"Ah, I had forgotten about Yuri doing that. I wonder how she's doing," said Maya.
Taiga and Ryuuji looked at each other and smiled.
"Taiga and I have been seeing her a bit lately. She's our landlady and owns a lot of different apartment blocks."
Ami scoffed. "So that's where she went after she left the school. Really thriving in the single life, I see."
"Not even. She was engaged last time Ryuuji and I saw her. Not sure if it lasted though."
It was a couple months ago, if Ryuuji remembered correctly. Up until this point she had become a typical landlady, highly organized and straight to the point. But then she showed up one day with a ring on her finger, and she reverted to energetic teacher he knew. Almost as if she'd be given new wave of energy.
Ami seemed a bit distant. She looked out the window, tapping her finger on her knee.
"What about you Kawashima?"
"Hmm?"
She sat there wide-eyed as everyone looked towards her.
"Well, I, uh. I've been seeing someone lately."
She regained her composure and puffed her chest out as Maya and Minori started questioning her about it.
How did you meet? Is he cute? What do you like about him? And the questions went on. Ami simply donned her innocent smile and replied with vague answers like, oh I've known him for some time now, and, he's actually kinda smart and adorable 3.
"It's not Haruta is it? Eww."
Ami shot Taiga a deadly look, leading Ryuuji to believe there would have been no mercy if the others weren't around. But just like that, everything was as if nothing had ever changed. Then slight tension between Ami and Taiga, seeing the girls gossiping to one another with childish smirks on their faces. Everyone was more mature now, more aged, more at peace with their lives – but everything was how Ryuuji remembered it. He almost felt like he was back in high school again...
"Helloooooo, we're hoooooome!"
Everyone turned to see three young girls walking into the main room. Dressed in school uniforms, they carried in their backpacks and a small box. Two of them stopped as they adjusted to the room full of the people, while the smallest one took it in her stride and walked straight up to Ryuuji.
"Sorry we're late dad. We couldn't agree on what to get you. Are you going to tell us who these people are?"
"Oh- right- uh, everyone, these are our daughters. Amaya, Sakura…. and this little one here is Toi." He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around so she could face the room.
"Well thankfully they all inherited Taiga's looks!" exclaimed Ami, much to the amusement of the room.
Toi shrugged free and turned back around after Ryuuji pointed out everyone. Lifting up the small box in her hand, she handed it to her dad.
"Are you going to take this present or what?"
"Just put it in my room and I'll have a look when everyone leaves. But we need to have a chat about what happened today. Your teacher rang and told us-"
"Ugh. Whatever. It was just a misunderstanding."
"Throwing around tables and other children is a little more than a misunderstanding"
"You don't even know the full story dad. Why are you brining this up now?"
"Because it's important to your mother and I that you behave yourself."
"Just take the present and we'll talk about it later."
"I said just put it in my room. And I don't like that you're treating this-"
Crash! Toi threw the box onto the ground and ran off. Taiga stood up and walked after her. Ryuuji stood there and took a deep breathe. He then turned to the girls and told them to go get changed before he heated their dinner up. As they left, he bent down, picking up the deformed box off the ground, taking it over to the table to open it.
"They definitely take after a certain someone, don't they" said Ami.
"Shush, never mind that. Are you ok Takasu?" asked Minori.
"I don't know. It's nothing."
"That- didn't seem like nothing."
"Can we just drop it please?"
"I've just never seen you like that before"
"It's- if you really want to know, I have no idea what I'm doing. It's like- my own father walked out on Yasuko before I was even born; Taiga's father was a self-centered maniac who's not doing well at the moment; and I just don't know what I'm supposed to do. I don't have any experience of what a father should be."
Minori placed her hand on Ryuuji shoulder.
"It's ok. We're not kids anymore. This big ol' world can be pretty challenging you know. But we're all here for you."
"Are you really that dense? Blaming your stress and failures on growing up without a daddy."
"Ami!" snapped Minori.
"Sure, he may have had it tough. But he's acting like he has no idea what a loving parent is supposed to be. As if that's any excuse. And really, I'd say your little act with Taiga gave you all the experience you need."
