Chapter 84

Synopsis
Usaida has a dream that proves that even when things change, some things stay the same.

Long Summary
Usaida, having fallen in a deep sleep, is kicked awake to what seems to be just another day in the daycare. But when he looks up to the student who kicked him and his little brother, he is surprised to see strangers who somehow seem bizarrely familiar. The middle school student chews him out for sleeping all the time, and the toddler calls him stupid. The student laughs and commends "Hayato" for the insult, but gets upset when the toddler spits the same insult at him. Usaida realizes that he's looking at a toddler-aged Hayato being held by a middle-school aged Taka. When he brings this up, Taka tells him to stop stating the obvious and take care of Saikawa. As if on cue, a baby tugs on Usaida's apron. Usaida picks up the infant and is able to recognize him as the chairwoman's secretary, despite the major age shift. Saikawa goes on to explain that Usaida is experiencing a vivid dream, but he cannot be understood since he only communicates in baby talk. Usaida is able to come to the conclusion himself, and can only wonder what else he'll see in this backwards dream world before he finally wakes up. He wonders if Midori is a grade school student in this reality. Taka is puzzled by this question. He reminds Usaida that Midori is a teacher, not a student.

Sure enough, an adult Midori walks into the daycare, carrying toddler versions of Inomata and Ushimaru. She wonders why they were talking about her, and asks if Usaida is feeling alright. Usaida is overwhelmed by the unexpected surprises, and just wishes for his dream to end, or at least stay consistent. Midori says she found Inomata and Ushimaru wandering around the library, and Taka chimes in blaming Usaida for letting that happen by not staying awake. After leaving the girls back in Usaida's care, Midori bids him a cheerful farewell with the same old characteristic energy. Now that they're back in the daycare, Ushimaru asks Inomata to play with her. Inomata turns her down, and sits down to brush up on her English alphabet and subtraction. Usaida is amazed that she's already proficient in these subjects, but Taka laughs it off by saying that this is normal for Inomata. Ushimaru watches in awe before sitting down next to Inomata to work on her own project. She proudly shows a drawing she made of Inomata to her friend, who is touched by the gesture. Inomata bashfully says that she might want to draw as well, and Ushimaru happily offers to teach her.

Usaida commends Inomata and Ushimaru as a girl with pigtails pops up behind Usaida. Usaida recognizes her as Kirin, and Kirin is stunned to see that he has forgotten about her. Usaida pats her head and says that she is adorable as always. Kirin smiles as she tells him that she is the star of the drama club and promises to work hard. Taka sticks out his tongue at her, saying that there is no way that Kirin is cute. Kirin starts hitting Taka in retaliation, and the two begin to quarrel. Just then, someone grabs their hands. A student version of Kazuma holds Kirin's hands as he gently tells her that fighting is not good. Takuma holds onto Taka's shoulder as he cheerfully tells him not to fight. The twins put Taka and Kirin's hands together, instructing them to make up, and the two reluctantly do so.

Usaida hears his name being called, and he looks over to see Yagi as a toddler holding his arms out towards Saikawa. He is also suffering from a nose bleed, and a toddler Nezu attempts to hold him back. Usaida then looks over to see Hayato swinging a bat by himself. He asks Hayato where Ryuuichi and Kotaro are, but Hayato only looks at the floor and says that he does not know. Taka, who is holding Yagi, asks Usaida what he is saying, as there is no one named Kotaro or Ryuu here. Usaida looks at him, confused, when he hears a knock at the door. Taka opens the door, wondering who it could be since it is early in the morning. At the door is Kotaro, in a student's uniform, holding a toddler Ryuu. Kotaro stares at Taka, making him uncomfortable, before bowing, and Usaida notes that he has a slow reaction. Taka asks Usaida if he knows the two, and Kotaro stares at Usaida.

Usaida thinks that the big brother role does not really suit Kotaro, and he scratches his neck in confusion. He then greets the two, calling them Kashima Kotaro and Kashima Ryuuichi. He explains that their parents are on an overseas business trip and they will be staying with them until they come back. Usaida figures that since it is merely a dream, he can make up a few things. Kotaro's eyes sparkle as he smiles and hugs Ryuu. Usaida points to Ryuu and encourages Hayato to play with him. Usaida reflects on his dream, thinking that anything is possible. He pictures Youichi holding a baby Saikawa, figuring that until the chairwoman has grandchildren of her own, Saikawa could stay as Youichi's son. Usaida then thinks about his own dream, seeing that he must love them all a lot to be dreaming about them growing up. He watches Hayato swing his bat and Ryuu holding a baseball next to him, and feels happy to watch them grow up. Usaida then figures that it is time to wake up, as he would much rather see reality.

He wakes up to see the children staring over him, and the children immediately jump onto him, telling him to play. As they grab him, Usaida asks if they could wake him up more gently. Hayato raises his fist, offering to wake him up next time, which Usaida politely declines. He asks how long he has been sleeping, and Ryuu tells him that he has slept through the afternoon break. Usaida yawns as he remembers his dream. Kotaro looks at Usaida, and Usaida says that his dream was pretty fun. He says that he has forgotten it, but Ryuu asks him not to fall back asleep.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Ushimaru Yuki
 * Inomata Maria
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Yagi Tomoya
 * Nezu Chuukichi
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Morinomiya Youichi (mentioned)