Chapter 25

Winding Road (まがりみち, Magari-michi) is the 25th chapter of the Fumetsu no Anata e manga.

Summary
Fushi continues to grow: getting taller, his speech becoming more fluent, and learning household duties. Much like a human he dedicates his time to his family. The Beholder narrates that Fushi has not transformed once in the past three years, thus allowing his current form as the Nameless Boy to grow. The first reason Fushi refuses to transform is that the Nokkers never attacked. The second is that Fushi abstains from doing so. Fushi just wants to live as Gugu and others who can't transform. He never even summoned objects in that time. Although, unbeknownst to Fushi, he has acquired several new forms (from interacting with them in his day-to-day life), including: lobsters, prawns, Meer (Rean's dog), wet clothes and buckets, pots, heavy rocks, fragments of pottery, rotten potatoes, and a sewing needle.

While Rean is teaching Fushi how to sew she invites Gugu and him to her 16th birthday party next month. Rean asks Fushi what Gugu likes the most. Fushi answers with lobsters and Rean notes that she'll prepare some for her party. She then asks if Gugu would wear a top she sewed for him. Fushi comments that he's never seen Gugu wear a top. Rean pouts wondering if there is anything she can make for Gugu. Fushi says a towel Gugu can use to wipe his feet would be a good idea and Rean shoots the idea down. Fushi says Gugu would enjoy anything she gives him and she blushes. Rean brings up that when she turns 16 she'll have to get married to someone who parents decide on. She asks if Fushi knows what marriage is and he shakes his head no. She explains marriage would be like becoming her mother; she'd have to live with someone she doesn't care for and have annoying children. Fushi questions if that is a bad thing and she responds it is. She also notes she's never seen her fiancé's face. Fushi asks if her fiancé wears a mask like Gugu and she retorts that isn't what she meant. Rean says she shouldn't marry someone she doesn't love and explains to Fushi that at her party she'll introduce her parents to her lover, but first she needs to find a lover. Fushi senses Rean has the same feelings as Gugu like when he talks about her. Fushi asks if Gugu is the one she likes and she quickly cuts him off saying she's finished making a lobster shaped mask for Gugu. Meanwhile, Gugu and the Booze Man are walking back home from the town and are spotted by Shin, Gugu's older brother who abandoned him.

Fushi asks if Rean is going to ask Gugu to marry her. Rean becomes flustered. Fushi says that he's sure Rean knows as well that Gugu likes her and that he'll be happy to marry her. Rean isn't given a chance to respond as Booze Man returns home. Fushi presents the sweat towel he's been working on to the Booze Man who thanks him. Rean says she'll present her gift to Gugu too and goes outside to find him. The Booze Man says Gugu's busy at the moment and Rean sees Gugu talking to his brother.

Shin tries to make conversation with Gugu by asking how he's been and commenting that he's changed a lot, even asking why Gugu wears a mask. Gugu doesn't respond. Shin says if Gugu is happy then he's happy too and that it was probably for the best that they had split up. This angers Gugu and he lashes at Shin, asking why Shin's here and if he came to acknowledge how horrible he was. Shin quickly apologizes and explains he wasn't right in the head back then. Gugu doesn't believe it and says that it was actually Shin's true nature to betray and abandon him. Shin say he's right and reaches into his pocket to give back the ring Gugu had given him. Gugu slaps the ring out of Shin's hand. Shin runs to pick it up and apologizes once more. He tells Gugu that he runs a farming business now and is living a steady life now. Although he hasn't built the mansion the two of them dreamed of living in, he still wants to make that dream come true. Shin reaffirms that he wants to make amends with Gugu and restart their relationship. He asks Gugu to come with him as Fushi and Rean watch from afar.