Chapter 89

Synopsis
Taizo wins a shaved ice machine in a supermarket lottery and decides to bring it over to the daycare center. There, he spends some time with his two sons Taka and Hayato.

Long Summary
Taizo is getting groceries and glares at the cashier as she checks out a bag of sweets. The cashier asks if it is for his child and says that her daughter likes them a lot as well. Taizo bluntly says that he lives by himself and will thus be the person to eat them. The cashier gives him the receipt and a lottery ticket. Taizo refuses the ticket, but when she says that there are opportunities to win sweets, he immediately goes over to the lottery booth. A mother and son at the booth are intimidated by Taizo's scary demeanor. The person at the booth is also quite intimidated by him as he meekly allows him to draw a lot. Taizo does not have high expectations for the lottery, but he wins a big prize: a Panda-chan shaved ice machine. Taizo stares at the man, who nervously offers to allow him to go again if he does not like his prize, but Taizo accepts and thanks the man.

Ryuuichi opens the daycare center door to see Taizo and immediately panics, telling him that Hayato is at the Baseball Club. Taizo says that he is not here for Hayato and hands him a bag, telling him that he is here to give it to everyone and that if he does not like the gift, he can simply throw it away. He excuses himself but stops when Taka grabs onto his leg. Kirin tells Taka that he should not grab onto a stranger's leg, but Taka proudly says that Taizo is his friend. Usaida, who is lolling around on his side, laughs at the fact that he is friends with Taizo. Taizo glares at him and orders him to stand up. Usaida complies, and Taizo continues to berate and lecture him, filling Usaida with regret. Kirin asks Ryuu what he is holding, so Ryuu opens the gift and pulls out the shaved ice machine and two bottles of syrup. Kotaro's eyes sparkle at Panda-chan as Kirin excitedly announces that this is the machine for shaved ice. All of the children are incredibly eager to make shaved ice, and Ryuu tells them that they should thank Taizo. They all thank him as Taizo begins to leave. However, Taka continues to cling onto his leg. Taizo repeatedly asks him to let go because he has work, but Taka interrupts him and refuses. Taizo, confused, asks Usaida and Ryuu who he takes after. Usaida then suggests that he stay to eat shaved ice with them since he took the trouble of buying the machine and bringing it here. Taizo then explains that he received the machine at a lottery and brought it over because it would have been wasted on him. He also says that children must like it as he is reminded of Hayato's childhood.

In a flashback, Taizo is shaving ice with a penguin shaved ice machine in front of Hayato, who watches his father intently. Taizo asks Hayato if he would like to try shaving the ice. Hayato nods, so Taizo holds him up so that he can reach the handle. After Hayato has piled up a large cup of ice, Taizo tells him to choose a syrup so he can eat it, but Hayato gives the ice to his father. He then puts his hands on the machine and demands for more ice. Taizo sees that Hayato really enjoys shaving the ice. Shizuka returns home to see Hayato shaving ice and Taizo eating shaved ice. Shizuka smiles and asks Taizo why he is eating instead of Hayato and comments that he really likes sweets. Taizo explains that Hayato insisted that he have it, so Shizuka asks Hayato for some shaved ice as well.

Back in the present, Taizo reflects on Hayato's behavior, concluding that he had also ignored others when he was little. Usaida leaves to go get some ice. Taizo picks up Taka and places him in Ryuu's arms, saying that he will be taking his leave. Taka calls after him, telling him not to go, but Taizo glares at him and lectures him for making illogical sayings. Taka tears up as he asks if he will come back again. Taizo pats his head as he instructs him to be nice to his friends as they make shaved ice and suggests that they allow Hayato to shave the ice as well, since he really enjoys doing it. Just then, Hayato appears behind him, stunning Taizo. Usaida returns with the ice and asks Hayato why he is here, so Hayato explains that the baseball club is on break. Usaida hands the bowl of ice to Taizo, saying that he cannot operate the machine anyways. Taizo says that all he needs to do is simply put in a block of ice, but Usaida makes up an excuse of not being able to assemble it. Hayato snatches the bowl from Taizo's hands, saying that he should hand it over if he is only going to stand there. Hayato shaves ice as the children excitedly watch. Hayato calls after Taizo and hands him a bowl, telling him to check the ice for poison. Taizo accepts the bowl as he tells Hayato to be mindful of how he speaks to his teacher.

Ryuu looks at the bottles of syrup and sees that Taizo put a label on the honey lemon syrup bottle with a warning of not giving it to infants. Ryuu reflects a bit, saying that Taizo is Shizuka's ex-wife but also Hayato and Taka's father, as Taka, Hayato, and Taizo eat shaved ice together.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Taizo Hebihara
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Sawatari Midori
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Shizuka Kamitani (flashback)
 * Hayato Kamitani