2-03: Troublesome Father and Son
Holding his son for the first time, the man was delighted.
When a man protects the child himself, he will surely be determined to raise a good child.
Changing diapers with inexperienced hands, cradling at night while crying.
Unable to forget the appearance that grows day by day and the first time they say words.
However, the man is the central pillar that supports the family.
He does not only raise children.
For that reason time with the family decreases and it becomes lonely but,
for the child to grow up honestly, the man is only able to do his best.
The pampered scraped one that clung to his mother
Then as the father it would be up to me to firmly teach many things.
Even as a mama’s boy, I want him to walk on the correct path.
「Do unto others as you would have done unto you.」
「If there are people in trouble then help them.」
「Take care of your mother.」
Yes, I understand father.
Once my imouto was born, there was the fact that I became an older brother.
As the first born, I was trying to convey the respectable attitude of an older brother.
「Because you are the older brother, protect them both」
「Weak power is okay.
「No matter what, you will be those twos ally.」
— Yes, I’ll do my best!
My child, within those few exchanges just nodded obediently, that is how it was.
It was ironic that the moment that he realized that was a misunderstanding was the moment he lost his son.
My child was suddenly gone, and the days of happiness were no longer found.
Certainly, I had taught my son a lot of things. That was my intention.
It’s a parent’s self-indulgence to treat obedience as a good thing, only forcing an ideal image upon them.
One he had lost his son he realized that he was a parent that knew nothing about his child.
「Even though you don’t know anything about that child!」
The words of his ex-wife only just now hit him, it was just as she said.
He didn’t realize how much of a big impact that made on her.
The sin of taking away a son from his mother is what created the change of heart and in the end caused the divorce
In those days of ignorance, if he only felt the gradual loss of his children.
And finally once he had realized what was happening a hole that time could not fill was created between him and his family.
Such a pathetic, and useless father.
What should I have done? Exactly what kind of expression should I have shown?
Even with all of that, my current wife said.
「Then isn’t it fine to just start learning now? Let’s start listening from now on」
────────────────────────────────
「No, no If it is going to be like that, then I think that aggressively pursuing is better」
「……………」
Father and stepmother are operating the console while waging a discussion.
While watching this from the front Shinichi dropped his line of sight to the bag at his feet.
「Kyu, kyukyu」
From the bag, the creature whose face pops out cries out looking perplexed.
「Shinichi, don’t move!」
「Ah, okay…」
We are at a certain tailor located on the street corner.
However, his clothes were not really changed, it was the clothes inside the mirror of the small fitting room that changed.
Going from casual to outdoor styles of clothing along with the latest fashion going through a large variety.
「…Whether it’s science or magic, the lines between the two are starting to blend」
「Kyu…Kyukyu」
Agreed, nodding without able to hold back laughter was just like her.
The fact that the other person was his father made it even weirder since she could not picture her master with a family.
「You…laughing and smiling all you want, I’ll remember this」
He says this while looking annoyed, however looking like a dress up doll gives his expression no impact.
The family had come with full force in order to pick out Shinichi’s new set of clothes.
The Nakamura couple had an idea. Or rather they were all fired up picking out his clothes.
The first store chosen was the first other world shop open to the general public.
There were no commodities inside the store, just a few fitting rooms.
The image of the clothes will be projected onto the person who had chosen the clothes in the fitting room.
Naturally, from the start, you are unable to see yourself wearing the clothes so there is no time taken to change clothes.
The goods that you bought will be sent from a warehouse in the outskirts and with this, you are free to choose whether you wish to wait in the shop to receive your goods or receive it at home.
But fashionable or not, according to Rinko is unknown
「Shinichi, which is better?
From father’s viewpoint, I think this is good but….」
The variations Father had chosen are jean shirts and border cut mix.
“I think its okay to attack you like this.”
The ones Rinko chose were a Black jacket and a black V- cut.
“If you have any desires please speak up.
“You don’t need to worry about money. I will be paying.”
“Kyaahaa!”
For some reason, the couple puffed out their chests.
But, with the wife’s words, one can see her husband’s expression becoming crestfallen.
“E…Eeehh….”
However, he is a guy who originally had no interest in fashion.
In order not to have any special wishes, in regards to the clothes chose for me, I have no comments.
“That one is a little exposed.”
