Whether it was good luck or bad, someone seemed to have called Principal Yaga away that day, leaving only Panda to come over for a free meal.
Had Masamichi Yaga been there, he would certainly have recognized Toji Fushiguro and known something about his heavenly restriction, which would have left Aikawa Kaze with a lot more explaining to do.
But since only Panda was there, and he knew nothing of the past, he simply assumed this man was Megumi Fushiguro and Aikawa Kaze's irresponsible father.
"Let me correct you, Panda. Megumi and I may be brothers, but I'm not that man's child."
"That's right. Megumi is my only child. I don't remember having any other sons."
Even now, Toji Fushiguro remembered the trembling fear he had felt when he and the woman he loved had brought their first child, a child of his own blood, into the world.
Though he couldn't treat Megumi Fushiguro the way he had treated his beloved, Megumi was still very special to him.
Even a scumbag like Toji Fushiguro felt something unusual stirring at the bond of "father and son."
At those words, Panda could only laugh awkwardly. Megumi Fushiguro frowned in disapproval, while Aikawa Kaze... a murderous gleam rose in his eyes.
"I'm not your son, but you did have another child. Only, rather suspiciously, he died before he was born."
"..."
Silence fell over everyone. Megumi Fushiguro took Aikawa Kaze's hand, his heart aching for him, while Panda quietly reached out a furry paw to pat Kaze's back, as though comforting him.
Aikawa Kaze smiled helplessly. He knew they had misunderstood, but he was telling the truth.
He meant the "mother" the world consciousness had forcibly paired with Toji, and the unborn child who had died in her womb.
After his beloved died,