SIxteen – Who am I, Who is He?

October 12, Thursday.

“Hey, Gin…

I’ve been wondering how many baked potatoes are shoved in your bag since the first period. You’ve already eaten three and you’re now munching the fourth one.”

Jean asked me with a monotone voice but with a slightly disgusted face in a very windy morning on the school rooftop making art as usual.

“I bought too many potatoes when I was shopping last Monday, so I thought that it would be a good idea to pack it as a snack.

Want some? I still have four here.”

“Seriously…”

He looks irritated but still took the potato from my hand. It kind of reminded me of Anna when asked to wash the dishes. She will complain and at the same time wash and dry them.

Oh, the stubbornness.

“Are you sure nature will not call you?”

Akira jokingly asked while hovering a dip pen on the canvas.

“…”

“It will probably trigger after school.”

I wouldn’t want to say that out loud because I know that they will all be disgusted and mess their art up so I kept myself silent.

Then we heard the sound of the speakers used for announcements and sorts of things. But by the sound of it, it probably does not cover the whole school. I think it’s only on the new building and in the rooftop.

“Paging Gin Sakato of Class 4A, please come to the Administrative Office at exactly 11:00 in the morning.

I repeat, Mr. Gin Sakato, your presence is needed in the Administrative Office at 11:00.”

“I guess it’s about time to pay for your crimes, Gin.”

“Shut up.”

“You have almost zero exposure but you’re still being called in the office? Now that smells fishy.”

“I’ve already snuck in to the office believe it or not. It’s mostly quiet and does not have a lot of people inside. Actually, no one saw me passing through its hallway. Though, I think I saw the silhouette of the principal in his office because the doors were not close.”

“Woah, to think Gin can do such a thing. So even the cameras didn’t notice your existence.”

“It’s not as easy as last year when technology in Blue Ink was still a little shabby so there were blind spots. I probably can’t pull it off anymore since the cameras are now tracking motion.

And it’s hard to confuse it because not much people are in the office.”

“Now you sound more like a professional burglar.”

“To think that Shiro would say that bluntly. That’s quite funny, actually.”

…

No, why did something like that come to my mind? I was thinking of tricking the motion sensor cameras if the place is crowded. The cameras will be confused and it can be stuck in one point of vision.

I have never thought of such a thing in my life.

Or… have I done it before?

▪ ▪ ▪

“Kid, I never thought that you used an exploit like that to plan an escape attempt. Now I’ve gotten more interested.”

“There’s no need to be scared, boy. We’re just having a checkup on you.”

“Dr. Kagetora, No. 013 didn’t make it, unfortunately.”

“We can’t turn back time. You know what to do. Leave no trace of him.”

▪ ▪ ▪

“If only I didn’t fail to escape those lunatics.”

(!)

I don’t think I fell asleep. But the five of them are looking at me with a worried face.

“Are you okay, Gin?”

“Does your head hurt or something?”

“You don’t look pale, though. That’s good.”

“Huh?”

“Are you daydreaming? You said out loud escaping lunatics or weirdos.”

“D-Did I really say that?

Sorry, I think I daydreamed a bit.”

It’s not daydreaming, but more like a memory. But that memory is something I can’t recall if it really happened. One thing I know is that is a memory that probably led me to who I was before I entered the Void.

“It’s eleven already. I’m going now to put my canvas in the Art Room then go to the office.

Here, Rin. You keep the keys for now.”

I tossed the keys of the rooftop to Rin and she caught it without fail.

“Right.”

~ ~ ~

I reached the Administrative Office, knocked on the door and opened it afterwards since I knew no one will open it for me. I removed my shoes at some point and changed to a pair of indoor slippers. I then met Mato-sen at the hallway of the office.

“Mato-sen? Do you know why I was called?”

“No idea. I’m just passing by, but they told that you need to go to the principal’s office if I met you.

Well, good luck.”

I do not know what the “good luck” was for but this is the first time I will see the principal in person after being appointed three years ago. He never showed his face to the entire student body even when it’s the entrance program or any other events. But it was said that he’s the reason why Blue Ink High School is experiencing quite the stability and the one behind the recent renovations.

