Author's Note: Hello! This is my first fanfiction in a while. The perspectives changes slightly as the story goes on, and indentations indicate that. I have been wanting to do this for awhile. My fanfiction is about what would happen if Ryuu was a girl. Most of the plot is the same. The character encounters are different now that the protagonist is my story, Ryuuichi is referred to as Ryoko, known also as Rii-chan. In the story and the manga, the chairman says their names are strong. The japanese connotations behind the names mean strength, and I chose Ryoko because it also implies strength. (Go GoogleSearch!) Credit for the creation of Gakuen Babysitters goes to the author, Tokeino Hari. Except for the slight changes to some character, their interactions, and the way the plot is relayed, the author has full ownership of this manga. I am just humbly give a different perspective to the manga that I imagined. Italics-thoughts of protagonist;when the narrator speaks to the reader in later chapters possibly.(04-29/30-2016)
My arms wrap tightly around Kotarou's tiny body. His fists tightly hold unto my blazer while I search the campus map. I was wearing the middle school uniform from my old school. The uniform consisted of a dark mediterranean blue blazer with shiny black buttons down the front, a thin white long-sleeved blouse that's cuffs peeked out from under the blazer, and a bright red tie, somewhat faded from extraneous wear. The skirt was pleated, with a gray-black checkered pattern and short white socks inside the standard uwabakis. Kotarou was wearing a small dark yellow letterman with a tiger emblem on the front. His baby-sized knapsack was strapped on tightly, and the little jeans he wore were a bit baggy on his short legs. The small sneakers he wore were the last gift he had gotten from mum and dad. My own backpack felt heavy with what meager possessions we owned. The rest of our clothes, as well as some small trinkets were all that were left from our old house. The rest of our things had been sold.
"Hm…It looks like the Chairman's office is just a little distance away now.. Alright, let's start going this way Kotarou." I take a right turn down the path towards the estate just outside the school's campus area. The wind pushes against me gently and ruffles my hair while I walk. My long brown/black hair had always made me seem different from my parents. Kotarou,who's hair was a much lighter brown,almost blonde, held more of a resemblance. Even my face seemed different. While I had large brown eyes, my parents had more narrow almond eyes. Kotarou's were always sleepy-looking. At least all our noses and mouths were the same. Other people used to ask if I was young niece or nephew rather than their child. That always made mum angry, while my dad would laugh it off and say "What, you can't tell? She's our beautiful daughter!" That always made smile, because my parents never failed to love us equally. My thoughts were cut short when I felt the chilly spring breeze. Shivering slightly, I push my hair out of my face and look down at Kotarou.
"Are you okay, Kotarou? We've been walking for a while, and you haven't taken a nap yet. Do you want to rest? Or can you keep going?" He nods his head slightly, his expression unchanging. I laugh slightly to myself. Which one is he saying yes to? I re-adjust my arms to hold him more comfortably... It feels like it's been forever since I've seen Kotarou smile. When the police came to our house and told us about our parents, Kotarou was so confused. His eyes turned wide, as if he was pleading the officers to stop talking about their deaths. That night, he began to cry in his sleep for mum and dad. Now, his expression seems endlessly fatigued, like he's tired from holding up the weight of the world. I wonder if I look the same. "Well, we're almost there. It was really nice of the chairman to offer to take us, two complete strangers, into their home and look after us. They must be a really kind person. Let's make sure to thank them properly." At this, Kotarou buries his face into my chest and grips my shirt more tightly.
My parents recently passed away in a plane crash. They were never the type of parents to stay home often, and had often a carefree attitude toward life. When they had passed, Kotarou and I still couldn't fully comprehend what had happened. Then the chairman of Gakuen Academy, who had lost their son and his wife in the same accident, offered to become our guardian. Although I have only met their secretary, who came as a representative, I am extremely grateful that they made this offer to us. I was still too young to be able to find any way of earning a sustainable income for one person, much less for a teenager with an infant.
