074 – Resolution

On that same night…

So… that's pretty much how things went earlier.

"I seriously can't process it in my mind… To think that you're also a coincidence just like me…"

Yeah, that's plenty amazing. Oh, right. You visited my uncle's grave early in the morning, didn't you?

"I did. How come you know, though?"

Well, I saw two batches of flowers there so I figured that one of it was yours. And also, I can't imagine you not going. I bet you were thinking, "I absolutely have to go."

"Of course I can't miss that. I've realized how much of an important person Eijiro is to you.

Wait, but doesn't that also make me a coincidence of him?"

About that, I saw your memories just now. When you talked to Tenth, you were explaining something that you saw from my memory. So his assumption was absolutely right. It was a new, but old memory. It was mine and not his.

"I see. But I guess I'll have to sign off for today, Kuro. Even if we're both asleep, this is taking quite a toll on my brain. And…

Why am I washing your dishes, and why is this realm your house in the first place?!"

I'm not in our house right now, okay? Just don't mind it.

Don't 'mind' it, I say… Pff…

Alright. I also think that I need to wake up for a moment. I'm crying like a newborn baby out there.

"What the… That's honestly absurd…

…

Absurd it is… Don't tell me your hair turned silver again?"

Hahh… Most likely.

▪ ▪ ▪

It was still midnight, but G and I used the time to initiate the conversation in our sleep. We were in our slumber, but we were still technically awake. Please don't make me explain it as it might be easier for me to resist my insanity than do that kind of explanation.

But I was not mistaken that I was indeed crying while sleeping. Right at this point, I am sharing a room with Kei in our base, and he might have been staring at me for quite some time from the top of the double deck bed.

"Hahh…"

"Calmed down now, huh. Finally done throwing a fit, Gin?"

"Yeah… Do you mind if I open the lights? I need to look on the mirror."

"Sure."

The light flashed in an instant. I immediately stood in front of the mirror while I see Kei putting on his glasses through my peripheral vision. I then focused my vision on my hair, which still has the exact same length that I saw before coming to bed, and found out that the jet black hair is replaced with silver hair. Now that I think about it, I think my hair would suit me better if I have blue eyes on both sides. I still look incredibly plain with my set of black pupils.

"Yawn~ Goodnight again…" and I turned off the light.

"You're just gonna shrug that off?!"

▪ ▪ ▪

Afterwards, we took off from the base and went back to our homes with our stomachs filled after a great breakfast. Now that I… or we have started to clear things up involving the events from the past week, I finally got to enjoy the semestral break. I hate Mondays, but not if it's a holiday. Because of that, I managed to obtain a few hours for work as I will have the second half of the day as my shift. And unsurprisingly, I will be with Jean again in the kitchen.

But hey, I've blabbed a lot so I'll go now and slack off for the entire morning. Potatoes!

~ ~ ~

1026.

‹Nagi›

"Packing up now, Nagi?"

"Ah, yes, sir. I finished the editing earlier so I'll be taking off now."

"Wait, what?! You finished that much of an edit?! You're impressively fast…"

"I tried a bit of workarounds and found more efficient ways. I have already shared them to the head editor and then he finished most of them. All that's left is to do the color grading."

"Ahahaha. Look at this workhorse! You sure don't look like a rookie now. What are you going to do once you graduate, anyway? You aiming for a vocational school?"

"Well, I'm still going to take a degree. Companies look both at your portfolio and resume first, after all."

"That's nice. But if you get in a tight spot, you're always welcome to apply here full time."

"Yes, I'm thankful that you admitted me here, sir. I'll keep that in mind."

Because of the film that I produced in June, I was somehow acknowledged in the industry a bit, and got referred to a design company that does all sorts of… well, designs and films to boot. I then have had a few experiences of working here in the duration of a few months and I used the break as an opportunity since I am hired and paid for the number of hours and the work I got done in a day. At most, the work that I've been doing is assisting on post-production as I wasn't allowed to do field work.

"Ah, sir. Are you by any chance accepting students here?"

"Well… we're kind of lacking a bit of manpower on the desks. Do you know students that want to work here?"

"Ah, no. It's just that I'm thinking of referring this company to our school."

