It was now of a weekly occurrence that the Honan stride team would always and without fail, meet up every Saturday afternoons and hang out at each other's houses, switching hosts every week. This Saturday, most of the team was heading to Ayumu's home. During these small gatherings, they simply watched movies or listened to Hozumi's endless one-man-show.
The runners loved going to Ayumu's house as much as Nana's. The main reason behind it was because of how well they snacked there, eating as if their own mothers malnourished them back at home.
Hozumi ran ahead of his friends and was greeted first by a sorry Ayumu. The boys were soon joined by the rest of the team.
"Hey guys." He said trying to mask his dejection. "I―We have a bit of a problem today."
Just as Ayumu finished his phrase, he felt a small weight gripping his right arm with vivacious energy and his left arm was already threatening to tear away from its rightful place. Hozumi glanced down before his lips curled up into a warm, kind smile. "Who are they? I thought you didn't have any younger siblings!" he exclaimed.
Ayumu shook his head in denial as he caressed the children's heads, mindlessly. "No. They are my cousins! My aunt just moved here and she lives a few blocks away from our house so―"
"―So she thinks it's perfect that her nephew lives close by if she ever needs someone to babysit her kids?" Finished Heath, eyebrow raised and an amused smirk playing on his face.
The children were probably no older than five. Two boys who were carbon copies of each other. Twins. Higher than a hamster, the little boys looked like the definition of "Angelic". Their face was just round of baby fat with rosy cheeks and small plucky little mouths. While dressed quite differently, the two boys had dirty blue eyes with pale, blond, wavy hair. Truly cute.
"Hey, it's fine, we can help you take care of them." Reassured Riku. Nana nodded as well, seemingly excited to get to know the children. "I agree, it's no problem. Well, at least not for Riku-kun and me?" She added, obviously unsure about her seniors' choices and Takeru's.
"Kyosuke can deal with it. Children love him." Joked Heath.
"Not really."
"See? So humble." Laughed the British teen "But seriously, I don't mind that much but I have zero experience with kids, just a small warning."
Quickly enough, all teenagers agreed on helping Ayumu babysit his little cousins, Ichiro and Kaze.
Ichiro, the older of the two, was a true hurricane. Full of energy and life, he was always up for games and running around when it wasn't for making a mess out of Ayumu's house. On the other hand, Kaze was calmer and less agitated but also a bit of a crybaby. However, he was quick to join his brother in various activities that would cause havoc around them.
The twins really did manage to tire the whole team out. Well, most of them just ran after the two boys, obviously knowing next to nothing about how to deal with children. The only ones who managed to make themselves heard were Nana, Hozumi and Kyosuke. Ayumu and Riku were too easy to trample on while Heath was sometimes too impulsive, which amused the children. Takeru was...Takeru.
"These little devils need a freaking nap! How can they have this much energy? I bet they could still run a marathon or three here―" complained Heath as he let himself fall on the sofa. It has only been one hour and Ayumu's mother had things to take care of, leaving them alone to take care of the kids. No help. Nothing. "You're right! It's almost two―I think it's time for them to calm a bit." Agreed Ayumu.
Nana pondered a moment as she gazed at Kyosuke who was obviously mastering the art of parenting, allowing the rest of the team to catch their breath. Even Hozumi, eldest of one big family, looked exhausted. It was true that the older teen knew his way with children. "Oh! I know! Why not read them a story while I make us some snacks?-If Ayumu allows me to use the kitchen of course." Suggested the twin-tailed girl with a grin.
The boys quickly thanked Nana for her idea―mostly for snacks actually. "Let's take the kids to your room then. You must surely have some books there." Recommended Heath as he glanced over at Ayumu. "I probably have some left yeah."
All settled, the stride team left Nana to her task. Once in Ayumu's room, Hozumi looked up his bookshelves for stories that might pick the children's interest. A nice stack of them was fine and soon enough, they were asking the twins to choose which book they would like to read-until the boys got capricious.
"No. Dun want to." Refused Ichiro as he crossed his chubby little arms.
Hozumi arched an eyebrow "Why? Look, these are all nice stories! I think..."
The twins shook their head in disagreement.
Kyosuke ruffled the boys' hair before softly asking "If you don't like these, which do you prefer?"
Ichiro and Kaze looked at each other before the older of two answered "These are old."
Heath hummed in amusement. "Oh. True, Ayumu's selection is a bit weird."
Hozumi laughed as he looked over the books he brought out. "Well, I don't see any classic tales here anyway."
Ayumu huffed, explaining that those books were, in fact, his father's children books.
Takeru looked the books over before glancing blankly at the twins. "Then I'll tell you Cinderella's tale."
Heath put his hand over Takeru's mouth before his underclassman could utter the word "stride" he used in every sentence when those didn't involve the word "Protein" or both. "I'll start! I'll do a retelling of this awesome tale." Offered Heath.
The British teen coughed in preparation as the twins snuggled into Kyosuke's arms. The rest of the team, each grabbed a pillow and made themselves comfortable, obviously excited to hear Heath's story.