169 - Off to the Land of Dreams!

RAW

It was the early morning of the day they were heading to the amusement park.

Still dark outside, Haruto woke up before sunrise.

After discussing plans with Ayaka and Tomoya, they had decided to take the first train to the Land of Dreams.

Rising up from bed, Haruto glanced to the side. There lay Ryota, sprawled out with his arms and legs wide open, sleeping like a starfish.

"Same wild sleeping posture as ever."

Haruto smiled at the sight of Ryota’s sleep.

Last night, Ryota had been so excited about going to the amusement park that he insisted on sleeping with Haruto. Ayaka had looked a little envious at that, but considering how early they needed to leave and how it would be easier to wake Ryota if they were sharing a bed, Haruto had gladly agreed.

Watching Ryota sleep so peacefully, Haruto felt a twinge of guilt about waking him, but he gently shook the boy's shoulder and called to him.

"Ryota-kun, time to wake up."

"...Mm... suu... suu..."

"Ryota-kun."

"Unya? ...Onii-chan?"

"You're awake?"

"...Huh? But it's still night..."

Ryota rubbed his eyes sleepily and looked toward the window. Upon confirming it was still dark out, he mumbled something and shut his eyes again.

Haruto chuckled and whispered softly into his ear.

"Ryota-kun, we're going to the amusement park."

"!?"

That did the trick. Ryota’s eyes shot open instantly.

"The amusement park!!"

"Yeah, let’s get ready."

"Okay!"

Ryota’s sleepiness vanished in an instant. He leapt up from bed and began changing into the clothes he had laid out the night before next to the bed.

Haruto also got out of bed and started getting dressed alongside him.

"We're going to the Land of Dreams with everyone today, right?"

"That's right. Exciting, isn't it?"

"Yeah! I wonder if Onee-chan is up yet? I’ll go wake her!"

Finished changing, Ryota burst out of the room and made a beeline for his sister’s room next door.

Haruto followed behind with a smile.

"Onee-chan!! Wake up! We’re going to the amusement park!"

"Nrgh... ugh..."

"Onee-chan! Wake up!"

"Mmm... ngh..."

Ayaka only let out faint groans despite the calls. Frustrated by her lack of response, Ryota reached for her blanket.

And with a shout of “Wake up!”, he yanked it off her in one swift motion.

"Kya!?"

"Onee-chan! We’re going to the amusement park! The Land of Dreams!"

"Good morning, Ayaka."

"Ry-Ryota!? Haruto!?"

Suddenly deprived of her blanket, Ayaka looked back and forth between Ryota and Haruto in shock and confusion.

With her slightly messy bedhead and her defenseless, dazed expression, she looked incredibly adorable in Haruto’s eyes.

"Onee-chan, you need to get ready! Change quickly!"

"But isn’t it still a bit earlier than we planned?"

Still groggy, Ayaka reached for her phone by the pillow and checked the time.

"Sorry, Ayaka. I thought it might take a bit longer to wake Ryota-kun, so I got us up a little early."

Haruto glanced at Ryota, now wide awake and full of excitement, staring eagerly at his sister who was slowly sitting up.

"Onee-chan, where are your clothes? Didn’t you get them ready last night?"

"They’re in the closet."

"Here?"

Ryota turned toward the closet.

"That’s right."

"You should’ve had them laid out next to your bed so you could change quickly, Onee-chan."

Ryota scolded her with his hands on his hips, then sighed like “what can you do?” and reached for the closet.

Seeing that, Ayaka panicked.

"Wait, Ryota! I’ll get my own clothes!"

"I’ll help! It’ll be faster that way."

"It’s fine! I—I have to change my underwear too!"

Ayaka jumped out of bed and blocked Ryota’s path.

"Underwear? Oh, you mean you’re changing your panties and bra?"

"Y-Yeah!"

Blushing slightly—probably because Haruto was there—Ayaka nodded at her brother.

"Where’s your underwear, Onee-chan? Is it in here?"

"It’s fine! I’ll change by myself!"

Ayaka quickly pinned her arms to her sides to keep Ryota from slipping past.

Ryota, eager to get to the amusement park, was in full throttle. Meanwhile, Ayaka, blushing deeply, desperately tried to keep her little brother from exposing her underwear in front of Haruto.

Watching the lively morning skirmish between the siblings, Haruto squatted down beside Ryota and met his eyes.

"Ryota-kun, I think Onee-chan will finish changing quickly, so how about we go wash our faces while we wait?"

At Haruto’s suggestion, Ryota froze.

"Onee-chan, you’ll be done soon?"

"I will! So go with Haruto and wash up!"

"Got it! I’ll wash up with Onii-chan!"

