It was almost 6 p.m. when Taiga came out of the office where he worked. He headed to Yugo's car that was already waiting across the street. He was muttering something as he settled into the passenger seat. Even before Yugo asked him what happened, Taiga had already started grumbling, complaining about the issues that displeased him at work today. The endless troubles at work had drained most of his energy. He just let out all his wrath on his best friend, who was kind enough to volunteer picking him up from work on this rainy day.
Just right before Taiga lost his temper, Yugo stopped him from continuing complaining, "Taiga, can you not be mad in front of my sons? You scare them." Hearing what Yugo said, Taiga realized that it was not just the two of them in the car, Yugo's children were also with them.
Yugo, his best friend who he had known since they were babies, had married young and now, at 40, had four children. Yugo's children consisted of two sets of twins. The first pair were Juri and Hokuto, who were now at 16 years old. Whilst the youngest ones, who were just turning 10 years old a month ago, were named Jesse and Shintaro.
Taiga turned his head to the back seat and found four adorable children looking at him. Right behind him, there were Hokuto and Jesse. While Juri and Shintaro were sitting on the third-row seat. All of them were still in their school uniforms, seemed like Yugo picked him up right after picking up the kids. Seeing Yugo's children always soothed Taiga's heart. He loved and treated his best friend's sons like his own children. Just seeing them was recharging Taiga's energy, returning his mood to a better one.
Taiga then grinned widely to the kids as if his wrath had already gone in an instant. "Hello, boys! What do you guys want for dinner? I'll cook."
The children kept silent. Their expression was a mix of shock, worry, and fear as their eyes locked in Taiga. They were still shocked at Taiga being furious. The Taiga they adored was the most beautiful, kind, gentle, and indulgent person in the world. They literally have known him since they were born and Taiga never, even for once, lost his temper on them. Never crossed their minds that they would see this side of him. But it would definitely not decrease their love for Taiga.
It was Shintaro who broke the ice first. He hesitantly asked Taiga, "Mommy, angry?"
Yugo divorced with his ex-wife before the youngest twin turned one. It was Taiga and his family who always took care of Yugo's children since Yugo worked so hard to the bone to ensure a decent life for his precious children. That was why ever since Shintaro and Jesse started speaking, they have called Taiga, mommy, and it influenced Juri and Hokuto as well.
"No, Shin-chan. I'm not angry, okay."
"Then, Shin-chan wants strawberry ice cream," Shintaro said cheerfully.
No one answered Shintaro, including Taiga. Everyone looked like they were drowning in their own thoughts, probably thinking about what they wanted to eat tonight. In fact, no one wanted to argue with this wild child who wanted ice cream when the rain poured so hard.
"Err, I think something warm suits a rainy day." Juri was the first one to give his suggestion for their dinner.
"Something warm with soup would be perfect," Yugo added.
"Jess-chan misses Mommy's fried shrimp.” Jesse joined the discussion.
“Right, it's been a while since we ate Mommy's fried shrimp.” Juri went along with Jesse's idea.
Yugo, whose gaze was focused on the road, scolded his sons to stop calling Taiga "mommy" but got ignored by them. Taiga's big role and dedicated time in raising them made them love Taiga more than their biological mother and considered him as their real mommy. The children chatted to Taiga comfortably as though Taiga was a real family member to them.
Shintaro saw everyone talking to each other yet no one responded to him, he uttered what he wanted once again, "Shin-chan wants strawberry ice cream." But he got ignored again and he just pouted irritably.
From the rearview mirror, Taiga saw Hokuto still focused on his book without talking, so he initiated to ask Hokuto's opinion, "Hokuto? What do you want?"
Without looking up from his book, Hokuto just replied, "Anything spicy." In contrast to his twin who was hostile towards books, Hokuto really loved books, Taiga thought.
Taiga was silent for a moment before suggesting simple menus for their dinner because he actually was tired but not too tired for cooking their meals. "Well, how about hot ramen with fried shrimp? with extra spicy and chicken karaage special for Hokuto?"
Everyone answered Taiga with "okay", agreeing with Taiga's suggestion. Since all the ingredients that would be needed are in stock at Taiga's refrigerator, he told Yugo to go to his place instead of going to Yugo's house.
As the conversation for dinner plan ended, Shintaro took this chance again to say what he had been saying all the time, "Shin-chan wants strawberry ice cream." He talked with a loud voice, hoping he would get a response this time.
Finally, Yugo responded to him. "No, Shintaro. It's raining. You could get cold if you eat ice cream."
Shintaro whined, not giving up on asking for ice cream. "But I want ice cream. I want strawberry ice cream, Daddy."
"Shin-chan, you and Jess-chan will have warm strawberry milk for tonight and I will buy you strawberry ice cream tomorrow, okay? Warm milk and spicy food are a perfect combination, you know. So your stomach wouldn't be upset because of the spicy food." Taiga persuaded Shintaro not to have ice cream on this rainy day.
Shintaro obediently agreed, nodding before answering, "Okay. Tonight I'll have warm milk as Mommy said."
The atmosphere was silent for a moment before Juri shot Taiga a question. "Mommy, can we stay the night at Mommy's house?"
Taiga hadn't even answered yet when the two youngest boys were already noisy, excitedly singing in unison "Sleeping at Mommy's house~ Sleeping at Mommy's house~" in an unknown melody which they made themselves with a random tone.
Taiga was going to say that they could stay over but Yugo beat him faster. "No kids, you can not." Yugo emphasized his words to persuade them not to stay at Taiga's home. "Tomorrow is weekend. Taiga needs rest and you guys should not disturb him. So we'll go home after dinner."
The children whined in disappointment and protested to their father, but Yugo was unwavering. The voice in the car at that moment was very chaotic.
However, everyone was quiet as soon as Taiga started talking. "No problem, boys, you can stay over." Taiga turned to the right, facing Yugo's side. "It's okay, Yugo. They won't bother me. Instead, I'll be glad if they stay with me tonight. They have their own rooms at my apartment after all." He smiled softly, convincing Yugo that that was really okay.
"Daddy, if you don't want to stay, you can just go home after dinner.” Hokuto commented as he put the book that he was reading in his bag.
“Don't worry, Daddy. We will behave and will not disturb mommy,” Juri added.
The youngest twin didn't want to lose to their older brothers and also argued with their father.
“We will wash the dishes by ourselves so mommy won't be tired.”
“And we will give mommy massages so mommy can have a good rest.”
Hearing the kids’ words, Taiga's eyes filled with tears that were ready to drop anytime. “Uh, my boys are so kind.”
"Huft. I really never win over you kids.” Yugo was always helpless whenever he argued with his children. “But I can't leave you guys alone. I'll stay too. I won't let you mess up Taiga's house."
The kids cheered happily hearing Yugo agree to let them stay at their mommy's place tonight.
Yugo sighed before giggling as he complained to Taiga beside him. "They are my sons, but why do they listen to you more and never listen to me?"
Taiga just giggled teasingly. "Well, I'm their mommy, after all." Both Taiga and Yugo laughed at each other.
All the way home, Taiga occasionally looked at the kids who were excitedly bantering in the back seats. Without realizing it, the corner of his lips curved, forming a fond smile. His heart was wrapped in warm, pleasant feelings. He didn't regret getting involved in this family at all. This humble family of his best friend never failed to deliver serenity to his life.