damn! you wrote an entire P.E.A. analysis. i really loved reading this though.
You write so eloquently, teach me your ways!
Nah she's Shoji's kid. The mafia dude. They literally confirmed it in chapter 11.5 when Touma says it out loud. Shouji also instantly acknowledges that he is the father because he is the most likeliest candidate whilst the other 2 denied it.
She sought out Sentarou because he's the only person around her that could be responsible and emotionally intelligent enough to raise a kid.
i think the it’s you part was more just a continuation of touma when he was thinking about which person ririko could rely on though.
also there was tooooo much implication of the mafia dude being the dad in the last chapter only for them to take it back now in a “bonus” chapter and reveal that sentarou’s actually the dad.
isn't the "its you" part just a continuation of his thought about "the only people she could rely on was neither me nor shouji" "it's you"? it's not saying "it's you" as in he's the father is it?
exactly! out of the three sentarou was the most decent one she could rely on. not that he was the father.
It isn't lol hahaha. It means what it does. He's the only one she could rely on because of the person he is
yep exactly glad im not alone in this lolit's being spread that sentarou's the dad oh god
While I don’t question that “it’s you” could imply Ririko saw Sentarou as the one she could truly rely on—even though she favored Shoji romantically, or even Touma—agreeing to this, however, suggests that Touma knowingly withheld Ririko’s intent to seek Sentarou’s help, despite being fully aware of how deeply Sentarou was affected by the belief that Ririko never turned to him in her time of need. This would be cruel of Touma if that were the case.
One could argue that jealousy influenced Touma’s decision, rooted in Ririko’s lasting hold over Sentarou. But the reason I suggest that this final conversation with Ririko implies Sentarou is the father—and not merely that Ririko saw him as the best person to turn to for help—is precisely because Touma chose not to tell him. Touma’s silence isn’t just about concealing a request for support; it reflects a deliberate decision to shield Sentarou from the guilt and pain that would come with realizing he fathered a child Ririko carried alone before her death.
Sksk, thank you :*
thank you very much :x
While I don’t question that “it’s you” could imply Ririko saw Sentarou as the one she could truly rely on—even though she favored Shoji romantically, or even Touma—agreeing to this, however, suggests that Touma knowingly withheld Ririko’s intent to seek Sentarou’s help, despite being fully aware of how deeply Sentarou was affected by the belief that Ririko never turned to him in her time of need. This would be cruel of Touma if that were the case.
One could argue that jealousy influenced Touma’s decision, rooted in Ririko’s lasting hold over Sentarou. But the reason I suggest that this final conversation with Ririko implies Sentarou is the father—and not merely that Ririko saw him as the best person to turn to for help—is precisely because Touma chose not to tell him. Touma’s silence isn’t just about concealing a request for support; it reflects a deliberate decision to shield Sentarou from the guilt and pain that would come with realizing he fathered a child Ririko carried alone before her death.
He is withholding that information because he doesn't believe Ririko deserves it.
Touma is being selfish because he is also jealous of Ririko and how Sentarou is sanctifying her after her death. He doesn't know Sentarou thoughts about how he actually disliked her.
Nothing of his attitude implies he wants to protect Sentarou from some sorta of guilty, he is pretty nonchanlant, just a little petty.
All the narrative of the comic implies Shouji is the father. All the foreshadowing. Owning the bar, making the readers believe Ririko loved Touma etc.
In her will she said " lied " about the father being in Dubai ... Shouji jokes about opening a boba shop in Dubai and he was overseas for a good time.
For some reason she wanted Shouji to remain a secret, probably because she didn't want a yakuza bigshot to be involved with Megu. He was clearly the worst option.
Ririko specified Sentarou nor Touma should take the dna test. Because most probably neither were the father. Since why she didn't even include Shouji to be even be a " candidate ".
If he is out of the picture, both Touma and Sentarou are eligible to be a candidate even thought neither are the biological father, but better options than Shouji.
If Sentarou really was the father, she would probably put his name directly on her will to care for Megu, because out of the three he is the more decent one.
But he isn't, so she has to pretend it's between him and Touma and hope one of them is going to take care of Megu.
I think Sentarou is the father because of what happened during his conversation with Touma after they visited the grave. Sentarou was clearly frustrated that Ririko hadn’t asked him for help, especially considering the difficult circumstances she faced during her pregnancy. Touma later recalls his final conversation with Ririko, where she sought Sentarou’s address and expressed her desire to see him. This interaction provides two important revelations: Ririko had wanted Sentarou’s help, and she likely knew he was the father of her child. The latter revelation was solidified when Touma, reflecting on the conversation, turned to Sentarou and quietly said, “It’s you.”
Touma’s decision to withhold this information is, in itself, the proof that Sentarou is the father. If Touma had simply kept quiet about Ririko seeking Sentarou’s help, knowing full well how frustrated Sentarou had been about not being asked, it would have been cruel—especially to someone he clearly cares about. But Touma’s silence reveals a deeper motive: he knows that if Sentarou learned about that final conversation with Ririko, it would confirm that Ririko herself likely knew Sentarou was the father. Touma is sparing Sentarou from carrying the guilt of not being there for Ririko during her pregnancy, which she endured alone before she died. By withholding the truth, Touma is trying to shield Sentarou from further pain and complications.
With Ririko gone and the baby, Megu, already under their care, Touma appears to believe that keeping Sentarou in the dark is a kinder option, allowing him to live without the weight of this painful truth. In this way, Touma’s decision reflects a belief that blissful ignorance is preferable to the potential complications that the truth would bring.
Also, I can’t believe it took me this long to realize, but Megu looks exactly like Sentarou—like, exactly. Just with a completely different personality, of course. Honestly, how did I not notice sooner? Haha.