Kintaro has never looked happier. His face is practically taken up by his wide smile as skips ahead, holding a tray of takoyaki in his left hand and a swirled cotton candy in his right.
"Nee-chan, you're the best!" he shouts over his shoulder as he gobbles down half of his cotton candy in one bite. "Today's been lots and lots and lots of fun!"
"Hehe, I'm glad," she says with a laugh. It was a good idea to take him to carnival - she wasn't sure if she could bear to see him so glum and forlorn for much longer. As long as his smile is back, she's happy.
They pass by a stand hosting some kind of target hitting game. Kids are already there with wooden paddles, trying to hit a ball into the targets displayed behind the counter. Kintaro gobbles down the rest of his takoyaki.
"I wanna play!" He gives her a grin and a thumbs up. "I'm gonna win the biggest prize just for you!"
"E-eh? Me?"
He was already in front of the stand, and didn't hear her. "Excuse me!" Kintaro calls to the host. "I wanna get the biggest prize!"
The host hands him a ball and a paddle. "Here ya go, then. You gotta hit the middle target perfectly if you wanna get the big plush, got it? Good lu--"
Blam!
The tiny bullseye sitting in the middle of the other targets is now a perfect, smoking circular hole. Kintaro whoops with delight, leaps up and plucks the fat stuffed dragon hanging just above the host, who is standing frozen and agape. The red-headed rookie runs back, holding the prize above his head.
"This is for you, Nee-chan, hehehe!"
"K-Kin-chan..." Gently, she takes the squishy dragon doll from him, surprised at his generosity. She becomes even more shocked when he hugs her from the side.
"You're the best nee-chan ever," he says happily. "Thanks for taking me out today. I'm feeling better now."
It takes a lot to not start crying in front of the kid, but she's genuinely touched. "Well, next time you feel down, you know who to talk to, yes?" she laughs, trying to sound light-hearted. Kintaro beams at her, and she was relieved that the good ol' Kintaro she knew was back.


















