Chapter 139: Before one problem comes another problem

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Translator: Soafp

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[Momo PoV]

“Hey, Ayanon.”

“What is it?”

“Where did Icchi and Kanon-chan go?”

“They’re at the park.”

“Huh… just the two of them?”

“Yeah, there was a piece of paper on the table. It seems they had breakfast together.”

“Eh~… Kanon-chan is too responsible…”

“Fufu. She even washed the dishes.”

It's 9 AM.

There are no club activities.

And I barely slept last night—before I knew it, it was this late.

“…If we had school, we’d be really late.”

“That’s true.”

“…”

“Why do you look so dissatisfied?”

“Ugh…”

“?”

Because.

It's the morning after a sleepover.

Breakfast together, brushing our teeth? Washing our faces, and all that.

“Why are you turning red, Momo?”

…

Let's stop.

“It's nothing.”

“You look like you're hiding something.”

“Ugh!”

“For now, shall we go pick them up?”

“Yeah… but there will probably be a lot of people at the park at this time.”

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[Toumachi PoV]

I like playing with little kids.

It reminds me of when I used to play with my little sister.

It makes me remember the times when I could be a brother.

“Rainbow!”

“Rainbow! Rainbow!”

“Let me touch it!”

“Somebody… help… ah (nearly dead).”

At the park.

At first, it was fine when I was making a castle in the sandbox (for real) with Kanon-chan.

It was fun.

Watching ants run around inside the castle made my life feel thirty seconds longer—well, let's set that aside.

That's where it went wrong.

A girl who seemed to be Kanon-chan’s friend gathered around (despair).

“Rainbow!”

“So pretty!!”

“Haha… (If you see this face, call 110!)”

Look at those bystanders from afar.

They didn't call the police, right? They didn't, right?

Where are the parents? Hey, this isn't the time for small talk! Why are you smiling like that, you idiots (sorry)?

Police, do your job! They just looked over here and left! This is definitely more suspicious than that previous set of monkey bars!

…Seriously? Someone catch me (suspicious person).

“Icchi-Nii is really popular!”

“Stop it (desperate).”

Ah, this is the worst. Ordering around a five-year-old girl.

But seriously, it's really tough.

Why am I bowing my head to kindergarteners…?

My hair is being ruffled.

Take care of it (handle with care instruction manual).

“There’s pink too!”

“It's like paint!”

“Right!”

“Ugh.”

This is so embarrassing.

For some people, it might be a reward (pervert), but for me, it's just torture.

…Well, it's nice to be told that this rainbow color is beautiful, though.

“—Alright, pulling is definitely a no-go (genuinely panicking).”

“I want it!”

“Can't touch the rainbow?”

“Of course you can't (seriously retorting).”

“Kyaa!”

“Haha! Run away!”

“It's tag!”

“Do you really think you can escape from the ‘me’ who came in sixth place in this race (loser)?”

I’m already at my wit’s end.

At this point, I might as well play to the fullest (cracking my neck)—

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“…Haa, haa… (nearly dead).”

“Are you okay?”

“Your face is really red.”

“Cough (I'm fine).”

In the end, I didn't manage to catch anyone (despair).

Now that I think about it, touching a five-year-old’s body ( ) would probably be inappropriate from a parent’s perspective.

So, as I chased them around endlessly, it just turned into a hellish run.

I also lost in running ability.

How old am I again?

Do those kids have a nuclear reactor inside them or something?

And it seems they still want to play more; Kanon-chan is going to that friend’s house.

That’s amazing!

Then, from somewhere, Hatsune-san and Kisaragi-san showed up.

How embarrassing!!

“Let's play again!!!”

“Bye-bye! Rainbow Onii-chan!”

“Icchi-Nii, bye-bye!”

“Guu… (can't speak).”

“Kanon, don't be a bother! I'll come pick you up for lunch!”

I waved back.

I really do enjoy playing with little kids.

But this time… it was a bit tough!

“Rainbow Onii-chan, huh.”

“You seem like you'd fit right into an educational program.”

“Ugh, it's rude to compare me to that…”

“Fufu, you're popular with the kids, Toumachi-kun.”

“Right?”

“Haha…”

I wouldn't say I'm popular; it feels more like I'm being played with instead.

This hair color probably plays a part too. Rainbow colors are really something.

……

“Haa…”

“You're busy laughing and sighing.”

“What are you going to do now, Toumachi-kun?”

“Let's do our homework together!”

“Ah, actually, this…”

The source of my sigh.

I showed them the screen on my phone.

Nina Toumachi: “I'll be back next week. I'll contact you when I arrive.”

Hajime Toumachi: “Okay.”

“…Waa. A business message?”

“That was quicker than I expected…”

“So I need to go home and quickly start cleaning…”

“…W-Would you like some help?”

“Ara.”

“Uh, that's, well, there are a lot of things that are pretty bad (panicking).”

Well, there are a lot of things.

If they saw my creative stuff, I'd be so embarrassed I could die.

“…Oh, I-I'm sorry.”

“Just the thought is enough… thank you.”

Hatsune-san's face isn't turning red, is it?

No, it's not like that at all!

“But you don't have to rush, right? Tomorrow is also a holiday.”

“Ah…”

…That won't do.

Tomorrow, although not as big as family coming from abroad, I have a bit of a troubling (vocabulary issues) event planned.

“…Tomorrow is…”

“Heh?”

“Eh?”

“Tomorrow… (meaningless).”

“?”

“Are you okay, Toumachi-kun?”

“Haha (help me).”

I looked at my phone again—checking the message from the other person.

Shiori: “Hajime-kun, let's meet at XX station tomorrow.” 

Shiori: “Rikka-chan said that it's close and good!” 

An extremely tough event for a shy introvert.

That's right, tomorrow is the day I'm hanging out with “a friend of a friend.”

My stomach hurts!!!