Dimension Holders: Adventures

Chapter 6: A Date to Remember

"Time to wake up, Mr. Nathan." Saikawa unleashed the bright sun into the bedroom that I was sleeping in. Letting out an annoyed groan, I pulled the bedsheets off myself and got out of bed, with my light blue pajama top and bottoms wrinkled from the tossing and turning I was doing the night before. "You appear to have slept well." He said in all seriousness. I twisted my exhausted head and glared at him. "I'm sorry. That was a joke." Saikawa made his way out of the room, allowing me the time to get dressed in my school uniform and put on the bracelet Tabane had created for me.

I joined Ryu, Kotaro, and Lloyd as the three got ready to make their way to the daycare room on campus. "Ready to start the day, Master of Love." Lloyd chuckled. Ryu, confused, asked Lloyd what he meant by Master of Love. "Romeo over here told Sammie she could stop by the club before class today. I hope that's alright?"

"The more the merrier." Ryu gave a warm smile. "The others will be excited, right Kotaro?" Kotaro nodded, letting out a little noise in agreement.

While we were walking to the daycare, Ryu decided to ask me...... an interesting question. "So, Nathan, if Lloyd says you're the Master of Love, does that mean you have a crush on Sammie?" He was so genuine in asking the question I couldn't even get mad. My face lit up an embarrassing bright red color again.

"That's a yes." Lloyd laughed, patting Nathan on the back. Lloyd had done a lot of thinking the night before; while he was initially against the thought of me getting distracted with someone, he realized that it'd be good for me and help keep me upbeat and in a good mood while Hunter was missing.

We were surprised that Sammie was already waiting by the door when we arrived at the daycare room. "Morning, water boy!" Sammie greeted me. I was still a little red in the face from earlier, but I managed to get out a good morning to her. Inside the daycare room, all the kids were already there, running around, with Usaida and another kid who looked like an older version of Taka watching over them.

"Morning everyone!" Ryuichi slid open the door. The children ran, jumping all over him, giving him hugs.

"Yo." The older-looking Taka acknowledged Lloyd and me.

"We haven't met before. I'm Lloyd Garmadon. This is Nathan."

"Oh. The Master of Water." He stoically looked at me.

"Word travels fast, I see." I sighed. "You're a part of the babysitter club, too?"

He nodded. "Part-time. I'm also a part of the baseball club, so I spend most of my time there. I'm Kamitani Hayato, that little runt's older brother." The stoic guy pointed to Taka. Those two looking like each other makes a lot of sense now.

The kids paused and looked curiously at Sammie as she entered the room. "Hi, guys!" She bent down and waved at the kids; their faces still unchanged in curiosity. "A little birdy named Inomata told me you guys like to play Ranger Five. How about it? Us grown-ups will be the monsters." The five kids' eyes widened in the sheer joy of that idea. They had never had so many people to play with before.

Playing with the kids was surprisingly a lot of fun. Something about Sammie being around brought out a side in me that I hadn't felt since before Mom died. After she passed away, I stopped playing with kids my age and instead dedicated myself to being there for Hunter, protecting him at all costs. It was like.... Like I was a kid having fun again.

When it was time to head to class, Sammie said her goodbyes to the kids and told them she promised to stop by again. They all waved goodbye to her, excited for when she would return. The three of us walked to class, and Lloyd decided to run ahead because he needed to get something quick. Yeah sure. He didn't want to be a third wheel. "I had a lot of fun today, water boy." Sammie tucked some of her hair behind her ear, turned her head, and smiled at me.