of the gym’s glimmering lights.

I tried to straighten my posture and my back gave me warning.

“It hurt!”

I stood up and went to the sofa, picked up my phone lying on the sofa—it was 4 o’clock in the morning.

“Seriously—it has been two hours?”

“It’s late, I should go to sleep now.” I turned around and saw the bar tilted—just left there and I knew that I won.

Even if I’d lost the war.

I waved my hair with my hand as I beamed, walked toward the charging port to pick up the charger to scroll a bit, and saw my shirt lying on the sofa.

Maybe I'll just get a shower before going to bed.

Unplugged the charger, and my phone rang.

I felt cold shivers down my spine as I heard my awkward ringtone echoed in the whole gym, it was set on an older woman’s voice whispering an ASMR and repeating, "Come here, let’s cuddle.”

A realization struck me.

I’ll change it later.

…

“Dad—Why’s he calling me this late?”

“What is it, father?”

There were muffled women’s voices coming through his microphone, laughing and lightly moaning.

I realized what was happening there.

Are you in a karaoke room or something?

“Father, am I audible?”

A door opened and closed, and silence remained.

“Father?”

“Yes, am I audible now?”

What was he doing anyway?

“What happened, father?”

“You don’t call me often.”

After his company went big, our father-son bond slowly grew far from each other…

He wasn’t even calling me for months.

Well, knowing that he’s busy but at least he can call me in a week or two, and when he calls me—it’s at times where some old hags’ voices always come through his microphone.

“Nothing—I just wanted to check on my son and give good news.”

“Good news?”

“Is this really the time for it?” I muttered.

It’s 4 o’clock in the morning.

“Well—don’t be so angry, I just wanted to check on my little child Ryoma.”

I clenched my fist.

In a few months, he’d even forgotten my real name that my mom gifted me with, and I think he’s even forgetting my mom over time.

“My name is not Ryoma,”

“My name is Mahito, did you even start to forget that?”

“And, why are you even forgetting mom—Didn’t you say that she meant the whole world for you?”

“What are you even doing?”

I bit my lip.

”Cheating on mom?”

“That will never happen, Mahito.”

My eyes softened, and my grip tightened.

“Yes, I wanted to give you some good news!”

“What good news?”

…

“Father, are you still there or have you passed out?”

My father cleared his throat.

“Yes, can you hear me now?”

Before waiting for a reply.

“I wanted to tell you that…”

I knew that it wouldn’t be something worth mentioning, it would be like he’s going to get married to some new woman because of his own desires.

But listening to him won’t hurt me, well… He’s my father.

“You’ve gotten into Tokyo Metropolitan Izumi High School where Yuna will spend her next three years.”

I gasped, it felt like the floor beneath my feet crumbled and turned into a field of flowers—drifted clouds and strange lights streaked across the sky.

Before I knew it—relaxed my posture and took a long breath.

My long-tempted wish was finally fulfilled, and the adrenaline rush was so quick that I felt like I could even lift four hundred kilograms.

“Are you s-serious?!” I shouted.