Papa no Iu Koto o Kikinasai! - Volume 3 - Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – The Anticipated Christmas
 

Elegant singing voices resounded between the school buildings in the morning.
Takanashi Sora stood in the center of the choir consisting of over ten people.
The one in charge of conducting was Okae Kiyomi, while Hanamura Youko was in charge of the accompaniment.
Sora was in charge of the soprano part, and the entire structure of the song was centered on her as well.
Looking at his beautiful classmate doing her best to sing with her face red in shyness, Maeshima Daiki’s gaze was filled with admiration. Although Daiki was usually clumsy, he still took on the role of a part leader with his profound timbre.
The resonating harmony and the refreshing melody resounded in the music room—
“Okay! Stop, stop! Takanashi-san!”
“Y- Yes!”
Sora’s body shook in shock and froze right on the spot as Kiyomi called her name all of a sudden.
“Seriously, you don’t need to be so nervous. When you’re starting the solo, and when your solo is ending, your voice is just too tense. Be more confident and sing it out loudly!”
“Sorry.”
Although Sora felt downcast, she still understood why Kiyomi said so.
When she sang along with the voices around her in harmony, she wouldn’t feel too nervous as she was not alone. That made Sora feel quite relaxed.
But when she entered the solo, only she was left. Although the accompaniment tune was still playing, if she goes out of tune even slightly, it would turn into a fatal wound that anyone could find out. Similarly, when the song returns to the choir part, as she felt much relieved, her voice would turn softer than before, or would be unable to sing properly.
“Your voice is there. You just need some courage!”
With a majestic pose, Kiyomi pointed at Sora with her conducting baton.
“You must have the self-consciousness that you are very cute! You’re really cute! Super cute!”
“E- E- Ehhhhh!?”
Is this a new way of making fun of people? Thinking of that, Sora’s face reddened in an instant.
“Hold your head high! Show me your confidence! Cute girls are invincible!”
“B- Buchou! Aren’t you making Takanashi even more nervous like this! You’re just too insensitive!”
Unusually, Daiki said something constructive, while Shuuji and Youko unusually agreed and nodded as well.
“Who’s insensitive! Maeshima, isn’t your tone unsteady halfway through as well! Don’t just sing in an unbearably loud voice just because you’re unbelievably dumb!”
“W- What do you mean by that! Didn’t you say that my voice is reliable just yesterday!”
“Yesterday is yesterday! Today is today!”
Kiyomi firmly shifted her gaze upwards while arguing unreasonably.
“It’s just a few days away from Christmas! There’s no time for us to dilly-dally anymore! Okay! Youko-san, let’s start! We’re starting from the very beginning!”
The accompaniment tune rang again.
Sora breathed in deeply. After all, her family would be there.
She definitely wanted them to see her best side.
And also…… A certain scene surfaced in Sora’s mind, for instance, the scene of Raika and Yuuta standing side by side in the kitchen.
An emotion that was similar to anger boiled in Sora’s heart, filling her thoughts.
The bento as well, I’m definitely not yielding!
Although I’m not as good as Oba-san at cooking, and not as beautiful as Raika-san, but as the eldest sister of the Takanashi family, the one best at helping out Onii-chan is definitely me!
Because it must be me! Such strong thoughts caused Sora’s gaze to be filled with energy.
“…… Aha, you’re getting more energetic. Good, good.”
Sora’s appearance caused Kiyomi to be satisfied, while Daiki and co. looked at them in slight worry.


Since it already reached the countdown stage to Christmas, I continued to go forward while being immersed in cooking, reports and shopping. The cooking would be for Hina’s bento, and to improve our meals. The reports included the parts that I had to redo and the topics for New Year as well. On the other hand, the shopping was done to choose presents for the three sisters, senpai and the others.
Regarding the cooking part, I fell in dispute with Sora-chan, who just wouldn’t give in for some reason, while Oba-san started to teach us while adjusting to the time Sora-chan was available.
It couldn’t be helped. If the classes were only held in the day, it would definitely be more advantageous to me. Since Oba-san is a person who values equality, she wished to teach us at the same pace. As Oba-san’s attitude softened slightly, it felt like the relationship between Sora-chan and Oba-san was much more harmonious. That could be said to be a blessing in disguise, I suppose.
In contrast, Raika-san volunteered to be my cooking teacher for the extremely simple reason of being ‘very free’. In many aspects, it was quite a pleasing development to me.
Although we could already fetch Hina by ourselves in our current state, Shiori-chan still volunteered to help. Thanks to her, I could focus on cooking and my reports even more.
Just like that, Raika-san and I were headed towards a propositional challenge.
“Yuuta, why don't you try this?”
“Raika-san, thank you.”
I tasted a mouthful of the hamburger steak with tomato sauce that Raika-san made.
With a slightly sour taste that was accompanied with garlic, it was a top-notch dish that would make people sink in its delicious taste. Even if one serves this at a high-class hotel, probably, nobody would have anything to say as well. I knew that Raika-san’s cooking skills were good, but the level of her skill was just too shocking……
“It tastes good, very good……”
I frankly spoke out my thoughts, but Raika-san still stared unblinkingly at my eyes.
“But there’s something wrong?”
“…….. Yeah. Isn’t it supposed to be sweeter? Anyway, we don’t need to be so concerned about this, since it’s an ordinary homemade dish after all. Both the hamburger steak and the tomato sauce is too formal……”
“Is that so? That’s hard……”
With a poker face as usual, Raika-san said with her hands crossed.
“I’m sorry. I know that a request like this without even preparing a sample is too much.”
“That’s fine, I’ll try other ways.”
Raika-san’s expression did not have an ounce of change, and just stood before the minced meat once more.
We used daytime to make hamburger steak.
Actually, not only hamburger steak, but spaghetti, kinpira, tatsuta-age, dried meat and so on.
Which would be, the various dishes that Nee-san once made for my bento.
Hina has only one wish, which would be ‘Mama’s bento’.
When I think about it, no, even if I don’t think about it, I should know that that should be so.
However, Nee-san isn’t here anymore.
I don’t even know how Nee-san learnt her cooking skills.
In fact, when we lived together, there was a period of time when I kept tasting terrible cooking, but in a flash, Nee-san’s cooking suddenly turned for the better, and I don’t remember having any problems about food ever again.
Right now, the most important thing is the taste that could once be tasted every day.
And the person most suitable for this would naturally be me, as I tasted Nee-san’s cooking the longest.
It was in line with my aim of not increasing Sora-chan’s burden as well, and could aptly be described as a mission.
However, the inadequacies regarding the technical aspect was rather hard to overcome…… I wanted to ask for Oba-san’s assistance at first, but unexpectedly, Oba-san was hesitant of the request.
“I can help you, but remaking it is quite difficult, because I almost never ate Yuri-san’s cooking…… Besides, the ones that I make are self-learnt homemade dishes, so it’s hard to say if I can help out regarding this matter.”
Even so, Oba-san still continued to teach us, as though she was Sora-chan and my tutor.
And that moment, the person who promised to help out was Raika-san. After listening to me speak of the situation, she agreed to help without further ado.
“I once went for cooking lessons and bridal training. Quite experienced.”
Raika-san spoke with her poker face on, making me quite grateful. And of course, I had another helper as well.
“Mmm~ This is the taste of porcino mushroom, right? How exquisite.”
That person would be the ikemen making green pepper meatloaf at a side with a smile on his face, Nimura.
“Oda-senpai, can I eat some?”
“Please. Remember to put the rest into the fridge.”
Nimura directly started to eat the hamburger steak with tomato sauce. His exceptionally good-looking appearance just by standing there annoyed me to no end. I want to be a handsome man from birth as well…
“The tomato sauce is top-notch as well. Is consommé added as well? Is it fond de veau?”
“It’s dashi that I made from vegetables. Mirepoix of vegetables with skin. Hina’s health comes first.”
A conversation that only masters of cooking could understand. Looking at their unexpectedly happy look made me feel fortunate as well.
After Oba-san’s special training, I could already handle small jobs. So, different from the previous times, my handling of the ingredients, such as cutting the vegetables, was brought into play.
I’m not talking nonsense. My cabbage could be shredded to units of two centimeters, while I could slice off the skin of an apple without the skin breaking as well. Don’t tell me that even a primary school student knows this. I really gave it my all.
Apart from that, my most important job would be to provide insight and trying the food.
“How about this? Have you thought of anything?”
It was already the umpteenth time Nimura asked the question.
“Mnnn~ It feels like it should be a simpler taste…… This is more like something that could be found at high-class restaurants. Nee-san is more like a master who can cook good food very quickly.”
“Simple, quick. Got it.”
Raika-san seemed to have thought of something, and stared at the hamburger steak.
“Not using grinded toast powder, but normal flour, quick. Using only pepper and salt as seasoning, simple.”
…… Although it was quite accurate, it felt like there should be much more of a difference. You don’t need to think so logically, Raika-san.
“Remaking a homemade flavor is quite hard……”
“Yeah…… I never thought that it would be so troublesome as well.”
I sighed. I really wanted to viciously slap my then self who didn’t help Nee-san cook.
Just when we were doing things like that, the ingredients were all used up.
I went to a supermarket nearby to stock up. Although I felt somewhat bad for asking them to help out from making the dishes to guarding my house, I just couldn’t poof out dishes repeatedly like them, so that couldn’t be helped at all.
As soon as I walked out of the entrance, I saw a familiar high school girl in front of her house.
“Ah…… Sora-chan’s uncle.”
“Shiori-chan, isn’t it about time for you to remember my name by now? I’m Yuuta. Yuuta.”
I’m really being looked down on.
“Ah…… W- Well then…… Um…… Yuuta-san?”
“Yes, yes. Remember that.”
Seeing Shiori-chan with her face red, I didn’t think much of it and just nodded while speaking.
“It seems like your house is quite crowded today as well. Is anyone fetching Hina-chan today?”
“Ah, there’s no problem for today. Some of my friends came to hang out. I’ll fetch her as soon as it’s four.”
“Is that so? What a pity.”
Oh, it seems like she became more direct. Her somewhat shy smile was a different kind of cuteness compared with the three sisters.
“Please send my regards to your mother.”
When I waved my hands, planning to leave, I was unexpectedly called by Shiori-chan.
“W- Wait a minute! Can I have a moment of your time?”
Shiori-chan breathed in deeply and looked around for a moment.
“Um…… I- Is there…… anything I can…… help out with right now?”
It was quite an unexpected request.
“W- Why……? Is anything wrong?”
“Nothing! If you don’t need help with anything, that’s fine as well!”
Shiori-chan’s whole face was red for some reason, and looked as though she wanted to run away.
Although I wasn’t sure of the reason, her panicked look was different from the feeling that she gives off, and was strangely cute.
That moment, I suddenly thought of something.
“Shiori-chan, if I mention your mother’s homemade dishes…… What would you think of?”
Seeing Shiori-chan’s confused look, I explained the reason to her in simple, concise terms.