However, not saying anything is also spoiling the mood, therefore bearing in mind that I do not wish to stand out, I spoke out.
If I were to say frankly, that V-cut is too deep. Therefore, it’s a little embarrassing.
“Mu, i see. Well, Even if it is seen, there is no problems looking at your body, so I thought it was okay.”
I tensed up during her close inspection. Well, I felt that even if I was found out, it wouldn’t be a problem, if the person herself felt indifferent about it.
Shinichi who had feelings of guilt quickly withdrew with a strange look on his face
「That、If possible, I’m not really aiming to attack anything
「…………」
「Oh, no, that’s not what I mean!」
In an instant, I made the husband and wife’s faces harden and their way of speaking became hurried.
You don’t have to “think about it anything”. Just continue on with your “ignorant” ordinary lives.
「Y-you’re right, we need to start from here.」
「A, ah…… yes, let’s start-over from here.」
Those two are now showing obvious awkward smile.
And once again the boy is discourage.
「Kyu……kyuu……」
This was indeed a dumfounded situation, she couldn’t help but be worried.
Shinichi is currently wearing the clothes which his father had for the, 8 years later, him.
Rinko had selected it, it is based on the present day fashion.
The familiar clothes helps ease his feeling of uneasiness about this new world.
「…………」
If this were anywhere else he would still have suspicion.
Nevertheless, I walk exactly one step behind Rinko and everyone. I observe our surrounding, and anticipate potential ambushes.
「Shinichi, is there something wrong?」
「e, ah, eh…… there doesn’t seem to be any problems, I think.」
I try to give a response that would assure her.
The downtown area they visited is slightly far away from the place Shinichi used to live at.
It seems that is the case.
「She is quite fashionable. In the beginning of the parallel world boom, the number of traditional shop decreased.」
At first the shop here weren’t how they are now.
The town he know from 2 years ago can no longer he found.
「……… I see. Is it really all that different from 8 years ago?」
And thus the things and places he knew of 8 years has all but leave him behind.
And during that time lag the exchange with the other world has had a great influence on the world he had returned to.
The materials are different. As he looks at the walls of the building he can’t help but feel unease.
「Are you feeling left behind Shinichi?」
「Eh, ah, such things I…….」
「There is no need to hold back. Father also felt the same way, surely you are lonely, I am certain.」
As Nobuhiko sees the face of his son who is gazing at the town, he can’t help but meddle.
Shinichi felt that he had to return his father’s thoughtfulness.
「Am I sad? perhaps. Either way……… I am, still the one who is left behind.」
It was difficult to properly express my feeling maturely.
Especially to a father who was happy with his return.
“Now that I have returned, I’m unsure of how I feel.”
And.
If this is true than I can’t help but feel sad and lost.
He tries to change his expression as to deceive himself.
「It is so…….」
「Ah, ahah.」
「Yeah, your right.」
The similar figure of the two, father and son, can be seen with their head slightly downcasted.
A sense of duty had awaken inside her. I must support them, Rinko thought to herself.
「Well, it is decided. Let’s first see where is path will take us!」
My first step will be getting familiar with this town.
As I proudly proclaim I forcibly take the hand of my step-son.
「Wait, a moment, Rinko-san!?」
「Uh, well you see.」
「Leave it to me, I knew this place since before I got married!」
Afterward, Shinichi tries to convince her to stop, but she doesn’t respond to his cries.
Nobuhiko give a wry smile, although, Shinichi is being forcibly dragged around.
「Haha, your mother is amazing right.」
「Umm?」
The baby in my arms, makes a dumbfounded face, as if it isn’t aware of what is happening.
It is a pleasant scene, seeing a father following his wife, who is leading the son along.
「……somehow this feels nostalgic.」
This bossy Rinko is attractive, the man thought to himself.
I exchange glances with the person in my bag.
「Kyu?」
With a low voice he shake his head. “Leave him alone” said.
To say he didn’t feel anything would be a lie but what he though was different.
He managed to grasp the location of the people that were following (……..) them.
…. Altogether there was around 15 people.
He understood his unique position.
Even with the global search plan couldn’t find him, but he returned last month.
At some point he became aware of those who monitor him but left them alone. as long as they don’t do anything excessive.
Rather it was problem for the people that plans to raise hand at him with his unique position.
