Chapter 97 Shirogane Aqua, I Became Kohina-senpai’s Papa
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
On a refreshing morning, I heard Kaede’s voice making a frantic commotion.
”It’s a disaster! It’s a disaster!” Kaede shouted.
What could be happening this early in the morning? I wondered if Kaede had caused another miracle, like the National Broadcaster¹ headquarters exploding into flames during the recording of ‘Daily Gohan.’ With that thought, I hurriedly sat up and slowly climbed out of bed. Just then, the bedroom door in front of me blew away as if it were made of styrofoam.
”Aqua-kun! Yuka-yuka-Yukari is!!” Kaede yelled.
”Kohina-senpai?” I asked.
Don’t tell me Kohina-senpai finally got arrested by the police for some kind of tyrannical crime!? I woke up completely and put on a serious face.
”Actually, she drank a suspicious plastic bottle that Emily had, and well, things happened…” Kaede said.
”W-What did you say~!? You mean after drinking the liquid in the mysterious bottle Emily had, Kohina-senpai turned into a child and even her memories rewound~!?” I exclaimed.
No, no, there’s no way that’s possible!! Just as I was about to give Kaede a retort, a small girl poked her face out from behind Kaede.
”Hey, Kaede. Who is… this man?” the girl asked.
Her voice was that of a child, and her face was clearly young. Even so, I realized that the girl standing before me was Kohina-senpai.
”Oh, this person is, well… let’s see… what was the relationship between Aqua-kun and Yukari again? Unrelated older sister and younger brother? No, more like mother and son? Huh? But since the ages are reversed now… Oh, I know! He’s Yukari’s papa!!” Kaede declared.
”Wait a minute!?” I shouted.
Kaede, your brain has completely gone ‘hoge’ right now!! Normally, you’d say he’s Kohina-senpai’s master, or at least his older brother would make sense, but ‘papa’ is definitely a no-go!!
”A-Aqua-kun, sorry. Emily is calling, so I’ll go ask her what to do,” Kaede said.
”Ah, okay,” I replied.
Kaede leaves my room to take the call. I hope Emily knows some kind of solution… But seriously, where did she get that drink in the first place? No, there’s something more important than that right now.
Stare…
Feeling an intense gaze from behind, I turn my eyes toward Kohina-senpai.
”This guy is my papa…?” Kohina-senpai asked, narrowing her eyes and looking at me suspiciously.
It can’t be helped. I decide I have no choice but to ride this Hogewave².
”That’s right, Yukari. I’m Yukari’s papa, Shirogane Aqua. Nice to meet you!” I said.
”Shirogane… not Kujo?” Kohina-senpai asked.
Guh! I look up to the heavens as Kohina-senpai delivers a precise retort despite being a child-nano. As expected, even when small, Kohina-senpai is Kohina-senpai. She’s less ‘hoge’ than anyone else here.
”Well, that’s… we haven’t officially registered yet, I guess. You see…” I muttered.
”Hmph. Well, I thought as much. Because Yukari has never seen papa at our house. You probably got kicked out because mom lost her patience with you. I mean, you look like you have a totally unreliable face,” Kohina-senpai said.
This little girl—no, Chibihina-senpai is strong… Completely beaten down by Chibihina-senpai, I fall to the floor on both hands and knees in despair. I… I can’t even win against Chibihina-senpai, let alone the regular Kohina-senpai… Seeing me dejected, Chibihina-senpai looks at me with a slightly apologetic expression.
”H-Hmph! I just said a bit too much earlier. Uh, well… sorry. If I look closely, you seem a bit more dependable than other boys, so you don’t have to be that depressed, right? Besides, if… if you’re Yukari’s papa, stand taller!” Chibihina-senpai said.
”T-Thanks. Kohi… uh, Yukari,” I said.
I gently stroke Chibihina-senpai’s head. Then, Chibihina-senpai becomes a bit restless, perhaps surprised at being patted.
”…About earlier,” Chibihina-senpai muttered.
”Eh?” I asked.
Maybe calling her by her name and even patting her head was a bad move because I got carried away? I naturally try to perform a prostrate bow. Then, Chibihina-senpai pouted as if to say ‘that’s not it.’
”About earlier! I actually hate it, but I’ll give you special permission!!” Chibihina-senpai said.
