Chapter 4: The New Neighbor’s Hairstyle Is Super Weird

Thanks to the Board Game, Kenma Kotsume’s boring evenings were somewhat alleviated.

From the very beginning, with Board Game, Monopoly, to all sorts of card games later on, since just the two of them weren’t enough to play Old Maid, they dragged both sets of Parents into the fray.

“Ah, ah, it’s been so long since our families played together,” Miwako Kotsume laid down a pair on the table, cupped her cheeks, and said, “So nostalgic. If I’d known it would be this fun, I would have taken Kenma’s Game Controller away earlier.”

“Mama.”

Kenma Kotsume called out in protest.

“Sorry, sorry, I was just joking.”

Miwako Kotsume was, of course, joking.

If she were that kind of strict Parent, she’d never have allowed a TV in Kenma’s room.

“Ah— I lost again, I’m done, not playing anymore.”

The last card in Yoriko Arisu’s hand was the joker. Disappointed, she tossed her cards and collapsed backward onto the sofa, rolling around like a sore loser.

Yurihana Arisu covered her mouth and laughed, “Yoriko, your acting isn’t very good.”

Miwako Kotsume also laughed, “That’s because Yoriko’s expressions are too vivid, it’s easy to see through her.”

Whenever Yoriko Arisu’s fingers hovered over the joker, her expression would light up obviously.

When she drew any other card, her face would tense up, even more obvious than the changing weather in June.

Having already lost and sipping juice on the side, Kenma Kotsume let go of his straw and commented blandly, “Dummy.”

Kentaro Kotsume laughed, “I always feel a little bad bullying kids.”

Yoriko Arisu puffed up her cheeks and complained, “You’re all too sly! Can’t you go easy on me?”

“Hm? Yoriko, you want us to let you win?”

Shota Arisu patted his daughter’s head.

Yoriko Arisu thought about it seriously, then shook her head.

She held up one finger, “If you say it out loud, it’s no fun. You have to secretly go easy on me, without hurting my pride!”

Kenma Kotsume continued to roast her, “Who says something like that with such confidence?”

Yoriko Arisu replied earnestly, “Kenma, you don’t get it. Games are only fun if everyone’s happy!”

Shota Arisu deliberately put on a troubled face, “But I think it’s more fun to win all the time, don’t you think, Kentaro?”

Kentaro Kotsume put on a serious expression too, “That’s right, it’s most fun for evil adults when they bully kids.”

The two childish adults wore wicked, scheming grins.

“Ah— Dad, you’re so mean!”

Yoriko Arisu protested, feeling a little thirsty. She ran off to the Kitchen for a glass of juice, then watched as the four adults started another round of Old Maid.

Then, because whoever she stood next to would lose, she was sent off to watch cartoons with Kenma Kotsume.

Yoriko Arisu looked at the circle of Parents playing cards with gusto, crossed her arms, and deliberately snorted, “Heh, adults—so childish.”

She noticed Kenma Kotsume seemed to be drawing and writing something, so she leaned over and asked, “Kenma, what are you doing?”

On the blank paper was a winding little path drawn into a circle, with different icons on each tile.

It looked a bit like Monopoly.

Kenma Kotsume grunted, “I’m getting bored of the current games. I was thinking, maybe I could make up a new game myself.”

“Is it a game like Monopoly?”

Yoriko Arisu leaned closer, reading the words with curiosity, “Punishment Tile, whoever lands here has to do someone else’s Duty Day, Duty Day… There’s Duty Day in the game too?”

“Of course it’s real-life Duty Day.”

The Catboy met her gaze, eyes sparkling with glee.

“Without a reward and punishment system, games just aren’t fun.”

Yoriko Arisu hugged herself and shivered: …Devil, you’re a devil!

The brand-new game invented by Devil Kenma quickly became a hit in Class.

From life-simulation management to fantasy world adventures, this new trend swept everyone up.

Bad news.

Yesterday, Yoriko Arisu lost a dessert.

Today, she lost a bun.

Tomorrow, she lost a bottle of milk.

Good news.

Yesterday, Kenma Kotsume lost a craft assignment.

Today, he lost a Duty Day.

Tomorrow, he lost a day of carrying someone’s backpack to and from school.

Yoriko Arisu: “I actually kind of like doing crafts…”

Kenma Kotsume: “What am I supposed to do with all this food…”

After doubting their life choices for a while, they finally shook hands and made peace.

In the end, the paper game was banned for “destroying classmate friendships.”

Time passed, and Summer Vacation arrived.

On the day the Report Card was handed out, Kenma Kotsume silently slipped his All-A Grades into his backpack, silently went home, silently spread his Report Card out in front of Miwako Kotsume, tipped his little head up, and gazed at her with sparkling eyes.

