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Wednesday:
I’m not normally the last one left at daycare. Normally, Dad comes in with a grin and throws me in the air and spins me around and then I’m whisked back home. Sometimes I remember to wave bye to my friends, but most of the time I’m pretty sure I don’t. I’ll see them again tomorrow.
Today, I’ve had to wave goodbye to every single one of them.
I sit in the middle of the room, arms crossed, watching the door and waiting. If I think hard enough, maybe I can make Dad appear. He doesn’t.
Mr. Nagi rolls over to me and nudges my side.
“Your dad’s not here yet?” He’s face down on the rug, which is really gross. Doesn’t he know that Yusuke picks his nose and hides his boogers there?
“No…” I whine and flops back. May as well join him, though. What does it matter when my parents have left me all alone? “Where is he?”
“Traffic.”
I think for a bit. “We walk here.”
“He had to take a big poop.”
I think again. “He poops in the morning.”
“I got nothing.”
I groan. “You’re no help! This is why you don’t have a wife!”
Mr. Nagi turns his head to look at me. “I don’t want a wife.”
I sit up, excited. “A husband then??” Me and Makoto and Rei had all been talking about the best person for Mr. Nagi during lunch. Mr. Nagi obviously needed someone to take care of him. Today he had come in with a huge coffee stain on his shirt. He doesn’t even drink coffee! The girls of the class could only do so much.
Mr. Nagi shrugs. “Eh?”
I squealed, kicking my arms and legs out, that was basically a ‘yes’ in Mr. Nagi speak. Wait until the other girls heard about this! I was about to go into the list of things Mr. Nagi’s partner would need to have, when I finally heard my name.
“Hikari!”
That wasn’t Dad. That was “Uncle Reo!”
I scramble up and over Mr. Nagi to run up to give Uncle Reo the biggest hug I can. I haven’t seen Uncle Reo in so, so long! “Why are you here? Did Dad send you? Are we going to your house or my house? Is Ba-ya with you?”
Uncle Reo kneels down in front of me and pats my head with a smile. He has a really pretty smile. “Ok, calm down. Your dad sent me to pick you up, Ba-ya isn’t here, but says hello, and we’re going to your house.”
“Oooo, do we get to drive in the fancy car?? No booster seat!?” I never get to ride in Uncle Reo’s car. Dad and Daddy are always saying ‘it’s not safe’ and ‘think of the safety ratings’—whatever that means.
“Ok, wait, there is a booster seat.”
“Ah, boo.” I pouts. “But, yay, fancy car!” and I run off to get my stuff.
As I’m stuffing everything I have into my bag, I hear Uncle Reo introducing himself to Mr. Nagi. Peeking back, they look really silly.
Mr. Nagi is at least sitting up now and he’s looking up sleepily at Uncle Reo. Uncle Reo doesn’t seem to know whether he should sit down with Mr. Nagi or if he should stay standing and so he just looks like he has to poop.
I have to save them. They’re really embarrassing.
“Ok, Uncle Reo! I’m ready!” I pull on his pant leg, so we can get out of here. “Bye Mr. Nagi! See you tomorrow.”
Mr. Nagi waves a sleepy hand. “Bye, Hikari.”
As we start to head home, I begin to tell Uncle Reo about all the things I did today. “And then, me and Nagisa, she’s the blonde that ate all your strawberries that one time, we were talking about her mom and—” and that’s when I remember what I had been talking about with Mr. Nagi before Uncle Reo showed up. I turn around and yell, “Remember to think about what you want in a husband, Mr. Nagi! I expect a full report tomorrow!”
Mr. Nagi hasn’t moved, just seems to be staring at the two of them. Maybe he could be staring at Uncle Reo, but honestly he’s probably just spacing out again. He sometimes just stares at the ceiling. He nods.
“Good!” And then I’m dragging Uncle Reo along again. He’s being really slow, so I turn to tell him to move faster, they’re burning daylight, but he’s also staring back at Mr. Nagi.
