Soft Serve with Father

"Soft Serve with Father" (父とソフトクリーム) is the one hundred and twenty-fifth chapter of the Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga series, written by Takaya Kagami and illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto.

Synopsis
Yu and Mika find that the First does not notice them. Although Mika is unable to read what Shikama Doji is looking at, Yu can see it concerns the sun's power darkening, creating servant tribes, and resurrecting the dead.

Mikaela enters the memory with the eyeball being. Shikama Doji sees that Mikaela had named his homunculus as Yu, and cautions him against naming things as it can curse them with a heart. As Yu and Mika observe this exchange, unknown to all in the scenario, the homunculus can discern Yu and Mika in the room.

As Mikaela begins eating the ice cream he brought, due to his weak constitution he coughs up blood. Sending him to a cleansing room, Shikama Doji requests that Mikaela not upset him before assuring he will get better. Yu and Mika conclude there was in fact no cure for Mikaela's condition, and this has to be the memory of when he died.

Characters
List of characters in order of appearance:


 * Shikama Dōji (appears as Sika Madu while in a memory)
 * Yūichirō Hyakuya (appears as a child while in a memory)
 * Mikaela Hyakuya (appears as a child while in a memory)
 * Mikaela (appears in a memory)

Summary
Inside one of the Tower of Babel rooms Shikama Doji reads from the floating screens around him. Within the memory, Yu and Mika observe this prehistoric past scenario. Pointing out that they are not hidden at all, Yu asks Mika whether he is sure this is smart. After Yu questions if the First is not going to spot them, Mika answers probably not.

As Yu says yikes, Sika Madu speaks damn. After he remarks that this will not work either to himself, Yu discusses with Mika what the First is reading and can they read it too. When Mika asks if he wants to look, Yu comments how he has guts.

Carefully moving closer to Shikama Doji and the levitating screens around him, Yu notices that he can look outside a window nearby. From the point they are in the tower Yu surveys the vast expanse of the seraph civilisation outside. Questioning is this really the age of the dinosaurs, Yu speaks how it looks like they are in some way far-future city.

Paying attention to him, Yu sees that Mika is approaching Sika Madu. Where he is close to the screens, Yu asks Mika if he can read it. While Mika appears surprised, when Yu questions if it says something amazing, Mika responds he does not know, he cannot read it at all.

Pointing to the text, Mika says for Yu now beside him to see how who knows what the heck it says. At first agreeing, Yu then finds he can discern what the text is saying. The sun's power and darkening it is able to be made out. Mika realizes Yu can read the text, of which further of it involves creating servant tribes and resurrecting the dead, both of which are said to be strictly against the law. After Yu states he thinks that is what it says, Mika is astonished.

When Mika says he told him this was Yu's memory, Yu questions if he is sure. While Mika asks who the heck Yu is, he changes his mind and says to forget that. Mika encourages him to keep reading, however Yu asks does he have to. It is really hard and it makes him use his brain so much that he is getting a headache, additionally it uses a ton of calories.

All the while in the memory, Sika Madu continues his reading, yet turns in response to Mikaela and an eyeball being having entered the room. Mikaela is pleased and carries ice cream as he greets his father. Flicking away the screens, Sika Madu requests that Mikaela please wait just a moment. In hiding the screens due to Mikaela's entry, Mika and Yu are startled at the information on them disappearing.

Yu and Mika turn to view the memory of Mikaela telling Sika Madu to look how he bought something tasty for them in reference to the ice cream he has. When Yu sees that it is angel Mika there, Mika attempts to quieten him from speaking too loudly. They observe Sika Madu speaking to Mikaela on how he went into town again. When Sika Madu states he thought he forbade that, Mikaela laughs in response.

Addressing the eyeball being, Sika Madu speaks to it how he told it to keep an eye on Mikaela. Interjecting, Mikaela says he made Yu come with him and it is not their fault at all. Stunned at the eyeball entity being called Yu, it is something Mika also picks up on. After Mika speaks how he called it "Yu", Yu himself questions then is that really him and is all this stuff that thing's memories.

