Disclaimer: Modern Family Reference

By the time it was six o'clock, the Tokito and Mori family together had moved about half of their belongings into the house. The plan was for them to wash up, have some dinner, finish moving, and then shower before sleeping in the Tokito's new home. Haruko was with Kenji in the guest bedroom changing, so Muichiro resigned to show her his room after dinner.

"Mui," Yuichiro sat on his bed, phone in hand, and watched his twin change. "You shouldn't wear that; the Kamados won't be able to tell us apart."

Muichiro shrugged his shoulders, looking down at himself, then back up at Yuichiro. Both boys were wearing a grey tee shirt with baggy black jogger pants from the same company, and a bluish green sweatshirt on top.

"So? That's the point. And you already made me change from my pajamas to 'something presentable,' so I don't want to hear it." Muichiro sat down next to his brother on the bed.

Yuichiro stood up, and opened his own suitcase, pulling out a loose white tee shirt and a baggy black zip up hoodie. "Here, wear this instead."

Muichiro made a face. "You wear that instead. They make me look small, and I'm not changing again."

Yuichiro laughed. "You're cute Mui-chan, but that's because you actually are small, and you are changing again."

"But I-"

"Yes, of course Yui-chan, how sweet and thoughtful you are Yui-chan, thanks for taking care of me, Yui-chan." Yuichiro raised his voice and widened his eyes, pretending to be the voice of his twin. He held out the outfit to Muichiro again, and dropped his expression back to his usual face. "I don't want any complaining Mui, I want you to change."

"I do not sound like that," Muichiro pouted, with big eyes and an offended, high-pitched, voice. "And we are the same size!"

"Seriously?" Yuichiro was not impressed. Muichiro sighed, but finally gave in and stripped off his top two layers, before re-dressing in the white tee shirt and black zip up. Yuichiro took his twin by the hand and spun him around. "See? You look cute. I have a good fashion sense."

"We have the same clothes!"

Yuichiro laughed demeaningly. "You're so cute, Mui-chan."

"Yuichiro, Muichiro, ready to go to Tanjiro-kun and Nezuko-chan's house?" Katsuhiro's voice carried through their new house. "Haruko-oka and Kenji-oji are ready downstairs, so hurry up please!"

Muichiro glanced over at the time, "Uh-oh, it's six o'seven. We're late." The two boys hurried down the stairs, where they met their parents, aunt, and uncle, and headed out towards the Kamado's. As they began crossing the street, Muichiro instinctively slid his hand into Haruko's. The habit was taught to him from a young age for his own safety, but now it appeared he was doing it for her's.

"Hey Muichiro-chan," Haruko smiled at him, "How are you feeling?"

"Good. Excited. Nervous, I don't know." Muichiro kicked the street with his shoes, "Tou-san says we might be going to the same school as them, and the people who came over to invite us seemed to be around my age. Maybe we can be friends?"

"That's great Muichiro," Haruko encouraged, "be sure to text me updates everyday!"

"Heyy," Yuichiro sidled up to his brother's other side, sliding his own hand into his younger twin's. "What, you making me the third wheel or something?"

Muichiro glanced over. "You're always the third wheel."

"I shouldn't be," Yuichiro made a face, "I've been holding your hand since before you were born."

Muichiro laughed, swinging his brother's arm slightly. "Don't worry Yui-chan, you'll always have a special place in my heart."

The family stopped outside of the Kamado's front door. "Okay Yuichiro, Muichiro," Hisako said, "don't forget to thank Tanjiro-kun and Nezuko-chan for inviting us, and say "hello" to Kamado-san, and thank her for hosting."

The twins nodded, and Yuichiro answered. "Yes Kaa-san."

Katsuhiro rang the doorbell, and the door was immediately jolted open by two children, appearing to be arguing over who got to hold the handle. The one currently having the higher ground was a young girl around nine years old, wearing a yellow shirt with a pink jacket. Her brother, a boy around seven or eight with short cut hair, appeared to be struggling to get the upper hand.

"Hanako, I said I wanted to open the door!" The younger brother said, fighting to be in front of his older sister.

