First ACTUAL ATSUMINA OS~ YAY~~~
This is actually dedicated to a user, kahineechan, who kind of requested me to write this during the group chat one day... (if she does remember) Not sure if it lives up to expectations but this was the best I could do for now!
Hopefully y'all will enjoy it too. Not completely AtsuMina fluff but... hmm... oh well~
Replies to peeps who commented~:
@Zhen: HAHAHA I KNOW I KNOW. WMatsui lost me these few days. Probably that's why it affected the amount of fluff? But thanks anyways!!!
@Haruko: Thanks for reading! And thanks for the consideration
@DC2805: Hahahaha really? Thanks for reading yo! Takamina- The Parent
“Minami, why don’t we adopt a kid?”
… Is what Atsuko had suddenly asked me one day, with pleading eyes that got me enshrouded in feelings of uneasiness.
We had eloped from our loved ones—mainly, our parents, and civilization in general. We actually tried convincing our parents about the love but… heh, to no avail obviously. As much as we were famous idols in Japan’s most famous all-girls idol group, AKB48, with Atsuko as the face or Ace of AKB48 and me as the Leader of the whole team as well as the General Manager after she had graduated before I did, after we had told our companies that we got married, they were always hesitant on giving us more jobs in the entertainment business.
It didn’t mean it was the end… just, a hiatus I guess? A long one, at least until everyone has forgotten about us and we come back with a BOOM. So for now, with whatever income we have by working in the entertainment business, we got ourselves a house at a secluded but serene countryside, away from the city scene. The folks in the countryside were all welcoming elder folks, something we were really thankful for.
I managed to get a job as a humble rice farmer who plants rice crops daily on an old man’s paddy field. Apparently he’s the owner of this huge patch of land used for rice crops, and is one of the main suppliers for rice in the whole of Japan, so it’s really neat. He gives reasonable pay and also, he’s a really nice person. I thought he would be a tycoon! But seeing him live happily with his children who helps out with the plantation on the paddy field and his grandchildren, who attend primary school in this small town, makes me want to live as happily as he can.
Atsuko you ask? Well she’s usually at home like a housewife. She does have work from time to time as a kindergarten teacher, which surprised me when she told me she actually took the time after graduation to get a degree in education in between her hectic schedule. It saved us, and definitely gave us stability in our new lives.
However… this one day had completely changed our slow-paced, peaceful lives together.
It had been two years since we had a 180 degree change in our lifestyle and now Atsuko had decided to drop a bomb?!
“H-Huh?! W-What did you—"
“Minami!” She looked into my eyes with a pair of pleading ones, “Please… consider this!”
“Wait wait wait, we were just starting to get warmed up for years and years to come and you want a kid now?!” I exclaimed back, in panic.
“Is that…” she titled her head slightly with an irresistibly cute facial expression, “… a no?”
I facepalmed, shaking my head, “… No no it’s not that… just… why so sudden?”
“Well…” she begun fiddling with her fingers in embarrassment with her head hung low, “… Umm… I thought since we can’t actually have children… why don’t we adopt one? I…” she looked at me with a red hue appearing on her cheeks, “… kind of want to experience a life with children.”
“Atsuko…” I softened my tone of voice, obviously knowing I would give in to her any second now and let out a deep sigh, “… Fine.”
“Eh?”
I hit my chest proudly with an open hand and grinned at her, “Let’s go to the adoption center in Tokyo right away. We’re getting a kid today!”
“M-Minami, y-you—"
“Don’t make me turn back on my words, Atsuko! Go get ready! I’ll wait for you in the car.”
“Minami…!” She practically leapt onto me when I was about to stand up from the sofa we were sitting on and I fell back immediately, Atsuko’s warm body on mine as she hugged me tightly, “… Thank you!!!”
“You better not get tired of this whole thing halfway through Atsuko…” I slowly caressed her head, “I know you have a tendency to like something and forget about it after a short period of time…”
“I won’t~” I could feel her smile on my chest, “Trust me~”
- - - - - -
If I could turn back time…
I would not have trusted Atsuko.
