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"Kotoko-nee! Kotoko-nee-chan!" She got on her tiptoes, a smile on her face as she extended her arms to give her hero an offering: An edible waffle cone with a chocolate ball on top. "I got you ice cream! I didn't know which flavor to get, so I got you chocolate...I didn't know what flavor is your favorite, but everyone likes chocolate, right? I asked the ice cream guy and he agreed that most people like chocolate!"
Kotoko's face twitched a little, but she accepted the ice cream. The girl was relieved to be able to let her arms down. "Didn't your parents tell you to stop running off on your own?" Kotoko was scolding her. Oops.
"Sorry..." She mumbled meekly, her hands behind her back, fingers intertwined. "But it was just around there! It wasn't that dangerous!"
Kotoko's eyebrows relaxed, her expression melting like the still untouched sugary gift. "It's pointless to apologize if you won't change your attitude." But Kotoko was grinning a little! That was good! "I'm serious. Don't go getting yourself into danger, specially when I'm not around." ...did she let her own happiness show on her face? She kept messing up!
"Yeah, I got it, I got it." She was a bit annoyed. At herself, not at Kotoko. "I have to be more...c–...cautious! Like you, Kotoko-nee!"
Kotoko sighed gently, finally actually licking the ice cream. She didn't grimace or anything, so it probably tasted good. "If that's what gets you to stop acting up, then so be it." Kotoko didn't seem to be mad at her, she was still grinning a little. Then, her mouth curved down, as if something inside her brain had clicked. "You didn't get yourself an ice cream?"
The child looked at the floor. "I only had enough for one."
And it was true! She spent all of her monthly pocket money on an Ultraman toy... She wanted to buy a cap to match Kotoko's, but she saw the action figure at the store when she was hand-to-hand with her parents and really let it get to her head! She would never manage to be like Kotoko if her guard dropped over something so minor.
"How much was it?"
"330¥."
"I'll get you one."
What. Her gears worked fast, she was quick to shake her head. "You don't have to! It was a gift!"
Seeing the puff of her cheeks, Kotoko smirked.
"Well, then I'll gift you one too. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?"
...yeah, Kotoko was right. Technically, by the gift-giving logic that she knew, it wouldn't. But...
"Kotoko-nee-chan~! Meanie~!"
"What flavor do you want?"
Her voice squeaked out, tiny like a critter's. "...mint chocolate chip..."