"But I got here first," the girl replied, "and you opened the door for Genya-kun!"

The boy looked close to tears, and instead turned around and called into the house, "Nii-chan, Hanako isn't letting me open the door!"

The girl looked at him with offense and betrayal. "Because it's my turn Shigeru! Onii-chan, it's my turn!"

Muichiro rolled his eyes at the petty argument in front of him, instead attempting to see further into the house, and get another glimpse at Tanjiro Kamado. Beside him he heard Haruko giggle lightly.

"My, my," she teased, "reminds me of another certain sibling pair."

Yuichiro scowled, "No it doesn't. Muichiro knows better than to argue with me. And I always put his needs before my own."

Muichiro glanced over at his twin. "Whenever we don't get along I just let it go since I know Yuichiro will get mad if I disagree. In a way it's like I'm the older brother."

Yuichiro looked incredulous. "Excuse me? I just know what's right, and try to make sure you do it too. If it weren't for me, you'd die from hyperthermia, forget to drink your water, skip meals, or never sleep. I literally keep you alive."

"Just 'cause you take care of my basic needs doesn't mean I always appreciate it when you get bossy about trivial things as well," Muichiro argued back.

"Trivial things?" Yuichiro let go of his brother's hand, "If you don't know how to handle your basic necessities, I'm not sure you're suited to handle smaller details either."

"I'm just sayi-"

Haruko gently rubbed both her nephew's arms. "And this is what I meant when I said they reminded me of you. Come on now, let's be civilized."

Muichiro looked away from his brother and back into the house, and noticed that the same boy who had come to their door only a few hours ago, now approached his siblings, and gently broke up the fight. Behind him was Nezuko, and another taller boy with a mohawk, purple shirt, and jeans. Muichiro locked eyes with the new boy, and suddenly couldn't look away.

"Hi everyone," Tanjiro said kindly, "sorry for the wait! Why don't you all come in?"

The Tokito family entered, and Muichiro was forced to tear his gaze away from the boy behind Tanjiro. They were then immediately ushered into the dining room, where two tables were set up. Muichiro, Yuichiro, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the other boy all sat at the smaller one, while the three parents, aunt, uncle, and younger siblings crowded around the bigger table.

Muichiro barely had time to contemplate the fact that Tanjiro's father didn't appear to be joining them, before he was caught up in how bright and warm the entire living and dining room area was. He began to observe every detail in the house, marveling at the fact that even the furniture and decorations seemed to glow with joy and kindness. After a second, he felt his twin roughly elbow him in the ribs.

"Oww! Yui!"

Yuichiro rolled his eyes. "You know you should really answer that Kamado kid."

Kamado kid?

Muichiro looked around him, and noticed everyone was already eating, meaning that introductions and thank-yous were probably over, and that he had just missed them. He was sitting next to Yuichiro on one side of the table, with Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the other boy on the other side. Then, he realized that Tanjiro must have been speaking without Muichiro noticing. When their eyes met, Tanjiro smiled extra wide. "Hi, sorry about that." Muichiro didn't know what he was apologizing for. "Muichiro, right?" He confirmed.

Muichiro nodded absentmindedly. "Mmm, hi."

Yuichiro rolled his eyes, but Tanjiro smiled wider. "Hey, nice to see you again." He picked up his fork, "So is that your oba-san and her husband?" He asked, nodding towards Haruko and Kenji, who were now in conversation with a pretty woman with fair skin, mellow purple eyes, and beauty mark under her chin.

"Yes," Muichiro said excitedly, always eager to boast about his aunt. He began to mirror Tanjiro's body language, becoming comfortable enough to eat as well. "That's my oba-san, Haruko Tokito, but I call her Ane-nee. She's twins with Tou-san, and the younger one, like me. See?"

Tanjiro nodded. "I see. So I should call her 'Haruko-san'?" If Tanjiro found it strange that a married woman was introduced with her maiden name, he didn't show it. "And the husband's name is…" he trailed off, eyes on Kenji, never having been told his name.

Yuichiro spoke up, as he knew his brother would not. "That's Kenji Mori, our uncle, and Haruko-san's husband."

