H-Heavy...
Awake already, Kotaro?
That's right...
This isn't the apartment we lived in with Mom and Dad, is it?
Are you still in bed?!
Get up this instant!
But it's only a little past five...
If there's one thing I despise, it's wasted time!
Enough of your lollygagging!
Eat your breakfast, pick up your lunch, and get to school, post-haste!
I have prepared your breakfast and lunches for the day.
As of today, you'll be spending all your time during morning and afternoon breaks
looking after the babies in the daycare.
Is that understood?
Yes, ma'am!
Shaggy...
Who are you calling shaggy?!
If you say that one more time, I'll give you the same hairstyle!
I'm so sorry, ma'am!
Adorable.
On another subject, regarding your new uniform...
I have less than a year of middle school left, so I might as well wear my old one...
Just pipe down and put that one on.
You're a student of my academy now.
You will wear the uniform.
Thank you, ma'am!
It fits perfectly.
Oh, heck...
I guess this is our real home now.
Hey, Kotaro. Let's get you dressed, too, so we can get going.
School Babysitters
Hey, that looks good on you, Ryu-chan.
Thank you.
But I'm shocked that the old cheapskate
bought you a middle school uniform you'll only be wearing for a few months.
The chairwoman isn't a cheapskate at all.
Oh, I'd better get going.
See ya later.
Kotaro.
I'll be back for lunch.
Wake up Usaida-san if you need anything, okay?
People seem to be laughing as I pass by...
Hey, Kashima.
Kamitani! Good morning.
Hey, Kamitani...
Is there something weird about me?
It's my first day in this uniform, so...
Yeah, there is.
There is?
What were you thinking, dragging the kids out here with you?
Kotaro? What are you doing here?
And you guys...
Kotaro wanted to follow you, so we came with him.
Kotaro...
Hey, Ryu! Play with us!
Yeah, play!
Play!
Guys, you're making a scene! Quiet down!
Taka, shut your mouth right now.
I wanna play with Ryu!
Shut it.
Kamitani, please stop threatening small children!
I... I...
Nii-chan, you poopiehead!
Taka-kun!
Sorry about that.
"Sorry" won't cut it.
What are children doing in our middle school?
We can't have you turning our school into a playground to suit your own needs.
Scary!
S-Sorry! I'll take them away right now.
It's okay, everyone. Don't cry!
Kamitani, sorry, but can you help me round them up?
Sure.
That's Inomata from the gifted class, right?
She's top of the class, but she's so mean...
I hear Kashima's looking after those kids because he lost his parents.
She was way too hard on him.
Oh, Inomata-san.
Were there children crying over here just now?
Or did I just imagine it?
Yes, there were children here causing a scene.
I issued a warning to the boy who'd brought them here.
Regardless of his circumstances,
not every student here has time to play with children the way he does.
Inomata-san, as the top student in the gifted class, you have a lot on your shoulders.
It must be hard.
It certainly isn't.
To study hard is every student's duty.
True enough.
That's right, Inomata-san.
I'd like to ask a favor of you.
Guys, we're back in the daycare, so you can relax now.
How long are you gonna sleep?
Ouch...
Get up already!
Where did that come from? Idiot!
Kotaro?
You don't have to be sad, Kotaro.
It's my fault she yelled. Because I didn't notice you were there.
That's right.
You're in the babysitter club, aren't you?
You need to be more aware of what's happening around you.
R-Right...
Anyway, what are you doing here?
Ms. Kamitani's son forgot his lunch, so she asked me to bring it.
I... I see...
I've done what she asked, so I'll be—
Ow, ow, ow!
My stomach... suddenly, my stomach is killing me!
Are you okay?
I don't think I am!
Hayato, take me to the nurse's office right now!
Which means... Ryu-chan, and you there!
Would you look after the children until I return?
Please!
Wait...
Thanks a bunch.
Um...
I can handle things here by myself, so you're free to go back to class.
Uh...
I am Inomata of Class A.
Since he asked for my help,
it would be irresponsible of me to leave without permission.
They're all pretty scared, though...
Uh, I'm Kashima from Class C.
Well... Would you like me to hold the baby for you?
I-It's not because I want to hold her!
But now that I've accepted the task, I feel that I should help out!