Because what we brought back…
… Was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
- - - - - -
“O-Oh my… you’re Maeda Atsuko and Takahashi Minami…!” The caretaker looked at us with shocked eyes, “… I-I thought you both disappeared or something! The newspapers even made it sound like you both died or something…!”
I had taken off my sunglasses and placed my index finger to my lips gesturing for the caretaker to stay silent, “Mmhmm. We’re supposed to have ‘died’, so please do us a favour and keep quiet about our appearance here yes? We’re not supposed to be in Tokyo. That’s why… ” I swirled around, showing the caretaker my disguise which was a normal parka that had a hood that could cover my head accompanied by a cap, sunglasses and a face mask in which Atsuko had something similar on as well and took off my sunglasses once again, “… We’re in such dull clothing.”
Atsuko had casually nodded in response to what I had just told the caretaker before she tried to calm down and regain composure to lead us into one of the rooms to see a group of children who were having their play time.
This was an orphanage near the outskirts of Tokyo; children who had lost their parents, or just got thrown out of their houses were all sent here when they were found or reported. Though they looked happy as they played around with each other, I could sense the loneliness looming in the room’s atmosphere. These kids were happy-looking sure but deep down, they lack something that all kids should have experienced to live a better life—love.
And it’s up to Atsuko and me to choose from this group, a kid. As much as I would love to take everyone home so they would understand what love is it’s just impossible… with education expenditure in mind and all. At most, if I could save one of these kids and let them experience a parents’ love, that would be amazing. I’m sure God would be happy if I did such a good deed.
“So… who do you recommend?” Atsuko asked nonchalantly which earned an elbow jab to her sides lightly by me.
“Oi oi, you’re not supposed to ask something like that so crudely!” I said in a soft voice and she just returned a confused look to me.
“Hmm… well…” The caretaker looked like she was pondering deeply until suddenly, a kid with brown hair tied into twintails came up to us, tugging Atsuko’s skirt.
“Hmm…?” Atsuko looked downwards and knelt down slightly to level herself with the kid’s line of vision, “Hello there~”
“Minako-chan?” The caretaker called out to the kid who responded with a smile.
“Minako-chan huh…” I said under my breath.
“Caretaker-san, are these two Onee-chan going to adopt one of us?” She looked at the caretaker with innocent eyes.
“U-Umm… yes, Minako-chan,” the caretaker smiled wryly at her.
“Uwaa~!” She clasped onto both Atsuko’s hands and enveloped both of them into her small ones, “Ne, ne~! Choose me! You won’t regret, Onee-chan!”
“Mmm~ sure. You seem very energetic,” Atsuko smiled back warmly.
“A-Atsuko! Shouldn’t you give a thought about this…?!” I exclaimed back as friendly-sounding as I could as to not scare the kid.
Atsuko just gave me a blank look on her face and shook her head. I facepalmed.
“Yay~!” She started to pull Atsuko towards the door behind us, “Now we have to go sign the documents, right Care-taker-san~…?”
I swear I saw the caretaker break into sweat when the kid said that and I felt an ominous presence being emitted from her too.
“Y-Yes… Minako-chan.”
“Then I’ll be bringing this Nee-chan into the office first~”
She dragged Atsuko off right after that. The caretaker was about to leave through the door too before I stopped her with my famous Soukantoku stare that would shake the faint hearts of many. Yes yes, I’m exaggerating I know.
“What’s with the kid? Something’s up am I right?” I practically sounded like I was interrogating the caretaker who seemed like she was shaking uncontrollably.
“Umm… she’s… quite a ‘unique’ child… she’s energetic and adorable but… please be patient with her,” she gestured me to leave the room, “… Now let’s get going to the office to sign your agreement.”
“H-Hey hey hey, I think you’re supposed to tell me every—W-Wait! D-Don’t just force me to the office!!!”
