Chapter 49

Synopsis
In order to ensure Ryuuichi makes good on his promise to do well on the mid-terms, the chairwoman has Saikawa fill in for him at the daycare for the entire week. Usaida inspires Kotaro to work as hard as his brother by learning to write kana.

Long Summary
At dinnertime, the chairwoman asks Ryuu if he has started studying for his second semester midterms. Ryuu gives a rather ambiguous answer, which makes the chairwoman scold him. She instructs Saikawa to take care of Kotaro's needs from now until the end of the exam period, allowing Ryuu to focus on his studies. She forbids Ryuu from asking anything regarding Kotaro and the other children in the nursery room so that he has no excuse not to do well on his midterms. The chairwoman tells him not to give up halfway if he has the motivation. Ryuu explains to Kotaro that he must study hard and will not be able to spend as much time with him. Ryuu and Kotaro pinky-promise to both work hard.

The exam week begins, and Usaida enters the daycare center to see Saikawa in place of Ryuu. Kotaro stands with clenched fists and a tense expression on his face. He tells Usaida and Saikawa that he has pinky-promised Ryuu that he will work hard. In the classroom, Ryuu packs up his stuff and prepares to go to the daycare room when he suddenly remembers the chairwoman's words to not give up on his studies. He tells Hayato that Saikawa will help out at the daycare room so that they can focus on studying. Ryuu asks him if he would like to study with him in the library, but Hayato asks why studying is necessary for exams. Just then, he receives a text from Shizuka, who tells him that if he fails any subjects, she will trash his treasured baseball DVD. Hayato immediately asks Ryuu what they are being tested on, as he is good at science, but struggles in the liberal arts. At the library, they look around for empty seats, and find space next to Inomata and Ushimaru. Ryuu studies and Inomata helps Ushimaru with her studying, but Hayato is mostly thinking about baseball, which annoys Inomata.

Kotaro is still standing rather tensely, and the children ask why Ryuu has not showed up. Saikawa explains that Ryuu is focusing on studying for the time being. They ask if he will come back the next day or the day after that, to which Saikawa explains that he will not return so soon. The children ask if Ryuu likes studying more than them, and Saikawa tells Usaida to respond. Usaida suggests that since Ryuu is working hard, although he is not sure about Hayato's efforts, the children can work hard to learn to read and write kana. They are all very excited to learn, except for Taka, but he asks if he will be able to play with Ryuu if he studies hard, to which Saikawa smiles and replies that he is not being forced to study. Taka sits to the side, but offers to teach Kotaro how to write, even though he cannot write himself. At the same time, in the library, Hayato tries to explain something to Ryuu, but ends up confusing him instead.

Towards the end of the day, Kotaro has fallen asleep while writing, and Saikawa suggests that the two go home. Back at home, Kotaro is half-asleep on the couch with a book when he sees Ryuu, who asks about his day. Kotaro brightly smiles, and Ryuu thinks to himself that he thought Kotaro would be lonely. The chairwoman tells Ryuu that Kotaro will sleep with her, which gives Ryuu more time to study. Ryuu sits at his desk and wonders if he is actually the one feeling rather lonely. The reason that he is studying is not only because he is afraid of being scolded by the chairwoman, but also because he must prepare for when he steps out to live independently in the real world. He ponders Kotaro's academic growth and realizes that before he knows it, he and the other children will grow up.

The moment midterms are over, Usokawa and other classmates celebrate and invite him to hang out, but Ryuu hurries to the daycare center. He thinks to himself that before Kotaro grows up, he wants to always be with him. Kotaro eagerly shows his writing skills, holding up a piece of paper with Ryuu's name. Usaida informs Ryuu that the children were studying because Ryuu was studying so hard. Ryuu tells Kotaro to write his own name first, and the other children surround him, also claiming to have written his name, although Usaida points out that they, in fact, did not.

Saikawa takes out a calligraphy brush and prepares to write Ryuu's name as well.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Morinomiya Youko
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Shizuka Kamitani (mentioned)
 * Inomata Maria
 * Ushimaru Yuki
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Kumatsuka Yayoi
 * Usokawa