Hush! Inomata-san, you're being too loud!
It's okay, Midori-chan! Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid!
What is that supposed to mean?
Ouch!
You villain!
You'll pay this time!
We're gonna beat you up!
Get her!
Who are you calling a villain?!
Everyone, come here.
Let's all tell Inomata-san we're sorry.
We're the ones at fault here.
I don't want them to apologize because they were forced to.
But I suppose this is hard on you, too.
Having to care for such disobedient children...
You must not have any proper free time.
It's truly pitiable.
That's not true.
Being with these kids has been a lot of fun for both my brother and me.
Don't you give me that triumphant smile!
Yes, I know! You're not pitiable at all!
Look at how much they all like you!
And, of course, I'm the one everybody hates!
Studying is the only thing I'm good at!
Which means...
Studying is all I have.
But... the harder I study, the more alone I become.
Onee-chama, please don't cry!
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
Yeah.
What... Why are you crying, too?
I don't know exactly why Inomata-san started crying.
But the warmer and more reassured you feel, the more the tears flow.
The gifted class is full of students who don't know how to take a break, isn't it?
Though a few are a little too good at it...
Yeah...
Kamitani, how's Usaida-san doing?
Don't worry. He was faking it.
So, what do we do about her?
I feel like we should probably wake her up...
But I'd also like to let her sleep.
Looks like you've got another kid to look after.
Hey! What time is it?
Lunchtime.
We tried to wake you, but you just kept sleeping...
I would never skip class without a good reason!
What's wrong, Kotaro?
Kotaro-chan's sad because of what Taka-chan said.
Animals
Kotaro.
It's dumb how you're wearing that shirt when you've never seen a real tiger!
Animals
I see.
Is that right?
What? I just told the truth!
I didn't do nothin' wrong!
Yes, you did.
Go on, say you're sorry.
Hey, it's okay...
You're not too mad, are you, Kotaro?
You always do that!
You just hate me, Nii-chan!
What are you talking about?
Yeah, Taka-kun.
He doesn't hate you—
I don't particularly like or hate you.
Doesn't like or hate me -> Doesn't like me -> Hates me!!
I hate you, Nii-chan!
Kamitani! What are you thinking?
I was just being honest with him.
Little brothers go beyond like or hate.
I don't think Taka-kun is capable of grasping that nuance...
So what if he doesn't?
He's being a brat, so I'll take him with me for now.
See you tomorrow, Kashima.
Put me down! You ain't my big brother no more!
Oh, yeah?
Kotaro.
Would you like to go to the zoo with me this weekend?
How much does a pass to the zoo cost, again?
Though, if I dip into my savings...
Ryu-niichama! Kotaro-chan!
I wanna go and see the giraffes, too.
I wanna see the zebras!
I... I wanna see... horsies...
But you should really spend your days off with your parents...
Ryu-chan.
I know you love your little brother, but you shouldn't play favorites.
You should take all of them.
I'll go with you, too.
I can get paid for working weekends.
Okay, let's take a field trip this Sunday!
A field trip, you say?
Y-Yes, ma'am.
The mothers will be coming along, too.
Would it be all right for me to take them out on Sunday?
Do as you like.
Um, also...
Usaida-san said he'd be working during the weekend, and he'd like to get paid...
Why should I pay that idiot for a trip the guardians are going along on?
S-Sorry...
For Heaven's sake.
Isn't there something else you want to ask me?
Would you like to come with us to the zoo, ma'am?
What made you think I was asking for an invitation?
I wouldn't be caught dead in that stinking place!
I see.
Here. Your lunches, Ryuichi-sama, Kotaro-sama.
I made a bit extra,
so please share it with the others.
Th-Thank you.
A bit extra?
And this is from the chairwoman.
You're free to use it as you see fit,
but she'd like a report on your spending later.
Got it. I'll use it responsibly.
And for the noble Ryuichi-sama, I will add an extra special snack set.
Uh, I'm already carrying too much... but I appreciate the sentiment.
Well, ready to go, Kota—
...ro?
We're off!
Have a good trip.
The chairwoman gave me this money, so you can pay yourself out of it.
Ryu-chan, don't worry about it.
I'm going to serve as photographer,
and earn money selling the photos to the fathers who can't participate.