After the signing of the documents which was all on Atsuko, we were wished ‘good luck’ by the caretaker who had a suspiciously worried face and headed towards our home in the countryside.
In the car however…
I think I got a glimpse of why this kid is going to be scary… VERY… annoyingly scary.
- - - - - -
“So~ I’m a Takahashi now yeah?”
“Yup! Minami is the manlier one if I were to compare myself to her,” I could feel Atsuko smirk as I had my eyes on the road.
I rolled my eyes for a second, “HA. HA. Yeah yeah, whatever you say Atsuko.”
“Ne, ne~ why are you both married? You both are girls aren’t you? Isn’t it forbidden?”
“Well…” Atsuko stayed quiet, obviously begging me to answer despite me being the one driving.
“… It’s because we love each other and did not have any dudes in mind so we got married.”
“But Minami-oneechan is such a shortie! I could probably grow taller than her after a few more years!”
“You trying to pick a fight kiddo?!” I raised my voice, feeling kind of irritated.
“M-Minami…” Atsuko called my name with the intention of cooling me down, “Umm… maybe we can continue talking later Minako-chan? I mean, Minami’s driving and all—"
“How old are you and Minami-oneechan, Atsuko-oneechan?”
“Oh! We’re both 29—"
“What do you both work as??”
“U-Uh… we were idols previously but I graduated earlier than Minami and—"
“Oooh! Idols?! I love idols! I really like Nogisaka46!”
“Nogisaka huh…” I shrugged.
“Why did you stop being an idol?”
“I wanted to pursue in an acting career so—"
“Uwaaaa~! Atsuko-neechan’s a movie star?!”
“Umm… kind of?”
“Can I have your autograph?! Please please pleaseeeeee~!!!”
“For crying out loud, hold your horses and pipe down already kiddo!”
This kid was like a loudspeaker gone nuts!!!
I know kids are really inquisitive and all but if this is really how we’re going to live from now on… I think I’m going to die.
- - - - - -
Back at home, she pretty much ran around almost everywhere, commenting and asking curiously about various pieces of furniture and awards we had on display at home. She was like an unstoppable tornado which I couldn’t even handle! Atsuko acted like the nice parent while I did the part of acting like a meanie and yet, the kid had completely no respect towards me but stuck to Atsuko like glue.
I don’t know if she was trying to provoke me but she’s pretty much getting in the middle of Atsuko and I.
Even during dinner…
“Atsuko-oneechan please feed me~ ah~~~”
“Hai~ ahh~” Atsuko fed her while the latter had a playful grin on her face as she munched on her food.
“Gosh I think I realized how mature Jurina was…” I ate slowly with an arm on the table, supporting my head while the other hand continuously fed myself.
“Jurina…? Matsui Jurina?”
“Oh wow, you actually know Jurina-chan, Minako-chan?”
To be honest, I was surprised too.
“Mmm!” She nodded, “She came to our orphanage a few days ago for a TV programme thing. Something about spreading the love to the kids in Japan or something… she taught us some puns!”
I literally choked, “J-Jurina taught you kids puns?!” Is Jurina an idiot now?! Why did she teach kids puns instead of other useful things?!
“Mmm~ there was one…” She pondered for a while, “Ah! ‘Two loaves of bread wanted to get married so they
eloafed’!”
“Hahaha that was a nice one!” Atsuko laughed.
That Jurina… she made that pun up in relation to us didn’t she?! Plus, how would kids even know what eloping means, darn it!
“Do you even know what ‘
eloafed’ means, Minako-chan?” I looked at her dully.
“No? I just thought it was funny how Jurina-san phrased it! It’s like a rhyme!”
“Oh gosh…” I sighed.
“Minako-chan, do eat your food,” Atsuko reminded her warmly in which the latter nodded and grinned playfully at Atsuko once again.
“I want Atsuko-neechan to feed me~~~”
“Oi oi, no spoiled brats in this household.”
