Chapter 237: Aono Eiji’s Father

Aono Eiji’s Father

I’ve been thinking about the day my father collapsed.

That day. My father had been preparing for a volunteer soup kitchen. It was the peak of the busy season, so he was probably already worn out. Still, volunteering was like a calling for him—his life’s work. He always threw himself into it with a strong sense of purpose.

That’s why… I believed it was the way he would’ve wanted to go.

At least, that’s how I’ve always seen it.

Uncle Minami called it a death in the line of duty. After the funeral, he arranged for my father to be honored by the city as a person of merit. The certificate of commendation still hangs in the restaurant to this day.

I once asked my mother what she felt when my father died.

“I was devastated. I still wanted him to see our two boys grow up… and I was scared—scared about what would happen to the restaurant. I’m grateful your brother stepped up to take over, but… to be honest, a part of me felt relief, too. I think… I think maybe your father passed away feeling fulfilled.”

As she said that, my mother gently wiped away her tears.

When I asked her, “Fulfilled…?”

“Because he was loved by so many people. He got to do what he loved, and people appreciated him for it. So many came to the funeral. His life was short, yes—but it was a happy one. I truly believe that.”

Even so… I think my mother still wished she’d had more time with him.

I asked my brother, too.

“That day… huh. Honestly, I can’t really remember it. Everything I’d been agonizing over just vanished in an instant.”

“You’d been agonizing?”

“Yeah. I wanted to take over the restaurant someday, but I was also thinking it might be good to train somewhere else first. One of my teachers at vocational school even said he’d write me a letter of recommendation, if that’s the path I wanted to take.”

I hadn’t known that.

And then, a cold fear crept in—had I, without realizing it, shut the door on my brother’s future? But he seemed to pick up on my worry right away.

“But I’ve never once regretted my choice. I got to watch my little brother grow up—almost like a parent would. And I got to protect the restaurant I love. My cooking, too—it got better through real, hands-on struggle. Sure, I wish I could’ve learned more from Father… but I think he’d be proud of the decision I made.”

I really can’t thank my brother enough. He’s always been someone I look up to.

“I’m sure Father would be proud of you too, Nii-san.”

When I said that, he smiled and said, “I hope so.”

“Still… I feel like I need to apologize to you, Eiji. And to Father. With everything that happened with school—I didn’t do anything a parent should’ve done. I didn’t even notice you were hurting. I failed as your stand-in parent…”

Before he could finish, I rushed to shake my head.

“That’s not true. It’s because you’ve been here for me that I’ve learned so much. That I’ve even been able to chase after my dreams. How could I ever reject someone who’s done so much for me? And I don’t want anyone else to reject you, either.”

My brother looked at me, startled… and then smiled through tears he was trying not to shed.

Then it was Uncle Minami’s turn to speak.

“I know. I know your father passed on feeling fulfilled. But as someone older, I can’t help but regret taking away his chance to watch his children grow up. I was the one who invited him to volunteer, after all. The thought that I may have hastened his death—that regret will never go away.”

“But my father was truly grateful that you invited him. I… I don’t want anyone to deny that.”

“You're right. That’s the truth. And you’ve become such a good person… which only deepens my regret. I destroyed something irreplaceable—a happy family.”

Maybe I won’t fully understand how he feels—not yet. Maybe once I grow older, build a family of my own, I’ll see it more clearly.

But for now, what matters is that I try to understand. Even a little.

The TV was airing a breaking news segment on the emergency session of the National Diet. The conflict between the Prime Minister and Secretary-General Ugaki was intensifying. The ruling party had begun making moves to crush a bill that Uncle Ugaki had spearheaded. Reports said the Secretary-General’s side was losing ground.

But there’s no way Uncle Ugaki would go down so easily. Not a chance. Especially not when I think about Ai-san. Watching her, I believe it even more.

I just wanted to talk to him. Even for a moment. With that hope, and not expecting much, I called Uncle Ugaki’s cell.

The call connected almost immediately.