"Ohhh, it's about that time, huh? Alright, your school is free to give us a call."

~ ~ ~

I realized that I haven't eaten lunch yet, for all the stupidity of me. That's what I get for editing for five hours. I took the liberty of finding myself a sizzling plate restaurant as my most favorite season of the year is tickling my skin beyond my layers.

I also need unlimited rice.

"Nagi?" an unfamiliar voice called.

"…Yuka Alex?"

The two of us just met by chance. But what was a coincidence is that our stomach is growling like an agitated tiger, and that we apparently both haven't had lunch while it is already past 2pm. I was just a few meters before the aforementioned restaurant and so was he who was in the opposite direction.

With that, we went on an unoccupied table.

"This one's on me," he announced.

"That's fine. I just got my pay."

"Oh? Dang, you high schoolers are getting a one-up over me. Even Jean is working part time in Giotto's right now.

But I insist."

"I expected that from Jean. But you're also graduating next year, right?" unconsciously, I have already given up the argument. Thus, my pay was spared just for the commute.

"About that… I've already finished my thesis before the semester ended. I'm basically done studying at this point."

"You're the one who got the one-up on us!"

"I can now go job hunting, but my diploma will be handed next year just for the formalities."

"You're making me recall of Kobana Azuki from CCI…

Oh, by the way, Yuka Alex. How's Jean and Ai-san?"

"Hmm… I guess they're having progress…"

"As expected."

"…downhill."

"Downhill?! Did something happen?!"

"Ahh, not really. Those two are starting to act more than their current status, and it put me a bit off. I scolded him in the end; man to man, single to single."

"Well, I wouldn't say that I don't understand your status quo. But Jean deserves that."

"And you know what, he's back to acting like a suitor."

"So while Gin and Ringo learned a lesson, those two also had to take a step back, huh."

"What about you? I heard from Jean that you have a girlfriend. I forgot her name."

"Shiro."

"I see. Are things good on your side too?"

"…

Not really… I'm kind of in the middle of a beef with his dad."

"Wow, you sure picked the wrong and worst opponent."

"I'm just concerned with Shiro's feelings regarding her family moving out… apparently for her safety. Truth is, his father still doesn't trust me, no, he doesn't like me at all. But I just can't stick my nose to their family, you know."

"Yeah… It's about knowing your place, I guess."

"If this happened five or so years ago, I may be able to have a say on that."

"Hahaha, I get you. Kids your age think that they are already fine adults and just do whatever they want. It's nice to hear that you're not one of those."

"Any advice you have with you?"

"…

Get moderate booze in your constitution."

"I may be of age now, but I won't!"

▪ ▪ ▪

1027.

Since the daughter of the Akanami household will be away for the day, Shuu and Sumi took the opportunity to go out. Halfway on their excursion, Shuu recognized a certain man that had looked at them with eyes that are sharp, and rather frightening.

"Yo, Junpei! Fancy meeting you here…!"

"You know him, hun?"

"We were classmates back in high school. He still has a scary look on his face after all these years."

"Give me a break, Shuu…

Anyway, I'm Junpei Kirishima. Your husband has given me a lot of trouble back in high school."

"Ahaha. I could definitely see that."

"You say that, but you're the one that gave me the most trouble for stopping your fist fights."

"Don't bring up that bothersome past.

It seems that you are on a date. Am I bothering you two?"

"Yes, you are," the couple declared in one voice.

"I see," and the man walked away.

"We're joking."

…

With the end of their banter, Shuu invited him to have coffee in a nearby coffee shop. Seeing that the two men were distant friends, it was unavoidable to talk about life subsequent to their high school.

Amidst the reminiscent conversation, Junpei started a new topic.

"Surely you have a child now, Shuu."

"Of course! We're blessed with two daughters."

"Hmm."

"Although if I were to correct myself, I now have son(s) too."

"Why was that in a parenthesis…

So one already has a husband, huh."

"She just got married in February so it was quite lonely in our household having only one daughter."

"But it's nice that our youngest daughter is not so young anymore that we need to take care of her every time. We're already getting old so we're happy that she can now handle most of the things on her own."

"Is she still studying?"

