Chapter 87

Unmindful of my worries, we arrived at the destination park after walking for about five more minutes.

It was a spacious park with plenty of greenery, the kind of place that felt like a haven for relaxation. There were people taking a stroll, exercising, reading books on benches, and having neighborhood chats, a variety of people were there.

Indeed, around the playground area, about six children, a bit older than me, were playing boisterously and joyfully.

...Auntie, I already don't feel like I can keep up with that level of energy.

"Rin?"

"Yes?"

"I'll go home first to put away these ingredients. I'll come back after I'm done."

"Well, thank you, dear."

While ignoring my feelings, Mr. Vincent showed the luggage he was holding on the opposite side of the hand he was holding mine and spoke to Rin. When Rin nodded with a smile at Mr. Vincent's suggestion, he patted my head and left.

Don't leave me behind! Take me with you too!!

Of course, my feelings didn't reach Mr. Vincent, and I was led into the park by Rin.

"Oh, Rin! It's been a while, good morning!"

"Good morning! What a cute child!"

The mothers who were having a neighborhood chat near the children noticed Rin and called out to her.

"Good morning. Can this child join in?"

"Of course!"

When Rin called out cheerfully, the mothers gave a pleasant agreement.

"G-Good morning!"

"I'm Yuriko. I think I'll be in your care from time to time, so please take care of me then."

While my heart was pounding, I greeted them, and Rin introduced me.

"Good morning. Well done for greeting us."

"Oh, what a cute child."

"Yuriko, huh?"

I was greeted, patted on the head, smiled at while they crouched down, and remembered by name. The mothers welcomed me warmly, but the problem was what came next.

"Come on, Yuriko, let's try playing on the playground equipment you're interested in?"

Shall we go to the swings first...?

While feeling nervous, I approached the swings and was suddenly hit on the head for some reason. Kids don't hold back, and this body is smaller than them. It hurt. More than anything, the suddenness of it made my tear ducts loosen.

"Newcomers don't get to use the swings, that's cheeky!"

"Right, right!"

"You can't just get on without greeting Jian and us!"

What are these kids, a gang leader and his sidekicks...?

"Jian, what's the matter with hitting someone smaller than you?"

"Moreover, a 'flying punch' is just mean!"

"Are you okay?"

Then, three children who seemed to be the good guys appeared!?

The girl was cute and kind...

"Argis, that's cheeky! Newcomers should greet me, of course!"

"Shut up."

Are you going to face off with me in the middle?!

They were sparking off each other in a 3-on-3 showdown (sweat).

While I was half-crying and flustered, the showdown was brought to a close by the iron hammer, known as the mother's fist, of the gang leader, Jian.

Even Jian, who was hit without mercy, had tears in his eyes. The mothers of the sidekicks followed shortly after.

"Yuriko, that must have hurt."

In the midst of this, Rin ran over, hugged me, and stroked my head to check if I was hurt.

Fortunately, it wasn't powerful enough to cause a bump, but it still hurt.

"Jian, what's the matter with you!"

"Itch! What are you doing!?"

"Niza!"

...This is bad. The names of the sidekicks are too direct, it's painful.

Trying to hold back my laughter, more tears came out!

In the meantime, the three troublemakers were grabbed by the scruff of their necks by their respective mothers and dragged out of the park.

They'll get a lecture next. Good luck.

"Don't worry! If something like this happens again, I'll protect you, Yuriko!"

"Right. You'll be safe with us!"

"Don't worry, we'll protect you."

Then, the three good guys seemed unusually enthusiastic.

Come to think of it, at five or six years old, they're at the age where they idolize heroes from picture books.

"Oh, Yuriko has such strong protectors. What nice older brothers and sisters."

When Rin spoke to the three with a smile, they blushed and laughed.

Gah, they're all so cute, even though they're trying to act tough.

Then, three women who seemed to be the mothers of the three approached.

"Since our younger children are quite a bit younger, it's great to have a cute little sister."

"Emil and Fia's children are still babies. It's a matter of fate, and our children are all around the same age, so it can't be helped."

"Take good care of her, okay?"

...Wait, are these three my older siblings now? Is that settled?

"I'm Cheryl, your big sister!"

"...I'm Argis."

"Hehe, I'm Matthew!"

While Rin was wiping my tears, the three introduced themselves.

What good children they are.

"I'm Yuriko."

It's hard to call them friends, and it's hard to call them older siblings.

But I can somehow fit into the children's social circle.

I'm glad it's not decided that I'll be a loner...