Uh, does that mean I should pat her head again? You’re not planning to let my guard down and then bite me, are you? While I’m hesitating, Chibihina-senpai grabs my arm and pulls it forcefully.
”Hu-rry-up! Geez, you’re so slow even though you’re Yukari’s papa!!” Chibihina-senpai shouted.
”A-Ah, yessir,” I replied.
I pat Chibihina-senpai’s head as told. Chibihina-senpai still seemed a bit restless, but she didn’t shake my hand off or bite me. I see, she just has this kind of reaction because she’s not used to being patted, but she might actually be happy about it. Gradually, I begin to understand Chibihina-senpai. While we were playing like this, Kaede, having finished her call, spoke to me with an apologetic face.
”Um, Aqua-kun. I know it’s a bad time, but I have work after this. So, can I leave Yukari with you?” Kaede asked.
”Of course!” I replied.
Wait? Doesn’t the show Kaede is appearing on start in about 15 minutes? Eh? You won’t make it by taxi, but if you run while doing parkour, you’ll be fine? I-I see… Kaede is so energetic. Looking at her makes me feel energetic too. I gently pat Kaede’s head.
”Oh, also, when I asked Emily on the phone just now, she said it’ll wear off after some time, so it’s okay,” Kaede said.
”Right! Got it,” I replied.
With that, Kaede opened the window of my room and jumped out. As expected of Kaede. Her departures are also dynamic-dearu. Hmm. If we’re just killing time, we could relax here, but… I look back at Chibihina-senpai, who is staring at something. She was staring intently at the Christmas tree placed in the corner of my room.
”Christmas…” Chibihina-senpai muttered.
Ah, right. Tomorrow is already Christmas. Alright! Since it’s boring to just stay at home, let’s take Chibihina-senpai to the Christmas market!!
”Yukari. Let’s go to the Christmas market with papa,” I said.
”Eh? Ah… okay,” Chibihina-senpai said, starting to fidget with excitement.
Once decided, things move fast. While I changed my clothes, I entrusted Chibihina-senpai to Pegonia-san, who happened to be passing by, and asked her to help her change into warm clothes.
”Master… as an excellent maid, I understand. Don’t worry, I will keep it a secret from the Mistress,” Pegonia-san said.
”Hmm? About what?” I asked, tilting my head at Pegonia-san’s words.
”To think you had such a large hidden child with Kohina Yukari-san… this facial structure, there is no mistake,” Pegonia-san muttered.
”No, no, no! If that were the case, it would be weird if I didn’t have a child with Kohina-senpai when I was in elementary school!?” I shouted.
Pegonia-san looks at me with a face that says, ‘If it’s Master, you could probably do it even in elementary school.’ I bring my face close to Pegonia-san’s ear and briefly explain the situation.
”I see, so that’s how it was…” Pegonia-san said.
Wait? Why do you look so disappointed? Eh? You were getting excited imagining a showdown with Kanon? No, no, that only happens in afternoon soaps!! Good grief!! I change my clothes after the two leave the room. It’s sunny outside, but Kaede’s ‘Power Weather’ forecast yesterday said it might snow, so I’ll keep warm just in case. As I check myself in the mirror wearing a coat, Chibihina-senpai, changed into a cute fluffy coat, returns holding hands with Pegonia-san. As expected, Pegonia-san has great taste in children’s clothes. I give Pegonia-san a thumbs up.
”Well then, we’re off,” I said.
”Yes, have a safe trip. If there’s a showdown, please be sure to call me,” Pegonia-san replied.
I told you, you’re watching too many afternoon soaps!! I put on my boots at the entrance, then help Chibihina-senpai put on her shoes, and the two of us head out.
”Yukari, so you don’t fall. Here, hold papa’s hand,” I said.
”…U-um,” Chibihina-senpai muttered.
When I reach out, Chibihina-senpai firmly grips my hand with her small one. Guh! My heart almost fluttered at the honest Kohina-senpai, and I clenched my teeth. Even if the opponent is a child, it’s that Kohina-senpai!! Don’t get all lovey-dovey just because she’s honest and cute, me!!
”…Hey, what’s wrong?” Chibihina-senpai asked, peering up at my face from below.
”N-No. It’s nothing. Come on, let’s go, Yukari,” I said.
Regaining my composure, I head with Chibihina-senpai to the square in the castle town of the Shirogane Kingdom³ where the Christmas market is being held.