Continuing their conversation, Sika Madu repeats the Yu name mentioned before questioning whether Mikaela named his homunculus again. Merrily confirming yes, Mikaela feels it is just so sad if they do not have a name.

For whose memory it is, having observed the exchange, Mika raises the way angel Mika is acting and how it kind of seems like Yu. Agreeing, Yu feels Mika has a point. With a focus on Mikaela, there is the question of who he is. All the while, Mikaela is pleased as he squeezes Yu the homunculus.

While the homunculus regards Mikaela with its eye, Sika Madu speaks the Yu name again before he recommends to not name them. Sika Madu tells Mikaela that when one names a thing he could curse them with a heart. Mikaela with the homunculus heard this at the time, Mika looks to Yu in the memory on the words.

Although Mikaela feels that giving them a name is a sign of love, Sika Madu asserts that it is a curse. If they have hearts they will be stuck with concerns and doubts. In response, Mikaela wonders why Sika Madu named him since he is his child. Sika Madu's answer is it was to curse him, of course.

Laughing at what he interpreted as a joke, Mikaela hugs Sika Madu as he calls him a liar. Mikaela knows Sika Madu gave him a name because he loves him. Where the First is silent, Mikaela presses him to confirm he is right as he seeks his father to admit it.

Concerning Mikaela's behavior, Yu asks whether Mika saw that, how he is like a cute little puppy dog. Mika is sure he would never do anything like that. Where Yu states he would not either, Mika is not so certain as he comments that he does kind of get like that.

As Yu and Mika talk among themselves on what they are viewing in the memory, and while Sika Madu and Mikaela interact with one another, the homunculi has its gaze fixed on all of them. The homunculi can see Sika Madu and Mikaela as they spoke at the time, and can also see Yu and Mika who have infiltrated a memory from their point in the future.

Perhaps having recognized that Mikaela is upset, Sika Madu pats him on the head before affirming that yes he does love him. Thrilled, Mikaela announces he knew it. With that, Mikaela presents the ice cream he brought. Having gotten this treat for him, Mikaela directs Sika Madu to take it.

Holding the ice cream, Sika Madu asks what is it. Replying that it is super popular in town, Mikaela says to taste it, it's good. Having told him to not eat anything they offer in the city, Sika Madu states that Mikaela has a weak constitution. Having the ice cream suspended before him, Sika Madu generates some circular screens to analyze the ice cream.

Indifferent to what was said, Mikaela decides that if it tastes good then it is good for you, which Sika Madu does not think too highly of. For that, Mika comments for Yu to see how self-centered it is. In turn, Yu points to look at the weakness spoken of. Yu and Mika then have their concentration on Mikaela who has started to cough.

As Mikaela reacts to the ice cream he ingested, Sika Madu says for him to see. Although Mikaela tries to say he just swallowed funny he continues to react. Yu and Mika watch in silence as Mikaela drops the ice cream.

While Mikaela crouches with his face in his hands, all Sika Madu can do is hold out his own arm. The homunculus also watches as does Yu and Mika. Apparently having coughed up blood, Mikaela is concerned at the waste. Speaking to Sika Madu how he is sorry, Mikaela tries to say it was not because of the soft serve.

Conjuring an item, Sika Madu has the large platter he has generated ready to lift Mikaela up on it. As Mikaela lies on it, Sika Madu states it was because he broke his promise and spent too much time outside. The air out there does not agree with his lungs. While Mikaela appears weakened, Sika Madu mentions for him to go back to the cleansing room.

Not wanting to go to the cleansing room, Mikaela says he hates it. Considering this, Sika Madu speaks that if he was sick and done the same thing Mikaela just did then how would he feel. When Mikaela answers that he would be upset, Sika Madu says for him to try not to make him upset. After Mikaela speaks he is sorry, Sika Madu responds he is a good boy and to now go.