As I walk down the hallway to the chairman's office, I can't help but feel myself getting more and more nervous. The crisp white color of the surrounding walls were off-set only by the dark rouge from the carpet. It was an unnerving difference, and there was sign of dust or dirt anywhere. I tried not to care too much about the fact that I had just come from outside, and probably putting a bunch of footprints on the ground. That's when I finally caught sight of two pale ivory-painted doors. A label just above them had the words "Chairman's Office" written in big black letters, sitting precariously above. Stopping just outside, I take a deep breath. Hesitantly, I knock on the doors to announce my arrival, and turn one of the dull-bronze doorknobs. The first thing I hear is,
"Hmph. You're rather late, aren't you? You made me wait." The towering windows momentarily blind me. A commanding voice resounds the office, and I look at the source. I was surprised to see a woman sitting behind the large mahogany desk. On the desk there are only a few items. On one end sits a vase filled with vibrant flowers and a laptop, while on the other sits a clunky telephone. The woman herself appears stout behind the desk, and she rests her elbows in front of her, fingers interlaced. Her jaw is pinch compared to her round cheeks. Her whole face seems to display anger, especially her eyes. But I heard no malice in her voice. Actually, it was more like a teacher scolding their student. Her hair is what catched my attention the most….The only way I can describe it is: sheep's wool.
Unsure of how to respond, I frantically tried my best to explain.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I walked from the station to here with my brother, and the path was longer and more confusing than I expected." Kotarou turned slightly towards the woman.
"Onee-cha, Demon la-" I quickly bury his face into my chest. I shush him, then nervously look up, hoping she may not have heard him…Her stare chilled me right down to the bone. I began to bow profusely.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! He likes to read lots of storybooks, so he must have thought you were, that is,- I mean-!" She makes a quick motion for me to stop, so I do.
"Manners dictate that you introduce yourself before you begin to insult others." I swallow slightly.
"Of course, my apologies ma'am. My name is Kashima Ryoko, and this is my younger brother-"
"Kotarou. Yes, I know. Those names are quite strong."
"Thank you very much. Um, I'm sorry I hadn't said this in the beginning, but for the trouble of taking us in, I would truly like to-"
"Enough with the formal greetings. I called you here as replacements for my son, not out of sympathy."
"Huh?"
I was confused, and it must have shown on my face since she sighed slightly.
"You've been taking care of this kid in place of your parents since he was a baby, right?"
"Yes, our parents were away a lot."
"Then you know how to change diapers and give milk?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Hm. Good. Saikawa." A man stepped forward slightly. I hadn't noticed him since I was too pre-occupied with the chairman. It was the secretary I had met before. He bowed slightly. The man had bright blonde hair, similar to those of foreigners who came from abroad. His whole demeanor was very stiff, almost like a statue. He was also extremely tall, towering over the chairwoman even with the short space separating them. His glasses framed his face coldly, as if to accentuate his whole body to say 'no nonsense'. Although his face looked somewhat friendly, it reminded me of a mask.
"Yes Chairman."
"Take these two to the School DayCare Room."
"Understood." Actually, he's fairly attractive, and resembles a mannequin more than a statue. That last thought made me flush slightly. The woman turned toward me again and stood up.
"In this world, everything is give and take. Those who don't work, don't eat! In return for me taking care of you until you are adults, you will spend all your time outside of lessons working as this school's babysitter."
"Eh?!" I clasp my hand quickly over my mouth, embarrassed by my sudden outburst. She gives me one last chilling stare before pushing us out the door.
"If you understand, hurry up and get moving! I'm busy!" She shoves us outside. I turn towards her to thank her once more. Bowing as quickly as possible, I say
"Thank you once again!" The doors slam loudly in front of me. Silence fills the space a few moments before the secretary turns to me.
"Well then, I'll guide you."
"Ah, yes." I felt a bit ashamed that I couldn't properly express my gratitude…Are we really welcome here?
"Demon lady" Kotarou had been repeating those words while pointing at the doors.
"Hey now, what if she hears you?" I lightly scold him. Then I realize the secretary is right there, and could report us to the chairwoman. "Saikawa-san? About what Kotarou is saying-" He cuts me off cooly, then begins to speak.
"Ryoko-sama, Kotarou-sama, because we cannot prepare a car for you, please allow me to carry you over."