“Mr. Principal? Can I come in?”

I heard a knock from the inside of the room. It’s probably a signal for me to come in.

I opened the door and I saw two people standing side and side from where the principal is sat on.

I immediately recognized who the two men are. Sean Hickory is on the left, and Hiroomi Katsuto is standing on his right.

But the principal in the middle is quite young and after I saw his face, one person popped out from my head. That person is very familiar and it feels like I have seen the principal from somewhere before.

Or rather, he’s like a carbon copy of…

I let out a huge sigh and continued looking around the room. After some observations, I initiated the conversation and then I stated my conclusion.

“I don’t care if you are the former leader of the Exiles. I do not know what happened, but let me pry on your life, Mr. Principal.

If not today, as soon as possible, have a talk with Akira…

Your son.”

The room then became filled with silence. The windows behind his desk don’t even let a sound penetrate through them.

“That is a painful stab coming from you, Mr. Sakato. Your eyes penetrated through me just by observing. I’d like to say that I’m impressed, but I think that that will only make your blood boil.”

“This would never happen if I did not spend two years of isolation inside the Void. I’m truly grateful to those two beside you.”

Sean and Hiro stayed silent but their expression is showing an obvious display of surprise.

“I see you’ve overcome your despair. Just a small advice, despair never leaves humans.”

“He won’t leave…

But I’m not in the mood for competing on who has the better eyes between us. But seriously, you should get your head out of here or else, we will also suffer on seeing Akira’s false happiness.”

“I am very surprised that you have seen even that. Honestly, I underestimated your observation skills.”

“You are the spitting image of him but surely people won’t notice it if they didn’t look closely and carefully.

Let’s set that aside for now.

What’s the purpose of my summoning here, Taketo Juushiro?”

“I suppose it’s no use in calling me a principal if I’m someone who emerged to the surface as an Exile.

Well, to put it simply…

I need your cooperation on putting an end to the chaos.”

“I’m in.”

It’s safe to say that they didn’t expect such a quick answer from me by the looks of their expression.

This time, I don’t want to jump to conclusions but I have my obvious guess on what he is talking about. You won’t hear the word “chaos” from a school principal casually.

“As much as I don’t want to call the project like that, my faculty insisted on dubbing it Project RE.

They decided to call it like that because your class had crossed the line a long time ago.”

“So I am right that it’s about Class 4A. So, the school categorizes my classmates as wild animals now, huh.”

“Not me. But the teachers are so full of it. Taming the beasts, so to speak.”

“I’m telling you, it’s about to happen anytime soon.”

“And that is why we are planning a countermeasure as soon as possible. My students are our priority here.”

While we were having the conversation, my phone rang. I took it from my pocket and answered the call from Ryou.

“Hello, Yugare-san?”

“Yes, Sakato-san. It’s me. I have something to talk to you about. This won’t be long.”

“Alright, what is it?”

“We, for the meantime will be putting on hold the observation of you and Ryuuya-san because of higher priorities.

We just finished our research and the company decided to stick our nose to the business of the issue of the Class 4A. If we don't, it will be a heavy detriment to our current subject.”

“This is an unprecedented coincidence, so you finished your research, huh. Anyways, can you continue?”

“We will reveal our company to the school administration to cooperate with them. Our main objective is to change people, after all.”

“Can you trust me on telling them about that?”

“What?”

“Sudden events came up just now and I can ask the principal himself to let you cooperate. You heard the broadcast, right?”

“If you say so…

I will leave the rest to you.”

“Yes.

I’ll hang up now.”

*Beep*

“That was a quick phone call.”

“He spoke really fast.

Oh, I would assume you already know about the recent activities of the company named Anew. I would be disappointed if you don’t.”

He snapped his fingers and spoke with an uplifted voice.

“Their covers are still thin. I already knew that workers from that company are in the range of your class.”

“They asked if they can cooperate with this project.

Changing people is their objective, as one from that company would say.”

“But to think that they finished the Façade serum in just two years. Japan really has an outstanding level of technology they can tap to.”

