Living Normally In An Abnormal World - Chapter 29: Before the Sports Day

Chapter 29: Before the Sports Day 

‘We will now begin the Asano Elementary School Sports Day.’ 

The students were divided into color groups and lined up in front of the podium, and the physical education committee member declared the opening of the sports day. 

Of course, I was sitting with the other parents, capturing Yuuna’s entrance with my camera. And Yuuna, while walking, spotted me and gave me a 100% loving smile, even doing a peace sign. 

I was so touched that I almost teared up. 

Yuuna was only participating in two events: the 50-meter dash and the scavenger hunt. 

That’s too few! Put Yuuna in more events! 

Also, I should take some photos of Rina and the others. 

“Yuuto-sama, why are you taking pictures with a video camera instead of a regular camera?” 

“Because Yuuna would be embarrassed to watch the footage with me.” 

“I see.” 

“Also, their events haven’t started yet, so I’m taking it easy for now. Mana.” 

“Hmm? Oh, sure.” 

When I called out to Mana, she turned her head back to me. I leaned against her back. 

Ah, this is so comfortable. 

Leaning on something is the most relaxing position. The only downside is that… 

“Ah, Yuuto-kun, your bra hook came undone.” 

“I’ll fix it.” 

Bra hooks tend to come undone easily. It’s a hassle to keep fixing them. 

(If only you would lean on my lap…) 

Mana thought, probably entering puberty. If she had her way, she would have leaned her chin on his head as he leaned against her from the front, but as his mother, she felt hesitant to initiate such an action. 

However, unaware of her thoughts, 

(I guess this is the limit of how much she can spoil me.) 

Yuuto thought to himself. 

“Yuuto, Ribbon! Maria’s turn is coming up!” 

“Haha, I’m aware. Let’s get some photos, shall we?” 

“Then I’ll record everyone with the video camera!” 

I prepared the video camera, ready to capture the moment. 

“Yuuto-kun~, please take pictures of Rina too~” 

“Understood!” 

Even Reina-san asked me to take photos. 

“Yuuto-kun, please take pictures of Asuka too.” 

“Consider it done!” 

I was also asked by Miu-san. 

“Why is everyone asking you, Yuuto-kun?” 

“「「Because Maria (Rina) (Asuka) will be happy that way!」」” 

Mothers who always consider their daughters’ happiness first. 

The event was a footrace, but these girls would surely come in first. 

“Yuuto-kuuuuun!” 

It was Rina’s turn. She called out to Yuuto. 

“Rina~, do your best~ I’ll take pictures, so go for it~” 

“Thanks~” 

Ah, what a lovely smile. Captured. 

As expected, she came in first place. 

“Yuuto-sama~!” 

Maria also called out to me, just like Rina. 

“I’ll take pictures, Maria, so do your best!” 

“Yes! I’ll do my best!” 

…A determined expression, captured. 

And with an overwhelming lead, she came in first place too. 

“Kinoshita-kun.” 

And Asuka, 

“I’m a little embarrassed to be photographed, so please don’t…” 

Asuka said, blushing and turning away. 

“…” 

…Captured. 

“Let’s talk about this later.” 

“Why did you find out, and why now?” 

Asuka, who had come in first place, ran with momentum and tried to delete the photos I had just taken. I removed the camera and ran for it at full speed. 

Asuka chased after me, her face showing a rare expression, unlike her usual cool demeanor. I took photos while running but was eventually caught, and the camera was taken from me. 

It was returned to me soon after, but all the photos had been deleted. 

I sighed, thinking about the wonderful expressions I had captured. 

Well, in that case, 

“Then let’s take a picture together.” 

“Huh? Oh, okay then.” 

“Come closer.” 

I wasn’t sure if I could take a good selfie with the camera, and Asuka’s cheeks were almost touching mine. But I thought this distance might be good, so I pressed the shutter. 

The photo I took was far better than the ones I had taken earlier. 

Asuka’s expression was so much better than before, even though she had been a little scolded by her teacher afterward. 

