As the gates officially opened, the entry queue began moving at a steady pace, and visitors started flocking to our tent for directions.
I dealt with school staff and the idiots who were obviously there just for Sara-san as they came, ensuring a "smooth" start to the day.
Once the admission standby line finally cleared and our duties began to settle down…
I thought I heard a small child’s voice calling out for someone. I looked around, trying to find the source.
Then, coming from the direction of the parking lot, I saw a tiny guest I hadn’t seen in quite a while pattering toward us.
"Big Brotheeeeeerrrrr!!"
A lovely figure ran toward me, waving her hands wildly with that precarious gait unique to children. There was only one child who called me "Big Brother."
It made me nervous just watching her, so I figured it was best to go meet her halfway.
"Up you go!"
As I rushed over, Mio-chan launched herself at me with her usual full-body human missi—rather, a powerful tackle. Since I had anticipated the move, I timed it perfectly, catching her with both hands and hoisting her into the air.
"Hiyah!"
"Kyahahahaha! So high, so hiiigh!!"
After swinging the squealing Mio-chan around for a bit, I settled her onto my shoulders for a shoulder carry.
Since we hadn't had much of a chance to meet lately, it had been a long time since I’d played with her like this.
"Mio-chan, where's your mother?"
"Um, over there, talking with her friends~! I saw Big Brother, so I came by myself."
Looking where Mio-chan’s tiny finger pointed, I saw a trio of women about the same age standing beyond the crowd. Kazumi-san was indeed among them.
She seemed to be looking for us as well; when our eyes met, she bowed repeatedly with an apologetic expression. I returned the gesture with a polite nod.
"Big Brother, over there!! To Sara Onee-chan!!"
"You got it~"
Since Kazumi-san was aware of the situation, I decided it was fine to take her to the tent.
With Mio-chan on my shoulders, I headed back toward the Headquarters Tent, where Sara-san greeted us with a warm smile.
"Sara Onee-chan!!!!!"
Mio-chan started stretching her arms out toward her while still on my shoulders. It looked dangerous, so I shifted her into a hug first before passing her over to Sara-san.
"Sara-san!"
"Yes!"
"Here she comes."
Sara-san caught her skillfully. As soon as she was held, Mio-chan clung to her and nuzzled her face against Sara-san’s chest.
"Ehehehe~ it’s Sara Onee-chan!"
"Fufu… It’s been a long time, Mio-chan."
Sara-san wore a remarkably gentle smile as she stroked Mio-chan’s head.
While hugging her with all her might, Mio-chan occasionally looked back at me and giggled happily.
That smile… and Mio-chan’s squishy cheeks were a direct temptation. I couldn’t help myself.
"Boop."
I poked and squished.
Man, she was soft.
"Nyuuuu! Sara Onee-chan, Big Brother is being a mischief-maker!!"
"Fufu… Kazunari-san, mischief is a no-no, okay?"
"Big Brother, no-no!"
"Hahaha, sorry, sorry."
Scolded by Mio-chan’s smile, I obediently gave up on the cheeks and switched to patting her head.
I made sure to focus on the back of the head so I wouldn't bump Sara-san’s hands. Mio-chan closed her eyes contentedly and rubbed her head against my palm.
Hah… she was so cute. Truly healing.
But looking at the two of them again, perhaps because Sara-san appeared so mature, the sight of her holding Mio-chan was strangely picturesque. I’d felt that way before, too.
"…Hah!? I-I found myself staring…"
"…Wh-Wh-What is this… this scene…?"
"…No matter how you look at it, this is…"
"…A young married couple raising their kid!!??"
"…Right?"
"Mio-chan!?"
"Marina Onee-chan!"
Todo-san, who hadn't been able to leave her post while helping guests, came rushing over in a panic.
She looked at Mio-chan clinging to Sara-san with a heartwarming gaze and began stroking her head just as we were.
"Where is Kazumi-san…?"
"Over there!"
"Ah, I see. I heard she was coming, but she’s early, isn't she?"
"Because I wanted to see Big Brother and Sara Onee-chan soon!"