"What?!" I blush furiously at this strange offer. This is very different from the attitude I thought he would have! Saikawa, however, bends down and holds his arms at his sides, looking very serious."..."
"..It is a joke." He abruptly stands and pats down the front of his suit. "It is not that far, so please walk by yourselves." He bows slightly.
"Oh, I-I see." Is he trying to comfort us with humor? We walk down the crisp hallway I had previously entered. It's quiet, and Saikawa-san makes no attempt to start a conversation. The slow pace in which we move causes Kotarou to fall asleep. Now that he was asleep, I felt the need to ask Saikawa-san a question that had been bugging me since the moment I met the chairwoman. "Um, Saikawa-san, if I may ask, does the chairwoman have any grandchildren?" The slow pace we take is unchanging, and Saikawa-san seems unperturbed by the question. He answers calmly in an even tone.
"She does not. The son who passed away was her only child, and besides his wife, her only relatives. She no longer has any family." Hearing this, I feel sympathy towards the woman. I, at least, still have Kotarou, but she has no one. Perhaps Saikawa-san was a close companion of hers? Would it be rude to ask? Maybe it wouldn't be appropriate to do so right now. We've only just met. Kotarou murmurs in his sleep, and I lose my train of thought. Trying to change the topic to a more light-hearted one, I try to ask about my new duties.
"Um, about this babysitting thing.."
"We have arrived." We stopped in front of a room a fair distance away from the academy. There were glass sliding doors that had the words MORINOMIYA DAYCARE ROOM painted colorfully in bubble letters on them. A small rabbit icon was frolicking in the painted flowers. Inside the room, small cubbies for the children were placed along the wall, and a large assortment of stuffed toys were scattered all around the room. It was as if a toy store had barfed up every possibly toy a kid could want into the room. There was also drawers overflowing with diaper supplies in the far-right corner of the room. So there's a baby inside too? I search the room some more. In regards to the inhabitants, there seemed to be five kids running around inside, shouting and making a ruckus…There also appeared to be..a man? I could not see him clearly though. Is he...sleeping?
"The little ones you will be watching are the children to the school's teachers. Kotarou will also be looked after here. The faculty was established for the mothers among our staff, but the budget wouldn't allow us to hire many people. The chairman's son and his wife tried to get the students to help by trying to establish a babysitting club. Unfortunately, we couldn't gather enough students so it never happened." I tried to imagine a man going around asking students to watch teachers' children. I could understand the reluctance.
I laugh lightly, "Hahah, I see. So she wants me here to start up the club."
"Yes. I'm sorry." Loosening up slightly, he adds,"you kinda won the poverty lottery."
Shaking my head, I grip Kotarou tighter with excitement.
"No no! As the first member of the club, I'll work hard! Please tell the chairwoman we are very grateful to her for bringing us here." He raised his eyebrows slightly, then turns his face away, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Um, Saikawa-san?" Is he crying?
"…No, I'm sorry, I was very moved by your admirable form." Smartly adjusting his glasses, he becomes serious once again. "I must excuse myself here. Was my explanation enough?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Alright then….I pray for your good fortune."
"T-t-thank you?" Afterwards, he walks away in a different direction than which we had come from. Although he was very stoic and made nonsensical jokes, he seemed to be a genuinely kind person, just like the chairwoman. It was just tough to see from their exterior appearances. Waving goodbye, I turn back to the doors. I shake Kotarou's shoulder gently.
"Kotarou. Kotarou, wake up. We have to properly greet them." I'm used to looking after Kotarou. I think I can be a proper babysitter.
"I'll be okay. Let's do our best!"
"Hello? Excuse me~" All the kids who had been playing freeze. They stare at Kotarou, then at me. Then at Kotarou, then back to me. They keep going back and forth. I giggle slightly at this, causing them to jump at the sound. I clear my throat.
"Um, hello. I'll be helping to babysit you from now on. I hope we get along! Where is your teacher?" This seems to activate some sort of response. They all run as one small herd towards the man I had previously seen through the doors. Hiding, they glance over his sleeping body. The kid closest to his head yanks his ear.
"OWOWOWOWOW!? Oi, Taka, I was having a good dream! How are you going to make up for it?" Awkwardly, I clear my throat in a attempt to get his attention.