Having a question for his father, Mikaela asks will he ever get better. Answering of course, Sika Madu claims that once Mikaela grows up he will be all better. Both Yu and Mika contemplate the words. Yu is the first to say that Sika Madu is lying, and Mika agrees and feels sure there is no cure for Mikaela's condition.

When Mikaela checks whether he means grow up like him, Sika Madu replies exactly. On growing up, Mikaela wonders will he be someone as amazing as him. Sika Madu answers affirmatively, if he rests like he should. Sharing that he analyzed that treat, Sika Madu adds the ice cream does not seem particularly harmful so he will let Mikaela get some for him again later.

Pleased at the news, Mikaela asks really, before expressing joy. After Mikaela checks if they can eat them together, Sika Madu confirms yes before stating for him to get his rest. Upright and happier now, Mikaela says for Yu to come. Sika Madu, and Mika and Yu observing watch Mikaela float away on the platter with Yu the homunculi accompanying him.

From what they saw, Yu feels this has to be the memory of when angel Mika died. With Yu also feeling that the First actually loved his kid, Mika agrees and raises when the First's beloved kid died. Standing before Sika Madu in the memory, Yu demands he says what did he do to Mika and him. The memory of the First stares ahead.

Quotes
"Uh, we aren't hidden at all. Are you sure this is smart? The First isn't going to spot us, right?"

- Yu's concerned questions for Mika with Sika Madu in the memory

"This won't work either."

- Sika Madu reading text on technological like screens.

"What's he reading? Can we read it too?"

- Yu questioning Mika on what the First is accessing.

"Is this really the age of the dinosaurs? It looks like we're in some way, way, waaay far-future city."

- Yu looks outside a window to the seraph civilisation that existed in prehistoric times.

"Huh...? The sun's power... ...And... ...Darkening it? Creating servant tribes... ...And... ...Resurrecting the dead. Both are strictly against the law... I think that's what it says, anyway."

- Yu finds he can read the unrecognizable text Sika Madu is looking at.

"I told you this was your memory!"

- Mika feels the memory is Yu's as he can read the language from this time.

"No. Forget that. Keep reading! Keep reading!"

- Mika encourages Yu to learn what he can.

"Aw, do I gotta? It's really hard and it's making me use my brain so much I'm already getting a headache. And boy does it use a ton of calories!"

- Yu describes the effects of reading the language.

"You went into town again? I thought I forbade that."

- Sika Madu having given instructions to Mikaela.

"I told you to keep an eye on him."

- Sika Madu speaking to the homunculus.

"I made Yu come with me! It's not their fault at all!"

- Mikaela revealing the eye ball being name as Yu.

"Then that's really me? This stuff is all that thing's memories?"

- Yu asking Mika whether the eyeball being is him from the past since it was called Yu.

"Did you name your homunculus again?"

- Sika Madu naming the eyeball being species and indicating they are not generally given individual names.

"Yep! It's just so sad if they don't have a name!"

- Mikaela is particularly happy to confirm he has named a homunculus.

"But... The way angel Mika's acting. Doesn't it seem kinda like you?"

- Mika giving a case that Mikaela may be Yu, perhaps due to the implications of him having been a homunculus instead.

"Yu, hm? I see. Still, I don't recommend naming them. When you name a thing... ...You could curse them with a heart."

- Sika Madu's reasons for being against naming a homunculus.

"Awww! But giving them a name is a sign of love!"

- Mikaela expressing love for the named homunculus.

"It's a curse. If they have hearts, they'll be stuck with concerns and doubts."

- Sika Madu's view that naming a being is a curse and what is entailed from his perspective.

"Then why'd you name me Mikaela, huh? I'm your child."

- Mikaela asking why Sika Madu named him after saying it is a curse to name someone.

"To curse you, of course."