— Lunch Break — 

“Yuuto-sama, your onigiri rice balls are delicious.” 

“Yes, they really are.” 

“Ah, there’s fried chicken~ I love this~” 

“Ah~, it’s delicious~” 

“You guys, stop eating only Yuuto-kun’s onigiri and eat some of the side dishes too.” 

Mana scolded the adults, but she was also holding one of Yuuto’s onigiri in her hand. 

And, 

“Nii-cha’s onigiri is the best!” 

“Kinoshita-kun’s onigiri are well-shaped and tasty.” 

“The last time I ate something Yuuto-kun made was the omelet rice.” 

“I’m jealous, Rina-chan. Ah, it’s a pickled plum.” 

“You guys, don’t talk with your mouths full.” 

Everyone reached for Yuuto’s onigiri. 

It was a good thing I had made extra. Well, let’s see what Ribbon-san, Miu-san, and Reina-san prepared for lunch. 

And, 

“Ah… um, thank you for including me.” 

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it, Hayase-chan.” 

Hayase-chan, whose mother couldn’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances, had been brought along by Yuuna, who was thoughtful enough to invite her. 

However, Hayase-chan also had one of Yuuto’s onigiri in her hand. 

“It’s nice to have a big group like this.” 

Being alone is lonely. 

“Thank you.” 

Hayase-chan smiled, but there was a rice grain on her cheek. 

“Hey, you have a rice grain on your cheek.” 

“Huh? Where?” 

“Left, left.” 

“Is it here?” 

“No, it’s over here.” 

I took the rice grain and wrapped it in a tissue. 

“Ah… thank you very much.” 

Hayase-chan felt a little down. 

Sorry, I probably should have fed it to you, but… 

‘Geez~’ 

Doing something like that in front of so many people was tantamount to suicide. I had almost made the same mistake as the bib number incident, completely forgetting that we were surrounded by other parents and students. 

It had been a close call. 

“I think it would have been better for me as a journalist if you had fed it to her, but oh well.” 

Suddenly, someone spoke to me from behind. I turned around to see my official stalker, 

“Yanagida-san? That would be inappropriate of me, you know.” 

“I’m sorry. I’m here alone too, so I’m a bit lonely.” 

“It’s a bit surprising to have you talk to me out of the blue like this.” 

“Well, I’m a journalist, and I need to do interviews for my work. Otherwise, my article will just be about your life, Yuuto-kun.” 

As she said this, she took one of the onigiri I had made. 

Hey… you’re going to leave some for me, right? …Right? 

“I don’t think you need to go into that much detail in your article, do you?” 

“I thought so too, but as a journalist, I felt like I was slacking off.” 

“Well, I’ll leave that to you, Yanagida-san. Just don’t cause me any trouble with your article. No fabrications, okay?” 

“I understand. I won’t cause you any trouble.” 

As I was talking to her, 

“Hee~, so you’re Yuuto-kun’s stalker?” 

Mana approached Yanagida-san in an intimidating manner. Even though the person in question had given permission, she was still stalking. It was natural for Mana to want to put a stop to it though. 

“Eh, ah, I’m Yanagida! I’ve caused your son a lot of trouble! Ah… here, please accept this as a token of my gratitude.” 

Yanagida-san was overwhelmed by Mana’s intimidating aura and stuttered as she handed over a tea envelope. 

…A bribe? It’s a bribe. Yes, it’s a bribe. I know it’s a bribe. 

“Mana, what did you just take from her?” 

“I can’t throw this away, Yuuto. These are photos of you.” 

Mana showed him a few photos from the envelope. 

By the way, these photos that Mana showed him was the top five photos in the ‘Best Photos Chosen by Everyone’ ranking in the newspaper. However, Yuuto would never know about this. 

After seeing the photos, Yuuto 

“I guess I can’t complain then…” 

agreed. If it were him, he wouldn’t want to throw them away either. He would laminate them and keep them in a file. 

However, 

(He’s actually accepting it…) 

Mana and Yuuna thought. 

A bribe… Well, it’s fine as long as it’s something good.