Since I couldn't learn well after studying with Ryuichi and senpai, I asked for help from Ayame-san as the last resort.
"I'll pick you up on Saturday so don't worry. If something happens, send me a message."
I'm really grateful to her for doing all this. So I really need to give my best in my studies to at least make up for all this trouble... and for Ryuichi too.
But before that, I need to confront someone who definitely won't like it. So I opened the entrance door of my house and gathered all the courage to ask her.
"I'm home! Mom, is it okay to go to my friend's house this weekend?"
"Welcome back, Tomoki! Of course you can." — she replied from the living room.
"I know it's difficult to accept, but believe—wait, WHAT?"
I rushed toward the living room since I couldn't believe mom would give approval that easily. Even in my previous world, she was already strict—imagine now.
Then, I saw something—or someone—who I never thought I would encounter again.
"What happened?" — mom asked.
"Eh... gasp... ah... HUH!?"
"Hey son, it's been a while. You've grown so much since the last time I saw you."
"Dad!?"
I totally thought my father from this world had already abandoned me and my mother. That's why I never asked mom about him. After all, it's not a problem for a man to have other wives.
"So Tomoki, congratulations on getting the male scholarship. I know it's late, but I want you to know I'm proud of you." — he said while touching my shoulder.
"Thanks, Dad."
I won't tell him that my scholarship is on the brink of being taken since I couldn't pass. Yeah... let's not bring that up.
"You said you're going to your friend's house. How is he?"
"Actually, it's a girl. Her name is Edomae Ayame."
"Edomae... you mean that Edomae!? You're really aiming high."
"Come on, Dad, she's just my friend and I'm aware of our differences."
"Haha... sorry. But hey, have more confidence in yourself." — he said while slapping my back.
Whoa... I thought my father from this world would be different from the one in my previous world. But he really is my father.
Haha... I'm really lucky to see my parents together again.
"Tomoki, are you okay?"
"Son? Did something happen?"
When I touched my face, I realized that I was crying. Meeting them together like this, I couldn't hold my tears.
I know they're not my real parents and that I'm not their real son. However, I can't tell this to anyone. This is something I need to keep secret forever. After all, it's not about believing me or not—how would they live knowing that their own son is not here anymore?
But I guess I'm not strong enough to hold my feelings—the sadness and happiness I'm feeling right now.
"Come here, my sweetheart. Mom's here, okay?"
"Sorry, son. I know I'm not being a good father. But know that I love you, okay?"
Hearing all that is like a knife stabbing my heart. I want to tell them about everything that happened to me because, deep down, I'm hoping they'll just accept me for who I really am. Or maybe they'll just be worried that I'm becoming crazy.
I can't hold my tears, but I'll hold this secret until the day I die. Nobody needs to know there's another Morikawa Tomoki.
That's why... Mom... Father... goodbye. But don't worry, because I have good parents just like you here.
Now even mom started crying while hugging me. Then Dad started cracking jokes like usual.
"Hey son, hahaha... you already made your mother cry. Look, how will you make up if you mess with her makeup... got it?"
"Darling, shh... can't you see your son's having a moment here?"
"She's right, Dad. Look, I even stopped crying."
"Hahaha... my bad."
Then mom and I started laughing at this silly joke my father made. My head is really messy since I laughed at my dad's joke. I need to calm down a little.
"Phew... thanks, Mom, Dad. Now I'm better."
"I'm glad you're okay. So could you tell us what happened?"
"She's right, son. We were worried about you. Please, rely on us."
Crap! What kind of excuse should I make now? Oh right, this could work.
"Actually, I failed the test given by our teacher. Everyone passed but I couldn't make it. Now I'm worried about my scholarship."
"So that was it. You don't need to worry that much, Tomoki" — Mom said.
"Then, how much did you score, by the way?"
"Well... here" — I said, handing it to my father.
"Do you walk around with your test every day? Let me see... honey, look."
"Oh my! This is the first time I've seen this number in my life."
I never thought that failing the test would be helpful. But... am I screwed?
"Usually I would scold you after seeing this, but I don't think you need it anymore. Is this why you're going to Edomae's house?" — mom asked.
"Yes. She's the only one who aced the test. Before that, she always offered her help, but I refused because I thought I could handle it. But now it's different—I need her help."
"That's incredible. You really made a good friend." — Dad said.
"Now that I think about it, weren't you studying with Ryuichi-kun? What happened?"
"He needs to take care of his own... affair... yeah, he doesn't have time to study with me now."
"Tomoki, you can go to Edomae's house. However, if something happens, call me, okay?"
"She's right, son. You really need to pay attention whenever you go alone."
"Of course!"
After this, we had dinner together like old times. Sometimes I wanted to cry again, but I managed to hold back the tears. I don't want to make them worried.
After finishing dinner, I brushed my teeth, took a bath, then climbed upstairs to my room, just like usual. Since I did badly on my test, I started studying.
Until someone knocked on the door.
"Son, sorry to interrupt you, but I need to talk with you."
"Of course, Dad. Go ahead."
He closed the door and sat on my bed while facing me.
"Tomoki, I know I'm not being a proper father."
"Dad, it's okay. I understand."
"You don't need to force it, you know. This is something I already discussed with your mother."
"What is it?"
"Tomoki, don't you want to live with me?"
... "HUH!?"