After finally getting Matsuzaka-sensei home, Yoichi felt like he had just fought a long, exhausting battle.
Her apartment was much neater than he had expected.
It was a typical single woman's home—warmly decorated, elegant, and filled with a faint scent of perfume. Mixed with the lingering smell of alcohol, it created a slightly strange atmosphere.
With great effort, Yoichi helped the completely drunk Matsuzaka-sensei onto her bed.
He carefully took off her shoes, covered her with a blanket, then went to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm water and placed it on the nightstand.
"…Phew."
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.
Just then—
"Uncle Yoichi, look!"
Shin-chan pointed at a photo frame on the nightstand.
"That's a picture of Matsuzaka-sensei with a handsome guy!"
Yoichi followed his finger.
In the frame was a photo of Matsuzaka-sensei standing beside a cheerful-looking young man. Both of them were smiling brightly.
Judging by the style, it seemed to have been taken several years ago.
"That's probably just a friend," Yoichi said casually, not wanting to pry into her personal life.
"A friend?" Shin-chan tilted his head.
Then a mischievous smile appeared.
"I don't think so. He's definitely her boyfriend!"
Yoichi: "…"
At this point, he was already used to Shin-chan's "sharp deductions."
Just then—
Matsuzaka-sensei shifted slightly on the bed, murmuring softly:
"…Don't go… stay with me a little longer…"
Yoichi and Shin-chan both froze, instinctively going quiet.
Her brows furrowed as if she were having a nightmare.
"…Why does everyone leave me…? What's wrong with me…?"
Seeing her like this, Yoichi couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
At kindergarten, she always appeared strong and confident—proud, even.
But now, with all her defenses gone…
She was just a normal woman, afraid of loneliness and longing to be loved.
Yoichi hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.
Gently, he patted her shoulder.
"It's okay… Matsuzaka-sensei," he said softly. "You're amazing. You just haven't met someone who truly appreciates you yet."
Whether she heard him or not—
Her expression gradually relaxed.
Her murmuring stopped.
Her breathing became steady.
Yoichi quietly let out a breath of relief.
He took Shin-chan's hand, and the two of them quietly left the bedroom, gently closing the door behind them.
"Let's go, Shin-chan. Don't disturb her rest."
"Okay."
On the way home, Shin-chan suddenly spoke.
"Uncle Yoichi… is Matsuzaka-sensei kind of pitiful?"
Yoichi was slightly surprised.
Looking down, he noticed that Shin-chan's usual mischievous expression was gone—replaced by something more serious.
"…A little, maybe," Yoichi said, gently patting his head. "Everyone has moments when they feel down. She's just going through a tough time right now."
"Then… can we be nicer to her from now on?" Shin-chan asked.
"Like how we're nice to Yoshinaga-sensei?"
Yoichi's heart softened instantly.
He hadn't expected such kindness from this little troublemaker.
"Of course," Yoichi smiled. "We'll be nicer to her."
When they returned home, Misae and Hiroshi were already back.
Yoichi explained everything that had happened at the park, including meeting Matsuzaka-sensei and walking her home.
Misae sighed sympathetically.
"Poor Matsuzaka-sensei… she really has it tough. Every group date ends the same way."
Hiroshi nodded.
"Yeah… she has so much going for her. It's strange she hasn't found the right person yet. But Yoichi-kun, seriously—thanks for helping her. If she'd been left alone like that, who knows what could've happened."
"It was nothing," Yoichi replied with a smile.
Just then—
Knock knock.
Misae went to open the door.
Standing outside was Matsuzaka-sensei.
She was dressed neatly, her hair properly combed, with a faint blush on her face.
"Um… good morning," she said awkwardly. "About yesterday… I'm really sorry for causing trouble. Especially for you, Yoichi-kun."
Clearly, she had sobered up—and remembered at least part of what happened.
"You're being too polite," Misae said warmly. "Please, come in."
Matsuzaka-sensei stepped inside.
Her eyes briefly landed on Yoichi—and the blush on her face deepened.
"Yoichi-kun… did I say anything strange yesterday? Or do anything embarrassing?"
Yoichi quickly waved his hands.
"No, nothing like that. You were just tired and drank a bit too much. That's all."
He deliberately left out the part where she had cried and complained.
Matsuzaka-sensei seemed to sense that she might have lost her composure, but hearing his answer, she visibly relaxed—though still embarrassed.
"In any case… thank you for taking me home," she said. "To show my gratitude, I made some snacks. I hope you'll like them."
She held out a neatly packed box.
"Oh, you didn't have to!" Misae said, quickly accepting it. "Come, sit down. I'll make some tea."
Matsuzaka-sensei sat on the sofa.
Her gaze drifted toward Shin-chan, who was playing nearby.
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Shin-chan… thank you for talking with me yesterday."
Shin-chan looked up and grinned.
"You're welcome, Matsuzaka-sensei! Let's play together again!"
Watching the scene unfold, Yoichi smiled softly.
After everything that had happened yesterday…
His relationship with Matsuzaka-sensei had changed.
It was no longer just "a teacher and a relative of her student."
There was now a quiet sense of understanding—
Something closer to friendship.
And maybe…
This was his first real step toward becoming part of this world.
Yoichi looked out the window at the bright sunlight.
For the first time—
He felt a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.