About five years had passed since Yuzuru and Arisa’s eldest son, Manaya, was born.
On that day, Yuzuru took his wife and children on a drive to the zoo.
He parked the wagon in the car park.
“We’re here…”
Already looking slightly worn out, Yuzuru muttered as he opened the rear door.
The next moment—
“I’m first!!”
Something shot out from the back seat like a rocket.
A beat later, his wife—Arisa—leapt out in a panic.
“Hey! Wait! That’s dangerous!!”
Just before he could dash into the road, Arisa caught their son—Takasegawa Manaya.
“But—”
Don’t run off. Don’t dash ahead. Don’t wander off alone.
Having broken all the rules he was constantly reminded of, Manaya immediately tried to make excuses.
“The zoo isn’t going anywhere. Calm down a bit. You’re the big brother now—set a good example for your sisters.”
Though she had promised herself not to nag on a day out,
Arisa gently stroked his head as she admonished him.
“Okaaay.”
“It’s ‘yes,’ isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
(He probably doesn’t really get it…)
Thinking that to herself, Arisa firmly took hold of his hand.
Then she shot Yuzuru a sharp look as he casually got out of the car.
“You! Don’t just open the door like that!!”
“S-sorry…”
Yuzuru bowed repeatedly.
Since having children, Arisa had become more prone to scolding.
Her appearance hadn’t changed—still as beautiful and cute as ever—so even her angry face was oddly charming.
Of course, Yuzuru wasn’t foolish enough to say that out loud.
“Come on… Papa’s already sorry. Forgive him.”
“Pfft… where did you learn that?”
Arisa burst out laughing at Manaya’s unexpected mediation.
Yuzuru, meanwhile, smacked Manaya lightly on the head with a wry smile.
“Honestly… who do you think got me scolded in the first place?”
“You shouldn’t blame others.”
“…Yeah. Right.”
There was no way he could argue with his own child.
Chuckling, Yuzuru patted his son’s head,
while Arisa held her stomach, laughing.
“Papa, are you done yet?”
A disgruntled voice came from the car.
Looking over, Yuzuru saw a little girl sitting properly in her child seat, puffing her cheeks in annoyance.
With flaxen hair like Arisa’s and blue eyes like Yuzuru’s,
she looked like a doll.
“Ah, sorry, sorry. Here…”
Yuzuru hurried back and unfastened their well-behaved, quiet three-year-old daughter—Takasegawa Yuri.
“Mmm—carry me!”
“Alright, alright. Up you go!”
“Kya!”
He lifted her up and spun around.
Yuri let out a delighted squeal.
Though she seemed calm for her age,
she was actually quite the little spoiled one.
“Right then…”
Once she’d calmed down, Yuzuru handed Yuri to Arisa,
then turned his attention to the last child—still fast asleep.
Black hair, and beneath her closed eyelids, emerald eyes—
their one-year-old second daughter, Takasegawa Yusa.
Careful not to wake her, Yuzuru gently lifted her,
then placed her into the assembled stroller.
“Hurry up, hurry up!!”
“…Mm.”
“Just a little longer, alright?”
Arisa soothed the increasingly restless Manaya and Yuri,
while Yuzuru hurriedly slung their bags over his shoulder.
“Alright, shall we go?”
““Yeah!!””
Yuzuru pushed the stroller,
while Arisa held the hands of Manaya and Yuri as they set off.
Never let go of their hands.
Even if they did, never take your eyes off them.
That was what Yuzuru and Arisa had learned over five years of parenting.
Especially Manaya—
the moment you let go, he’d run off.
Look away for a second, and he’d disappear.
So far, nothing serious had happened—
he’d always come back looking perfectly fine—
but for his parents, it was nerve-wracking every time.
So they split up, each taking charge of different children as they explored the zoo.
Arisa kept a close eye on Manaya.
Yuzuru handled Yuri—who was relatively calm—and Yusa, who couldn’t run off yet.
Less than thirty minutes in—
“Hey, hurry up!!”
Manaya was already getting impatient,
urging them to move on.
“Yuri, maybe it’s time to—”
“No! I’m still looking!!”
Yuri shook her head firmly.
Though usually quiet, she had a strong will and refused to back down once she decided something.
“Shall we split up, then? Meet at the park at noon.”
“Sounds good.”
And so, they decided to move at each child’s pace.
Yuzuru watched as Arisa was practically dragged away by Manaya,
then continued with Yuri.
Unlike her brother, Yuri preferred to take her time.
She stared intently at the animals,
and even asked Yuzuru to read the information signs to her.
For Yuzuru—pushing a stroller—
this slower pace was actually a relief.
“Yuri, shall we go meet Mum now?”
“Ehh…”
She clearly wasn’t done yet.
Yuzuru wanted to prioritise her curiosity,
but there were practical concerns.
“Let’s go get lunch. If we don’t hurry, Mum and your brother might eat everything.”
Manaya probably wouldn’t eat everything—
but if kept waiting, he’d surely throw a tantrum.
And Yusa’s baby food was with Arisa.
“That’s no good!”
“Then let’s go?”
Reluctantly, Yuri nodded.
Then she spread her arms wide.
“Carry me!”
“…Carry you, huh?”
So that was the deal—
she’d cooperate, but only if carried.
Unfortunately, Yuzuru was already pushing the stroller.
“How about a piggyback instead?”
“Okay!”
Negotiations concluded.
Yuzuru crouched down,
and Yuri hopped onto his back.
“Hold on tight, alright?”
“Mm!”
And with Yuri on his back,
Yuzuru set off once more.