“You’re just jealous Atsuko-neechan’s feeding me aren’t you, Mi-na-mi-san?” She put out her tongue provokingly.
I gritted my teeth in frustration when Atsuko kicked my leg lightly. I sighed in defeat and quickly finished up, leaving the dining room, “Thanks for dinner Atsuko.”
- - - - - -
I went outside for a while with a packet of cigarettes in hand. It was given to me by the landlord who told me kindly that a smoke would release whatever stress I had in mind. Taking a stick without lighting it up, I placed it into my mouth, biting lightly onto it.
“… No friggin’ way am I gonna smoke. Atsuko’s going to hate me if I do… sorry Old Man,” I said softly to myself as I took the stick out of my mouth with a sigh.
As much as I wanted to call my friends now for support, it was hard. Atsuko and I wanted to remain having this low profile as long as we could without alerting anyone about our whereabouts so we pretty much severed our ties that we shared with close friends of ours like Yuko or NyanNyan. But dang… I really miss them. My family in the 48 group… my coworkers in the entertainment industry… my fans… my family… everyone…
I had begun to reminiscence of all the good times I had as Takahashi Minami of AKB48.
That was until…
“Minami.”
A soothing voice from Atsuko resounded in my head and I turned back, with the cigarette stick in my mouth, “Hmm?”
“Y-You were smoking?!” Atsuko yelped.
“Hmm…? Ah!” I quickly removed the article from my mouth and shook my head, pointing at the cigarette stick to show that it wasn’t lit, “O-Of course not! It’s just for fun!”
“Mou…!” Atsuko stomped towards me and quickly snatched the box of cigarette that I was holding onto, along with the stick that I used just for the feel of it, “These are confiscated! I don’t want my Minami to smoke!”
“Well duh~” I shrugged, “I won’t obviously. I have a certain someone's lips that need kissing from time to time and there's no way I'd want them to smell like smoke,” I smirked which made Atsuko blush.
I looked around her, “Hey Atsuko, where’s the twerp?”
“D-Don’t call her that!” Atsuko exclaimed, her blush disappearing within that instant as she took a deep breath, “She’s in the bath right now.”
“Ah alright.”
Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around me and laid her head onto my shoulder, “… Please try to get along with Minako-chan… okay? I know she’s really… hyper at times but… please… for the both of us?”
“How can I decline now when you put it that way Atsuko…” I embraced her in response, “… I’ll try. As long as that kid doesn’t drive me nuts in the process.”
She chuckled for a moment before a voice broke our sweet moment.
“Ne, ne~ Are you both ‘making out’ right now?”
Both Atsuko and I broke away from each other’s embrace and turned towards the source of the voice with flustered faces.
“WHAT THE HECK DID YOU JUST SAY KID?!”
“M-Minako-chan?!”
“What? I just said ‘making out’… was I wrong?”
“COMPLETELY WRONG YOU TWERP!” I stomped towards her and grabbed both her arms aggressively but she still had that innocent look on her face, “WHERE THE HECK DID YOU EVEN LEARN THAT PHRASE FROM?!”
“Jurina-san.”
MATSUI JURINAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
- - - - - -
The next morning, Atsuko had to work after I had come back from paddy planting early in the morning. The kid was literally sleeping in between us but didn’t notice we had left the bed to prepare or begin our daily activities.
“I’ll get Minako-chan enrolled. So till then, please take care of her okay?”
“… Yeah sure. Hopefully she doesn’t destroy this place before you come back Atsuko,” I shrugged.
“I’m sure she won’t. I trust you with keeping her in check, Mi-na-mi~” She pecked my cheek before continuing, “oh and, don’t forget! Today's your turn to do the chores okay~?” she entered the car shortly after a brief hug and drove off to school for work.
I on the other hand, am stuck with a crazy kid that has issues with me. Oh gosh now what.
I heard a loud yawn from behind me as I closed the door after seeing Atsuko off. Turning to look behind me, the kid was rubbing her eyes tiredly and gazed at me with a blank look.