”Wow…” Chibihina-senpai breathed.
The tree and the streets were decorated with illuminations. Chibihina-senpai’s eyes sparkled at the Christmas market, which had everything from small items to food. Among them, one shop was particularly crowded.
”Thanks for your business!! It’s the Osaka specialty, Christmas Yakimotchi⁴!!” a voice shouted.
I almost tripped at Inko-san’s energetic voice. What are you doing in a place like this!? As I approached the stall with Chibihina-senpai, I saw Emily with her back turned, counting money.
”One bill~! Two bills~! Guhehe, I can get through this month with this!!” Emily muttered.
Emily… are you short on cash again-nano? I’d give you as much allowance as you wanted if you just said so…
”Oh, it’s Aqua-kun. What’s up? Did you come to eat our Christmas Yakimotchi?” Inko-san asked.
”N-No… I was just wondering what you were doing. Besides, what is Christmas Yakimotchi?” I asked.
Inko-san points with a skewer-holding hand to a grand sign that Emily likely handmade. Let’s see, what does it say? Chibihina-senpai and I peer at the sign.
[Even that Shirogane Ka○n-san raves about it!? Or she might have! Osaka’s new specialty, Christmas Yakimotchi!]
’Or she might have!’ What’s that!? Looking closely, Kanon, with her eyes censored, was designed on the sign with a speech bubble saying ‘I recommend it!’.
”It’s refined white bean paste, see. Wrapped in soft habutae mochi and grilled, then sprinkled with a special white kinako that looks like powdered snow—it’s a Christmas limited edition item,” Inko-san explained.
Huh, it actually sounds delicious. While I was thinking that, Emily, noticing me and Chibihina-senpai, hurriedly approached us.
”Ah, Aqua-sama! A-And Kohina-paisen too…” Emily stammered.
Chibihina-senpai, who wasn’t yet ‘Kohina’ at this time, tilted her head, not thinking Emily was talking about her.
”Hmm? Yukari…? Oh, Yukari. You were here! You’ve shrunk quite a bit, has aging already started?” Inko-san asked.
No, no, normally it’s the opposite!! Wait? Come to think of it, even in the case of aging, height does shrink. As expected of Inko-san. Her retort level is also high.
”Well, actually, things happened and…” I began.
”What did you say~!?” Inko-san shouted.
Inko-san, receiving the explanation from Emily, gives a great surprised reaction. Somehow, I felt that Inko-san could earn money even if she appeared on TV as a normal talent.
”Can’t be helped. Since that’s the case, it’s on the house! Yukari-chan, here. It’s freshly made and hot, so be careful when you eat~! Otherwise, your tongue might get burned like the big-chested sister next to me,” Inko-san said.
Emily shows us her burned tongue tip. I see, she was hungry and ate in a hurry.
”Hey you guys!!” a familiar voice shouted from a distance.
”Emily-senpai! Inko-san! What are you doing!!” Kanon yelled.
Kanon was sprinting toward us from afar. As expected, Kanon is cute even from a distance. I munch on the delicious grilled mochi while watching Kanon.
”Ah, crap. The illegal business was found out!” Emily cried.
”Retreating!!” Inko-san shouted.
Emily and Inko-san fold up the stall in one touch and immediately flee. As expected of Emily. She’s used to running away.
”Goooooood grief! Emily-senpai, you dummy!!” Kanon shouted.
Kanon immediately chases after them. Well, even though it’s a sight I’m used to-nano, it’s still satisfying no matter how many times I see it. Everyone around, including me, savored the mochi while watching that scene.
”Seriously, adults are all idiots,” Chibihina-senpai muttered.
Is it just my imagination that Chibihina-senpai’s words are somehow piercing us too? Finishing the mochi, I reach out to Chibihina-senpai.
”Here, Yukari. Shall we go to that stage over there too?” I asked.
”Yeah,” she replied.
Holding hands with Chibihina-senpai, I approach the stage where some event is happening. There, Maron-san and Iria-san, wearing Christmas-style swimsuits, were having a cold-endurance battle. This is… the best. If they were appearing in such a delicious event, I wanted them to tell me in a second.
”Maron-senpai, do your best!!” Ayana cheered.
”Good luck~!!” Fran-chan added.