Trailing behind him, Yoriko Arisu provided a running commentary in a ghostly voice, “Game Controller, Game Controller, I want a Game Controller…”

Kenma Kotsume nudged his elbow backward, but Yoriko Arisu dodged nimbly.

Miwako Kotsume didn’t pay attention to the kids’ antics.

She picked up Kenma’s Report Card and looked it over as the two little beans held their breath.

Time ticked by, and just as Kenma Kotsume started to nervously twist his shirt hem, Miwako Kotsume pulled out the well-kept Game Controller from behind her back and handed it to him, “Since you worked so hard this term, you can have your Game Controller back~”

Kenma Kotsume’s eyes lit up at once.

He took the Game Controller with care, gently stroking it.

Miwako Kotsume wagged her finger, “But remember, you still need to play in moderation.”

Kenma Kotsume nodded.

[Hooray! Congratulations, Kenma the Hero has cleared the stage and reclaimed his treasure!]

Yoriko Arisu provided the sound effects from the side.

That Summer Vacation of first grade, Yoriko Arisu—childhood friend as always—spent it together with Kenma Kotsume.

The two of them holed up in the air-conditioned room, munching on icy popsicles, living a life as carefree as immortals.

This time, they played a two-player Game, the classic Hero and Dragon Quest world.

On the character selection page, Yoriko Arisu immediately said, “I want to be the Hero.”

The Hero uses a sword for close combat, which is super satisfying.

The remaining two characters were Archer and Mage, one boy and one girl, both ranged attackers.

Kenma Kotsume, who also wanted to pick Hero, scrunched up his face, “Shouldn’t you pick Mage?”

Among the three, only the Mage was a girl.

And the Hero—the Hero was the lead, front and center on the Game’s cover, super handsome.

Out of a hundred kids, a hundred would want to pick the main character.

Yoriko Arisu replied, “But the Mage attacks from a distance and aiming is a pain. I die too easily! Kenma, you’re way better at playing than me.”

She wasn’t good at Games, her skills were just average.

Of course, she wanted to pick the easier role for a better experience.

Last time she picked Mage, her aim was always off, and she fumbled with the Game Controller so much she died before even leaving the newbie village.

Yoriko Arisu was quick to flatter, “Kenma, you’re amazing! Mage will be a breeze for you!”

Kenma Kotsume knew Yoriko Arisu’s gaming skills well.

He puffed out his cheeks, looked at her for a while, then reluctantly chose Mage.

“Fine…”

They cleared stage after stage, and a whole day passed.

“Oh right, tomorrow I’m going out with Mom and Dad, so I can’t come play with you.”

Kenma Kotsume glanced at the blazing sun outside, speaking with admiration, “You can actually stand going out in this heat?”

“Because I’m going out with Mom and Dad! And the Aquarium has air conditioning, it won’t be hot at all.”

Yoriko Arisu said matter-of-factly, “No need to be jealous.”

Kenma Kotsume huffed, “Who would be jealous? I’ve got my Game.”

“Don’t miss me too much, okay.”

“Who would miss you! Narcissist!”

The next day, Yoriko Arisu had a blast at the Aquarium.

On the way home, she noticed that the previously empty New Home next door seemed to have new residents—the yard was much cleaner.

After dinner, the doorbell rang.

Yurihana Arisu went to answer it and didn’t come back for a while.

Curious, Yoriko Arisu sneaked over and saw an unfamiliar uncle with a boy whose hair looked really weird.

The boy hid behind the adult, clutching his shirt, looking very shy.

He looked just like a kitten in a new environment.

That was the thought that popped into Yoriko Arisu’s mind.

Ah, he made eye contact with her.

When he saw her, the boy somehow looked even more stiff.

Yurihana Arisu seemed to realize something, so she put her arm around Yoriko Arisu’s shoulders and introduced them, “This is my daughter, Yoriko Arisu. Yoriko, this is the Newcomer, the Kuroo Family. You’re about the same age, so you should get along well.”

Eh… but she already had Kenma, making friends with someone new was such a hassle.

Yoriko Arisu felt a little reluctant.

She was about to refuse when she caught a glimpse of her mother’s face—she was wearing her official professional smile.

It was the gentle smile she used with patients.

Yoriko Arisu immediately understood.

She quickly dropped her pout and put on a dazzling smile, enthusiastically reaching out her hand, “My name’s Yoriko Arisu. What’s yours?”

The strange boy’s gaze lingered on her face.

Maybe he was confused by her sudden change in attitude, but he obediently reached out and shook her hand.

“Kuroo…”

“Tetsurou Kuroo…”

Tetsurou Kuroo said softly.

Yoriko Arisu shook his hand up and down, “I got it! Next time, let’s play together!”

Just saying the polite thing is easy enough!

She thought confidently.