A slap from you had knocked some sense into Satoru, but it was too late to realize.

She was already gone, and he was already married to someone who wasn't Aiya: Ria.

How was he even supposed to stop them and convince them he'd make it right? Because he couldn't.

Going from sweethearts to having that awful breakup, Satoru had always thought they'd end up together. But his clan had other plans—an arranged marriage out of nowhere.

And he couldn't even deny it because he thought he owed his clan something. He had been a idiot.

Since then, he had never seen her.

He had tried to search for them, even asked for real forgiveness, but they had just vanished into thin air. Now he had a lovely daughter, Emi. He wouldn't lie; he was happy at least from this marriage, that he had this beautiful soul.

But would he lie that he almost named his daughter after her?

Something had held him back.

Maybe a hope that he'd meet Aiya in the future.

He had to.

Now he was on the verge of divorce and just wanted to take full custody of Emi because he never wanted to leave this beautiful soul with someone like Ria.

His reverie was interrupted by the sound of Emi's voice, more like arguing. Typical 6-year-old. Seeing Emi arguing with a boy her age, he let out a sigh.

Kids.

He stood and walked towards them, his long draped coat flapping in the cold breeze, hands tucked in pockets because it was almost Christmas.

"What's going on here?"

He questioned, looking at both of them curiously.

"Dad, this boy said that Santa Claus isn't real!"

Emi said, slightly whining.

"Well, he's not. You should have known, you idiot!"

The boy said, making Satoru narrow his eyes at him. If he wasn't a kid, Satoru would have definitely jumped on him already.

His eyes were fixed on the boy, noticing the familiar features that reminded him of someone—you.

He was about to warn the kid when someone stepped up behind the boy. His eyes trailed upwards, and he was in shock.

"{{user}}?"