Chapter Text
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Kojiro lay on his side with Kaoru buried in his chest, clinging to him tightly. He refused to say a word to him and continued to cry silently. Kojiro could do nothing but sit there and scent him, letting him hold onto him.
“Kaoru.”
Kaoru shook his head. “No. I-I don’t-”
“Relax,” Kojiro ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not gonna make you talk about it, okay?”
He let out a shaky breath but nodded his head.
Kojiro kissed his forehead. “I just want you to know that I love you. We’ll get through this. You’re going to be okay.”
Kaoru said nothing but squeezed him harder. They sat in silence for a while longer before a knock snapped them out of their thoughts.
“Come in!”
Ena popped her head in with a small smile on her face before fully entering the room.
“Hey- Oh, wow. This is a beautiful nest,” She admired with a blush on her face.
Kojiro grinned. “Right? My mate’s the best.”
Kaoru snorted before facing Ena. “Thanks. I worked pretty hard on it.”
She gave him a wry smile and held up the plates in her hands.
“I come bearing gifts,” Ena offered.
The two of them sat up as she brought the plates over.
“Thanks,” Kaoru whispered, tucking his hair behind his ear.
The sound of small feet slapping wood burst through the door.
“Mama! Papa!” Ichika ran into the room with her plate in her small hands.
“Whoa!” Ena reached down and caught the plate. “What are you doing with this?”
She furrowed her pink eyebrows. “Sorry, Auntie Ena. I wanna eat with Mama and Papa.”
Ena sighed. “Ichi-”
“It’s okay,” Kaoru reached over and grabbed her plate. “Come on, pup.”
Ichika beamed then crawled into the nest eagerly, cuddling up to Kaoru. He smiled and kissed her head before setting her plate in front of her.
“Be careful, Ichi.”
“Okay!”
“Let me know if you need anything,” Ena wrung her wrists. “We’re worried about you two.”
“Two?” Kaoru frowned.
She worried at her lip, eyes staring at the ground. “Ma’s not looking so good.”
“What do you mean?” Kojiro asked.
Ena sighed. “She’s in… a dark headspace right now.”
The two of them blinked owlishly at her. “I-”
“Relax,” she held her hand up. “Akemi’s handling it. You know she’s always subconsciously been Ma’s favorite since she’s the firstborn.”
He shrugged. “Nah. I’m the favorite.”
Kaoru rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Kojiro.”
Kojiro smirked and kissed his cheek.
“We’ll be out after we eat,” Kaoru told her. “I should feel a bit better after I eat. Thank you again for taking care of things. I’m sorry for-”
“Don’t even think about it,” she glared, placing her hands on her hips. “You have every right to sulk right now. Miya, Eiji, and Akemi’s shitty husband are watching over the pups.”
Kojiro laughed. “You still don’t like him?”
Ena sneered and crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s to like?”
Kaoru smiled as she continued to glare as if he was right there.
“Ena, it’s been years,” Kojiro grinned. “You can’t hate him forever.”
“I can and I will,” she lifted her chin in defiance. “Shut up and eat, you overgrown gorilla.”
He spluttered. “Wha-”
Kaoru laughed as she turned and stomped out of the room. Ichika giggled next to him.
“Hehe. Auntie called you a gorilla,” She laughed behind her hand.
Kojiro glared at Kaoru. “I wonder where she gets it from.”
Kaoru grinned with his cheeks full of food and shrugged. “Wasn’ me.”
Ichika shrieked in laughter. “Mama, your face looks weird!”
“He looks like a chipmunk, huh?” Kojiro smiled.
She giggled and nodded her head. Kaoru swallowed his food with an eye roll.
“I do not look like a chipmunk,” he glared.
“Sure,” Kojiro smirked.
Kaoru huffed and ignored him. The three of them ate in silence and once they finished, Ichika crawled into Kaoru’s lap and nuzzled against his chest. He smiled and kissed the top of her head. He glanced at Kojiro and scowled.
“Quit looking at me like that, you duffus.”
Kojiro glared. “Now you’re just being dramatic with the names.”
Ichika giggled and hugged her mother tighter. Kaoru shook his head before sighing.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Koharu,” he chewed on the inside of his lip. “I… She’s not something I like to talk about. It’s different compared to the shi- stuff -” He glanced down at Ichika. “-with Ainosuke.”
Kojiro snickered at his slip up and Kaoru huffed at him.
“She told me that Koharu died from a disease,” Kaoru shook his head. “We were 7 at the time.”
He frowned. “7? We’ve known each other since birth. How come I never met her?”
Kaoru shrugged.
“No idea. I guess Mother never brought her around. I barely remember anything under the age of 7.” He stared at the grey fabric of the blanket underneath them, absently scenting his daughter. “I was told I lost my memories of those days because of how I reacted to losing my sister. The doctors called it Dissociative Amnesia. It’s where a person blocks out certain events due to stress or trauma and it leaves them unable to remember information.”
Kojiro’s shoulders sagged. “Kaoru.”
He gave him a grim look. “Yeah. I… I remember her but it’s… faint, very faint. When I found out she died, I fell into a drop. I was hospitalized for 4 months.”
Kojiro pulled them into his arms and rested his chin on top of Kaoru’s head. “I remember that. You had us worried, my older sisters and mother.”
Kaoru chuckled lightly and kissed his marked scent gland. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” he ran his hand up and down his back. “‘M just glad you made it through.”
He nodded his head. Ichika tapped his chest and Kaoru glanced down at her.
“Yes?”
“Who are you talking about?”
“Well,” he huffed. “I’m talking about my twin sister.”
Ichika frowned. “You have a sister?”
“Mhm.”
“I didn’t know that,” she pouted. “Can we meet her?”
“We’ll see,” Kaoru shrugged.
“Are you going to contact her?”
Kaoru lifted his head and met his gaze. Kojiro’s face was full of worry and obviously anxiety. Kaoru smiled lightly before leaning forward and pressing their lips together. Kojiro smiled before kissing him deeper, making his heart flutter for the billionth time. Kaoru pulled away with a bright smile before showering his face in kisses.