"Yeah. She's about to graduate from Blue Ink."

"Coincidence? My only child and daughter is also in the same grade there."

"Oh, she might be friends with our Ringo, then!"

"Oh, Shuu. There's a girl that visits sometimes, right? Maybe that's her?"

"What's her name again?"

"I think… Shiro-chan?"

"Indeed, she is my daughter, Sumi."

"Ohoho! That's really great for you then, Junpei!"

"Huh?"

"Your daughter has a very nice friend! They get along really well, you know?"

"Is that so. Sadly, she'll have to part ways by the start of next year."

"You're moving, then?"

"Yeah. I believe that this environment doesn't suit our daughter. You see, Shiro has been traumatized by people she considered friends. She was being used for their own benefit in the end. I don't want that to happen again. It's the same with my wife. She saw me fighting other students back then and scared her so much… I scared her so much… I don't want my regret to come back again. I don't want anything happening to my daughter, unlike…

Besides, she even introduced a guy to us two years ago. I just can't accept her having a boyfriend out of the blue."

"Huh… You really talk as if that guy is a good-for-nothing, huh."

"Even if you look at him initially, he is unreliable. I can't even imagine talking to him man to man."

"Ahahahaha. You still have that character. You'll just look like an overprotective father if you don't look at her and her friends closely. I know to myself that my daughter had experienced a lot already.

And it sounds like you're still hung up about with happened with you and Winona in the past, but times have changed. It's been so long. Don't underestimate her friends, Hothead."

※ Hothead is Junpei's nickname in high school.

"Well, I think it's about time for me and my wife to go back home. See you around, Junpei."

…

"Didn't expect you to get mad earlier, Otou-san."

"What?! Did it really show in my face?! I even tried my hardest to hide it…!"

"No. You had a straight face all along. I can't be your wife if I didn't even notice that."

"Ahahaha! You're my wife, alright!"

▪ ▪ ▪

Back in Monday.

"Hello, Gin?"

"Sup, Nagi."

"I know this is very sudden, but can I crash into your place for the rest of the break?"

"What, you ran away from home? Ah, don't take that seriously. Sorry."

"Nah. I just think that your house is a good place for me to do some thinking on my own. I also got a heads up from Jean. He told me your rules."

"I see. If you're going to stay, then my only problem is the guest room. I just had the aircon modified with a heater and haven't really tested it much. So sorry if it suddenly breaks.

And you don't have the immunity that I have so don't sleep flat in my kotatsu."

"Could've sworn that you placed another sheet under the table. And then you said that Ringo didn't get sick."

"I was just cautious, that's all. She drooled on there a few times already."

"You seriously love that trope."

"I love her too."

"Shut up."

"But if you're coming today, better come early. I'm just slacking off right now, but my house will be in your hands by lunch. I still have to work.

And don't do anything stupid. I have Haku to report to me."

"Got it… I've already packed so I'll be there shortly."

*beep*

Well, at least my house will be a little less lonely.

~ ~ ~

"Morning, Giiiiiiinnnnnnn…

…!"

"Get inside quickly. It's cold outside."

"Y-Your h-hair…!!"

"This? Yeah, it just happened yesterday."

"Don't scare me like that…

…

You know, I unconsciously thought that Ringo is still living here."

"It's been a year already since those shenanigans. Get a grip."

"But now that I think about it, things have gotten better for you in this year, huh."

"Waaaay better. I was actually so happy when I found out that I was also an existential coincidence."

"That happened?! Who's the person?"

"Eijiro—that uncle of mine."

"But how…? Aren't he supposed to be…"

"I saw it. He was still alive when I was literally born. Minutes after that, he passed away.

But if anything, I'm happier than sad. That just means that his memories can still exist."

"I really don't get you and G.

Anyway, is there still some cleaning to be done in the guest room? Just leave the work to me and then I'll take out my stuff."

"Huh. Surely you have a reason for crashing in?"

"I believe I've told that I need to do a lot of thinking. Maybe staying in this house can be close to being the Room of Reality. Not like I've entered that room already, though."

"Sure, I won't stop you."

"Where are the sheets, then?"

