Episode 74

"Thankyou for last night"

The young man said with a shyly bent head at which the brunette stopped momentarily and looked back at him before getting out of the door.

She placed her fingers on her lips, standing against the door.

"Did something good happen?" Aoi asked finding Mari standing by the door.

"Why do you ask?" Mari asked noticing the other.

"You just look happy" Aoi said, even though Mari had the usual dull expression on her face but even still, Aoi was able to spot slight differences in her expressions.

Mari sighed and walked forward.

"I kissed him" She spoke directly.

"Are you sure about it?" Aoi asked, she didn't seem too surprised.

"I'm worried he's mistaking my kindness for his feelings" Mari said.

"But that's not what worries you is it?" Aoi crossed her arms.

"I'm worried I am mistaking my pity for feelings too" Mari said.

Aoi stood there silently blinking a bit with a little surprised expression on her face.

"What?" Mari asked since Aoi was almost glowing with a starry aura despite her stone face "You're creeping me out"

"Since when.." Aoi whispered and Mari raised a brow cluelessly "It's been there for a while hasn't it!" Aoi spoke looking a bit excited.

"What do you mean?" Mari still couldn't understand.

"Why'd you decide to help this guy in particular Mari? Was pity the only thing you felt when you met him for the first time? Is Kei the only reason you want to save this guy?"

Aoi had a bunch of questions that flew right over Mari's head.

She couldn't understand the context of those questions at this particular moment.

"Yeah, when I first saw him cry in frustration back in the hospital I was mesmerized, I thought I really have to help him..but I couldn't do it on my own so I had to be shameless enough to approach brother and he heard me out, he said I must save this guy at all costs because if I do, he'll forgive me..so I'm doing it" Mari shrugged.

"You have no idea do you..." Aoi gave her a look as if she was looking at the dumbest person alive.

If she had a crown for a dumbass, she'd probably put it on Mari's head and clap two rounds.

"Just put it into words, I can't understand what you are trying to aim at" Mari frowned a bit.

"So that's why Kei did this huh, he knew all along and didn't tell me" Aoi sighed looking a bit disappointed.

"You're annoying me now" Mari's brow twitched.

Aoi approached her and put both her hands on Mari's shoulder and then gave her a thumbs up.

"I'm rooting for you both!"

"Huh?" Mari said, Aoi was sprouting incomprehensible stuff to her so early in the morning, she almost rolled her eyes.

"Alex will be here soon, I'm leaving this dumb conversation here"

"Okay" Aoi still gave her thumbs up to which Mari's nerve almost cracked but she took a deep breath and went ahead.

"Say Aoi" Mari stood with her back towards Aoi.

"I did so many wrong things to both you and brother...why can't you both be more angry at me.."

Aoi listened intently and bent her head a bit "I don't know about Kei but for me, I've spent half my life with you, Kei and Alex...I guess I'm quite biased since you three are my only family..."

"I'm your family?" Mari asked with her back still towards Aoi.

"Yeah" Aoi said "While what you did to Kei is completely unforgivable...but only he can be the judge of that and if  he's willing to give you a chance..I think I will respect his decision as well...because I know, back then, we were all messed up, we all had circumstances that made us like that...I got a second chance too...all four of us did...we found our anchors..you took longer than all of us...but I believe you have finally found your anchor too...so evolve into a better person Mari"

"I don't understand what you mean at all" Mari said as she walked off.

"Sure you do" Aoi whispered once the latter had left.

She turned to the door and opened it, Ian Strauss turned his head towards her as she did.

"Himari Aoi" He mumbled.

"It's been a while" She said and came in sitting infront of him.

"My brother?" Ian asked her.

"He's with your teacher, don't worry he's safe, though we did have a little problem" Aoi told the other who took some effort and sat up a bit, Aoi gave him a hand.

"What problem?" He gulped hard.

"Lian Strauss had his first heat" Aoi told him and his eyes widened.

"HE'S BARELY NINE...HOW IS THAT..." Ian was completely shocked.

"Calm down.." Aoi said, though he suddenly grabbed the collar of Aoi's shirt.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" Ian yelled.

"Nothing! We gave him suppressants, Natsuro took care of him mostly, I didn't even go near him, believe me!" Aoi said.

Though Ian still looked distrustful but he let her collar loose.

"He just turned nine this year...why is he having a heat this early..don't most omegas have their heat around 14 or 15..?" Ian seemed totally confused.

"Yeah, it was surprising...though Natsuro also had his first heat around this age too but it was mostly my fault..we're fated pairs so-" Aoi suddenly stopped speaking and her eyes widened.

"What is it?!" Ian's heart was at his throat being scared for his younger brother.

"No, it's just...but that doesn't make..sense...I have never heard something like that before..."

Aoi mumbled to herself as if she'd realized something really shocking.

"What doesn't make sense?" Ian felt a bit frustrated.

"He's too young for a heat...such cases are very rare.." Aoi mumbled.

