Chapter 75: Father of the Young Girl

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Another weekend has come around, and there are just two weeks left until the Spring Festival.

While making sure that Jones-san’s preparations are progressing smoothly, I ponder what to do about the other matters—like Kurebayashi-san and Kojima-san—as I leisurely walk to the university.

It’s striking how intense university life can be, and not just in terms of academics. It feels like all the events of my life have culminated this past month.

Maybe this is my turning point.

Not that I mind, really—it’s just that I can’t escape these traumatic events. I might have even put myself in some of these situations.

Anyway, I should get my priorities straight.

First, I need to deal with Kojima-san’s brother-in-law, the cheater. That’s a must.

Then, I need to ensure Kojima-san’s protection. I can’t have someone I know end up in a tragic situation.

The top priority, though, is to set up a meeting between Kurebayashi-san and KYOKO, the model coming to the Spring Festival. I need to ensure they can talk.

To do that, I’ll have to go on a date (sort of) with Kurebayashi-san, even though I’m not thrilled about it. But since her mother, Misa-san, is a business partner of Jones-san, I can’t be too dismissive. I’ll play along, but if it gets too far, I’m out.

Then there’s the matter of disciplining Ange. If she keeps going the way she is, she might end up like those girls involved with the KKK, on a fast track to becoming a s**t. I have to prevent that for my sanity. 

It seems like she’s becoming more dependent on me than before. She really needs to make some friends her age and enjoy her junior high life.

There is quite a lot on my plate. I’ll have to tackle things one by one.

Thinking about all this, I reached the end of today’s classes before I knew it.

—

Feeling restless about the future, I didn’t feel like heading straight home after my classes ended. So, I decided to visit an electronics store.

I mean, isn’t looking at electronics fun? Besides, I still need some things for my solo living setup.

Who am I trying to convince?

Feeling a bit embarrassed about my internal monologue, I cleared my throat to compose myself as I left the station and headed toward the store.

Then, unexpectedly, I had a reunion.

“Onii-chan!”

“Huh?”

A small creature crashed into my leg with a thud. There’s only one little girl who’s called me that since I moved here.

“Yuki-chan?!”

“Hehe, I knew it was you, Onii-chan.”

Aww, she’s rubbing her cheek against my big thigh. It’s a reward in a sense—healing, not pervy. Thinking otherwise would get me arrested.

But why does Yuki-chan like me so much? I don’t get it.

“Yuki! You shouldn’t run off suddenly; you might fall… Oh? Is that you, Uemura-san?”

“Oh, Kimura-san. Hello.”

Naturally, Yuki-chan’s grandma, who was with her, came over to us. Her name is Kumi-san, right?

—

—

Little girls are amazing. The anxiety I felt earlier vanished the moment I met Yuki-chan. The world is messed up if there are parents who dislike such a cute creature.

Although I probably wouldn’t feel as relieved by a child who didn’t warm up to me like she does,.

“Yuki really loves you, doesn’t she?”

She asked if I could give Yuki a shoulder ride to the electronics store. With Kumi-san’s permission, I hoisted Yuki up, and we chatted lightly on our way.

“Do you live around here?”

Smiling at Yuki’s excitement, I asked Kumi-san.

“Yes. I was on my way back from picking Yuki up from daycare.”

“I see. What a happy coincidence, right, Yuki-chan?”

It might sound creepy coming from someone else, but I had no ill intentions.

Understanding this, Kumi-san gave a small, awkward smile.

“Thank you. That makes Yuki very happy.”

“Yeah! I love Onii-chan so much!”

“Really? I love you too, Yuki-chan. Thank you.”

It’s nice to hear that from anyone, really.

“…Onii-chan! I want to ride that!”

“Oh, the elephant ride! Alright, Onii-chan will treat you!”

“Yay!!”

When a little girl asks to ride the elephant ride in front of the drugstore, who can refuse?

“Uemura-san, there’s no need to—”

“No, no, it’s only thirty yen. If it makes Yuki-chan happy, I’d pay it ten times over.”

“Thank you…”

While Yuki had a fun, Kumi-san looked more apologetic than thirty yen warranted. I wondered why but didn’t ask.

So, I let Yuki ride the elephant and watched from a distance with Kumi-san.

“Haha!”

Yuki waved at us from the ride, her smile as bright as a sunny day.

But then…

“Maybe Yuki sees something fatherly in you.”

“Huh?”

“Yuki… she doesn’t have a father. We do our best to make sure she doesn’t feel alone, but…”

Heavy stuff, right there. I had heard her mother dislike Yuki, but…

Maybe Kumi-san needed to share this. I should listen.

“Did he pass away?”

“No, we don’t know who he is.”

“…What?”

I froze mentally, not physically.

What a shocking revelation. Did I just step on a landmine?