Nino 4

"Daddy, they're so fast!"

Nino smiles as she watches Maki press herself against the fence, excitedly watching zebras running around. Maki is wearing a zebra-striped hoodie with a zebra head on top, which Nino bought her a few hours ago.

So adorable.

Nino turns her attention to Bo, who is standing next to her and watching his daughter silently. She feels a sudden urge to touch him. She grasps his hand, and he instinctively intertwines fingers with her. When Nino feels his rough hand shifting across hers, she gets butterflies in her stomach. Memories from the time they had sex float across her mind.

Stop it. Not now. Go away.

Nino looks around to distract herself. This zoo isn't particularly large, but this area between the zebra and rhinoceros pens has well maintained landscaping and is rather charming.

"This place is so 'grammable," Nino says. "Fuu-kun will definitely be jealous of such a cute date."

"I used to go here with my dad a lot when I was a kid," Bo says. "It's a really cheap way to entertain your kids."

"I apologize if this is a painful subject, but is your mom still around?" Nino asks. "I lost my mom a few years ago."

"I don't know," Bo says. "I never knew who she was. My dad raised me as a single father."

"That's so sad," Nino says. "My family was similar. My mom raised us on her own until she died, and it was tough. My stepdad took care of us after she passed."

"It is tough. But my dad's hard work for me inspires me to work even harder for Maki."

"It's so cute how much you care about her. What happened to her mother? If you don't mind me asking."

"Well," Bo says. "I used to run with some unsavory people. I thought she was different. She got sober and wanted me to rescue her. She got back on drugs after Maki was born, I guess because she was depressed. We weren't married or anything, and I told her I would have to take care of Maki myself if she didn't get sober again. She just said 'okay, take her' without a second thought. I haven't spoken to her since then."

Nino can feel tears welling up in her eyes.

"Well you're a really good guy for stepping up when you had to. My dad, my stepdad I mean, isn't what you would call a hands-on father. We only see him once or twice a month. He's always so cold. But I have to give him credit, he stepped up and took care of me and my sisters when Mom died, even though we aren't his biological kids. I do love him and admire him for that, at least. But you, Bo, not only did you step up for Maki when you had to, you're also an amazing father."

Nino feels Bo release her hand and wrap his arm around her shoulders.

"Thank you for sharing that. I can tell it's painful."

"You're the one that's really sharing painful memories," Nino says. "But I'm the one that has to be comforted. I really am a crybaby."

"Everybody processes pain differently," Bo says. "There's nothing wrong with crying."

"You know, you're pretty wise, considering how much of a numbskull you are," Nino says.

"Haha, yeah, I've always been pretty stupid. But I get by. Well anyways, things are fine for me now. Maki seems happy enough. I got away from the bad crowd and I got a job at a swanky club. And I got a cute fake girlfriend."

Nino immediately feels her face heating up.

What the hell? Why am I blushing? He just called me cute. I have had sex with this guy. So why would I be embarrassed? And he's not even the guy I'm in love with. So why am I blushing because he called me cute? Maybe it's because he reminds me of Fuu-kun, with the way he takes care of Maki like Fuu-kun takes care of his sister. That must be the reason.

After the day at the zoo, they return to Bo's house and Nino prepares dinner. While cooking, she explains to Maki the basic parts of a meal, including the importance of rice or bread, vegetables, etc.

While Nino is finishing up the meal, Bo passes behind her on the way to the bathroom. Nino catches him by the sleeve and whispers in his ear. "I'm going to fuck your brains out tonight after Maki goes to bed."

He answers nonchalantly: "Yeah sure, that's fine. But you'd better not stay up too late, because you have school in the morning."

How is he so unfazed? How am I supposed to fluster him? It's almost like he thinks this is all imaginary because we are "fake" dating.

That night, asleep in Bo's bed, Nino dreams about the test of courage during the camping trip, when she was lost in the woods. Except this time, even though she calls for Kintarou to save her, he never comes. Just as she starts to tumble off the cliff, she is snatched up into a princess carry by Bo. As he carries her through the woods, she sees the shadows of monsters around her. The shadows look like horrifying versions of Fuutarou and Yotsuba.

Nino jerks awake, sweating. The bed is empty. She is alone.

Okay, just a dream. Settle down. Bo must have taken Maki to school. That's why he's not here. Wait a second. Why am I crying?