To cut a long story short, Tetsu no Sosuke soon brought the little girl back to her doorstep, handed her the lantern, and told her to hurry inside.
Kyou-chan thanked Tetsu no Sosuke profusely before clumsily climbing over the wall into her yard.
Once she had managed to straddle the top of the wall, however, she couldn't help looking back at Tetsu no Sosuke. "Um... mister... no, big brother. Big brother works, right!?"
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded.
"Is it true what you said about Ken-kun liking me?" There seemed to be a hint of hope in her eyes.
Tetsu no Sosuke hesitated, then nodded. "It's obvious."
"Got it. Thank you!"
With that, the little girl swung herself down from the wall. Only after making sure there was no pained scream from a fall did Tetsu no Sosuke turn and leave.
As he walked, he felt rather speechless.
He might like her, but he had no sense of responsibility.
No matter how badly he'd been shaken, he couldn't just abandon the girl with him like that, could he?
If something had happened to her, what good would regret have done him?
"Oh, right. I forgot to warn them not to fool around before they're adults..."
He looked back, wanting to say something, but the chance had already passed.
He shook his head. "Forget it. Let them do what they want. What's it got to do with me?"
As he spoke, he glanced at another doorway. It belonged to the girl's neighbor.
He felt an urge to jump inside right then and see just what the hell was wrong with this guy.
But after giving it another thought, he decided to wait until tomorrow.
"I just feel like anyone who tricks a boy and a girl into going out can't be up