Chapter 14

Epilogue

Midori lazily watched the tomato soup boil with a nasty pop. The doctor's head felt oddly light just from watching the disaster he and his oldest kids had concocted. It was a pot oozing with a potent toxic waste. The aroma the concoction was giving off was enough of a give-away. Midori covered his mouth when he felt something coming up. Toshiaki climbed onto the stool and peered at the contents. He looked at his father and shook his head regrettably. "Dad that looks gross," he said. Midori smoothed his eldest's hair and lowered himself to meet his son at eye level. "We made it together," he said in a gentle forced voice. "Mom won't be happy with you," he said with an equally forced smile. A head with green pigtails popped up on Midori's right side. "Toshi-Nii-chan. Daddy tried his hardest this time," Yukari said. "But of course he ultimately failed. Daddy's cooking is yucky," she complained. "I'm not going to point fingers but we all added a mystery ingredient to the soup," Midori said. Toshiaki rolled his eyes dramatically. "We're just a bunch of kids. We don't know any better. You're the adult," he said. Midori groaned. They always played that card when things got complicated. The doctor looked at the mess they had made in the kitchen. Hotaru was going to sever his head. There were handprints everywhere. On the counter tops and the shelves. Midori silently missed his life from seven years ago before he had kids. The doctor was wallowing in self despair when he heard a cluttering sound from the pantry. It was then he remembered something important. "Tatsu," he face-palmed. He looked at the door warily. His second son emerged from the pantry with his body covered with flour from head to toe. The four year old blinked his big green eyes innocently. "You don't want to go in there daddy," Tatsuya said sympathetically. "I really don't," the green haired man added hysterically. He had made the most amateur mistake. Leaving a little tyrant unattended for too long. The suspicious silence should have been the first warning alarm. "Kids. Go clean up," he ordered. Midori removed his apron and hung it on the rail. He reached for his phone and dialled the number of his trusted friend. "Hello?" he said. "Fujimon," Midori said. "Say no more Midori-sensei. I'll be right there," the white haired man said.

Hotaru groaned in satisfaction as she soaked her body in the Jacuzzi. The twins soaked in the Jacuzzi equally enjoying the hot water. Tatsuya whipped his green hair to dry it quickly. He sat next to his mother and sighed. "Mommy I made it snow in the kitchen," he said proudly. "Good job Tatsu. I'll give you tummy tickles for that," she said. Hotaru's youngest daughter tried grabbing the water bubbles with her bare hands. "Mizuki-chan stick to the rubber ducks. They're quite cute aren't they," she crooned as she held the 18 month old. Akihiko stretched before he splashed into the water. "Aki-Nii-san," the twins groaned. The teenager shrugged nonchalantly. His slicked his wet hair back. "I almost feel sorry for stepfather," Akihiko confessed. "Don't overthink it Aki-chan," Hotaru urged. It was fun seeing her husband try so hard. "Well yeah I guess. But everyone but stepfather knows," he said guiltily. Hotaru pressed a finger to her lips. "I have a sneaking suspicion that he's catching onto us," Hotaru whispered.