Weird.
I tug again and finally Uncle Reo is walking a bit faster. He has longer legs, he shouldn’t be so slow! Do you just become slower as an adult? Something else to think about.
“Ah, Hikari. That’s your teacher?” Uncle Reo asks. He seems a bit distracted and he’s still looking back. Mr. Nagi doesn’t really give off the best first impression, so I get it.
“Huh, yeah, that’s Mr. Nagi. He’s a sleepy seal.”
Uncle Reo laughs, “Yeah, I can see that.”
“He doesn’t have a wife, or a husband, so me, Rei, and Makoto are going to find him one. Do you have any ideas?” It would be great if I had some help, adults knew other adults. All the adults I knew already had someone. Well, actually, “Wait, Uncle Reo, you don’t have a wife or a husband.”
Uncle Reo stumbles a bit, but I don’t see any rocks he could have stumbled on. “Um, no, I guess I don’t.”
“Great! You and Mr. Nagi can be friends! You should help each other find someone!”
Uncle Reo laughs again, “Ah, that’s what you meant. Yup, sounds like a good idea.”
Mr. Nagi needed more friends, too. This would give him some practice before he had to be a good husband.
Thursday:
This time I’m not the last one to be picked up. This time when Uncle Reo shows up and calls for me, I really don’t want to leave, so I pretend not to hear him. Haruka has a cool fish book that I don’t want to stop looking at.
Uncle Reo calls and calls, but Haruka is showing me pictures of Lionfish and they look crazy. Maybe Dad would take the two of us to the aquarium later.
A hand comes down on my head, soft but firm. “Time to go.” Mr. Nagi’s voice drifts softly down to me and I sigh, accepting my fate.
“I’m sorry Haruka, I gotta go.” I pout.
Haruka pats my hand and looks up at me with her big blue eyes. “It’s ok. I’ll bring it tomorrow.”
I grin, “Yay!!”
Mr. Nagi starts to gently lead me to the front, where Uncle Reo is waiting with crossed arms and a frown. I’m beginning to feel a bit bad now.
Uncle Reo squats down. “What, you don’t like me anymore?”
I feel really, really bad now. “Sorry, Uncle Reo.” I can’t look him in the eyes. “I didn’t mean to.” I should hide away, maybe my backpack can eat me up.
Uncle Reo sighs and now it’s his hand on my head. “It’s ok, you little baby. I know I’m you’re favorite.”
Before I can say anything, I hear Mr. Nagi snort. “You said I was your favorite.”
Uh oh.
Uncle Reo stands up and looks down at me with a hand on his hip. “Hikari, have you been lying to me?”
“Nooo,” I grab both of their hands. “You're both my favorites. I promise!!”
Uncle Reo and Mr. Nagi both look at each other. I can’t really tell what they’re doing, but I think they’re having one of those quiet adult conversations you have with your eyes. I haven’t really figured out how to do that yet. I just end up looking like I have to poop, I think.
“Ok” Uncle Reo turns back to me with a smile. “I guess I don't mind sharing the slot with Mr. Nagi.”
Oh, good. I don’t want either of them to be sad.
But I also see Mr. Nagi look away nervously, a hand coming up to rub at his neck. Interesting. Something to think about later.
“Hi, I'm looking for Haruka?” Another man walks in and Nagi nods before moving to get her. Before he fully turns away, I see him look at Uncle Reo one last time. His eyes are sparkling. He doesn’t look like a lazy seal anymore, but maybe one… in love??
I immediately look back over to Uncle Reo and he’s still looking at Mr. Nagi walking away. His eyes aren't sparkling though, but they're narrowed in thought. He’s biting his lip. What does it mean?!
I pull on his hand to get his attention and Uncle Reo asks, “Ready to go home?”
I nod and as we’re walking away Uncle Reo asks, “Mr. Nagi is really tall, huh?”