“Well, we’re in an era where robots can now play table tennis with a human.”

“We’ll have them cooperate with us and start the project next week.”

It looks as if the conversation has already ended, so Sean butted in.

“Just so you know, Gin. We won’t be involved in this project. We're just watching over since this is your first meeting.”

“I guess I’ll sort out my schedule once I get a role in the project so I can still attend work. I need to pay bills, you know.”

“Work?”

“So the wise man of the subterranean doesn’t know that I work for those two beside you.”

“You mean… at Giotto’s?”

“Yes, Tenth. He’s currently our sous chef.”

“Let me avert the topic to another without pause.

I’m not talking to the principal of Blue Ink right now, but to Taketo Juushiro or ‘Tenth’ as Hiro called you.

If it’s okay, can you tell me why Akira is living, perhaps with your brother or cousin right now? I’m sure you know what I am talking about.”

He knew it would come to this. His stiff posture broke and the very least smile on his face is gone. He stood up from his chair and took a book from the towering bookshelves.

“His real name is Akira Juushiro.

Yes, I asked who I consider to be a brother to take care of him when he was still one year-old.”

“He never said anything, but I would assume he does not even know the face of his parents.”

“Indeed.

It was the time when I’m still showing up in the base. My wife is from the surface but he didn’t know that I’m an Exile up until now.

But a few months after Akira was born, she disappeared from our sight. She left a letter saying that she will leave the rest to me and vanished.

Honestly, I don’t know what to do that time. I was so hurt that my wife left me and Akira, so I asked my brother to take over my son.

But three years ago, my wife had contacted me again after twelve years without any trace of her. She said she wanted to go back to us and start over. But it was too late since Akira is already twelve and he does not know his parents.

When she came back to me, I became the principal of this school after a year of vacancy when the former principal passed away because of an illness. I saw the school logs and didn’t know that he was studying here.

I thought it was a good opportunity to meet him properly. But something is pulling me away from him.”

“Regrets.

If you want to remove that thorn in your throat, the only way is to talk to your son upfront. I can’t bear seeing through his usual humorous demeanor when it’s showing the opposite of what he truly feels.

I suggest even before starting to till a farmland, so to speak, feel the fist of your very own son colliding to your face. I’m sure it will remove the regretful expression you are showing me right now.”

No one even dared to speak. Not even myself. I just constantly watched Tenth fidget while sitting on top of his desk.

“Well then, I’m going to take my leave.

I’m not mad or infuriated. I’m just giving you an advice as a fellow who already lived underground. I’m telling you, I am not any different from the Exiles whom the men of the surface trashed.

You are the reason why they have the will to live even knowing the fact that it’s dangerous to live on the outmost skin of the Earth. I just can’t stand their leader chickening out.

I will have my lunch now. I’m glad to have a word with you.”

The doors of the principal’s office shut after Gin’s leave.

“That man… I can’t really figure out how he knew I was his father.”

▪ ▪ ▪

Gin created a temporary chat.

1:43PM

Nagi Huh? Gin wut?

Rin what’s up?

Shiro Akira’s not here yet

He’s not here. Didn’t add him

feel bad doing this to him T_T

Jean nani????

who’s up for a sleepover at my house after school????

Rin up up

Nagi me

Shiro for what?

Jean no homework so greato

noice

will prepare the guest room for Shiro and Rin

4pm anyone? call time

All YUP.

great

will tell all of you something about me and akira

Shiro lolwut

Rin I’ll hepl

Rin help*

Nagi 4pm it is

Jean I’ll pack once I get home

Shiro see u all later

haaaaaaaaaaaai

Chat closed by Gin.

▪ ▪ ▪

The same day, 4:13pm.

Before it even hits 4pm, they already arrived at my place. Now that we are all complete, we gathered to the living room with an unfamiliar sight where the sofas are moved intended for space on the floor.

“Now that everyone is here, except for Akira of course, we will start the sleepover right here, right now.”

While sipping our raspberry tea, Nagi asked first with a serious and confused expression.

“So… what do you want to talk about? I suppose it has connections with you and Akira?”