Sorry I'm late.
No! No! No! No!
Kamitani... Your club's practicing today?
Yeah, and my mom's got stuff to do. Can I just send Taka in alone?
Put me down! Put me down! Put me down!
Of course, but...
Sorry to dump him on you on your day off.
I'd planned to skip practice and come with you, but...
Don't you follow us, Nii-chan!
Well, you see how it is.
Are you two still fighting?
Just tell him you really do like him already!
But I don't especially like him.
Let's go, Kotaro!
Hey! Wait, Taka-kun!
Taka! Don't cause trouble for Kashima and Kotaro!
Masano Zoo Welcome
An elephant!
It's an elephant!
So big...
But... But I ain't scared!
Ellfunt.
That's a relief. Looks like Taka-kun might enjoy the trip, after all.
I'm glad it was that simple.
Look this way, now!
Time for the tiger exhibit!
Wow, not even fazed, huh?
If we were out in the wild, he'd be the first one eaten, I bet.
There, there. You're safe.
Ryu-chan, Kotaro.
So cute!
That real tiger wasn't scary at all!
Uh-huh.
I think it's time we had some lunch.
Then I'll go pick up the lunches I left in the locker.
Large Objects Locker
Did you see it?
Uh-huh!
Where shall we go next?
Hey, Ryu-chan, Kotaro.
Over here.
Usaida-san, what's the matter?
It's tough being the only man around three married ladies.
Come back quick and let's eat.
Ryu, Kotaro!
Hurry up!
Yeah. Let's go, Kotaro.
What's the matter? Wishing you'd come with your Nii-chan?
No way! Stupid Usaida!
Amazing! Did Saikawa-san really make all this?
Yes.
I wonder if he'd teach me the recipe.
They're not just cute. They're delicious, too!
I know they'll buy this one. So cute!
What's wrong, Kotaro?
Shaggy. Old lady.
It does look like her...
That reminds me. The chairwoman's name is Morinomiya Yoko. Yoko, as in "little sheep."
Okay, let's get the two of you with the old lady. Line up!
Shaggy...
Say cheese!
This one's what my name means!
Cool, huh?
Taka-kun.
There's a bird here with your brother Hayato's name, too.
Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon) Falconiformes Falconidae English Name: Peregrine Falcon Distribution: Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceanea, South/North Africa
Falconiformes Falconidae, huh?
Those two like brothers, too, I guess.
That jerk's not my brother.
Let's go over there, Kotaro.
Taka-kun!
Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine.
So, we've finally arrived at the true battlefield...
Don't let it break you.
Mama! Mama!
Buy this one! This one!
A souvenir for the old lady.
Just one, though.
Usaida-san, excuse me.
I'm going to buy this, so just wait for me here.
Sure.
Taka.
If there's anything you want, I'll buy it for you.
It can be a souvenir for Hayato-niichan.
I don't want one!
Let's see. I bet Hayato would like...
How about this?
Huh?
Usaida-san, sorry for the wait.
Where's Taka-kun?
Um...
Taka-kun? Taka-kun!
Wait! Nii-chan!
The zoo is now closing.
We ask all patrons to make sure you have all your belongings
and be careful on your way out of the park.
Thank you for coming to see us today.
Nii-chan!
What?
A man shouldn't cry just because he got lost. Idiot.
I wasn't cryin'!
Taka-kun! Kamitani!
Thank goodness you're safe.
Go on, say you're sorry!
Kamitani!
Ow...
Goodbye!
I'm glad you're here, though.
You were worried enough about Taka-kun to come all the way here?
I wasn't worried. My old lady told me to come, that's all.
You let him go by himself?!
You insensitive idiot!
When she found me at practice, she hit me.
Still, I'm really glad.
Taka-kun was definitely lonely without you.
Nii-chan, I...
Stupid Nii-chan...
I love you a lot.
Idiot.
I don't particularly hate you, either.
I guess even you get bashful, huh?
What's that supposed to mean?
Besides, your little brother is way too in love with you.
Because whether we're crying, laughing, or fighting...
We'll always be brothers.
Next Episode Preview
Saikawa here.
Here's what to look forward to next week: A man's teeth are his life.
Hm? Still more time to fill?
A secretary's chairwoman is his life.