I nod wildly. “So tall! Sometimes he throws us in the air, but we have to let him rest a lot and he'll only ever do one person before he gets tired and actually I don't think he's actually supposed to do that so don't tell anyone!”
“Don't worry, your secret is safe with me.” He squeezes my hand. “Besides I can't get one of your two favorite people in trouble.”
Good, I can't have Uncle Reo thinking Mr. Nagi is a criminal. Especially if Mr. Nagi likes Uncle Reo.
I have a lot to think about at home. It may be time to call for an emergency tea party.
Friday:
Today, I’m chasing Rei around the playground. I’m the dragon and Rei is the knight. I’m having fun roaring from my place on top of the jungle gym when Makoto yells up, “Hey, isn't that your Uncle Reo talking to Mr. Nagi?”
I immediately whip my head around to see what Makoto sees and there they are. Uncle Reo and Mr. Nagi are standing side by side underneath the tree with the pretty flowers. Flower petals are dancing around them in the wind. I see Uncle Reo laugh at something Mr. Nagi says and I swear I see Mr. Nagi smile, which I’ve never seen him do before ever. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this in a movie somewhere.
I scramble down from my perch and gather my friends into a huddle. “Somethings going on, right?” I gesture with my head to the two adults who are standing much closer than regular adults normally do.
They all peek over to watch for a few seconds—Mr. Nagi is reaching up to pull a petal out of Uncle Reo’s hair—and nod vigorously. “Oh yeah, definitely!”
“We should do something!” Rei says.
“But what?” Makoto wonders.
I think long and hard. “We lock them in a cupboard!”
“What’s a cupboard?” Haruka asks.
I have to think about that for a bit. “I dunno, but it always works in Daddy’s books.”
We’re just putting the finishing touches on our plan and just need to figure out what kind of cake both of them would like, when Uncle Reo calls me over.
We all groan.
“Next time!” I promise as I run over to hug Uncle Reo’s legs. “Why are you here, Uncle Reo?”
Uncle Reo squats down and I notice Mr. Nagi seems to be watching Uncle Reo out of the corner of his eyes. I was right. Mr. Nagi must really love Uncle Reo. He can’t look away!
“I brought you lunch, you little baby.” Uncle Reo picks up my lunch box from the ground and I rush to grab it close.
“Thank you, Uncle Reo!”
Uncle Reo leans in close and whispers, “And I left you a little present inside. Don’t tell anyone.” He makes eye movements back at Mr. Nagi and I giggle evilly with him.
Uncle Reo stands back up and I ask, “Are you staying for lunch? You should, you could keep Mr. Nagi company!”
I sees Uncle Reo’s face start to get red and I can’t stop myself from bouncing up and down excitedly. The plan is working!
“Oh, um.” Uncle Reo glances nervously at Mr. Nagi. “I wouldn’t want to be a bother.”
Mr. Nagi looks back, trying to pretend he hadn’t been eavesdropping the entire time, but I know. I saw everything. “You wouldn’t be a bother. Parents join all the time.”
I look back and forth impatiently between them, waiting for an answer. This is exactly what I need for Operation: Get Uncle Reo and Mr. Nagi Locked in a Cupboard and Then Married. I just named it, but I think everyone else would also like the name.
“Sure.” Uncle Reo finally answers. Even while I start jumping in joy, I notice that he never looked at me when he made his decision.
Unfortunately, we never got Operation: Get Uncle Reo and Mr. Nagi Locked in a Cupboard and Then Married started because the present Uncle Reo brought was a whole box of different fancy cookies for the whole class! It was crazy! Everyone was fighting to be first in line, kids cried, and a rule was made that if cookies were brought for the class it could only be one type of cookie.
Saturday:
That weekend, we’re all having lunch—Dad, Daddy, and Uncle Reo. I’m sitting on the bar stool at home, eating pancakes drowned in maple syrup, kicking my legs as I gobble up the sugary sweet meal.
