After confirming their relationship on the night of the stargazing event, both Yoichi and Matsuzaka found themselves… unexpectedly shy.
At the kindergarten during the day, even a brief accidental glance would make them look away almost immediately. The children, however, had already picked up on everything, and naturally, they had no intention of letting the two of them off easily.
"Teacher Ume! Uncle Yoichi! When are you getting married?" Shin-chan shouted loudly, waving his crayon like a microphone.
"Yeah! We want to be flower children!" Nene added enthusiastically, hugging her rabbit.
Matsuzaka's face would instantly turn red every time, and she could only pretend to be angry and shoo them away. Meanwhile, Yoichi would stand to the side, trying—and failing—to suppress his laughter.
Realizing that they couldn't keep avoiding things forever, Yoichi decided it was time to properly plan their first date.
He turned to Hiroshi for advice.
"Cousin, where should I take her?"
Hiroshi puffed out his chest confidently. "Leave it to me! I'm experienced!"
Unfortunately—
Hiroshi's "experience" meant telling Misae.
And Misae telling Shin-chan.
Within hours, the entire Kasukabe Defense Force knew.
"Uncle Yoichi is going on a date with Teacher Ume!" Shin-chan declared proudly. "We must assist!"
And thus—
A "Perfect Date Plan" created by five-year-olds was born.
On the afternoon of the date, Yoichi arrived early at the station.
He wore a neatly pressed new shirt and held a bouquet of sunflowers—the one flower Matsuzaka had once said made her feel happy.
Soon after, she appeared.
A light blue dress.
Soft makeup.
Gentle, radiant.
"…Have you been waiting long?" she asked, her voice slightly shy.
"Not at all," Yoichi smiled, handing her the flowers. "These are for you."
"…Thank you."
And just as the atmosphere was turning perfect—
"UNCLE YOICHI! TEACHER UME! WAIT FOR US!"
Chaos arrived.
The Kasukabe Defense Force came charging in like a storm.
Kazama with a notebook, Nene with her rabbit, Bo-chan with a stone, Shin-chan leading the charge—and Ai-chan, complete with her bodyguards.
"…Why are you here?" both Yoichi and Matsuzaka froze.
Kazama adjusted his glasses seriously and handed over the plan.
"A perfect date requires structure."
The plan read:
Feed pigeons in the park Eat ice cream Catch insects Watch Action Kamen
Matsuzaka stared at it.
"…This is a date? Or a field trip?"
Naturally—
The "invisible support team" was anything but invisible.
At the park, the children surrounded them immediately.
"Feed her! Like in dramas!" Shin-chan commanded.
Yoichi, resigned, picked up breadcrumbs and gently offered them toward Matsuzaka.
Her face turned completely red as she leaned forward—
But before the moment could happen—
A pigeon swooped in, stole the bread, and pecked her hair.
"Ahh—!"
The children burst into laughter.
At the ice cream shop—
Shin-chan volunteered to "help."
The result?
The ice cream slipped—
And landed directly on Matsuzaka's dress.
She froze.
Yoichi quickly stepped in, gently wiping it with tissues.
"It's okay… we'll clean it later."
His calm, careful tone softened her frustration almost instantly.
At the insect-catching field—
Nene suddenly screamed, "There's a bug on you!"
Matsuzaka looked down—
And saw a caterpillar.
"AH—!"
She jumped straight into Yoichi's arms.
For a moment—
He froze.
Then gently wrapped his arms around her.
"It's gone… don't worry."
Behind them—
The children silently exchanged triumphant looks.
Mission success.
At the cinema—
Finally, peace.
The lights dimmed.
The noise faded.
Yoichi slowly reached for her hand.
This time—
She didn't hesitate.
She held it back.
For a brief moment—
Everything was quiet.
Soft.
Perfect.
"WAAAAAH—!"
Shin-chan burst into loud sobbing.
"Action Kamen is too sad—!"
The entire cinema turned to stare.
Yoichi and Matsuzaka froze in embarrassment—
Then immediately carried Shin-chan out.
By the time the date ended, night had already fallen.
The children were exhausted, fast asleep as Hiroshi and Misae picked them up.
Finally—
Silence returned.
Yoichi walked Matsuzaka back to her apartment.
"…I'm sorry," he said softly. "That was… chaotic."
Matsuzaka looked at him—
And smiled.
"…It was."
She paused.
"But… it was also fun."
Her gaze softened.
"Because you were there."
Yoichi's expression gentled.
"Silly… we're together now."
He stepped closer.
Lowered his head.
And gently kissed her.
This time—
She didn't retreat.
She closed her eyes—
And kissed him back.
The night air was quiet.
The chaos of the day faded into memory.
And somehow—
That imperfect, ridiculous, unpredictable first date—
Became the one they would never forget.
Because—
As long as they were together—
Even chaos felt like happiness.