Today in this one summer day the Sakato family is visiting my home.

No, wait. Sakato family… how'd that happen? I'm a Sakato myself. Wait, am I also a Sakato? No, I'm human, right? Hey, I'm not human in a sense.

WAIT.

Yeah, sometimes we get that mild existential dilemma, and I just made myself look more stupid than how I am.

So the Sakato family- oh, good grief I thought we're done with this.

(       ° – °)

I would guess that the majority have read the contents of NoFutsuu's chapter 15 after that embarrassing moment before confessing to Rin. I pretty much took care of a two year-old for the whole day in an exchange for burgers in my late night dinner.

Well, what do you know, the same kid will be visiting my abode and I am looking forward to it. That does not mean that I will be on babysitting duties again today. Mochi, or Mochizuki Sakato, my cousin, has become a parent four or so years ago with Mitsuka, her wife. At some point in September in 2017, they left me with their kid to take care almost unwillingly as they were going to a work trip of some sort.

Just so you know, I think the only child that I had tolerated back in my empty days is probably Anna only, and so, I and even her didn't like being around with kids, especially those whose blood sugar doesn't even rise up.

Their son, Ichi, is however very different from the hyper brats. He was two at that time, but I actually want to see if he is still the same chill kiddo when he was roaming around in my house. He is surprisingly behaved that he just followed me around without saying much or getting in my way. Heck, one time I saw him sitting on the floor playing stare with Haku and I still wonder to this day who actually won!

On the more serious side of things however, I suggested Mochi to let him grow up normally alongside his well-behaved demeanor. I can see him growing up being restricted with his behavior and even I really don't want to see that. There are too many pessimistic implications running around my mind so I really wanted him to grow normally like…

…When I was still a child that can smile.

I guess one's life will be a very significant lesson once a man becomes a father. In a way, that may just be a man's opportunity to see what he had failed to do in his growth.

And yes, I am saying this to serve as a lesson to myself—not to do the same things once I am on that stage.

Hopefully.

Sorry, I was being brazen on that one. I hope Rin didn't hear that.

"Potato~~"

"…!

Parmigiano-Reggiano, that scared the life out of me…!"

I turned towards my window and saw Rin leaning on her sill.

"W-W-What is it…?"

"Why do you look so nervous…

Anyway, are you busy today? I forgot that I had stuff lying around in your fridge that I'd want to make today."

"Ahhh. You did some pickling a few days ago I remember."

"Is your house free today?"

"I have family visiting today."

"Wow, never thought I've heard that very sentence from you."

I get you, Rin… I'm not really family-oriented with those I don't see everyday… I'm guilty.

"I guess I'll do them next time."

"Nah, nah, nah, nah. You can just barge in like always. Besides, I want to introduce you them since I promised."

"Ehhhh…? How come I have not heard any of that?"

"My cousin threw a curveball at me in his wedding awhile back, so I had no choice."

"I seriously don't know what's happening.

Well, I'll be back once I come back from the salon. I'll be with Sis."

"Wait, you're getting your hair cut again?"

"Not really. Just an almost unnoticeable trim and then I'll have my front side fringes to shoulder length."

I'm sorry. Neither the author nor I can really describe it without drawing the image in our head.

~ ~ ~

Amidst that I am now looking forward more to seeing Rin on a new look than seeing Ichi again. The family that I was expecting today knocked on my door, which I then opened for them.

"Been a while, Mochi."

"Hey there. Did you get taller, Gin?"

"Oh, did I? I haven't really measured in a while. Come in, anyway.

Hello there, Ichi. Do you still remember this mug?"

Would you look at that, I actually managed to arch an honest smile for once in front Ichi while I repeatedly poke my own cheek as a gesture.

In exchange to that, he nodded on me as if he really knows what "mug" means.

But I have to say, he grew up fast and his face does not look infant-like anymore. Considering his age, he now looks more…

…

I really have stop on my tracks otherwise I will just hurt myself again.

Anyway, Mochi put down Ichi from his arms and let him walk around since he pretty much trust his own kid that he won't do anything. But it seems that Haku still remembers him seeing how he run and followed the child.

"Meow. (Aruji, Aruji. Is he the child from awhile back?)"

"Yup, yup."

"Who are you talking to?" asked Mitsuka.

"Ahh… Hahahaha."

In the end, I wasn't able to respond and just sheepishly scratched my cheek.

"Meow. (What's his name again?)"

"It's-"

"Ichi. What is yours?"

Ummmmm…

Uuuuuuhhhhhh…

Mnggghhhh…

what just happened

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I swear my ears weren't playing with me, but it seems that Ichi's parents didn't hear him with how he spoke in almost a whisper. But with a surprising turn of events, Haku and I made the same expression of our jaw hanging down.

"H-Haku-san… T-This makes him the fourth person…"

"M-Meow… (Yes…)

Meow. (Anyway, my name is Haku… Wanna play stare later?)"