I’m completely ignoring the boring adult conversation happening around me, more focused on making sure I can get as much maple syrup as possible on every bite of my pancakes.
I take a bite. It’s perfect.
Then I hear something about daycare and lock in.
“Really Reo, we just asked you to deliver her lunch, not fuck up so badly that they made a new rule!” Daddy yells from beside me, stuffing his own face with pancakes.
Uncle Reo is on the other side and his head falls as he tries to hide himself way. He really should know that he’s too tall to hide. “Stop it, Hyouma! How was I supposed to know? No one warned me!”
“Hyouma, language.” Dad adds from where he’s making more pancakes.
“Rensuke, our daughter is smart, she knows not to say bad words at school, right baby?”
“Fuck, yeah!” I yell out around a mouth stuffed full of food.
“Swallow first, sweetheart.” Daddy rubs a hand down my back and I dutifully go back to eating.
Uncle Reo is still whining like a baby beside me. “It was so embarrassing! I can’t stop thinking about it! They probably think I’m an idiot.”
I have to speak up, “Mr. Nagi would never think Uncle Reo is an idiot.”
Daddy’s head whips around, fork raised in the air like he wants to answer a question, grin sharp like he’s about to pull a real nasty prank. I feel really bad for Uncle Reo.
“Oh ho?” Uncle Reo starts to slink under the bar. “And why would Uncle Reo care about what Mr. Nagi thinks of him, hmm?”
Dad asks Uncle Reo, “Mr. Nagi, really?”
Uncle Reo groans into his knees from the floor. I peek at his plate and think about stealing his pancake, “Not you, too, Kunigami.”
Daddy gets off his seat to show show no one can hide from him, even Uncle Reo, though, to be fair, he wasn’t really trying too hard.
“I get that you like taller guys, but Nagi? That guy is half asleep every time I see him. I’m not even sure how he still has a job.”
“Its called Horizontal Parenting.” Uncle Reo explains from the floor.
“Oh, is that what he said?” Daddy asks, unimpressed.
“Maybe.”
“What do you think, little baby?” Dad asks, as he gives me another pancake. “Is Mr. Nagi good for Reo?”
“Absolutely!” I answer with complete confidence, “Mr. Nagi is great! He can’t stop looking at Uncle Reo, its really cute!”
“Oh, well, look at that! Mr. Nagi likes you, too.” Daddy teases Uncle Reo.
Uncle Reo’s head pops up above the bar. “Really?” He asks, eyes shining like syrup getting drizzled on a pancake.
I nod furiously. “He’s always super awake when you come. And his eyes are super sparkly! That must mean he likes you.”
“Wow, what a man.” Daddy dryly says.
“Daddy, be nice.” I point my fork at Daddy, like he does when he's making a point. “Mr. Nagi is great! He's really, really fun!”
Uncle Reo nods furiously from beside me. “And he’s tall, Hyouma! He really, really is!”
Daddy looks over at Dad.
Dad shrugs, “He’s good with kids, surprisingly!” We all keep staring at him. “He really, really is.”
“Yay!!” Uncle Reo and I both cheer.
Uncle Reo throws an arm around me and pulls me close, like we're about to share a secret. “Ok, Hikari, you need to talk me up a lot! Got it?”
I think for a bit. “Ok, but only if you give me your pancake.”
“Deal.”
Monday:
I’m getting picked up late again. Haruka and Makoto were picked up ages ago and now Rei was gone, too. Nagisa wasn't even here today.
So, now I'm just sitting here, all by myself lonesome, adding hair clips into Mr. Nagi’s hair. He's laying on the floor again, but at least this time he's on his back so I can actually style his hair. I feel like he'd look really good with purple clips. I’m about to add a 4th one when I hear someone call for me.
“Hikari!”
“Uncle Reo!” I scramble over Mr. Nagi so I can get to Uncle Reo as fast as possible. I hear him grunt a bit, but he's probably fine.