“Yo Minako-chan.”
“… Where’s Atsuko-neechan…?” She yawned again.
“She left for work.”
“HAAH?!” Seems like that jolted her awake since she’s grabbing onto my shirt now as if she’s ready to rip it apart, “YOU MEAN I’M STUCK WITH A BAA-SAN LIKE YOU?!”
'B-Baa'…
“BAA-SAN?!” I yelled back, “WHO THE HECK DID YOU JUST CALL BAA-SAN?!”
“Who else is in the room huh?!” She retaliated.
“Why you little punk…” I was ready to slap the kid on the face until Atsuko’s face suddenly popped into my mind, halting my actions. A sad-looking Atsuko who seemed disappointed in me for treating this punk badly.
I let out a sigh, “… Go clean yourself up kid. I don’t want to stir a fight with you.”
“What, you’re scared of me or something Mi-na-mi-san?!” She continued grasping tightly onto my shirt, pulling it downwards as if she wanted to level my head with hers, but I looked away to avoid direct eye confrontation.
“I never said that kid. Don’t make me do things you’ll regret,” I said calmly, despite the fact my nerves were already at its limits.
“Oh? BRING IT ON, MINAMI-SAN!”
That’s it.
“YOU’RE TESTING MY PATIENCE KID!” I pushed her away and she fell onto the floor, and that was when she began tearing up.
Oh no.
“MINAMI-SAN’S A JERK!!!” She yelled while crying aloud.
“O-Oi oi… stop crying…” I approached her slowly but she dashed off after I got into a close distance range between her. Hearing her slam the door of the bathroom and a loud click, I knew she had decided to lock herself in the bathroom.
This is turning out to be a nightmare huh.
But no, I can’t let Atsuko know. I’d get into trouble if I do… probably get into a huge argument…
Looks like I have to make sacrifices…
I took my cell phone out of my pocket and scrolled through my contacts. There was one person I could rely on no matter what. Someone who has vowed to be my comrade for life despite my countless attempts at convincing her to be my best friend instead.
Oshima Yuko.
“Hello? Who’s this?”That’s right… she wouldn’t know my number since I’ve changed it…
“… Yuko. It’s me.”“That voice… Bakamidget?!”“Geez, name-calling already? We haven’t been in contact for two years you know?” I chuckled lightly.
This was very nostalgic.
“Well duh! You think I’d care? Where the heck are you huh?! I heard rumours that you and Atsuko are together and disappeared without a trace or something!” I could sense her concern from the tone of voice she was using.
“Yeah well. Rumours were right. We ran away. Threw everything for the sake of love I suppose.”“Since when were you a romantic huh?” She laughed,
“It totally doesn’t suit you, Bakamina!”“Right right… before we can catch up any more I need help,” I tried to sound as serious as I could.
“Help from Oshima Yuko, the amazing Japanese movie star? Sure, hit me.”Yuko’s voice had a soothing effect on me too, but in a best friend/comrade way. It had helped calm me down as I explained the whole situation to her. She was also a brilliant listener. Though Yuko may be depicted as a crazy, energetic squirrel but when she has to act mature, she does. I mean, she has been so much more mature on TV right after she had graduated. I suppose when one has a goal, it really changes the person. It was the same for me when my music career was hitting its peak until I decided to call it quits.
“Dang… what a predicament you’re in Bakamina. Acchan’s so~ gonna bite your arse if you don’t make up with the kid.”“I know… so?”“Hmm… maybe as an adult, you should apologise to her? Just let her have her way for the whole day. It probably works that way?”“Won’t that mean she’s going to continuously become spoiled?”“Yeah well… I’ve seen kids who you actually let them have their way yet they do thank you at the end of the day. I guess you just oughta buck it up and try. I mean, NyanNyan and I are together but we have never ever thought of kids. I salute you for being a daring… mother?” She laughed after advising me.