“What’s this for?” Kojiro chuckled.
Kaoru lifted his hand and held his cheek. “Do you know how amazing you are?”
He blushed, eyes widening a fraction. “U-Um. Yes?”
“Dork.” Kaoru grinned. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, you know? Well a strong sixth. My pups are the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Wow,” he glared. “You know, I’m the reason they’re here in the first place.”
Kaoru laughed.
“Can’t a guy get any recognition?” Kojiro grumbled, glaring to the side.
Kaoru purred, leaning against his forehead. “You’re an amazing father and an even more amazing alpha. The best alpha an omega could ever have.”
Kojiro’s face burned a dangerous red as he stared at the sincerity in his eyes. Kaoru laughed when he hid his face in his neck.
“You’re killing me with the praise,” he mumbled.
Kaoru smiled. “It’s nothing but the truth. I’ve got the best damn alpha in the world.”
“Yeah!” Ichika giggled. “Papa’s the best ever!”
Kojiro grinned before picking her up and throwing her in the air. “Hell yeah, I am!”
Ichika laughed again as he caught her. Kaoru kissed them both before fumbling around the nest for his phone.
“You’re gonna do it?”
“Yep,” his eyes darted across the screen as he pulled up her contact. “There’s no day like tomorrow.”
Kaoru typed out a simple message but stopped and frowned, mulling over his words and chewing on his thumb.
“What did you say?” Kojiro leaned over.
“I said ‘Hey, Koharu. It’s me, Kaoru. Mother told me you wanted to reach out to me and gave me your number. Dot dot dot, How are you?”
Kaoru looked up at his alpha for approval. Kojiro shrugged before nodding.
“I think it’s a good start. A little awkward but that’s a bit inevitable.”
“In-ev-i-ta-ble,” Ichika sounded out before turning to her mother. “What does that mean?”
“It means something that can’t be…. ignored or avoided,” Kaoru explained.
“Oh okay,” She cuddled deeper into Kojiro’s arms and mumbled the world again. “In-ev-i-ta-ble. In…evitbale. Inevitable!”
“Yep, you got it,” Kojiro chuckled. “Good job, pinky.”
Ichika smiled brightly. “Yay!”
Kaoru flinched. “Oh fuck, she responded.”
She laughed at him. “Ouuu. You cussed. I’m tellin’ Nonna.”
Kojiro snorted and Kaoru scrunched his nose. “Sorry.”
“What did she say?”
Kaoru let out a deep breath before tapping the notification.
“She… She said- Ah!” He fumbled with his phone as his phone vibrated. He caught it at the last second and stared with wide eyes. “She’s facetiming me.”
“Ouu!” Ichika bounced in her father’s lap.
“Answer it,” Kojiro shrugged again.
“What!? I can’t answer it!” Kaoru flushed.
“Fine. I’ll do it.”
Kojiro snatched the phone from him and answered the call.
“Wha! Kojiro!” He lunged forward but Kojiro pushed Ichika onto the bed and held the phone away from his grasp.
“Stop being a wuss!” Kojiro laughed.
“Kojiro!” Kaoru hissed. “Give me the fucking-”
“Um. Hello?”
The two of them paused at her voice. Kaoru stumbled away with an embarrassed blush as Kojiro brought the phone down to his face. He blinked at how similar they looked but remembered that they were twins. Koharu had shoulder-length hair with the top half styled into two perfectly twisted buns. She had the same pale skin but her eyes were a darker shade of yellow, almost brinking a faded orange. Two studs adorned her left eyebrow along with one on the right side of her nose and a silver spike lip ring on the left side of her black-painted lips.
“Uhh, hi?” Kojiro smiled, bashfully. “So you’re probably wondering who I am. I’m Nanjo Kojiro, Kaoru’s mate.”
“Oh!” She smiled with a small blush on her cheeks. “Well, hi! It’s nice to meet you.”
“Holy fucking shit, you look exactly like Kaoru did in high school,” he said.
Koharu laughed. “Really? Piercings and everything?”
“Oh, yeah,” he grinned, glancing at Kaoru who was glaring at him. “He didn’t have the nose or eyebrow piercing but he did have a lip piercing along with a lot on his ears and…” he glanced at Ichika. “Other places.”
“Kojiro!” He hissed again, burning a bright red.
Koharu laughed again. “Does he still have them?”
Kojiro smirked. “Oh, he does.”
Kaoru groaned and facepalmed. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Can I see her?” Ichika asked.
Kojiro nodded his head and she crawled into his lap again. He positioned the two of them in the camera. Ichika’s eyes widened in excitement.
“Whoa! She looks just like Mama!”
Koharu laughed in disbelief before smiling brightly. “Well, hello! Oh my goodness, you’re absolutely precious. I-I’m Koharu, your aunt.”
“Hi~!” Ichika sang. “I’m Ichika! It’s nice to meet you.”
Koharu cooed over her. “Wow she’s like the exact replica of the two of you. Well, from what I’m guessing, since a certain someone won’t show his face.”
Kojiro snickered and Kaoru huffed before slowly making his way over to them. He burrowed into Kojiro’s side and showed his face.
“Hey,” Kaoru whispered.
“Hi,” she grinned. “ Nice to finally see you again, Kaoru.”
He nibbled on his lip. “It’s nice to know that you’re not dead .”
Koharu huffed in annoyance and glared off to the side. “That woman, I swear. I can’t believe she told you I died. Fucking coward.”
“That she is,” Kaoru sneered. “I… I’m sorry you had to leave.”
She shrugged. “I’m not. I quite enjoyed the way I was raised.”
He pursed his lips. “Where did you go?”
“With our Aunt, Kyoko,” Koharu sighed. “Apparently, twins run heavily in our family. Kyoko was Keiko’s twin who was also banished from the family. Keiko gave me to her and just left.”
Kaoru blinked. “Aunt? Wha… How much did she hide from me?”
Koharu’s face darkened before she huffed and shook it off. “As much as I’d love to shit talk our mother-”
Kaoru snorted and she smiled.