“You're here again!!”
Uncle Reo picks me up and spins me around. “I am!”
He comes to a stop and I’m a little dizzy so I just hang over his shoulder for a bit. “Too much.” I groan.
“Sorry, baby.” Uncle Reo pats my back and I can’t be too mad at him. It was fun. “You’re coming over to my house today! We’re going to make dinner!”
I instantly push myself up, “Really? I get to help?”
“Yup!" Uncle Reo says and I’m already thinking about all the things we could make. Uncle Reo is rich and has more money than he knows what to do with, so I should ask him for salmon whenever I can is what my Daddy says. Maybe he can teach me how to make that!
“Ah.” Mr. Nagi groans from behind me. I look back and he’s come over, looking super sleepy like always, pulling the hair clips out of his hair. “Dinner. I hate being an adult, having to think about what to make everyday. Hikari, never grow up.”
This is why he needs a wife. Or a husband. He needs Uncle Reo! So I say, “You should come over, Mr. Nagi! Uncle Reo is a great cook!”
“Uh, what?” Uncle Reo jumps a bit and I hold on tight so I don’t fall. “No, I’m sure Mr. Nagi has plans!” Uncle Reo is rambling. Why’s he getting in the way? This is perfect for Operation: Get Uncle Reo and Mr. Nagi Locked in a Cupboard and Then Married. Maybe Uncle Reo has a cupboard.
“Nope.” Mr. Nagi answers slowly. “I was just going to go home and eat some ramen.”
“Even I know that’s bad for you!” I protest. I turn to Uncle Reo. “We have to feed him good, healthy food! Like salmon!”
Uncle Reo looks at me confused for a second and asks, “Why salmon?” What a silly question. We should always have salmon. Then he turns to Mr. Nagi and Uncle Reo looks so shy; it’s so cute. “Um, ok, you can come over if you want. I can feed you.”
Yes! The Operation is proceeding perfectly.
I run through the door and immediately throw myself onto Uncle Reo’s couch. It’s the softest thing I’ve ever felt. And then I realize Mr. Nagi has never felt this couch before and immediately sit up. “Mr. Nagi, you have to come sit on this couch!”
He’s walking in behind Uncle Reo, looking around slowly before sees me. I wave him over. “Kay…” He mumbles and falls face first onto the other end of the couch.
I giggle and join him in rolling around. Uncle Reo laughs behind us, but doesn’t join. I bet he rolls around when no one is here though.
“Isn’t it so so soft?” I ask, all spread out like a starfish.
Mr. Nagi doesn’t answer, but he does give me a thumbs up while he's still face down.
“I’m glad you two like the couch, but I did say we would cook together.” Uncle Reo calls from the kitchen.
“Okay.” I yell back as I roll off the couch and onto the floor. I hear Mr. Nagi do the same and we both pad into the kitchen and watch as Uncle Reo puts on an apron. “Do I get one, Uncle Reo?”
“What about me, Uncle Reo?” Mr. Nagi asks, too, which makes me laugh.
It doesn't make Uncle Reo laugh though; he sends a mean look at Mr. Nagi, “You don’t get to call me that.” But he hands over two aprons.
Mr. Nagi nods and ties the apron behind him and then helps me tie mine. “Right, right. Just Reo then.”
Uncle Reo puts both me and Mr. Nagi to work immediately. I still don’t get to cut the vegetables and we aren’t even going to eat salmon, because Uncle Reo didn’t have any, but it smells really good as Uncle Reo cooks, so I guess it’s ok.
Plus, I get to wear a little apron with a little duck, which is very, very cute. Both Uncle Reo and Mr. Nagi said so.
“Hikari? Did you hear me?”
“Yes!” I respond confidently. Daddy always says to respond with confidence even if you don't know what's going on. He says you’ll figure it out eventually.
“Uh huh, so you’ll set the table?”
