My Roommate Oga Tatsumi

Chapter 14

"Dabu! Dabu! Dabuuuu!"

"Saint Mary and Joseph!"

Furuichi instinctively curled himself into Oga's back before grabbing the baby to make sure he didn't touch anything dirty.

"Oga!"

"Da!"

"What?"

Oga opened crusty eyes to see a freaked out Furuichi and a pissed off baby.

"Why the hell did you bring the baby here?"

"I didn't!"

"He walked?"

Furuichi held the baby at arm's length which was hard since Baby Be'el started swinging himself for amusement.

"Oga we're a mess." Furuichi announced through gritted teeth while using his eyes to point out yesterday's affair. It was the first time Furuichi ever saw Oga turn pink. "Berebo! Cover your eyes!"

Baby Be'el quickly used his chubby little hands to shield his baby eyes from their nakedness. Furuichi was torn between marveling at Oga's body and the fact that the baby understood his command. When Oga cleaned up and was ready to go, he gave Furuichi time to take care of himself.

Going to the kitchen to fix them breakfast, Furuichi took a moment to snapshot the picture of Oga being a pretty good dad into his memory. Oga'd made a bottle for Baby Be'el and was currently reading a Brother's Grimm tale as an apology for sleeping in so late. Making coffee, a cold knife twisted in Furuichi's gut. How was he going to tell his family?

...

The answer came the first day of the November festival. Classes had been shortened to accommodate each on campus club's final preparations for the school wide event.

Since it was Baby Be'el's first illumination festival, the new couple decided to enjoy the festival together.

"Bottles and formula?

"Check."

"Diapers and wipes?"

"Check."

"Wallets, phones and keys?"
"Check and check."

Furuichi couldn't contain his excitement while gathering Baby Be'el and the baby's bag in his arms. He'd always wanted a family of his own to do this with. They walked under the setting sun, bundled up against the cool air. A few trees were already illuminated and Baby Be'el clapped excitedly at the brilliant colors of autumn leaves.

"Oi Furuichi. Go get me some gyoza."

"Me? Aren't you supposed to pay for everything, dad?"

"Hah? What kind of stupid rule is that? You just made that up right now, didn't you?"

"Ugh! You're so annoying. You're lucky I'm hungry anyway."

They ate, strolled through the chilly evening and spent well over two hours enjoying the festival as well as each other's company. Standing before a particularly lonely tree, Oga snaked an arm around Furuichi. Furuichi let it happen, caught up in the magical moment of his own.

A silver head rested on the brute's right shoulder. Berebo began to fall asleep bundled up in his stroller. A few moments passed and Furuichi made a telling sigh.