"I seriously can't get a read on you right now…"

"Sorry I didn't quite get it. Where again?"

"There are drawers under the bed."

~ ~ ~

"Take care of the house then, Nagi. I'm not expecting much but you'll have to make your own dinner. Feel free to use the fridge."

"Endeavor in the kitchen banzai…"

"How low-spirited. Just imagine that you're cooking with Shiro. You are your best in the kitchen when you're with her."

"Yeah, yeah."

And so the door shut.

‹Nagi›

"…

Hahh… Easy for you to say…"

"Meow. (I know that you can't understand me, but I could at least lend you a fur.)"

Suddenly, the gray cat started walking on circles in front of me and then jumped on my arms.

"My word, I forgot that you can hear what I'm saying… Thank you for this, Haku."

"Meow. (You're welcome.)"

"Maybe you can help me again just like how you did last time? It's really depressing."

"Meow. (Sorry, Nyagi-san. I still have limitations as a cat and I'm not a human. I really don't understand how human emotions work.)"

"I wonder if there will be a time when I'll get to know what you're saying.

Meow?"

"Meow! (Do that again and I'll scratch you with my entirely safe claws…!)"

~ ~ ~

Weirdly enough, I heard a very faint voice coming from the second floor. I'd be lying if I said that it did not scare me even if by a bit. If anything, I flinched and found the very first cat in history that actually laughed. But on the bottom of it, I was just scared for nothing.

"…tato…! Potaaaaatooooo…!"

It didn't even take me a second to realize where the voice was coming from as I have seen where it was in the past. I thought—I was surprised that Ringo can even get lazy and just shout from her window instead of coming in this house in person.

I opened the door of Gin's room and his fogging window. Indeed, Ringo was leaning on her sill. She looked at me for a very brief moment, but…

"Potato…! Potato~~~! Potato-kuuuunnnn…!"

This airhead didn't see me.

"I would have flicked you on your forehead, you know."

"Nacchi, I was looking for Potato, not you."

"How rude…! Your potato just left for work and I'm only with Haku right now."

"Oh, is that so?

Hakuuuu…! Haku-saaaaannnnn…!"

"Flying apples."

"Don't use my catchphrase! How rude!"

"I finally got your attention, you idiot…!"

A/N: Behind the scenes, this is how Rin acts towards everyone in the club.

"So? Why are you looking for the lost potato?"

"Dad said he wants to talk with him. I don't know the reason why, though."

"Well, the lost potato might come home as a mash potato, and late at that. You have your family dinner every Wednesday, right? I think he'll be working for the whole day tomorrow. I'll tell him, anyway."

"Alright. Thanks, Nacchi."

I then closed the window and left the room.

…

"Ringo-chan~! Is musuko there?"

"Nope. I just told Shiro's boyfriend about it.

Wait, why is he there anyway?"

"Your friend's boyfriend? What a coincidence!"

"Even you, Dad?!"

▪ ▪ ▪

1029.

I realized some things on my own.

Living with someone and living alone truly are a very contrasting matter. There are things that you thought you are actually going to do and things that you didn't know you can do. I now get why Gin is always teased as a housewife… a househusband in school. Perhaps he had become some kind of a clean freak after living on his own for more than two years. Nonetheless, I still tried to do some cleaning if there are still anything that I can clean. Also, it really takes a lot of concentration since I need to keep my eye on the whole house, especially when it is winter now.

I also realized how it can be lonely when you are all alone in a house with this size. When you've done all the things in your checklist, you'll find yourself sitting on the couch, tired, and you start to imagine things as if there was a mirage in the midst of the coldness. Living with the family really makes you think that things are easy, at least for me. There are things that I normally don't do in our house since there is someone that will do it. When you're living like this, you have to do everything, and I haven't even done everything yet.

Gin really has it hard. He is a student that pays his own tuition, his bills, he even takes care of what food he's going to eat seven days in a week, and he works in a full-time job to top them all off.

But those realizations were all found in retrospect after everything has been done. My mind was in an entirely different track when I was doing housework. But who would have thought that doing all those actually made me think more and deeper alongside the concentration.