That day, Miu chose a longer path to walk home from school. She did not use the original path that would take ten minutes on foot, but waltzed to a shop selling imported accessories. It was a shop selling goods with reasonable prices that Miu liked quite a lot.
The shop employees admired Miu’s bright appearance as well, and often gave her some discounts, and would particularly give away samples to Miu when new stocks were in.
They seemed to think that allowing the beautiful blonde girl who is famous around that area to wear them would achieve a promotional effect.
“Welcome. What are you looking for today?”
A female employee that Miu knew well greeted her. Her red and white clothes seemed to be worn for the festive feeling of Christmas.
“I’m looking for presents. Um…… How many do I need again……”
Miu counted with her fingers. Sora, Hina and Yuuta must of course be included, and then there would be Oba-san, Raika-san, Nimura-san, Shiori-san, Shiori-san’s mother, and a certain club president that she supposed she should count in……
“Wow, you need quite a lot this year. Are you having a party?”
With a smile, the female employer picked out a few products suitable as presents. She was right. Before the previous year, Miu only bought presents for her family. Although something that was quite sorrowful happened that year, the people she had to give presents to increased instead.
This fact caused a hint of warmth to arise in Miu’s heart.
It was the same for Hina’s Shichi-Go-San. That day, although Hina did not have the company of her mother, similar to Miu, she still looked rather happy.
Miu had completely no memory of the Shichi-Go-San when she was three. There weren’t any photos at home, while Miu never asked her father about that as well. And when she was seven, she celebrated the festival with Yuri-san.
What kind of clothes do you want to wear? Yuri-san, who asked Miu that question, made a dress with a lot of laces for Miu, after she told her that she wanted ‘A dress like Cinderella’s’. Miu still remembered that.
Before the shrine that had a lot of beautiful clothing dominated by kimonos, Miu looked exceptionally dazzling as she was dressed up like a princess.
It was a rather happy memory.
However, that important person isn’t here anymore. Even though the sense of loneliness never disappeared from her heart, the thing that she should do is to continue with her life with a smile. That was what Miu thought.
Because the elders of our family are too strict…… In various aspects.
Miu smiled, as though she was tossing away the numerous thoughts surging in her heart.
“Yeah! There’s going to be a party. Please pick presents that would surprise everyone!”
The female employer triumphantly gave Miu the thumbs up, and generously gave her discounts as well.


Hina was waiting for people to bring her home from the kindergarten.
Although it was rather cold outdoors, the playroom was quite warm. Waiting there before their parents finish working could almost said to be these children’s job. Even though there were a few friendly caretaking teachers keeping Hina company, it was inevitable that she would feel slightly sad seeing her friends going home one after another with their family.
“Hina, what’s wrong?”
“Nnn~ Nothing~”
The one playing with Hina was Katsuya. Although her Oi-tan didn’t seem to like him, to Hina, he was a friend who accompanied her most often when the kindergarten reached closing time, and a close friend who would occasionally be taken care of by the Kitahara family as well.
“Hey, Hina. It’s so good to be you.”
Katsuya said all of a sudden.
“Why?”
“Only Daddy and Mommy fetches me home, but there are so many people to fetch Hina home.”
“Eh? Really?”
Hina asked with her head tilted. To the children at the kindergarten, it was a given that parents couldn’t fetch them because of work, so Hina’s condition of her parents not fetching her was thought to be because they were ‘always working’ as well.

It wasn’t because Yuuta and the others explained to Hina like that, but due to the fact that ‘not fetching’ was synonymous to ‘working’ at the kindergarten. For a family with working parents, the children would often wait a long time before their family fetches them, just like Katsuya.
“But, I think it’s better to be Kacchan. Because, your Papa and Mama always comes.”
“Eh—? But, but, Hina always goes home first.”
Hina was surprised by his words. When even Shiori is included, Hina might be going home from the kindergarten unexpectedly early.
“Oh. Being Hina is better, huh?”
“Nn, yes, yes.”
A smile lit Hina’s face. She felt happy for being praised, and Hina understood that the somewhat blunt Katsuya tried to cheer her up by doing so as he saw that nobody came to fetch her after so long.
“Thank you~ Kacchan.”
“Hehe! Why?”
With a triumphant smile, Katsuya suddenly saw a marking on the calendar and said as though he suddenly thought of something:
“That’s right, Hina, what did you ask from Santa Claus? He’ll come to the kindergarten as well!”
“Eh! Santa Claus will come!?”
Hina started to ponder what she should ask for when Santa Claus arrives.
“Hehe, I have a good idea. Let’s write a letter to Santa Claus!”
The kindergarten teacher who heard the two’s conversation prepared drawing papers and crayons for them, and thus the children who were left at the kindergarten continued to think hard on what they wanted from Santa Claus.
The instant Hina took the paper, she immediately started to write without hesitation.
To Hina, there was only one thing that she wanted.


