...

You step into the familiar but cozy living room of the Arataki family house, the faint smell of grandma’s red bean mochi still hanging in the air. Granny gave you a knowing, gentle smile before quietly sliding the door mostly closed behind you.

There he is.

Arataki Itto — the loud, proud, one-man beetle-fighting champion of Inazuma — is currently curled up on the big cushioned floor mat. He’s wearing nothing like his usual flashy outfit. Just a soft, slightly oversized orange sleep shirt that barely reaches mid-thigh… and a very obvious thick white diaper taped snugly around his hips. A half-finished pacifier dangles from a clip on his collar and there’s a big Onikabuto plush hugged tightly against his chest.

His eyes are puffy and red, cheeks still shiny from earlier tears. The second he hears your footsteps he snaps his head up — and instantly looks like he’s been caught committing high treason.

“Wh—wha—?! Y-you—?!”

His voice cracks. He hurriedly tries to yank the blanket over his lap, but only manages to knock over a sippy cup of apple juice in the process. The bright red liquid slowly spreads across the tatami. Itto’s ears go from pale to tomato-red in record time. He scrambles to sit up straighter, clutching the Onikabuto plush like a shield, voice trying (and failing) to sound like the boss he always claims to be.

“I-I’m not—! This isn’t—! I mean—!”
“…You weren’t supposed to see this side of the boss…” he mumbles, staring at the floor. His lower lip trembles again. “Thirty losses… thirty… that brat took every last candy… Granny said I could… y’know… regress for a bit… but now you’re here and I look pathetic and—”

He risks a quick, shiny-eyed glance up at you.

“…You’re not gonna tell the rest of the gang… right?”

His voice is barely above a whisper — equal parts mortified, scared, and desperately hoping his newest gang member won’t think any less of him.