“I’d love to get to know you. Keiko told you I moved back to Okinawa, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
“Can we set something up?” Koharu gave him a shy smile. “I was going to ask to come over today but it’s Christmas and I don’t wanna intrude on your family.”
Kaoru glared. “You’re family too, asshole.”
She grinned. “That I am. You’re stuck with me now. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you go.”
He gave her a feral grin. “Likewise.”
“Whoa,” Ichika stared at Koharu. “You’re really pretty. Like almost as pretty as Mama.”
Koharu laughed. “Thank you, I guess?”
“Oh! Do you wanna meet the rest of my siblings?” Ichika shoved her face closer.
“I’d love to,” she grinned.
“I’ll be right back!” Ichika yelled before running out of the room.
Kaoru and Kojiro watched her leave with smiles on their faces.
“She’s absolutely adorable,” Koharu chuckled. “Seriously, makes me want another pup.”
“Tell me about it,” Kaoru huffed. “Out of all my pups, she gives me the worst baby fever.”
Kojiro lifted an eyebrow. “I thought I heard you say something about you wanting more to your mother.”
Kaoru blushed and turned from him. “You’re hearing things, old man.”
He snorted and kissed his cheek. “Sure.”
“How many pups do you have?” Koharu asked.
“5,” Kaoru sighed. “Ichika’s the youngest at 3. Then there’s Kaori, she’s 5 and my only female alpha pup. Kazuya is 8, he’s an omega like us.”
She grinned. “Nice.”
Kaoru laughed. “Then there’s the twins. Isamu and Akito. They’re 10. Isamu’s obviously an alpha and Akito is an omega as well. So is Ichika.”
“That’s a loot of omegas,” Koharu whistled.
“Tell me about it,” Kojiro mumbled.
“Hey!” Kaoru elbowed him. “Don’t be a dick.”
“Mama?” Isamu poked his head from behind the door. “You called us?”
He smiled and beckoned for them to come forward. “Yeah. Come here, there’s someone I want you all to meet.”
Ichika pushed past them and jumped onto the nest. The other 4 approached them nervously.
“Mama, are you okay now?” Kaori asked with a frown.
Kaoru nodded. “I’m okay.”
“Are you sure?” Kazuya asked, wrapping his arms around his waist.
“I’m sure,” he kissed his head.
“Who are we meeting?” Akito frowned.
“Your aunt,” Kaoru shrugged. “I have a twin sister. Her name is Koharu.”
Isamu made a face. “Why didn’t you tell us before?”
“Because I wasn’t aware that she was still alive,” he pulled at his scrunched nose. “Stop being grumpy.”
“Whatever,” he grumbled.
The other four piled in front of the camera and Koharu stared at them.
“Wow,” she blinked. “You both have some strong genes. It’s so obvious they’re yours and you can’t even tell whose genes are stronger. They’re gorgeous, Kaoru.”
Kaoru smiled. “Thanks. Introduce yourself. Oldest to youngest.”
Isamu frowned at him. “Do I have to?”
“Isamu,” Kojiro glared at him. “Listen to your mother.”
He withered under his glare and huffed, facing the camera. “I’m Isamu, the oldest.”
Akito sat up with a bright smile. “Hi! I’m Akito.”
Koharu laughed lightheartedly. “Hi, Akito.”
Kazuya brushed his pink hair behind his ear. “I’m Kazuya.”
“I’m Kaori!” she yelled. “It’s nice to meet you, Auntie Koharu!”
Isamu groaned. “Stop yelling. You’re so annoying.”
“Hi, Kaori,” she laughed cheerily. “That’s quite a voice you got there.”
“Sorry,” Kaori scratched her cheek. “It’s a habit.”
“That’s alright,” Koharu smiled. “My daughter who’s around your age is just as loud. It just means you’ve got a bright spirit.”
Kaori’s cheeks turned pink. “O-Oh! That’s cool,” she faced Isamu with a glare. “See! Auntie Koharu thinks I have a bright spirit which is cool, not annoying!”
Isamu fixed an unamused face at her then crossed his arms. “She just said that to make you feel special. You’re still annoying.”
Kaori growled at him and he growled back, louder. They lunged at each other but Kojiro was faster, snatching them by the scruffs of their necks and throwing them on either side of the nest. The other three cuddled up to Kaoru and watched, already used to their behavior.
“Enough!” he snapped. “You two are gonna be the absolute death of me. Apologize. Now.”
“Wha! Why do I have to apologize?! It’s the truth! She’s annoying, Papa!” Isamu yelled, pointing at her.
Kaori folded her arms. “No, I’m not! You’re just a grumpy asshole!”
Isamu sneered and lunged again but Kojiro caught him and slammed him to the bed.
“Cut. it. out,” he thundered. “You are 10 years old. Stop arguing with a 5-year-old.”
Isamu scoffed but glanced away from his father.
“And Kaori,” Kaoru glared at her. “You weren’t given permission to curse.”
Kaori whined and ducked her head. “Sorry.”
Akito shook his head. “We can never go one day without you two arguing. It’s Christmas. Today is supposed to be a good day.”
Kaori grimaced. “It’s not my fault he-”
“Doesn’t matter,” Akito crossed his arms. “Stop arguing with Isa. It won’t do you any good. You know you’re not annoying so just leave it alone.”
She huffed but nodded her head anyway. Kaoru patted Akito’s head in approval.
“Wow,” Koharu grinned. “You’re a good older brother.”
He smiled lightly. “I have to be. Isamu’s an idiot.”
Isamu scowled at him as Koharu laughed.
“Koharu, are you alright?” a knock sounded through the phone. “You’ve been in there for a while.”
“Yeah, I’m fine!” Koharu called out. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“ You sure you’re fine?”
She smiled gently and shook her head. “I’m fine, Haya. Don’t worry.”
“Alright.”
Koharu waited for him to walk away before she rolled her eyes. “Alphas.”
“So protective,” Kaoru grinned. Kojiro shot him a glare.
