Chapter 30

Synopsis
The chairwoman reminds Ryuuichi that she will only look after him until he becomes an adult. He learns just how capable he'll be when he finds the chairwoman needing care for an injury, while also realizing there's a mutual feeling of immense care and concern between the two of them.

Long Summary
Saikawa and the chairwoman are in a black car with another old man. The chairwoman asks what a big-shot like him needs from her, to which the old man comments that he does not need much, but also notes that she seems to be living with grandchildren now. The chairwoman denies that they are her grandchildren, saying that they are simply people living in her house. The old man's eyes sparkle as he says that they should talk about grandchildren over tea while eagerly patting photo albums with pictures of his grandchildren. The chairwoman declines and tells Saikawa that they should leave. Saikawa asks the chairwoman if she will be attending the chat about grandchildren. The chairwoman demands why anyone would attend such a conversation, while the old man says that they are classmates and should chat together. The chairwoman reiterates that she does not have any grandchildren.

At home, Kotaro holds out a plant sprout, a four-leaf clover, and a pebble to the chairwoman. She wonders what all of the rubbish is, so Ryuuichi explains that the children at the daycare center picked up things during their walk. The chairwoman says that walks are good, suggesting that Ryuu go on some as well. She then sharply glares at him and says that she will only be looking after him until he is an adult. Ryuu understands, and the chairwoman leaves to go to her study. Ryuu reminds himself that they are not relatives, so he and Kotaro cannot always rely on her. Ryuu is determined to be an adult who can take care of Kotaro. Saikawa claps at Ryuu's determination and offers to make him whatever he would like for dinner. Kotaro calls out to Saikawa and hands him a plant sprout. Touched, Saikawa rolls up his sleeves and resolves to give his absolute best effort in making dinner. Saikawa begins to say something about what the chairwoman said earlier, but then dismisses the thought. In her study, the chairwoman looks at the things Kotaro had given her.

Kotaro shows Ryuu his drawing of the chairwoman while Ryuu is doing homework. Just then, Saikawa knocks on their door, informing them that dinner is ready. Saikawa says that he will call on the chairwoman, but after exchange glances with Kotaro, he tells him that he can go to call the chairwoman for dinner. Ryuu and Kotaro knock on the door, but they are met with silence. After a pause, the chairwoman says that she will come in a bit. Ryuu starts to walk off when he hears a crash. Ryuu bursts into the room and sees that the chairwoman has collapsed on the floor. Ryuu remembers his parents and their death and panics. He opens his phone, prepared to call an ambulance, but trembles. As he is shaking and tearing up, the chairwoman grabs his leg and tells him that this is simply a sprain. She demands that he call Saikawa, to which Ryuu complies. Later, Saikawa tells Ryuu that it is a simple sprain, and suggests that they call a doctor. The chairwoman says that there is no need for a doctor. Saikawa states that things like this happen to the elderly; the chairwoman denies that she is elderly. The chairwoman tells Ryuu that she does not need any help and orders him outside. Ryuu consoles Kotaro, who did not get to show the chairwoman his drawing. Saikawa offers to feed the chairwoman her dinner, to which the chairwoman responds that she will never accept his help even if she dies. She also orders Saikawa not to enter the study until after she is fully recovered. After a long pause, Saikawa replies that he understands.

Ryuu asks Usaida how to treat a sprained waist and explains that even after three days, the chairwoman has not recovered. As Taka repeatedly asks what a sprained waist is, Hayato suggests that Ryuu do what she says and ignore her. Ryuu comforts Taka as Hayato continues to say that being worried will only make him tired and that even if he is sick, he could not care less. Usaida says that Hayato is stubborn, just like the chairwoman and tells Ryuu that rest is the best way to treat a sprained waist while Hayato throws a stuffed plush at his face. Usaida also notes that moving around too much will cause it to worsen. Kirin cries, saying that Hayato should not throw stuffed plushes. Ryuu reflects on his reaction to seeing the chairwoman on the ground. He wonders if his actions were unnecessary but also notes that seeing the chairwoman sprawled on the ground really frightened him.

Saikawa exits the chairwoman's room, and Ryuu asks him if the chairwoman will be alright. Saikawa explains that she simply needs more rest and that she sprained her waist because she tripped over something in her study. He says that the chairwoman told him not to enter, but then instructs Ryuu to enter. He says that he never got to finish his sentence with Ryuu the other day. Saikawa continues his unfinished thought, saying that the chairwoman said what she did not because she believed that Ryuu would be a burden, but because she would not want to be a burden to them. In the study, Kotaro uncovers the carpet and sees that the chairwoman had spilled a box with all the things that he and Kotaro had gifted her, including the sheep keychain from the zoo and a shell from the beach. The chairwoman had knocked over the box and tried to cover up the things she had knocked over. Saikawa tells Ryuu that even though the chairwoman may call them annoying, among all the people he has ever known, the chairwoman is the most caring.

The chairwoman wakes up to see Kotaro's drawing and a glass with flowers in it on the nightstand next to her. The chairwoman sighs and wonders why the drawing is always so ugly. Later, the chairwoman receives a phone call from her classmate, asking when she will be willing to talk about her grandchildren. The chairwoman refuses to talk about them while Saikawa assures her that Ryuu and Kotaro are quite adorable and will definitely win against her classmate's grandchildren.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Morinomiya Youko
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Hayato Kamitani