Tanjiro hummed, as if committing the new names to memory. "Okay, so 'Haruko-san' and 'Mori-san'."

Yuichiro glanced over at Muichiro's face, and noticed his twin was wearing a pleased expression. Tanjiro had called Haruko "Haruko-san," as everyone was apparently using given names, but called Kenji "Mori-san," as that was what Mucihiro had referred to him as back in their house. Yuichiro rolled his eyes. Why, Mui?

Tanjiro lifted his finger, pointing to the purple-eyed woman. "That's my Okaa-san; her name is Kie," he began, "The little boy in blue that's holding her hand is Rokuta, he's five years old. And do you see the three children sitting together at the table? Those are my other siblings. Takeo is twelve, Hanako nine, and Shigeru eight."

Muichiro looked at them all intently. Takeo was a serious looking boy with a beauty mark under his right eye dressed in gray and green. Haneko was the girl who had opened the door; she had straight hair and bangs. Shigeru was the younger boy previously standing behind his older sister, and Rokuta was the youngest, sporting a happy smile and a longer haircut.

"And this," Muichiro's eyes snapped back to Tanjiro, who continued to speak, "is one of my school friends. His name is Genya Shinazugawa. He comes over to my house on weekends to study, and we carpool to school together most mornings."

"Hi Shinazugawa-kun," Yuichiro said, offering up his hand for a handshake, "I'm Yuichiro Tokito, and this is my younger twin, Muichiro."

"Hi Yuichiro," said Genya, and Muichiro's world stopped. "You can call me Genya I suppose, or whatever you're comfortable with."

"Okay Genya-kun," Yuichiro replied, refusing to drop the honorific, "nice to meet you."

Genya looked pleased. "Nice to meet you too." There was a slight pause, and then Genya turned to look at Muichiro. "And you too, Tokito-kun."

Muichiro felt jared. So everyone was on a first name basis, but he was "Tokito," with an honorific? "Uhh, hi Genya." Well, if Genya wanted to use a last name and an honorific, Muichiro would use a first name with no honorific at all.

Instead of being offended, Genya looked pleased, and a little bit flustered. "Uhh, hi."

Muichiro suddenly felt his brother's grip like a vice on his hand, something he often did when he was being wary or over-protective. "So," Yuichiro began to make small-talk, "what school do you go to?"

"Oh, just the public one in the district," Tanjiro answered, either oblivious to any strange tension in the air, or trying to deescalate the situation, "what about you guys?"

"I don't know." Muichiro found himself blurting out, heart beating fast for no particular reason.

Yuichiro looked at him funny. "That's where we're going too. Burlington High, right?"

Genya nodded. "Yes, that's the one. You guys going tomorrow? Tanjiro and I could show you two around."

"I don't know." Muichiro found himself saying again. Goodness, why couldn't he think before speaking?! And why were Genya's eyes so…expressive?

Again, Yuichiro stepped in to save him. "Yes, we're going to go to school tomorrow. Both Tou-san and Kaa-san work starting early, and they didn't want to bother Haruko-oka and Kenji-ojisan with driving us, so we're going to take the bus." Muichiro was beginning to really question why he thought he didn't need his brother's help with smaller issues.

"Oh, the bus isn't always reliable, and you might not know which classroom to go to once you reach school." Tanjiro said, "why don't you both come over to my house tomorrow morning? That's what Genya's doing. We can all carpool together!"

"I don't-" Before Muichiro could finish embarrassing himself, again, Yuichiro spoke.

"That's really kind of you to offer. I'll ask Tou-san."

"Great!" Tanjiro looked excited, "it's going to be so fun having you both as next door neighbors. I'll show you around the school. Do you know which classes you have?"

Yuichiro pulled out his cellphone, and opened the photos app to screenshots. "This is the list of classes we were given, but Tou-san said we can change it if we need too. Muichiro and I have the same block for every subject."

"Oh," Tanjiro glanced down at the schedule, "you guys are freshmen. I'm a junior, and Genya is a senior."

