It was the same day as before, just some time later, when the doorbell rang.

“Coming, wait!” Era called out as he rushed toward the front door.

As the door creaked open, he saw his mom, Yumi, standing there, holding several shopping bags.

“Mom!”

“Hmph, move aside. I’m exhausted—did way too much shopping today.”

She walked inside, placed the bags on the kitchen table, and slumped down on the living room sofa.

“Where’s Taniya?” she asked, rubbing her forehead.

“In her room,” Era replied.

“You two didn’t fight again, did you?”

“No! And anyway, I finished my project. I just need to get it colored now.”

“Oh? And when will that be?”

“Tomorrow. Didi’s better at coloring than me, so she’s going to help.”

“Hmm, alright. So, what should I cook for dinner?”

“Potato paratha!” Era answered with a grin.

“Okay,” Yumi said, smiling softly.

The Next Day

Taniya sat in Era’s room, focused on his sculpture, carefully painting it.

“Do it properly, okay didi!” Era hovered beside her like a supervisor.

“Hmm? Maybe I should paint the grass pink... and give the soldier a red uniform with blue skin. Sound good?”

“Whaaat?! No way! That’s completely off!”

“Then don’t try to teach an expert how to do their job,” she teased, dabbing her brush.

“Wait, wait! Where is this expert? I don’t see one here,” Era smirked.

“Oh really? In that case, I’ll just paint the entire thing black.”

“No no no! You’re the best color expert in the whole universe, Didi! No one’s better than you!”

“Hmm… now that’s a bit too much,” she said, pretending to frown.

“What? That was from the heart!”

“Hmph.”

“Okay…”

Some Time Later…

“Haah! Finally done!” Taniya announced.

“Finally! I thought it would take forever,” Era sighed in relief.

“You barely did anything,” she rolled her eyes.

“I helped... by not helping. That counts, right?”

“Wow. Such a big help, truly,” she said sarcastically.

“Thank you! Mom! Momm!!”

Era dashed out of his room and found Yumi in the garden, hanging clothes to dry.

“Yes?” she asked without turning.

“It’s all done! Even the coloring!”

“Good. Take it to school tomorrow—and be careful with it. It better not break.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Era gave her a thumbs-up.

Back in the Room...

Taniya looked at the finished model on the table and let out a sigh.

“Haah… my little brother gets happy over such small things. Wonder when he’ll finally grow up…”
She smiled, shaking her head.

Next Day – At School

Era stood in front of the school’s main gate. Above it, the name IOP School was displayed proudly.

“Alright. Made it safely. Now I just need to get to my class — 6th A.”

As he walked through the school halls, the scene shifted to his classroom, already buzzing with students running around, playing, and shouting. No teacher had arrived yet.

Era stepped inside. No one noticed him.

“Okay, I think I’m supposed to give this to the class monitor. But... who is the class monitor?”
He scratched his head. “I never pay attention in class, so I have no idea... and I’ve made zero friends here so far. Guess I’ll have to ask out loud.”

“Who’s the class monitor?!” he shouted.

The whole class turned to look at him. One girl stepped forward.

“I’m the class monitor.”

“Oh! Great. Here—this is my model,” Era said, holding a large cardboard box.

“Whoa, that’s huge. Just put it in that corner by the door.”

“Alright,” he nodded and carefully placed it where instructed.

“There, all done! I brought it, made it, and delivered it personally.”

“Good job,” the class monitor said plainly.

“What’s your name?” Era asked.

“Wait… you’re in the same class as me and you don’t know my name?”

“If I knew it, would I ask?”

“…Fair point. My name’s Rita.”

“Rita, got it. Now protecting this model is officially your responsibility. I gave it to you in front of the whole class, so if the teacher doesn’t find it tomorrow, I’m putting your name on the report. Deal?”

“W-What?!”

“Okay, bye~” Era said cheerfully, walking to his seat near the back door.

Rita stood still for a moment, stunned.
“…Huh?”

[End of Chapter 5]