Chapter 77

Synopsis
Chuukichi ponders why he became friends with Yagi, and he reminisces the past, when he and Yagi started spending time together.

Long Summary
Chuukichi coats a bubble blower as he glares at Yagi, who is grinning as he films the children. Meanwhile, Usaida blows bubbles, and the children eagerly pop them. Ryuuichi hands Kotaro a bubble blower and instructs him not to suck on it, but to blow. Kotaro puts it in his mouth, and Ryuu smiles as he attempts to blow bubbles, but Kotaro grimaces after he sucks on the bubble blower. Usaida sighs as he sees all the children being disgusted after sucking on the blowers. Ryuu panics as he tells everyone to spit out the bubble solution, and Chuukichi hands them water. Yagi has fainted from his nosebleed and the cuteness of the children. Chuukichi glares at him and asks himself why he had become friends with him. In a flashback to when the two were students, Yagi smiles as he holds Chuukichi's hand. Chuukichi, however, simply glares back, refusing his offer to walk home together. Yagi excitedly says that he wants to thank him, but Chuukichi simply lets go of his hand and leaves. Some other classmates laugh at Chuukichi for being dull and coming from a poor family as another classmate tells them to be quiet. Upon making it home, Chuukichi announces his arrival. His little brother Shoukichi eagerly greets him and exclaims that his friend is here. Yagi, who had been playing with the family's makeshift toys, smiles as he greets a stunned Chuukichi. Yagi politely hands Chuukichi's mother a box of mango pudding, a thank you gift from Yagi's mother for taking him in for his birthday. Yagi eagerly asks her if the cute baby twins are here, and she shows him to where they are sleeping. Yagi begins to exclaim that they are cute, but Chuukichi covers his mouth with his hand, warning him not to wake them up. Yagi blushes as he asks Chuukichi if he can poke their cheeks or touch their hands. Chuukichi reluctantly allows him to, and Yagi pokes one of the sleeping twin's hands. The baby grips Yagi's finger as he gazes in awe, telling Chuukichi that he is lucky to have such cute brothers. The young Shoukichi eagerly eats his mango pudding. He tells Chuukichi about how good it tastes when Daikichi enters the room. Daikichi excitedly asks for whatever they are eating but slips on Shoukichi's juice carton robot and falls, flipping the table and knocking the pudding out of his brother's hand in the process. Daikichi immediately apologizes after seeing Shoukichi begin to cry over his spilled pudding and lifts him up into the air. However, something falls and hits Shoukichi's head, upsetting him even more. Their mother enters the room and asks what has happened. She greets Daikichi, who explains that he has broken a basketball hoop. His mother scolds him for breaking so many things and denies him mango pudding. Daikichi complains with his head on the table as he asks what mango pudding is, as the Nezu family is unfamiliar with mangoes. Chuukichi explains that Yagi had brought them, and Daikichi welcomes Yagi, addressing him as Chuukichi's friend. However, Chuukichi quickly denies being friends with Yagi. He explains that he had brought Yagi home because he is a classmate and was crying at the time. He reasons that they have never played together either, and Yagi clasps Chuukichi's hands, suggesting that they play together. When Chuukichi refuses, Yagi asks why, and Chuukichi responds that he wants to study so that he can make money to cover for Daikichi's expenses. He also adds that he wants to help his mother with the housework instead of playing outside. His mother, who is carrying Suekichi and Kichi, pats Chuukichi's head, thanking him for being reliable and encouraging him to play with Yagi. She adds that while he had fun with his friends, Shoukichi would take over his responsibilities that day. Shoukichi whines when he hears he would have to spend the day working, but his mother reminds him that he was now a big brother as well. Realizing that it was best for the whole family, Shoukichi resigns and agrees to fill in for Chuukichi, and encourages his brother to make even more friends on his day off. The next day, Yagi brings Chuukichi to play soccer with some other classmates, and Chuukichi admits that it was fun. However, Chuukichi runs out of stamina quickly, so he lies on the grass. Yagi asks if the two are now friends, but Chuukichi gives a tepid response. He asks Yagi why he wants to be friends with him and asks if he only wants to see the babies. Yagi replies that he does want to see the babies, but Chuukichi had found him when he was alone and adds that he likes the Nezu family's way of living. Chuukichi blushes as he reflects. In truth, he was hurt by his classmate's ignorant and cold remarks, and only pretended to be nonchalant. He then admits that he feels quite happy when Yagi gives him straightforward praise, though he openly admits none of this. Chuukichi sits up as he tells Yagi not to call him "Chuu-kun."

In the present, Chuukichi drags Yagi away from the children. Yagi asks if he can come over to his house again, as he can bring more mango pudding, but Chuukichi refuses. Chuukichi tends to question why the two of them became friends, but they nevertheless remain friends.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Chuukichi Nezu
 * Yagi Tomoya
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Suekichi Nezu (flashback)
 * Kichi Nezu (flashback)
 * Shoukichi Nezu (flashback)
 * Daikichi Nezu (flashback)