Shirosaki Haruka: "Well then, Ryo-kun and Hayasaka-san should stay at my place tonight. Hana-chan seems to like you very much."
Uchiha Ryo had no reason to refuse, so he happily agreed.
Elementary school sports festivals usually end very early. Shirosaki Hana and the others changed their clothes and came to the school gate.
Hana: "Ryo-oniichan, I want.... the cake you made!"
Uchiha Ryo bent down. "How about fruit pie for dessert tonight? Oniichan will make you pie."
Hana's eyes sparkled. "I have apples at home. Let's have apple pie!"
Himesaka Noa: "Does Hana have apple pie at home! That's so nice, Noa wants some too."
Hoshino Hinata: "Then let's all stay at Hana's house tonight!"
Shirosaki Haruka smiled at the two children. "Since Noa and Hinata both want to come, then stay at my place tonight."
Himesaka Emily was a little worried. "Will it be too much trouble? Mrs. Shirosaki has to work, and now that you finally have a break, you have to take care of these children."
Shirosaki Haruka turned to look at Shirosaki Hana, who was clinging to Uchiha Ryo. "It's fine. Besides, Ryo-kun and Hayasaka-san will help me watch them."
Gotou Futari: "I want to go too! I want to go too!"
Gotou Michiyo rubbed little Futari's head. "Futari, don't be willful. You'll cause trouble for your older sisters."
Gotou Futari pouted. "What... then let Sis come with me!"
Gotou Hitori: "???"
Shirosaki Haruka walked over and looked at Gotou Michiyo. "Mrs. Gotou, it's fine. Let the children come to my place today. I believe with three high school students watching them, there won't be any problems."
Three high school students watching four children... Gotou Michiyo felt it was more like two high school students watching five....
Bocchi-chan had never stayed anywhere other than relatives' houses since she was a child. Going out to stay this time might also be a form of training.
Gotou Naoki: "That's right. Hitori has an open-air performance tomorrow anyway. So you go stay at Hana's house with your classmates for a day."
Bocchi-chan looked at everyone in horror. "How... how can this be...."
Shirosaki Haruka looked at Hoshino Miyako in the corner.
"Then, Miss Miyako....."
Hoshino Miyako shook her head frantically. "Ah, I... I suddenly remembered I have a school assignment I haven't finished. I have to go back and work on it."
There's still this trick!
Bocchi-chan suddenly plucked up the courage.
"Um, I also remember I haven't finished my homework, and I have to practice guitar every day. It would be very noisy at your house."
Uchiha Ryo: "I'm in the same class as you, so I can help you with your studies. Although your guitar skills are good, being at the bottom of the class isn't good."
Gotou Michiyo's eyes lit up, then she patted Uchiha Ryo on the shoulder.
"I'll leave Hitori to you!"
Uchiha Ryo: "Please rest assured, Auntie Gotou!"
Gotou Hitori had a bad feeling. Uchiha Ryo wasn't going to teach her how to study, was he? He wasn't going to force her to read books! No, I don't want that! Having to study after practicing guitar so hard every day. That would be hell....
....
"I'm home!" x4
Although no one was home, children still liked to shout as soon as they entered the door.
Hana, Noa, Hinata, and Futari quickly took off their shoes and ran into the living room. Uchiha Ryo led Hayasaka Ai and Gotou Hitori, following unhurriedly behind.
Shirosaki Haruka: "Ryo-kun, you and the two young ladies go accompany Hana-chan and the others. I'll handle dinner."
"It's fine, Auntie Shirosaki. If Hana-chan wants to eat my cooking, let me do it."
Shirosaki Haruka: "But Ryo-kun is a guest...."
At this time, Shirosaki Hana ran out of the room. "Ryo-oniichan's cooking is delicious! Of course, Mom's is good too."
Uchiha Ryo smiled. "Then leave dinner to me. What does everyone want to eat?"
Shirosaki Hana: "Instead of dinner, I want apple pie! The snacks Ryo-oniichan made were so delicious. Ever since I ate them last time, I've wanted to eat them again... really badly!"
Hayasaka Ai looked at Uchiha Ryo suspiciously. Is Ryo-kun's cooking really that good? To make someone miss it so much... He didn't put anything bad in it, did he!
Uchiha Ryo glanced at Hayasaka Ai. "What's with that look? Don't underestimate me."
"And Hana-chan, apple pie is dessert. Let's discuss dinner first, okay? We can talk about dessert after dinner."
Uchiha Ryo: "Mmm... how about this. Curry omurice tonight. Auntie Shirosaki, go back to your room and rest. You're tired from work. Leave the task of looking after the children to Bocchi-chan."
Bocchi-chan: "Huh?!!"
Shirosaki Haruka looked at Gotou Hitori, who was pointing at herself in surprise, and then at Hoshino Hinata and Gotou Futari running all over the room.
"Is it okay?"
Uchiha Ryo nodded. "Don't worry. After all, Bocchi-chan has taken care of her little sister before. Now she's just playing with kids, no need to worry at all. Alright! I'm going to the kitchen."
Hayasaka Ai: "I'll go help you."
Hey, hey, don't be so distrustful. But having Hayasaka Ai come help was fine too. After all, his cooking skills were honestly just copied. Having someone who really knew how to cook nearby could prevent accidents.
And so, Shirosaki Haruka went back to her room to rest, while Uchiha Ryo and Hayasaka Ai were in the kitchen figuring out if they should make dinner a bit richer.
In the living room, the four children had surrounded Bocchi-chan at some point.
Himesaka Noa: "Hitori, Hitori... Loner (Bocchi). So Ryo-oniichan calls you Bocchi-chan? Then we'll call you Bocchi-oneechan too."
Shirosaki Hana: "Bocchi-oneechan... why does that name feel a little sad?"
Hoshino Hinata: "Just like my sister. This is when we need to help! Let's play together, Bocchi-oneechan!"
Gotou Futari: "Let's play together, sis!"
Helpless, Gotou Hitori could only take out her guitar as a shield.
"Um, you guys play over there. I'll just practice guitar by myself."
Himesaka Noa: "It's fine. Why don't you play here, Bocchi-oneechan? We want to hear a guitar performance too!"
Hear a performance?! What should I play.... Gotou Hitori looked at the guitar in her hand, lost in thought. Should I play heavy rock? Elementary school students will probably just find it noisy.
At a time like this, I should choose light and cheerful music! But Bocchi-chan is best at those lonely and gloomy songs. What should I do?
Forget it, I'll just play the band's song.... Just treat it as practice.
In the kitchen, Hayasaka Ai suddenly heard the sound of a guitar coming from the living room, chuckled, and nodded. "Bocchi-chan has grown. I'm very gratified."
Uchiha Ryo: "What's with that old mother look?"
Hayasaka Ai: "Well... how should I put it? Seeing Bocchi-chan like this, I always feel a sense of pity, or rather... maternal love.