Muichiro felt a pang of disappointment for some reason. "So we won't have any of the same classes?"

Tanjiro hummed, sounding disappointed as well. "That's what it looks like." Then he seemed to remember something. "Actually, that's all right! My younger sister Nezuko is in your grade as well. So if you need any help you could ask her! She's actually not going to be fourteen for another couple of weeks, but she's still a freshman."

Muichiro looked over at Nezuko, who looked back passively before leaning her head on Tanjiro's shoulder. Something about their relationship dynamic reminded Muichiro of what he had with his own brother. The older one was protective, interactive, and took initiative, while the younger sat back and just let things be.

"Hey, Tokito-kun." Genya sat the furthest from him, but Muichiro couldn't help but notice him the most. "Which subjects do you generally struggle with the most? I could help tutor."

Before he could answer, Yuichiro stepped in. "He's good at pretty much anything that requires memorization, like math formulas, equations, science facts, and history dates. That might be why he's so good at chess. In fact he's so smart, the teachers and principal at our old school were pushing to move him up a couple grades, but since my academic performances are average, he decided to stay with me. I don't think he'll need any tutoring help from you."

Genya looked confused and slightly hurt, but nodded. "Ahh, I see. Will…you need help then?"

"Obviously not," Yuichrio replied hotly, "just because I'm not some young prodigy doesn't mean I'm stupid."

"I'm sorry," Genya backtracked, "I wasn't trying to offend anyone. I was just offering help just in case, since I'm a senior, and have taken all those other classes already. Well, if you decide to change your mind, Tanjiro and I study together here pretty much every weekend."

"Yeah," said Tanjiro enthusiastically, "you're welcome to join us anytime, especially since you live right next door. We actually have quite a few people that usually gather here; our friend group. Genya's the only one still here tonight cause everyone else went home for dinner. Nezuko is with us too since she's in ninth grade now, so you three can all help each other out."

Muichiro felt his brother relax a bit, and understood that Yuichiro realized Genya was genuinely inviting them to join a study group, and not implying that Muichiro needed any kind of special help.

"Sorry," he heard his twin say, "Lots of people just assume Muichiro is academically dumb, since he can be a bit of an airhead in public. Let's just say people are generally only blessed with being one kind of smart; book or street, and Muichiro is no exception."

Genya nodded, "I see, and I'm sorry. I in no way intended to imply anything so uncalled for. Anyway, open invitation. Don't feel any pressure."

"Thanks," Muichiro said, feeling cheated out of the conversation, and wanting to say his piece, "I think I'll come."

Yuichiro seemed surprised. "Alright, then I'll go too. Weekends, you said?"

"Yes," Tanjiro replied, "Everyone usually comes here on Fridays after school, sometimes Saturdays, and most Sundays as well. There have also been plenty of times where a couple of us meet separately on different days. Since you live so close you can come over pretty much whenever."

"And how far away do you live?" Muichiro asked Genya.

"Just a couple blocks," He replied, "I usually walk here in the mornings and Kamado-san drives Tanjiro, Nezuko, and I to school together. You said you're going to school tomorrow, right?"

"I suppose," Muichiro answered. Then, on a whim, "Hey can I have your phone number?" He couldn't exactly look Genya in the eyes when he asked for some reason, so turned to Tanjiro instead. "I was having issues with my SIM card, so I don't have a working one right now, but Yuichiro does and I'll contact you as soon as my problem is fixed."

Tanjiro looked pleasantly surprised. "Of course! And actually I'll add you to our group chat as well."

Muichiro looked over his twin's shoulder as Tanjiro and Yuichiro exchanged numbers. Then, on an impulsive, he grabbed Tanjiro's phone and began to scroll through the contacts in the group chat, marveling at how many there were.

"Hey!" Said Yuichiro, "If you wanted his phone you should've just said 'please'."

"Please." Said Muichiro curtly, not really using the tone of voice he knew Yuichiro was hoping for. He continued to scroll, confused by the nicknames. "Will you introduce us to all of these people at school tomorrow?" He asked.

