While I was waiting at the convenience store where we were supposed to meet, I heard a lively girl’s voice.

“Ah~~! It’s Onii-chan!”

It was Mio-chan who I hadn’t seen in a long time.

I caught Mio-chan who ran towards me.

“Do~h!”

“Whoa! It’s been a while, Mio-chan.”

“Boo~ Onii-chan don’t even show up anymore.”

That’s because ever since I began meeting up with the senpais, my schedule has moved up earlier…

Mio-chan looks up at me and extends her hands towards me, so I carry her in my arms.

“Good morning, Takanashi-san. Has your schedule changed recently?”

It’s Mio-chan’s mother.

“Good morning. Yes, the time was adjusted to be a little earlier. I come around this time now.”

“Is that so? Oh, excuse me, we’re going to the convenience store to do some shopping… Mio, come here.”

“No! I’m staying here with Onii-chan.”

“Um, there’s still some time left to spare, so I’ll keep an eye on her, so you can go at ease.”

Mio rubs her cheek, and I rub mine as well in return.

“Kyahaha!”

Mio happily smiled.

“Mou…  Sorry to trouble you, Takanashi-san. I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Have a safe trip~~”

Mio-chan seems to be in a good mood today…

“Good morning, Takanashi-san.”

“Good morning, Takanashi-kun.”

I turned around when I heard voices from behind me.

They looked a little surprised, but Sara-senpai immediately smiled and turned towards Mio-chan.

Come to think of it, she had seen me and Mio-chan together before.

“Good morning, to the both of you.”

Mio-chan nodded her head at the sight of the two senpais.

This is the first time Mio-chan has seen Sara-senpai.

“Fufu… My name is Sara Satsukawa. Can you tell me your name?”

Senpai smiled and spoke gently to Mio-chan.

Mio-chan nodded, looked at her, and cheerfully returned the greeting.

“I’m Sakashita Mio-desu! I’m four years old-desu!”

“So it’s Mio-chan. What a very lovely name. Please call me Sara.”

“Sara-oneechan!”

“Yes! Let’s get along well.”

I never knew Sara-senpai would become so sweet in front of a child.

“Sara-oneechan, carry~ carry me!”

“Sure, it’s fine. Takanashi-san, may I?”

“Of course, please do.”

I carefully handed Mio-chan over to Sara-senpai, and she just took her in her arms and hugged her.

As I caressed Mio-chan’s head, her eyes narrowed with a pleasant expression on her face.

Senpai also patted Mio-chan on the back rhythmically.

——————————————

“……”

What am I looking at…

Sara is holding her with a very gentle smile and patting her on the back.

Takanashi-kun is also smiling as he pats the child’s head in Sara’s arms.

………

In any case, this is a school route where students going to school are also present… I hope there won’t be any dangerous rumors that might circulate…

Ah, what kind of interesting reaction will Tachibana-kun have if I send him a video of this out of the blue?

I’ll record a little bit of it. (Haha)

——————————————

“Ara ara, excuse me, um…”

“Ah, Sara-senpai, this is Mio-chan’s mother.”

“I’m sorry for the trouble, my name is Sara Satsukawa. Me and Takanashi-san are very close friends.”

Hmm? It’s not wrong, but what is with the subtle nuance…

Mio-chan, who got off from Sara-senpai, joined hands with her mother.

“Well~, well~! Takanashi-san and… was that the case… Ah, sorry for suddenly making you hold Mio even though you’ve never met her before.”

“No, it’s not a bother at all.”

“No, no, thank you for taking care of Mio. But still, Takanashi-san and with such a beautiful young lady…”

Oh, I feel like I’m being misunderstood here.

“Takanashi-san is a wonderful man, so you’d better make sure you catch him.”

“Eh? Yes, I will continue to get along well with Takanashi-san…”

“Senpai, we’re almost out of time! Let’s hurry.”

For the time being, we should hurry up and leave this place. The misunderstanding can be solved next time.

It seems like Natsumi was recording something on her phone, so I’ll ask her about that later.

“Ah, yes, you’re right. Then please excuse us.”

“We’re heading to the kindergarten too, so if you’ll excuse us.”

“Onii-chan, Sara-oneechan, bye-bye.”

Mio-chan waved her hand cutely.

“Yes, goodbye.”

“Mio-chan, bye-bye.”

Sara-senpai and I also waved back.

The next time I see her, I’ll have to clear up the misunderstanding or else she might say something ridiculous…

“Then let’s head to school, shall we?”

“Sure.”

“By the way, Natsumi? Why did you stay away? Why didn’t you say hello to Mio?”

“No no no, I’m fine. I shouldn’t get between you guys.

What are you saying, getting in the way, it’s just a normal greeting you know?

——————————————

When I entered the classroom, I was suddenly confronted by several people.

“Takanashi! You, is it true that you and Satsukawa-san were taking care of a child?”

“Haa? Tell me that’s a lie!”

“Ehhhh, that’s a big problem!”

“A child? Did you say ‘child’?”

Ah… so troublesome…

I see. Maybe Natsumi-senpai was looking at it that way too…