Just with that, my mind was put into a different perspective. By the time that my body came to a halt and rested on the kotatsu, my mind was thinking even more. I started envisioning myself living with someone. In that imagination, did I actually have it easy, or did I have it happily? Then another vision came. I saw my perspective still sitting in the same place, but I see other people with me in all smiles. Arrogantly, there is a ring on my finger, and it feels like I traveled ten years in time.

I have realized something important—something that is more important than the relationship that the two of us have. It seems that Shiro has greatly influenced me.

"…

Hello, Akira? Yeah, it's really cold right now. I'm actually staying in Gin's house right now. Well, just because. You're also on your break, right? Do you have a free time tomorrow?

Can I ask you a favor then?"

…

"Hello, Jean? Of course I called knowing that this time is your break at work. I know that Gin is also there so you can pass what I'm going to tell you?

I have a favor to ask of you two."

…

"Ringo? Are you there?"

"What… I'm taking napsies…"

"I need your help."

▪ ▪ ▪

October 30, Wednesday.

The five of us gathered inside Gin's house, all in outdoor clothes. Suddenly, Akira hit my back with his palm, and so did Jean. Gin had his hand wide open and is about to swing his arm.

"Hold back, please…!" and so he whacked.

And another one.

"Even you, Ringo?!"

…

Gin started, "I'm still really lacking as a human. I thought your situation was an 'I know you can do it' thing. You just made me realize that it was actually a 'we can do it'. But in the end, we know that you're the one who will either win or lose the most."

"I already know that."

"Now that's the spirit. Remember how nervous you are right now. That's how I felt against Horach and his son. You're going to fight this battle, after all."

"…

I know."

~ ~ ~

And so a certain house's doorbell rings.

"Oh? If it isn't Nagi. Are they your friends?"

"Yes, Auntie. I just thought that these guys might want to visit for the break."

"Is that so. Then come inside. It's very cold outside."

I may have mentioned at some point in time that both of Shiro's parents are strict. That was when I first experienced flooding, if I recall correctly. However, things have changed over the past months. It has been five months, or rather, two years, and I have finally got in good terms with Shiro's mother—Winona. And as you may have obviously expected, I am still in her father's purge list. Well, figuratively.

I may have been masking my true feelings by unconsciously pretending that I have come to terms and accepted that Shiro is leaving soon. But weird as it is, it was all the cleaning that I did that made me open my eyes and realized that I don't want how the things are turning to be. It is not that I don't want her to be separated by my side; more like, I have given up on thinking of it too much already but I don't want our relationship to go downhill. All that I wish for at this moment is for Shiro to not lose the happiness she has now. Not with me, but with all of us.

So, I stand in the wild to face a lion that can attack at any given moment.

"Should I call Shiro for you?"

"Thank you very much for that, Auntie. But please don't mind me as I'm going in ahead."

They all thought that I was going to suddenly come to Shiro's room, but even Aunt Winona was shocked to see me open the sliding door that separates the hallway from the living room. Under the jamb, I stood still as I have seen what I have been expecting.

"This Wednesday, this very day is something you really wished for as you can finally take a break from work for the whole day. I may not fully understand how ecstatic you are to spend your time with your beloved family, but all I know is that you use this time of the morning on the recliner looking for a half decent article in the newspaper that you can read while easing up the fatigue in your body.

I apologize for intruding your household when you are resting, Uncle Junpei."

"…

Tch. Way to ruin my day."

~ ~ ~

Shiro went down with a face of worry and joined us in the living space with her parents while the five of us are on the opposite side sitting on the same level of those in front of us.

"Looks like you have something to say," Uncle glared only at me.

"No, I have said the things that I want to say."

"So? What's with this sudden visit? And you even brought this many of a merry bunch. What a pain."

"Pfft…" suddenly, Gin let out a chuckle as if trying to dig his own grave, and buried alive at that.

"What are you laughing at, you stupid idiot…?!" I, in all of my worries, whispered to him.

"It's just that… This is not out of disrespect, but I'm somewhat surprised with Uncle Junpei. Rather, I think other people will be surprised too.

You have a more intense natural glare than mine, but I find it really amazing and inspiring how much you love the family you built. I really respect your dedication to take care of your family. I wish… I'll be able to be like that too."

