Chapter 1: It All Started on That Rainy Day
(A heads-up: The protagonist is not a native.)
Aragaki Takiya liked rainy days because the pattering raindrops washed the dust from the air and cleansed the soul, but similarly, he also hated rainy days because he was currently outside.
"Sigh, I hope my Bento doesn't get wet."
The young man, walking cautiously in the rain, weighed the heavy Bento in his hand and tucked it closer to his chest. This was his dinner for tonight. Although it was already a bit cold, it would still taste fine after heating. But if it got soaked by the rain and then heated... The young man shook his head violently. He definitely wouldn't encounter such a despairing situation! So, he should hurry up.
Because it was close to evening and due to the rain, there weren't many pedestrians on the road. This allowed Aragaki Takiya to breathe a slight sigh of relief. He hurriedly ran to the bottom of the Apartment building he rented, only to see a suspicious golden figure huddled by the staircase corner near the entrance.
"Is that the neighbor's Children? But why hasn't she gone home even though she's soaking wet?"
Looking at the blonde Little Girl sitting at the staircase entrance, a hint of doubt flashed through the young man's mind, but he didn't dwell on it. Maybe she just wanted to sit for a while? That wasn't impossible. In any case, his current mission was to heat up his Bento... Wait, no! Seeing this situation, it clearly wasn't normal.
"Should I go and ask what's going on?"
Looking at the Loli sitting motionless on the stairs, Aragaki Takiya felt hesitant, but when he noticed her soaking wet, long blonde hair, he decided it would be better to go forward and ask.
"Um, Little Sister, are you lost?"
Aragaki Takiya spoke hesitantly. He truly had no experience communicating with Children. Fortunately, he knew he should speak softly to Children, and as he spoke, he also squatted down. Clearly, Aragaki Takiya hoped to understand what had happened to her through this method.
The sudden sound in the dark environment made the small figure sitting on the stairs tremble violently, and then slowly raise her head. However, what happened next was beyond Aragaki Takiya's expectation.
The Little Girl who raised her head didn't make a fuss, but when she clearly saw Aragaki Takiya's appearance, her body stiffened abruptly. Just as Aragaki Takiya thought he had scared her, he saw the small yellow figure lunge forward.
"Bang!"
A sound echoed in the dark stairwell, followed immediately by a sharp intake of breath.
"Hiss~"
Aragaki Takiya, having been hit hard, couldn't keep his balance, and his body immediately made intimate contact with the stairwell floor. Fortunately, the items he bought from the Convenience Store were placed aside and unaffected. Just as he was about to say something, he realized that the Loli who knocked him down was already hugging him tightly.
"Hey, what are you..."
Before the young man could finish his sentence, he heard sobbing, followed by a warm sensation coming from his shoulder.
"Wuwuwu, Da... Dad..."
The soaking wet Little Girl buried her head in the young man's shoulder, weeping while occasionally muttering indistinct words.
"As expected, she can't find her family..."
Hearing the indistinct words next to his ear, Aragaki Takiya was basically certain that this Little one in front of him couldn't find her family. As for why she suddenly hugged him... Well, his mind couldn't fully comprehend why Children would do this. However, the most urgent task was to go home first, as he could feel that the clothes of the Little one he was holding were completely soaked, and continuing like this would guarantee a cold.
"Hmm... If you really can't find your home, then come to Big Brother's place first..."
Aragaki Takiya awkwardly spoke these words, feeling uneasy inside. He increasingly felt like a pervert trying to abduct a Little Girl. If there was any difference between him and a pervert, it might be that the Little Girl in his arms was very clingy... Hearing Aragaki Takiya's words, the blonde Little Girl didn't respond. She simply held his hand tightly and wouldn't answer any of his questions.
"Forget it. I hope I don't get taken away by the Police..."
Seeing that the Little Girl showed no sign of letting go, Aragaki Takiya prepared to take her to his home first. After all, the stairwell was not warm, and since she was soaked, she would definitely catch a cold if the situation wasn't handled properly.
Although Aragaki Takiya was inwardly anxious the whole way, the Little one was good, only holding his hand without crying or fussing. If she had cried and fussed the whole way, calling the Police might have been the best solution.
"First, go home, get the Hairdryer to dry her off, then ask for her family information, and finally call her parents. That should solve it."
Inside the Elevator, Aragaki Takiya was brainstorming solutions. While thinking, he also felt a wave of helplessness. Which irresponsible parents would lose their daughter? Initially, he suspected the Little Girl had run away, but now that she was obediently holding his hand, it was clear the problem lay with her parents.
"Click~ Click~"
"Phew~ Finally home. You sit on the sofa for a bit, I'll go get the Hairdryer..."
Looking at the Little one still tightly gripping his hand, Aragaki Takiya tried to pull his hand back, but he felt her grip tighten, clearly having no intention of letting go. Furthermore, with the movement of his arm, she seemed on the verge of crying again.
"Alright, alright, don't cry. We'll look for it together..."
Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes again, Aragaki Takiya quickly calmed her down, and finally found the Hairdryer in the Bathroom.
Before long, after Aragaki Takiya's efforts, the soaking wet Little Girl became dry and refreshed. However, because he hadn't paid attention while blow-drying, her hair was a bit too fluffy. It was only when her hair was dry that Aragaki Takiya clearly saw the Little one's face.
"What a cute Child..."
Looking at her fair, delicate skin, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but marvel at her blonde hair and white skin. She must be a mixed-race Child. Her looks probably surpassed most other Children. At the same time, he wondered what kind of conflict this adorable Little Girl had with her parents that caused her to hide in the stairwell on a rainy day.
"Alright, next you need to carefully answer Big Brother's questions, and then Big Brother will help you find your home."
Watching the Little Girl sitting obediently on the sofa, Aragaki Takiya secretly praised her good behavior while pulling out his phone. Well, as long as she provided her parents' phone number next, he could call them. However, he didn't expect that what happened next would interrupt his plan.