"Now isn't the time Ami-"
"No, she's right" replied Ryuuji, "I have been stressed. Life hasn't completely gone the way I'd expected. Sure, I love Taiga, I love my children and our family, and I love that I'm getting to see you all tonight. But it's reminded me of what I've had to give up, as I keep thinking back to how much easier life was. I wouldn't take back any of it – but, having us all be here together-"
"You can only take care of others for so long Takasu. One day you realize you need to look after yourself as well."
"I… get what you mean Kawashima. It's not fair on Taiga though, she's been through a lot and has been my anchor through the tough times."
Come to think of it, he had been very distracted lately. When was the last time he'd told Taiga he loved her?
"There you go again. This isn't about Taiga. This about you, and what's holding you back."
She stood up.
"Ah, forget it. I'd forgotten what it was like talking to you."
There was another knock on the door.
"Ami-"
"Yeah yeah, I'll get it"
She disappeared behind the wall as Ryuuji finished opening the box. Inside was… a Japanese ear pick, swirled in pink and red string?
"Ew, get off me."
A flying man flew into view and crashed onto the ground. He looked vaguely familiar but Ryuuji couldn't quite put his finger on it. Until the guy opened his mouth that was.
"Hey guys sorry I'm late. Woah don't tell me I've missed dinner already"
"Haruta!?"
With short hair and a decent beard, it looked like a completely different person. But his mannerisms gave him away almost instantly. Noto ran up and the two guys bro'd out for a bit.
"And look who I found out there."
Suddenly appearing from around the corner was a face Ryuuji knew very well.
"Good evening Takasu"
"Kitamura! We're weren't sure if you'd be able to make it."
"I wasn't either. But knowing that everyone else was coming- I guess it was just a calling I couldn't refuse."
Amaya, dressed in a long black dress, and Sakura, spinning in a yellow tunic with a cherry-coloured flower in hair, both reappeared, rushing over to Ryuuji. Their faces were shining with big smiles.
"Did you like the present daddy?" they said in unison.
"I loved it. I'm just wondering what it is?"
"We heard you and mummy arguing yesterday about the bathroom not being clean because your stick was broken. So we got you a new one!"
Ryuuji had to stop himself from giggling. They wanted to buy me a new Takasu stick to clean out the mould, but instead accidentally bought an ear pick.
He gave them both a hug.
"Thank you girls"
"Woah, are they your children Takasu? They're so cute!" Haruta exclaimed.
"Who ya calling cute?" said Sakura, pulling him down to her level. Amaya approached as well and stuck her finger into his cheek. Noto took a step back.
Taiga and Toi arrived moments later, with Taiga running over and hugging Kitamura. Toi seemed her usual distant self, refusing to look towards her father. He took a step forward to talk to her, but then...
GROOOOOWL.
Toi's stomach grumbled. Ryuuji asked his daughters if they were ready for dinner.
"Oh yeeessss! Pork! Bestest day ever!" piped Amaya. Her sudden mood elevations always amused Ryuuji. Yasuko's genes must have skipped a generation.
"They all look so similar!" remarked Haruta, rubbing the finger mark on his cheek. Sakura released him from her grip, and he steadily climbed back to his feet.
"Well, they are triplets" replied Ryuuji as he heated up the pan.
"Whaaat? How did Taiga give birth to tri-owwww!"
Taiga's foot slammed down onto Haruta's, who teared up in pain before falling onto the ground again. Ryuuji handed him some of the leftover dinner, as well as serves for Kitamura, Toi, Sakura, and Amaya. He still couldn't get over it. Every time he watched his daughters pile the food into their mouths, he was reminded of the first time he and Taiga really spoke. And it was right in that very spot.
"Um, dad?"
"Yes Toi?" said Ryuuji, startled. He'd been staring straight at them.
She sat still for a moment before reaching behind her back, pulling out a katana, and handing it to her dad.
"I'm sorry for how I acted."
"Uh- that's ok Toi. I shouldn't have ignored you. Thank you for helping your sisters pick out my present."
He took the sword that she'd smuggled into school and hid it away in the bedroom. Come on Taiga, we talked about leaving this lying around. He went to give his wife the look, but she conveniently remained looking the other way.