"Sure," said Tanjiro, "All of us grew up in this area, and a lot of our older siblings were in the same classes and are now teachers, so we've kinda become just one big group. I'll introduce you to everyone, but for now I'll tell you everyone's real names."

"Thanks," said Muichiro, "But don't expect me to actually remember anyone until I see them."

"Even then you might not remember," Yuichiro jabbed, and both Tanjiro and Genya laughed lightly. Muichiro didn't know whether to feel happy or betrayed.

Look at Genya's laugh!

"Okay," began Tanjiro leaning over the table to point at his phone in Muichiro's hands, "in our highschool group chat we have Aoi Kanzaki as calm_chaos, and Kanao Tsuyuri as butterfly_princess. They're unrelated biologically but adopted into the Kocho family as twins. They're both seventeen, and in 12th grade along with Genya, who is listed here as cinnamon_roll_gone_wrong. Huh."

"What?!" Genya reached over and plucked Tanjiro's phone out of Muichiro's hands, similarly to the way Muichiro had done to Tanjiro just minutes prior. 'cinnamon_roll_gone_wrong?!' That's what you think of me? Goodness." He turned to look at Yuichiro. "Don't put me in as that!"

Yuichiro laughed. "Sorry buddy, but we gotta go with what we have."

Tanjiro snickered kindly, if that was possible. "Hey, if you come up with any other name, feel free to put it in. But I don't think you'll be able to."

Muichiro watched everything with a blank expression and wide eyes. His hands still burned from where Genya's fingers had touched him, and his heart pounded. He and Genya made eye contact for a split second, and both boys flushed; Genya from the conversation, and Muichiro for being caught staring.

"Ugh, whatever." Genya said, handing the phone back to Tanjiro, "Continue."

"Okay," Tanjiro looked practically gleeful, "next is nezuko_im_your_number_one_fan," Tanjiro made a face, "that's my best friend Zenitu Agatsuma, who is notorious for his crush on my little sister. He may be my best friend, but he is not good enough for her, let's just be honest."

Yuichiro nodded. "Yeah, no one's good enough for Mui-chan either."

For some reason Muichiro's first instinct was to look at Genya again, surprised to find the older boy already staring. He forced himself to glance down at Tanjiro's phone screen, determined to busy himself elsewhere.

"And next is Inosuke Hashibra, in here as mr_macho. I'm not gonna lie to you he is a bit of a wild one, but he's fun. I think you'll both really like him once you get used to him. He's a junior along with Zenitsu and me. Okay, moving on. Next is Senjuro Rengoku. He's in your grade actu-"

"No, no no." Genya interrupted, "Tell them your name now."

Tanjiro cringed, pulling his phone back slightly. "Uhh, you can put whatever you want for me."

Yuichiro laughed. "Nahh, I want to see it now."

"Yeah," said Genya, "He just gotta go with what he has here. I don't think he'll be able to come up with anything else."

Tanjiro groaned, noticing not only Yuichiro's, but also his own words thrown back into his face. "Ugh, okay. But it's not even bad or anything."

"Then why won't you show us?" Muichiro found himself asking.

"Cause, it's inaccurate!"

Genya scoffed. "Inaccurate? How!?"

Tanjiro rolled his eyes. "Fine. Mine is captainadorkableshunshinebutlikewhateverididntgetotchooseit."

"Huh?" Both Tokito twins leaned forward slightly, barely catching a word Tanjiro was saying.

Tanjiro sighed dramatically. "I said, mine is captain_adorkable_sunshine! But I didn't choose it, one of the other kids did."

Muichiro giggled. "Sorry, that's really cute though."

"You think?" Asked Tanjiro.

"Yeah," said Muichiro, "who chose it?"

"Ka-"

"His girlfriend." Genya interjected, cutting Tanjiro off. "Kanao." Muichiro looked over at Genya, not being able to tell where his obvious jealousy was directed. Did he like Kanao? Or was he trying to tell Muichiro that Tanjiro was already taken?

Whatever.

Tanjiro wasn't the one Muichiro was interested in anyway.