"That's what I said"

Ian said being perplexed.

"Yeah but...there are times when a heat can start early..."

"When?"

"When you are around your fated pair"

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"Let me... do that"

"Eh no need, I can just-"

What's going on with him? He's acting super eager to help today.

I watched this little dramatic scene before me while Kei san took the tea tray from Dad and took it to the kitchen himself.

"Wahhh both of you stop! You're freaking him out!"

I had other concerns though,that got me distracted fast enough.

I rushed to Lian Strauss and peeled off those little piranhas off him before they'd bite off his skin. He looked a bit nervous too.

"Stop biting everything that moves!" I scolded pointing a finger at those tiny monsters to which they responded by giggling and biting my finger instead.

"DAAAAAAAAAADDDD" I almost screamed "THEY'RE GONNA BITE MY FINGER OFF, THEY'RE GONNA BITE MY FINGER OFFF"

Are they my sisters? Are they! They are trying to kill me here for position!

Oh wait, even if I die, they still can't take over my position because after me Adi chan is the eldest...

Phew...

No wait! Adi chan is in danger!!!!!

"Natsuro, stop with those dramatic faces" Dad scolded me whilst peeling the girls who were onto me now.

"How do you even put up with them!" I asked looking at him with eyes full of pity.

"I don't really" He said, it had been a few minutes since he took the girls from me and they already started baring their fangs into his arms.

"Akio...san...do you want...water?" Kei san asked, he'd been washing dishes.

"I'm fine" Dad told him.

Seriously what's going on with these two, normally dad is caring for Kei san and today it is opposite.

"Natsuro I have something to tell you.." Dad said looking a bit unusual.

What kind of face is this, I haven't seen him make that face for a long time now...

"I-"

He barely spoke when the door bell rang.

"Ah that must be father, he's probably here to drop Adrian at my place before going to the hospital" I told dad and got off the couch.

Lately my body feels so heavy, not that I'm that chubby enough yet, but I still feel a back ache that I can't explain. So getting up takes alot of effort once I settle down.

"Father..oh Alex, you're here too, come in"

I welcomed the two newcomers to my apartment.

"Oh Akio san is here too" Alex said peeking while taking his shoes off.

"I thought father was here to drop Adrian, but you're here too.." I said to Alex, he put Adrian's bags down first.

"I want to see him.." Alex almost whispered to me and I understood his reason right away.

"Don't make him uncomfortable, don't ask him too much, don't tell him too much" I advised.

"Uh okay mom" He almost rolled his eyes at me.

All aside, he's sure walking in a funny manner, I wonder if he has a back ache like me too.

He directly walked in greeting Dad and Kei san with his gestures and then had a good look at the boy.

"Hey" Alex said walking close to Lian and squatting down infront of him.

"Hi" Lian replied to him.

What's with this awkward environment.

I'll just hug my innocent baby brother.

"Eh, where's Adrian" I asked father, he was holding him a moment ago.

"You're late" Father said and I turned my head to look at the most horrific sight.

My innocent little brother was playing with my monster sisters!

"Dad, from now on,it's just me and you" I just went and clung to dad's arm.

Adrian has betrayed me. This is the end for us.

"Stop being dramatic, kid" Dad lightly smacked my head.

"Oh yeah you were about to tell me something weren't you?" I recalled.

Though he looked around and just nodded his head.

"It's nothing, are you taking good care of yourself? Are you eating properly?" He cupped my face in his hands and asked with a gentle look on his face.

"Don't even ask, Aoi keeps tabs on my eating and sleeping schedule, I get scolded like a kid if I don't follow the instructions! Like this woman is driving me mad!" I humphed.

"Be more responsible, you're gonna be a dad soon, take good care of yourself and the baby" Dad said.

I already know dad, ugh why is he suddenly acting this soft, it's creeping me out. Uuuhh

I simply turned to Alex who was offering a cupcake to the boy, it seems like he's finally able to communicate with him after a long while.

"Why don't we all have breakfast together before you guys leave" I suggested.

Dad got up "I'll cook something"

"No no...sit down..." Kei san said in a mini panic "I'll cook.."

He said whilst suggestively looking at Alex to come and help him.

"Don't look at me, there's pregnant people here, don't you value their lives? Are you really asking me to cook?" Alex shrugged.

Well true, Alex's cooking skills are like Aoi- out of this world.

They can also send you out of this world. No offense though, I love her of course. Dying by her hand is no issue of course.

"I'll help" Father said.

He took to the kitchen with Kei san.

"Are the going to be alright, they don't really get along.." Dad seemed a bit worried.

"Relax dad" I smiled.

It took them a little while before they started setting the table without any problems.

Alex had been trying to make a conversation with Lian the whole time.

The kid talked to him as well, he probably told him a lot of stories with the way he was acting all over the place.

Alex really gets along well with kids huh...I noticed he's really popular with children.

