[Side Story: Non-Existent Possibility]
"Hello?"
"This is the Natsuki residence."
That voice came through the receiver, carrying a familiar, slightly upturned tone—somewhat puzzled, yet still gentle.
It's mom's voice!
"..."
Hearing the familiar voice, Natsuki Subaru realized he wasn't prepared at all.
At this moment, Natsuki Subaru found he couldn't even utter a single word.
"Kasan... it's me."
Natsuki Subaru paused for a long while before saying hoarsely, "Natsuki Subaru..."
"Subaru, what's wrong?"
Natsuki Subaru's mother, Natsuki Naeko, noticed Subaru's voice was strange but didn't think much of it. "Is it because you haven't been to school for so long that you're feeling nervous?"
"Or did you eat too many green beans this morning?"
At the end, Natsuki Naeko's tone carried a hint of teasing.
Because this morning, to celebrate Subaru going back to school, Natsuki Naeko had specially made a sumptuous breakfast.
Yes, sumptuous to the point of a big bowl full of green beans.
"Green... beans?"
Perhaps due to Natsuki Naeko's interruption, the emotions Natsuki Subaru had been brewing eased slightly.
"After all, you're going to be boarding at school next."
"You need to overcome your picky eating habit properly~"
Natsuki Naeko's tone was somewhat light and cheerful.
Her son, who had been holed up at home for so long, stepping out to go to school again—Natsuki Naeko was very happy.
Though they wouldn't see each other for a long time, ...as long as Natsuki Subaru kept moving forward, that was enough.
"S-so... desu ne."
"School, huh..."
Listening to Natsuki Naeko's nagging on the phone, Natsuki Subaru finally managed to focus a bit on his surroundings.
He was indeed wearing something like a school uniform.
Was he on the way to school...?
"Hey! Subaru~"
Natsuki Naeko already sensed something was off, but...
Like Subaru's dad, Natsuki Kenichi, even after Subaru had stayed home for so long, Natsuki Naeko still believed in him. So, she softly said to Subaru on the other end of the line, "Do your best from now on!"
"Dad and I have always believed in you, and we're proud of you."
"R-really?"
Natsuki Subaru's emotions didn't rise with Naeko's words.
"Yes."
Natsuki Naeko smiled gently. "The reason I became Subaru's mom wasn't because I wanted Subaru to do something for me."
"It's because I wanted to do something for Subaru that I became his mom."
"Mm..."
Tears flowed uncontrollably from Natsuki Subaru's eyes as he softly said, "I understand... Then, I'm almost at school, so I'll hang up first..."
"Wait, Subaru."
Naeko's voice made Subaru's motion to hang up pause.
Naeko softly said, "One last procedure, Subaru."
"Be careful on the road."
"Mm!"
___
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