Chapter 64

Synopsis
Taka runs away from home because his mother will not buy him a new toy, causing Hayato, Shizuka, Ryuuichi, and Kotaro to hurriedly search for him. Coincidentally, Taka bumps into Taizo, his biological father.

Long Summary
Taka is throwing a tantrum, exclaiming that he wants a little carp jet toy. Shizuka sternly says that it is a waste of money and that Taka will lose interest quickly anyways. Taka continues to bawl and scream while Hayato reads a magazine, ignoring his tantrum. Shizuka picks up Taka and places him with a rope on Hayato, telling him that if he really wants to ride something, he can ride on his brother. Hayato glares at Shizuka while Taka cries, saying that this is not the same. Taka yanks on the rope, causing Hayato to scold him for pulling the rope against his neck. Taka cries into a pillow, and Shizuka tells him that he can cry all he wants. She informs Hayato that she is making kashiwamochi, sweets that are served on Children's Day, and instructs him to take some to Ryuu and the others later. Hayato figures that they already have Saikawa hand-making them, so Shizuka suggests that Hayato call Ryuu to ask. Meanwhile, Taka gets up from his pillow and puts on his shoes, resolving to run away from home. He takes the elevator down and runs towards the bus stop. Hayato dials Ryuu on the phone but spots Taka running away. Hayato immediately runs out of the apartment. Shizuka calls after him, telling him to bring Taka along, but she notices that Taka is not where he was before. Ryuu and Kotaro take a walk outside and gaze at the colorful carp streamers. Ryuu places Kotaro down, informing him that although the other children are traveling during the holiday, Hayato and Taka are available. He takes out his phone and tells him that he will ask if Kotaro can play with Taka, exciting Kotaro. Ryuu sees that he has a missed call from Hayato and is happy to see that Taka seems available to play. He calls Hayato and asks if something is up, but Hayato, out of breath, pants and tells him that now is not a good time to call. Because the elevator was taking too long, Hayato had run down the stairs from the ninth floor. He explains that Taka is nowhere to be found, so Ryuu decides to help look for him. Before Hayato can respond, Ryuu tells him that he will help and hangs up. Hayato receives a call from Shizuka, who yells if Hayato has found Taka yet. Hayato reasons that there is a chance that Taka will return home on his own and that Ryuu is also helping him. Shizuka does not understand why Taka would run away from home just for a toy. Ryuu runs over to the daycare center to see if Taka has gone there. Taka is riding the bus and is seated between two female strangers, who each think the boy is the child of the other person. Coincidentally, Taizo boards the same bus that he enters. Taizo notices Taka sitting in the back row and wonders why he is here, as he does not recognize either woman beside him. He briefly worries if he has been kidnapped, but he logically deduces that a kidnapper would not use public transit as a means of transportation. He decides not to become unnecessarily involved. However, at the last stop, he sees that Taka is standing at the bus stop, unsure of what to do. Taizo asks Taka if he is running an errand on his own, to which Taka bluntly responds that he has run away from home. Taizo, surprised, asks why he has run away since he has a mother and older brother. Taka starts to tear up and finally, the tension snaps, and Taka begins to bawl. He screams incredibly loudly, attracting the attention of a few onlookers and reminding Taizo that Hayato has never cried so loudly. Taizo remembers reading the newspaper as Shizuka loudly nags him and smirks, telling Taka that he is more like Shizuka. Taka stares at him, asking Taizo how he knows his mother's name. Taizo stutters from his careless mistake and explains that he is a teacher at the same school Taka's mother works at. He adds on that he knows Ryuu from the daycare center, and Taka immediately smiles, saying that he loves Ryuu. Taizo admits that he is a very good person and asks Taka if he does not love his mother and brother anymore. Taka starts crying again, saying that his mother hates him since she will not buy him a carp jet. Taizo, confused, picks up Taka and holds him, telling him that since he is a guy, he should not cry so much. Taka thinks of Hayato telling him that he should not cry, so he stops crying. Taizo begins to nag Taka for carelessly running away from home, but since Taka is only a toddler, he does not understand. Taizo asks Taka if he thinks that his brother and mother are not worried about him. Meanwhile, Hayato is rustling through the bushes, Ryuu and Kotaro are at the daycare center, and Shizuka is nervously looking at her phone. Shizuka restlessly thinks about Taka's wellbeing, worrying that a car does not see him. She is worried that Hayato is looking for him but he still cannot be found. The second her phone rings, Shizuka picks up the call, assuming it is from Hayato, and yells if he has found Taka yet. Instead, Taizo answers the phone, informing her that he has found Taka by coincidence. Through the phone, Taka apologizes to his mother, who tells him to come home quickly. At home, Taka runs into Shizuka's arms. Shizuka calls after Taizo, thanking him for finding her son. Taizo simply states that he found him by coincidence. He then goes on to nag her for raising her son to be too undisciplined. Shizuka replies with sarcasm, saying that she is thankful that Taka was found by someone who is only scary on the outside and that the straight-laced and nagging person is not around to raise him. The unspoken tension between Taizo and Shizuka causes them to glare at each other. Taizo turns, telling Shizuka that Taka has grown to be a lively child just like her. Shizuka hands Taka a bag, instructing him to give it to Taizo and tells Hayato to go with him. Taka gives Taizo the bag of kashiwamochi that Shizuka had made. Shizuka tells Ryuu that although he does not seem like it, Taizo has a sweet tooth. Ryuu reflects on the Kamitani family situation, figuring that it is complicated, but not as difficult as it seems.

Later for Taka's birthday, a carp jet toy is sent anonymously to him. Shizuka wonders whatever happened to Taizo's nagging to exercise more discipline.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Taka Kamitani
 * Shizuka Kamitani
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Saikawa Keigo (cameo)
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Taizo Hebihara