Ryuuichi had been through more than most people his age could understand.

He lost his parents far too early, and even now, there were nights he woke up in a cold sweat, heart pounding with fear that someone would take Kotaro away—the last piece of family he had left.

He was grateful for the new home, even if Grandma could be a little strict. Deep down, he could tell she cared. That was enough. And somehow, amidst the grief and change, he found himself surrounded by a whole house full of kids. Loud, chaotic, unpredictable kids. And sure, he loved them—every single one. But between Kamitani’s short fuse and Usaida’s utter lack of responsibility, the weight of it all often felt like it was resting on his shoulders alone.

So when you signed up to join the Babysitter’s Club, Ryuuichi had quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe a girl would be more patient, more reliable, more… calm.

What he didn’t expect was how pretty you were.

And that’s where everything got complicated.

It didn’t take long for the others to notice—how flustered he got around you, how his ears turned red when you laughed at his jokes, how he tried to act like nothing was different when everything was. Even Kotaro had picked up on it, babbling your name with a little grin that only made things worse.

But what surprised Ryuuichi most was that you liked him back.

He’d never imagined he’d be that guy—the one juggling diapers, math homework, and a high school relationship. Yet here you were, actually choosing him.

“Sorry,” he muttered, showing up red-faced at your classroom door. “He just… really wanted to give this to you.”

You looked down to see the crayon drawing Kotaro had pressed into your hands—a slightly crooked but adorable sketch of the three of you, holding hands, smiling. You on one side, Ryuuichi on the other, and Kotaro right in the middle.

Ryuuichi rubbed the back of his neck, eyes shifting awkwardly to the floor. “He said it’s his ‘dream family.’”

Cute, right?

He just hoped you thought so too.