“Not in the slightest. It’s true that I’ll talk about myself and Akira but those two are different and separate matters.

I’m sorry for not being clear on my message.”

I took my phone from the pocket and placed it on the floor whilst opening the sound recording app in it.

“Gin? What in the world are you going to record?”

“In the duration of me recording everything I will say, I ask all of you to stay silent unless I mention your name. I’m doing this recording for Akira, since I did not invite him.”

“Half of it makes sense now.”

“Do you have any blankets, Gin? It really is getting cold.”

“You can get some in the store room. It’s beside the bathroom on the left.”

“Are you okay for me to get it?”

“Yeah, Jean, why not.

Now that I think about it, I should probably get one or two heaters from the house. You know, the small ones.”

“17 degrees… And in the midst of global warming.”

“Is it safe to say that the world is changing?”

“Who knows. If it really is, we won’t know if it’s for the bad or the good.”

“Blankets everyone!”

“Thanks for getting them, Jean.

With that, I am going to start recording. All ready?”

“Ready when you are. I really do think this is something we need to know.”

“You bet.”

“Recording has started.

Can all of you greet on the recording?”

“Titan.”

“Apples.”

“Isekai.”

“Congroo.”

“Those are strange greetings.

Anyways, this is something I prepared also for Akira, for him to know what I will say. Currently, we are having a sleepover at my place. Don’t worry, Akira. You’ll soon know why I didn’t invite you today. It’s for your good and I don’t want to spoil something that shouldn’t come out from my mouth.

I’m just going to leave it at that and I will start talking now.

To all of you, it is up to you if you will believe everything that I’m going to say, but all of this is not a joke. First of all, you all know that I’m 15 years of age currently. But actually, I’m not. It’s true that I am born in 2001… Actually, just have a look at this. It’s not like me to sound like a time traveler.”

I showed them the documents of my modified birth certificate that was changed by someone from the underground base who works at the Statistics Office.

“Akira, if you also want to see the proof, you will see it in the admin’s office. I’ll take care of your freedom of entry inside.

Going back, you might have heard of the brutal incident on the Queen Street. Without any addition of garnitures, I’m going to tell you all that I was the one hit by the truck. Pretty much, the only part of my body that is almost unscathed is my left arm and the most damaged is my right arm.

That will probably solve the puzzle as to why I’m wearing bandages for a bit. But I’m telling you, I wore bandages on my whole body for over a year…”

~ ~ ~

I told them everything about what happened to me and why I did file a leave for a week. Everything is spilled from my mouth. I told them the whole truth.

But it’s still bothering me that I have missing memories from when I was five.

“Recording, done.”

“Gin…”

“…”

“If you say it like that… There’s no way we’ll be thinking that it was all a joke.”

“The three of you are quite strong. You weren’t reduced to teary-eyed ugly faces unlike when I told Rin about this. Honestly, we both cried like idiots.

Well, I’m the only stupid one.”

“Wait, so you’re saying you already told Ringo about this? No wonder she’s not getting surprised.”

“I always thought they are just myths or legends… But they are actually living alongside us.”

“They are no different from other people. They all have hearts and I can honestly say, they are the kindest people I have met.”

“But to think that you have suffered insanity for several times… That’s some strong willpower you have there, Gin.”

“Let’s cut the story of myself in here. We need to take a break before we go to Akira’s case.

Let’s all have dinner first!”

~ ~ ~

“You know, how many times have we gone through this conversation?”

“Akira’s not here, unfortunately…”

“Actually, I’m starting to doubt that it’s the case.”

“What?! You’re going to back down now?”

“No, no, no. I now doubt our suspicions because I think it’s about time to go one level up.”

“Huh…?”

“It’s not like me to talk about this, but I’m going with the ‘married couple’ instead of the ‘couple’ only.”

“Wait, what the- Ehem, no swearing. What the heck, Nacchi?”

“I think I’m going to agree. Just look at those two…

Just like a husband and a wife, wearing aprons, cooking together in the kitchen…”

“I wonder if they are wearing rings…”

While they were having their chat on the living room, the party on the kitchen who is preparing dinner:

“You know, they’re really blatant to talk about that.”

