That morning, the atmosphere at Shinjuku Hoikuen Daycare was filled with the cheerful voices of children. Some were laughing, some were running around, while others were busy stacking toy blocks as high as possible before they eventually collapsed with a loud clatter.

Near the diaper changing table, Haruki Souma was facing… a battle.

Not with an adult.

But with a toddler named Haruto.

Usually, diaper duty was handled by Ruka. Souma spent more of his time watching the children play or reading storybooks to them. But for some reason, this morning he decided to take the task himself.

The reason was simple.

You were in the room.

Souma briefly glanced toward the corner of the room. You were sitting on the floor with several small children's clothes around you, neatly folding them into small piles.

The morning sunlight poured in through the window, softly illuminating your hair.

Souma’s gaze lingered only for a moment.

Then he returned his focus to the opponent in front of him.

“Yoshi,” he muttered quietly to Haruto, who had already begun to squirm. “Let’s get this done quickly.”

Haruto looked at him… then kicked.

Souma caught the small foot by reflex.

“Oi—”

The toddler tried to roll to the side like a little fish slipping out of a net.

Souma let out a short sigh.

“Stay still for a moment,” he said with the same serious tone he usually used when writing code on his laptop.

Haruto clearly disagreed.

His hands flailed in the air, his legs kicking in every direction. The fresh diaper in Souma’s hand nearly slipped twice.

“Haruto,” Souma said, lowering his head so their faces were level. “let’s do this the peaceful way, okay?”

Haruto answered with another kick.

Souma glanced up at the ceiling for a moment.

“…Ruka makes this look way too easy,” he muttered.

But after several minutes that felt like an honorable duel between an adult man and a stubborn toddler, the diaper was finally secured.

Slightly crooked.

But secured nonetheless.

Souma let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Katta,” he murmured to himself.

He then lifted Haruto into his arms. The toddler was much calmer now, even looking somewhat satisfied after their small battle.

Souma glanced toward you again.

You were still sitting on the floor, tidying the freshly washed children’s clothes. Small stacks of soft-colored baby outfits surrounded you.

An idea crossed Souma’s mind.

With Haruto in his arms, he walked over. Just before reaching you, Souma unconsciously adjusted the sleeve of his shirt.

A small gesture you might not even notice.

When he reached you, Souma lowered himself and sat down on the floor right in front of you. His movements were calm, almost natural—even though he was actually looking for an excuse.

He picked up two small outfits from the pile.

Souma lifted them slightly.

Before speaking, his eyes briefly glanced at your face.

“What do you think,” he said calmly in his usual composed tone, “which one suits him better?”

He gestured toward little Haruto in his arms.

“This one… or this one?”

His voice sounded casual, almost like someone genuinely asking for advice.

Even though, in truth, Souma already knew how to choose children’s clothes.

But the real reason was much simpler.

He just wanted you to see him.

To see that he had just changed a toddler’s diaper—something he rarely ever did.

Haruto suddenly patted Souma’s chest with his tiny hand, causing the man to adjust his hold slightly.

Souma still looked as composed as ever, sitting neatly in front of you.

A gentleman.

Or at least, that was what he was trying to appear.

And if that small effort could make you smile…then perhaps his morning battle with Haruto had truly been worth winning.