"Ugh she's not my girlfriend," Tanjiro insisted, turning his phone off, but Muichiro could see the blush beginning to form. "She's just someone that I…"

"Love?!" Pressed Genya.

"No!"

"Well have you guys kissed yet?" He asked.

Tanjiro shook his head, pink speaking from his cheeks to nose and neck.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I'm not waiting, I'm sixteen!"

"And you've never kissed a girl?!" Genya exaggerated his shock.

"Well, how old were you?" Asked Tanjiro desperately.

"Eleven." Came the confident reply.

"Eleven?!" Tanjiro gasped.

Muichiro felt as shocked as Tanjiro sounded.

"Yeah," continued Genya, "So you better get on it. Or else she's gonna think you're gay."

"She's not going to think I'm gay!"

"I did, you totally have the personality for it. Why do you think I had a crush on you a couple years ago?"

"I-" Tanjiro fumbled, "thought you knew I was straight, and just…"

Genya laughed. "I'm teasing you. I knew you were straight, I just liked you anyway."

"Oh, thank god." Tanjiro breathed, "you scared me."

Huh. So Genya was gay. And he used to have a crush on Tanjiro. Muichiro didn't know why that upset him so much.

"Anyway," said Yuichiro, "that was fun and all, but let's get back to it. There's still two names left."

"Right," said Tanjiro, turning his phone back on, "Okay it's Senjuro Rengoku as flame_puff, and Nezuko as bamboo_baby. Senjuro is the younger brother of our History teacher's assistant. His name is Kyojuro, and he's a Junior in college."

"And that's why I thought you were gay." Said Genya, "you totally had a crush on Kyojuro-san for like the longest time."

Muichiro saw Tanjiro blush again. Huh. Interesting. "I did not! He's just like an older brother to me. I don't know."

"Mhmm," Genya was having way too much fun, Muichiro decided.

"Well Senjuro and Nezuko were the only freshmen in our friend group until you joined." Tanjiro said, putting his phone down, "So having two more will be nice. You can be your own little group of four!"

Muichiro felt surprised.

"You are part of our group now, right?" Tanjiro asked.

"Uhh, yeah," Yuichiro answered, "if you'll have us."

"Perfect," said Genya, "now we have three seniors, three juniors, and four freshmen. That's ten people!"

The rest of the dinner passed uneventfully, with Muichiro actually eating until he was full, with prodding from his twin, and the conversation moving at a comfortable pace. By the end of the night, Muichiro had not only three new friends, but also a ride to school in the morning, a friend group, a study group, and a nice relationship with his neighbors. He was pleased, but tired from all the social interactions.

"...ank you so much again, it was delicious…" Muichiro was zoning in and out of focus. He could vaguely hear his mom talking to Kie, thanking them for the invite and all the warm food, but was too sleepy to join into the conversation. "...ould come over when we are settled…"

"Thank you," Kie replied, "In the meantime, do you need some help moving the rest of your boxes into your new home?"

"Oh no, we couldn't possibly ask that of you," Said Hisako, "you've already been so kind.

"Nono, I insist," said Kie, "Actually I can clean up here while Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya help you guys out. That way it will go a lot faster and there'll be extra time for the kids to bond!"

"Thank you," Muichiro was surprised his mom caved. She must be really tired. "And if you ever need anything, Katsuhiro and I would be happy to return the favor."

"Of course," Kie smiled.

Muichiro exited the house, surprised to find cold winds, snow on the ground, and a dark sky. The yellow lights in the Kamado family's house disappeared when their front door closed behind him, and Muichiro felt separated from all warmth and little voices of the younger Kamado siblings tittering "goodbye" and "goodnight."

Yuichiro nudged him. "We're in Vermont, remember? This is why I told you to wear a jacket." He reached over to zip Muichiro up.

Muichiro shrugged, too cold to speak, and instead just snuggled up to his twin, sniffling through his little cold upturned nose. Beside him, Tanjiro and Nezuko huddled together, and Genya walked alone. Out of instinct, or something else, Muichiro reached out to the boy, and urged him to share body heat. Albeit a bit reluctantly, Genya joined, and they quickly became a little chain of three.