01: Falling for the Tiny You

A tiny girl was being squashed.

In the middle of the morning rush hour, she was being flattened by the crowds surrounding her. The other passengers were either staring at their phones or had their backs turned, seemingly oblivious to the poor girl being pressed into a pulp.

“Urgh...”

She let out a faint groan, a sound too small for anyone else to hear.

Was she... maybe in the upper years of primary school? She was wearing an oversized hoodie and had her hair tied in twin-tails. She was so short that reaching the hanging straps looked like a gamble. It was currently spring break, but what was a kid like her doing out during the rush hour?

At this rate, things were looking a bit dangerous...

“Um, excuse me. Sorry, coming through.”

Apologizing as I went, I edged my body toward her. I placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder and gave her a firm tug toward me. I managed to tuck her into the space near the doors and stood in a way that shielded her from the rest of the crowd.

“............”

Checking to see if she was alright, I looked down. The girl was staring straight up at me, her gaze unwavering. Her eyes were incredibly large, and her pupils seemed to sparkle.

She’s probably going to be a real beauty when she grows up, isn't she?

“A lot of people today, huh? Do you feel a bit better now?”

“Nn...”

The girl nodded vigorously. Her head bobbed with such incredible speed that I felt like telling her she didn't need to overdo it. She seemed fine now, but I figured I should keep an eye on her until she got off the train.

And no, it wasn't because I was "investing in her future growth" or anything like that, okay?

“U-Um, thank y—gyumph!”

“Whoa, easy there.”

Just as she started to offer her thanks, the train lurched. The backpack of the person next to us swung around and smacked her right in the face. Since she was so small, a stranger’s bag sat at the perfect height to clock her in the jaw. It would be a tragedy if that cute face got flattened by a backpack, so I made sure to guard her properly.

Still, she really was a cute kid. Her cheeks were as smooth as a newborn's and looked incredibly soft. On top of that, a faint, sweet scent was wafting off her. It reminded me of the sweet smell of my relative's baby when I was allowed to hold him once.

“Wagh!”

The train jolted again. My hand, which I had been resting somewhat idly against my chest, suddenly made contact with her face as she bumped into me.

A soft sensation—far more supple than I had imagined—transmitted through my hand.

Muni.

Wow, her skin really was silky and cushion-soft. It seriously felt like a baby’s skin. Amazing.

“Kyaa...”

A sweet, high-pitched voice escaped the girl’s lips. That adorable, carrying sound echoed throughout the train car—and then...

“You! Get off at this station!”

Suddenly, a sharp, dignified voice rang out from behind me. The train happened to pull into the station right then, and the doors slid open. At the same time, someone behind me grabbed my shoulder in a vice-like grip and yanked me backward.

“W-Wait a second! What are you doing?”

“I saw everything. Give it up.”

“Give up what!?”

Pushed by the flow of people exiting the train, both I and the person behind me were forced onto the platform. In the middle of the crowded station, I finally turned to face my captor.

She had long brown hair tied back casually, and she wore a plain navy-blue suit. She looked like Onee-san in her mid-twenties.

“You were molesting that little girl, weren't you?”

“Molesting!?”

“The poor thing was turning bright red and looked like she was in pain. I saw you touching her face, too.”

“Wait, wait, wait! That was just an accident because we bumped into each other!”

God, if you were watching, I wish you’d started watching a bit earlier! I wish you’d noticed there was a primary schooler about to be crushed to death in a packed train!

“I am a police officer.”

“...Eh?”

The blood drained from my face instantly. The suit-clad Onee-san held up a police badge right in front of my eyes.

“You’re a minor, aren't you?”

“I... I’m starting high school this spring.”

“I see. Even for a minor, molestation is a flat-out crime. And to such a small child at that—Lolicons really are beyond salvation!”

“Lolicon!?”

Now that word I had to take issue with. I wasn't a lolicon; I was the exact opposite!

“W-Wait a minute!”

“Oof!”

Suddenly, a heavy impact hit my stomach.

“This big brother was actually helping me!”

The one who had just tackle-hugged my midsection was the tiny girl from the train. It seemed she had gotten off at some point as well.

“He wasn't molesting me! His hand touched me very gently!”

“W-Wait. You might want to rephrase that? That’s gonna cause a misunderstanding.”

“A m-misunderstanding? Oh no! This is bad! I’ll hold her back, you run for it!”

“That’s a pretty heroic line, but I really shouldn't be running away.”

The Japanese police weren't so incompetent that I could escape after they'd gotten such a good look at my face.

“Fine! Then I’ll prove that Big Brother isn't a lolicon! Big Brother, no matter what I do next, don't you dare get excited, okay!?”

“What are you planning to do!? Stop!”

Kids these days are terrifying! If anything, wasn't she just making the suspicions against me even worse?

“...Young lady, that’s enough. Fine, I understand.”

Thankfully, the Onee-san seemed convinced. Regardless of the words coming out of her mouth, it was impossible to doubt the girl's sincerity when looking at her serious expression.

“Listen, kid. My apologies. I almost made a wrongful arrest there.”

“Ah, no... as long as you understand.”

The Onee-san—a female officer named Domyoji Ichigo-san—explained which precinct she belonged to. She told me that if I wanted to file a complaint, I could come to the station anytime. It was a remarkably straightforward and admirable gesture, but I had no intention of making a scene, so it wouldn't be necessary.

“Well then, you over there. You be careful on the trains too, okay?”

Domyoji-san waved and headed up the station stairs. I let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.

“Are you okay? Packed trains are rough, aren't they?”

“I’m fine. Thank you, Big Brother. You were the only one who helped me.”

For some reason, the girl’s face was beet red.

“I was just the only one who noticed. Don't worry about it.”

If a small child is in trouble, you do what you can. At the very least, I wouldn't turn a blind eye—I wasn't raised to be that kind of person. Besides...

“It wasn't all bad. I got a little bonus out of it.”

“Eh?”

“An Onee-san who calls me ‘kid’... that’s pretty great. ‘Young man’ is good too, but ‘kid’ is definitely a contender.”

Domyoji-san was tall, beautiful, and honestly kind of cool.

That’s right. I am the polar opposite of a lolicon—I love Onee-sans. That police officer was my ideal image of a beautiful older woman.

“Um... Big Brother, are you a bit of a weirdo?”

“I like to think I’m a good person. I don't want to do anything crooked. Like molesting.”

“R-Right. Oh, the train’s here. Sorry, I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Ah, yeah. Take care.”

The world is a busy place; even primary schoolers have appointments they can't miss in the morning. The girl moved toward the train sliding into the platform, but then...

“Wait a second.”

The girl pulled something out of the eco-bag she was carrying and handed it to me.

“This is a thank-you gift. Let’s have an energetic morning!”

“Huh?”

She said only that before finally boarding the train.

“She’s surprisingly sturdy.”

Despite her size, she was pretty tough. Maybe she hadn't needed my help at all.

“What is this...? Oh, one of those energy drinks?”

It was a black can with a fluorescent green lightning bolt logo. I’d never had one before, but I knew they were supposed to wake you up or help with fatigue. Had she bought it for herself? Do primary schoolers these days really drink this stuff? I was a primary schooler only three years ago, and I didn't even know energy drinks existed back then.

“Hm?”

From the window of the closed door, the girl looked back at me. Even as she looked like she was about to be squashed again, she gave me a small wave.

She was kind of cute. Not just her looks, but her personality was adorable, too.

Dangerous. If I wasn't such an Onee-san lover, I might have actually felt something. Just a little bit.