Them [O. H. S. H. C. ]

38 | Hitachiins

Please note that the twins are combined for this concluding installment of Them ▫️◽️◻️

"Dad?" The young child pointed an innocent finger.

"Close. But it's the other guy!"

Green beanies were tossed in the air, shuffled by two blithering idiots

"She's seven," I remarked,"cut her some slack."

They wagged their fingers disapprovingly.

"We like to play fair-"

"It builds acceptance of failures!"

I slapped Hikaru's arm, hoping he wouldn't insult our little girl.

Too late.

The poor thing began to wail and shriek,"I'm a failure!"

"Now look what you've gone and done!"

"I, uh..." Hikaru stumbled over his words, in stunned reaction.

"You're a terrible father!" Kaoru scolded, whilst pummeling his twin with their pinstripe hats.

I knelt beside Ayame, rubbing her back. She relieved her eyes of accumulated tears, before pouting.

"You're so lucky she's there to help!"

"Shut up, Kaoru! I can be a good parent too!"

"Baka! It's not a competition!"

That was me, if you weren't certain.

He stalked up to her, before scooping her up in his lanky arms. His hands stroked her long auburn hair, and a finger intercepted a lone tear.

"It's okay, kiddo. I've got you."

She began to giggle, as he tickled her sides.

"Spin me!" Ayame requested haughtily.

"What do we say when we want something?"

I instilled lessons of manners into my kid.

"Please, Dad."

"You've got it pumpkin!"

"She's not a fruit, she's your daughter!"

Kaoru's voice remained heightened with disappointment.

"Pumpkins are vegetables!"

"You tell him Dad!"

The little girl began to cheer from her position on his back.

"They have seeds, moron!"

"Watch your mouth..."

Moron counts as a bad word, doesn't it?

"You're a moron!"

She accused her Uncle Kaoru of depleted brain cells.

"Ayame! Don't say that!" I warned, later threatening to eat all the chocolate chip cookies.

She surrendered hastily after that.

That silly husband of mine, spun her around anyway.
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"Kaoru! Be quiet!"

He held their sleeping infant in his arms, as I fumbled with groceries.

"I can't believe he fell asleep in the car!" he half whispered, half screamed.

"Shhh!"

I made a swift zipping motion across my thin lips. He nodded slowly in response.

"Now take him to his room."

"Got it boss."

Kaoru ascended the large staircase, gripping the banister, balancing the baby. He rocked the little boy in his arms gently, before locating his nursery at the head of the stairs.

He jogged into the room, patting his son's head, carting three orange tufts.

"I did it!"

He lay the child in a plastic crib, wrapping chubby arms around Seb, his stuffed sea horse. The odd looking, green toy was his absolute favorite.

"Good night, or day, or whatever!"

Confused by the off schedule sleeping pattern, Kaoru bid the kid farewell.

He made his way towards the exit before whipping back around.

"I love you, Kaoru Jr," he whispered, closing the door.

His hand slipped on the polished, gold finish knob. The door slammed. Hard.

He heard distinct wails from the other sides.

From below, I called up,"Your turn!"

Guys it's over! Over! This story is finally completed after countless attempts to do so. I dragged it on long enough. Hope you enjoyed! And farewell!