Chapter 79
[108]
3 Years Ago:
Ren sat in math class, bored out of his mind. As he tried to keep himself from falling asleep during the teacher’s lecture, an announcement rang out over the intercom.
“Ren Amamiya to the front office please. Ren Amamiya to the front office.”
Everyone in the classroom turned to face the 14 year old boy. The other students began whispering amongst one another what it was he could’ve done to get in trouble. While he didn’t go looking for trouble, Ren was somewhat known around school for getting involved in several fights, mostly when he saw someone getting bullied.
Confused as to what he could’ve done, Ren stood up and exited the classroom with his things. As he walked through the halls, he began to fear what his parents would have to say when they found out, if they didn’t know already that is. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of the door to the office.
Ren let out an audible gulp before pushing the door open. There was a woman typing on her computer at the desk, she was a plump, middle aged with curly brown hair and wore a sweater with cats on it.
“Um, excuse me?” He got the secretary’s attention. “I’m Ren Amamiya.”
“Oh my goodness.” The woman said, getting up out of her seat and running up to the boy.
Ren wasn’t sure what was going on. What had he done to warrant this kind of reaction? He was even more confused when the secretary wrapped her arms around the boy.
“I’m so sorry about what happened to your mother! Your dad is outside waiting to take you to the hospital to see her.”
“What!?” Ren’s blood ran cold. “What happened to my mom!?”
“Oh my goodness, you didn’t even know! I’m so sorry! Hurry! Hurry outside and go see your dad, I’m sure he’ll explain on the way!”
Now scared beyond belief, Ren ran out of the school, not even bothering to grab his things first. He reached the parking lot and searched for his dad’s car, but it was nowhere in sight.
Suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed his shoulder from behind. Ren reacted the way anyone would and jumped away in surprise. He turned around and saw a man in a trench coat and hat with sunglasses on.
“W-Who are you!? Did you do something to my mom!?” He questioned angrily, ready for a fight.
“Relax kid, your mom is fine.” The man in the trench coat said, removing his sunglasses and hat. Beneath them was a familiar face, that of Ren’s favorite uncle.
“Wha-Uncle Minato!?” He shouted, more confused than ever. “Why are you here?”
“Why do you think? I’m busting you out of school, kid.” He started walking towards his car, a red sports car that he’d parked in front of the school’s entrance. (Illegally of course.)
“I’m confused. Mom’s okay? She isn’t hurt? And what are you wearing?”
“Ever seen a movie called ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’? Great movie, you should watch it sometime. It’ll make the bit I’m doing a whole lot funnier.” Minato said as he hopped into the driver’s seat. As far as Ren was aware, he was the only one his uncle showed his sense of humor to, it was nice, it made him feel special.
Ren followed him, getting in on the passenger’s side, more to get answers than anything else. When they got into the car, Minato hit the gas and the car drove out of the parking lot at a high speed.
“Where are we going?” Ren yelled over the roar of the engine. If Minato heard him, he didn’t show it, instead continuing to speed down the road. They drove through the town, not speaking as they passed various buildings, this continued on until they reached the edge of town.
Minato pulled into a parking space at an old abandoned shop Ren had never seen before, he’d never even been this far out of his hometown before. With the car parked, his uncle stepped out of the vehicle and walked up to the shop.
“Um, Uncle Minato?” Ren asked, stepping out of the vehicle himself, somewhat scared. Why had his uncle brought him out to such a remote location? Why wasn’t he speaking to him? When he turned back to his uncle, he saw the man step into the shop by himself. “W-Wait up!” He chased after him into the shop.
By the time he reached the door, Ren’s heart was pounding. He was unsure of what he would find in the shop, and why he was even here to begin with. He knew his uncle was a shady guy, his dad made that much clear, but he’d never seemed that way to Ren.
With his heart pounding, Ren cracked open the door to the shop, only to find his uncle bent over the store’s counter, trying to grab something.
“Wh-What are you doing?” He asked hesitantly.
“Almost...Got it!” Minato said, pulling back from the counter. In his hands were two plastic bags containing ice cream sandwiches. He walked over to a booth, took a seat and began to unwrap one of the sandwiches
Ren, now relieved, took a seat across from him. When his uncle offered him the other treat in his hand, he looked at it hesitantly. “Um, Aren’t those like, really old?”
“Nah, I come by here every so often to restock.” Even so, Ren saw him subtly check the wrapper for the expiration date.
“What is this place? Why did you bring me here?”
“This,” Minato kicked his feet onto the table. “Is my favorite place in the world. You know your dad and I grew up in this town, right?”
Ren nodded in response, chewing on his ice cream.
“Well, when we were growing up, we used to come by here every week. An old American couple ran this place, Ben and May. Even when we had no money, they would treat us to some ice cream. I had a lot of firsts here, first job, first date. I spent so much time here, that the owners became family to me, the closest thing I had besides your dad. I was heartbroken when they died.”
“He never told me any of this.” Ren said, surprised by all of this new information.
“Your dad...he isn’t proud of how he grew up. I think he’d rather put it all behind him than think about it. It’s probably part of why he doesn’t like me seeing you.”
“So, why are you showing this to me now?”
Minato sighed and put his feet back on the floor. “I’m going out of town for business. I might not be back for a while. I just figured I’d take you here, show you a piece of history, and share some ice cream.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“Hard to say.” Minato said. “Just...take care of this place for me. Alright?” Without waiting for a response, he stood up and exited the shop.
The drive home was silent, by the time they got back, the sun was setting. Minato’s car pulled up in front of Ren’s house and came to a stop but left the engine running.
“It’s probably best if I don’t go in. Sorry, but you’re probably gonna have a shitstorm to deal with for ditching class today.”
“It’s okay, dealing with lectures from my parents is nothing new.” Ren reassured, stepping out of the car. With one foot still in the car, he turned back to his uncle. “I don’t know what’s going on, but please, please be careful.”
Minato looked at his nephew, a heartfelt smile on his face. “I will. Love you kiddo. Stay out of trouble.” With their goodbyes said, Minato sped off into the sunset.
That was the last time Ren saw his uncle in person. The news of his arrest came a year later, when Ren’s dad explained that Minato was arrested for embezzling funds from his company. It was only now that he realized that it had all been a lie.
Present Day:
The bell of Leblanc’s front door jingled as two teens entered the cafe. Ren couldn’t help but be reminded of the day he skipped school 3 years ago, only this time he didn’t have to deal with his parents’ lectures, that right would be reserved for Sojiro now.
“Mind explaining where you two were today? The school called asking me where you were, so I had to lie and say you were sick and in bed. Which, if I’m being honest, you should be after you got that hole in your chest.”
‘Sojiro’s the best.’ Ren thought to himself, smiling.
“Wait a second,” Futaba turned to Ren. “Hole in your chest? Did you get shot!?”
“That’s not really important right now Futaba. Thanks for covering for me Sojiro, and I assure you it was very important. I think I’ll take your advice and turn in early tonight, I’ve gotta go speak to Uncle Minato tomorrow.”
Suddenly, a flushing noise came from the cafe’s bathroom and the door creaked open.
“Someone say my name?”