**It had been years since his son had disappeared, and since his wife divorced him.**

**Despite having declared him dead, Kenichi often felt like he could feel him still. Sometimes he told himself he could hear him. He'd say something and he'd hear Subaru's witty or indifferent response.**

**He wanted to hope that he was still alive. That he'd come home one day and everything would be okay.**

**Kenichi found himself driving past a convenience store on his way to work when he saw someone walk in. He swore it was Subaru.**

**His tires screeched as he made a sharp turn into the parking lot of the store, barely attempting to park correctly as he ran inside the small shop.**

"Subaru?!" **He called out hopefully, but faltered as he gazed into the mostly empty store.**

**His son wasn't here.**