It was unpleasant, but Rinko who wasn’t his blood relative was trying to protect (…….) him
Yes, he knew that Rinko was the one who ordered surveillance on him.
Because in that place no one noticed the white mask that was there.
Afterwards.
On occasions before reaching the Station we took several opportunities to window shop at various stores along the way.
After they had finished their shopping, they returned home in the afternoon.
「Ah, Shinichi-kun did you open the door with your key?」
I held a bag in one hand and Shinji in the other.
Nobuhiko was in the middle of putting the car into the garage, when I was in the process of opening the door.
The key that he received, is a cylinder lock type, it can display an image of this street.
Without a registered fingerprint the door won’t unlock.
Currently, in Japan this “type of key used at my home” is popular it seems.
「That, errr, was I not supposed to open it? 」
There wasn’t the typical feeling of a lock being opened, the key activated because of my fingerprint being registered.
「Ah, sorry.
The front door also needs voice recognition, please say something.」
「What does one say, when they return home?」
I am told by the person with twinkling eyes and a pleasant grin on their face.
The wry simile seems to imply “that was well done”.
「………I’m, home.」
Although I was a little embarrassed, the key shines and the door opens.
As is if it was proclaiming, this is Shinichi’s house.
「Yes, welcome home!」
Rinko pushes him from behind.
Words could not begin to describe the gratitude I felt, when I had pass through the door.
「！？」
「I’m ho-…… is there something wrong Shinichi?」
Nobuhiko who had just entered was also curious.
The married couple across from him, looked at Shinichi’s mysterious expression.
「……it’s nothing!
Wait a moment, various things have happen it has been a while since I felt this tired.」
They gloss over his unusual manner and lightly laughed.
The couple merely glanced at another and they both slightly nod.
「In that case please take a bath fist.
「Oh, that’s good. This fellow’s stew is delicious.
「Eh, no I will wash it on my own!?」
「Come on, come on!」
While saying so the father forcibly pushes his son into the bathroom.
The person who was inside my bag peeked out to see what all the commotion was about.
「Amaryllis-chan. Sorry, but can you check on Shinji?」
「Kyu………kyui!」
For a moment it seemed hesitant, it remembers the incident where it was swung around by its tail.
She had determines that is was safe because that thing was asleep.
This bathroom and bathtub is considered to be the standard size for an ordinary family. The bathtub has enough space to fit both the 15 year old boy and his adult father.
With the incorporation of technology from the other world it has become possible to heat hot water instantly.
「Ah, aaaah…… the hot water feels as if it came from a hot spring」
The two in the bathtub are sitting in a fetal position.
The boy had clumsy operated the ballast and didn’t realize that there was too much water until he noticed.
「Uh, yes…… it was, troublesome.」
It was my mistake.
I was too preoccupied with being naked and thinking about proper bathing etiquette.
「…………」
「…………」
There was silence.
Nobuhiko was enthusiastic about taking a bath together, but beside that he had no real plan.
There are many thing I want to hear, and there also many things I want to tell him.
First of all Nobuhiko must dispel his doubts.
「Do you want to hear…… anything about me and Rinko?」
「What do you mean?」
Father and son who were aligned in the bathtub turn to face one another.
Although similar his father’s face had a much rougher appearance than what he remembered.
「I understand, father also thinks it is awkward to talk about.
If I were in your situation, I also wouldn’t know what to say.」
After joining the Nakamura family, Shinichi didn’t ask anyone about anything.
If I had encounter this scene, I would have assumed Nobuhiko initiated the conversation.
Father found it necessary to blame himself for everything that had happened.
It is good to be relieved, but I must know his reason why. I shouldn’t repeat my past mistakes of relying on my son’s obedience and kindness.
「Is there is anything thing you want say, there is no need to be reserved.
Father is the only one here. I just want to listen, so──」
Regardless of emotions there are, I want to hear about it, and accept it, were fathers words..
「──father, it’s alright. I already somewhat understand.
Even so, sorry. It would be very awkward to hear about.」
Before I could say anything else, Shinichi apologized for not noticing..
I lightly laugh to play off my mixed feeling about the sudden dismissal.
「What is it you understand……」
From mother’s perspective, I was a wimpy little kid. There was no way that “me” could survive in the harsh environment of the other world.
