"I… I don't have a girlfriend yet," Yoichi said, scratching his nose awkwardly.
"Oooh~"
Shin-chan dragged out the sound, nodding with a knowing look.
"So Uncle Yoichi is a loser who can't even get a girlfriend!"
Yoichi: "…"
It felt like an invisible punch landed straight in his chest.
This kid… he's way too blunt!
Even if it's true, does he have to say it out loud?!
"Shin-chan! That's rude!" Misae immediately scolded him. "You can't talk about your uncle like that!"
"But I'm telling the truth," Shin-chan said innocently. Then he turned back to Yoichi with a serious face.
"Uncle Yoichi, want me to introduce someone to you? Yoshinaga-sensei from our Sunflower Class is really nice—gentle and pretty!"
"Pfft—!"
Yoichi nearly choked.
Yoshinaga-sensei? She's already married—and about to have a baby!
"Shin-chan! Stop talking nonsense!" Misae was on the verge of losing it. "Put your toys away right now!"
Shin-chan stuck out his tongue. Realizing his mom was actually getting mad, he obediently turned around and skipped off, humming:
"Action Kamen~ the hero of justice~"
Watching his small figure disappear, Yoichi let out a helpless smile.
Yeah…
To deal with Shin-chan, you really need a strong heart.
"Yoichi-kun, I'm so sorry," Misae said apologetically. "That child just doesn't know when to stop talking."
"It's okay, really," Yoichi replied, waving it off. "He's just a kid. It's normal. Honestly… I think he's pretty entertaining."
Even as he said that, Yoichi silently braced himself.
Life here… was definitely not going to be peaceful.
Just then—
The front door opened.
"I'm home…"
A slightly tired male voice followed.
Hiroshi.
Yoichi immediately stood up and looked toward the entrance.
Nohara Hiroshi walked in wearing a gray suit, his tie loosened, hair slightly messy, and a clear look of exhaustion on his face. A briefcase hung from his hand.
He stepped into the living room, noticed Yoichi, and paused before smiling.
"Oh, Yoichi-kun, you're awake? Feeling better?"
"Yes, Cousin, much better. Thank you," Yoichi replied quickly.
Seeing Hiroshi in person felt surreal.
That iconic beer belly.
That slightly worn-out salaryman look.
And… even though he couldn't smell it yet, Yoichi could already imagine the legendary foot odor.
"Good, good." Hiroshi sighed in relief, set down his briefcase, and casually tossed his jacket onto the sofa. "Work was brutal today. I'm exhausted."
He stretched, finally relaxing.
"Here, have some water first," Misae said, quickly handing him a glass.
Hiroshi took a sip, then turned to Yoichi.
"Sorry about yesterday—you just arrived and ended up getting sick. I was planning to show you around Kasukabe today."
"It's alright, Cousin. I'm not in a hurry," Yoichi replied. "Work comes first."
"Hmm, fair enough." Hiroshi nodded. "Once you're fully recovered, I'll take you out. Oh—and don't worry about a job. I've already asked a friend to keep an eye out for something suitable."
"Thank you so much!"
Yoichi felt a warmth in his chest.
Even if Hiroshi seemed a bit unreliable at times, he really did care about his family.
At that moment—
Shin-chan suddenly came running out of his room and dashed over to Hiroshi.
"Dad! Dad!"
He looked up excitedly.
"Uncle Yoichi doesn't have a girlfriend! I was going to introduce Yoshinaga-sensei to him!"
Hiroshi: "…"
Misae: "…"
Yoichi: "…"
Silence.
The room froze.
Hiroshi's smile stiffened as he looked from Shin-chan to Yoichi, his expression… complicated.
"Ahem… Yoichi-kun," Hiroshi coughed awkwardly, "Don't take him seriously. He's just a kid—he doesn't know any better."
"I understand…" Yoichi muttered, his face burning red.
At this point, his embarrassment had completely maxed out.
Misae, on the other hand, gave up entirely. Covering her face, she sighed:
"I swear, I'm going to properly discipline that brat today…"
"But Yoshinaga-sensei really is gentle!" Shin-chan insisted. "Uncle Yoichi will definitely like her!"
"That's enough, Shin-chan!"
Misae finally snapped. She grabbed his arm.
"You're coming with me! No TV for you today!"
"Nooo, Mom! I'm sorry! I won't say weird things anymore!" Shin-chan immediately switched to a pitiful expression and started begging.
Watching the chaos unfold, Yoichi quietly stepped back, trying to make himself as invisible as possible.
Now he understood.
In the Nohara household—
Peace was temporary.
Chaos was normal.
And as the newest member of this family…
He would have to get used to this "lively" life very soon.
Yoichi sighed.
Only one thought remained in his mind—
The road ahead… was going to be long.