Oh, that’s what he wanted me to do. “Yup, on it!” I run off and set the table perfectly! Uncle Reo taught me how to do this a long time ago. He said it’s always good to know how to set a fancy table so I don’t embarrass myself when I go to a fancy dinner. Daddy and Dad said I probably wouldn’t go to any fancy dinners, but Uncle Reo said you never know!
I make sure the forks are perfectly straight and the napkins perfectly folded. I sit there and pretend I’m at a fancy dinner, but then remember I should go back and tell Uncle Reo I’m done.
I rush back to the kitchen and yell “I’m done!” and instead of the clapping and praise I expected, I see Uncle Reo jump and an empty pan falls to the floor. He's really really red and tries to pick up everything but just makes it worse.
I look at Mr. Nagi and he just shrugs.
“Did you see a bug or something?” I ask as I look under the cabinets. “I’m really good at catching bugs.”
Uncle Reo coughs and stands up. “Yeah, yeah, a bug.”
“I didn't see a bug, Reo.” Mr. Nagi adds.
Uncle Reo glares at Mr. Nagi. “You must have missed it.” He sounds a little angry, so I start to inch away. I don’t want him to be mad at me, too. “Anyway, thank you Hikari. Maybe now you can supervise Mr. Nagi so he stays on task.”
Mr. Nagi salutes, “Yes, chef!”
I salute, too. “Chef!”
Uncle Reo rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling now, so I think we’re good.
Him and Mr. Nagi finally bring everything to the table and we can finally eat! The stir-fry Uncle Reo cooked is really, really yummy, even though it's not salmon.
“This is really, really yummy! Even though it's not salmon!” I say.
Uncle Reo laughs, “I didn't know you liked salmon so much. I'll remember that for next time.”
“Yeah,” Mr. Nagi agrees. “You’re a really good wife, Reo.” I hear a thump under the table. “Ow.”
“Who's a wife?” Uncle Reo asks, stabbing a carrot.
I look under the table to see what the noise was, but don't see anything but Uncle Reo’s and Mr. Nagi’s legs close together.
“Was there another bug?” I ask.
Uncle Reo smiles at me with a weird smile. “Yeah, baby, a really annoying bug. I think I got it this time.”
“Oh, good!” And I go back to eating. The stir-fry is really, really good and once I'm done I get to lay on the couch again.
Tuesday:
It's a lazy afternoon at home. I’m coloring today while Daddy does his leg exercises and Dad cooks. It smells really good. He said we’re having company over, so he’s making something real special. He wouldn’t tell me what it was though, but as I color I think about all the special meals we’ve ever had.
Someone knocks at the door, but I’m too busy wondering if salmon is the super special meal we’re going to be having. It’s probably Uncle Reo anyway.
“Hey, guys!” I hear Dad’s voice. “What a coincidence seeing both of you!” He sounds like he’s teasing, so I’m immediately interested. I lean back to see if I can see who’s at the door, but I only see Uncle Reo.
“Shut up.” Uncle Reo mutters. He sounds like a little kid.
“Oh, did Reo bring someone? I wonder who he brought?” Daddy sounds like he’s teasing, too. Uncle Reo brought someone? Oh no, were we too late? I never found a cupboard! What about Mr. Nagi??
I lean further and further to see if I can see who’s at the door with Uncle Reo, but end up smacking my face on the floor. “Owie.”
“That looked like it hurt.”
I blink with my face to the floor.
I know that voice.
I scramble up quickly. “Mr. Nagi??”
He raises a lazy hand to say hello. I look at Uncle Reo. He’s not looking at anyone in the room and he’s really, really red. But they’re holding hands!
“The Operation worked???” I ask. “We didn’t need the cupboard?”
“Huh?” Uncle Reo looks confused.
“What Operation?” So does Dad.
Daddy just laughs, “Wait, were you going to lock them in a cupboard?? Good girl!” He always gets me.
Mr. Nagi nods like he also understands me, too. “The daycare doesn’t have cupboards anyway.”