Midori knew that he was a terrible chef. Everyone knew that he was a terrible chef. So why did they decide to have a 'Dad's night' every fortnight. Who would willingly consume his rancid cooking? The doctor freshened up in the bathroom. When he returned his loyal friend, Fujimoto, had whipped up a gourmet dinner. "It smells delectable," Midori commented as he breathed in the mouth-watering aroma. "I don't know where I'd be without you Fujimon," Midori said. Fujimoto's face heated up at the compliment. "You shouldn't thank me like that Midori-sensei. I will do anything to ensure your comfort," he said. The doorbell rang. The first to arrive was Matsuoka and Yukki with a platter of honey soy sauce chicken. Yukki sighed contentedly. "I can die now Mattsun having known the pleasure of paradise," he said. Matsuoka laughed at his best friend. "The feeling is mutual," the veteran host replied. "Hey Midori-san," Matsuoka greeted. "Hey Debiru-sama," Yukki greeted. "Yukki. Don't say that when the kids are around," Matsuoka whispered harshly. "Fujimoto, you there?" Yukki called. Midori was certain that Fujimoto hadn't made his presence known. Dumb luck perhaps? "Where's everyone else?" Matsuoka asked. "Upstairs resting while their poor dad suffers," he said whimsically. "I'm off to fetch some extra drinks, Masamune," Midori said. The doctor didn't know what it was but there was something that felt off. By the time he returned everyone else had arrived and they had made themselves comfortable. Hotaru was seated on the right side of the dinner table with Mizuki seated in her high chair. 'The Champion Eater's bib?' Midori observed. Hotaru usually reserved that bib for times when the family was eating out at a fancy restaurant. "Honey we were waiting for you. Take a seat. You worked so hard," Hotaru said. Hotaru was dressed in a teal green jumpsuit. Her hair was in a loose high bun. "Thank you Koi," he replied. Like every other 'Dad's night' the house was full. The family dined merrily with chatter and plenty of food to go around. At present Haruki and Haruka were playing against the twins in a "Who knows the other person best" contest. Tatsuya was roasting marshmallows with 'Uncle Fujie' as he liked to call him. Matsuoka was playing horse with Mizuki. The platinum blonde giggled as she encouraged her uncle to giddy up. "I suppose nobody will notice if I slip away," he thought quietly. The green haired man left the room and rested on the couch in the children's play room. He nodded off.

Hotaru had just seen everyone off and the kids were tucked in bed. Akihiko had only gone downstairs for a drink. "It seems like your father's phone is switched off," she said. Akihiko's expression became a bit troubled. His golden eyes flicked around before he spoke. "Do you think stepfather finally figured it out," he asked. Hotaru shook her head vigorously. "There's no way that he knows. He barely knows how to use his new phone. Besides Tachibana is a master planner. But you, all of my darling children are the real braniacs. Cooking up with a scheme like 'Dad's night' to fool your father into cooking. Everyone knows that it's 'Fujimon's night'. But no one has the heart to bother him like that," Hotaru said. Akihiko scratched the back of his neck. "Letting stepfather do the dirty work for us is the best thing in the world. Besides he does stuff like that all the time so he's practically immune to guilt," Aki said. The blue haired boy gave his mom a kiss on the cheek goodnight before he left for his room.

Midori couldn't believe his ears. All this time he was being used and manipulated by his own family. He was so used to being the manipulator and not the manipulated. The doctor felt violated. The sabotage had all been pre-planned. He felt angry and at the same time his heart swelled with pride. His children were growing up just fine. But still he had to regain his touch. He liked being king of the hill.

Hotaru's nose was stuck in a book when Midori pulled it down. "How on earth do you plan on compensating me?" Midori asked. "Eh? Tachibana massaged your shoulders twice this week already," she huffed. Midori's pale blue eyes glinted with mischief before he caught her lips in a passionate kiss. Hotaru was surprised by his sudden actions but she kissed him back anyway. "It was quite the devious plan. Making me slave over a hot stove knowing full well that I have no talent whatsoever when it comes to cooking. It's so natural for me to fall back on Fujimon that I didn't even see the answer right in front of me," Midori said. "Tch. The jig is up. Tachibana has been busted," she surrendered. "Quite frankly. But I haven't punished you yet so we're not even. So what should I do? Hotaru-chan," he said in a sing song voice. Hotaru's eyes gazed at Midori in thought. "Keep on pretending?" she suggested. "Denied. I'd really gotten soft hadn't I? To have all of you plan such an elaborate little scheme from right under my nose. But don't worry Koi. I'll never make that mistake again," he added with a sadistic grin.

A/N. I swear that that is the final chapter. A quick glimpse into the life in the Nagamasa household. Who knows? Maybe you'll want to join their daily adventures too. Lots of love.

Ps. Your author VELVETSIN.