I, who bought a large amount of items to experiment on the cooking and also ingredients for dinner, was walking on the road back home.
Buying things used up quite a lot of time, and it was about time for me to fetch Hina.
The kindergarten teacher had already remembered me, and she knew that our family is somewhat of a special case as well, so she was especially helpful to us.
I never thought that there would be a registration system for those who wanted to fetch children home from kindergarten. In this era, even when a grandmother related by blood wished to fetch a child, it seemed like kindergartens won’t immediately allow that without confirmation. I heard that there were cases of kindergartens being affected by parents in the process of divorce due to parentship rights.
However, the rule was meaningless to us, as we requested beforehand for the kindergarten to allow everyone in our family, Oba-san and Shiori-chan’s family to fetch Hina home. Although that seemed to be a special case, the kindergarten still agreed to our request.
“Oh, Hina, there’s someone to fetch you.”
A beautiful, friendly kindergarten teacher called Hina.
“Oi-tan!”
Hina energetically pounced onto me. Ah~ Happiness!
“Hina, were you a good girl today as well?”
“Nnn! Oi-tan! Hina wrote a letter to Santa Claus today!”
“Oh! Really! Where’s the letter? Let Oi-tan post it for you right away!”
It was good news indeed. Although a bunny doll was the prime candidate, if I could see Hina’s request for Santa Claus for certain, obliging to the request would be much easier. Good job, kindergarten.
“Hoho! We will only hand the letter to the guardian during the Christmas party.”
There was a mischievous smile on the teacher’s face. S- Seriously?
“It is the Director’s policy that parents should think more of this, so he wishes for the parents to compare the answers only then.”
Ngh…… So is this the legendary Guardians’ Training!? How regretful……
“Oi-tan, let’s go home! Hina is hungry!”
“Okay! After going home, we’ll have dinner made by Raika-san and Nimura, and it’ll be so much that you can’t finish them!”
“Eh? That’s gweat!”
The adorable Hina pranced around happily like a bunny. Being able to express one’s feelings frankly is a good thing as well.
However, I somehow felt that another problem regarding Christmas stacked up.


There was another visitor at the Takanashi residence that day.
“Why! Why why why! Oda-kun! Nimura-kun! Why am I the only one who cannot enter!”
“Because the house owner isn’t present.”
“Because we were requested to look after the house.”
The person expressing his dissatisfaction at the doorstep was Shuntarou Sako.
“Isn’t this the same as treating me as a suspicious person! Don’t you two trust me at all?! I lowered my head to the professors in humility for Segawa-kun’s sake to collect those reports! I know that I am unable to help out in cooking, so it can’t be helped that I wasn’t invited, but at least let me visit!”
“What should we do?”
Raika asked Nimura with a poker face.
“…… Um, we’d better not. If incidents like one of Miu-chan’s panties gets missing after he goes home occur, the members of Roary would definitely be forbidden to visit.”
“…… Kaichou, dirty.”
“W- Wait! Wait a minute! N- Nimura-kun! The development of being judged to be guilty when a crime has yet to be committed should not be allowed in a democratic country where a jury system is starting to be used.”
“…… Has yet to be?”
“Ahhhhh! Oda-kun! Exploiting flaws in one’s usage of words is just too despicable! I- I just…… want to bring this over!”
Sako, who looked sad for being isolated, took out a certain item.
“Ah…… This is……!”
And Sako was indeed holding something that would be needed in his hands.


Sora was still in her special training at school.
Although she was quite mindful of the matter of the bento, she couldn’t be careless with her club as well. After all, the solo part was to be the climax of the concert.
“It just feels somewhat imperfect.”
The club president, Kiyomi, hugged her arms solemnly, while Sora agreed with her as well.
“Why, I wonder. It just feels like your original potential hasn’t been expressed.”
When the other members had returned, the trio that included Youko remained at school to continue practice, but for some reason, Kiyomi wore an expression of being unable to accept Sora’s singing voice.
Youko could understand Kiyomi’s dissatisfaction, and knew that Sora was trying hard to practice as well. The mature girl suddenly let out a sigh and stood up in front of the piano.
“Sora-san, do you like to sing?”
The sudden question caused Sora to be somewhat confused. She never thought that the matter would suddenly return to such a basic question.
“E- Erm…… Y- Yes.”
Although Sora’s voice diminished involuntarily, her words were true.
“Well then…… For whom do you sing for?”
“…… Eh?”
“Basically, songs are sung for certain people. I just feel that the current Sora-chan seems to be spinning around by herself.”
“Ah……”
Sora felt as though the problem in her heart was seen through…… Really? That might have been so.
“Nnn. And also, we wanted you to have the solo part, and it’s not like you snatched the part forcibly, so you can just relax a bit.”
Kiyomi added thoughtfully, while Sora lowered her head in embarrassment.
Both the matters about her family and her club wasn’t forced on her by anyone, so perhaps she really did worry too much about them?
When Sora stood up once again from her shame, she told Kiyomi and Youko with her head lowered:
“Please allow me to try again.”
Even if that was really true, no matter what the original reason was, the one who decided to do it was she herself.
Facing Sora’s reaction that was unclear whether she did understand or not, the two gave a wry smile at the same time—


A beautiful singing voice rang in the music room once again along with a gentle accompaniment.
“Ah, it started again. Takanashi…… Her voice is really beautiful.”
“Yeah, Speaking of which, Daiki, isn’t it about time for you to go back as well? It turned cold already.”
As a large crowd would make Sora nervous, Daiki and Shuuji were chased out of the music room.
Although Shuuji wished to go home earlier as well, Daiki didn’t seem to want to leave the singing voice.
“Just a moment, a moment more would be enough.”
Through the window separating the music room and the corridors, Daiki spied on Sora’s silhouette while trying not to be noticed.
Sora, who was focused on the concert, looked like the most beautiful girl in the world in Daiki’s eyes.
The sweet and sour emotions that welled up in his heart and the coming Christmas caused him to be extremely excited.
“I say…… Takanashi…… What would she like? And what kind of present would she want……”
At least, I want to give her a present like Santa Claus. Just thinking of that is okay, isn’t it? Daiki thought in his heart.
Cheering for the beautiful girl who always worked hard and stirred up sympathy in people’s hearts.
“…… Actually, Takanashi-san seemed to have chatted with Hanamura-san about cooking. They seemed to be talking about food in bento that mothers make. You do remember Hina-chan, whom we had seen some time before this, right? Takanashi-san seems to be having a headache about her little sister’s bento. And her mother isn’t here anymore as well……”
Just hearing that caused Daiki to be unable to contain himself. He recalled the two cute younger sisters of the Takanashi family, the three sisters who never forgot to smile even though they were facing a cruel predicament.
“Bento, huh……”
Daiki’s words caused a bad feeling to arise in Shuuji’s heart.