"Huh?"
"Um, a-ahem. Hello, sorry. I asked them to wake you up. From today on, I'll be-"
"Ahhh, I heard. Yoko-san and Torakichi-kun, right? The poor duo that were dragged into babysitting these brats."
"Um..It's Ryoko and Kotarou."
"Yeahhh, something like that. Anyway, I'm Usaida Yoshihito. I graduated from Morinomiya, and the only staff member here. Nice to meet you." He shakes my hand breezily. He also looks like a foreigner. Yoshihito-san had caramel-colored hair that was long and pulled back into a ponytail. He was tall and lanky, but not in the same way as Saikawa-san. It made him look like a weak twig. His eyes were downturned, but the way his nose curved and how he smirked made him seem like some sort of trickster. "Well, at least I'll have a nice view to look at while I watch these kids." I blush deeply. "But seriously, you're really helping me out. I have to look after this baby, so I can't really play with these guys." I look at the young girl strapped on Yoshihito-san's back, then at the mussed hair from his bedhead. Weren't you sleeping?..
"Usaida! Usaida!" The kids all crowd around Yoshihito-san and cling to his legs. "Yeah, what?"
"We can pway with this girl?"
"Yeah, go ahead and play to your heart's content. Introduce yourselves first."
They all began to speak at once. My mind reeled as I tried to put names to faces. The one who had pulled Yoshihito-san's ear was called Kamitani Taka. The boy seemed like a natural troublemaker and talked the loudest. He had spike black hair that went in all directions. He was Kotarou's opposite. He expressed himself impressively, and held a toy sword in his hands. He had on a green baseball t-shirt and capris. There were two other boys that seemed to be twins. They wore matching orange striped collared shirts, and had on corduroy pants. One, I believe Kazuma, had teary eyes and tugged at his shirt. The other, Takuma, had a bright and cheery expression, and was almost as loud as Taka-kun. Their hands were intertwined. The only girl toddler was Kumachuka Kirin. She has twin ponytails, and the giraffe she held was the same size as her. The black dress she had on matched her raven-hair, and her eyes sparkled with baby that Yoshihito-san primarily took care of was named Midori. How energetic they are. So different from Kotarou, but all of them are so cute! Trying to hide my laughter, I smiled brightly as I replied.
"It's nice to meet you all. My name is Ryoko, but you can call me Rii-chan."
"Hahaha. Rii-chan~you should be careful of these brats. Oh, and call me Usaida." Yoshi-Usaida-san began to lie down again.
What could these cute kids do?"Ok Usaida-san." Turning back to the kids, I introduced Kotarou. "This is Kotarou. Say Hello Kotarou." I gently place him in front of them.
"Ah-" Taka-chan interrupts Kotarou, wielding the toy sword he held high above his head. Proudly, he tells Kotarou,
"You're the monster, okay!" Taka whacks Kotarou's forehead with the toy sword. A small bump begins to swell slightly where he was hit. huh?! I look to Kotarou, trying to make sense of this. Instead of the tears I expected from pain, he seems shell-shocked. Taka-kun pushes onward.
"It's the monster Mini Gon! Double Yellow! Pink! Get Him!" Wait, they're going to hit him more?! Scared, I push Kotarou behind me.
"Wait wait wait! Um, I'll be the monster. Let me play as well! Um…R-ROAR!"
For a little time, the kids blankly stare at me. Suddenly,
"GET HER!" They begin climbing all over me. I'm about to black out from surprise when they start attacking me. That's when I feel Taka abruptly lift up my skirt.
"T-T-TAKA! STOP!" I try furiously to pull my skirt back down. I tug downwards, but to no avail. Taka-kun is too strong, and too determined! The twins, noticing his tactics, then try to pull out my shirt from underneath my blazer, unbuttoning the top of it while Kirin yanks my hair and necktie in different directions. This really hurts!
"I surrender! You guys win!"
"Giant Gon Liar! It's not over!" Taka continues to whack me with his sword and lift my skirt.
"No, Taka-chan, I'm serious! I lost!" The kids ignore me and continue their attack.
