Chapter 76

Synopsis
Asahi brings a dog named Pero-chan to the daycare center. The children play with him and take him for a walk, but unfortunately, there comes the time to say goodbye.

Long Summary
Asahi enters the daycare center and introduces himself to the children as Justice Knight. The children stare at him and tell him that it is not Justice Knight. They demand that he do it again. Usaida, who is lying down with Midori, asks Asahi why he is here, and Asahi hands Ryuuichi a bag, asking him to take care of it since he is good with children. Ryuu wonders why the bag is rustling and begins to unzip the bag, much to Taka's dismay because he believes there is a monster inside. Suddenly, a pomeranian pops its head our of the bag. The children's eyes sparkle and exclaim that the dog is cute. Asahi, in a falsetto voice, introduces the puppy as Pero-chan and incorrectly addresses him as a chihuahua. Asahi explains that the dog belongs to Yuuko, his co-worker who also stars in Justice Knight. He figured that since Kousuke's children are here at the daycare center, he would let them take care of Pero-chan for a day. The dog jumps onto Kotaro and licks his face. Kazuma gasps in shock as he and the other children excitedly play with Pero-chan. Asahi records the children playing with the dog as he notes that children and puppies are rather similar. Usaida jokingly asks for Midori's "paw," and Midori puts her hand on his. Ryuu holds a sobbing Kazuma as he begs Usaida to help him. Ryuu holds Pero-chan as he asks Kotaro, who is still on the floor in shock, if he is alright. Seeing that the children and the dog are energetic, Usaida suggests that they take Pero-chan with them on their walk.

The children eagerly put on their shoes as Asahi puts a leash on Pero-chan. Kirin holds her hand out and asks if she can hold the leash, and Ryuu replies that they should hold it together so that Pero-chan does not escape. Before he can finish his sentence, Pero-chan sprints away but falls from the leash's tension. He drops onto the floor, and Ryuu and the children cry after him, believing that he had died. However, Pero-chan simply blinks, gets up, and sprints away again. This time, Ryuu runs after him, not wanting him to be choked by the leash. Pero-chan drags Ryuu all the way to the baseball club's area. Hayato, who is refilling his water, intimidates Pero-chan, who halts and lies on his back. Ryuu, out of breath, thanks Hayato for stopping him. Hayato calls Ryuu stupid for running with Pero-chan because he was afraid of tightening the collar. Ryuu squats down, saying that Pero-chan's collapse frightened him. Hayato rubs Pero-chan's stomach as the other children arrive. Taka sees Hayato rubbing Pero-chan's stomach, and says that he wants to do it too. Hayato rubs Taka's stomach, which tickles him, and Taka laughs. He then gets up and says that he wants to do it to Pero-chan, frustrated that Hayato had tickled him. Taka and Kotaro pet Pero-chan's stomach as the others are relieved that because of Hayato, Pero-chan calmed down. Later, Pero-chan takes a nap with the children. Asahi says that it is time for him and Pero-chan to get going. Usaida, holding a sleeping Midori, says that it is good that the children are asleep, as they would definitely cry when they say goodbye. Asahi picks up Pero-chan, saying that he should hurry so the children do not wake up and also because Yuuko is waiting for her dog. However, he wakes up Kotaro, who asks about Pero-chan. Asahi, in a falsetto voice, waves goodbye with Pero-chan's paw. Kotaro, seeing that Pero-chan must leave, begins to sob, waking up the other children. Kirin asks if Pero-chan is going home as she begins to cry as well. The other children also cry, which does not surprise Usaida. Pero-chan jumps from Asahi's arms and licks each of the children. He also knocks over Kotaro for the second time today, causing Kotaro to smile.

The children say goodbye to Pero-chan as Asahi puts on his sunglasses and uses his falsetto voice to say goodbye back.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Kisakata Asahi
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Pero-chan
 * Hayato Kamitani