53 Practice Parenting (1/2)

Amid the noises of the games and children laughing, they were surprised by a weird sound that came from the child's mouth. Almost immediately after calling her mother, Miyu ran to shove her face against Momoka. It was not like Arata and Yukari would make fun of it, but it seemed like Miyu was used to that kind of reaction.

Instead of dwelling on the sound, Arata just looked at the supposed mother of the child. ”Momoka? She's your daughter?” He remembered how the mother talked about the girl back in her route. His face brightened up in glee and anticipation. ”The little lady pirate last Halloween?!” He did not see a photo, but she did say a lot about how she prepared the costume from scratch.

The child scooted to the side like a crab just so she could take a look at Arata. He mentioned about her favorite Halloween costume from last year. Momoka noticed the small movements as well. She patted her daughter's head and giggled as she recalled her animated talks with the player back then. Needless to say, Yukari and Yoshitaka were clueless, but they stayed listening.

”It's so embarrassing that you remembered that! It's just a small chat!” Momoka kept on giggling, touched by his sharp memory.

”You know nothing escapes my memory.” Arata placed his hand over his chin like emphasizing how handsome and awesome he was. He even wiggled his brows along with it.

Yukari could not help but to knock his head from behind, outside the view of the child.

”Anyway, since we're already here, why don't we get some snacks together? Are you going home now?” Arata consoled his head. In his excitement, he accidentally triggered a Date sequence. It was the first time he was able to trigger it while having the company of another person, let alone another date-able. Then again since he had, he ended up playing the sequence.

It was lucky he was with Yukari, or else it could have gone sour. Then again, Momoka was with her child and her... little brother.

The Arcade Basket was next to the mall, and so going there required not much effort. It also seemed fun since Yoshitaka started chattering with Yukari behind them. Arata was carrying Miyu as per her request. Right now, she saw him as someone trusted by her mother. Not to mention that Arata's Charms were over the top that he had no trouble making acquaintances. Miyu did not seem to be an unlockable, which was great, or else Sayaka would not hear the end of it.

Most things proceeded smoothly just until the last part. Yoshitaka knew high schoolers were not allowed to be in his sister's bar. How did she meet Arata, and how come was he kissing another woman in front of his supposed girlfriend. He managed to see through Yukari's stoic face; he saw the loud huffs that she could have done inside her. She made no sound, but her eyes spoke too loud.

She noticed Yoshitaka looking her way. ”What?”

”You're okay with that?” He frowned at her. ”Isn't he your boyfriend?”

”Hm? No.”

”Oh.”

”The girl you're so enthusiastic about? That's the girlfriend, but...” she trailed her voice before looking at Arata's direction again. ”They're pretty much in a very complicated relationship. It's starting to be less and less romantic alone. It's probably an unaddressed ob—what?” She felt a hand hold her arm. She saw Yoshitaka paling up next to her.

”Can you repeat that part? Attori-chan is... what?”

Before Yukari could answer, they heard a ringtone blare along the walkway they were treading. It was Momoka's phone, and she excused herself to answer. Arata turned to the other two behind him, smiling at them as if asking them if they were having fun. Miyu did the same, flashing her wide smile and waving her hands. Instead of breaking Yoshitaka's heart further, the best friend just left him where he stood and approached Arata to dot on Miyu and her cute smile.

Momoka walked back to the group. Her eyes were sad, drooped with displeasure and disappointment. ”I'm being called to the club for an emergency. Miyu, we have to go home now.” She watched the child clung onto the man carrying her harder. ”Ah, that's a shame, isn't it?”

”What time were you planning to go home today, Momoka?” Arata consoled the child to keep her from strangling him with her hold.

”I told her I'll show her the city lights. She's been in the hospital for so long. She hasn't seen them in a while.” She hummed, soon twitching in panic and apology. ”W-Wait, nothing bad happened to her! It's just that she was being observed for a surgery. She got very nervous so the doctors told me to let her walk around the city today.”

”A surgery? What kind?” Yukari joined the conversation. Looking at Miyu, who was small and fragile, she could not help but to feel pity if she would have a major surgery at that age.

Momoka smile became crooked, hoping she did not have to discuss it in front of her child. Then again, she had no choice but to answer. Arata had given her a good deal of help and kindness, asking for more should not hurt, should it?

She started walking ahead, leading the group as she walked backwards. ”You heard her earlier, didn't you? You also notice she wouldn't say anything. She didn't eat anything solid as well, right?” She hummed, eyes on the floor, hoping for their reflections against the floor was enough for her to catch their reactions. ”Miyu has vocal cord paralysis. Since I could have the money for a surgery, I asked her to go through it. She felt too excluded ever since her classmates made fun of her in school. She got stuck to homeschooling, and she didn't have friends as well.

”I was hoping I could end her fears as soon as possible. But right now, she's too scared of it.” She chuckled. ”It might take a while for her to feel good, but at least I did something about it, right?”

Arata turned to Miyu who was hiding her face from them. He took a look at Yukari before gazing at the child again. ”Momoka, do you trust me enough to leave her with me for now? We'll take her home after showing her the city lights.”

Yoshitaka twitched and babbled, ”I-I'm staying with Miyu!”