"Ms. Matsuzaka, your latte."
Yoichi appeared in the hallway of Futaba Kindergarten, holding two cups of coffee. Ever since they had confirmed their relationship, he had made it a habit to stop by twice a week during lunch break just to "deliver supplies" to her. It had quietly become their little secret—after all, in front of colleagues and children, Matsuzaka Ume still insisted on maintaining her image as a refined, cool urban woman.
Matsuzaka was organizing the Rose Class's handicrafts when she heard his voice. She turned around, and for just a moment, her expression softened. However, her tone remained as stubborn as ever. "Who would want something so sweet? I'm cutting down on sugar." Even so, she reached out quickly and took the cup, her fingers brushing lightly against Yoichi's hand. "And don't come next time. If Yoshinaga sees us, she'll never stop teasing."
Right on cue, a voice drifted over from the Sunflower Class.
"Ume, who are you talking to?"
Matsuzaka instantly straightened up and hid the cup behind her back, pretending to sort papers. "N-no one! Just a delivery mistake!"
Yoichi suppressed a laugh, gave her a small wave, and quietly left. Meanwhile, behind the classroom door, Yoshinaga Midori raised an eyebrow with a knowing smile—the logo on that cup was unmistakable.
The afternoon outdoor activity turned into their most "obvious" moment together.
While leading the children in a relay race, Matsuzaka suddenly misstepped and twisted her ankle. Her face tightened slightly from the pain.
Coincidentally, Yoichi had come to pick up Shin-chan that day, and the moment he saw her stumble, he immediately walked over and crouched down. "Don't move. Let me check."
His touch was careful and precise, pressing gently but firmly.
Matsuzaka's face flushed bright red. She instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but Yoichi held it steady. "Don't push yourself. Let's go to the infirmary."
Around them, the children instantly burst into excitement.
"Teacher Matsuzaka! Uncle Yoichi is worried about you!" Nene shouted, hugging her rabbit.
"They're totally like a couple in dramas!" Kazama added seriously.
And of course, Shin-chan rushed in at full speed. "Uncle Yoichi, you have to take responsibility for Teacher Ume!"
"Nohara Shinnosuke!" Matsuzaka snapped, but with her injured ankle, she had no choice but to lean on Yoichi as he half-supported, half-carried her toward the infirmary.
Behind them, the children cheered wildly, while Yoshinaga watched with a smile that said I knew it.
Inside the infirmary, Yoichi carefully applied ointment to her ankle.
"I told you high heels aren't suitable for outdoor activities," he said, his tone slightly reproachful but his eyes full of concern.
Matsuzaka turned her face away. "It's for… maintaining my image…" Her voice softened slightly. "…Thank you."
"If you really want to thank me, stop competing with Yoshinaga all the time," Yoichi replied as he secured the bandage. "In my eyes, you look just as good in sneakers."
Her heartbeat skipped.
She opened her mouth to respond—
But the noisy voices of children outside broke the moment.
The two exchanged helpless smiles.
Their "quiet world" never lasted long.
As days passed, it became harder to hide.
During the morning assembly, the principal, Takakura Bunta, suddenly remarked, "Ms. Matsuzaka seems to be in a very good mood lately."
Startled, she nearly dropped the attendance register, while Yoichi gave her a subtle reassuring glance from the side.
Yoshinaga, however, was far more direct.
During lunch break, she cornered Matsuzaka with a cup of coffee. "Ume, stop pretending. The way Yoichi looks at you is obvious."
Matsuzaka tried to deny it, but Yoshinaga continued mercilessly, "When you sprained your ankle, he came to ask me about you right after work. He looked more nervous than you did."
Matsuzaka's lips curved slightly—
But she still huffed. "S-so what? He's just… a nice person."
That afternoon, the kindergarten held a parent-child craft competition, and Yoichi came to help as a "family member."
Matsuzaka guided the children in making clay figures, while Yoichi assisted—handing out materials, fixing shapes, and helping wherever needed. Their coordination was seamless, their eyes occasionally meeting with unspoken smiles.
After the event, the children's creations were displayed.
One child proudly ran over holding two small clay figures—one in a dress, clearly meant to be Matsuzaka, and one in a shirt that looked unmistakably like Yoichi.
"Teacher! This is you and Uncle Yoichi!"
Matsuzaka froze for a moment, her eyes warming unexpectedly.
Yoichi stepped beside her and gently took her hand. "They're cute, aren't they?"
This time—
She didn't pull away.
That evening, as they walked home together, hand in hand, Matsuzaka spoke softly, "It seems like the principal already figured it out…"
"If he did, then he did," Yoichi replied calmly, stopping to face her. "I want to be with you openly. I don't want to hide anymore."
She looked into his eyes—
And nodded firmly.
For the first time, she realized something clearly.
All those dreams about Roppongi, about marrying into an elite life—
They didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was this—
Someone who would walk beside her.
Someone who would kneel down to treat her injury.
Someone who remembered even her smallest preferences.
"Oh, right," she suddenly said, regaining her usual tone, "Don't bring latte tomorrow. Switch to sugar-free green tea."
Yoichi blinked for a second—
Then smiled.
"Got it."