When we reached home, what awaited us was the cooking that Raika-san and Nimura worked hard to make.
And also, Sako-senpai, who appeared from god knows when.
“Wow, wow! Is Raika-chan a magician!?”
“Only for Hina, I can use any magic no matter what it is.”
The voracious three year old whose eyes sparkled due to the plentiful cooking before her eyes and the striking beauty who couldn’t contain herself whenever she sees cute things embraced each other. Although it was quite a nice scene, Sako-senpai, who was on the floor, was seriously an eyesore.
“Senpai, why are you sitting on the floor?”
“…… They did not allow me to leave their range of vision, but since it’s better than standing outdoors in December to await your return, this is still acceptable. In any case, I have already heard of your predicament. It seems to be quite troublesome.”
“Nnn…… Ah! Don't talk about this over here, Hina will hear it.”
“But of course, I, Shuntarou Sako, definitely won’t do anything to spoil a young girl’s happiness!”
Hmm…… That’s true.
“Disregard those matters for the moment. Actually, I have something to discuss with Segawa-kun who is held in high regard as the future leader of us Roary. I have come today just for this reason.”
Sako-senpai approached while kneeling on the floor and came closer to my ears. It felt extremely disgusting.
“I- Is there anything wrong?”
“What are you saying! Do you even need to ask? It’s regarding Christmas, of course. About the Christmas present that Miu-sama wishes to have, do you have any information about that? Do not worry, I will not forget you for this. I have here a photo album of Oda-kun at a swimming pool when she was still a first year…… What do you think?”
…… Senpai, this is an underground deal! I cannot do a thing like this.
“What is the resolution? I’ll have to take a look at that first.”
Whoops! Uh oh, I mixed up the things that I could only think in my heart and what I should have said.
“Fufufu! You’re really quite sly as well. Very well, from the SD card, I shall first……”
“W- Wait a minute! No, that’s not it! I’m being troubled over the three sisters’ presents as well!”
“Sheesh, you’re really useless. Segawa-kun, for what did you live together with them?”
At least, I didn’t do it to expose information about Miu-chan to Sako-senpai.
“Ah~…… The present that would make Miu-sama and Hina-sama the happiest must be given by me and only me. To express my undivided loyalty, I should order a gown suitable for Miu-sama……”
“Um…… I think Miu-chan should be a more practical person.”
It’s like that in reality as well. When I think about it, I have never heard of Miu-chan making stubborn requests. Even if she said that she wanted to eat sushi, we would just go to sushi-go-round shops at most, and it might have been at some cheaper restaurants. Even if she asked for pocket money, that money would later turn into expenses for dinner as well.
She’s a thoughtful child….. As Miu-chan’s appearance was quite striking, it might not be easy to see it, but I think she is a very good, considerate child.
It was the same on that night some time before this…… I recalled the feeling of Miu-chan leaning on my shoulder that day.
The light body with a slight fragrance, and the voice that had a hint of loneliness.
’I really don’t remember at all.’
That was what she said. Although I couldn’t see her expression, I am certain……
“…… Senpai, I have a good idea…… Are you willing to take part?”
Without much thought, the words slipped out of my mouth naturally.
“Oho! Of course, of course, of course! As expected of the future leader of us Roary!”
Seeing Sako-senpai’s delighted look, Nimura approached curiously as well.
That might have been just a misunderstanding on my part. Although it might be a misunderstanding……
Even if it fails, it would be a memory as well. Isn’t that just fine?
I was quite satisfied with my idea, and thus one of my problems was solved.
Regarding the presents for the three sisters, there were two left.
“ “We’re back!” “
The ones who greeted at the same time as they reached home were Sora-chan and Miu-chan.
“Welcome home. You came back together.”
“Yeah, we met on the road coincidentally.”
Miu-chan answered with a cheery smile as usual, while Sora-chan looked rather weary.
“Thanks for your hard work. Come have dinner. Just pick whatever you like to eat.”
Raika-san spoke while pointing at the sumptuous dishes in the kitchen.
And for some reason, Sora-chan, who saw Raika-san and I dining shoulder by shoulder, had her face filled with anger.
“Ah! So devious……”
She’s probably referring to Hina’s bento, huh? I couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“Nothing. Although we did so much, we still couldn’t replicate Nee-san’s taste. It’s so difficult.”
Even though Sora-chan, who forcefully turned her face to a side, was quite exhausted, she still stood up and grabbed her apron.
“Raika-san, although Oba-san should be arriving soon…… Please teach me how to cook as well.”
“Not a problem. Sora-chan, what do you want to make?”
“…… I like the steamed red wine chicken that Yuri-san used to make, but Oba-san doesn’t seem to make that often.”
“Got it.”
After saying that, Raika-san quickly started to organize the ingredients.
Even though she just ended her club activities and hadn’t rested yet…… When I thought of that, I walked to Sora-chan’s side.
“Sora-chan, you’re already tired, so you can’t force yourself too much.”
“Onii-chan, stop interfering.”
Sora-chan’s words were quite harsh, and seemed to have a hint of enmity.
I was truly worried of her…… That caused me to be somewhat annoyed.
“Okay, okay, Onee-chan and Oji-san should both calm down.”
Miu-chan spoke with a troubled expression.
However, I definitely won’t step back, because Sora-chan is starting to force herself again.
“If so, Sora-chan will collapse in exhaustion again. Even if Sora-chan doesn’t force herself, I can do things by myself, and everyone can help as well, that’s why……”
“…… I…… I want to do it!”
Sora-chan loudly interrupted my words.
“Sora-chan……”
Just when I was about to retaliate, the electric bell at the entrance rang once more.
“Ah, the bell rang. It should be Oba-san. Will you please go have a look, Oji-san?”
“…… Nn.”
I had no other choice but to walk towards the entrance.
Shiori-chan and her mother stood at the entrance.
“Hehe! I heard from Shiori that you wanted to know about a mother’s taste, so I came over.”
Mrs. Kitahara wore a friendly smile on her face while she held a few containers in her hands.
“I tried to make something that Hina would like, so you can check this out as reference.”
Shiori-chan handed the containers and detailed recipes to me.
That moment, I noticed that there were a few more band-aids on Shiori-chan’s hands.
“Eh……? These band-aids are……”
“Ah- Ahaha…… I- It’s nothing!”
“Hoho! She doesn’t usually help out when I ask her to, so I wonder what’s wrong with her today. Ever since we were asked to take care of Hina-chan, quite a lot of good things happened.”
Hearing her words, Shiori-chan puffed out her cheeks in displeasure.
“Mom! Don’t just say anything you like! …… However, I do still need to apologize to Sora-chan.”
“Why?”
“I…… Even though I never tried it before, I told her, ‘You can take care of both the housework and your club’. But in truth, I only found out how tough it is after trying to cook for real…… I shouldn’t have said things like that as I like.”
“Ohh…… So something like that happened.”
But that wasn’t Shiori-chan’s problem, but rather, it's because I was just too unreliable.
“Thank you all, Mrs. Kitahara, Shiori-chan. We’re in your care after this as well.”
I told the both of them in a deep bow. My neighbors who wore friendly smiles, caused a hint of warmth to trickle into my heart.


“So it turned out like this? It doesn’t seem like we can put these into the refrigerator.”
After Shiori-chan and her mother went home, Oba-san, who arrived closely after that, said in slight surprise.
“Such a big feest~ ? Just like a restaurant~ ? Res, res, restaurant~ ?”
The pretty little girl of our family who was writing the lyrics for her restaurant song was not conscious of the reason things turned out like this.
Dishes that could be used for bentos filled both the kitchen and the living room.
There was a particularly large variety of experimental dishes for Hina’s favorite hamburger steak.
If we count the dishes that the Kitahara family sent over, there were even more dishes. Well, Hina was quite happy, but we were rather helpless.
“Well then, did you manage to recreate Yuri-san’s taste?”
“…… Well…… I’m somewhat confused. Although Yuri-san’s dishes were really tasty……”
“All of us tasted it, but it just felt different. If it were to be Hina, she should be able to distinguish it right away.”
“Although we already tried hard…… it seems like all of them just weren’t right. Even though there isn’t too much of a difference in the ingredients from the fridge.”
“…… So it still can’t be helped in the end, huh. Can’t I take Yuri-san’s place at all?”
I couldn’t help but ask after hearing Sora-chan’s words:
“Sora-chan, what did you say just now?”
It was something that I couldn’t just overlook after hearing.
“Eh? What’s wrong? Onii-chan, don’t make such a scary expression!”
“Sora-chan, I never wished for you to be Nee-san’s replacement.”
“I- I know!”
The gazes of everyone in Roary, Oba-san, Miu-chan and the others were focused on me.
But even so, I still didn’t let the matter drop. It wasn’t something that one should easily dismiss.
I’m Sora-chan’s Papa, after all.
“Sora-chan, I understand that you worked hard, but…… Before that, I think it is more important for you to be a happy middle-schooler. Just like…… any other people…… that’s why……”
I really didn’t know what to say.
However, it seemed to be the first time I was angry at Sora-chan.
Even though I wished for her to be happy, even though I became her Papa just for this reason.
I just wanted to give Sora-chan a normal life that any other middle-schooler could have.
If I had made her think that I just wanted a replacement for Nee-san, I won’t be able to forgive myself for that.
“I…… As Papa…… I just want to give Sora-chan a normal happiness……”
My muddled thoughts slipped out of my mouth just like that.
While Sora-chan stared at me while biting her lip.
Her large eyes were filled with tears.
“…… I…… I don’t care about that in the least! Onii-chan, don’t just decide things by yourself!”
Miu-chan, Hina and everyone else gazed at Sora-chan.
She shouted loudly as she tried not to let her tears flow out:
“I…… I just want to be of help! Just let me do it!”
Sora-chan’s emotions poured out.
“Just let me do it…… My normalcy…… is when I’m needed by everyone in the family…… and to be a good sister……”
I didn’t know what to say.
How can this be……? I didn’t want Sora-chan to push herself so much…… However, it caused her to suffer instead?
And it was exactly because of that that Sora-chan was so stubborn about Hina’s bento?
When I think about it, it was the same for me. Squabbling with Sora-chan…… so that I could be a good Papa.
The doubts that I had finally disappeared from my heart.
Why did Sora-chan turn so obstinate?
That was probably the feeling of her job being snatched away all of a sudden, huh?
I said nothing. Only Sora-chan’s weak sobs could be heard in the house.
And the person who broke the wall of silence was Miu-chan.
“Onee-chan, even if you do nothing and just stay in this house, I am already very happy. Although Oji-san is somewhat lacking delicacy, I think he’s not wrong as well…… Shouldn’t you learn to let yourself relax a bit?”
“Miu……”
Miu-chan’s blonde hair fluttered in harmony with her footsteps as she approached Sora-chan. She walked to Sora-chan’s side and stroked her head as though she was comforting a child.
“Ahh~ Hina too!”
After seeing that, Hina approached Sora and tried hard to straighten her body so that she could touch Sora-chan’s head.
“…… Hina.”
Sora-chan bent down her body and extended her hands to hug the both of them.
That moment, Oba-san gently wiped the corner of her eyes as she stood at a side.
“How can this be? Even though they are not related by blood, why does Sora-san resemble Yuri-san so much? It’s just too mystifying.”
That moment, Miu-chan waved at me as I stood there without an inkling of what to do next.
“Oji-san, aren’t you coming?”
I decided to act in accordance with Miu-chan’s words. Well, we’re a family, after all.