"Ohhh, Rii-chan, you like black lace patterns? Didn't think a cute girl like you would choose something so mature." Usaida-san during this whole disaster seemed relaxed and sipped his tea as he watched. My face turned beet-red. Not only am I being physically-assaulted by these kids, I'm being sexually-harassed! Trying to distract myself from the pain and embarrassment, I look around for Kotarou. He stands slightly in front of this chaotic heap, with a stern expression. The face he makes clearly says 'They're bullying Nee-chan." He charges in, only to end up tumbling backwards. Once again though, he gets up and rushes in to save me.
Only to fall backward.
"K-Kotarou, I'm fine. Go play over there for now. Okay?" I don't want you to get hurt.
"…Mm." He nodded his head and toddled over to the bookshelf. I continued my struggle as Giant Gon against The Rangers (the kids). When I was finally able to withstand their hits, I began to enjoy myself while we continued playing. I get more and more into my role, roaring and trying to 'eat' the kids. In my haste, I didn't notice the longing glances Kotarou gave me.
"Is it okay not to reclaim your sister Kotarou-kun?" Usaida popped up behind him, hoping for a reaction. Kotarou only looked at him calmly, then nodded his head.
"Huh? No reaction? You're a tough kid. Do you want me to read to you?" Kotarou shook his head 'no' furiously. Unsure of what to do, Usaida crouched next to him in thought. Sighing, he pet Kotarou's head. "If you don't call out to her properly, she won't notice.'
Coming up behind me, Usaida-san taps my shoulder. I had forgotten about him in the excitement. "Rii-chan, sorry to interrupt you while you terrorize the kids, but it's about time I scoot."
"Huh?" The kids continued to attack and crowd me while Usaida-san handed my Midori's harness.
"The chairman is a cheapskate, so I don't get paid for staying overtime. Now that you're here, I can check out. The parents will be here soon. Or, is it impossible for you alone?"
"I…." It's my first day here. I can't let Usaida-san think I can't handle this. He stared at me expectantly. "I'll be fine. I've taken care of a baby before, and I think the kids like me somewhat now." This answer seemed to surprise him.
"Oh, really? Ok~I'm really going to leave, you know?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Ok then~" Taking off his apron, Usaida-san grabs a satchel from the corner and walks out of the room. "Bye~"
Usaida turns around to watch the young girl. She takes on too much responsibility for a middle schooler. "I would have stayed if you asked me. It's kinda lonely this way.. Two peas in a pods those two." Usaida then begins to head down the hallway to go home.
Taka climbed atop my head and began yanking on my hair. "Ow ow." Midori-chan cried and kicked while I tried to change her diaper. "Midori-chan, please…" Kirin-chan tried to calm Midori down by patting her head, but she was hitting her too harshly. The twins were running around the whole room, screaming as they went. How can kids be so powerful? "Kotarou, are you okay?" Kotarou nods his head, his eyes staring inside a picture book. "Okay." His expression seemed to be normal, and yet, I couldn't help but feel like he wasn't telling me his real feelings. Taka begins tugging on my hair harder, so I put the thought out of my mind and go back to focusing on Midori's diaper.
Parents began arriving around 7 p.m. One by one, the children begin to leave until only Taka-chan was left. I let out a deep exhale. Phew..I hadn't realized it would be so exhausting. The moms have finally picked them up, and now there's just Taka-chan. Leaning against the doors, I try to catch my breath. Suddenly, I feel the doors harshly slide open.
"OI, TAKA! LET"S GO!" I fall backwards, expecting to meet the ground. Instead, I fall unto an upright soft/hard surface. I turn my head upwards and meet the fierce eyes of a guy. Eeekk!
"! I'm so sorry!" I immediately push myself off from him. I'm slightly surprised the both of us hadn't fallen back. I'm not exactly…light. However, the boy stood firmly in front of the doorway. I bow deeply and apologize again and again. Who is this? I'm surprised when the guy vocalizes my question.
