"Eh, you even brought this little one along today?"
Yukinoshita Haruno strolled closer, crouched down in front of the stroller, and without hesitation scooped the baby into her arms with a bright smile.
The tiny girl was warm and soft, carrying the faint scent of milk. Haruno felt her maternal instincts being tugged at, just a little.
"Dad's been busy with work lately. Mom's been taking care of her the whole time, so I figured I'd give her a little break whenever I can."
Takanashi Toka continued pushing the stroller along the park path while Haruno carried baby Chiyo at her side.
Chiyo, nestled against Haruno's chest, didn't show any fear or resistance at all. Instead, she laughed innocently, her voice like the tinkling of bells.
"This little one really isn't shy at all. Or maybe it's just that my natural charm maxes out on even the smallest babies?"
"She's probably just happy to be outside, seeing new scenery," Toka replied calmly.
"Oh? Then maybe someday she'll become a traveler—or a photographer."
"Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch to conclude from this?"
"Not really. Kids' instinctive actions often predict the kind of things they'll like or be good at later. That's why traditions like hatsuzedai exist, after all."
In Japan, hatsuzedai is an old custom, very similar to the "first birthday grab" tradition in China. On a baby's first birthday, various items are placed around them. The one they pick up is said to hint at their future career or personality.
"Old traditions don't always have scientific basis. Hatsuzedai is more of a fun event—an excuse to make the one-year-old the center of attention. Babies can't talk yet, so you need some way to give them a spotlight."
Just as Toka finished speaking, Chiyo suddenly babbled out a clear, drawn-out: "Mama~."
Haruno froze for a beat, then her eyes lit up with delight as she turned to her friend. "Did you hear that just now?!"
Who said babies can't talk? That was perfect! …Though the way she addressed her wasn't exactly accurate.
Even Toka looked stunned. Until now, she'd never once heard Chiyo articulate an actual word—at least not that she had noticed.
But at that moment, Chiyo clapped her tiny hands against Haruno's chest, kicking and squirming while repeating in a sing-song voice, "Mama~."
Haruno's excitement doubled. She spun slowly in place while holding Chiyo, making the baby laugh even harder.
"Hey, Toka, judging from your reaction, does that mean I'm the first person she's ever addressed properly?"
"…Yes," Toka admitted reluctantly, though she didn't seem very happy about it.
"Aha, see? That must mean this little cutie likes me more than her actual sister! Otherwise why would she be so thrilled to see me, so eager to talk the moment we met?"
"Don't get cocky. Let her say it again so I can record it."
Toka pulled out her phone and opened the camera app.
Haruno instantly understood, grinning as she encouraged Chiyo to repeat herself. The baby, obliging as ever, did just that.
Toka managed to capture the moment and quickly sent the video to her parents.
"Oh? You're even sending it to Chiya?" Haruno leaned over, catching a glimpse of the message being sent.
"Of course. He dotes on Chiyo. Every day after school, the first thing he does is scoop her up."
"For a boy his age, that's pretty rare."
"He just really cares about family."
"That's good," Haruno said, watching her friend's expression before smoothly changing the subject. "So, Toka—how's your friend doing?"
"My friend?"
"You know, the one you mentioned before. The one who couldn't figure out what love really was, or whether she was actually interested in someone. Did she ever decide? Maybe she realized her feelings were real and chose to face them honestly? Or maybe she decided it was all just an illusion and gave up?"
Haruno smiled faintly, absentmindedly poking Chiyo's cheeks as if it were just casual gossip.
Toka glanced sideways at her, stretching languidly in the fine spring weather.
"No idea. I haven't brought it up again. It's private, after all. I don't want to pry."
Haruno feigned surprise. "Eh? Even with a good friend, you'd hold back over something so small?"
"Precisely because we're good friends," Toka answered evenly, "I need to treasure that bond. Sometimes protecting it means not pushing too far."
Though her words were about "her friend," Haruno clearly caught the underlying meaning. She nodded slightly in agreement and let the matter drop.
Sorry, Yukino. At least your sister tried. In the end, it'll still come down to you.
"By the way, I heard from Yukino that Chiya's about to compete in the Kendo Yuryuuki tournament?"
"Mm. The day after tomorrow. And once that's done, he has a piano competition too."
"I assume your whole family will be there to cheer him on?"
Toka shook her head. "He doesn't want us to. Says it's long and noisy, and we'd be better off just waiting at home for his good news."