After warming my body with the shower, I immersed myself into the waves of the bathtub.
I stopped thinking, and completely allowed my body to relax in the hot water.
My mind started to clear up—
“Oi-tan, help wash Hina’s hair~”
“…… Oh, okay.”

Being somewhat absent-minded, I went through bath time with Hina that day as well.
After all that happened, I even asked those from Roary to help out in cleaning, and they left one by one after that.
I entrusted a secret to Sako-senpai, and because of that, he was in quite a good mood till the end. And of course, Raika-san and the others supported that decision quite a lot as well. Speaking of which, regarding Sora-chan’s problem…… What in the world should I do about it?
“Hina, turn your head over.”
“’Kay~”
Hina obediently moved her head.
After I allowed her long hair to pass through the hole of the shower cap, I put the cap on Hina’s small head.
“Remember to close your eyes tightly.”
“’Kay!”
After making sure that Hina closed her eyes, I poured out the shampoo.
After that, I gently rubbed Hina’s hair to create bubbles.
?
“Bubbles, bubbles~”
Mimicking my actions, Hina started to scratch her own hair as well.
After doing this for some time, Hina might be able to learn how to wash her hair by herself.
Although this might make us feel somewhat lonesome, people will still grow up.
Women are both slender and complicated. I wanted Sora-chan to relax a bit just because I thought that she helped out too much, but this made her suffer instead. I, as a newbie father, am just so useless.
“Let Oi-tan have bubbles too!”
Hina, don’t bubble my legs while I'm thinking.
“Hina, your hair is so long. Is it about time for you to have a haircut?”
“No~ Has to be longer~”
“Why? Won’t it be troublesome when you’re playing if your hair is too long?”
“Don’t wanna~”
Although I wasn’t too sure about it, Hina definitely had something to be persistent of.
Even though she was young, Hina was still a girl.
After thoroughly foaming her hair, what’s next would be the conditioner.
Not long before this, I still thought that it would suffice to use just shampoo on children, but after being thoroughly scolded by Miu-chan, I now remember to put on conditioner for Hina.
However, this is quite tough.
Not only is Hina’s hair long, there was a large number of them as well, so it’s rather laborious to handle.
I carefully applied the conditioner on each strand of Hina’s hair and attentively washed off the conditioner after that.
It was quite a time-consuming task. That’s right, it was so time-consuming that Hina felt bored halfway through the process.
“Not done yet?”
“Please wait for a bit more. Ah! Hey! Don’t move.”
“Hina is bored!”
“Fine, fine, I get it.”
I must respect our princess’ wishes with all my might.
I decided to wash away all of the conditioner in one go with the shower.
“Here, remember to close your eyes.”
“Waa~”
With water showering her head, Hina looked quite happy.
After that, I first allowed Hina to immerse herself in the bathtub, and it was my turn to wash my hair.
I quickly finished washing my hair, and covered my body with foam.
I only use something like hair conditioner only once in a while.
“Hot water bath ? Hot water bath ? Whoosh rumble rumble ?”
Hina immediately started to sing as she saw the hot water flow out of the bathtub due to my volume.
But hey, Oi-tan thinks ‘rumble’ doesn’t really seem right.
“Hina, let me ask you.”
“What is it~?”
Without further thought, I asked Hina naturally:
“How did Mama’s hamburger steak taste like?”
“Um~ Nnn~ …… Mama’s taste. A bit bitter.”
“Is that so? Then that should be so. Hmm…… Then it’s about time to go out. Hina, bathe your shoulders in the water and count to ten.
“Okay, one, two, three……”
Hina’s voice resounded in the bathroom. That moment, I was suddenly shocked.
“H- Hina!? What did you say the hamburger steak tasted like again?!”
“Eh?”
Hina wore a puzzled expression.
I felt that I seemed to have heard a completely unpredictable answer, and that was the breakthrough point that would allow us to remake her Mama’s taste.


After exiting the bathroom, I walked towards the fridge.
What I wanted to locate was the box of tomato sauce that was hidden in the fridge.
I knew that one would definitely have a stomachache if he eats that. However, today, I think that trying it once more will be rewarding.
Perhaps because of embarrassment, Sora-chan looked at me at a side somewhat shyly.
I sniffed it after taking the container out of the fridge. It seems like letting it defrost naturally will be better.
“Onii-chan…… What are you doing?”
Sora-chan realized my thoughts.
“I want to try it once again.”
“Eh……? But hasn’t it already gone bad?”
“It seems like I made a mistake…… This…… might not be tomato sauce.”
An expression of disbelief appeared on Sora-chan’s face.
“Anyways, just leave this to me. Sora-chan, you can’t let yourself get sick now, can you?”
“Ngh…… But……”
To show that she wanted to do something as well, Sora-chan might feel bad again if she only says that. Thus, I decided to tell her something else.
“Sora-chan, about Christmas, actually…… I have another thing that I want to do.”
“Eh? There’s already Hina’s Christmas party, my concert, and the party at night. There’s still going to be something else?”
“Yes. However, that does count as a part of the party……”
After listening to my plan, Sora-chan’s expression immediately brightened.
Just seeing Sora-chan’s expression made the various hardships that I hated vanish in a flash.


Fortunately, it was a sunny day.
It was the day of the kindergarten’s Christmas party, and the day of Sora-chan’s Christmas concert as well.
The weather forecaster announced that it would turn cloudy and rain at night, while at some places it would even snow.
Just thinking that it might be a snowing white Christmas made people feel full of hope for the weather forecast.
When Miu-chan went out to send Hina to the kindergarten, I immediately started making the bento.
The ingredients would be the stuff inside the container that Nee-san left, and also the product of our cooperation.
What’s left was to see what Hina thought about it.
“Well then, I’m going out first. Onii-chan, don’t you miss the time for you to bring Hina the bento!”
Hearing Sora-chan’s words, I nodded determinedly. But of course. After all, the first stage today would be the bento.
As soon as Sora-chan left, I took out my cellphone to contact Oba-san. After that, I headed to the station, delving deep into the complicated underground construction and quickly walked towards my destination.
“Yuuta, too slow.”
Over there, I saw Raika-san, Nimura and Sako-senpai who arrived beforehand.
First, we had to do the preparatory work for our party. After that part ended, the time for us to test the true capability of the bento would arrive.


