The room at the Oga household went still after Kogen's words.
Beel let out a small sneeze from Kogen's lap, but no one moved. Oga's eyes were narrowed, waiting, his fists clenching in his bandages. Furuichi had already taken a precautionary half-step back toward the door, sensing doom on the horizon.
Kogen exhaled, cheeks already tinged pink before he even began. He brushed a strand of hair behind his ear and muttered, almost too softly, "Toujo... completely misunderstood. And somehow... I got dragged into it."
"Explain," Oga demanded, voice sharp.
Hilda's lips curled into a wicked smile, clearly enjoying the storm about to unfold. Lamia tilted her head, eyes wide in anticipation, like she was about to witness a public execution.
Kogen cleared his throat, but as he began recalling the memory, his face grew warmer. His porcelain features flushed, the blush creeping across his cheeks like a confession he had no desire to make.
Flashback – Toujo's House
The setting: Toujo's small, cluttered place near the coast. Posters of old bands lined the walls, dumbbells stacked in corners, and ramen cups scattered on the floor. Toujo had been frying yakisoba in a pan when Kogen, exhausted from tending to feverish Beel, tried to finally explain.
Kogen, rocking Beel gently in his arms, deciding that this misunderstanding needed t be cleared, spoke firmly:
"Toujo, listen carefully. Oga and I... we have no relationship between us. It's just Beel. That's all. Nothing more."
But Toujo slammed the pan down with such force it rattled the table. His face darkened, voice low and serious, like he was announcing a blood feud.
"You're still defending that bastard."
Kogen blinked. "...Excuse me?"
Toujo leaned forward, eyes blazing with conviction. "He left you alone with a child before... and now he's abandoned you again. Don't sugarcoat it. That's the truth."
Kogen sweat-dropped, trying to interject. "No, no, you don't under—"
But Toujo's voice thundered louder, cutting him off. "A man who abandons his wife and child is no man at all!"
Kogen nearly dropped Beel in shock. "W-wife?!" His face went scarlet instantly. "Toujo! I'm a guy! A man! How could I—"
"Nonsense!" Toujo barked, slamming his fist on the table. His tone was dead serious, like he was narrating a samurai epic. "The entire Ishiyama knows the truth! You and Oga asked Hilda to be a surrogate mother! Beel is a test tube baby! And after that, Oga abandoned all responsibility!"
Kogen's mouth dropped open. His blush deepened to the tips of his ears. "W-WHAT?!"
Beel sneezed again in his arms, oblivious to the scandal unraveling.
"Also—" Toujo's voice grew darker, more dangerous, as though revealing the most shameful betrayal, "—you and Oga... shared baths. Slept together. Even when Beel cried at night, he could not keep his hands off you. He would not let you go even to sooth the baby till you soothed his desires."
Kogen turned crimson, eyes wide, voice cracking. "W-WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"
He shook his head violently. "That's insane! Who told you this garbage?!"
Toujo stood tall, shoulders squared, looking like a general about to deliver final judgment. "Who else but Oga's best friend? Furuichi told the entire school. If his best friend says it, it cannot be false."
Kogen froze. His jaw dropped. His blush deepened until it looked like steam might shoot out of his ears. "...He... what...?"
Toujo nodded solemnly, misinterpreting Kogen's silence as confirmation. "But do not fear, my friend. We will teach that bastard a lesson. If he refuses to realize your worth... then know this."
He placed one strong hand on Kogen's shoulder, looking him dead in the eyes with an intensity that could melt steel. "You are not alone. I will help you raise Beel. Together."
Beel, as if on cue, reached out his tiny arms and latched onto Toujo's hair, giggling.
Kogen sat frozen, blushing furiously, overwhelmed by the absurdity. "...This... is insane..." he whispered. Then louder, sighing, "Karma really does bite back..."
Back in Oga's Room
The flashback ended.
Kogen buried his face in one hand, cheeks still red, unable to meet anyone's eyes. "So... that's what happened. I tried to correct him. I swear. But he... steamrolled me with nonsense. And Beel... Beel liked him."
The room was silent for a moment.
Then Oga's voice, low and trembling with fury, broke through. "...FURUICHIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!"
Everyone flinched. The air shook with the roar. Oga's bandaged fists clenched so hard the wrapping tore. His eyes glowed with unrestrained wrath.
Furuichi, who had been trying to quietly edge toward the door, froze mid-step. Slowly, he turned, his face pale, sweat dripping down his temple. "E-Ehehe... Oga, buddy... let's not be hasty..."
"You... YOU'RE THE REASON EVERYONE THINKS I MADE A TEST TUBE BABY?!" Oga's veins bulged on his forehead.
"W-wait! It's not that bad—!"
"And the bath?! The nights?! Can't keep my hands of Kogen!" Oga thundered.
"I-I just embellished a little!" Furuichi stammered, waving his arms frantically. "You know, make the story juicy! It's not my fault everyone believed me! Ishiyama delinquents are idiots!"
"YOU'RE DEAD!"
Oga lunged, cracking the tatami beneath his feet. Furuichi screamed, bolting for the door, arms flailing. "SOMEONE SAVE ME!"
Forcas calmly sipped his tea, unmoved. Lamia muttered, "Pathetic." Hilda smirked, muttering under her breath, "Serves him right."
Kogen, still pink-cheeked from embarrassment, sighed, shaking his head. "Honestly... all this because of one idiot's mouth."
From outside came Furuichi's terrified shrieks as Oga chased him down the street, explosions of impact echoing with every hit. "I'M SORRY! I'LL RETRACT THE STORY! OGA, PLEASE, MERCY!"
Closing Scene – The Shocked Household
Back inside, the room settled again.
Hilda glanced toward Kogen, who was still visibly flustered. "...You really went along with that?"
Kogen exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Did I have a choice? Toujo's eyes... they were too serious. He looked like I'd betray him if I denied it. And Beel was clinging to him."
Lamia crossed her arms, muttering, "Disgraceful. All of you."
Forcas chuckled softly. "Well... scandal or not, it seems the bonds around that child are only growing more complicated."
Kogen pressed a hand over his face again, cheeks burning. "...I just wanted to care for Beel. Now everyone thinks I'm... Oga's abandoned wife."
From outside, another CRASH! and Furuichi's wail echoed through the neighborhood.
Oga's voice boomed like thunder. "YOU'RE DEAD, FURUICHIIIIII!"