When Mio-chan gave a beaming smile and said "Right~?" to Sara-san, Sara-san returned it with an equally radiant "Right~."
Seeing that, Mio-chan squealed and happily nuzzled against Sara-san’s chest again. She was completely in pamper-mode.
"M-Mio-chan, you’re troubling Satsukawa-senpai, so come to your big sister."
Todo-san watched the scene apologetically and reached out to take Mio-chan, but the girl refused, clinging even harder to Sara-san.
"It’s alright, Todo-san. I’m used to this."
"Eh!?"
Todo-san looked immensely shocked. For some reason, she glanced at me.
Hey, wait a minute, what exactly did that look mean!?
"I’ve had quite a few opportunities to play with children, so this sort of thing happened frequently."
"…Ah, r-right!? Issei-kun, I’m sorry…"
Realizing her misunderstanding, Todo-san turned bright red and shrank back.
How rude! I'm offended!
…Well, I wouldn't actually get angry, but I was starting to feel genuinely anxious about how people normally perceived me.
"Sara Onee-chan, your breasts are big~. Bigger than Mama's…"
"Fufu… Mio-chan, that tickles."
She was now completely stuck to Sara-san; she looked like she might even fall asleep while pressed against her. She seemed to be in a total dream-state.
Then again… I understood the feeling.
After all, I was the only person in the world who knew for a fact that Sara-san’s chest was heaven!!
"…H-Hey, look at that beauty…"
"…Hell yeah! I got to see Satsukawa-san right after arriving! Luck is on my side!!"
"…Hah… Goddess…"
"…So healing."
"…She’s usually so sharp, but she’s so gentle with children… She’s just too ideal."
"…I seriously want to talk to her…"
"…Don’t, man. You’ll be in serious trouble right now."
"K-Kazunari… who is… that child?"
I heard a voice from behind and turned around. Hanako-san, who had been at the Staff Room with Uesaka-san, was standing there. Since Uesaka-san wasn't with her, it seemed she had returned alone. For the usually calm Hanako-san, she looked unusually staggered, her eyes wide as she stared blankly at Mio-chan.
Ah, that's right, Hanako-san hadn't met Mio-chan yet.
"Um, this is Mio-chan, Todo-san’s cousin…"
"……"
Like a sleepwalker, Hanako-san wandered slowly toward Sara-san—or more accurately, toward Mio-chan.
Once she got within arm's reach, she remained wide-eyed with surprise, staring intently at the little girl.
"…?"
Mio-chan also looked curious, tilting her head as she stared back at Hanako-san.
Hanako-san’s state was… well, odd.
"Big Sister, who are you?"
"!!??"
As if struck by lightning, Hanako-san’s expression filled with shock. What was going on!?
"Mio-chan, this big sister is named Hanako-san, okay?"
"…Hanako Onee-chan?"
"Hauh!?"
Like a warrior taking a critical hit, she stumbled backward—no, she actually leaned in closer as if being sucked into a vacuum.
Could this be…?
"Mi-Mi… Mio-chan?"
"Yes, Hanako Onee-chan?"
"Gufuuh!?"
Hanako-san collapsed to her knees. She had a look of pure bliss and satisfaction on her face, and as a final gesture, she left a mysterious thumbs-up before fading out…
Ha-Hanako-saaaaaaaaann!?
……………
………
…
"Wow, this child is seriously cute."
"Uhyah… Look at those squishy cheeks…"
"Offu… This is irresistible."
After bringing Mio-chan back into the tent, we were surrounded by everyone—mostly the female officers—who came rushing over. Well, specifically, they surrounded Sara-san and Mio-chan.
Startled by the attention, Mio-chan hurriedly clung to Sara-san. That very sight only made her look more adorable, which served as extra fuel for the girls.
"Big Brother, come here!"
"Yes, yes, what is it, Mio-chan?"
When I moved closer, Mio-chan skillfully shifted her upper body while still clinging to Sara-san so she could grab onto my arm as well.
Um… what kind of position is this exactly?