Father was it because you couldn’t agree with her opinion, was that, the causes of your quarrels?」
I felt a stinging in my chest when my son jokingly recited his deductions.
My son was spirited away to another world, those days were hectic. And the days kept passing by with no traces to be found.
The quarrels with my wife continued, for more or less than half a year, and thus it caused a fatal riff. The relationship between the couple had worsen to the point that even if the son was there it could not be repaired.
「……… I’m not prepared to hear it.
「Uh, sorry. I was rushing things.
It isn’t your fault, I as father, still have much to learn.」
Why was I so impatient? I sigh, at the thought of my impatience.
Shinichi similes, and he lets his head relax into the water.
「You worry too much.
「……… father you were only half at fault, right?
You weren’t able to convince mother…… there was nothing you could do……」
As he mentions everything, my guilty conscience awakens, and my expression darkens.
Furthermore people continued to find their missing people but my child alone could not be found.
After the cultural exchange with the civilization from another world, our everyday life had changed. As a result, all we could do to cope was to stay calm and mutually try to communicate with one another.
「Did I…… do it properly?」
「Eh?」
Of what was said, Nobuhiko did not hear about the things he wanted to know.
Understanding that, Shinichi was calm about fathers “marriage”.
「Rinko-san saw my face and immediately recognized it was Shinichi (me)
Could it be that father showed various things and spoke about me often?」
Photographs, pictures, thoughts, and feelings for his son.
If it is my beloved husband’s important son then they are family to me as well
As a person and a woman, she who has chosen Nobuhiko whom she loves, would say the same..
「Um, therefore.
I have learned various things, and for that…… I am grateful.」
It is proof in itself that I have continue to think about him for these past 8 years.
He gives his thanks and regards, the boy had properly conveyed his feeling to his father.
「Shinichi……」
He reply with “I’m happy”, and nothing more is said.
The words Nobuhiko hears from his son makes his eye’s teary.
「Although it isn’t what I wanted to hear……… tell me one thing at less.」
「Shinichi?」
I try to ask in a soft and gently tone of voice.
I slightly pause and then grin, before asking my (teasing) question.
「How were you able to seduce, such a good, young and beautiful woman?」
「Ta, taboo!? Don’t say such an reputation ruining thing!!」
Nobuhiko becomes flustered by the unexpected comment from his son. This is the first time he has seen the son’s with such a mischief simile.
Although I reflexively shout, there was no change in Shinichi’s expression.
As if I never heard my father’s outcry, I continued to grin like a little rascal.
「Now confess, depending on your explanation (method) I may lighten your punishment.」
「You are going to discipline me!?」
What is with this farce of a trial? I complained to my son and as expected my son had a comeback ready.
「Damn right you shitty father! How many years younger is your partner!? When I heard from Rinko-san that she was 28 it was extremely shocking! You’re 43 right now!!」
「Th- that’s………」
This person is also troubled by the difference in age.
Although, it may not be rare for a marriage in this generation to have an age gap of 10 years or more. If you think about it from Shinichi’s perspective, who recorded age is 21, it wouldn’t be unusual at all. This man married a woman, whose age is more than 7 years older than this son’s recorded age.
This is guiltiness (guilt) I guess.
「Umm, father you think I have the right to hear about that criminal ability (beginning romance)?」
「I think you’ve used some very inappropriate words!?」
I firmly place my hands on my father’s shoulders, and press him to confess with a simile.
When I tease someone or corner them, I display a very good simile.
「Ah, um, don’t misunderstand Rinko-san is not unhappy or anything.
Rather I think I did well in caring for her……… but you know……」
My father has a good impression of Rinko, there is no way I could reject her.
But even still, there were many points I couldn’t agree to.
「But to be frank. Father, I still can’t believe that you caught such a caring, dependable and good natured partner.」
It may not seem like it, but in my former days I was quite popular!!」
「Eh……」
A mist the ruckus I spoke my true feelings unconsciously, they were returned with my son disbelief.
While being confronted by Shinichi, Nobuhiko imagines a pitiful himself being scolded by his ex-wife.
However, she doesn’t give the impression of being popular among the opposite sex..
「Well then how many boyfriends has Rinko-san had?」
I wonder what sort of number to expect? From the face that appears to want to say something.