"Yeah."

We just confirmed the fourth person who is able to understand a cat…

I then crouched and lowered my voice so as to talk with this chap in private.

"Hey, Ichi. Since when did you realize that you can talk with cats? No, can you understand other animals?"

"No. Just cats. Cats on the streets always talk about warm stuff and fish."

Great job, kid. I wasn't this articulate when I was your age.

"Do your mom and dad know?"

"Nhn. They won't believe me."

"I wasn't this perceptive when I was a kid, was I?"

"But if I told you that I can make them believe you, are you going to tell them?"

Instead of a verbal response, he went and initiated a paw and fist bump on us.

"…"

"… (*quiet cat noises*)"

Seriously, this kid is beyond my scope!

…

Without wasting any time, we went and faced to his parents.

"Ehem. Uhh, you see, Mochi and Sis (not Yuna), it seems Ichi has something to say."

"Hmm? What is it, son?"

"…"

"Well, tell me something that he still doesn't know and he'll try to answer it."

"…Uhhhh… Let's see…

What is the reason why we have light in the house?"

"Meow. (Electricity. Can you say it, Ichi?)"

"Electricity."

Needless to say, his loving parents were surprised.

"Alright. What are the five components of a PC for it to work?" and it seems like his usually calm mother is excited.

"Sis?!"

"Meow. (First is power supply.)"

"Wait, I'm surprised too. How did you know that, Haku?"

"Power supply."

"Meow. (Motherboard.)"

"Motherboard."

"Meow. (Processor.)"

"Processor."

"Meow. (Meow-mory- I mean, memory.)"

"Memory."

"Meow. (Storage.)"

"Storage."

…

"Are you sure you didn't teach him that, Gin?!"

"Of course not. Blame the cat."

"Huh?"

"Meow. (Tell them, 'I was asleep but Dad gave a burger when he picked me up here.')"

"I was asleep but Dad gave a burger when…

What is next?" he looked unwittingly on the cat.

"…

Meow. (…he picked me up here.)"

"Uhh… when he picked me up here."

Dot

Dot

Dot

"So what Ichi wants to say is that he can understand cats, and it just so happened that Haku knows a lot of stuff. He said that you won't believe him, so I helped him!

By the way, I can also understand what Haku says. Come on, mate. Slap your tail on Mochi's face."

And the mischievous feline did, strongly at that.

"I have to be blunt, Mochi, this is how I am now at this point—we rarely see each other for the past few years and I'm not that kind of guy who cracks up a joke to someone I don't talk much of fun stuff with. So I can say on my word that we are telling the truth.

And besides, I wouldn't be surprised if you feel refreshed seeing me like this since I was basically a brat that you can't really talk to back then."

"Y-Yeah… You were kinda like that, really…"

"Well, what I can say is that changes vary from person to person. It just happened that mine was too drastic.

Anyway, I'll have to prepare something good for lunch since I now cook, so see me in the kitchen if you need something."

"I'll help, Gin," Ane Mitsuka prompted to stand.

"No need, Sis. I want to show off as a sous chef sometimes. This won't take long as a host's duty is to entertain her visitors."

"A sous chef…?"

"Try to visit Giotto's sometimes.

"We got it…

By the way, Gin. You got yourself a girlfriend, right. Are you still together?"

"She's out right now but I told her to stop by. Of course I didn't forget about that. Maybe I'll tell the same thing to your son at my wedding?"

"Please don't…"

~ ~ ~

To my surprise while we are all in the living room, Rin of all places came from my stairs.

"Hey… are you even trying to be discreet?"

"Ehehehe…"

And of course, my visitors had an "uhhh, what" written on their faces. It just felt like I was lying when I said Rin's out but then she suddenly appeared coming down on my stairs.

"Hahh… I'm not going to explain myself, Rin."

"Sorry about that… I just passed through his room since I was next door. Please don't misunderstand.

Anyway, I'm Ringo Akanami. I'm pleased to meet you. I-I'm Gin's girlfriend."

And that's the queue for me to collapse.

"G-Gin?!"

"I… I realized too late…"

I am so descriptively limited right now and it didn't help cure my stupidity at all, but one look at Rin and I took a head shot of that beauty.

Yeah, I fell head over heels on this girl, so enough of that overact.

"Ah, actually, I have seen Ichi once when he was here first. Do you think he still remembers me…?"

"Probably. By the way, he can understand cats too."

"Ehhhh…? Then don't mind if I do!

Ichi, do you know what Haku says?"

It seems that Ichi remembered her for the most part seeing that she wasn't even awkward a wee bit with her. On that note, Haku tapped his paw on Ichi's back, which didn't even bother him at all.

Wait, can cats actually whisper?

"O-Oi, you sneaky cat-"

"Haku said… even though he's a cat, he can compliment a girl. Uhh… he said that you look good… Ojou."

I almost heard a kyun from her.

"Awwww… c'mere and I'll rub your tummy!"