"Whoa, the husband is getting in the way!?"
"Issei-kun, if you stay there, I can't see lovely Mio-chan."
"Hey… why is Mio-chan so attached to that couple?"
"""Couple!?"""
While that was a comment I should normally have objected to… for some reason… I found myself feeling happy about it.
And it wasn't exactly entirely wrong, either… was it?
"Couple? Papa and Mama?"
"Well, in terms of meaning…"
"Sara Onee-chan is Mama? Big Brother is Papa?"
"Um…"
"Th-That is…"
"Sara Onee-chan, do you have a baby?"
"Eh!?"
"Pfft!?"
Wh-Wh-Why did it turn into that!?
Mio-chan was just repeating what she knew, so naturally, I understood there was no ulterior motive. But that was only for Mio-chan; for the onlookers, it was prime bait.
I mean, how were we supposed to handle this!?
"Mio knows. When you have a baby, you become Papa and Mama, right?"
"Um…"
Sara-san’s smile wavered, and she sent a troubled look my way.
True, once a child is born, you become a father and mother for the first time. Mio-chan’s logic wasn't wrong.
But if we delved any deeper into this, it would provide even more fuel for these "self-proclaimed" maidens whose eyes were practically glowing with delight right in front of us!
"Th-That’s right. However, Kazu… Big Brother and I are not yet Papa and Mama, so…"
"I see… Oh, then, then, when Big Brother and Sara Onee-chan become Papa and Mama, tell Mio! Mio will play with the baby!"
"Th-That’s right. Wh-When that time comes, shall we ask Mio-chan? …Right, Kazunari-san?"
"Buh!?"
Wh-Why pass the conversation to me now!?
That said, Sara-san couldn't just brush off Mio-chan’s innocent words, so she was trying her best to respond despite her embarrassment. It would be pathetic of me to be the only one to run away.
"Th-This is interesting… even though I know it’s inappropriate, it’s hilarious… Pupu."
"Ufufu, you’ve picked a great topic, Mio-chan…"
"Sa-Satsukawa-san is flustered… That’s rare!"
"Th-That response, Satsukawa-senpai is…"
"…This is getting painful to watch."
"…What a coincidence… same here…"
"Ah, wh-what should I do… h-hey, Hanako-san…"
"………"
"Hanako-san!!"
"…Hah!? Where's Mio-chan!?"
"Big Brother, let Mio hold the baby, okay?"
"I-I understand. When that time comes, um, I’ll ask Mio-chan… okay?"
"Yeah, it’s a promise!!"
I managed to maintain appearances and act calm while answering the excited Mio-chan, but to be honest, I felt extremely awkward. And everyone else wasn't even trying to hide their smirks. Fine, laugh all you want!
I only said that to play along with a child!
Sure, if we get married, that kind of topic will come up eventually, but that’s still far in the future.
I mean, I’m only a high school first-year! Why are we having such a wild conversation!?
"Sara Onee-chan!! Big Brother said he’d let me hold the baby!!"
"Fufu… Is that so? That’s wonderful, Mio-chan."
"Yeah!! Hey, hey, Sara Onee-chan. When will you become Mama?"
"Eh!? W-Well… I wonder when?"
"Would Big Brother know?"
"U-Umm… I wonder… Right, Kazunari-san?"
"Pfft!?"
"""………"""
I could tell just by looking that Sara-san was at a loss for words. I knew that!
But looking at me with such embarrassment and those upward-glancing eyes, especially with the subject being what it was!?
The surrounding gazes were unbearable—some were full of opportunistic curiosity, others were full of blatant envy.
It had been a long time since I’d felt this awkward.
"Sorry for the commotion."
"See ya later~"
Soon after, Kazumi-san arrived and took Mio-chan, who left in high spirits while being held.
At first, she made a fuss about not wanting to leave Sara-san, but she was easily lured away with sweets. That part was childlike and heartwarming in its own way.
Kazumi-san was apparently going to walk around with some of her neighborhood mother friends.
With the eye of the lovely typhoon gone, the tent regained a stillness as if a fire had been put out. Now that it was quiet, I couldn't help but feel like something was missing.
