When Hazuki had finished drawing me and Uzuki - with a look of satisfaction on his face at the praise - the next thing he suggested was another standard girl's game.
'Hey, Oka-san,'
Okay.
Manny, Otto.
Oh, yeah.
While answering casually, however, I was thinking back to Hazuki's situation.
The Sakrai sisters' parents died of an epidemic disease early in life.
The little Hajduki must have had very little memory of them.
It must have been a very lonely time for them.
I was raised by my grandparents, who also lost their parents when I was young, so I know exactly how Hazuki feels...
Of course, Uzuki and Gunma-san would have been more than enough to take his place.
Still, there was no way Hajduki wasn't lonely.
No matter how sincerely the people around him tried to fill up the gap in his heart, that corner of his heart would never be filled.
'I feel that gap in my heart when I suddenly feel a gap in my heart...'
When I saw Hazuki say that he wanted me to be his mother and father--
Yes.
I got into my stride.
"Watch me, Hajduki. I'll play the best father and fill in the gaps in your heart as much as possible...!
The problem is that I'm not just a dad, I'm a dad-serious virgin who's never even had a girlfriend before that.
'That's like a straw house of three little pigs that will blow and fly before my current burning sense of mission!
And that's why there are so many cheats for situations like this.
Theatrical S-Class Cheats, 'Best Actor in a Leading Role in an Academy', invoked!
In the category of acting, I unreservedly invoke the most powerful and invincible absolute cheat.
It's only a trick, but it's just a trick...!
I'm not going to cut any corners for Hazuki.
Come on, trick or treating!
All right, Dad, I'll do my best.
You're very good, Mr. Sayre! No, that's great, Sayah Dad!
Uzuki was just as motivated as I was.
Mmmm, it's good, isn't it?
I'll fill in the gaps in your heart that girls usually don't show, but I'll gently and subtly fill in the gaps in your heart that they usually don't show--.
This is the kind of heart-warming, heart-centered romantic comedy event I've been looking for, this kind of tender heart-to-heart contact time...!
--There was a time when I thought so too.
And Hajduki, Oisha-san.
...What? ...What?
Me and Uzuki's voice hummed beautifully at the sudden words.
We both nod our heads, not understanding the meaning.