Chapter 96.5

Synopsis
The Babysitting Club eats hot pot together as an end-of-the-year party.

Long Summary
The children, who are lively as always, pull Ryuuichi towards the daycare center. Usaida holds Midori and comments that a cold day such as this is good for hot pot. The phrase "hot pot" makes the children think that Usaida wants to eat a literal metal pot, and they call him stupid, citing that he cannot eat a pot. Shizuka and Umi arrive, also expressing their craving for hot pot in the cold weather. Yayoi appears behind Ryuu, surprising him. She says that she was about to suggest an end-of-the-year party, and Yukari, who plays with her daughter, agrees that it is a good idea, as it would be a way to thank Ryuu and Usaida for everything they do. Taka cringes at his mother, calling her stupid for wanting to eat a metal pot. Kirin smiles, saying that she just remembered what hot pot is, and describes it to the children as warm and yummy.

Kotaro looks to his brother, and Ryuu says that it will be even more delicious when they eat it together. Taka eagerly decides to go call his brother, and Kirin wishes to call Inomata, Ushimaru, and Kyouko. Umi smiles and decides that it is good to invite everyone. Yayoi tells Ryuu to invite the chairwoman and Saikawa. Kotaro smiles and says the chairwoman and Saikawa's names, but Ryuu feels as though they may be too busy to attend. Usaida says that they simply have to invite them in a way that they cannot refuse. Later, the chairwoman looks at Kotaro, who is caked in dirt and proudly holding a daikon radish, a strategy devised by Usaida. She asks why Kotaro is covered in dirt, and Ryuu explains that Kotaro had picked a radish from Usaida's field to make hot pot at the daycare center. He then goes on to invite them to the hot pot, expressing his desire for them to take a day off to relax. The chairwoman sighs, but before she can prepare anything, Saikawa announces that he has already cleared her schedule for the day. The chairwoman scolds him for always doing things as he pleases, and Saikawa asks if she will not be attending. The chairwoman harrumphs and takes the radish from Kotaro so that he can wash himself. Meanwhile, Taka and Hayato go over to Taizo's office, where Taka shows off the cabbage he picked and invites him to the hot pot, much to Taizo's surprise. At the hot pot party, Shizuka hands Taizo a bowl, mocking him for his plan to spend the end of the year by himself. Taizo, annoyed, sneers back she must be pretty lonely herself if she's bringing up the subject. Usaida jokingly tells them not to flirt in front of the children. The two panic, denying that they are "flirting," while Taka tells Hayato that his food is hot. Kousuke offers to blow on Takuma and Kazuma's food to cool it down, only to get stung when Takuma happily says that he wants his mother to do it instead. Kyouko hands Ushimaru a bowl while Kirin offers to blow on Inomata's food. Yagi records Midori and calls her cute while Chuukichi urges him to stop and eat his food. Kotaro asks the chairwoman if it tastes good, and the chairwoman smiles as she says that it is delicious while Usaida pours Saikawa some alcohol. Ryuu thinks to himself and wishes everyone a great year.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Shizuka Kamitani
 * Umi Mamizuka
 * Yayoi Kumatsuka
 * Yukari Sawatari
 * Morinomiya Youko
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Taizo Hebihara
 * Kousuke Mamizuka
 * Ushimaru Yuki
 * Kyouko Nezu
 * Inomata Maria
 * Yagi Tomoya
 * Chuukichi Nezu