My Roommate Oga Tatsumi

Epilogue

"You just had to make an appointment on the week you had Be'el, didn't you?"

"What do you mean had to? I didn't want to take him!"

"How does that saying go again? You can't run away from what you're hiding from 'cause it'll be around the next corner?"

"The fuck if I know. What does that have to do with Berebo's shots?"

Furuichi doubled over in laughter as he saw Oga look as if he was ready to jump out of the ten-story window to escape what was coming next. It was time for Baby Be'el's next round of shots and even the baby seemed more resigned to his fate than his father.

"What are you laughing at? This ain't funny."

The silvernette continued to laugh as Oga shifted Baby Be'el from one arm to the other. "Dabu!"

"See? You're upsetting him. Just settle down."

The brute simply handed the huffing baby over to Furuichi as he kept pacing. "You get beat up in all the fights you get into. Why does one needle freak you out?"

"Because it's different. A different kind of pain. And stop asking me questions, Annoyichi!"

Furuichi obliged, but held onto his smile. The nurse knocked to announce her arrival making Oga jump ten feet into the air. If the room had been any smaller, he would've crashed into the hospital's computer. As the nurse set up, she casted a knowing glance at both Oga and the baby. "Just two today," she said while shaking two clear vials of liquid.

When Furuichi moved to allow the nurse room to work, he bit his tongue so hard he thought he'd bitten some of it off. There were Oga and Baby Be'el, staring at each other, silently cheering each other on with glistening eyes. Oga actually held up a "fighting" fist when the nurse took the needle and stuck it in a pudgy leg.

"Waaaah!"

"Oga! NO!"

Like a bull, Oga charged at the nurse. She merely sidestepped out of the way and stuck the unaware baby in the other leg.

"Wah! Wah! Wah!"

"All done." The nurse piped up in a sing song voice. Before Oga could recover from crashing into the wall and take a clean swipe at the nurse, she was already gone. Furuichi let out a low whistle. "Wow. She's good."

...

"Alright Berebo! Today you are officially a fully vaccinated little man."

"Da! Dabu!"

Walking home, Furuichi took his time admiring the blooming flowers. A year ago, Oga had gone from scary stranger, to roommate, to best friend, to infuriating partner. "And Annoyichi just laughed at you, Baby Be'el. Maybe he needs to be punished."

"Dabuuuu. Hm, hm. Dab-dabu." Growled a shock top of green hair.

Furuichi pet Baby Be'el's hair the way he liked it. Within the sounds of the pleased coo, Furuichi heard Oga mutter "little traitor" under his breath.

Spring was here. Classes were going to start in a few days. Furuichi had seen some freshmen move into their apartment complex. This school year came with the knowing grace of all things new. He was an adoptive dad now. The silvernette created a family of his own while integrating himself in Oga's family as well as with Hilda and Alaindelon.

Marching up the steps, Furuichi decided to treat the boys to steak. That meant he'd have to go get some from the market. He could go now, but he'd have to make sure the other ingredients were there too. No point in making two trips. Were they out of rice? Guess he'd have to check-

A small plain white box sat at the base of their doorstep. "Did you order something without us?"

"No..."

"Then why is it addressed to you?"

"I don't know."

The motley crew gathered on the couch in the living room as Furuichi opened the box. Oga hoped it was food. Baby Be'el hoped it was a new toy. Furuichi hoped it was a sign. A notecard sat atop a pile of goodies. The silvernette managed to snag the card before it got lost in the carnage of plastic wrap and paper. Leaving the brute and the baby to the contents of the box, Furuichi's hands carefully opened the envelope.

"To Takayuki, Tatsumi and Baby Be'el. Love, us." Stamped with three different styled hearts.