"Ah… them!"
Facing Fujimiya Konomi's smiling face, Sato suddenly felt inexplicably guilty.
"They're just friends, really, just friends!"
He quickly added another sentence.
"Friends, huh…"
Fujimiya Konomi looked at him quietly.
"Yeah, just friends."
"Hmph!"
Fujimiya Konomi let out a soft snort, turned her head away, and said nothing more.
Sato broke out in a cold sweat. Could it be that Konomi was jealous?
"By the way, Sato, are you heading home first?"
Miyauchi Kazuho, who was in the driver's seat, suddenly asked.
"Yeah, I'll head home first. My mom has already prepared lunch. I'll come find you all in the afternoon."
"Alright!"
…
Afternoon.
Sato took Kanna out.
"Remember to bring Kanna-chan back early tonight. I'll make a big meal."
"Got it."
Sato held Kanna's soft, chubby hand and looked at her excited expression for the afternoon's activities, smiling.
"Looks like my mom really likes you, Kanna."
Kanna, who had been looking forward to playing with Miyauchi Renge, raised her head at his words.
"Does Oba-san like me?"
"Yeah!"
Sato nodded. "After all, Kanna-chan is so cute."
"Then does Sato like me?"
"Me? Of course I like Kanna-chan too."
"Then does Ren-chan like me?"
"Ren-chan definitely likes you too. After all, you called her 'Onee-chan.' She's been dreaming of having a little sister."
"A little sister? That's amazing!"
Kanna cupped her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with delight.
…
The distant green mountains stretched endlessly like a coiled dragon. Dense forests spoke of life's beauty, and mirror-like rice paddies lay embedded in the earth, reflecting the clear sky and drifting white clouds.
Weeds grew thick along the narrow paths between fields, and the clear spring water flowing down from the mountains tinkled as it ran.
The mountain breeze brushed gently, quiet and serene.
Everywhere carried the tranquility and harmony of the countryside.
Before they even reached the Miyauchi house, Sato and Kanna saw Miyauchi Renge wandering outside, looking into the distance.
"Sato-niichan, Kanna-chan!"
When Miyauchi Renge spotted them, she waved excitedly and ran toward them.
"Huff… huff…"
By the time she reached them, she was already out of breath.
Sato smiled as he watched Miyauchi Renge bend over, hands on her knees, catching her breath.
It seemed Ren-chan was truly happy about Kanna's arrival.
Not surprising. After all, this was Kanna's first companion of the same age.
Thinking about it, Kanna and Miyauchi Renge actually had very similar environments growing up.
Kanna was a young dragon without companions of the same age. The only one close to her seemed to be Tohru, who was older than her.
And Miyauchi Renge was the same. She was the youngest child around here, with only older brothers and sisters nearby, and no peers her age.
Perhaps it was this shared trait that allowed the two quiet little girls to grow close so quickly in such a short time.
"Kanna-chan, we decided to go play by the stream this afternoon."
"The stream?"
Sato looked up at the sun. As the afternoon went on, the sunlight grew more intense, so the riverside did seem like a good place to go.
Asahigaoka was deep in the mountains, with a stream that flowed abundantly all year round. The current wasn't strong, but the water was clear, and there were small fish and shrimp in it.
…
After everyone gathered, they headed to the stream.
Beneath an old stone bridge, jagged rocks were scattered, and clear water flowed between them.
"Alright! Today I'm definitely going to catch the most crabs. Sis, let's have a competition!"
"Huh? That sounds exhausting. No thanks!"
Koshigaya Komari crouched by the stream, playing with the water, and looked at Koshigaya Natsumi with disdain.
After being rejected, Koshigaya Natsumi didn't get discouraged. She immediately turned to Miyauchi Renge and grinned.
"Then Ren-chan, how about we compete together?"
Miyauchi Renge hesitated for a moment, then looked at Kanna.
"Then I'll team up with Kanna-chan!"
"Two people, huh… fine! Today I'll defeat you!"
Koshigaya Natsumi pointed confidently at the two children who were almost half her age.
"Picking on two little kids, don't you feel ashamed, Natsumi?"
Koshigaya Komari couldn't help but comment.
"No, no, no!"
Koshigaya Natsumi wagged her finger and said seriously to her sister, "Don't underestimate the power of children. Back when Hikage-nee and I were young, we were experts at catching crabs!"
"Hmm, that's right!"
Miyauchi Hikage stepped forward proudly, staring at Kanna and Miyauchi Renge.
"Back then, we were known as the nemesis of crabs. Even though we haven't done it in years and are a bit rusty, we're still strong!"
"Ren-chan! Will you accept the challenge from me and Natsumi?"
"Oh!!?"
Miyauchi Renge let out a long surprised sound, then turned to Kanna.
"Kanna-chan, what do you think?"
Kanna naturally had no objections. She looked at the two older girls and said confidently, "No problem!"
"Oh ho! Quite the spirit!"
"Kanna-chan, don't cry when you lose later!"
"Hehehe!"
The two of them crossed their arms and let out strange, villain-like laughter as they looked at the two quiet little girls.
"Se… senpai, this looks fun! Why don't we join too!"
Ichijou Hotaru, who had come along in the afternoon, looked excitedly at Koshigaya Komari.
"Huh? Competing with elementary schoolers?"
Koshigaya Komari stood up and scratched her head as she looked at the two quiet little girls.
"Wouldn't that be a bit unfair?"
"Senpai, I'm also an elementary schooler…"
"Ah… haha? That's true! Then alright, I'll join with Hotaru!"
"Huh? Sis, didn't you just say you weren't joining?"
"What's it to you?"
Koshigaya Komari rolled her eyes at Koshigaya Natsumi.
Ichijou Hotaru then turned to Sato, who was tidying things, and asked, "Sato-senpai and Konomi-senpai, will you join too?"
Sato waved his hand. "I'll pass. Let Konomi join you all."
Fujimiya Konomi stood up with a smile. "Then I'll be the referee!"