"Alright everyone, come eat breakfast"

I said and everyone started to gather eventually.

The kids as well, Alex brought Adrian to the table and those little piranhas also followed. They both decided to eat from Alex's hands since he was feeding Adrian too and they loved copying others.

I sat down after making Lian sit.

"Dad, come over the breakfast is-" I turned to call dad who put a hand over his mouth and ran away towards the bathroom instead.

"Morning sickness huh" Alex mumbled.

"Huh say what?" I turned to Alex.

Father also looked at him, looking a bit confused.

"You.. know?" Kei san mumbled and I looked at both of them.

"Kinda found out by myself" Alex replied to him.

"No way, again?" Father said.

"What do you mean again?" I interrupted the conversation of the adults, who appeared to know something that I didn't.

"We...came...here...to tell you...something...important.." Kei san mumbled.

Dad also came out while rubbing his temples and paused while we all stared at him like he entered the wrong place at the wrong time.

"What?" He said and we all pretended to look our ways.

"Congratulations" Father said to Dad, though the two didn't meet eyes at all.

"Ah you found out?" Dad spoke rubbing the back of his neck,

he looked a bit feverish or was he?

"What's with the embarrassing mood geez.." Alex legit turned and patted Kei san's crotch "Good work there,you deserve appreciation too"

WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING!!!!!

"YOU'RE THE EMBARRASSING ONE!"

Father raised his voice a bit.

Father and I shared the same braincell over this one.

"Huh, how, they're the ones who did it, perverts" Alex said with a half judgemental face.

"Did what?" Little Lian asked out of curiosity unlike lil Adrian and my sisters who were busy making a mess of food on the table, though he didn't understand anything that was going on with the adults.

"You see kid, adults do this thing where-" Alex was about to say something but father dived right in time to cover his mouth and stop him from saying whatever shameless thing he was about to say.

Thanks father. You saved us all there.

Look at dad and Kei san, they're both trembling with embarrassment now!

Come on father ,control your man better, he's so shameless, I can't even!

How can you just shamelessly pat someone there and congratulate them like they're expecting-

Wait a minute....

WAIT A DAMN MINUTE-

NO F-CKING WAY....!

DOES THAT MEAN WHAT I THINK IT MEANS??!

"Oh looks like someone caught up!" Alex said.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Wait a minute, breathe, breathe, okay calm down, calm down!

Let's just act normal and not judge them, look at them, they already look too embarrassed.

Alright, let's congratulate them like a grown up who understands that it is not a big deal, I mean even if that's my dad ...they are still a couple, they obviously do things, it's perfectly natural...

No need to overreact.

Just congratulate.

"Perverts"

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"WHAT?! Akio san is?! Okay okay Natsu stop crying, you only said it accidentally, I know they understand, eh? No, I'm pretty sure he's just embarrassed, he didn't leave because he hates you, uh calm down! I'll come back soon as Alex comes here"

"That sounds complicated" Ian said watching Aoi struggle with the phone call.

"No it's okay, it'll be fine, he just messed up a little and instead of congratulating an expecting couple, he called them perverts" She told and Ian almost spat out the water he was drinking.

"Say what?" He put the glass aside trying to hold back his laughter "That sounds exactly like sensei"

Aoi sighed "He's a huge dork"

Ian hadn't laughed like that in a while, it was amusing to hear that.

"Ian" Aoi became a bit serious "About Mari, are you serious?"

He turned to look down with a flustered face clenching a bit on the sheets, though he didn't say anything but it was written all over his face.

"I guess you are.." She said, he was even more transparent than Natsuro in this regard.

"Can you tell me more about her..?" He mumbled with a half bent head.

"About what?" Aoi asked.

"The past...her reasons, I want to hear them out.." Ian said hesitantly.

"Why do you want to know?" Aoi asked.

"A few weeks back, I came across Uzawa Keitarou, I saw him in real vulnerable state..." He continued and a visible worry appeared on her face since she didn't hear about any of that.

"I asked him, if he wanted to take down Kirihara Mari, I offered him the chance to take revenge on her and you and he said that's the last thing he'd ever want, it'll be like the death of him, he claimed that the only revenge he'd want from Mari san would be for her to become so happy in life that she's unable to bear it"

"Sounds like something he'd say" Aoi replied with a soft look on her face.

"I know I'm disgusting and selfish enough to desire a person whose wronged his own brother in such a way but I also want to keep his feelings under considerations...which is why I'm giving her a chance, not solely because of my personal feelings, I want to understand him too in-between all this" Ian stated.

"I understand" Aoi knew what he wanted from her "I'll tell you everything from the start, though I don't know how it will effect your feelings"

"It's fine, I had already decided without knowing that I will make her pay for her crimes just the way her victim wants her to pay, knowing is just a part of me wanting to understand her position, after all she's saving a stranger like me as well, I owe her too" Ian clarified.

"It all starts with Haruka san"