- Sika Madu answering why he gave Mikaela a name when naming someone constitutes a curse.

"Ha ha! Liar! I know you gave me a name cuz you love me! Right? Admit it, father!"

- Mikaela received Sika Madu's that he was named to curse him as a joke and seeks confirmation that he is loved by him.

"Yes. I love you."

- Sika Madu pats Mikaela who appears sad and at least tells him what he wants to hear, however genuine the words are on his part.

"Heh heh! I knew it! Here! I got this treat for you! Take it!"

- Mikaela triumphantly states he knew his father loved him before presenting the ice cream he brought.

"What's this?"

- Sika Madu is unfamiliar with ice cream, that is available freely outside the tower he occupies in the larger seraph civilisation.

"It's super popular in town. Taste it. It's good!"

- Mikaela feeling that the ice cream is popular in a city filled with seraphs.

"I told you not to eat anything they offer in the city. You have a weak constitution."

- Sika Madu speaking of what he said to Mikaela and revealing his infirm state.

"If it tastes good, it's good for you!"

- Mikaela's reasoning for enjoying the ice cream.

"I'm sorry. But... ...It wasn't because of the soft serve."

- Mikaela having fallen ill yet not wanting the ice cream to be seen as the reason.

"No. It's because you broke your promise and spent too much time outside. The air out there doesn't agree with your lungs. Go back to the cleansing room."

- Sika Madu explaining why Mikaela became ill, having not monitored him in case he went outside, and indicating a different type of air within the Tower of Babel.

"If I was sick... ...And I did the same thing you just did, how would you feel?"

- Sika Madu showing empathy with Mikaela after he went outside.

"Will I ever get better?"

- Mikaela's question for his father.

"Of course. Once you grow up, you'll be all better."

- Sika Madu's nice answer for Mikaela.

"Yeah. I'm sure there's no cure for his condition."

- Mika agrees with Yu that Sika Madu is lying about Mikaela being able to get better.

"Growing up, huh? Will I be someone as amazing as you?"

- Mikaela discussing growing up like Sika Madu who he thinks highly of.

"If you rest, like you should. And I analysed that treat. It doesn't seem particularly harmful. I'll let you get some for me again later."

- Sika Madu encouraging Mikaela to rest and sharing what his analysis system has revealed about the ice cream.

"M,kay! C'mon, Yu!"

- Mikaela heads off to rest in the cleansing room with the homunculus named Yu.

"This has to be the memory of when angel Mika died."

- Yu having witnessed the exchange with Sika Madu and Mikaela.

"Right. But when his beloved child died..."

- Mika considering the situation having watched Sika Madu interact with Mikaela.

"Hey! What'd you do to Mika and me?!"

- Yu demands an answer from the memory of Sika Madu for himself and Mika.

Cover Details
The feature image for chapter 125 displays Mikaela with his father Sika Madu. Both their three sets of seraph-like wings are featured and they are holding each other's right hand. Mikaela's wings are shown here, and indoors where he appears in the chapter story. Sika Madu's wings are shown on the cover, but not at any point in the chapter story. They are wearing the clothes worn when they were living in prehistoric times, indeed since Mikaela is alive the time period is that rather than later, but still past time periods such as that during the dark ages of Greece. This scenario is not seen in the chapter yet may be a depiction of another scenario, or an artistic scene of Sika Madu and Mikaela.

Both Sika Madu and Mikaela are on what appears as a surface of water of which they are capable of standing on. Where the water is somewhat but not too choppy it may be an ocean surface. Both their reflections are visible in the water. What is also reflected is part of the Moon, which further gives the appearance that Sika Madu and Mikaela are stood on light. It may be the Moon's light that is causing the horizon just above the sea to be shining more that the sky above.

Taking up over two-thirds of the available space is the waxing crescent like moon that occupies a significant portion of the starry sky. While during the era of the dinosaurs, the Moon would have been closer to Earth, it is still much larger in this image if Sika Madu and Mikaela are situated on Earth. The Seraph of the End logo is at the end of the image. The author details are located at the top left underneath the chapter number and title name.


