Sakura

Chapter Twelve

"I'm still finishing up things here. I'm sorry you had to babysit them always." Y/N said on the phone. Because of a TV Show, the restaurant she's working at became famous that they're required to work extra hours. That means she cannot pick up the kids at school which Yuta volunteered to do. If he has practice or a game, he would ask Mark to do it and he'll spend the whole day with them. He can't make her stop working so helping her out is just a simple thing that he knew he can do.

Yuta smiled. If Jae were to hear her, he'll get mad. He doesn't like being called a baby. "Jae is already sleeping though. Can you just stay the night?" He asked cutely that made Cherry, who was sitting beside him, look in surprise. "And Cherry isn't finished with her Conan marathon." He lightly glanced at the girl who was drinking her milk. "Please stay the night, Y/N." When she agreed, Yuta just laughed. "I'll prepare your room. Message me if you're near, I'll wait for you by the entrance." Y/N revolted that he doesn't need to but he insisted. "Take care, hmm?" She nodded. "I love you."

He had always told her those words but he never pressured her for a reply. The important thing for him is that she knows his feelings. Cherry was grinning at him when he hung up the phone. "Did she reply?" Yuta shook his head while smiling. "Daijoubu, appa. She'll tell you she loves you soon." Is she speaking Japanese now? He totally underestimated Cherry's intelligence.

Lately, the young girl has been hooked to another detective that she would spend hours watching the anime that he once watched when he was a kid. Detective Conan. Like her mom and her obsession with Sakura, Cherry might have caught it with Conan Edogawa as well. "You have to finish that episode and get to bed. Your mom will scold us both if she sees you watching."

"It's the summer break. Can I at least watch another episode? Onegaishimasu." Yuta chuckled then shook his head, making her whine. Cherry is so cute.

Yuta carried Jae to his room. Maybe he'll ask Y/N to sleep beside him and Cherry can take the other vacant room. "Appa, where is eomma?" The younger boy asked in a sleepy state, arms reaching for his neck to hug him. "Is she going home?"

"She's still at work but she said she'll head here when she's done." He whispered. "Go to sleep now, buddy. You must be tired from playing soccer all day." Jae whispered a 'Goodnight, appa' before hugging the pillow that he put next to him. The butterflies. They're back.

The anime's closing song can be heard when he went out of the room. "Cherry, you're done. Go to sleep now, it's already late," he said in a calm voice. The younger closed the TV, pouting at him. "You can watch it tomorrow." He said while ruffling her hair. "I'll save all the remaining episodes on my iPad and you can watch it."

Cherry nodded, smiling at him. "Oyasumi, appa." She said with a bow that made Yuta laugh, bowing back at her. Isn't she so adorable? She really did change so much. He remembered how expressionless she was before, how wary she is of his presence. Now, she's closer to him. Like a bestfriend. Like a real daughter.

He started picking up the mugs they used for their milk then putting them in the sink to wash. What should he make for breakfast tomorrow? They don't have classes since it's the summer break and if Y/N has work, they'll probably spend time with him. Should he make a nutritious breakfast tomorrow? Something that would energize them. Does he even have milk or chocolate for them? Maybe he should start stocking up with kid-friendly ingredients, maybe cereals and some fruits. He'll just go grocery shopping with them tomorrow.

The thought made him stop. It's so domestic. A family thing. He can't believe that he's going to experience these things like this. But it feels nice. A family man. Maybe he had been yearning for this all along.

Should he change the interior of his apartment? Maybe make it child-friendly and not like a bachelor's pad especially if they're going to spend a lot of time here. He should order a bed for both Cherry and Jae. A bunk bed? Or separate ones? Should he look for a bigger house where they have rooms of their own?