That giant stooge just dropped a bombshell that landed on his own head. I thought that his remaining loosed screws have been fixed, but he is beyond help.

"I really want to sock that annoying face for pulling that dirty move if I just can…"

"You don't have to worry about that, Uncle. I'm already 20."

"…!"

You're kidding me… Gin was able to make Uncle lean his back more and he loosened up his shoulders. You really aren't human, Gin…

"So anyways…" Ringo spoke. "I guess we haven't really said the purpose of our visit here."

"It's normal for our daughter's friends to just take an idle visit. Am I right, young lady?"

"…

I am afraid that it is not entirely the case. We came here to make an attempt of reconsidering your decision regarding your pending move."

"You…

Don't you think that you're running your mouth too much, young lady? Do you realize that you are stepping in on another family's matter?"

"Dear, I think that's…"

"I hate how I remember so many things because of that straightforwardness…

Don't think that you can change my way with your childish outburst in front of me just because you don't want my daughter to leave. I just can't bear the fact that your school has already produced a murderer.

Even if I was a street brawler on my youth, I never dared to end someone's life."

Akira then let out, "A father's duty is to protect his family. That is where my father failed, but you are a very loving father for you to be able to protect the only daughter you have. There is also the pain boiling up inside after seeing that you have shortcomings, and you were unable to stop the crying of your child.

We have all seen Shiro's pain. It may not have surfaced if not for the heavy risks that were put to the school. I may not understand how it feels to be betrayed, but I ultimately know the feeling of happiness—of knowing that there are people who I can trust and rely on. It puts me at ease when you know that the people around you are sincere and welcoming."

Jean continued the flow, "But even if that is all said, we can't imagine how it felt for Shiro—as someone whose pain has been replaced with the feeling of ease. Only Shiro knows how happy she is, knowing that.

She knows how it feels when she sees that someone on this gathering had risked his life to open a vaster world to us and to our bond."

Jean then tapped Gin's shoulder with a fist and prompted that it was time for the person under a large bonnet to speak.

"I am a person that does not have a very kind character. I always get to expose someone's feelings when it comes to the surfacing actions of the person in question. Indeed, nonverbal gestures say a lot of things. Perhaps you took my banter as a funny jest earlier and made you ease up somehow. But maybe out of the five of us, I may be the person that you hate the most, or I might be the only one that you hate among us.

Ad misericordiam; to my understanding, it is a fallacy of appealing to someone through pity for a gain. My life is like that even if I don't intend it to be. Anyway, I still wish to say what I want. Also, I don't think Uncle here likes someone who elaborates so I'll get to the point quickly.

Since I was five, I have gotten a mental disorder, and I still have it until now. To put it simply, I am insane. I have shunned so many people because even I don't trust anyone after I was ruined. I lived my life full of hate towards people. I have done the thing that you feared the most—I have sullied my hands to the point of no return."

In that moment as those words echoed in the mind of Uncle Junpei, his blood bursts and was about to stand and raise a hand on Gin. But Shiro firmly pressed down his father's arm and looked at him with sorrow. I now understand why Gin said that he is the most hated.

"A five year-old child was given a chance to abandon the permanent filth on his hands. I met so many people that changed me, and even a dead man is cheering me on. I am an abandoned being that was thrown away by humans. Truly befitting for someone with such an infringement. But the world isn't entirely a dark place. Maybe… Uncle was also engulfed with darkness, and Mrs. Kirishima became your light that saved you.

…

Someday…" in the midst of his words, he removed his bonnet and revealed his unusual hair. "I also want to become someone that can protect his family regardless of who he is."

He then took a white mask from the inside pocket of his coat and wore it on his face.

"Mr. And Mrs. Kirishima, I am telling you all this because your daughter accepted me for who I was. He trusted a broken man because she knew that it wasn't her that needed to be cheered on. She selflessly relied on this weak person to show them a new perspective. She trusted that someone as weak as we are can do something against the strong. I showed her that a weak person whose arms are broken can still rise up and protect the fellow weak from their demise of being bombed right in front of them."

"Gin, that's enough…" Ringo whispered. "It truly makes you happy to be able to protect the ones you love. I now know it so well after being able to save this man beside me from the brink of breaking and ultimately dying.