“Oi-tan and Nee-tan are slow~”
Miu consoled Hina, who was looking around, trying to locate Sora and Yuuta. In the morning, parents who volunteered decorated the classroom. The Christmas party would only start officially after lunch…… That was what the itenary stated.
“However, Yuuta-san and the others are indeed somewhat slow.”
In slight worry, Oba-san looked down at her watch and started to mutter that it might have been better if she made it.
As it was almost time for Yuuta and her sister to arrive, even Miu couldn’t help but start to worry.
“It’ll be lunch time after thirty minutes…… Is it possible that the bento won’t make it in time?”
It was only a few short days after the commotion caused by the bento when Sora, who finally calmed down, decided to concentrate on her fast looming Christmas concert while Yuuta was put in charge of the bento. The arrangement finally ended the argument, but…… in truth, Miu wasn’t too sure of how the bento turned out.
Actually, Miu was requested by Yuuta to taste the bento as well.
However, what she tasted that time was actually just a rather ordinary hamburger steak…… Any feeling that it was Yuri-san’s taste did not arise.
And after he saw Miu’s expression that time, Yuuta only smiled wryly…… So what in the world happened in the end?
“Hehe! Hina can eat Mama’s bento today!”
Seeing her little sister who held such anticipations, a hint of unease surfaced in Miu’s heart.
Of course, the bento that Oji-san worked hard to make would definitely be the best, and even Hina will most certainly understand that. However—
Just at that moment, Sora ran over with a flustered expression.
“Sorry we’re late!”
“Geez! The decorations are almost completely done!”
“But, the bento is finally done as well!”
Sora raised the large multi-layered bento container to eye level.
“Has it succeeded, Onee-chan?”
“It should be fine. Onii-chan looks quite confident as well.”
Hearing her words, Miu finally relaxed slightly.
After all, Miu was quite sure of how much Hina was looking forward to the bento that day.
Speaking of which, Yuuta himself still didn’t appear. The pointers of the clock almost overlapped at the top.
“What’s wrong with Oji-san? He’s so slow.”
“…… Onii-chan said that he won’t be late, but……”
Just when Sora started to worry as well, she heard panicked footsteps quickly approaching.
The footsteps caused Hina to raise her head all of a sudden, while Miu and Sora looked towards the direction of the sound at the same time.
“Hina! Sora-chan, Miu-chan, sorry for the wait!”
And the person who appeared there, was Yuuta, who had on him so much sweat that it would make people wonder how one could sweat so much even in such a cold winter.


Although it was a Christmas party, there was some time for the children at the kindergarten to perform their talents as well.
Oba-san and Miu-chan who entered the venue first, had already helped with the decorations of the venue along with the other guardians.
This time, Hina didn’t have any special performance. There was a short Christmas play by the elder children.
Just like that, the event climax of our family would completely depend on the bento that I made.
Although I almost mistook the time due to the preparations of the night party, fortunately, I still made it to lunch!
“Geez! You’re just too slow, Oji-san!”
Miu-chan changed to a relieved smile.
But just in case, I asked Sora-chan to bring the bento over beforehand.
“Sorry, sorry. Hina, this is Mama’s bento, you know!”
“Eh! Where’s Mama? Just the bento!?”
Hina immediately showed a disappointed expression.
Although it felt quite terrible, it was already within our expectations. I told Hina with a smile.
“I already told you that Mama can’t come since she’s too busy. It’s the same for both Mama and Papa. But they still worked hard to make and bring the bento over, so Hina, you should thank them well.”
“But…… Uuu…… But……”
Tears filled Hina’s eyes. As she normally held them back, it was probably even harder for her to refrain herself from crying then.
“Hina, you’ll eat the bento that Oi-tan helped Mama to bring, right?”
I slowly opened the lid, exposing the colorful food inside.
“Wa……”
Among them, there was a lot of food that Hina liked such as onigiri, tatsuta age that Sora-chan learnt from Oba-san, traditional potato salad that Raika-san made, stewed vegetables that Oba-san was good at making, simmered hijiki that the Kitahara family sent over, and also the adorable themed boiled egg that Miu-chan made. The fruit punch that Nimura made was kept in another layer.
Among them, I took out Hina’s very favorite.
“Look, here’s the hamburger steak that Mama made.”
I handed the work that I was confident of on a small plate to Hina. Its appearance was that of an ordinary hamburger steak.
“That’s right, we’ll have to add some tomato sauce.”
I took out the tomato sauce that was kept in a small packet and drew out two cute circles on the hamburger steak.
“This is the hamburger steak for Hina, who couldn’t see Mama, but still tried hard to tolerate it. Enjoy.”
“…… Nn!”
The obedient Hina wiped away the tears that almost trickled down and picked up her fork.
“…… W- Wait a minute…… Yuuta-san, is it really okay for you to put it that way……?”
Looking rather worried, Oba-san quietly spoke by my ears.
“…… If you did it wrong, it’ll be really too bad for Hina-san.”
“I think that it’s fine.”
Before I started to explain, Miu-chan spoke first.
“After all, no matter what, Oji-san always chooses the best option for us. Isn’t that right, Onee-chan?”
“…… Nn, I think Hina will definitely be able to understand.”
Thus, Oba-san could only nod with a wry smile. Hey, though it’s fine and all, wasn’t that a statement with failure as a premise?
“But….. Yuri-san’s hamburger steak, should have used homemade tomato sauce……”
“…… If an adult eats that, it should be so, but……”
To Sora-chan, who looked somewhat helpless, I said with a triumphant smile.
“Eh?”
Seeing their surprised expression made me quite happy. This time, I am truly confident about this.
Hina widened her mouth and bit the hamburger steak.
“U, uu……. Ah!”
“What is it, Hina?”
“This is Mama’s hamburg steak! Different from the shops’! Different from Raika-chan’s!”
Hina immediately gave a radiant smile, but then tears started to fall on the next instant.
“It’s great…… Mama didn’t forget Hina……”
The words hidden in her heart that she never told anyone, the longing that the three year old girl had, all of them leaked out that moment.
“Mama…… Mama’s hamburg steak. Mama, Hina will eat them all up!”
As though Hina saw Nee-san, she started to gobble the food all up.
As her eyes teared up as she saw Hina like that, Sora-chan started to praise me.
“So Onii-chan really did find the recipe for the hamburger steak. That’s great, Hina.”
“It’s all thanks to everyone.”
Although I, myself, am quite confident, it’s seriously great that things could actually have gone so smoothly. That moment, Miu-chan pinched a small piece of hamburger steak with her fingers in curiosity, while Oba-san and Sora-chan did the same.
“It’s been a while since I ate this. Yuri-san’s hamburger steak…… Itadakimasu!”
Everyone inserted the hamburger steak into their mouths at the same time.
“…… Eh?”
“…… It’s just a normal hamburger steak, nothing special at all. Even I can make it.”
“Onii-chan, what’s wrong with this!?”
Comparing the surprised expressions of the trio with that of Hina’s, who was happily eating her hamburger steak, made me quite amused.
“Yes, if an adult eats it, it would indeed be just an ordinary hamburger steak. You can only distinguish it with extra attention.”
“Geez! Stop beating around the bush! Hurry up and say it!”
Well, I only noticed this after so much effort after all, of course I feel like showing off.
“Sora-chan, do you remember the box we found in the fridge?”
“Ah…… The stuff that Onii-chan said that it looked like tomato sauce, but wasn’t……”
“Yes, that was actually vegetable juice. But since they weren’t blended, does it count as vegetable sauce instead? As there were carrots and tomatoes inside, we were fooled by the red color.”
“Eh……?”
That instant, only Oba-san wore a look of realization.
“I understand now. So that’s how things are. …… If so, it isn’t strange that an adult wouldn’t notice it, whereas Hina-san could easily distinguish it.”
“Why?”
Sora-chan and the others asked curiously.
“I think Nee-san probably wanted the picky Hina to eat more vegetables, so she mixed vegetables into various dishes. She froze shredded vegetable and mixed them in food. It is quite commonly used to wean babies off milk. That was why Nee-san prepared that box so that she could make it any time she liked.”
It was especially suitable to be used on hamburger steak, dumpling and so on.
That was why the hamburger steaks that Nee-san made were most certain those that looked like only meat at first glance, but actually contained a lot of vegetables.
Naturally, the dish that was filled with love from Nee-san was different from the hamburger steaks sold at restaurants or made by other adults. Adults almost couldn’t notice any different even when a little tomato sauce was used on the hamburger steak, but it would still be different to children’s sensitive tongues.
This is similar to the statement that the bitterness of green pepper would be a few times stronger to children than to adults.
“That’s why…… This really is Nee-san’s hamburger steak. That box of sauce made me think of this.”
Well, though it made me enter the washroom a whole three times just to confirm the fact…… Let’s not mention that right now.
The efforts that Nee-san put in to allow Hina to live on healthily made Hina feel happiness once more.
“Hina, Oi-tan learnt how to make the hamburger steak from Mama. So, that means you can eat it whenever you like.”
After she heard my words, Hina’s eyes widened. After she stared at me for some time……
“…… Nnn~ Oi-tan, if it’s not made by Mama, Hina wants to eat Oba-tan’s and Nee-tan’s more. Raika-chan’s was tasty too!”
“Eh!?””
As though nothing happened, Hina continued to eat the hamburger steak with her head lowered.
This…… This is truly out of my expectations. Although the hamburger steak that contained vegetables indeed had her Mama’s taste, Hina actually liked to eat hamburger steak made purely with more meat? W- Well, that’s true. How honest of her……
As I ran into a snag, I looked at Sora-chan and the others’ expressions…… Everyone couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
After that, we filled our bellies with the bento that we brought, feeling exceptionally satisfied.
Hina wore an expression that suggested that she was so happy that she couldn’t ask for anything more as well.
“Well then, that means we already fulfilled one of the promises, and can relax a bit more.”
In relief, I said while winking at Sora-chan.
“Nn, got it. Next on would be me. To return everyone’s thoughts for allowing me to rest, I shall show the fruits of my efforts as well.”
Sora-chan stood up after saying that.
When we stayed for awhile to watch the Christmas play, Sora-chan had to go first to prepare for her concert.
While we saw her off with our support.


