So sorry for the long wait! Have to cut this short (sorry). Anyways, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight Vanguard.

Kai Baby-sits

Chapter 5: Warming up

Kai sat on the wooden chair, swift fingers moving the wooden utensil back and forth. The white paper was soon covered completely.

Done, Kai thought as he placed his finished homework in his school bag. Kai relaxed and sipped his coffee gracefully.

A small pounding noise growing louder and louder pulled him away from his relaxation.

"Ne. Ne, ne, Toshi-ni!" Mana skidded to a stop in front of him.

"What is it?" Kai asked, eyeing the overexcited girl. She seemed to be getting better these past few days.

Mana first looked at the table, checking if the brunet had finished her homework. She grinned happily. "You're done with your homework?"

Kai nodded slowly, not sure where this was going. "Yes?"

"So, can you turn on my TV?" Mana moved from one foot to another impatiently.

Kai blinked. "Uh, sure."

Mana led him to her room. The brunet took the remote and turned it on. Flipping to the kid's channel, Kai saw Mana sit on her bed, holding a stuffed teddy bear.

"I can't watch unless someone older than me is there!" Mana grinned, making Kai sit next to her.

"Yeah, but..."

"Shh! It's starting!" Mana shushed him with a wave of her hand and plopped on her stomach. She continued to watch happily, not noticing a single minute flying by.

Kai sighed, adjusting to a more comfortable position. This could take awhile.

...

One hour... Two hours... Three hours...

It's a marathon, Kai thought, his eyes twitching. It figures. He hardly knew anything about colorful ponies and crazy magic. The thing that annoyed him was the disgrace of a baby dragon that was in the show. Kai lost interest after he managed to get away from the bigger dragon's cave with the help of an owl. Needless to say, this was quite the show.

"It's over already?" Mana whined.

"Already?" Kai muttered to himself. He was almost about ready to take a nap. But he was reminded of an errand he had to run.

Can't leave her behind, Kai knew.

"Alright." Kai turned off the TV and stretched his stiff body. "Let's go. We need to buy a few things."

"Toys?" Mana asked hopefully.

"Ingredients," Kai responded flatly, much to her disappointment. He sweat dropped at her expression. "Hey, this is for your next cake you know?"

"Oh!" Mana exclaimed, her expression changing completely. "Then, let's go!"

Now she agrees, Kai thought with a slight chuckle. He led her outside, down the stairs. They put on their shoes and left the house.

"Pllleeeeeeeaaaaassseee? I haven't sneezed all day!"

Kai sighed. Mana did not seem to take no for an answer.

"I don't think you should be eating ice cream so soon."

"But, that's my favorite ice cream shop!" Mana insisted, tugging on Kai's arm. She looked at him with big puppy eyes. "Please?"

Kai slapped a hand over his face. This girl was impossible! Why did he even bother?

"Fine, fine," Kai exhaled, giving in.

"Yes!" Mana shouted triumphantly. "Let's go!"

She pulled Kai into the ice cream shop. Kai paid for the ice cream and sat outside the shop.

Kai placed his hand under his chin, staring off into space. This place...

"...It brings back memories."

Mana stopped licking her ice cream. "What?"

Kai blinked. He had not meant to say that. But this place really did bring back memories. Kai grimaced. Memories of his parents. It was strange. He had been remembering them a lot lately. Ever since he started watching over Mana.

Kai sighed. He thought he had long got ridden of those moments. He stood up, wanting to leave.

"Toshi-nii?" Mana looked at him curiously. He's acting funny again.

"You can eat on the way."

"Huh? W-wait up!" Mana jumped off her seat and caught up with the brunet. She noticed he was avoiding eye contact.

They started to cross the road. Mana tried to get a good look at Kai's face. She was surprised when it seemed glum. Hesitantly, she took hold of his hand.

Kai was pulled away from his past when a small hand wrapped around his own. He looked down to see Mana offering him a smile.

"Cheer up." Mana then walked ahead, pulling Kai along with her.

Kai was taken back by her seriousness. He let a small smile grace his face. He thought it was his imagination, but she seems to read him pretty well. Much like another blonde he knew.

"You're pretty smart for a kid," Kai murmured quietly.

Mana just stared ahead with a smile. After moment, she blinked in realization. Her face twisted into a frown.

"I'm not a kid!"

"Sure."

"I'm serious!"

"...Uh-huh."

Kai sat on the carpeted floor. After a final attempt to focus on his homework, he laid down his pencil and sighed. Kai ran a hand through his hair. He could not concentrate.

"Toshi-nii?"

Kai turned to see Mana awake, crawling off the bed. She rubbed her sleepy eyes with a yawn. He must have woke her up. Kai looked at the clock. It was late.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Kai apologized with a shadow of a smile.

"Mm," Mana hummed quietly. Her eyes traveled over his untouched homework. "You're usually done with it.

"Guess so," was all Kai said.

Mana surprised Kai by hugging him. His eyes widened as she wrapped her arms around her neck and laid her sleepy head on his. Neither moved in that position.

"...You're a good big brother," Mana murmured with her eyes closed, a small smile on her content face.

Kai just listened to those words, too shocked to think of anything to say. Slowly, he smiled affectionately. She really had grown on him. He slowly returned the warm embrace.

Mana smiled happily at this. The two stayed like this for some time.

"Ready for bed?"

Mana nodded tiredly. Kai picked her up and gently placed her on the bed. He joined her on the other side. Kai pulled the blanket over them. With one final smile, Mana fell asleep.

Kai smiled. These days had been something. He had grown so close to someone he hardly knew. Kai frowned, a thought suddenly crossing his mind.

What would happen when Miwa would come back?

Sorry got to go!

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