“Hey, Auntie,” Kazuya leaned into the camera.
“Yes?”
He tapped his chin. “Can I call you Auntie Koha?”
Koharu snorted. “That’s cute. Sure, kid. I don’t mind.”
“Awesome!” he cheered.
Kaoru chuckled before glancing at Koharu. “So about the coming over… did you still want to?”
“Oh,” She sat up. “Yeah. I’d love to. We’re at my husband’s mom’s house right now, but I planned on leaving early anyway.” She made a face. “I can’t stand his mother. She’s a pain in the ass.”
Kaoru laughed. “Why is that?”
Koharu rolled her eyes. “She’s a bit of a traditional wart. You know, wait until you’re married to bond and mate. She hates that we waited 9 years to get married after having 4 kids together.”
“Ah, we’re in the same boat,” Kaoru blushed sheepishly. “Kojiro and I didn’t get married until after we had Ichika. We had a bit of a rocky relationship.”
“An understatement but okay,” Kojiro mumbled.
Kaoru grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, making the kids laugh.
“Anyway,” he huffed. “What made you guys wait so long?”
“Well,” Koharu bit her lip. “ Truthfully, Hayate, my husband, was already bonded with someone before me.”
He blinked. “What? Seriously?”
“Yeah,” she tugged on her hair. “He’s 4 years older than me but we were young when we met. I was around… 17?”
Kaoru smirked and lifted an eyebrow. “Oh? Scandalous teenage years I presume?”
Koharu laughed. “Oh, yeah. I was a little shit.”
He snorted. “That makes 2 of us.”
She grinned. “Anyway. The omega was a bitch and ditched him for someone else and left him with broken bond syndrome. I had my firstborn twins at 18. We stayed together after that but it took many years to get him to trust me even after having all our kids.”
“Understandable,” Kaoru pouted. “Alphas are such babies.”
“That they are,” Koharu laughed.
“You are such an asshole,” Kojiro glared.
The older twins laughed at him.
“Kojiro!” Miya yelled.
“What!?”
“Adam’s here!”
Kaoru and Kojiro simultaneously scowled as the kids gasped.
“Uncle Ai!”
All five of them scrambled out of the nest and bounded down the stairs.
“Great,” Kojiro sighed.
“It’s just like that asshole to show up without notice,” Kaoru seethed.
Koharu laughed. “Who the fuck is Adam? What kind of name is that, anyway?”
“It’s his skater name,” He explained. “The three of us run this underground skateboarding race called ‘S’. Everyone goes under a different alias for legal reasons.”
“That sounds cool,” She made an impressed face. “What’s yours?”
“Cherry Blossom,” he bristled.
Koharu snorted. “That’s perfect.”
“Shut up,” Kaoru rolled his eyes.
She laughed at him before frowning at the sound of yelling.
“Great,” she sighed. “They’re arguing. I gotta go.”
“Okay. I’ll send you my address.”
Koharu beamed. “Sounds like a plan! I’ll probably be there in the next 30 minutes. Hayate hates arguing.”
Kaoru blushed. “Alright.”
The two of them said their farewells and hung up the call. Kaoru sat there for a moment before staring up at Kojiro.
“She’s alive,” he breathed. “She’s really real . She’s alive ! I-”
“Hey,” Kojiro pulled him into his chest. “Relax. It’s alright.”
“I can’t believe this,” Kaoru hugged him tightly. “She’s a spitting fucking image, Kojiro.”
He snorted. “I know.” He smirked and teased him. “I definitely would’ve tried to flirt with her.”
Kaoru scoffed and punched his chest. “You insufferable horny bastard!” He wiggled out of his grasp as Kojiro chuckled.
“Kaoru! Wait!”
“No, fuck you!” Kaoru yelled, leaving the nest and stomping out the room.
Kojiro laughed wholeheartedly and rushed after him.
“Kaoru, I was just joking!”
“Like hell you were!” he stomped down the stairs. “We look exactly the same, you nitwit! Of course, you’d flirt with her!”
Kojiro choked on another laugh and ran down the hall after him.
“Are you jealous?”
“Why the hell would I-” Kaoru yelped as Kojiro scooped him into a bridal carry. He pounded his fists onto his shoulder. “No! Let me go, you fucking asshole!”
Kojiro smirked. “Such a naughty mouth. Don’t you know there are kids around?”
“Fuck you and the kids. Let me go!”
“Fine.” Kaoru flinched and Kojiro let him go. He dropped onto the couch, his hair flying in his face. Kojiro leaned on the back of the couch with his chin in his hand meeting Kaoru’s withering glare. “What? You said let go.”
Kaoru brushed his hair out of his face. “I’m gonna kill you.”
“Kaoruuuuu!”
He tensed and slumped further into the couch cushions. “Oh no.”
“My dear beautiful Kaoruuu! Where are you, my love?”
“Please kill me,” Kaoru muttered.
“He’s in the living room!” Kojiro shouted.
“Kojiro!”
“There you are!” Ainosuke appeared next to him with a bright grin on his face.
He huffed. “Hey, Ainosuke.”
Ainosuke pouted. “Well, you don’t look so happy to see me.” He leaned in close and glared. “And your eyes are extremely puffy. Have you been crying?” Ainosuke gasped and placed his hand over his heart. “This is such an amazing day indeed. The stoic cold-hearted Cherry has shed his first tears! Tadashi, get the wine! We have to celebrate!”
“Oh, shut up!” Kaoru lightly smacked his thigh.
He chuckled and helped him stand.
“Don’t you have a phone?” Kaoru scowled as he let Ainosuke hug him.
“Yes, but I don’t use it. Why?”
“So you can tell people when you’re gonna invade their personal space with your air-balloon seized-ego.”
Ainosuke gasped dramatically. “Air-ballon?! That’s an insult!” he smirked and placed his hands on his hips. “It’s at least the size of Jupiter.”
Kojiro laughed as Kaoru rolled his eyes. “Oh, my god. Please leave.”
“Uncle Kao!”