“Well, it’s because you have better ears than mine that you can even hear their whispers. I can’t even hear them.”

“What’s the point of their conversation if they won’t ask us.”

“You mean…”

“Pfft…

They’re stupidly thinking we are a married couple. Hahahaha…”

“Oh, I see…”

“Rin, drop the knife and stop looking like you’re going to murder someone. I’m getting the chills here. You’re also emitting a black aura.”

~ ~ ~

“Gin, honestly. I’m getting confused if my mom or your cooking is better.”

“It thought you were going to put potatoes, I saw a lot on your fridge.”

“Wait, the taste is familiar…”

“Now that you’ve said it, I think it is.”

“Taste like… Giotto’s.”

“Woah, seriously?! So my cooking tastes like concrete and shattered light bulbs?! No way! How come my food tasted like a restaurant building?!”

“What if I told you that the meat tastes like a spoon, huh?!”

“I’ve never tasted a spoon… Have you tasted it already, Jean? And I don’t think you’ll live a day if you swallow a stainless steel.”

“So this is feigning stupidity, huh...”

“Well…

Not to brag, but… I have good news.”

“You’re a sadist!”

I get how Jean felt. I guess anyone would say I am a sadist when I told them about my grotesque and dramatic accident, then will blurt out good news out of the blue.

“I’m the sous chef of Giotto’s now.”

“Eh, Gin?”

“Tell me you’re joking.”

To prove that I am saying the truth, I stayed quiet without saying anything and just looked at all of them.

“Seriously?!”

“You’re not even denying it. Are you really serious?!”

While they are looking at me with an unpainted face and wide-opened eyes, I just gave them a nod.

“Hiroomi is his boss too, making him the owner of the restaurant.”

“Huh…? Ringo?”

“Nani? Nani?”

“What the-“

Shiro covered Nagi’s mouth because it seems that he's about to say something unpleasant.

“No. Swearing. Nacchi!”

“Y-Yes… ma’am…”

~ ~ ~

We returned to the living room and sat on the furry carpet once again. Now, we are sipping our hot chocolate.

“Want to join us now, Haku? C’mere…”

“Oh, so he’s Haku…”

“Uhh… I feel bad for saying this but…

Is he glaring at us?”

“Nah, don’t worry. That’s just how he looks normally.”

“Let’s not get sidetracked now, Gin.”

“Yeah. I won’t use unnecessary words anymore, so I’ll get straight to it.

If ‘his apology’ that I knew will be accepted by him, Akira Bentley will soon disappear.”

They all felt a shudder on their bodies.

It’s my fault that I can’t choose the right words because of how antisocial I am. That is one thing that did not change on me.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like what you are thinking. I’ll just go and ask…

How much do you all know about Akira?”

“He’s currently living with his uncle and his son. I knew that because I’ve been in their house already.” Jean informed.

“Hold on… with his uncle?

I think there’s something missing in the whole picture…”

“Indeed, you are correct, Shiro.”

“He never told anything about his parents… That’s it!”

“Yes. But more like, he doesn’t have any idea who his parents are.”

“What?!”

“He didn’t know his parents…?”

“That is why I am talking to the four of you.

As you can see, I’m not recording this because I want the situation to reach Akira… because I already met his father personally.”

“So you’re telling me… Gin. You know Akira’s parents, or rather just his father?”

“I was also surprised when I met him. When I saw him upfront, I was reminded of Akira immediately, and my intuition is telling me that he is Akira’s biological father.

And without even letting him talk, I blurted out that Akira is the exact opposite of what we are seeing right now.

His usual humorous demeanor is just a façade. As I have said, I spent two years trapped in an accelerated time. And in that duration, my senses have gotten sharper and it’s as if I can see though people by observing through and through.

Let’s cut to the chase. The name of Akira’s father is Taketo Juushiro.”

Their eyes widened while Jean clenched his fist out of anger.

“Why… what is the principal of our school doing…”

“Principal?”

