Chapter 184: The Person I Like
Setting aside the parents' conversation that would make anyone blush, during that time, Subaru had already finished washing and putting away the dishes, and dried his damp hands with a towel.
"Since that's done, let's have a little post-meal exercise—let's see who gets to school first!"
Subaru froze for a moment and glanced at his father.
"You've been watching me this whole time? And now you suddenly switch the topic to going to school without feeling anything odd. Classic you, Dad."
"..."
"I'll go first."
Crossing past his parents, Subaru calmly returned to his room and sat down. Right now, he didn't even understand what was happening with himself.
He looked around. Though the room appeared somewhat messy, it wasn't dirty. A room without sunlight streaming in was usually his favorite scene, but now it felt slightly unfamiliar. Normally, he would feel restless, but that feeling was gone.
He no longer needed to stare at the clock, waiting silently until eight o'clock, then use an already insufficient excuse to calm himself.
Standing, he walked to the window and pulled back the curtains. The sunlight poured into the room, which hadn't seen sunlight in who knows how long.
The weather outside was pleasant—a sunny day perfect for lying on the grass and enjoying a rare break. This thought, which seemed strange, also felt completely natural.
Turning to look at his room, he saw figures of characters placed around his computer, manga, and posters scattered everywhere.
Even without sunlight, he could see the room clearly, but this was perhaps the first time he had carefully looked around his room under sunlight.
He realized he had unconsciously become a recluse. Though there's nothing wrong with being a recluse—he had lived like this before—why did he now feel an irresistible urge to leave this room?
It was as if some goal was waiting for him to achieve.
"It's just lack of sleep… why have I become like this? Strange… but I guess it's not a bad thing."
"Subaru, can I come in? I have a few things I want to talk to you about."
"You didn't even knock and just came in to say that?"
"Is that a problem? We're a loving family, right? Oh! Sorry, sorry, you must be in your adolescence now, I'll come back!"
Saying this, Kenichi turned to face Subaru, but seeing his son standing by the window, he couldn't bring himself to apologize.
As Subaru's father, he couldn't claim to fully understand his son, but having watched him grow up, he could roughly guess how Subaru would act.
But now, seeing his son standing by the window, sunlight casting on him, illuminating his surroundings, Kenichi straightened instinctively. His gaze became complicated.
"Subaru has grown up…"
"What's that supposed to mean? That's out of context. And I'm not doing anything weird. If you mean I've grown up because I'm no longer picky with food, then your idea of growth seems a little cheap."
"Cheap? Regardless, overcoming food you dislike is still growth. As a father, seeing your son eat without fuss, a little pride in saying 'he's grown up' isn't wrong.
Now, not only have you overcome being picky, but you can wash dishes and even enjoy sunlight. This kind of growth almost brings me to tears."
"Don't make me sound like some immortal vampire from a light novel who can't take care of themselves for centuries. Really, this is absurd. Anyway, Dad, did you come to talk to me about something?"
"Yes. Subaru, do you have someone you like?"
"Yes, I do."
"Eh!?"
"So loud! You're the one who brought up the topic, and now you look so surprised. Of course I have someone I like… wait, am I belittling myself?"
"Who is it? You must bring them home so Mom can meet them!"
"Whoa! Don't suddenly lean over like that, you scared me! The person I like, you already know them. Why do I need to bring them home for you?"
Kenichi paused, stroking his chin as he thought of names one by one.
"Childhood friend Kiyoko, who clung to you a lot?" Subaru showed no reaction, so he moved on.
"Junior high companion Akie, who walked home with you? Or Wakaran, the neighbor who often watched you secretly? Not her? Maybe Seiriki's daughter from the last friend gathering I brought you to? She occasionally asks me about you after the parties."
At first, Subaru simply listened, not thinking much about his father's guesses. But then, he realized his dad was unknowingly revealing things Subaru hadn't noticed: the neighbor girl secretly watching him, the girl he interacted with briefly at a party.
"Can you not make up weird names? Someone like me can't possibly have that many girls notice me."
"Yes, you do."
"Huh?"
"You seriously underestimate me and Mom."
"Why would I be underestimating you and Mom?"
"Because you're our son, Subaru—combined the best of Mom and me!"
"Ah, so all the credit goes to you and Mom, huh."
"Subaru, you're a quirky child. If you weren't familiar, who would really care about you?"
"Then you casually hit your son's pride. You're ruthless."
"So, who do you like? Tell Dad. Mom and I will fully support you!"
"I like Mom and you."
"Eh?"
Sighing, Subaru walked to the edge of the bed and sat down.
"What's so strange about it? Is it that odd to like Dad and Mom?"
"Ah… it's just that… since elementary school, you never said you liked Dad and Mom. Now you're saying it again, and I'm a little at a loss."
"So my all-powerful Dad has a side like this too."
"So in Subaru's heart, I'm all-powerful. That makes me happy. But even I have things I can't do, like overcoming being picky with food!"
"Can't you have a more serious flaw? Being picky isn't that big of a deal!"
"Because I still want to stay all-powerful in Subaru's heart."
Subaru froze for a moment and gave a wry smile.
"No matter what, you'll always be third in my heart."
"How can I be third! Mom's first! Then who's second? You dare take my second spot in Subaru's heart! I must fight her and show her that I'm second in his heart."
That dad… First is Mom, second is him, not her.
"...Subaru, Dad isn't discriminating… but isn't this hobby a bit…"
"Can you be serious for once, old man! So, you came here just to talk about this?"
"Yes… let's go outside for a walk. Today, I think I can understand you better, Subaru."
"..."
Subaru was silent for a moment, then stood and began taking off his pajamas.
"Wait for me outside for a bit."
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