Ayana and Fran-chan in Christmas-style swimsuits too!? I stare intently at Ayana’s bikini line. Ah, ah, ah, Fran-chan. If you jump energetically like that, your developing little-little breasts will overflow from that swimsuit with such small fabric area!!
Stare!
”Hah!?” I gasped.
Noticing Chibihina-senpai’s gaze sharper than a knife, I clear my throat lightly.
”…Hey, that’s why you get dumped by mom,” Chibihina-senpai said.
”Ugh!” I groaned.
I couldn’t say anything back to Chibihina-senpai’s words. Chibihina-senpai looks away from me and stares intently at somewhere. Hmm? Following her gaze, I see a child looking happy while holding hands with two parents. …Kohina-senpai. If Kohina-senpai’s memory is from her childhood, was this around the time her relationship with her mother, Yoshimi-san, was becoming not so good? While I was thinking that, someone ran up to us.
”Yu-Yukari!?” a woman cried.
”Ah, Ma… o-mom,” Chibihina-senpai muttered.
Yoshimi-san hugs Chibihina-senpai tightly.
”Aqua-sama. Thank you for taking care of Yukari,” Yoshimi-san said.
”No, that’s fine, but… why is Yoshimi-san here?” I asked.
Eh? You got a message from Pegonia-san? I see, so that’s what happened. As expected of Pegonia-san. A capable person is different in those kinds of ways. Chibihina-senpai, watching our interaction, looks at us with suspicious eyes.
”Aqua-sama? Yoshimi-san? Even though you’re a couple-nano, you’re somewhat distant…” Chibihina-senpai muttered.
What sharp intuition!! Yoshimi-san and I communicate with our eyes.
”Yo-Yoshimi. It’s been a while. Well… I’ve been away from home for a long time, but I wanted a chance to start over with you, so I came back here,” I said.
”Ah, eh, ah… yes. Aqua-sa… n,” Yoshimi-san replied.
As long as I can deceive her for now! Thanks to the acting skills Kohina-senpai trained me in, I successfully deceived the current situation.
”Hmm. If you want to start over, you should at least go on a date,” Chibihina-senpai said.
””A-A date!?”” we both exclaimed.
Yoshimi-san and I look at each other in surprise. Fine! If it’s come to this, we just have to go on a date!!
”Yoshimi, if you’d like, would you like to go on a date with me now?” I asked.
”Ye, yes…” Yoshimi-san replied, showing a shy, blushing face.
As expected, the sight of an older woman, especially a mother, being shy is great. There’s something you can only ingest from that. I reach out to Chibihina-senpai.
”Here, Yoshimi too,” I said.
”Ye, yes…” she replied.
The two of us hold hands with Chibihina-senpai, and the three of us line up side by side. No matter how you look at it, we look like a family. Seeing that reflection in a glass window, Chibihina-senpai’s mood improves. I lean down a bit and speak to Chibihina-senpai.
”Hey, Yukari. Where do you want to go?” I asked.
”The-Then, over there! I saw a big snowman earlier!!” Chibihina-senpai said.
I pat Chibihina-senpai’s head with my other hand.
”I see. Then, let’s all go together,” I said.
”Yeah!” she replied.
The three of us, holding hands, head toward the snowman. Huh, this whole area has become a space decorated with snow and ice art. A collaborative work by Worker-holic and Saint Emily… an eggplant object of worship? What’s with this indecently shaped eggplant? I’ll tell the management to remove it later. Look, Yukari, you shouldn’t look at things like this. Rather than that, let’s look at the fluffy breast paradise made of snow by Mr. A over there. Eh? You don’t care about either of those, but want to see the Kogumamon and Great Kaiju Yukari-gon over there? Ah, yes… Yoshimi-san, Chibihina-senpai, and I enjoyed the Christmas market so much we forgot the time.
”Phew, is it about time?” I asked, looking at the time on the clock in the square.
According to Kaede and Emily, it’s about time the magic cast on Kohina-senpai wears off.
”Ah, that clock in the square is broken and is one hour slow,” Yoshimi-san said.
”Eh!?” I gasped.
Eh? Then, does that mean Kohina-senpai will stay like this!? I look toward Chibihina-senpai, who is sleeping with her head on Yoshimi-san’s lap on a bench.