 * The memory shows Sika Madu in the Tower of Babel, where he does not react to Yu and Mika observing his past experiences at this point.
 * Researching information that has been compiled into a technological feature, Sika Madu speaks how something will not work. This is likely in reference to resurrection among other theoretical information being viewed.
 * Although the interior of the room appears as if it an open space under the stars it may be a visual effect as a glass-like window is still present which Yu uses to look outside.
 * Commenting whether it is the age of the dinosaurs, Yu feels the seraph civilisation sprawling before him looks like a far-future city. The Tower of Babel, and the floating screen technology Sika Madu has access to is certainly that.
 * There was a top elevator button that was felt to bring them to the top floor of the tower, however when Yu is looking out the window there is shown to be tower above.
 * Neither Mika or Yu could read the language written on screens in the previous chapter. In this chapter it is the same case, however Yu finds after looking at this particular text it becomes readable for him. A graph is featured, where Yu can read from the text that it concerns darkening the sun's power, creating servant tribes, and resurrecting the dead.
 * In chapter 94: "Hole in the Sun" Asuramaru comments on a black sun being formed as Mika was undergoing the transformation into a black demon. There are also individual Black Suns.
 * Servant tribes could be a reference to vampires that Sika Madu would create. If Saito and Urd as second progenitors were the first vampires after they were found in Chapter 114: "Everyone's Goals" then this creation process took place when human civilisations were established. In the same chapter Saito has concluded that vampires were created as potential vessels to resurrect Mikaela.
 * Where such activities are said to be illegal, in chapter 108: "Yu's Sword" it is the seraphs who would enforce these laws. Seraphs attack Shikama Doji as a sinner who revived who they called a cursed child.
 * From the description of illegal activities it appears that seraphs are able to have intricate communications written down, and on technological devices as well.
 * Seeing that Yu is able to read the text, Mika concludes that this is his memory.
 * The ability to make out an unreadable text is taxing on Yu who finds it gives him a headache as well as heavily consuming calories.
 * While Mikaela accessed the Tower of Babel through a window entrance, it seems it was not this specific window into Sika Madu's room as he seemed to come from the elevator.
 * At some point Sika Madu had told an eyeball being to monitor Mikaela.
 * The eyeball being is named as Yu.
 * This chapter first shows Sika Madu specifying that the eyeball being is called a homunculus.
 * From Sika Madu mentioning that Mikaela has named his homunculus "again" it may be inferred that Mikaela has had more than one of these beings accompanying him.
 * Where he has been seen deceased throughout most of the story, yet seen alive in past memories explored in chapter 123: "An Ancient Game of Tag", and chapter 124, this chapter 125 presents the most details on Mikaela's joyful and affectionately kind demenour.
 * Although the homunculus was called Yu, as they observe the memory, Mika gives a case that angel Mika acts like Yu. For his part Yu also points out Mika qualities in Mikaela such as stating he is like a cute puppy dog. This practice may be Mika trying to take Yu's mind off that he might be a homunculus, and Yu going along with what he feels before that Mikaela and Mika resemble one another.
 * Capable of forming from a shadow into a more solid shape, the homunculus is shown to be squeezable in the same manner as a ball.
 * Against naming homunculus, Sika Madu tells Mikaela when a thing is named they could be cursed with a heart. Such a curse is felt by Sika Madu to involve being stuck with concerns and doubts. Sika Madu expresses his share of concerns and doubts even at this point.
 * Answering that he named Mikaela to curse him, Sika Madu certainly does not look like he is joking. It also takes him a while to confirm Mikaela's feelings that he gave him a name because he loves him.
