The Family Truth

The Kamijou estate was livelier than usual. At first Hiroki thought maybe his father had invited business associates over, until he realized there were children running around on the front lawn and that most of them were directly related to him. Nowaki's eyes lit up at the sight, while Hiroki had the exact opposite expression on his face.

"Mother, what's going on?" he asked as they had to step around two children chasing each other and throwing a ball at one another's heads.

Hiroki's mother eyed him like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "It's my birthday tomorrow, Hiro-chan. I thought that was why you finally decided to visit. Your aunts were thrilled that you were coming for a family gathering. They don't count the summer festival last year, since you were so distracted."

"Aunts?" Nowaki asked, because Hiroki had frozen where he was, a look of terror on his face.

"Oh yes," Hiroki's mother said, tapping her son on the shoulder before sighing and pushing him along the path. "His father and I have nothing but sisters between us, you see. Three for me, three for him." Nowaki took over directing Hiroki to the house's front entrance, and she smiled her thanks. "They all have children, and some of the children have children. They're all here for the weekend."

When Hiroki heard that every single one of his aunts and cousins were around, he turned on his heel and said, "I'm heading back for the subway."

Nowaki glanced at Hiroki's mother. She reached her hands out and took Eri-chan's cage, knowing what Nowaki wanted to do. Once his pet was safe, Nowaki chased after him. "Hiro-san!" he said. "Hiro-san, what's wrong? Aren't you glad to see your family?"

Hiroki looked all over the lawn. There had to be about fifteen children of various ages around, and all it did was serve to irritate him. Nowaki finally seemed to understand this. "Oh Hiro-san," he said, but he had a smile on his face as he put a hand down into his boyfriend's hair. "They're not doing anything to hurt you. Can't we stay, at least for your mother's birthday tomorrow?"

As if the universe were trying to prove Nowaki wrong, the ball two of the children were playing with earlier came careening toward them and hit Hiroki square on the forehead. He blinked in shock.

Nowaki kind of deflated, thinking this little accident would be what finally gave Hiroki a reason to just take his things and go back to their apartment. Which was why he was positively confused when Hiroki picked up the ball and started chasing the child, who was squealing in delight.

"You stupid brat, you never learn!" Hiroki said, and he finally threw the ball, nailing the kid between the shoulder blades. Before he could even wipe his hands in satisfaction, though, ten more kids were throwing balls at him, and he was finally pelted to the ground.

Nowaki was alarmed, but Hiroki's mother walked up to him, smiling. "Is this… common?" Nowaki asked, taking Eri-chan's cage back.

"More than you'd think."

Well, he had to get the compulsion the throw things from somewhere, right?