Chapter 11: A new life
Retsuko took a deep breath while putting on her work uniform. It felt strange wearing it again, especially since it still fit her. Upon noticing that, she smiled a little, happy her Yoga was still working.
As Retsuko shut her locker, she noticed Fenneko nearby acting strangely withdrawn and anxious.
"Fenneko, are you ok?"
"Ehhh!" The fox almost jumped out of her fur.
"Fenneko?" Retsuko walked towards her coworker, who tried to back up only to hit the locker while shaking. Retsuko had never seen Fenneko so terrified. She didn't think the fox could get so scared.
"Is something going on at work I've missed?"
"...No, I...I'm just really busy is all. No time to talk today." Fenneko finished getting dressed and almost ran out. Retsuko wondered what that was about and noticed Fenneko yelp before sprinting away in horror. Moments later, Tsunoda and Kabea followed her with interest.
A few minutes later, Retsuko sat at her workstation and set down a new picture on her desk beside the one of her and Haida. This picture showed them with their children. The red panda took a deep breath and stared at the three babies.
This was her first day away from them for a long time, and she already missed them. Retsuko realized it must have been how Haida felt going back to active duty after his paternity leave ended. Still, Retsuko knew once the workday ended, she'd be with them again. Her and Haida's parents offered to take turns watching them during the day. Not some random babysitter, but those who loved them.
"Welcome back." Anai said.
Retsuko turned to her coworker and nodded with a warm smile. He glanced at the picture of her and Haida with their children.
"So that's them, huh?" Anai asked.
Retsuko nodded.
"Sakura, Ichika, and Tatsuya."
"They look cute."
"Arigatōgozaimashita!" Retsuko almost blushed.
"Children. That's something to think about." Anai said while looking at a picture on his desk. Retsuko noticed it was a wedding photo of Anai and his girlfriend.
Before she could speak, the ground shook, and Director Ton loomed over her. His eyes a fierce red.
"Welcome back." He growled with a massive stack of paperwork in his hands.
"You have work to catch up on!" Ton almost snarled as he set it down in front of her.
"I suppose that's that then." Retsuko said to herself with a spirited smile. As Retsuko worked, she occasionally noticed Fenneko trying to do the same. However, just like before, the fox trembled as if they were in the arctic.
"Fenneko, are you and Akira still doing well?"
"Ehhh! Yes, of course, we are. Why wouldn't we be? We're just boyfriend and girlfriend, nothing else. Why are you getting into my business!?" Fenneko shouted evasively.
Retsuko and Anai sweatdropped when they heard that last bit about minding their own business. From Fenneko no less.
"Retsuko!" The ground shook, and Fenneko yelped when she saw Kabae approaching.
"Ahhh!" Fenneko sprinted off to the bathroom before the hippo could arrive.
"Retsuko! Is this them!? Let me see!" Retsuko sweatdropped again but showed Kabae the picture of her children.
"Ohh my! So adorable! What are their names! What kind of trouble do they get into!?-" Kabae went on for a few minutes before noticing someone in the corner and stopping abruptly.
Kabae retreated quite strangely, but Retsuko noticed her regroup with Tsunoda. Both looked as naughty as ever and soon vanished into the hallways. Retsuko walked to the tea room for some refreshment when she noticed Fenneko cornered by Kabae and Tsunoda.
Fenneko was sweating so hard it looked like she just came out of a rainstorm.
"You've been so quiet lately, Fenneko. Not getting into anyone's business. It's almost like you're hiding something." Tsunado said as she came closer.
"What could be bothering you?" Kabae asked while doing the same.
"Nothing! Leave me alone!"
The two women both held something in front of Fenneko with growing smiles.
"Do you mind explaining this then!?"
Retsuko now began to tremble when she saw a pregnancy test with a plus sign on it.
Fenneko's shaking became so overwhelming that she looked like she might pass out. Tears swelled her eyes, and she sprinted out of the room. Fenneko curled up into a fetal position in the supply closet with a flood of tears streaming down her face.
