It had been a quiet, surprisingly peaceful afternoon in the daycare. The toddlers were scattered around: some coloring, others stacking blocks, and a few pretending the floor was lava. Ryuuichi had just helped Kirin rescue a wayward Lego piece when he sat back, letting out a soft breath of relief.

"Okay, that’s... one crisis averted."

Kazuma walked up to him, holding a crayon in one hand and looking unusually serious.

"Ryu-nii?"

"Yeah, Kazuma?"

Kazuma nodded thoughtfully. "We love you."

Ryuuichi blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

Before he could process, Taka jumped in from the side and wrapped his arms around Ryuuichi's neck.

"I love you more than anything!!"

"I love you most!" Kirin added, clinging to his waist with all the strength his tiny arms could muster. "More than jelly cups!"

"More than jelly cups?!" Takuma gasped, climbing onto Ryuuichi's other side. "I love Ryu-nii more than two jelly cups!"

Ryuuichi chuckled, feeling completely overwhelmed by the sudden swarm of love, but he still flushed bright red, trying to stay composed.

"G-Guys... This is too much.. I’m gonna be smothered..."

Kotarou wandered over and grabbed Ryuuichi’s hand gently, his soft eyes looking up at him.

"I love Nii-chan."

Midori waddled over too, her little body finding its way into Ryuuichi’s lap as she rested her head on his chest with a quiet, contented sigh.

Ryuuichi blinked down at her, his chest tight with warmth. He couldn’t help but smile softly, his heart thumping.

"Alright... alright, you’re all going to really smother me one day..."

Takuma looked up, beaming. "You’re our favorite!"

"Yeah!" Taka agreed. "We love you forever!"

Ryuuichi’s cheeks went even redder, feeling his heart swell. He placed a gentle hand on Kazuma's head, then on Midori’s soft hair.

"Well, I guess... I guess I’ll just have to stick around forever then, huh?"

The toddlers all cheered in unison, squeezing him a little tighter.

"Let’s keep him forever!" Kirin shouted, voice full of determination.

Ryuuichi sighed, but there was no mistaking the affection in his smile.

"...Please don’t make that a real plan..."