Sora waited for her turn to go on stage in the waiting room.
When it was less than ten minutes left until the concert started, Sora realized that her legs were continually trembling.
“Eh? Eh…….”
What to do……?
Just when the stage was about to be unveiled, and everyone had to move quickly to their positions, the sudden situation caused Sora’s heartbeat to accelerate, while her body stiffened as well.
“Breathe…… I have to breathe……”
Sora felt that it was hard for her to breathe, as though something was blocking her throat……
If that went on, she might not be able to sing when she heard the directions for them to go on stage.
On the instant she had that thought, terror caused Sora to be unable to move.
Even though I can’t fail since Yuuta and the others are coming. And it just so happens that this happens at a time when I can’t fail…… The thought further intensified Sora’s tension. Just when Sora was so nervous that she couldn’t stand it, someone put their hand on Sora’s shoulder. At the same time, the formless shackles dispersed along it. Sora couldn’t help but turn around for a look.
“…… Ah.”
“Are you still okay? If you’re still nervous, there’s still me by your side.”
The person who told that to Sora with a smile was her best friend.
“Youko……”
“Ahhhhhhh! Hanamura, you’re actually still here, just when I wanted to talk to Takanashi……”
For some reason, Daiki was behind Youko, frozed there in a strange pose of a hand extended. Youko turned around to peer at Daiki and showed him a triumphant smile. Daiki made an odd sound with his face red, while Shuuji immediately went forward to halt Daiki after pushing his glasses upwards as he saw the situation. Sora heard something like ‘Bad timing, I’m just too unlucky’, ‘You’re not Hanamura-san’s match’ and the like, but she couldn’t understand what that meant.
“I- I say, this……”
Daiki shoved something in front of Sora.
“This…… What is this, Maeshima-kun?”
“…… Bento. Our family usually eats this type of bento. This is for you.”
“Bento……? Is it possible……”
Why does Maeshima-kun know about that? Besides, that matter had already been dealt with.
“T- The onigiri inside…… were made by me! So, you’ll have to try one!”
“…… Actually I just ate a bento just now.”
Sora-chan said, somewhat troubled, opening the bento container that Daiki gave her at the same time. Inside, there were onigiris that were somewhat deformed, fried chicken and other dishes that seemed to be favorites of boys. Apart from that, there was a hamburger steak as well.
Looking at the bento, a strange sense of warmth blossomed in Sora’s heart. That’s right, it’s the same for everyone, working hard with all their might.
“Hehe, I’ll have one then.”
Sora picked a smaller onigiri that had carp eggs inside. Her originally tense feelings relaxed slightly as well.
“…… It’s really delicious.”
As he saw Sora’s smile, Daiki’s whole face reddened for some reason.
“It seems like we’re all ready! Everyone, let’s go! We’re showing them our best side!”
After giving an order as though she wanted to go for a fight, Kiyomi took the lead and walked outside, while Sora and the others hurriedly followed as they saw that.
On the instant they arranged their positions as rehearsed, the introduction of the master of the ceremony started as well. Although that gave Sora the feeling of wanting to run away on the last instant, the stressful shackles that seemed to be tightly binding her body had already disappeared.
“D- Do your best! Takanashi-san!”
Everyone who stood diagonally in front of Sora turned around to say to her. Shuuji and Youko looked at Sora with their heads slightly raised as well.
“…… Definitely!”
At the same time when Sora nodded while responding, the curtains were lifted.


In the hall where all lights were turned off, only the lights on the stage were lit.
“Merry Christmas! Everyone, welcome to the Christmas Charity Concert!”
The MC started the introduction for the concert.
There was still some time before Sora’s school went on stage, so we could still relax and enjoy the show.
As it was a Christmas party, the contents of the performances were themed on Christmas carols.
Among them, the show was designed for children to sing along, so the three year old Hina happily started to sing as well.
Just like that, it was Sora-chan’s turn to go on stage.
Seeing the curtains fall as the previous school ended their performance, my heartbeat accelerated in a flash.
“Oi-tan, where’s Nee-tan?”
Sitting on my lap, Hina asked with her head raised.
“S- S- Sora-chan…… S- S- She’s going on stage soon! Hina!”
“Wa! Hina Nee-tan is going on stage!”
“Oji-san, your voice cracked, you know?”
Sitting by my side, Miu-chan said while laughing.
“A- A- After all, I’m really nervous! This is the stage for my all-important Sora-chan to show her skills……”
If…… No, that can’t be so. But if by any chance she failed…… How distressed would Sora-chan be? Just thinking of it made me feel scared!
“Relax, Oji-san. Our Onee-chan is really capable.”
“That’s right!”
Urgh! A guardian being consoled by a primary school student, seriously……
“It’s just that her nerves get to her sometimes……”
“M- Miu-chan!”
“However, at critical moments, Onee-chan will definitely do her best.”
Miu-chan, who was proudly praising her sister, looked quite dazzling.
Since she trusts Sora-chan so much, how can I not trust in her!
When the curtains rose, among the lined-up students wearing the same uniform, there was a familiar face.
“It’s Nee-tan!”
“Shhh! Hina, quietly listen to your sister sing.”
I didn’t need to specially locate Sora-chan’s position at all. She was just at the very front of the choir stage. As she was the only person to stand there, she naturally became the center of everyone’s focus.
I felt pride as a guardian, and at the same time, there was a feeling that my gut was tightly clenched.
Do your best!
Sora-chan started to breathe in deeply.
On the next instant, Sora-chan’s voice gracefully rang without music accompanying it.
The voice that was somewhat quiet at first gradually spread throughout the whole venue.
It was a very clear voice.
A hymn.
Although it was a song that even I once heard before, the emotions that I felt while listening to it were completely different.
Sora-chan’s elegant voice, clearly, strongly sang of the holy night.
Her voice rang in each corner of the hall. It was hard for one to imagine that the voice was actually from such a small body. Not long after that, the members standing behind Sora-chan started to sing in harmony as well, while the accompaniment melody started as well. The song that was solemn at first turned into a rowdy, happy chorus in an instant.
“Wow! Awesome!”
I heard someone saying that somewhere behind me. Yes, that’s absolutely right.
The song that had Sora-chan’s solo singing blended in time after time gradually reached its climax.
In the end, only Sora-chan’s graceful voice was left again.
The last note slowly disappeared.
When the singing ended, a torrent of applause rang on the instant everyone in the Choir Club bowed at the same time.
And of course, Hina, Miu-chan, Oba-san, Shiori-chan and I applauded with all our might as well.
“Nee-tan is so cool! Cool!”
“Nnn! Sora-chan is the best!”
“Onee-chan is really awesome!”
The audience’s applause was so enthusiastic that Sora-chan looked quite surprised on stage, while that made us smile naturally.
“Sora-chan’s performance was excellent!”
By Miu-chan’s side, Shiori-chan gave Sora-chan such praise while clapping her hands.
This is great, Sora-chan! Everyone in the Choir Club was great as well!
It’s so fortunate that Sora-chan returned to her club. I had such thoughts while I was applauding.
Just when I was feeling touched, a familiar, rough voice suddenly rang by my side.
“Whoaaaaaaa! Youko! Youkooooooo!”
That’s right, it was my senpai from the Rugby Club who helped me out a lot regarding my part time jobs.
“Oh! Segawa! So you came as well! The both of us have good little sisters, don’t we!”
— I never thought that both Sora-chan and Hanamura-senpai’s little sister would be in the Choir Club. I was really shocked.