“Taketo Juushiro is the name of our school principal that was appointed three years ago when we were second years.

His name is only on the school handbook and no one in the student body had ever seen him face to face. And I would assume that Gin is the first one to see him closely.”

“That’s right, Nagi. I may not have invited the four of you today if I have not known that our principal is one of the existences of the Exiles.

He’s not lacking wisdom but he’s being haunted by regrets.

He made his brother, Akira’s uncle, to take care of him for fourteen years now because his mother left the principal.

But his wife came back three years ago and they discovered that Akira is studying in Blue Ink that made him become the principal. He’s term is currently a success, except for one thing—and that is facing his very own son.

I summarized the story to be very short. I also advised the principal to meet with Akira as soon as possible or else, our friend will be consumed by pain of not knowing his parents.”

“Wait, you said that Akira will disappear soon if he will accept something. What does that mean?”

“I’m talking about Akira Bentley, specifically. If he accepted it, the principal will also accept Akira’s pain.

And he will soon become Akira Juushiro, perhaps a new or changed person with a genuine smile.”

“If I am to speak, the principal is a coward. I’m not saying this to the principal, but to a father who can’t face his own son.”

“I guess you are right.”

At first, when we were first years, I’ve seen Akira and Jean together before our group is formed. Jean is probably the closest to Akira in the school.

“As soon as possible, I mean it. He will be very busy soon dealing with problems inside the school, and that is where I’m going to get involved.”

“You will be involved… exclusively with the principal himself?”

“I almost forgot that Rin and Shiro are transfer students. I guess it’s a good thing that you came in contact with me.

I guess I am the force field for the two of you, so to speak. You won’t be in any trouble if you stick in our group and staying at the club.”

“So, Gin… You have already predicted that it will be rowdy soon, huh.”

“A word of advice for the two of you, Rin and Shiro…

This month, never make contact with our classmates starting next week, unless it is an academic matter.”

“So that’s what you’re talking about when Ichi was here?”

“Yeah, but you’ll probably understand what I am talking about soon.

It will be the greatest betrayal they will ever see in their perspective. They are assuming that I am their ally but they gripped strongly in their naivety.

This time, I am the enemy of Class 4A.”

▪ ▪ ▪

The next day.

“Paging all the members of the Art Club, please come to the Administrative Office after lunch.

The presence of your club is necessary in the said time.”

“I guess you made your move sooner than I expected, huh, Tenth?”

“Hey, hey. Do you know what’s happening?

Gin, do you know why we’re being summoned?”

“Well, Akira…

I think I do, but it’s not safe to jump to conclusions. Let’s just see what will happen after lunch. Who knows, maybe we’re all going to be expelled or something.”

“Wha- No way!”

~ ~ ~

Lunch had passed already and the six of us are now headed to the admin’s office. I guess we are to see with our very own eyes Akira’s reaction.

“Sir Kennedy, where are we going to be summoned?”

“Oh, Ando. Please go to the principal’s office, all of you. There are seats prepared for the six of you. I don’t know why you’re being called though.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

I am the one who opened the door of the principal’s office without saying anything. He’s alone today. Perhaps Hiro and Sean are busy at the restaurant today.

“We’re here, Tenth. Say what you’re going to say now.”

“Please don’t call me that in front of other students.

Anyways, good day to the members of the Art Club.”

I can hear a little murmuring on my back while I am still standing in front of the desk. The five of them are already sat.

“Gin is speaking to the principal so casually. So he’s telling the truth.”

Thankfully no one heard Shiro’s whisper to Rin in a room so quiet.

“Actually, Mr. Sakato, get the swivel chair and sit beside me. I’m certain I’ll need you to lend me a hand.”

“I would assume you’re prepared at least, Mr. Principal.”

“Oh…? What’s this? So you actually knew the principal, Gin? That’s great! Hehe…”

“Before anything else, here. Akira, listen to this. Plug that to the speaker.”

I gave him a flash drive containing the recording I prepared for him. It was the audio recording I recorded last night in the sleepover.

~ ~ ~

The audio playback finished and Akira is currently wearing a blank face, but then he smiled afterwards.

