episode_0011

“Uncle, aah~♡”

“…Aah.”

Sip, sip.

Neat interior and meticulously arranged tables,

Delectable desserts as well.

The popular café in the neighborhood seemed to have all the advantages of a thriving business, bustling with customers.

Among the many patrons, two stood out conspicuously.

“How’s the parfait I picked for you, Mr. Clumsy? Delicious, right? ♡”

“Mm… It’s tasty, it really is, but…”

“?”

Whether it was too embarrassing to swallow or to let it go through his nose…

Initially, young women who looked at us like a father and daughter pair, and even the middle-aged ladies having their gathering,

Upon hearing the word “uncle” from Sebit, they didn’t just suspiciously stare at me.

Their gazes could pierce through one’s soul.

It’s a misunderstanding! I’m not that kind of person!

Nom nom nom.

Yummy~♡

Unaware of others’ reactions, Sebit was joyfully laughing and filming herself eating.

… Should I tease her a bit?

“Today, Uncle, you’re my exclusive servant! The fact that you can hold the hand of the most beautiful elementary school student in the world,

Did you save a nation in your past life under a clumsy theme? ♡”

“Wow~ I’m truly a fortunate uncle, I love it so much~”

“…Originally, there’s no way, but because I’m a kind girl, I’m playing with Mr. Clumsy! Should I kneel down and thank you? Perverted lolicon uncle ♡”

“Wow… This is touching~”

“…Hey! Don’t say it so lifelessly like that! Do you dislike being around me?!”

An immediate response from Sebit,

She furrows her brows, puffing up her cheeks like a pufferfish.

I tried to hold back my laughter for a moment, but

Her incredibly funny expression made me burst out laughing unintentionally.

That’s why I can’t stop teasing Sebit.

“Hahaha, sorry, it’s just a joke. Uncle can hang out with Sebit, isn’t that great?”

“Aww…”

“Relax~ Since we rarely go on dates just the two of us,

Let’s have fun without any worries and return happily, Sebit.”

“D-Date…?”

“..Hmph! I’m not particularly excited about it, but if Mr. Clumsy really wants to go, then I’ll follow!”

“…But anywhere is fine with you?”

“Exactly! Tell me where you want to go, I’ll follow without complaints, Mr. Clumsy.”

“…Really? Mr. Clumsy ♡ Can’t speak more than once as a man?”

Sebit laughs like a little devil,

Something feels uneasy though.

A while later,

Standing tall in the city center, a department store.

I’m sitting here as if my soul has left my body.

Why?

“Uncle, how do these clothes look on me? They’re so vibrant, don’t they suit me perfectly?”

“Hmm…”

“This cardigan is pretty too! And it’s cheap!”

“This time, a long dress!”

“Um… Isn’t this the same as the one you wore earlier..?”

“Uncle, are your eyes clumsy too? This one has more embellishments than the previous one!”

Because I’m watching Sebit’s fashion show in real-time,

“I still don’t get it though..”

“Anyway, your sense is lacking like this ♡”

“Clumsy Uncle ♡ How did you even get married? A failure of a man who can’t even follow basic dating etiquette with a woman ♡ Trash ♡”

“In your eyes, Sebit looks so good with everything, right? So, enough of that..”

“You think you can escape by vaguely praising me? Someone will see through your intentions! It won’t work on me!”

Caught red-handed.

“Um… That’s not it! There must be something that suits me perfectly… Let me try the next one!”

Like a pottery artisan smashing his own creations,

Sebit went back inside to find clothes that suited her.

Stop it, please..!

And so, three hellish hours passed.

Watching her change outfits repeatedly felt more exhausting than carrying several kilograms on a forced march.

Sebit, tirelessly changing clothes without showing any signs of fatigue, seemed as energetic as ever.

These days, elementary school students seem to have better stamina than me..

“I scored big today ♡”

Despite the struggle, she seems to be in good spirits, which is a relief.

Hmm… What should we do now? Where’s a good place to go..

“Clumsy Uncle ♡”

“Yes?”

Approaching me unexpectedly as I was about to decide our next destination, Sebit

“No fashion sense at all, a complete fashion idiot♡ So embarrassing♡ Can’t bear to watch, let’s hurry♡”

“Huh? My clothes? I feel like I have plenty of clothes right now…”

“Calling that a piece of clothing? You’re not a beggar, who would go around wearing such shabby clothes!”

“Because the original looks good, you think a little embellishment will make a difference? ♡ Alright, let’s go since we’re done here!”

Dragging me along recklessly, Sebit leads me to a men’s clothing store as if heading to a slaughterhouse.

I feel awkward in a place like this…

“Hello! I’m looking for some clothes for this guy, any recommendations?”

“Oh my..! You’re quite stylish, perfect timing! We just got some new clothes in stock…”

After giving me a quick once-over, the enthusiastic salesperson passionately recommends various clothes as if her eyes were sparkling.

“Your physique is great, so this one should fit you well! Try this on!”

“This is our new oversized V-neck reversible knit sweater, it looks really good when worn over a black shirt~”

“Oversized… what? Why are the names of these clothes so long?”