Just like that, the holy night gradually reached its climax.
“Aren’t you a bit too slow, Segawa-kun!”
When we reached a small shop in a busy district near the Ikebukuro station, it was already past eight o’ clock. We hurriedly ran down the stairs leading to the basement floor.
On the walls along the road, there were decorations giving off a Christmas mood. I heard that it was a shop opened by a good friend of Sako-senpai, which was why it was lent to the Roary for the whole day.
The results of our rushing here and there from the morning could be seen from the level of the decorations at the Christmas party.
“S- Sorry! It’s because Sora-chan and the Choir Club won a place…… That was why we’re late.”
While saying so, I really couldn’t refrain a smile from leaving my eyes.
No matter how you look at it, the reason they won was all because of Sora-chan. Even when one does not look at it from a biased angle, it would still be most certainly true.
“Sora-chan’s solo part was really awesome~”
Just when I was so happy that my whole face almost fell down, the back of my head was knocked on.
“Ack!”
“Calm down, Yuuta. We went as well.”
It was Raika-san. The size of the thing that she was holding was exaggeratedly large, but it seemed to be a cracker.
?
It’s just that allowing such a large thing to burst open felt rather dangerous……
“Yeah, yeah. Since we entered through other ways, we didn’t meet inside. Sora-chan and the others’ performance were exceptionally professional, and they had quite an enthusiastic response. Being able to get a prize among so many people, Sora-chan is indeed great.”
“Don’t say that…… The great one wasn’t me, but everyone in the Choir Club.”
Although Sora-chan’s smile was rather shy, it still exposed a hint of delight.
“Nee-tan was gweat!”
“Yeah, Hina, you’ll have to congratulate Sora Nee-chan.”
Just like that, everyone congratulated Sora-chan at the same time.
“Thank you…… Thank you, everyone. Not only for Christmas…… but for taking care of me daily as well. I’m really grateful. After this, I’m in your care.”
With tears swirling in her eyes, Sora-chan thanked everyone.
“Fufufu, well aren’t you gentle today, Sora-kun.”
Sako-senpai appeared with a mischievous smile.
“Actually, the Christmas party today is one that we designed specially, and does count as a celebratory party for you as well, so you’ll have to have a ton of fun. That’s right, uniform, choir uniform, Christmas outfit, which one do you want to pick?”
“Eh? What does that mean?”
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Okay! Let’s party!”
Under Sako-senpai’s orders, we started to enjoy the party.
Everyone’s faces brimmed over with smiles.
It seems like parties have the magical ability to put people in a good mood.
“B- But, why must we do this!”
Sora-chan, who changed into her choir outfit once again, gave a wail due to the strange situation, while other people wore cosplay outfits, mainly Christmas outfits as well.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Isn’t this fine? It’s beautiful.”
“Sora-chan is so cute. Yuuta, give her to me.”
The two senior citizens already started to ask for unreasonable requests.
“No. Speaking of which, so it’s a plan like this?”
“Yep. It’s absolutely necessary for Christmas, that's why I planted the clothes at your house beforehand.”
…… What detailed planning.
“Wa wa! So many Santa Clauses! There was one at the kindergarten too!”
“Really? But was there a Santa Claus as handsome as me?”
“Eh? Hahahahaha!”
Nimura, who dressed as Santa Claus, started to play with Hina while fully expressing his handsome guy style.
By the way, I was costumed as Santa Claus as well, and it was the same for Raika-san and Sako-senpai.
“Here, this is for everyone!”
Miu-chan handed small, cute packages to everyone one by one.
Inside, there were cute-looking imported ornaments and rare imported desserts.
“Eh…… Isn’t it written here that it’s snot flavored? Is this really fine?”
“Oji-san, you really must have a taste.”
Happy laughter could be heard everywhere.
“Well then, now for my present!”
As though she was emphasizing that she definitely won’t forget to prepare presents, Sora-chan handed the presents that she prepared to everyone. She prepared small cakes that included a card.
“I secretly learnt how to make it from Oba-san! It’s probably fine if isn’t a bento, isn’t it? I baked a lot, so apart from the piece to take back, you can eat all you like over here as well!”
Sora-chan gave people the feeling that she just couldn’t stand losing regarding this matter.
“Mine is this, everyone has it.”
The present that Raika-san gave to everyone was a self-made book cover.
“Hope Yuuta won’t forget to bring his reports again.”
While hearing everyone laughing, I could only feel ashamed with my face red.
When Sako-senpai’s present, that was full of amusement, and Nimura’s self-made cake showed up, the atmosphere of the party livened up even more.
And after that, it was my turn. I faced Raika-san first.
“Raika-san, this is for you.”
The present that I gave to her was the small handbag that she once said that she liked.
It was a rather cute thing that felt like those that were used by children.
“Raika-san, thank you for telling me what you like. It helped out a lot while I was picking presents.”
I did my best to make a smile, but I didn’t know if it was successful or not.
Raika-san wore a smile, and I think it was one that even people other than me could distinguish.
“Thank you, Yuuta. I’ll treasure it.”
After that, it was Sora-chan’s turn. I handed a box to the beautiful girl who still wore a nervous expression and was chewing on turkey meat.
“…… Thank you, can I open it?”
But of course. After I nodded in response, the box was opened before my eyes, while the results of my shopping was exposed.
“This is…… a necklace? One that I can keep photos in as well……”
“Well, you seem to always have a photo on you, so I thought that you might need this.”
I knew that Sora-chan always kept her family photo by her side.
After that, I handed the same thing to Miu-chan and Hina.
“Hina, you can keep Papa and Mama’s photos inside after this as well. And also, this is the bunny doll that I promised you.”
“This is gweat! Thank you!”
Seeing Hina’s overwhelmingly delighted expression as though she would even get drunk by drinking orange juice, I extended my hand to stroke her small head.
“…… Thank you, Oji-san.”
As for Miu-chan, she gave a smile that felt somewhat lonely.
Just like that, our Christmas party continued to bustle with noise.
Although quite a lot happened, right now, everyone has smiles on them.
At the same time, I recalled from the bottom of my heart regarding the hardships and importance of realizing an ordinary life.
“That’s right, Hina, do you have the letter you wrote to Santa Claus on you?”
“Nnn!”
As she answered happily, Hina rummaged in her bag for awhile and returned to the party after handing a piece of paper back to me.
I opened the piece of drawing paper alone.
On the paper, a couple wearing smiles was drawn on it, while between them, there was a girl whose hands were held by them.
Those were probably Nee-san and Nii-san, as well as Hina.
No, not only that.
By the couple’s sides, there were people that looked somewhat like Sora-chan and Miu-chan.
On the other hand, the person behind was probably me.
On the corner of the paper, a lot of people were drawn on it as well.
Raika-san, Nimura, Sako-senpai…… Everyone was inside.
Hina still couldn’t write.
That’s why, that drawing was probably Hina wanting to tell Santa Claus about her longing for her Papa and Mama. However, Hina, you’re really a kind child.
After all, you probably wanted to see them with us, didn’t you?
While having a warm and fuzzy feeling, I carefully kept the drawing paper.
Because, this is an important thought that I want to treasure forever.