Chapter 91

Synopsis
At the end of summer break, Kotaro helps a few cicadas by turning them onto their fronts. Later in the evening, the children play with fireworks and sparklers, but Kotaro accidentally puts himself in danger.

Long Summary
Kotaro stands outside in the sweltering heat and observes an overturned cicada. He turns it over onto its stomach, and the cicada quickly gets up and bounces off Kotaro's forehead as it flies away. Kotaro falls back in surprise as Ryuuichi asks if he is alright. Ryuu picks him up as he admits that he was also surprised that the cicada was still alive. The chairwoman appears behind the two and tells them that cicadas cannot turn back onto their stomachs. She tells Kotaro that he has done well, because without him flipping it over, the cicada would have died. She suggests that the all go inside or they will get heatstroke. Saikawa says that he will take care of the cleaning. Kotaro runs over to the bushes while Ryuu calls after him, telling him to at least wear his hat if he wants to play more. Kotaro finds another overturned cicada and rolls it over. The cicada does not move at first, but it swiftly bounces off Ryuu's forehead and flies off. Ryuu is stunned as he touches his forehead. Kotaro smiles, proud that he has saved another cicada. Ryuu looks to his side and is surprised to see Saikawa with a video camera. Saikawa, pleased, says that he has recorded Kotaro and Ryuu's noble act of saving the cicada. Ryuu is flustered and asks him why he has a camera and tripod, to which Saikawa answers that he is always prepared for such events. The chairwoman calls out to all of them as Kotaro continues to crawl through the bushes to find more cicadas. From that day on, Kotaro begins to help any cicadas that he sees. At the daycare center, Usaida eats a popsicle as he says that perhaps the cicadas will return Kotaro the favor. Ryuu says that is too much to expect as Kotaro rolls them over because he likes to. Just then, an extremely tanned Hayato enters the room. Usaida points out his tan, and Hayato explains that he has club activities outdoors. Taka, equally tan, comes in and shows off his fireworks set. He holds Kotaro's hand and says that they will set off fireworks together. Usaida is surprised to see that Hayato came up with the idea of setting off fireworks, but Hayato explains that Taka had thrown a huge tantrum. Taka is proud to have his fireworks while Usaida praises him, saying that he must have thrown an incredible tantrum to be able to win over Hayato. Hayato glares at and threatens Usaida, so Ryuu tells Usaida not to push Hayato too far. The other children and their mothers arrive with fireworks as well. Usaida checks for a bucket of water, a lit candle, and a nice place to set off the fireworks. He says that they can start the sparklers even though it is not completely dark outside yet. The children excitedly look at the fireworks as Umi explains that they have to be careful since there will be fire. Taka picks up some fireworks but pauses when he sees his brother staring at him. Umi and Takuma hold a sparkler together as Umi comforts a frightened Kazuma. Taka sees Umi with the twins and tells Hayato that he cannot do the fireworks alone. Kirin points to Taka and says that he wishes to be spoiled. Kirin holds her own sparklers as Hayato and Taka hold one as well. Ryuu gives Kotaro a panda sparkler and lights the tip with the candle. Kotaro's eyes glisten as he watches the sparkles. Usaida calls Kazuma over and shows him a snake sparkler, saying that it is not scary since there are no sparks. However, Kazuma is still terrified and clings onto Ryuu. Taka starts shaking his sparkler, proud that he can hold it by himself. Kotaro wishes to make his sparkler sparkle more, so he sticks it into the candle, causing Ryuu to tell him not to do it alone. The tip only sizzles, though, so Kotaro points the sparkler at his face, wondering why it is not lighting. Ryuu, horrified, calls out to Kotaro and puts his hand over Kotaro's face just as the sparkler starts spewing out numerous sparks. Ryuu is a little too late, but suddenly, a cicada flies by and knocks the sparkler out of Kotaro's hands. The others are stunned as they watch the scene. After a pause, Ryuu nervously asks Kotaro if he was burnt. Kotaro looks rather confused as Hayato picks up the fallen sparkler. Ryuu admits that he had taken his eyes of Kotaro, but he instructs Kotaro to be much more careful around fire. He scolds Kotaro, telling him not to point the sparkler at his face. Kotaro is rather depressed to be scolded by his brother, but Usaida says that it is good that no one got hurt. He pats Kotaro's head as he says that the cicada returned the favor, for it had knocked the sparkler out of his hand the second before he would have gotten burnt. Ryuu tells Kotaro that they should perhaps thank the cicada. Kotaro walks up to the tree and thanks the cicada. The children wave goodbye as the cicada flies off. Later, Kotaro pokes another overturned cicada, but it does not move. Kotaro, absolutely dismayed, looks at Ryuu, who says that they can make a grave for it.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Morinomiya Youko
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Umi Mamizuka
 * Yayoi Kumatsuka
 * Kirin Kumatsuka