"Who're you?" I finish bowing enough to look at him. He has the standard school cropped hair, and wears a middle school uniform. He's a couple inches taller of me, and I crane my neck to look at his face. His eyes are intense, and I realize he is looking me up and down. Feeling self-conscious, I look down while sweeping my hair away from my face. That's when I look at myself for the first time since I arrived at the DayCare… I had taken off my blazer while changing Midori's diaper and loosened my tie right before this guy's arrival. My shirt was untucked and loosely buttoned from playing with the kids, while my skirt had stickers and snot marks. I immediately brought my hands over my outfit, and felt myself blush for probably the umpteenth time that day. How embarrassing! Not only did the parents see me like this, a teenage boy no less! is staring right at me!
"I-I-My name is Kashima Ryoko, a 3rd year middle schooler, and I'll be working at the DayCare from now on."
"Hm. I'm Kamitani Hayato. Our mom's not done grading yet, so I came instead. We're the same age, huh. Well, thanks for looking after my brother and co." He seems like a good guy despite his fierce looks…He's so tall. I hadn't realized I had been staring until Taka spoke.
"Aniki! I dun wanna go home yet! I wanna play with Rii-"
"I said we're going home idiot" Suddenly, Kamitani-kun turns and whacks Taka-kun on the head. Hard enough that I wince. I swear, it sounded like the punch was saying BA-KA!
"Y-You didn't have to hit him!" I pick up Taka-kun who had begun wailing profusely, and he clings to my shirt tightly. Kamitani-kun shrugs in response.
"It doesn't work if you just say it. You can smack him too if he's being unreasonable."
"No way!" I hug him closer to me.
"This guy's fine already, so worry about that kid over there. I feel sorry for him, all by himself." Kamitani-kun lifts Taka-kun from my arms, then points over to Kotarou who is reading. I stare warily at the crying Taka-kun in Kamitani-kun's arms, then looked at the corner he was pointing in. It was Kotarou! I realize I had neglected him the whole day. What kind of sister does that?
"I guess you're right. Thank you Kamitani-kun." He hums in response before turning around, Taka-kun finally calming down and gaining enough courage to call him "Idiot".
"See ya." The door rattles open once more, and I let out another deep sigh. I turn towards Kotarou.
"Kotarou, I'm sorry about today. I'll read to you now…Kota-" I touch Kotarou's head, and I notice he's sweating. He falls forward unto my knees.
Kamitani and Taka were walking towards the Science office, with Taka talking about the new girl "Rii-chan". The sound of rapid footsteps are followed by a voice shouting.
"KAMITANI! KAMITANI!" Ryoko runs toward them, the child from the DayCare wrapped in what seems to be her blazer. "Where's the closest pediatric hospital from here?! Please! My brother! He's burning up!" Her eyes were livid and her almond/black hair whipped around her face wildly.
"..Alright. Wait a second, I'll take you on my bike." He bent dow to face Taka. "Taka, can you go wait in the staff room with Mum? Don't get in the way. I'll be right back." Taka nodded. While Taka toddled over to the offices, Kamitani and Ryoko, carrying Kotarou, raced to the bike racks.
Even though I knew that he was pretending to be okay, why? Why did I just leave him alone like that? My eyes begin to tear up, but I couldn't wipe the tears away. One of my arms was currently pre-occupied in holding unto Kotarou, while the other was wrapped around Kamitani's stomach in an attempt to make sure I didn't fall off. I was grateful and a bit surprised at the speed in which Kamitani peddled since Kotarou and I were riding on it as well. When we got to the hospital, I swung my legs off the bike as quickly as I could. I shout "Thanks Kamitani-kun!" over my shoulder as I race into the building. The lights are still on inside, and I grip Kotarou even tighter.
Please be okay.
"It was probably brought on from the change in enviornment. He's sleeping right now. If he rests, then the fever should go away. There's no need to worry."
"Yes. Thank you very much." I bow deeply towards the elderly doctor. The female nurse lightly pats my shoulder.
"Alright young lady, please wait until someone arrives to pick you two up. In the meantime, Kotarou-kun can rest here."
"Yes, thank you very much." Once the two adults exit the room, I move the stool beside the bed closer to Kotarou. His face was bright red, and he shifted in the bed. I adjusted the small wet towel on his forehead. When I was assured that he was sleeping peacefully, I pull my cell-phone out of my blazer and walk out of the building. I flip through my contacts while I step outside. I guess I should call mum and-.