"Meow~~"

"Alright, give us your pickles, Rin."

"Okay!"

~ ~ ~

Okay Gin, don't use at least one adjective to describe your lunch. That's just beating around the bush.

There's one thing Rin and I really got shocked in our lunch, though. We found out that Mochi's sister is actually married to the Stylo Studios' chief, Sans Corik. I guess if I just told my surname back in the camp I would have found out, then.

But after that, Ane Mitsuka insisted so I let her help on washing the dishes at least. A conversation arose between us while Rin, who is naturally good with children, is playing with Ichi and his father.

"Say, Gin. I want to hear your opinion about the way we are raising Ichi."

I stalled after hearing that and asked myself why is she asking a man who is still living independently without a wife and a child. But nonetheless, I just considered the first part of her statement, which is hearing my opinion, and let out a chuckle.

Also, ever since that night when I drank in chapter 80, I realized that I have a habit of not being able to shut up about what we and Uncle talked about.

"Sis… I know to myself that I have already proposed to that girl indirectly, but I am still not on that time, you know," I joking said.

"Are you really that quiet Gin from back then…?"

"Hahahahaha. I'm not as quiet anymore.

So, what is it that you want to hear from me?"

"You see… I think that my husband and I found that our son is… intellectually gifted, I guess?"

"…"

If I am a normal person, I would've said, "Isn't that a great thing for him?" but I learned from that kouhai in BM, so no.

"We plan on putting him on a school once he turn five, but we're a little worried about that. He doesn't have any problems with socializing but he's not the type to respond enthusiastically… probably because he got most of my looks."

"…putting him on a school once he turns five…"

"…"

"Code 027… calm down…"

After a set of breathing, I managed to calm my disturbed heart.

But now that Ane mentioned it, Ichi's facial features appeared more now that he grew. I get why her mother is worried, especially since he inherited a pair of rather expressionless eyes.

"You picked the wrong person to tell about socialization with others, but I will still gladly listen."

"Ahh, that's actually it."

Dot, dot, dot.

"This is what I assumed, Sis… but am I right that he is a happy guy inside?"

"More or less…"

"Then a question: How would you like Ichi to grow; a happy child, or a smart one?"

"It's also possible to be the same, right?"

"…

Personally, I want him to become a happy child—that's my bias. I'll have to be very blunt… I know someone who feared his own 'gifted' intelligence after it broke him."

"W-What…?"

"It varies with every family, but it's a misconception in this case. Many parents want their children to always have good grades once they discover that they are rather smart. And then there are expectations, and it is unacceptable when it was not met.

My point is, raise Ichi to be 'an idiot.' No, I didn't mean it in a bad way, but try to balance his feelings and abilities. At least… if ever I become a parent too, I would want him to be like that, which is why I can say them without fluster.

I want them to have friends that can be trusted and have a laugh with. I want them to choose their own future without being forced to follow their parents' wishes. I want them to have a good and happy life that will weigh more than the pain as they grow.

That last one… I want to see that because that's something I didn't see from myself when I was a kid.

Ane Mitsuka, don't let Ichi become someone that is full of pain."

I did not see an apparent response, but I unwittingly closed my eyes as I saw her raising her hand towards me, which she actually patted my head. My eyelids open, and saw I smile, which made me realize why Mochi married her.

Even I was a little blushed.

"See that, Sis… If you can smile so attractively like right now… then so can Ichi."

"Ehh? Am I really smiling?"

"Pfft… That's just like me when I didn't even know how to smile. Smile like that in front of your husband, and he will faint just like how I did."

"Ehhhhhh…"

"Now you're the one who is flustered? Ahahahaha…!"

"Meeeeeooooow! (Aruji, tell his mommy that Ichi needs to take out some turd!)"

"Oh, thank goodness they can't understand you, cat.

It seems that your son needs to use the bathroom, Sis."

"Oh, I'm coming!"

On the queue when Ane left, Rin then walked to the kitchen.

"What were you talking about earlier, Potato?"

"Just to check, you saw me blushing earlier, didn't you?"

"Yep. Seems like you're having fun."

"I don't how I should interpret those words…"

"Just sharing experiences. I think Ichi has good parents with him."

"Isn't that a given?"

"Well, I guess parents can be very worrisome for the future of their children. That's the lesson I learned just now."

"…?"

"I just had an idea for dinner. Can you hold the fort for a while, Rin? I'll buy some skirt steak from my meat dealer."

"What?! You're really going all-out?"

"I consider this a special occasion, so I definitely won't hold back!"

"Mochi, I'll step out for a bit…! Expect something insane for dinner later!"

"Uh, sure! Be safe."

"Fufufu…"

"Uhhh… What was that, Ringo?"

"Hm? It's nothing. I'm just thinking that I now know where the money he saved from using solar energy goes. He's serious for dinner this time."

"Uuuhhhhh…?"

"Remember that he's a sous chef, Yuka Mochi!"