”Aqua-sama… thank you for everything for Yukari’s sake. But it’s okay from here on. Even if Yukari stays like this, I will raise the young Yukari by myself,” Yoshimi-san said.
”Yoshimi-san…” I muttered.
Is that really okay? No! I am Shirogane Aqua!! If I can’t stay close to one woman in front of me, there’s no way I can stay close to all the fans supporting me!!
”Yoshimi-san, it’s probably my fault that Kohina-senpai became like this for various reasons!” I shouted.
”Aqua-sama…” she whispered.
See, even the tag ‘#MostlyAquaSama’sFault’ was trending on social media recently.
”Yoshimi-san, let’s become a family. I will definitely make both Kohina-senpai and Yoshimi-san happy!!” I declared.
I take Yoshimi-san’s hands in both of mine and look straight at Yoshimi-san, who is sitting on the bench, while I have one knee on the ground.
”Aqua-sama…” Yoshimi-san sighed.
Perhaps my feeling that I’m serious got through, because Yoshimi-san brings her face close to mine with an entranced expression. Thank you, Yoshimi-san. I’ll make both of you happy!! I pucker my lips and approach Yoshimi-san’s lips.
”Hey you! What are you doing to my mother!!” a voice barked.
”A-Are? Kohina-senpai…?” I asked.
The grown-up Kohina-senpai was glaring at us with her hands on her hips. Uh, where did my Chibihina-senpai go? Please return her right now!!
”No, well, that is…” I stammered.
”What? I always tell you to speak clearly when you talk! Ma… ah, you too, why are you just standing there letting him do whatever!!” Kohina-senpai yelled.
Kohina-senpai pulled me and Yoshimi-san by the arms to make us stand up, then looked up at the sky.
”Look, more importantly. It’s snow!!” Kohina-senpai said.
Ah, it’s true. Everyone around also raised their voices at the white Christmas coming a day early. While Yoshimi-san and I were frozen by the scenery, Kohina-senpai grabbed our arms and pulled us forcefully.
”Why are both of you zoning out! It’s a loss if you don’t enjoy this kind of thing. Come on, hurry!!” Kohina-senpai shouted.
Seriously, Kohina-senpai is always energetic. Yoshimi-san and I look at each other and laugh.
”Yes, yes. We get it. So, Kohina-senpai, where are we going?” I asked.
”Look, they seem to be doing skating over there, let’s all go do it!” Kohina-senpai said.
Kohina-senpai went behind me and started pushing my back forcefully. Good grief. Please think about our feelings, we were worried until just now. Well, it’s no use saying anything to the person herself, who probably has no memory of it.
”I know, I know. Come on, Yoshimi-san. Let’s go too,” I said.
”Ye, yes,” she replied.
Having my hand grabbed by Kohina-senpai, I grab Yoshimi-san’s hand with my free one. After sweating a lot from skating, the three of us returned to my room.
”Um, Kohina-senpai… what exactly is this situation?” I asked.
Kohina-senpai, who took off her clothes in front of me, tries to take off Yoshimi-san’s clothes.
”Huh? Isn’t that obvious? Because we’re going to become a family, right?” Kohina-senpai said.
You were listening!! The Inko-san that possessed me immediately put in a retort.
”Aqua-sama. Please take care of me along with Yukari for a long time,” Yoshimi-san said.
”That’s how it is,” Kohina-senpai added.
The two became naked, pushed me down onto the bed, and approached me. In this way, the three of us became a true family today.
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Summary:
Kohina Yukari is de-aged into a child after drinking a mysterious liquid provided by Emily. Aqua is forced to play the role of her father to keep her calm. They visit a Christmas market where they meet various friends and Yukari’s mother, Yoshimi. Aqua eventually promises to take responsibility for both of them, leading to a ‘family’ union when the magic wears off.
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Character Insight:
This chapter explores the latent desire for a father figure in Yukari’s childhood and her mother’s loneliness. Aqua’s willingness to step into the role, even as a farce, reveals his growing maturity and ‘protagonist’ sense of responsibility toward the women in his life. The transition back to her adult self, while maintaining the memory of his ‘proposal’, solidifies their unconventional bond.
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Behind the Scene:
The ‘Mostly Aqua-sama’s Fault’ hashtag is a recurring gag in the series, highlighting the protagonist’s tendency to be at the center of every supernatural or social mishap.
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T/L:
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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