"Hanako-san, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just received a bit of a shock."
I spoke to Hanako-san, who looked clearly disappointed now that Mio-chan was gone.
Calling that "a bit" was quite a stretch. Whether she was struck by Mio-chan’s cuteness, or the impact of "Hanako Onee-chan" was too strong, or both—it was definitely both.
"No need to worry. That was simply me being charmed; the meaning is different from Issei. My only sibling is Issei."
For some reason, Hanako-san smiled gently at me with her "big sister smile."
Um… "that" wasn't what I was worried about. But since it would be tactless to correct her, I figured I’d just let it be.
"A-Anyway, as long as you’re okay."
"It’s the first time I’ve thought a child was cute. So I was just surprised in that sense too."
"I see."
Certainly, until I met Mio-chan, I hadn't had much opportunity to think children were cute myself, so I felt like I could understand the feeling to some extent.
"…Hah… girls really are cute, aren't they?"
"I think children around that age are the cutest. They're honest and innocent."
"That’s true. But wasn't she unusually attached to Satsukawa-senpai?"
"I wonder. She’s quite attached to Kazunari-san as well…"
"Ah, but I think the way she pampered her was more direct than when I'm holding her. It felt like the way she pampers Kazumi-san."
"I-Is that so?"
While looking embarrassed, Sara-san nonetheless seemed pleased. Since she was naturally used to interacting with children, she probably just likes them in general.
"Phew… I finally made it back. That teacher talks for so long… Oh, did something happen?"
While I was looking at Sara-san, Uesaka-san returned from the Staff Room. He tilted his head curiously, seeing everyone gathered around Sara-san.
"Good work. No, it was just an acquaintance visiting."
"Ah, I see. By the way, how is the guest relations? If things have settled down, I think it’s about time we split into our respective roles."
"You’re right. I don't think people will be lining up for guidance anymore…"
"Yeah. Oh, th-that reminds me, today…"
As usual, his mood swings were blatant whenever certain topics came up. When he suddenly started acting hesitant like this, I knew immediately what he wanted to ask.
Even though he was usually a dignified and reliable person, he probably left a weak impression on Nishikawa-san because he only ever showed this side of himself to her.
"I think she’ll be here soon. We have Natsumi-senpai’s match to cheer for after this."
"I-I see… It’s a shame, but I can't exactly go to that…"
Since we were going to cheer—under the pretext of an inspection—Uesaka-san had to stay behind to handle the tent due to staffing reasons. I felt sorry for him, but there was no helping it.
"Sorry…"
"No, no, it’s fine. Please cheer for Natsumi in my stead… though I’m not one to talk, never having gone to cheer for her matches once."
"No, I’ll properly tell her that you’re cheering for her too, Uesaka-san."
"She’ll probably say she doesn't need my support, though."
"Haha. But despite what she says, I think she’ll be happy deep down."
"I suppose so. She’s shy, so she isn't honest about things like that."
Natsumi-senpai definitely wasn't honest, so she would probably react against Uesaka-san saying that. But there was a sense of ease that came from being childhood friends; they understood each other at a deep level even if they seemed blunt on the surface.
If they could properly understand each other, could they have become at least like this…?
"…Issei-kun, what’s wrong?"
"…No, it’s nothing… Oh, speak of the devil."
Just like yesterday, an unnaturally long white luxury car pulled up, stopping as if it were perfectly fitted between the gates.
The passenger door opened, and just like yesterday, a man dressed sharply in a black suit stepped out hurriedly and opened the rear door.
The person who slowly appeared from there was, of course…
"Ni-Nishikawa-san…"
While Uesaka-san stood dazed—and while everyone except for the few who had seen this yesterday watched with surprise—Nishikawa-san stepped out of the car with elegant, dashing movements.
Following her, imitating her—though not succeeding at all—was Tachikawa-san, who got out with stiff, comical movements, followed by Yuji, who stepped out briskly without a care in the world.
What a sight.
Wait, it seems they came together today…