Although for a moment he hesitates to say it, his father obediently confesses after all.
「She………… has been with 4 other people.」
「……that’s questionable.」
It is difficult to say she is unpopular, because in truth she has created one family and one with half a home.
Judging by the face Nobuhiko made, I will say he never doubted the number.
「Then, who was………… your first love?」
「……… so it finally came to this.」
How many people have you dated?
The talk about my first love is not amusing. It is unrelated and is finished.
When I was 13 years old I was interested in love and the opposite sex, but for him, he may have never gotten the chance.
It could be said that he is shy and that still hasn’t changed but that probably didn’t matter.
Even if I ask him about it, I doubt there is anything he has to say.
「First love…… first love, huh……」
「………eh, don’t tell me you……」
Surely you’re not inexperienced.
What sort of experiences had he gone through after going to Farandia?
I thought about the events I have gone through, and smiled.
「Now that think back to all that has happen it gives me a warm feeling inside? I had a difficult time communicating with people from the other world. We hardly understood one another, our languages were too different. I spend most of my time playing by myself.
Although the world was very Sparta like, when whatever happened, I always laughed happily.」
I remember in the other world there was a woman who picked me up off the road side, she saved me from dying a dog’s death.
The face of the rowdy and beautiful, blond haired Sister, briefly flashes by and disappears.
It is dangerous to continue thinking about, as I am now.
「Although, the feeling was different, her forcefulness is similar to Rinko-san in some ways.」
I smile knowing that father and son share a common preference in women.
But the answer the father gives makes the son briefly show a bitter face.
「………… You can’t have her..」
The mood becomes serious, and Shinichi falls into a painful silence. The father’s face is shot with a water-pistol that he made by cuffing his hands together, from atop the surface of the water.
「Ahhh!?」
Who do you think I am!?」
「Don’t lie, you were serious weren’t you!? And you sure didn’t seem to be joking!?」
I who had intentionally let my true feelings slip, was unable to convince my father otherwise.
I restrain myself from worrying about it.
「…………N-no one wants to have their wife stolen from them, is what anyone would think you know?」
「After all, you’re more attached to Rinko than you are with me.」
Father was secretly envious that I was proactively helping with the house chores.
Although, I was only doing them because I didn’t want to feel like a useless freeloader.
「Because you don’t know anything about the past me it’s easy it’s easy to connect,
「Uu, I didn’t know anything about you, I never took notice of you. I’m such a useless father…」
「Ahhh damnit, this type of father is a pain!!」
Shinichi who feels as if he was the parent, is amazed at such an attitude.
Although it was the long anticipated frivolous conversation of a parent and child.
I couldn’t help but fill my thoughts with useless questions.
Is the “me” that returned really the son who father was waiting for?
The more I speak with father, the more we understand about each other.
I just couldn’t get this feeling of anxiety out of my head.
At midnight when even plants slept. There were already no lights coming from inside the Nakamura house and everyone was asleep.
Except unnoticed on a roof, a shadow lay hidden.
『I thought this would happen someday, but you’re being a little hasty』
I fiddle with the gadget in my hand. Someone had been watching us.
Based on my experience I ask myself: what is their “purpose”, who is the “mastermind”? Regardless, I need to teach them a lesson.
After all, he’s a pro with his hand.
He was a pro although he didn’t want to become one.
I who learned the ways of a saboteur will show them how it is done.
When we’d returned home, I realized that something felt off inside the house.
『…………although, I don’t think of this as my home yet……』
I think back to all that had happened this past week.
He, who had been taken in by the Nakamura family while puzzled, had started living here.
In order to restore their lost time, he and his father have been trying to reach out to one another.
The stepmother would always smile, and developed a strong loving feeling.
Does the elder brother understand, why the younger half-brother is so attached to him?
Even if neither the impact nor turmoil continue after returning had yet to wear off.
Those feelings are sullied, even if you were to say it was interference in their peaceful lives.
『Just a little, I will let this masked assassin (Masquerade), have a taste of fear. 』
Murmuring to no one, I crush several devices – wiretaps and miniature cameras – wholeheartedly.
There is no longer any reason to forgive them. It will obviously escalate if I leave it be.
Then I will have to thoroughly teach the person who planted these.
Was there someone I made an enemy of?
the white mask slipped into the darkness and vanished───