All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Izumi Kotomi crouched down and carefully unhooked the small penguin charm from her backpack, handing it to Yuka Yuigahama with a smile.

”If you like it, little Yuka, you can have this penguin,” she said gently.

”Really? Thank you, Izumi-neechan!” Yuka’s big eyes sparkled with joy as she happily accepted the little penguin charm.

At this age, kids like Yuka were easily pleased by small toys. Kotomi thought that in a few years, it wouldn’t be so easy to make her happy. By then, she’d probably be asking for Ultraman figures or dolls.

Kotomi couldn’t help but recall her own kindergarten days in her previous life, where she adored Ultraman and Kamen Rider. Back then, whenever she didn’t want to go to kindergarten, her dad would say, ”We’re not going to kindergarten; we’re going to buy toys!”

Naively, she always believed him, excitedly getting dressed and hopping into the car, only to realize when they arrived that they were at the kindergarten gate, not the toy store.

”Goodbye, Ms. Shirou!” Yuka waved as she tiptoed on her little legs to give a kiss on the cheek of the teacher who had been standing protectively beside her. It turned out that all the kids at the kindergarten called this teacher Ms. Shirou.

Kotomi had to admit, Ms. Shirou had both the looks and the figure. Perhaps because she worked with children, her demeanor exuded a natural warmth and gentle charm.

”Goodbye, Yuka! Make sure to be careful on your way home with your sister,” Ms. Shirou said with a smile, returning Yuka’s kiss on her chubby little cheek.

Kotomi patiently waited nearby, then picked up the adorable Yuka and left Hanamaru Kindergarten.

With Yuka safely in her arms, the next step was to deliver her to the Dango Cake Shop where her mom worked. Kotomi also realized that Ms. Shirou would likely update Yuka’s mom, Mrs. Yuigahama, about the day. If the teacher praised Kotomi’s kindness in picking up Yuka, it would only improve her standing with Yui’s family. That was always a bonus.

”Are you hungry, little Yuka?” Kotomi asked as she carried her.

Fortunately, although Yuka looked a bit chubby, most of the weight was in her round cheeks, which were adorably plump with baby fat. Carrying her didn’t feel too tiring.

”I want takoyaki!” Yuka chirped.

”Alright, let’s get some takoyaki. How about I ask them to sprinkle extra bonito flakes and seaweed on top?” Kotomi smiled, remembering a previous conversation where Yui had mentioned that Yuka loved the toppings on takoyaki, particularly the bonito flakes and seaweed. Yuka would always eat the toppings first before diving into the actual takoyaki balls.

”Yay! I love the bonito flakes and seaweed the most!” Yuka clapped her hands in excitement, hugging Kotomi and pressing her soft, chubby cheeks against Kotomi’s.

Kotomi couldn’t help but smile lovingly at the little girl. Yuka was just too cute!

”Did you study hard at kindergarten today, Yuka?”

”Of course! I even answered a question by myself today. Ms. Shirou was so happy, she gave me a chocolate bear biscuit as a reward! Do you like chocolate bear biscuits, Izumi-neechan?”

”I like bear biscuits, but I’m not a big fan of chocolate.”

”Then what flavor do you like?”

”I like strawberry filling.”

”Next time Ms. Shirou gives me a strawberry bear biscuit, I’ll save it for you!” Yuka said enthusiastically.

Kotomi was taken aback for a moment but then smiled warmly.

”Since you worked so hard to get that bear biscuit, you must have studied really well today. How about I ask you a Japanese language question as a little test?”

”Sure!” Yuka said eagerly.

”What’s Ms. Shirou’s full name?”

”Ms. Shirou! I love Ms. Shirou; she always gives me bear biscuits!”

”Not that. I mean, what’s her full name?”

”But everyone at kindergarten calls her Shirou!”

Kotomi facepalmed inwardly. Of course, kids Yuka’s age wouldn’t know something like a teacher’s full name.

”Haha, okay... How about I ask you a math question and a geography question, then? Only really smart kids with great memories can answer these! Let’s start with the math question. What’s Ms. Shirou’s phone number?”

”I don’t know that,” Yuka shook her head.

”Alright, how about a geography question? What train does Ms. Shirou take after school?”

Yuka tilted her head, clearly confused.

”Train? Is that the long thing that runs underground? Don’t you just ride it to wherever you want to go? By the way, Izumi-neechan, what’s geography?”

”...”

”Izumi-neechan, am I a smart kid?”

”You’re super smart...”

A few moments passed.

”Izumi-neechan, why did you stop carrying me?”

”My arms are tired. You’re a bit heavy,” Kotomi admitted.

They soon reached a takoyaki stand, where Kotomi asked the vendor to sprinkle extra bonito flakes and seaweed on Yuka’s takoyaki.

Initially, Kotomi had thought about buying four portions—one for each member of the Yuigahama family—but after considering it, she decided to start with just two.

It wasn’t because she didn’t have enough money, but because showing up with food for the entire family might make Yui’s mom feel awkward. Kotomi wanted to make sure she didn’t come on too strong. A careful balance was the key to building relationships.

It was like playing a strategy game—no one uses their ultimate move right at the start. Instead, they make gradual, calculated progress.

After buying the takoyaki, Kotomi walked with Yuka for a while. When the crowd thinned out a bit, she let go of Yuka’s hand.

While Kotomi would have preferred to hold Yuka’s hand for safety until they reached the cake shop, the little girl had been eyeing the takoyaki box since they left the stand. She looked like she was about to drool.

It wouldn’t be safe to let her walk and eat at the same time—what if she accidentally poked herself with one of the wooden skewers?

So Kotomi led Yuka to a nearby bench, where they sat down to enjoy the takoyaki before heading to the cake shop.

”Is it good?” Kotomi asked, smiling as she watched Yuka’s adorable expression while she munched on the takoyaki. There was something about her chubby cheeks that was just so heartwarming.

”Mm! It’s delicious! And there are so many bonito flakes and seaweed!”

Most people liked takoyaki for the octopus pieces inside, but Yuka was all about the toppings.

”If you’re still hungry, you can have mine too,” Kotomi said, lightly shaking the box of takoyaki in her hand.

Yuka’s eyes showed she was tempted, but she shook her head. ”One portion is enough. You should eat yours too, Izumi-neechan.”

”If you want, you can have both portions,” Kotomi offered again.

”No, thank you,” Yuka said, shaking her head firmly. Her big, beautiful eyes gleamed with determination. ”Mom said I shouldn’t accept too much from others.”

Hearing this, Kotomi was taken aback for a moment. She had many things she wanted to say, but in the end, she simply smiled warmly and gently patted Yuka’s head.

Perhaps due to her family’s situation, Yuka was even more thoughtful and mature than Kotomi had imagined.