Kaoru grinned and reached down to catch him. “It’s my little blueberry! Hi, Taiki!”
Taiki giggled as Kaoru showered him in kisses. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas to you too,” Kaoru ruffled his dark blue hair.
Ainosuke scowled. “Great, you ruined his hair.”
“He’ll be fine,” Kojiro laughed, hugging Ainosuke. “You’re such a perfectionist.”
“It’s quite annoying.”
Ainosuke made a face at his mate. “That’s rude, Tadashi.”
Tadashi shrugged and kissed Kaoru’s cheek. “Hey, Kaoru. Merry Christmas.”
“Did you know you were coming over?” he glared.
He shrugged. “Not really. Ainosuke just said to get dressed.”
Kaoru sighed. “No manners whatsoever. Bossing your mate around.”
“Meh,” Ainosuke waved his hand. “He can handle it.” He bit his lip before smirking at his alpha. “And more.”
“Gross,” Kojiro and Kaoru grimaced.
Tadashi growled slightly and pulled Ainosuke against his chest, rubbing their noses together. “Keep that up and you’ll get another pup.”
Ainosuke purred, running his hands up his arms snaking around his marked neck. “Please do.”
Kojiro faked a gag as Kaoru covered Taiki’s eyes, the pup giggling under it.
“You guys are disgusting.”
Ainosuke and Tadashi pulled away from their kiss to glance at Miya.
“Ah, well, if it isn’t my second son,” Ainosuke let go of Tadashi to coddle Miya.
“Gwoss,” He mumbled through squished cheeks. “Wet Gwo o’ me.”
Eiji chuckled next to him. Ainosuke and Tadashi stared at him.
“And who’s this?” Ainosuke smirked.
“Uh oh,” Kaoru grinned.
“There he goes,” Kojiro crossed his arms over his chest.
“This is Eiji,” Miya wrapped his arm around his waist. “He’s the omega I’m courting.”
Eiji blushed. “Hello. Miya’s told me so much about you both.”
Ainosuke hummed then leaned into his face. His fingers trailed along his face making him blush.
“U-Um,” he started.
“Give him a second,” Miya huffed. “He’s dramatic.”
“Strong cheekbones. Pretty eyes. Soft skin. Lovely scent.” Ainosuke nodded and stood up straight. “I approve. You’ll be a wonderful omega for my pup.”
“You’re not my dam,” Miya sighed.
“Say how many grandpups are you going to give me?” Ainosuke crossed his arms, ignoring Miya.
Eiji blushed furiously. “Wha-”
“Can you not!?” Miya groaned. “God, you’re so embarrassing.”
“It’s my job to embarrass you,” Ainosuke lifted his chin.
“Kojiro did enough embarrassing for a lifetime,” Miya groaned.
“Oh, good!” He cheered. “Someone’s got the right idea.”
Kojiro snorted as Miya rolled his eyes and faced Eiji.
“I am so sorry,” he whispered. “They’re kinda my family and as unfortunate as that is-” Eiji snorted. “-they’re pretty amazing people, but they’re all fucking dorks.”
“Rude,” Ainosuke glared.
“Just wait until Reki and Langa get here,” Kojiro smirked.
“Oh,” Tadashi pouted. “Guess I’ll be losing my husband for the night.”
“MY SNOW IS COMING!” Ainosuke bellowed. “What a glorious day it is!”
“Please, leave,” Kaoru begged again. “I’ll do anything you want.”
“Anything?” Ainosuke purred, leaning into his face.
Kaoru blushed despite himself and pushed his face away. “Not that anything you disgusting pervert.”
He grabbed his wrist and moved his hand. “Aw, come on,” Ainosuke teased, trailing his nose along his jaw before dropping his voice. “Show me the tricks that gave you 5 beautiful pups. I’d love to experience that kind of-”
“Ainosuke, please!” Kaoru shrieked, covering his mouth with his hand. “Th-That is completely inappropriate. I am literally holding your pup.”
Ainosuke laughed behind his hand.
“Besides,” he cleared his throat. “Those tricks are only for Kojiro.”
Tadashi smirked next to a blushing Kojiro. “You two are awfully sweet to one another.”
“Shut up, Tadashi,” Kojiro rolled his eyes.
“You know, there are children present,” Miya glared.
Ainosuke moved Kaoru’s hand. “Oh, please. Don’t play the innocent game with me. I saw those hickeys you’re both trying to hide.”
The two teenagers flinched.
“What!?” Kaoru reeled on them. “What. fucking. hickeys?”
“Oh, boy,” Ainosuke grabbed Taiki.
“Hehe. Miya’s in twoubleee,” Taiki pointed.
Kojiro belted out a laugh. “Oh, god! I knew he couldn’t keep his hands to himself! Fuck, where’s Ena? Ena!”
Miya’s eyes widened. “Wait, don’t!”
Kojiro dodged his hand and darted out of the room.
“Fuck, I’m screwed,” Eiji muttered.
“ Both of you are screwed,” Kaoru glared. “What were you two pee brains thinking?”
“We weren’t at the time,” Miya muttered.
“Miya,” Eiji hissed.
Ainosuke laughed. “Ha! Ah, yes. The art of primal instincts,” he grinned wildly. “Drove you crazy, hm? Tell me, my little pebble, how was it?”
“Like I’m gonna tell you that,” Miya glared under a blush.
“Eiji,” Kaoru crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought we talked about this.”
“I know, I know,” Eiji groaned. “But…” He slowly glanced at Miya and burned brighter. “I can’t help it. He smells good.”
He smirked. “Yeah alright. I’ll give you that. Kojiro!”
“What!?” he shouted back.
“Don’t be a snitch!”
Kojiro groaned in response. The doorbell rang once again and this time Kaoru tensed profusely.
“Is that my Langa?” Ainosuke smirked.
“No, you horny bastard,” Kaoru glared at him before walking off. “It’s my sister.”
He blanched. “S-Sister?”
Miya and Eiji frowned. “What sister?”
The four of them glanced at each other curiously before quickly following him. Kaoru took a deep breath and opened the door. Koharu smiled brightly as they made eye contact.