“Gin, I believe you…

I guess the only thing we could do is cheer up, right?”

“You’re right, Akira. Thank you.”

For a few seconds, no sound could have ever been heard. Not even the ticking of the clock. But I was also the one who broke the silence.

“Cut it out now, Akira. It’s about time for you to remove that mask. I can’t let you swallow your sufferings alone anymore.

I hope I will see a real smile from your face after this.”

…

“Hahh…

I’m sorry, Gin, all of you. I’ve been like this since I went to this school. The truth is-“

“Sorry, but I’m going to interrupt you, Akira.

Let the principal tell what he’s about to say.”

The principal is shaking. Is it because of fear, or regret? No one knows. The only thing he can do is release a sigh to regain his composure.

“Akira…

Your real name is Akira Juushiro. I am sorry for running away from you since you were still a-“

That is it. As I have expected, Akira’s fist connected. The four who is watching at the back can’t believe what they are seeing.

The blood that dropped is the proof of Akira’s sealed anger that had been released. The principal spat blood while Akira’s hand is also bleeding.

“I’m telling you…

You’re one bastard of a father…

Now I demand an explanation as to why I never knew my parents! Why did you not show up to me, why not even once?!

Do you know how sad I am because I did not know my parents?! It’s a torture, and it is all your fault!

I only wanted the love coming from a father and a mother… but I never felt it for the whole fifteen years of my life…

You’re just a heartless bastard. Admit it…”

“Wisdom is nothing if you won’t act with it. Am I right, Tenth?”

“I know…

I know that I can’t give the love you’ve yearned for the whole of your life. But now, I am to atone to my sin of abandoning my own son… I’m not asking you to accept me as your father, but I’m always haunted by the regret of sending you to my brother.

I have encountered a lot of people who had experienced sufferings already. But it’s very different because my very own son had grown with hatred against me.”

“Then prove it to me.”

I wasn’t expecting Akira to calm down that quickly and answer immediately.

“Prove that you can really be a father to me.”

“What…?”

“I’ve already released all of my anger. I’m so calm that I can’t even believe it.

But if you leave me again, you’ll never see my face for the rest of your life.

I will forgive you…

Dad.”

Tenth suddenly stood up and ran to embrace Akira tightly for a couple of minutes.

“I will. I will prove it to you.”

~ ~ ~

“Gin, I’m excusing you and your friends in your remaining lessons for today. You stay here and keep watch over my office.

Akira and I will be leaving now. I need to clear everything with my wife.”

I tossed a facemask to him and Tenth caught it without even looking at it.

“Make sure not to expose yourself to the students.”

“Thanks for the advice, Gin. Make sure to lock the door while you’re still inside.”

The door of the office finally shut and the only people that remained inside is me, Rin, Nagi, Shiro, and Jean.

“What a quick reconciliation…”

“That door kind of reminded of the Void…

Oh, shoot! Akira is not here so I can’t tell anymore!”

“What?! Gin!”

“Huh? What is it, Gin?”

“Nevermind, I need us to be complete so I can’t tell. That’s a secret I can’t tell yet.”

“Boo!”

“Ehh… Now I’m intrigued.”

“Setting that aside, at least they made up quicker than I expected. Now the last thing to do is to talk to his mother. I guess a reunion is bound to happen.”

“Umm… Can someone tell why Ringo is shaking?”

“…”

Oh.

I did say that we will announce our current status, but I ended up making her extremely startled.

I’m sorry, Rin.


Chapter Message:

You've finished reading chapter 16!

Can't say I'm proud, but I really enjoyed doing those formatting shenanigans as though reading a conversation. Though as it might bring up confusion, the chat is being seen from Gin's perspective, which is why his messages are aligned to the right. As to why their names are in boldface, they are intended to be in superscript, but I guess HF doesn't support it. Anyway, it worked!

This chapter properly introduced quite an important person that was hinted ever since chapter 7, and as he is the principal, he will be present to some extent!

Thank you for reading!

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Seventeen: I, Nagi Kajima, am happy to be a part of this chain of coincidences with her.