"Good news, huh? Sounds like he's already convinced he'll win."
"He hasn't said it outright, but… yeah, I think so."
"As last year's champion, he has every right to be confident."
"Mm."
"And with his looks, the Rampo Prize he just won, and his debut novel… he hasn't exactly been out of the headlines lately."
"…"
The conversation had been flowing easily, but now Toka paused, studying her friend curiously.
Haruno chuckled at her look. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"You seem awfully interested in Chiya," Toka said lightly.
"Do I?"
"Yes. Come to think of it, you've been the one bringing him up every time we've met recently."
"…Is that so?" Haruno tilted her head, then shrugged. "Well, it's only natural. If we set aside the family connection, I've actually known him longer than you have. We met back in kindergarten, you know. By that logic, we're childhood friends."
"Childhood friends… with a three-year gap."
"Hey! Even with three years' difference, that still counts! Don't make it sound like we're from different eras."
"I never said that." Toka smiled, then smoothly redirected. "By the way, how's Yukino lately? I haven't seen her around this spring break. Chiya's been busy, but she hasn't come by either."
"That was a clumsy topic shift," Haruno teased, though she answered honestly. "Same as always. Quiet. Distant toward people she doesn't know. When she was little, it was kind of cute. Now, with high school coming soon, it's… worrying. The Yukinoshita family will need her to take on responsibilities. If she keeps acting like this, she won't be a proper adult. Mom hasn't said much, but I can tell she's worried."
"There's still plenty of time before she has to take over the family business. She'll meet people, go through things, grow. Her personality might change."
"I hope you're right. But there are… other issues. Ones that can't wait."
"…Such as?"
Instead of answering right away, Haruno gently set Chiyo back in the stroller. Only then did she sigh, "Her figure."
"…Come again?"
"Here." Haruno straightened her chest for emphasis.
Toka's mind instantly conjured Yukino's physique. She sighed helplessly. "You're unbelievable. That'll develop naturally. As long as she eats well, it'll be fine. Worrying won't help."
"But it's abnormal. She left for her first year abroad in middle school looking one way… and now, almost in her third year, she hasn't changed at all. Not one bit."
"That sounds exaggerated."
Haruno's tone grew almost mournful. "I checked. She's still wearing the same size she did in sixth grade."
"…Haruno. She's your sister. She's entitled to privacy."
Toka suddenly recalled her own bad habit of sneaking into Chiya's room to peek at his journals. She shifted uncomfortably.
Luckily, Haruno was too preoccupied to notice.
"It's not like I did anything. Besides, don't you know your sister Rokka's size too?"
"That's only because I do most of the family laundry."
"And I just happened to glimpse the tag on Yukino's laundry when she bathed, okay?"
"'Happened to'—sure."
Haruno didn't think much of it. After all, the sisters had bathed together countless times as kids. Compared to that, knowing her bra size was nothing.
Still, with people passing by, Haruno leaned closer to whisper, "So, what size is little Rokka these days…?"
Blushing, Toka reluctantly murmured the answer.
Haruno let out another heavy sigh. "Exactly. That's what a middle school girl should be like."
Toka, growing curious, leaned in. "And Yukino is…?"
Haruno whispered back.
Toka nearly shouted. "No way! At that point, she could just wear a training bra—" She caught herself, biting off the words.
But Haruno's solemn nod confirmed it.
Toka's surprise softened into pity.
Once, it had been fun to tease Yukino about it. Watching her pretend not to care had been amusing. But now? It just seemed cruel.
"I don't tease her anymore. She'd hate me for it. Still… it doesn't make sense. Mom and I are both fine. Why is she so far behind?"
"Just make sure she eats well. Maybe she'll catch up later," Toka offered gently.
"Let's hope so. Oh, by the way—the weather's warming up. Want to go swimming in a few days? My dad's friend just opened an indoor pool. It's still in soft opening, so it's not crowded."
"…That does sound tempting." Toka's eyes lit up. Since leaving the gymnastics club, her exercise had been limited to yoga and casual outings. The idea of swimming was refreshing.
"Great. During spring break, I'm free. I'll invite Yukino too. Curious to see what kind of swimsuit she'll wear. Maybe she could still squeeze into her old elementary school one-piece?"
"…You really are a devil. Are you sure you're her sister?"
"Haha, just kidding."