“H-Hey,” she blushed. “I’m here.”
“Holy fucking shit you’re real,” he muttered.
Koharu let out a watery laugh as tears quickly filled her eyes. “Y-Yeah. I’m… real.”
Kaoru’s lip wobbled and he whined before throwing himself on her. Koharu returned the hug just as fiercely, burying her face in his neck.
“I can’t believe this,” she shuddered. “Fuck, Kaoru.”
Kaoru let her scent waft over him and took in a shaky breath. “You smell the same.”
Koharu snorted. “You do, too.”
He laughed as they pulled away and wiped each other’s tears.
Eiji frowned. “This is weird.”
“It’s like seeing double,” Miya stage whispered.
“Why the hell am I just learning of this?” Ainosuke scowled.
Kojiro patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’re all just learning about her today.”
Tadashi lifted an eyebrow. “Some Christmas this has been for your family.”
Kojiro’s shoulders sagged. “You have no idea. I feel like I’ve aged 10 years from all the drama and I still have to cook dinner.”
“I can help,” Tadashi shrugged. “Ainosuke sucks at cooking so I’m stuck doing most of the work.”
“I can hear you,” Ainosuke glared.
“Thanks, Tadashi. I could use it,” Kojiro grinned.
“Koharu, do you know where the first-aid kit is? This is starting to sting.”
The omega twins turned toward his dark voice. Kaoru flinched at the claw-like gash on the man’s cheek.
“What the hell?” He frowned.
Koharu grimaced. “Yeah. That’s looking pretty bad.”
The alpha glared and she chuckled. “Sorry, sorry. I don’t think I brought it this time.”
“I have one,” Kaoru pursed his lips. “My pups fight a lot so we keep one well-stalked.”
“Ah. Where are my manners?” The alpha stood to his full height and Kaoru found himself lightly blushing. The man was ridiculously tall with a broad build. He had long maroon hair with the top half pulled back and fixed his gaze on Kaoru with piercing grey eyes. “I’m Umesaki Hayate, Koharu’s husband. You must be Kaoru? I’m not aware of your last name, I apologize for my crudeness.”
Kaoru lifted an eyebrow as he shook his hand. “Kaoru is fine. It’s nice to meet you, Umesaki.”
Hayate grimaced. “Please, call me Hayate. I don’t really like being called by that name.”
“Got it.” Kaoru felt Kojiro’s arms snake around his waist and bit back a smirk. “This is my husband, Nanjo Kojiro.”
The two alphas stared at each other before curtly shaking hands. Koharu and Kaoru scowled at their mates in unison.
“Be nice,” Koharu glared.
“Sorry,” Hayate smiled sheepishly at her.
“Quit the pack alpha bullshit, Kojiro. There’s been enough drama for one day,” Kaoru hissed.
“What? I didn’t do anything.”
Kaoru rolled his eyes but let the alpha hold him closer.
“Mom, I can’t get Yuina out of her car seat. It’s stuck.”
Kaoru glanced at him and blinked. The pup was gorgeous. He had his father’s alpha genes. Even at such a young age he had wide shoulders and a sharp jaw. His hair was a lighter maroon, almost purple that hung down to his lower back and he glanced around warily with the same grey eyes as his father.
“I’ll get it,” Hayate kissed Koharu’s cheek and walked away.
“Come here,” Koharu beckoned for her son and he let her push him forward. “This is my oldest Ryoichi. Ryo, this is your Uncle Kaoru and his husband, Kojiro.”
Ryoichi lifted an eyebrow and glanced back at his mother. “This is your brother? You guys look exactly alike.”
“We’re twins, baby. Just like you and your brother,” she kissed the top of his head.
Ryoichi frowned. “But me and Ryu look nothing alike.”
“Really?” Kaoru smiled lightly. “Are they fraternal?”
“Ryuuji!” Koharu yelled.
“Coming!” He jogged up the steps and stopped next to his brother. “Yes?”
“Whoa,” Kaoru blinked. “Incredible.”
Ryuuji was a split version of his parents. The left side resembled his father, maroon hair and a grey eye, while his right side favored his mother, pink hair and a gold eye. Unlike his brother, his features were softer like an omega but his scent was definitely an alpha scent.
“Ryuuji, this is your Uncle Kaoru.”
“Cool! It’s nice to meet you,” Ryuuji beamed.
Ryuuji and Ryoichi were shoved apart, revealing a girl with short pink hair and grey eyes. “Hi, Uncle Kaoru! I’m Yua!”
Kaoru chuckled. “Hi, Yua. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Bad news,” Hayate walked up to them. “Yua’s gonna need a new car seat.”
Koharu frowned. “What’d you do?”
He pursed his lips. “What makes you think I did something?”
She fixed him an unamused glance and he sighed.
“Okay, so I might’ve snapped the straps-”
“Hayate!”
“What!? Did you just want me to let her sit there stuck in an uncomfortable car seat?” Hayate scowled. “Besides, she’s almost old enough for a booster seat.”
“She’s got a couple more years to go. I’m not putting my baby in a booster seat at the age of 4,” Koharu glared.
Hayate huffed. “Whatever. I got her out, didn’t I?”
Kaoru snorted and patted Kojiro’s arms. “Look, the two of you think the same. You should get along just fine.”
Both alphas glared down at him and Kaoru smirked.
“This one is Yuina,” Koharu nodded toward the sleeping lump in Hayate’s arms. “She’s going through another growth spurt so she’s been sleeping a lot lately.”
“Ichika too,” Kaoru pouted.
Koharu’s lip wobbled as she wiped away a fake tear. “They’re growing up so fast.”
“I know,” he groaned.
Kojiro and Hayate rolled their eyes. “So dramatic.”
“Shut up!”
“This is seriously trippin’ me out,” Miya said.
“Aren’t you going to introduce mwa?” Ainosuke lifted his head.
“No,” Kaoru and Kojiro deadpanned.
Kaoru shrugged Kojiro’s arms away and nodded toward the house. “Come on in.”