“It’s all Atsuko’s idea Yuko…” I sighed.
“Anyways Bakamina. Just converse with the kid until she comes out and reward her or something. If you act cool and composed and all, the kid will totally dig you! It’s not a surefire thing but at least it’s better than leaving everything on a bitter note yeah?”I nodded with a smile,
“Mm. Thanks Yuko. I knew I could rely on ya.”“Guess you better hurry before it turns worse huh? Talk to you next time. Stay in touch okay, Takamina! Don’t go MIA on me again!” She exclaimed.
“Yeah yeah but don’t be a loudmouth and tell the world that I contacted you and all okay?”“Heh. Leave it to me Comrade. Hear from ya soon.”“Mm.”- - - - - -
After we both hung up, I went towards the bathroom. Facing the source of the sound of waling, I stretched a bit and slapped my face lightly to get myself fired up. Knocking on the door, the sobs stopped momentarily and I knew that was the chance to speak.
“Err… M-Minako… chan?”
No response, but I knew I had to just keep talking.
“… Hey uh… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you or anything just now… I lost my temper. That was my mistake but… you were a bit too much too… I mean, we just met yesterday and you’re already acting like this—umm… no… I mean… it isn’t nice to act like this…” I scratched the back of my head as my mind kept thinking for words to tell Minako-chan.
“… You see… I don’t know your background completely other than the fact you lost all contact from your family after being dumped to the orphanage and they even made sure to not disclose their information to the caretaker but… you’re with us now. Atsuko and I. If you and I don’t get along, it’ll pain Atsuko. If I insist on not getting along with you, Atsuko and I will break up… that would mean you’ll lose a chance of experiencing how a family is… though we’re not exactly a normal one…”
I heard footsteps slowly approaching the door and it stopped right in front of it. I knew my preaching was working.
“… So… please. If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you, Minako-chan. I’ll even show you things you’ve never seen before… play with you… personally cook you homecooked food if Atsuko ain’t around… anything! Just… give me a chance, Minako-chan. You’re a precious gem to Atsuko and me now…”
I felt I was about to burst into tears with all the amazing things I’m spouting to the kid now… I don’t know if she even gets what I’m saying to her but I knew it worked when she swung open the door and dived into my embrace the next moment, crying her heart out. It wasn’t one of anger or frustration, it was one filled with gratitude, hidden sorrow and apologies.
“I’m so sorry, Minami-neechan… I’m so so sorry…!” She said in between sobs.
“Nah… I’m sorry for being pretty darn harsh too,” I caressed her head tenderly, trying to express my affection as a ‘parent’ to her with every stroke.
The both of us were silent as only her sobs resounded where we stood and I decided to break the silence with a smile forming on my lips, “Hey. I think I have a treat for ya. Follow me,” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she buried her face with her hands, constantly wiping away her tears as I brought her right in front of the fridge.
“Hmm…” I opened the fridge with one hand and looked at the freezer above me, “Let’s see… I think it was… here!”
I had to tip-toe a bit to see what was really in the freezer no thanks to my height and finally found what I was looking for. Closing the fridge, I nudged the kid with a pat or two on her shoulder so she would look at me with red eyes and puffy cheeks.
“Here. It’s actually the last one from my secret stash since Atsuko would literally steal my ice-cream when she finds it but I guess I don’t mind sacrificing it for you. It’s from Tokyo,” I placed the ice cream into both her tiny hands which she blankly shifted her gaze to.
“We don’t always go to Tokyo nowadays due to our… actual identity. So it’s really precious to me, okay?” I ruffled my hair in sheer embarrassment due to the fact that I actually told a kid that a packet of ice-cream from Tokyo is precious to me.
She giggled, “Minami-neechan’s like a kid too huh…?”
“Hey, even adults have childlike hearts you know? I mean… not all the time…”
She beamed a smile so innocently sweet at that moment and gave me a hug, “Thank you Minami-neechan, for forgiving me… for giving me a second chance.”
