Chapter 9

"'''They're all still just cheeky little chicks." 'is the 9th chapter of Gakuen Babysitters.''

Synopsis
Shizuka visits the daycare center to share the news that there are chicken eggs on the verge of hatching in the science room's incubator.

Long Summary
Taka's wails echo throughout the school, from the hallway where his mother approaches the daycare to the spot where a certain cat's nap is disturbed. Hayato has hit him on the head again, to Ryuu's frustration. When asked why violence was always his first reaction, Hayato answered that he'll hit anyone who doesn't do what he says. The other children quiver at this declaration, except for Takuma, who continues to smile despite accidentally being hit as well. At this moment, Shizuka arrives and gives Hayato a smack of his own for threatening the other children. She then cordially greets Ryuu while waking up the sleeping Usaida with yet another smack. Shizuka apologizes for her sons' behavior, claiming not to know where they learned it (much to Ryuu's disbelief).

Hayato demands to know why she's arrived. It is then that Shizuka remembers that she wanted to know if the children were interested in going to the science room to see some baby chicks. She barely manages to explain to the excited children rushing towards the door that they would not hatch until tomorrow. Hayato apologizes for his mother getting their hopes up when he notices that Ryuu's eager to see the chicks too. Ryuu is particularly hopeful that the chicks will imprint on him and follow him in a line. Hayato couldn't help but wonder why, since Ryuu already has the kids follow him like that. Ryuu realized Hayato had a point, but at any rate the children wanted to see chicks.

When they arrive at the science room, the children see the motionless eggs in the incubator. Believing that they were looking inside a refrigerator, they angrily accuse the older kids of lying to them. Ryuu turns to Shizuka for help, but she's on her way out to look over her students' reports. Hayato once again menacingly raises his fist and orders everyone to shut up and listen, which they fearfully do. Ryuu explains what an incubator is and tells them all that if they're patient, they'll all see the chicks tomorrow. Usaida understands why children would be bored waiting for chicks to hatch, but brings attention to Kotaro's intense focus on the incubator. Sure enough, Kotaro stands out from the other children by never diverting his attention ever since he laid eyes on the eggs. It isn't easy for Ryuu to pry him away so they can head out. Meanwhile, the other kids have found a human anatomy dummy and are curiously examining the model body parts within.

Later at the mansion, Saikawa listens to Ryuu's account of the eggs in the science room. They are in the midst of preparing omelettes for dinner, when they suddenly notice Kotaro staring at the eggs they're passing around. Realizing how awkward dinner preparations have gotten, the menu shifts to a potato dish, to the chairwoman's confusion.

Kotaro remains as excited as ever the next morning, and he drags a weary Ryuu over to the school to see the eggs hatch. Ryuu doubts that there's anybody around that early to let them in the building, but Shizuka happens to be there following a night shift and permits them entry. Kotaro is told that he's just in time to watch the eggs hatch. Seeing both brothers filled with wonder at the miracle of life occurring within the incubator makes Shizuka realize how much more charming they are than her own sons. Minutes go by and soon pass an hour, with the chicks needing to take breaks from the exertion of hatching. Though Ryuu and Shizuka eventually fall asleep, Kotaro does not break his gaze once. Finally, a chick fully emerges from one of the eggs, and Ryuu wakes up just in time to see it. Kotaro is incredibly excited, but is disappointed that the chick doesn't move much. Shizuka promises that after school they'll be rested up and incredibly lively, and invites all the children to come play with them then. Ryuu sees that Kotaro is profoundly moved by the new births, a feeling he had once before when Kotaro himself was born.

After school, the other children watch as all the chicks follow Kotaro in a line. Taka enviously wants to a chance to play as well and charges at the chicks. Startled, the chicks run around in a panic as all the children chase them all over the science room. The chick Kotaro is chasing heads to the open window...where the trouble-making cat is waiting! When the cat pounces towards the chick, Kotaro shields it with his body, prepared to protect it. Fortunately, Hayato arrives and heroically grabs the cat before it can hurt anybody. After chiding the others for leaving the window open, he puts the cat on the ground outside and it runs off. The children gaze at Hayato in admiration of his deed, while Ryuu informs Kotaro that the danger has passed. Ryuu ponders the journey the chicks will have growing up.

When the Kashima brothers return a few days later to play more, Shizuka disappoints them with the news that the chicks were given away.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * The Cat
 * Shizuka Kamitani
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Midori Sawatari
 * Saikawa Keigo
 * Morinomiya Youko
 * The Chicks