.
.
.
My eyes begin to grow hazy and blurred. Small droplets fall unto my phone and into my palm. Mum's phone number is open on my cell, waiting for me to press 'Call'. "What!? Kotarou's sick?! Your dad and I'll be right there! Hold on Big Sis!" Small hiccups escape from my throat as I use my fingers to wipe away the tears escaping from my eyes. I crouch down and try to calm myself, but to no avail.
I forgot.
No matter when I call them
They'll never come home.
I only have Kotarou, and Kotarou only has me to protect him. Why?
"Hmph. So you finally cried, huh?" I'm startled by the words. I hadn't realized someone had approached me. A warm hand tousles my hair softly. I lift my blurry eyes upwards.
"…Obaa-san." The chairwoman smiles slightly.
"There's no helping it, you're such awkward brats. The only ones among those left behind that weren't crying were you two and me." These words cause me to cry more deeply, and I bury my face into my hands. The hiccups have turned into full-on wailing.
To be honest, I was scared. I pretended I didn't believe it. That some day, they would just come back like always.
"Listen up, those who've left us won't come back. But that doesn't mean we are alone in this world. So don't think you have to stick it out alone." The chair-Obaa-san wrapped me in a hug and patted my back. I no longer have any strength to hold back my sadness. After a bit, I hear someone open a door close by.
"Ahh, good. Kotarou-kun's family! Kotarou-kun woke up and wouldn't stop crying." The nurse held a sobbing Kotarou.
"Cha…Rii-cha…" Kotarou waved his hands towards me. Through my tears, Kotarou was the only one who appeared crystal-clear.
"Dummy…Why didn't you call me earlier? Enduring it so much that you got a fever." Obaa-san lets me go and I rush over to Kotarou. The nurse has almost no time to let him go before I grab him, and I laugh a little before crying once again.
Hey Kotarou, I wonder if you understand that we can't see mum and dad anymore.
If so, then we should have just cried properly. From the start.
Back at Obaa-san's estate, Ryoko and Kotarou were sleeping deeply in one of the guest rooms.
"Hmph." Obaa-san brought the blanket tighter around the two, then walked quietly out of the room. Shortly after, Ryoko open her tear-swollen eyes and listened to the dissipating footsteps of their new family member. Warm…
We aren't really alone, are we Obaa-san?
- "Saikawa! What are these lackluster flowers?! This is the chairman's office! The school's dignity is hurt by these lifeless things!" Saikawa bowed slightly.
"I'm very sorry, those are the flowers Ryoko and Kotarou picked for you so I.. I will dispose of them immediately." Surprised, the chairman swipes the flowers away from Saikawa's grasp.
"SAY THOSE TYPES OF THINGS FROM THE START!"
"Is it okay Chairman?"
"Shut up! I changed my mind! Hurry up and tell me today's schedule!" Although she pretended to not care, Saikawa noticed the slight blush the chairman had on her cheeks.
"Oi! Today I brought my super cool picture book. Wa-wanna read it together?" Kotarou, who was sitting on top of my folded legs, stared at Taka-kun for a bit before nodding. Taka-kun's face lit up, and Kotarou's face, in turn, did as well. I was so surprised, I hugged Taka-kun and Kotarou from joy. This seemed to make everyone smile too.
"..What are you doing?" Kamitani-kun stared at the cluster of kids clinging on various parts of my body. Somehow, story-time had changed into play-time. Nervously, I clutched the storybook tighter.
"R-reading?"
"RANGEERRRRR RED! Kazuma, you too!"
"Ra-ra-ranger R-red."
"Red. Un!"
"I'm Red Idiot!"
"Zzz…."
"Aboo!"
"Hurry up and churn to the pink page!"
This is the Morinomiya Academy DayCare Room. Here, you can have fun and play with the kids. This is where the Babysitting Club is. New Members Welcome!
Ok, that's the end of Chapter 1! I hope that anyone who takes the time to read it enjoys the piece as much as I enjoyed writing it. I am grateful for any helpful criticisms, reviews, raves, or just general comments. Until the next chapter, I hope you have a great rest of your day/night!