"Fenneko." Retsuko's soft voice reached the fox, but she didn't move.
"Leave me alone." Fenneko sobbed.
Retsuko carefully approached Fenneko and knelt in front of her with a sympathetic look.
"Fenneko, are you ok?"
"What do you care!? You're happy now, aren't you!? I get my comeuppance for doing this to you!" Fenneko buried her head within her legs and shook harder. Retsuko, however, placed her hand on the fox's shoulder with a warm expression.
"I don't care about that." Restuko sat down beside the fox and let her rest her head against her lap.
"Does Akira know?"
"...No, I don't know how I'm going to tell him. It all happened because of me. I pushed him into it."
"He clearly played some role." Retsuko tried to sound comforting but couldn't help chuckle to herself as she stroked Fenneko's shoulder.
"I understand what you're going through."
"No you don't! You and Haida were already married. I'm unmarried, Retsuko! What if this is too much for Akira? What if he leaves? What if-"
"Fenneko!" Retsuko held the fox by her shoulders with a stern look.
"You're going to make it through this. You know Akira better than me. Does he seem like that kind of person."
Fenneko wiped away her tears.
"No...He's a devoted man...I love him."
Retsuko smiled.
"You have him then. You also have Haida and me." Fenneko's tears welled up again as she hugged Retsuko tightly.
Retsuko called Haida first, who drove with Akira to Fenneko's place. There, the cheetah saw his terrified girlfriend sitting beside Retsuko. Before he could speak, Fenneko simply showed him the pregnancy test. Haida and Retsuko watched Akira's expression. There was shock, disbelief, fright, and then dedication. He came over to Fenneko before embracing her.
Retsuko and Haida smiled as they watched this. Retsuko followed Akira's example and hugged her husband.
That Friday, Haida and Retsuko's parents sat at a restaurant with Washimi, Gori, and the children.
"Ohhh my! She feels so soft!" Gori cried as she held Ichika.
"Be careful." Yuuri growled.
"Of course! I wouldn't let anything happen to my goddaughter."
Yuuri and Retsuko's mother's eyes turned white as they stared at Gori.
"You, the godmother?" They muttered in unison. Washimi shook hed head and sipped on some wine.
Shoji and Tatsuya both chuckled as they held Tatsuya and Sakura, respectively.
"Some kids have no love in their life. These kids are blessed. They have perhaps too much." Tatsuya said as he cradled his granddaughter.
Shoji nodded.
"Things are working out well then. I can enjoy retirement with my grandchildren, Retsuko and Haida have stable careers, and things are looking up for the economy."
At a nearby table, Anai, Akira, Puko, Tadano, Fenneko, and Anai's wife all sat together. Fenneko calmed down greatly and wore an engagement ring while Akira did the same.
"Ladies and gentlemen! We're proud to present this night's live band, a husband and wife duet. Retsuko and Haida!" A curtain rose up on a stage near the back wall, and the two stood there, a guitar and microphone in hand.
Haida began playing a heavy metal tune, and soon Retsuko unleashed her rage. Their music flowed as naturally as a river, with the husband and wife complementing each other almost perfectly.
Retsuko's mother was still a bit horrified by this, but strangely enough, she noticed all three of her grandchildren didn't seem frightened. Instead, they giggled, enjoying it.
"Ha! That's my grandson, tough as nails! You'll be a real soldier one day!" Tatsuya proclaimed.
Puko smiled with Tadano as they watched their friends perform with all their passion and enthusiasm.
"Just imagine Tadano, if you hadn't rigged Gori's dating app, they might never have even gotten together."
Tadano kept smiling but narrowed his eyes before taking a drink.
"The thing is, I didn't."
Puko looked back at her boyfriend for a moment with astonishment and then back at the couple as they performed.
"Those two, a hundred percent match. I guess it does add up."
Author's note
Afraid that's the end of the story, I considered doing something where we see the kids a bit older but I'll save that for if we get a season 4 of the show. I hope you guys enjoyed my fic
So until next time,
Please review, comment, suggest, or ask(VIA PM)