Episode 47: Mio-chan and the Goddess

Morning.

While I was waiting at our usual convenience store, I heard the energetic voice of a little girl.

「Ahhh! It’s Onii-chan!」

It was Mio-chan. It had been a while.

I caught her as she charged at me.

「Wham!」

「Whoa! Long time no see, Mio-chan.」

「Hmph! It’s because you haven’t come to see me, Onii-chan.」

My schedule had gotten a bit earlier since I started meeting up with the seniors.

Mio-chan looked up at me and held out both her arms, so I picked her up.

「Good morning, Takanashi-san. Did your schedule change recently?」

It was Mio-chan’s mom.

「Good morning. Yeah, it’s gotten a little earlier. This is usually the time now.」

「I see. Sorry, I need to pick up a few things at the convenience store… Mio, come over here.」

「No! I’m staying with Onii-chan!」

「Actually, I still have some time to spare, so I can watch her. Go ahead.」

Mio-chan rubbed her cheek against mine, so I did the same back to her.

「Kyahahaha!」

Mio-chan was laughing happily.

「Honestly… sorry, Takanashi-san. Thanks for looking after her.」

「See ya!」

Mio-chan sure is in a good mood.

「Good morning, Takanashi-san.」

「Morning, Takanashi-kun.」

I heard voices from behind and turned around.

The two of them looked a bit surprised, but Sara-senpai immediately smiled at Mio-chan.

Come to think of it, had they seen me with Mio-chan before?

「Good morning, both of you.」

Mio-chan tilted her head while looking at the two of them.

Seeing Mio-chan like that, Senpai said,

「Fufu… Good morning. My name is Satsukawa Sara. Can you tell me your name?」

Senpai spoke gently to Mio-chan with a smile.

Mio-chan looked at me, and when I nodded, she gave a lively greeting.

「I’m Sakashita Mio! I’m four!」

「Mio-chan, huh. That’s a cute name. You can call me Sara-onee-chan.」

「Sara-onee-chan!」

「Yes! Let’s be friends, okay?」

As I thought, Sara-senpai has a soft spot for kids too.

「Sara-onee-chan, hold me!」

「Yes, of course. Takanashi-san, is that okay?」

「Sure, I’ll leave her to you.」

I carefully handed Mio-chan over, and Sara-senpai took her into her arms.

When I stroked Mio-chan’s head, she squinted as if it felt good.

Senpai also started patting Mio-chan’s back in a rhythmic beat.

「……………」

What exactly am I watching right now?

Sara is holding that child with an incredibly gentle smile, patting her back.

Takanashi-kun is also smiling while stroking the child’s head in Sara’s arms.

……………

Wait, we’re still on the school route and there are other students around. I won’t be responsible if some dangerous rumors start.

Oh, it might be funny to see Tachibana-kun’s reaction if I suddenly sent him a video of this.

Let’s record a bit (lol).

「Oh dear, sorry, um…」

「Ah, Sara-senpai, this is Mio-chan’s mom.」

「Pardon the sudden intrusion, I am Satsukawa Sara. I am close with Takanashi-san.」

Hm? She wasn’t wrong, but the phrasing had a subtle nuance…

Mio-chan got down from Sara-senpai and held hands with her mom.

「My goodness! Takanashi-san’s… I see, so that’s how it is. Oh, sorry for letting you hold Mio right after meeting.」

「No, I should be the one apologizing for intruding so suddenly.」

「Not at all! Thank you for playing with Mio. Still, Takanashi-san and such a beautiful young lady…」

Ah, I feel like she’s misunderstanding.

「Takanashi-san is a wonderful man, so you’d better keep a tight grip on him.」

「? Yes, Takanashi-san and I will continue to be close…」

「Senpai, we’re almost out of time! Let’s hurry!」

I’ll clear up the misunderstanding later, but for now, let’s just get out of here.

Natsumi-senpai seemed to be recording something on her phone, so I’ll have to grill her about that later too.

「Ah, yes, you’re right. Well, please excuse us.」

「We’re heading to the kindergarten too, so excuse us.」

「Onii-chan, Sara-onee-chan, bye-bye」

Mio-chan waved cutely.

「Yes, goodbye.」

「Mio-chan, bye-bye.」

Sara-senpai and I waved back.

Phew, if I don’t clear things up next time we meet, she’s going to say some outrageous things…

「Shall we head to school then?」

「Yes, let’s.」

「By the way, Natsumi? Why were you keeping your distance? You should have greeted Mio-chan too.」

「No, no, I’m good. I wouldn’t do something as tactless as getting in your way.」

Getting in the way? We were just acting normally though?

When I entered the classroom, several people cornered me.

「Takanashi!! Is it true you were taking care of a kid with Satsukawa-san!?」

「What!? No way!!」

「Ehhh, that’s a huge problem, isn’t it?」

「A kid!? Did you say a kid!?」

Siiiigh… How annoying.

I see, so that’s how Natsumi-senpai saw it too…