Nevertheless, it’s fascinating that such clothes exist.

Lost in thought for a moment, I am handed clothes by the salesperson and ushered into the fitting room.

…Hmm, these seem like clothes students would wear these days.

Maybe it’s not a total disaster if an old man like me tries them on.

Still, since Sebit brought me here, I should give them a try, right?

“Fashion-challenged sir~♡ Still not ready? Even a snail would get dressed faster than you♡ Slowpoke♡”

“Just a moment~”

Ziiip

I step out wearing the received clothes.

“…Oh.”

“…..Wow.”

Is something off about this?

As silence lingers, various thoughts of unnecessary pride start creeping in until the silence is broken by the salesperson and Sebit.

“You look so cool, sir! Your clothes are like wings, your image is complete!”

“Not bad for a fashion idiot♡ Feeling a bit disappointed? Maybe you should start dressing like this more often.”

“Is that so? Is it really that good?”

Receiving compliments left and right from those around me contrary to my expectations, I start feeling embarrassed.

Alright, I’ll buy this then.

“Since it seems to suit you, I’ll take this one.”

“Where are you going, sir?”

“I bought clothes, so now we should leave.”

“Who only buys one set of clothes these days! Miss! Show us some more new arrivals!”

“Yes! Just a moment, maybe this one would suit you… No, this one might be better…!”

The shopping hell seems far from over.

“Hehe♡”

“Oh, my body…”

Enduring another hellish time, I finally finish shopping with Sebit hanging onto my arm, praising how cool she looks.

Walking side by side, I realize I can’t do this again…

“I picked out some nice clothes for you, so from now on, just wear those!”

“Okay, got it.”

“♡”

“By the way…”

“If we dress up like this, do you think we’ll look like a couple?”

“Anyone can see we’re father and daughter, right?”

“Tsk tsk tsk”

“Ouch, Sebit, that hurts.”

Why is she like this again?

After having dinner and enjoying a movie in the mall’s cinema, it’s time to head home before I know it.

“That was fun, wasn’t it, Sebit?”

“Well~♡ Hanging out with you wasn’t as bad as I thought!”

“I’ll just quickly use the restroom.”

“Don’t take forever like a constipated turtle, okay? Fashion idiot♡”

“Alright, I’ll wait for you.”

Hmm… It might take a while for her to return from the restroom. Should I explore the surroundings a bit?

“Oh, this looks nice.”

Just browsing around is entertaining. Is this why people enjoy window shopping?

While aimlessly wandering around, I notice a sparkling item in the accessory store.

“This is…”

.

.

.

“Fashion-challenged sir~♡ I’m back?”

“Sebit is back, shall we go now?”

“Oh, already tired? Acting more tired than a girl even though you’re becoming an adult, poor stamina~♡ Fashion idiot~♡”

“Take it easy, I have to work tomorrow.”

“Poor Uncle Sachuk~♡ Living a life where all you do is make money even as you age, how pitiful~♡”

“You should experience aging too…”

“Even becoming a latte conservative~♡”

“Instead, let’s promise to have fun together next time, Sebita.”

“Well… if that’s the case♡”

After making plans with Sebita to meet up next time,

I could finally step outside.

The sun was shining when we arrived, but it’s already dark… I wonder if the sun has returned home?

.

.

.

How much time has passed?

Sebita and I left the department store and arrived near our homes.

Slowly… Wouldn’t she be surprised if I show her this here?

“Sebita.”

“Yeah?”

“Ta-da~ A surprise gift! I bought it because I thought it would suit you well.”

“How is it? It’s a flower-shaped hairpin.”

“At first glance, it seemed like it was made just for you, Sebita~”

‘Pathetic~ Is he telling me to wear this tacky hairpin?’

‘Giving a child something full of their own taste as a gift, how naive~’

Haha

Based on the data collected so far, I’ve also grasped Sebita’s way of speaking.

Come on! Accept it anytime!

However, contrary to my expectations,

With a flushed face, Sebita lowered her head.

“… Did you buy this for me, Uncle?”

“Huh? Well, yeah..? I thought you’d like it if I gave it to you..”

What’s this? It’s not the reaction I anticipated?

I thought she would mock me as soon as I showed it, but she reacted completely differently, leaving me flustered.

So,

While hanging her head for a while,

Sebita lifts her head.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

Beaming

A smile more beautiful than any I’ve seen before,

And Sebita, who now speaks in a very ordinary tone instead of her usual playful one.

“Uncle,”

“Just being with you makes me so, so happy.”

“Even your personality, always smiling no matter what, is great.”

“I love every little thing about you.”

“Please continue to stay by my side in the future.”

“I like you.”

“…Oh… really..?”

“..Haha! I’m glad you like me.. I was worried you might not, but hey! I do have some gift sense!”

Anyway, if Sebita likes it, then everything’s okay!

We had a pleasant conversation today too!

“Huh? Uncle, your shoelace is untied.”

“Is it? Where….”

As soon as I lowered my head, Sebita sneakily kissed my cheek.

..Huh?

“..♡ Thank you for today, Uncle. Bye-bye~”

Before I could react, she swiftly said her piece and ran off.

….??