Yuya's family had two cars, one for Yoko to drive and one for Yusho. As Yuya sat in the front passenger seat of his mom's car, he realized something.
"You know, neither of the cars is really big enough for all of us now," he said, looking at his mom. "If Dad was in the car, one of my counterparts would have to go back in the mindscape."
"I know, but your father and I were talking last night, and it's about time that we got a new car anyway," Yoko said. She appeared to be in a very good mood as they pulled into the driveway of the Sakaki house. "We've had this car since before you were even born. It's about time we upgraded! Besides, I've always wanted a cute baby-blue minivan! Now go put your bag in your room, and come back. We've got a lot to do today!"
Yuya blinked, but obediently went inside to put his gymnastics bag away and came back out to the car. As the tomato buckled his seatbelt again, Yugo asked, "So, uh… where are we going now?"
"We're going to the mall!" Yoko said cheerfully. "We're going to get you four boys some new clothes and shoes, and room decorations, and all kinds of stuff!"
Yuya blinked, "But… I already have clothes?" Yoko frowned a little. "You have school clothes, Yuya. Which you wear everywhere. Even on weekends. You're literally wearing your school uniform right now. It's Saturday."
"It's… comfortable?" Yuya was a little confused about why his mom seemed to have a problem with him wearing his school uniform. His mother sighed. "Yuya, your father and I have been talking, and we agreed that you can't just wear your school uniform all the time. You need normal, casual, everyday clothes. I was letting it slide to save money when your father was missing, but now that he's back we'll have more money coming in, so we can afford to splurge on clothes!"
Yuya pouted and crossed his arms, sliding down his seat a little. He never really liked clothes shopping in stores, preferring to simply buy new clothes online if he felt he needed them. Besides, he knew his mother would make him try on the clothes and show her how they fit if they went into a store, and that would take forever.
Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo on the other hand were excited to get new clothes. It had been a long time since any of them had gotten new clothes, and they were all hoping that they could pick out clothes they liked.
Yoko drove to the Duel Plaza Mall, finding a parking spot near the front entrance. The parking lot didn't appear to be as crowded as it usually was on Saturdays, which was a bit surprising. Yoko led the four boys into the mall and to the nearest clothing store. "You boys go ahead and pick out anything you like, ok? Don't worry about the price!"
Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo lit up excitedly, and scattered to go look for clothes. Yuya was much slower to search, only going when his mother gave him a nudge.
Yuya had cheered up by the time they stopped at the food court for food four hours later, ladened with bags upon bags of new clothes, shoes, plushies, knickknacks, wall decor, toys, books, and fun activities. Sure, his mom had made all four of the counterparts try on the clothes they picked out, but they had all found plenty of clothes they liked that fit, and it only took them about an hour. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, Yuya did know that he was long overdue for a wardrobe update. Besides, Yugo had found four hoodies that suited the counterparts perfectly. Purple for Yuri, dark gray for Yuto, orange for Yuya, and white for himself.
Each of the boys had found stores that interested them. Yuto had spent nearly half an hour in Hot Topic buying new studded wristbands, chokers, and even a new cape since his old one was worn to the point of tattering, and a near equal amount of time in an arts and crafts store. Yuri had discovered a garden store full of potted plants and bonsai trees, and a bookstore where he spent way too much time on the floor reading. Yugo meanwhile had found a motorcycle store with riding gear and plenty of high quality parts that he wanted to add to his D-Wheel, and a store selling little robots and robot construction kits. And Yuya made twenty-seven plushies at Build-A-Bear before he had to be dragged out of the shop to head for the food court.
They were now sitting in the food court, with a bit of food from every stall on their table. Yuri was sulking a little as he ate because Yoko wouldn't let him read his new books at the dining table.
"Today was so much fun!" Yugo said happily as he munched on his yakisoba. "I've never really had the chance to really go on a shopping spree before!"
"Yeah, I liked it!" Yuto said. "Thank you for taking us shopping, Sakaki-san!"
"Oh, you don't have to call me that!" Yoko said with a smile. "You can call me Yoko. Or Mom, if you like!"
Yuto, Yuri, and Yugo's eyes widened at the permission to call Yuya's mother Mom. None of them had ever had a mother figure before. But before any of them could really process this new information, Yoko picked up a box of cupcakes that she had gotten from one of the food stalls, and started passing the cupcakes out. "Here, boys! Have some cupcakes!"
Yuto, Yuri, and Yuya all happily dug into the cupcakes. But Yugo just held his, looking down at it. His eyes teared up, and he started sniffling.
"Oh, do you not like cupcakes?" Yoko asked, worried. Yugo started crying. "I-I've never had a cupcake before! O-only the Tops were allowed to have them!"
Yuri opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and closed it again. He had the most peculiar look on his face. Slowly he raised his hand and awkwardly patted Yugo's shoulder. "Well… now you're allowed to have a cupcake. So… go ahead and eat it…"
Yugo looked up at Yoko, as if asking for permission. The mother smiled warmly at him, "Go ahead, Yugo!" Yugo looked back down at the cupcake and began giving the frosting tiny licks, trying to make it last.
It took thirty minutes for Yugo to finish his cupcake. By then the rest of the food was also gone, apart from the remaining cupcakes in the box. Yoko stood up and the boys all cleared the trash and grabbed their purchase bags.
"There's one more thing I want you boys to try," Yoko said. "It's something of a tradition when Yuya and I come to this mall."
Yuya lit up happily. "Aw, yeah! The massage chairs! C'mon guys, I'll lead the way!"
He led the group to an area in the mall with a couple rows of massage chairs. Yoko handed each of the boys some money to pay for the chairs, and each of them sat down in them. But as soon as Yuri's chair activated, the cabbage-haired boy shrieked and squirmed.
"AHAHAHA! WHAHAHAT?! HAHAHAHAHA! WHAHAHAT'S THIHIHIHIS?!" he squealed. He had never felt anything like this before. It felt weird, but in a good way?
"Yuri… are you… ticklish?" Yuto asked in surprise, looking at the squirming, laughing cabbage. Said cabbage squealed, "I DOHOHOHON'T KNOHOHOHOW!"
Yuto, Yugo, Yuya, and Yoko all giggled at Yuri's reaction to the massage chair. The poor boy tried to endure the sensations, since he had already paid. Just when he didn't think he could take it anymore, the chair turned off.
Yuri jumped out of the chair, blushing brightly and panting a little. Yuto looked at him in interest and amusement, "I didn't know you were ticklish!" Yuri looked away. "Y-yeah well… neither did I…"