I wish there was something more I could say – something more I could do - but even Oha Asa wasn't able to save the day. It eventually had to happen, and you knew it deep within your heart. You were just afraid to face the bitter truth. Even though we knew we could make it by a thread, society wouldn't accept it, even if we were willing to find a hundred needles under a thousand of haystacks to defend the bond we shared. We both knew that we can support each other despite the multitude of negative consequences, but our families refuse to recognize such a relationship – especially yours. You belong with the wealthy that eventually take the 'throne' of their family's 'kingdom'. Of course, such a lineage should be kept pure - untainted by controversy and other inconveniences. The business simply can't be sacrificed. Instead, they would rather sacrifice their eldest son's happiness – your happiness – just to keep it standing. I may not be part of the peasantry, but the middle class are no exception to the rules of the royals. I simply… cannot be with you – and of course – your parents had taken precautionary measures to prevent us to be together.

They arranged for you a marriage with the most wanted bachelorette in the country, and along with her, a dowry - the biggest estate in the whole of Japan. What more could you – or rather, your family – ask for? Beautiful children from beautiful parents, a beautiful home due to a beautiful life… everything is staged to be perfect - just like how you are. I'll never be part of such a life, because I will never be seen as something wonderful to have. Just because I'm male, the closest I can ever be to you is being your Best Man. At least, we were by each other's side as you officially tied the knot. As unfortunate as it looks, it is the closest we could get to the real thing.

As you moved on to your perfect life, mine went downhill. I tried to forget about you by drowning myself in booze and women – yes, women. I had to gain my 'masculinity' back, for it is what society wanted and expected from us. Unlike you who have been bestowed upon the perfect wife, I had to pay my way to get the best girls I could possibly afford. I heard you had a beautiful daughter, and of course everyone rejoiced like it was a gift from the gods. Just when I thought my life couldn't get any worse due to the news , a woman I had a one-night stand with suddenly knocked on my apartment. Just when I needed some sex to forget what I just heard, I got a boy instead – my son.

I guess this how fate wanted to toy with my broken-heartedness. Even in times like this, it had the guts to mock me of my disgraceful ways of handling my loneliness. I knew I was walking the wrong path, but fate didn't have to slap it to my face like that – with a baby I have to rear all by myself. I just hope that as I continue on living miserably without you, you are living the sweet life without me. I pray that this time around, society will not judge you as harshly as they did with my circumstances. I'm satisfied with the idea that you are living comfortably while I'm here with the discomfort of having to take responsibility for my son. At least one of us is living a better life – and of course, it didn't have to be me. I'd rather that Lady Luck be with you at all times than her wasting her time with me. I guess, I have to pay for the stupid things I did just to ease the pain of losing you – and this is probably the punishment I have to endure for the rest of my life.

It didn't take too long until my son had to be brought to school. I managed to fix my life a little bit as I had the duty to take care of this little bastard in the best way possible. After all, he is still from my flesh and blood.

Wait… why are you here during first day of class?