Chapter 98

Synopsis
Kousuke tells the story of why he became an actor and how he met his wife, Umi. His story also uncovers his cowardice and how he gained confidence.

Long Summary
Usaida looks at his phone and comments that Kousuke is starring in a drama. Ryuuichi tries to control the energetic children as he calls over to Usaida for help. Usaida tells Takuma and Kazuma that their father is playing the part of a high schooler. Suddenly, Kousuke, wearing sunglasses and a mask, slams open the daycare center window, saying that he is wrong. He cries, exclaiming that does not suit the role of a high schooler since he is twenty-seven and has kids. Some students watch Kousuke crying in the bushes as Ryuu urges him to come inside.

Inside the daycare center, Kousuke asks Kazuma why he is hiding behind Ryuu while Takuma is happily sitting on Ryuu's lap. Ryuu says that he must have been startled by his appearance. Usaida teases Kousuke, making Kousuke cry even more. Kousuke then says that he wants to talk to Hayato about the role, but he uses his last name, Kamitani, making Taka think that Kousuke wants to talk to him. Usaida says Kousuke is handsome and cool, but Kousuke immediately denies this and becomes depressed, saying that he is rather disappointing. Ryuu then asks why Kousuke became an actor, and Usaida adds on that personality-wise, it does seem odd that he is an actor. Kousuke smiles a bit and explains that he did not plan to become an actor--he actually wanted to impress the girl he liked by changing his uncool self. In a flashback to his high school years, Kousuke is at kendo practice when he overhears girls talking about his handsome looks. Kousuke had started kendo in order to become stronger, but he is easily overpowered by his opponents, causing the girls to see him as very weak. Kokubo, Kousuke's current manager, scolds him for being so weak while the girls whisper about how Kousuke is crying. Kousuke crouches outside in the bushes, drying his tears and thinking about how he is lame and weak. He hears music and approaches the gymnasium, where he sees Umi gracefully practicing her rhythmic gymnastics. When the music ends and she strikes her finishing pose, Kousuke, mesmerized, instinctly starts clapping. He blushes and apologizes for peeking, but Umi happily says that he witnessed her first performance without mistakes as she grabs onto his hands. Umi wishes him good luck at his kendo practice, and Kousuke blushes as he thanks her. Kousuke remembers that on that day, he fell in love with her smile. As he walks towards the other gymnasium, Kousuke feels determined not to let her be disappointed in him. However, Kokubo still defeats him in a practice match, and Kousuke looks over to the gym entrance as he tears up. He sees that Umi had witnessed him and feels embarrassed, but Umi smiles and cheers him on, which motivates Kousuke (although Kousuke loses the next match as well). While Kokubo, who is actually quite kind, helps Kousuke with studying, he yells at him for not making a move with the girl he likes and scolds him for using the wrong formula. Kousuke tears up as he meekly admits that he does not know how to make a move. Kokubo glares at Kousuke as he says that pessimists are annoying. Kousuke and Kokubo watch Umi as Umi's friends praise her for being such a good gymnast. Kokubo notes that Umi is the star of the gymnastics team but Kousuke is the worst on the kendo team. Kousuke tells him that if he confesses to her, he wants to confess when he has confidence. He thinks to himself that if he is suitable next to a girl who is always smiling, he can do anything. The next day, Kokubo hands Kousuke a magazine, telling him that if he gains confidence, he will nominate him for a celebrity agency. Kokubo explains that his relatives run a celebrity agency and had jokingly told him to nominate someone good-looking. Kousuke is incredibly flustered, saying that he is gloomy and incompetent, but Kokubo says that Kousuke has the handsomest face he has ever seen, which is a strong trait of his. Kokubo says that he is a total wimp when it comes to matches, but his form is quite graceful. Kousuke cries because of his praise, but Kokubo scolds him yet again. Back in the present, Kousuke explains that he did not apply right away, but Kokubo's words gave him a lot of confidence. Usaida says that he told a good story, but Takuma and Kazuma are too young to have long-enough attention spans, as the children are now taking a nap. Kousuke fawns over his sons, saying they are cute as they are asleep. Just then, Kokubo opens the daycare center room, asking Kousuke why he did not pick up his calls. He picks up Kousuke by his clothes as Kousuke bows his head and politely asks Usaida and Ryuu to look after his sons. Kousuke is taken away in tears, telling Takuma and Kazuma not to forget about him. Outside, Kousuke sees Umi, who smiles and cheers him on. Kokubo asks Kousuke if he thinks he is suitable to be next to her, to which Kousuke affirms because his wife and his two children are his pride. However, the role that Kousuke plays is unsuitable for Kazuma, who cries when Kousuke returns home.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Midori Sawatori
 * Yoshihito Usaida
 * Kousuke Mamizuka
 * Hayato Kamitani (mentioned)
 * Kokubo
 * Umi Mamizuka