"…Right. Hey, do you keep a diary, Haruno?"
"A diary? I did in first or second grade, but Mom pushed me so hard into studies and cram school that I gave it up. Why?"
"No reason. I just found an old one the other day. It felt nostalgic."
Not hers, though. Someone else's.
Haruno's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh? Show me sometime."
"No way. Too embarrassing."
"C'mon, I wouldn't laugh."
"Forget it—ah, looks like Chiyo needs a diaper change."
"Mmhm. Classic topic dodge."
March 19th.
The Kendo Yuryuuki Tournament began as scheduled.
Over 300 schools nationwide, more than 500 teams, gathered in Fukuoka City to compete for the title.
Minamoto Chiya, of Kawarami Middle School, knew the rules inside and out. Though each team had five members—vanguard, second, middle, vice-captain, and captain—there was only one thing that mattered: keep winning.
As their strongest fighter, Chiya anchored the team as captain.
The first day brought heartbreak for Kawarami's girls' team—they lost immediately to Daiko High from Kanagawa. They didn't even reach their opponent's middle fighter. Tears and frustration filled the air, teachers and boys doing their best to console them.
The boys, however, carried the school's hopes. With Chiya at their core, they advanced smoothly to the finals.
Chiya's performance stunned even experts. His anticipation seemed uncanny—striking in the precise spot his opponent would move into, as if choreographed. It was graceful, almost too graceful, lacking the drama of heated exchanges but radiating mastery.
To connoisseurs, it was proof of enormous growth.
Chiya himself had doubts beforehand. His "training" with Saeko had often… shifted from the dojo to her bedroom. Each time at her insistence. He'd worried he wasn't preparing seriously enough.
But with his improved physique and a kendo level of 7, his dominance was clear. Day one barely made him sweat.
Day two brought tougher opposition, mostly high school teams. Yet a few strong middle schools survived—including one he'd faced before.
"Red side wins!"
The referee declared as Kawarami's vice-captain stepped down, defeated.
"Next: Osaka Kaifang Middle School's Hattori Heiji—versus Kawarami Middle School's Minamoto Chiya!"
The crowd stirred as they faced off. Chiya remembered Heiji well—they had clashed in a national tournament final once before.
Heiji's eyes blazed with determination.
The referee's signal rang out—Chiya surged forward like a panther.
"White side wins!"
It ended swiftly. Even taking Heiji more seriously, Chiya dispatched him cleanly.
Heiji sighed, defeated. Later, he approached Chiya.
"I've trained six hours a day since I lost to you last time. I came here hoping for another chance. But your growth is unreal. Last time I could at least keep up for a few exchanges. Now I can't even touch you. There really are geniuses in this world."
Chiya offered polite reassurances, but Heiji brushed them off. "No, I lost fair and square. You're both talented and hardworking. That's true genius. Still… can we be friends?"
"Of course."
They shook hands, easy camaraderie forming instantly. Heiji grinned. "Come to Osaka sometime. I'll show you around."
"Likewise. Tokyo has plenty of hidden gems worth trying."
For boys, friendship could bloom just like that.
"By the way, your Rampo Prize novel—The Zodiac Murder Magic—was brilliant. But… I did notice a few small inconsistencies."
Chiya listened carefully, then smiled. "You're right. If I ever get a reprint, I'll make adjustments."
Heiji flushed, suddenly embarrassed. "You don't have to take me so seriously. Readers probably liked it better your way."
Still, it was rare for anyone to critique his writing. Chiya appreciated it.
Their talk ended with mutual respect. Heiji returned to his team, telling his childhood friend with a broad grin, "Relax. I just made a very interesting new friend."
3:57 PM. The Final.
Chiya's bamboo sword struck down with perfect form. "Men!"
The referee's flag shot upward. "Point! White side wins! Tokyo Kawarami Middle—victory!"
The arena erupted. Teammates hoisted Chiya high, the champion once again.
So soon after his Rampo Prize win, the media storm flared up anew. "Prodigy." Some headlines even called him "legend."
Beside him, Kudo Miyoko worked tirelessly as his assistant and manager, fielding reporters.
That night, in the hotel, Chiya read her message aloud.
"Miyoko says we won't make it back to Tokyo tonight. We'll return in the morning."
"Mm."
At his side, Tōma Kazusa smiled faintly, her lips curling as she gazed at the city lights.
…
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