Chapter 110

Kirin's long-awaited trip to the Petit Pois event has arrived at last, and Ryuuichi hopes that she enjoys it to the fullest.

Synopsis
Kirin is overjoyed to finally be able attend the Petit Pois event. With her is her mother and the Kashima brothers. Ryuuichi is glad that the kids are excited, but is a little embarrassed that he and Kotaro are the only boys there. Having to wear a cute ribbon throughout a day of participating in activities for fans is not something he would under any other circumstances. The group poses in front of a pretty backdrop for a few photos in the "Hearts Combine" pose. Ryuu is unable to refuse the children when they insist that he be in the pictures with them as well. Yayoi offers to take one with Ryuu as friends. He declines, as she is both his teacher and the wife of a man easily prone to jealousy.

The main event soon begins: the opportunity to take a picture with Petit and Pois themselves! Kirin is ecstatic, and they go over to the booth where it's to take place. When they arrive they see it is not cosplayers, but actors in full-body costumes with large heads. Ryuu finds the look to be in the same uncanny valley as the Panda costume from the event a while back. He recalls that Kotaro wasn't put off by it then, and believes that the resemblance to the anime heroines won't frighten the kids. Unfortunately, that appears to be the case with a few girls...Kirin included. Despite insisting that she isn't scared, she refuses to stand in line to meet them. So she drags Kotaro over to some of the activities they did earlier.

Yayoi apologizes for Kirin's cold feet, but Ryuu is sympathetic. He was more like Kirin than Kotaro when it came to meeting his favorite characters at costume events when he was their age. He was scared of how tall they were, and ran away. He later cried profusely, regretting that he didn't get to meet them. The memory of his father chastising him for backing out made Ryuu a little wistful. He stops reminiscing and looks over at Kirin, who looks rather dejected about not meeting Petit and Pois. Hoping to avoid her regretting her reluctance like he did, Ryuu pulls Kotaro aside and gives him a special assignment. Since Kirin was so kind to him and her friends, Kotaro would return the favor by getting in line with Kirin and holding her hand all the way to the front. Kotaro is delighted for the chance to help, and he guides Kirin back to the booth. It's a long wait, and Kirin is still nervous. But she sees that Ryuu and Yayoi are encouraging her, and Kotaro holds her hand tightly. When they reach the front, they're told that coming a pair would grant them the opportunity to get close and take pictures. Kirin looks up, and sees that Petit and Pois are in the "Hearts Combine" pose. Kirin smiles, no longer afraid, and she and Kotaro join them for a group pose whilst Yayoi and Ryuu take their picture. They all happily say the anime's famous catchphrase together.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Kashima Ryuuichi
 * Kumatsuka Yayoi
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Sawatari Midori
 * Kumatsuka Satoru