The Most Beautiful Girl in School Has Become a Mother

I was worried about what would happen since Miori got in a bad mood right after arriving, but as soon as she met Shuri, she showed her usual smile. Of course, she was still the same with me as well.

It’s a mystery why she got upset over that exchange, but for now, I’m relieved.

Shuri was immediately captivated by the Aqua Beads that Miori had brought. Aqua Beads are from a character-based work called “Corner Living,” which made them very approachable for girls. She already owns several plush toys from “Corner Living.”

Upon investigation, it seems that Aqua Beads is a major item among toys for girls, ranking in the “Top Five Toys Parents Are Most Glad to Have Given” list. They say it is also an important toy for developing concentration.

Indeed, if you become accustomed to such detailed tasks from a young age, it seems likely that you will develop dexterous hands in the future. Additionally, since you also cultivate the habit of sitting at a desk, it appears that you are more likely to become inclined to study.

Moreover, children who get hooked on Aqua Beads can be absorbed in the activity for about two hours, which can also lighten the parenting burden for parents. It is a toy that benefits both children and parents.

──That’s amazing, Aqua beads.

Just by doing a little research, the greatness of Aqua Beads keeps coming to light.

If I were to mention the only risk, it would be that she might swallow a bead, but Shuri is no longer at such a young age. There is no need to worry about that.

I’m just grateful to you for bringing such a good toy, Miori.

While the two of them are playing with Aqua beads, I am busy with housework.

That said, since I got quite a bit done yesterday, I don’t have much to do today. I just did the laundry yesterday, cleaned the bathroom, and maybe I’ll hang out the bedding in the bedroom. It looks like I can take it easy today too. This is all thanks to “Mom.”

“Shuri, are you having fun?”

Having finished the housework, I went to the living room where the two of them were and asked my sister, who was still captivated by Aqua Beads.

“Yeah, it’s fun! Mom is really good!”

“Mom is good with her hands and can do anything.”

I honestly think so, but Miori scolded me, saying, “You don’t have to force yourself to compliment.”

“Hey, Dad, let’s do it together too?”

“…Huh, me too?”

When “Mom” comes home, my sister calls me “big brother” again, but before I know it, I’m back to being “Dad.” I wonder if she doesn’t get confused by this distinction. I’m not used to it, so I always end up responding to a beat too late.

Even while thinking such things, I am still the one who accepts it without even arguing.

“I’m not very good with my hands, you know.”

If I try to hold the tiny beads with my fingertips, I have no confidence that they won’t scatter all over the floor.

“All you have to do is place the beads on this pen and put it on the sheet, so I think even Isaki-kun can do it?”

Miori handed me a pen with a larger hole at the tip and said,

“What is this?”

“It seems this is called a bead pen…”

She looked at the instruction manual and answered. It’s the same name.

“How do you even play this in the first place?”

Even if I were handed a pen, I wouldn’t know how to play with it.

I didn’t even really understand what Aqua Beads were in the first place.

“Um, I’m going to line up the beads on this character sheet.”

When Miori held the so-called bead pen, she explained it to Shuri with the same care as when she taught her.

To put it simply, you just lay the character sheet on the tray and place the beads that match the sheet on it. Moreover, if you use the included bead pen, the beads won’t fall off, making it easy to place them. Once you’ve placed all the beads on the character sheet, the final step is to spray water with a misting bottle, and when the beads stick together, it’s complete.

“Oh, amazing! I could even make it!”

I followed her instructions, and it was done in a few minutes. I’m a little happy.

Since it’s a toy for toddlers, it’s only natural that a high school student could do it. However, for someone like me who doesn’t usually engage in such crafts, it feels quite refreshing.

“Wow, Dad, you’re amazing!”

“Just like you, Dad!”

Shuri and “Mom” were happily celebrating with me, who was acting childishly excited. What kind-hearted kids they are.

By the way, when I looked at the hands of Miori and Shuri, it seemed they had already transitioned to a game where they create original designs with Aqua Beads by thinking about the colors and arrangements themselves. They no longer needed character sheets or anything like that. Moreover, they were making something incredibly colorful and complex together.

It goes without saying that the slight confidence that had sprouted within me crumbled to pieces.

──Ah, I see. It’s similar to drawing, isn’t it?

Seeing the original Aqua Beads the two of them made, I remembered that Miori had just said, “They seem to like drawing, and they probably like Aqua Beads too.”

If you have the imagination to draw, you can see the completed picture of where to place which color beads. The only difference is whether you use beads or colored pencils; fundamentally, it is the same as drawing. However, since it involves using your hands, it becomes a different kind of play from drawing.

She seems to have chosen the toys with Shuri in mind. That thoughtfulness makes me happier than anything else.

“…Thank you.”

“Huh? What’s going on all of a sudden?”

For some reason, I felt like expressing my gratitude, so I did, and she looked at me in surprise.

“Well, it’s just that you’re thinking about Shuri.”

“I’m not doing anything so grand. I just brought the things I was playing with.”

The humble Miori said this with a faint smile.

I thanked her for bringing the toys considering my sister’s personality and preferences, but perhaps she did it unconsciously. She must be a naturally considerate person.

──She’s really a good kid.

Thinking that, I looked at Miori, and she was also looking at me, our gazes naturally meeting.

If it had been at school, we would have hurriedly averted our gazes. However, perhaps because it was my own house, my heart felt strangely relaxed, and my mouth naturally softened. She seemed to feel the same way, with the corners of her eyes drooping.

A somewhat ticklish atmosphere flows through the living room, slightly itchy but pleasantly so.

I wonder if Miori feels the same way. No, I want her to feel that way──such desires arise, and that’s what makes the greed of humans so terrifying.

Seeing us like that, Shuri tilted her head and said this.

“…Mom and Dad, puberty?”

It goes without saying that we, in the midst of puberty, turned red and coughed at the innocent words of the five-year-old.