Chapter 104

Synopsis
Tamako returns to the daycare, but she spends most of her time back pinning the foot of Inui underneath her own. It's clear to everyone she's upset about something. But since she's a little girl of few words, finding out what's bothering her may prove difficult for Nekota and the Babysitter Club.

Long Summary
Nekota is visiting the Daycare. She's completely gushing over Kotaro and his adorably mochi-like cheeks. Kotaro does not resist having his face squeezed, so everybody just stands by and watches. Inui cries out for assistance. Tamako is stepping on his foot and refuses to move. Nekota explains that she heard from Tamako's mother that this happens whenever she gets upset lately. Unable to move without hurting Tamako, Inui is totally helpless to move. Ryuuichi tries to help by inviting Tamako to play with the other children. This only results in Tamako planting both of her feet on Inui's person. The senpai then gets further plagued when the other children decide that they want to turn him into their plaything too. They begin to copy Tamako, and soon there is a line to stand on Inui's feet. Despite his discomfort, Inui is just too kind to force them off, much to Nekota's surprise.

Tamako suddenly removes herself from Inui's foot, seemingly drawn by Nekota's words. But she quickly steps on his foot again and once more refuses to budge. Nekota explains that Tamako's mother is at a loss on what to do about these tantrums, a sentiment seconded by Usaida, who is unsure how to help the poor Inui. Ryuu offers to help with this conundrum however he can, certain that Tamako is trying to express her feelings. Nekota exclaims that Ryuu is so charming that she wants to take him home with her. Inui apprehends her for intent to kidnapping, and she calls him out for overreacting to a statement that was only (mostly) in jest. It suddenly occurs to everyone that Tamako has moved...

...right on to Ryuu's foot. She points to him and makes her usual baby threats. This time, Kotaro is profoundly impacted by the ill will towards his brother. One look at Kotaro is enough for Tamako to realize that it's her fault he's upset, and she sidles off Ryuu's foot. Nekota is positively giddy at such a display. With that small crisis out of the way, Usaida proposes that the children wash up for their afternoon snack. The children run off to the bathroom, with the exception of Tamako. Now it's Usaida's turn to have his foot stood on. Having expected something like this, he decides that he'll make an exception this time and clean Tamako's hand with an antibacterial wipe. He places a bowl of cookies on the floor next to her, but she shows no interest. Usaida tells the students to exit the room for a moment. As they watch out of sight, Tamako begins to eat some of the snacks. When the other children return, they all enjoy the snacks together.

Inui wants to know how she can be so agreeable now, but cross towards him. Usaida suggests that it's a sign of affection, which doesn't make Inui feel better. Nekota wonders why her own foot hasn't been stepped on if that's the case. Ryuu's experiences with Kotaro tell him that Tamako is trying to express her feelings in her own special way. Nekota walks over to Tamako and cheerfully invites her to step on her foot. Tamako instead goes back to stepping on Inui's, to his dismay. Jealous at being ignored, Nekota goes back to squishing Kotarou's cheeks. This makes Tamako more upset than ever, causing her to repeatedly stomp on Inui's foot. It dawns on Ryuu just what Tamako is trying to convey. He picks her up and asks if her greatest desire was to play with Nekota. She responds by squeezing his cheeks. She says something about soft too, which the confused Nekota belives is about octopus. Understanding now, Inui explains that Tamako is trying to explain that she has soft cheeks too, and was jealous earlier that Nekota wasn't squeezing them. Nekota, thrilled at this prospect of familial bonding, starts lovingly gushing over Tamako and squishing her face. Inui congratulates Ryuu on figuring it out, while Ryuu says he noticed that Tamako responded whenever Nekota complimented someone else.

Inui then observes that Nekota looks just like a bimbo teenage mother with all her heavy makeup on. This tactless remark earns him a stomped foot courtesy of his classmate and Tamako's trademark harsh remarks. Usaida observes that Inui needs a better understanding of a teenage girl's feelings just as badly as Ryuu does.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Nekota
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Inui Hiroyuki
 * Tamako
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Midori Sawatari