From her condition, it was obvious.
Another group date had failed—and she had come to the park alone to drown her sorrows in alcohol.
"…Matsuzaka-sensei?"
Hearing her name, she paused and slowly turned her head.
When she saw Yoichi and Shin-chan, she stared blankly for a few seconds before a dazed smile spread across her face.
"Ah… Shin-chan from the Nohara family…"
Then her gaze shifted to Yoichi.
"And who are you?"
"He's my Uncle Yoichi!" Shin-chan answered proudly.
Matsuzaka-sensei let out a small hiccup.
A strong smell of alcohol drifted over.
Yoichi instinctively covered his nose slightly and pulled Shin-chan closer.
Shin-chan tilted his head curiously.
"Ume, what's wrong? Did you drink the beer Dad hid?"
"Beer?" Matsuzaka waved her hand dismissively. "That cheap stuff? No way!"
Then her expression collapsed again.
"What I drank was… premium sake… But even after drinking that… I still can't find a boyfriend… Wuwuwu…"
She actually started crying.
Yoichi: "…"
His headache instantly doubled.
He had just survived an afternoon with Shin-chan—
And now he had to deal with a drunk Matsuzaka-sensei.
What kind of luck was this?!
"Um… Matsuzaka-sensei, please don't be upset," Yoichi said, forcing himself to step forward and comfort her. "It's normal for group dates to fail. You're amazing—you'll definitely find the right person."
"Amazing…?" she repeated, lifting her tearful face.
She stared at him.
"Do you really think I'm amazing?"
"Of course," Yoichi nodded quickly. "You're beautiful, you have a great job, and your personality is straightforward. You're exactly the type many people like."
It was partly flattery—
But it wasn't wrong.
Hearing this, Matsuzaka-sensei calmed down a little. She sniffled, then suddenly leaned closer, her eyes unfocused.
"Then… tell me… compared to Yoshinaga-sensei… who's prettier? Who's better?"
Yoichi: "!!!"
Here it was.
The deadly question.
Cold sweat instantly formed on his back.
No matter how he answered—
He was doomed.
If he said Matsuzaka-sensei, Yoshinaga-sensei might find out—and Shin-chan's kindergarten life would become a battlefield.
If he said Yoshinaga-sensei…
Matsuzaka-sensei might explode on the spot.
Just as Yoichi was trapped in a dilemma—
Shin-chan suddenly spoke up.
"I think both Matsuzaka-sensei and Yoshinaga-sensei are very pretty!" he said seriously.
Then he paused.
"But if I really have to choose…"
"I think Action Kamen is the prettiest!"
Yoichi: "…"
Matsuzaka: "…"
Silence.
The air froze.
Matsuzaka-sensei's expression stiffened—clearly not expecting that answer.
A few seconds later—
"Pfft—!"
She burst out laughing.
"You little rascal… you're really something," she said between laughs, tears still clinging to her face, making her look both funny and a little pitiful.
She reached out and patted Shin-chan's head.
Then she looked at Yoichi again, a drunken but sincere smile appearing.
"Thank you, Mr. Nohara… And Shin-chan… Talking to you two today… I feel much better."
Yoichi let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Somehow—
Shin-chan's ridiculous answer had worked perfectly.
"You're welcome," Yoichi said with a smile. "It's getting late, and you've had too much to drink. Should I walk you home?"
"No need, no need!" Matsuzaka waved her hand. "I can go by myself! I'm strong!"
She tried to stand up—
But the moment she took a step, she stumbled and nearly fell.
Yoichi quickly caught her.
"…Yeah, I can't just leave you like this," he said helplessly. "I'll take you home."
She struggled weakly for a moment, then gave in, leaning against him.
"…Alright… thank you…"
Yoichi looked at the completely drunk Matsuzaka-sensei leaning on him—
Then at Shin-chan, who was watching with curiosity.
He sighed.
Carefully supporting her, he let her lean against his shoulder while holding Shin-chan's hand with the other.
Together, they started walking toward her home.
The setting sun stretched their shadows across the ground.
At that moment, Yoichi felt like he wasn't just supporting a drunk teacher—
But also handling a five-year-old walking disaster.
Looking up at the glowing sunset, only one thought crossed his mind—
Life in Kasukabe…
Was full of surprises.
Every single day.
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