Ryota spun around, grabbed Haruto’s hand, and exited Ayaka’s room.

As they headed downstairs, Haruto heard Ayaka breathe a sigh of relief behind them. He and Ryota went to the bathroom, washed their faces, and brushed their teeth.

Once they were done getting ready and entered the living room, they found Kiyoko already in the kitchen with the lights on, preparing food.

"Huh? Grandma, good morning."

"Good morning, Haruto. Good morning, Ryota-kun."

"Good morning, Grandma!"

Ryota greeted her energetically, making Kiyoko’s wrinkles deepen with a smile.

"You’re both up so early—what’s going on?"

Haruto tilted his head as he approached the kitchen.

"Since you’re leaving early for the amusement park, I thought I’d make you some lunch."

"Really? Thank you, Grandma."

Originally, they had planned to grab breakfast at a convenience store on the way.

Hearing Kiyoko’s words, Ryota’s eyes sparkled as he looked up at her.

"Grandma, you’re making us a lunch?"

"That’s right. Eat it while you wait for the park to open."

"Okay! Thank you, Grandma!"

Ryota shouted his thanks with joy, and Kiyoko smiled warmly.

"I’ll help too, Grandma."

"Are you already packed and ready?"

"Yeah, Ryota-kun and I finished everything last night."

Haruto nodded toward the backpack leaning against the living room wall.

"Then, could you flake that grilled salmon for me?"

"Got it."

As Haruto began helping beside Kiyoko, Ryota brought over the step stool he usually used when helping with the dishes.

"I’ll help too!"

"Thank you, Ryota-kun. Then, could you pack these rice balls into the lunch box?"

"Yeah! Leave it to me!"

With Ryota joining in, the three of them busily prepared the lunch. Soon, Ayaka—now ready for the day—entered the living room.

"Huh? Good morning, Kiyoko-san."

"Good morning, Ayaka-san. We’re just making your lunch now."

"What!? Thank you so much! I’m sorry to trouble you on a Sunday."

Kiyoko’s workdays as a housekeeper were Tuesday through Saturday, so Sunday was her day off.

Seeing her up early on her day off making lunch made Ayaka feel a bit guilty.

"It’s fine. Watching Ryota-kun so excited yesterday just made me want to do something for him."

Kiyoko smiled gently, remembering Ryota’s energetic anticipation.

"Thank you so much. I’ll help too!"

Ayaka rushed over to the kitchen, and Ryota turned to show off the rice ball in his hand with a big smile.

"Look, Onee-chan! It’s a plum and bonito flake rice ball! I love this one!"

"That’s great, Ryota. Be sure to thank Kiyoko-san properly, okay?"

"Yeah! I’m always grateful to Grandma!"

As they continued, making tamagoyaki and reacting with delight to Kiyoko’s special mini hamburg steaks, the kitchen was filled with cheerful noise.

Then, Shuichi and Ikue came into the living room in their pajamas.

"Morning, everyone. Looks like you’re having fun."

Shuichi remarked, taking in the lively kitchen.

"Good morning, Dad, Mom! We’re making lunch! And we made breakfast for you two too!"

"Oh dear, Kiyoko-san, sorry to trouble you on your day off. Thank you."

Hearing Ryota’s explanation, Ikue gave a respectful bow.

"Not at all. I just used the same ingredients from the lunch."

"Getting to eat Kiyoko-san’s cooking on a Sunday… This is a blessed day indeed. I truly appreciate it."

Shuichi beamed at the thought of a homemade breakfast.

Once the lunch was packed into the backpack and everyone was ready to go, Ryota—wearing a small backpack and a cap—was practically bouncing with excitement.

Ikue called out to him.

"Ryota, come here for a second."

"What is it, Mom?"

"Here you go. Use this wisely at the park."

She pressed a 1000-yen bill into Ryota’s hand, making his eyes widen.

"You’re giving me this much money!?"

"Yes. You help around the house and save your money, so you know how hard it is to earn 1000 yen, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then think carefully and use it wisely."

"Got it!"

Ryota nodded solemnly, then ran over to Kiyoko.

"Grandma! I’m gonna buy you a souvenir! Look forward to it!"

"Oh my, thank you, Ryota-kun. I’ll be looking forward to it."

She crouched down to meet his eyes and lovingly patted his head.

Haruto watched the exchange with a smile and called out to Ryota.

"Alright, Ryota-kun, let’s head to the amusement park."

"Yeah!! See you later, everyone!!"

Waving enthusiastically, Ryota led the way as Haruto and Ayaka followed.

"We’re off."

"See you later."

And with that, Haruto took Ryota’s hand, and they departed from the Tojo home.