Any sane, young person would know that it was too hot to go outside to do anything. The desert-like conditions discouraged the children from playing in the sprinklers or to get themselves ice-creams and popsicles because it wasn’t worth it. The sun was intense and unrelenting, showering the neighborhood in burning rays of light.

“Kiyoma-aaaaaaro,” Gash’s voice rang out as he complained for the fifth time in a row. “I’m bored,” he adds, as if his book-keeper didn’t already know. The young boy rolls all along Kiyomaro’s bed, wrinkling the neatly folded bed sheets and making all kinds of incomprehensible noises.

Kiyomaro sighs heavily and sets the book he was reading down on to his desk. He rubs the bridge of his nose as he figures something for Gash to do—something that would keep the Mamodo busy and get the Mamodo out of his hair for a while. He wasn’t cruel enough to send Gash outside, considering the scorching, hot weather. Then, an idea struck him—not literally, though.

“Why don’t you go explore the attic? Find something surprising.” He suggests. For as long as Gash has lived with Kiyomaro, Kiyomaro doesn’t recall Gash ever going up there before. Gash threw his arms up into the air and pulled himself into a seated position. A wide smile on his face showed that he was up for the mission—Unuu!

One particular box in the attic caught Gash’s attention. It was labeled as ‘Baby Stuff.’ This must’ve been Kiyomaro’s things when he was a baby. I wonder how long ago that was… The boy brings a hand over his face to cover up the smirk on his face as he imagines Kiyomaro as an ancient, old man. Kiyomaro is still only a high-schooler, but to Gash, a five year-old, that’s very old.

He opens the box and sets his explorer companion, Vulcan 3000, on the corner. He stands on his tiptoes to peer inside. A shiny package caught his eyes and he reaches into the box to lift it out. The package was dark blue, a similar shade to the mantle that he always wears. He found an old package of diapers. Curiously, the boy opens the diaper package up to get a peek at what was inside of it. This is the first time in the human world that he’s come across something like this—he’s always been wearing boxers or going commando under his mantle.

He pulls one of the diapers out of the package and gives it an experimental sniff, just in case it was something edible. It smelled like Kanchome. It felt like bubble wrap between his fingertips and certainly sounded like it, too. He notices that it’s folded up and unfolds it along the creases—oh, it looks like underwear! Is this what Kiyomaro used to wear? Gash thought to himself as he sized the underwear-like undergarment up to himself, pressing it against the front of his mantle. The young boy furrows his brow a bit, not knowing if it would fit or not.

He got the idea to try it on because he didn’t see any reason not to. He tries to step into it like he would with his boxers, but the leg holes were thin and his mantle kept getting in the way… After a few attempts, the boy tossed his mantle aside, completely nude so he could get the crinkling diaper on! He lifts one leg and sets it into the leg hole, then repeats with the other leg. He bends his knees and tugs straight up to get the padding between his legs. Immediately, he realizes how different diapers were from boxers. These were so thick, forcing his legs apart a small distance…

“Gash, lunch time!” A voice called from downstairs, probably the kitchen.

Without a second thought, the boy picks up his mantle and sets it over his head to let it slide down his body. He could already smell the wonderful lunch waiting for him at the table and walked his way out of the attic—without noticing the waddle.