“Hmm?”
When she let go, she looked at the floor as she unwrapped the packaging, “… The caretaker hid from you something very crucial to my adoption… I was actually thrown back five times now… my previous ‘parents’ couldn’t take me.”
“… What…?”
“I tried being an ordinary, nice kid towards my first parents but they were so engrossed in work I just had to stir up some kind of trouble so they would pay attention to me… same goes to my second and third ones… I started to act aggressive for my fourth and fifth parents and they couldn’t handle me… so I got thrown back to the orphanage,” she explained, holding in her sadness, “… All my friends there looked at me funny… the caretaker became afraid of me… I became afraid of adults… but Atsuko-neechan and Minami-neechan… when you both came in… it felt like God was behind me, pushing me to take brave steps towards you both…”
“So that was why you approached Atsuko all of a sudden…”
“Mm…”
Dang… no wonder she turned out being rowdy… she’s a quiet girl at heart that was forced to be rowdy thanks to her previous ‘parents’… I really wonder why they adopted her in the first place. If there was no love towards this child, why bother taking care of her huh?
She started licking the chocolate crust that hid the deliciously soft vanilla ice cream on the inside and that was when a brilliant phrase popped into my mind.
“Hey stop licking that for a bit.”
“Huh?” She looked at me confusingly as I arched my back a little to lower my height.
“Mm… now that you’re living with us, we’re your parents and we won’t let you experience what you have been through up till now,” I winked awkwardly.
“Right…?”
“Imagine the crust of this ice-cream as Atsuko and I. We’re the outer layer of this delicious ice-cream,” I paused and broke open a part of the crust of the ice-cream, revealing the soft, white-coloured vanilla part, tossing the crust that I broke into my mouth and quickly ate it to continue, “See the insides? It’s the soft, delicious most precious part of this ice-cream. That’s you.”
“… You made it sound kind of… disgusting…” Minako-chan pouted.
“Wait! Uh… what I mean out of this whole thing is that people would have to come through us to hurt you! So trust in us and if you play your part, we will play ours and we’ll live in perfect harmony. No problem,” I gave reassured her with a grin.
“Mm… that was kind of cheesy but… that was easy to understand with the ice-cream example… thank you, Minami-neechan, she smiled, “though…” she pointed at the obvious hole that I made in order to make my example, “… you made a hole in my ice-cream…”
“Sharing is caring, kid,” I flicked her forehead which made her flinch, “Deal with it.”
“Oww~” She rubbed her forehead with her free hand while the other was busy feeding herself with the ice-cream.
I stood up straight and stretched again, “Right~! Hmm…” I looked at the clock and realized I had forgotten to do the chores for today, trying to cheer her up, “Oh crap I have to hurry!”
“Eh…?”
“M-Minako-chan! You’re helping me too! We’re gonna do chores!”
“Eh~~~”
“No ‘eh’-ing! After you’re done with your ice-cream AND freshened yourself up, we’re doing chores and that’s final!”
“Nngh~…” She looked at me with an unimpressed gleam in her eyes, “… Fine~ but it’s only because you treated me to ice-cream!”
“PRECIOUS TOKYO ICE-CREAM, kid!”
“Whatever, it’s still ice-cream!”
We stuck our tongue out at each other but shortly after, laughter filled the room.
Heh. The kid’s a monster, no doubt but… I think we’ll get along fine after all.
- - - - - -
Third Person's POV
“I’m home~… Hmm…?”
Atsuko looked around, seeing that the house was pretty much spotless. Next, her gaze shifted towards the sofa beside her, only to see the sleeping faces of Minami and Minako, with Minako sleeping on Minami’s lap with a cloth that was most probably used for cleaning hanging on her waist and Minami, holding onto a duster placed right beside her.
“Looks like you got along just fine with Minako-chan huh? Minami…” Atsuko proceeded to plant a kiss on both their foreheads and smiled at the peaceful sight of her lover and her child finally at peace with one another.