 * In chapter 106: "I Am Your..." Sika Madu in the present time was able to sense that Mika was accessing a past memory. The memory of Sika Madu appearing from the Dark ages of Greece could have the present consciousness of Shikama Doji there to attack Mika. If he has the ability to know who is viewing memories of him in the past, Mikaela is unable to act on them since he is deceased by the present time. Yu the homunculus in the memory of when it existed in the prehistoric past is able to see that Yu and Mika from the present time are within a memory. While there may not be an independant Yu the homunclus in the present time, it may be able to see Yu and Mika, as they can also see one another in a memory. It may be a further indication of a link between the homunculus and Yu.
 * Whatever the case is regarding the knowledge the homunculus possesses it does not share what it can see with Mikaela or Sika Madu. Apparently capable of communicating in some manner, it still does not do so.
 * That the homunculus is outright shown to be able to see Yu and Mika, it lends credence that it was also genuinely able to perceive them when it was hiding within a lizard in chapter 123. Rather than a lizard that happened to just be staring in that direction where it existed in the past, it was rather the homunculus that was able to detect Yu and Mika from the present time.
 * While ice cream existed in a seraph civilisation in Earth's prehistory, Sika Madu apprently is unaware of what it is. An indication of ice cream being a recent addition at that point, or that Sika Madu does not leave his tower enough to know what is established in the wider civilisation.
 * The seraph civilisation is referred to as a town by Mikaela. Sika Madu refers to it as the city.
 * Humanoid in appearance, Sika Madu and Mikaela also use humanized terms for one another such as good boy, and father.
 * A different type of flat screen can be generated by Sika Madu, one that is able to analyse a new construct of an ice cream. The technology may not be identifying an ice cream from an image of it using existing information documented, rather it a feature that can examine core components. At least three circle screens can present information on the ice cream, with pointer features to specific sections. Sounds are produced by this technology as this analysis is underway. The screens are in different colors. Where the ice cream cone is darkened it is possible this is an indication of the technology, or Sika Madu's eyesight in how he sees such objects.
 * Said to have a weak constitution, it manifests here apparently after a degree of time outside. While Mikaela could partake in physical activities such as jumping, flight, and spending time acquiring ice cream, shortly after consuming it he experiences bouts of violent coughing which seemingly produces blood.
 * Screens are generated via technology, in contrast to a platter which is produced magically from the shimmering light that comes with its production.
 * A psychokinetic based power is able to be used by Sika Madu, hand motions can raise Mikaela off the ground and place him on a levitating platter.
 * Where Mikaela is trying to say that the ice cream was not the cause of his sickness, Sika Madu states it is because he broke a promise that was supposedly made and spent too much time outside.
 * The air outside mentioned by Sika Madu indicates there is a different type within the Tower of Babel.
 * A cleansing room of some sort exists that Sika Madu sends Mikaela too. Possibly a respiratory based system, it is something Mikaela has gone to before and a room he does not like.
 * Not outright specified to be seraphs, Mikaela is said to possess lungs and produces blood where he can be affected by debilitating ailments.
 * While hardly presenting the most forthcoming means of showing affection to Mikaela, Sika Madu is able to help him understand his upset that someone would feel sick and do activities that could worsen it.
 * When Mikaela asks if he will ever get better, Sika Madu answers yes. Both Yu and Mika feel he was lying and that there was no cure for Mikaela's condition.
 * The analysis showed that the ice cream was not particularly harmful according to Sika Madu. Rather than anything poisoned it seems an indication of Mikaela's condition that he would react as he did.
 * If they were parting words should this be the memory of when Mikaela died then Sika Madu stated that he would let him get ice cream again and they could eat it together.
 * Mikaela went with Yu the homunculus to the cleansing room.
 * Concluding this is the memory of when angel Mika died, Yu also feels from what he saw that the First loved his child.
 * No longer apprehensive at being noticed, Yu approaches the memory of Sika Madu to ask that he say what was done to himself and Mika.

Gallery
Manga panels provide a visual overview of the events of chapter 125 with depictions of the characters, Seraph of the End world and scenarios.