“Follow me,” Kojiro gestured toward Hayate. “It’s gonna get pretty rowdy soon and she’s not gonna be happy about her sleep being disturbed.”
Hayate sighed. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Koharu and Kaoru watched their alphas walk away.
“Why do they sort of look like brothers from behind?” Kaoru cocked his head.
Koharu frowned. “I think we have a type.”
Kaoru laughed in disbelief. “Must be a twin thing.”
She smirked. “Must be.”
“Mom, my zipper is stuck,” Yua pouted.
Koharu turned to her and helped her with her jacket.
“Kids!” Kaoru shouted. “Aunt Koha is here!”
Koharu smiled at the nickname. Like a thunderstorm, his pups rushed down the hallway and into the foyer.
“Cool! More kids!” Kazuya bounced on his toes.
“Great, more kids,” Isamu muttered.
Akito rolled his eyes and elbowed him. “Be nice.”
“Alright. These are your cousins, Ryoichi, Ryuuji, and Yua.”
Ryuuji and Yua waved. Ryoichi held Isamu’s glare with his own. Isamu leveled his eyes dangerously, a small growl vibrating in his throat. Ryoichi growled back at him.
Kaoru slapped the back of his head. “Stop it now or I’ll send you to your room with no dinner.”
Isamu glared but sighed and glanced at the ground. “Sorry.”
“Ryoichi, I will kick your ass right here if you don’t behave ,” Koharu lectured.
Ryo rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, Mom.”
She huffed. “Anyway, this is… Isamu, Akito, Kazuya, Kaori, aaaand Ichika?”
Kaoru grinned and nodded his head. Kaori and Kazuya waved enthusiastically.
“Hey, Yua!” Kaori rushed up to her. “Do you wanna play kitchen with me?”
“Can I?” Yua faced her mother.
Koharu smiled and shrugged. “Go ahead. Just behave.”
Yua wiggled in excitement. “Okay!”
“Yay!” Kaori grabbed her hand and shot off.
“Kaori, be careful!” Kaoru yelled after her.
“Okay, Mama!”
Isamu scoffed and walked away, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“Someone’s grumpy,” Koharu chuckled.
Kaoru sighed heavily. “I can already tell that his teenage years are gonna be absolutely horrid.”
“Ryoichi too,” She grinned. “They’re kind of the same.”
Ryoichi scowled. “We are not the same.”
“Mhm sure,” Koharu teased, ruffling his hair.
He pushed her hand away. “Stop! You’re gonna ruin it!”
Kazuya glanced up at the tall twins and swiftly turned on his heels then scurried off awkwardly.
“Um,” Akito leaned forward. “I finally set up my new game system if you want to play.”
“Nice,” Ryuuji followed Akito.
Ryoichi pouted and followed begrudgingly. Ichika teetered where she stood and Kaoru swiftly picked her up.
“Whoa, there,” he smiled.
Ichika rubbed her eyes. “Mama, ‘m sleepy.”
“Alright. Let’s go take a nap.”
She buried her face in his neck and promptly passed out.
“Come on,” Kaoru nudged Koharu’s side. “I’ll show you where Yuina is.”
“Taiki’s getting tired too,” Ainosuke poked at his cheek where he laid on his chest. Taiki wrinkled his nose and lazily slapped his hand away.
Tadashi held his hands out. “I’ll-”
“I got it,” Ainosuke kissed his cheek. “Go relax.”
The three omegas walked away.
“I can’t believe my ears,” Miya turned toward Tadashi. “Adam’s gone soft ?”
Tadashi rolled his eyes before smacking the back of his head. “Shut it, kid.”
“Ow!” he pouted.
Eiji laughed and grabbed his hand. “Come on.”
◎◎
“Kojiro?”
Kojiro stopped and frowned. “Hey, Ma.”
Maemi glanced at Hayate. “Who’s this?”
“This is Hayate,” Kojiro introduced. “He’s Koharu’s husband.”
She blinked owlishly. “Koharu? Kaoru’s sister? She’s here?”
“Yeah,” he smiled. “They talked and came over.”
“Really?” Maemi lifted her eyebrows. “How’s he taking it?”
“Pretty well,” Kojiro shrugged. “Things are going pretty well so far. She’s got 4 pups. Hopefully, they get along.”
She smiled. “That’s good.” Maemi turned toward Hayate. “I’m sorry. My name’s Maemi. I’m Kojiro’s mother and Kaoru’s godmother.”
Hayate nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Oh wow,” She furrowed her eyebrows. “What happened to your face?”
He grimaced. “I got into a little fight with a family member today.”
Maemi reached her hand and cupped the wound. “It looks infected. Their claws were probably dirty.”
Hayate made a face. “Great.”
“Go ahead and put her down and meet me in the kitchen. I’ll clean and patch it up for you.”
Hayate blinked but nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Maemi walked down the stairs. Kojiro laughed.
“What’s with the goofy look on your face?”
“Uh,” he cleared his throat. “Sorry. I don’t know. That was… weird. Does she normally do that?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. She’s as motherly as a mother gets.”
“Noted,” Hayate muttered.
After putting Yuina in Ichika’s bed, Kojiro showed Hayate the kitchen then headed toward the living room.
“Where are the kids?” he asked.
“Scattered around the house,” Miya responded.
“Kirito’s watching over the younger ones,” Akemi told him.
Kojiro frowned at her and leaned over her face. “You good?”
She huffed then turned and buried her face into the couch cushion. “No. Being the oldest is a pain in the ass. I didn’t ask for all this goddamn pressure.”
“What happened?”
“Doesn’t matter. I took care of Ma. She’ll be fine in a couple months. Leave me the fuck alone. I deserve some sleep after she unlocked all of her emotional trauma onto me again so goodnight.”
Kojiro glanced at Ena who shrugged. “Don’t look at me. I love Ma, but she’s always been closer to Akemi than me.”
“What’s up with the favoritism in families?” Kojiro frowned.
“Like you can talk,” Akemi shot back. “You’re mom’s favorite to brag about, you little shit.”