As such, I also know how it feels when I see your daughter in all smiles when I'm with her. Shiro is… someone, a friend I truly love where I can give her my utmost kindness and care."

"You kids…"

"Dad…" Shiro's face lowered and her hands trembled beside her father. "Why…?! Why do I have to go away from this place?! Did I do something wrong for us to leave?! I've been holding myself back… because I am scared of what you will say…! But I hate it…! I hate being away from them…!! I've found those who I really call friends, but it feels like you're the one taking them away from me…!

I love this place… I love my school… I love them… I love them all regardless of who they truly are… You just don't see it, Dad. I'm so happy in this place that I don't want to leave anymore… Please, as much as you don't want the same mistakes you made to happen anymore, I also don't want to get hurt again…"

"…

Winona. Lead these kids to another room. Kid, you remain here."

"Yes," I firmly responded.

"Then please come this way, then. I'll make something to warm you up."

~ ~ ~

"…

Nagi-"

"Yes…?!"

"H-He called me…"

"…I want to apologize to my daughter and to you. Yet again, I still fail as a father for not being able to understand my own child. I was under the impression that Shiro's perception is being swayed by the things that happened in your school. I thought that she was influenced badly, but I was wrong. I let my fears get the better of me. I regretted my times when I was still young. I have hurt so many, including Winona."

"N-No… I at least understand that it was your resolve. It may well be unbearable for you to see her get hurt because you are also hurting too. But I am still in no position to say my sentiments. I am still a child."

"But who are those kids… I can't even begin to describe them…"

"…

The one with the silver hair, that Exile actually has a name. He is Gin. I have been friends with him along with the other two guys for six years. He had suffered so much; he shouldn't have deserved all the pain he received ever since he was a child. Thankfully, he is not broken anymore.

The girl's name is Ringo. She is Gin's lover and someone who has seen the darkness of Gin's heart. She is a brave woman to be able to also receive Gin's pain and fight against the close death of her loved one. She has become extremely resilient because of Gin.

Jean was the one with the parted hair. He lived a few years with a heavy responsibility on her shoulders since his older brother was a victim of unjustified imprisonment.

Lastly, Akira was abandoned by his parents since he was born. He lived his life with a mask in front of us, but it slowly disappeared after he reunited with his family."

"…

Do you not have anything to say about you?"

"That is because, Uncle, there is nothing for me to say about myself. I am just a normal, spineless brat that just so happened to be around extraordinary people, and I am here in front of you… asking to reconsider after all that has been said."

"Really… what's wrong with kids these days… No. That one with the gray hair is a man. He's someone that has defeated a storm.

And you, Nagi. Even if it is small, you have a potential to become a man that I can acknowledge. I'll make you pay if you hurt my daughter."

"…

Eh…?"

"Shiro, I will support you on the decision that you chose. As long as they are your friends, we will stay here. Once again… I'm sorry."

…!"

He then received a warm embrace from her only daughter that has once again wept.

"Thank you, Dad…!"

~ ~ ~

"So I guess we'll be taking our leave."

"You take care of yourselves.

Silver-whatnot."

"It's Gin, sir."

"Whatever. I'm sure that you can become someone that is better than me. I'll be waiting for your fatherhood."

"I have no say on that… But you will surely be invited to my wedding whenever it will be."

"Nagi. Hurry up and grow a spine."

"Yes. I know that you won't wait for a wimp like me, so I'll become someone you can trust."

"Then take good care of my daughter from now on," and slowly, he turned towards inside the house and swung the door.

"Ah, Mr. Kirishima…! There's something that I forgot to tell you!" shouted Ringo.

"What is it?"

"I was told to say this quote coming from him…

'I told you that your daughter has a really great friend, Hothead.'"

Uncle's eyes twitched and his hand firmly grasped on the doorknob while his limbs trembled and his blood boiled.

*Slam*

He closed the door like there is no tomorrow.

Chapter Message:

Me sitting around in the middle of August tropical heat makes me think that putting winter in this novel is wish fulfillment.

Thank you for reading!

Next

075: Right, we are graduating students.