Filler episode 1 - The Uniform

The front door creaked open as Kaiho stepped inside, kicking off his shoes. "Mom, I'm home!" he called out, his voice echoing through the quiet house.

From the kitchen, his mom, Mikoto, poked her head out, wiping her hands on a towel. "So, how was your day?" she asked with a warm smile.

Kaiho shrugged, tossing his bag onto the couch. "Just the usual crazy stuff. I'm so used to it now that it feels kinda normal."

As he flopped down, a crinkly plastic sound came from his bag. Mikoto's ears perked up. "What's that noise?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Oh, this?" Kaiho reached into his bag and pulled out a neatly folded uniform, still wrapped in its plastic cover. "It's just my new uniform. I got it from the academy today."

Mikoto's eyes lit up like fireworks. "What?! A uniform? Show me, show me!" she said, practically bouncing with excitement.

Kaiho scratched the back of his head. "Back to wearing uniforms, huh? It's kinda nostalgic, I guess. Takes me back to when I was a kid… until it doesn't." He chuckled awkwardly.

"You've gotta try it on!" Mikoto clapped her hands together. "Come on, go change!"

"Sure, fine," Kaiho said, grabbing the uniform and heading to his room. A few minutes later, he stepped out, adjusting the red tie around his neck. The crisp white shirt was tucked neatly into black pants, and the tan blazer—light brown with the academy's emblem embroidered on the chest—fit him just right.

Mikoto gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks. "Oh, you look so cute!"

Kaiho's face turned bright red. "Mom, stop," he mumbled, looking away.

"Oh, my little boy!" she gushed, stepping closer to ruffle his messy hair. "You look so dashing and handsome!"

"Quit it!" Kaiho said, but he couldn't help smiling a little. Her compliments made him feel good, even if he was embarrassed.

Mikoto grinned mischievously. "I bet all the girls at the academy are gonna fall for you!"

"Yeah, right," Kaiho said with a laugh, rolling his eyes. But in his head, a storm of thoughts started swirling. most of the girls in the academy won't look at me ,some have a goals they want to focus on and some are out to kill me , while there is this girl I like she shows no interest average girls are not Interested in my why would goddess like these would be u am gonna die single He blinked hard. god that's a big thought bubble

Mikoto squinted at him, tapping her chin. "Hmm, something's missing."

Kaiho raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

Before he could react, Mikoto dashed to the kitchen and came back holding a bottle of hair oil. "This!" she said triumphantly.

Kaiho's eyes widened. "Mom, what are you doing? Wait—no—stop it—ahhh! Noooo!" He flailed as she grabbed his head and started slicking his hair down with the oil, flattening it against his scalp.

Just then, the front door swung open again. "I'm home!" called Koshiro, Kaiho's dad, as he stepped inside. He paused, looking around. "Uh… where is everyone?"

Mikoto popped up behind him, grinning like a kid with a secret. "Koshiro, close your eyes!"

"What? Why—" Koshiro started, but Mikoto slapped her hands over his eyes.

"Don't peek!" she warned.

Curious, Koshiro tried to sneak a look anyway. Big mistake. Mikoto tightened her grip, accidentally pressing too hard. "Ow! My eyes!" he yelped, stumbling forward.

"I said don't look!" Mikoto scolded, guiding him through the living room. Koshiro tripped over a shoe, banged his shin on the coffee table, and finally smacked his forehead against the wall. "Ah! Ouch! Oof!"

"Okay, now you can open your eyes!" Mikoto said, stepping back with a proud flourish.

Koshiro blinked, rubbing his head, and saw Kaiho standing there. His hair was oiled flat, his white shirt was buttoned all the way up to his chin under the red tie, and his face was dusted with powder Mikoto had found somewhere. To top it off, she'd tied a water bottle around his neck with a string, like some weird necklace. The tan blazer with the academy emblem still hung on him, looking out of place with the mess.

"Ta-da!" Mikoto cheered, throwing her arms out.

Koshiro stared. "Looks like you got your uniform… but, uh, isn't that a bit much?"

Kaiho groaned, looking down at himself. "I look like a baby!"

"No, you don't!" Mikoto said quickly. "Right, Koshiro?"

Koshiro smirked. "Nursery kid, at most."

Kaiho's face turned redder than ever, and he crossed his arms, mortified.

Koshiro laughed and put a hand on Mikoto's shoulder. "I get it, honey. You want to dress him up like he's still little. But he's growing up now. He wants to make his own choices. Plus, think about it—he'd die of embarrassment if he went outside like this."

Mikoto sighed, her shoulders slumping a little. "I guess you're right."

Kaiho shot his dad a grateful look. "Thanks, Koshiro."

"Yeah, yeah," Mikoto said, waving a hand. "But I'm still taking a photo!"

"No way!" Kaiho shouted, lunging to stop her.

Too late. Click! The camera flashed, capturing his ridiculous outfit forever.

Mikoto held up the phone, grinning at the picture. "Perfect! This is going in the family album!"

Kaiho buried his face in his hands. "I'm never living this down, am I?"

Koshiro patted his back, laughing. "Nope. Welcome to the family, kid."