“Wha-What!?” Kojiro flushed. “I- No, I’m not.”
Ena scowled. “Yes, you are. She’s always going on and on about how great Kojiro is. ‘Oh, Ena, did you know Kojiro opened up his third restaurant?’ ‘Oh, Ena, did you know Kojiro’s gonna have another pup ?’ ‘Oh, Ena, did you know that Kojiro’s finally bonded to his childhood fucking best friend?’ The list never ends, Kojiro. There is always something about you to brag about.”
“Yeesh,” Miya grimaced. “Sounds like she’s right.”
Kojiro opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. “Wha- That’s not true! I-”
“Kojiro, if you don’t shut up, I will roundhouse kick you across this room,” Akemi sat up, glaring at him. “You have always been her favorite to brag about ever since we were little. You were her perfect little alpha boy that was so goddamn perfect with his perfect control over his instincts and his perfect dimples and perfect hair, everything!”
He glared. “I am not perfect.”
“Oh, please,” Ena scoffed. “Stop trying to deny it. You’re the only one of us that followed in his footsteps and became an Italian chef. You know how Ma feels about him. You decided to go down that path automatically made you her favorite. Cut the crap.”
“First of all, I am nothing like that piece of shit,” he seethed.
“Yeah right,” Akemi settled back into the couch. “You’re practically his twin straight down to a T. You even got the perfect hair to match.” She snorted. “Fucking figures.”
“Okay, where the fuck is this coming from?” Kojiro scowled. “Because I have never heard either of you say anything about what I’ve become after all these years.”
“Does it matter?” Kojiro turned to Kirito as he leaned against the open door frame. “Now that you know all of this, what exactly are you going to do about it, huh?” Kirito cocked his head. “You gonna quit your career? Divorce Kaoru? Abandon your kids?”
“What the fu- Of course not!?”
“Then it doesn’t matter,” he shrugged. “You’re the favorite whether you like it or not and your dumbass has been so solely focused on yourself that you never even noticed that your siblings were practically beaten for it.”
“Kirito-”
“Take me for instance,” He gave him a wicked grin. “I’m a beta, the only beta, and the youngest, the runt of the pack if you will.”
Kojiro scowled at his wording.
“Out of all five of us, I was the accident, probably the most unwanted.”
Ena’s eyes softened. “Kirito.”
“It’s the truth,” he smiled. “It took me a while to figure out what the fuck is actually going on in our family but I did. Ma’s relationship with our father is… a barren one. It’s purely just about sex because Ma, I’ve learned as of today, was in love with Keiko, an omega who didn’t feel the same way about her. I guess she tried to move on only to meet our father, a cowardly alpha with commitment issues. The same issues he’s never gotten over and he’s, what, 60? 62? Sum’ like that.”
Kirito shrugged again. “Our family isn’t perfect. Akemi can’t have any more kids, barely survived giving birth to her twins. Ena mated with another alpha who abandoned her. Aratani despises this family so goddamn much that she leaves for long periods of time to do who the fuck knows. Hell, she’s probably already dead and we just don’t know because she hates us that much.’
“But you? You’re the perfect one. The only ‘mistake’ you made was mating with Kaoru before properly marrying and bonding with him, but even that was looked over in spite of the fact that you had 5 kids with him and he was a childhood friend with the same goddamn woman Ma was in love with,” Kirito gave him a dark smile. “Do you see where I’m going with this? Do you see why no one’s ever talked to you about this? Usually, it’s the youngest that’s the favorite, but since I’m a beta and you’re the alpha, our roles are switched. Which means that you’re as perfect as you are naive.”
Tension mixed in with the silence in the air as Kojiro blankly stared at his brother, mulling over his words. He wanted to scream. He wanted to tell them that they were wrong. That they have no idea what they’re talking about but he couldn’t. Because they were right. In every single aspect.
Kirito stood from his spot. “You think about that.” He turned and walked back into the den full of screaming kids.
“Well,” Ainosuke pranced into the room. “What bomb dropped in here?”
“Ai, knock it off,” Tadashi lifted his hand and gently yanked him into his lap.
“Sorry,” he frowned.
“Kojiro?” Kaoru placed his hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
“I-” Kojiro cleared his throat. “I’m fine. Everything alright with Koharu?”
He smiled gently. “Yeah. I just put Ichika to bed with Yuina and Taiki.”
“Right,” he laughed lightly. “It is nap time.”
Kaoru made a face. “Kojiro, are you sure you’re okay? What happened?”
“‘M fine,” he lightly shrugged out of his touch. “I’ll… be back. Um, Hayate’s in the kitchen. Ma’s cleaning his wound.”
“Oh, okay,” Koharu smiled. “Thanks.”
Kojiro hummed before walking off. Kaoru hugged himself as he watched the stiffness in his back. He sighed and turned around.
“Alright, fucking spill it. What just happened?”
Miya shrugged as Eiji cuddled deeper into his chest. “Don’t look here. I have no idea what just went down.”
Kaoru lifted his eyebrows and fixed his gaze onto Ena. The alpha bristled under his glare but held herself together.
“Oh?” Kaoru leveled his eyes.
“Oh for fuck’s- We told him the truth,” Ena huffed.
“Weak,” Akemi snorted.
“Shut up,” she hissed then sighed. “Kojiro’s a bit… naive and thinks he’s not the favorite.”
Kaoru blinked. “Oh,” he grimaced. “Oh.”
Koharu huffed. “I know what that’s like.”
Kaoru glared at her.
“What?! It’s true!” She grinned. “Considering our own mother quite literally chose between us, it’s clear you’re the favorite.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Wow. She didn’t tell you what she did to me,” he snorted. “Figures. Koharu, you were the favorite. She saved you over me. Think about our traditional family and think of how they would’ve treated a male omega like me.”
Koharu opened her mouth to respond but snapped it shut, pursing her lips. A minute later her eyes widened and turned glossy.
“Oh, Kaoru.”
He huffed. “Yeah. My childhood wasn’t great. Trust me, you’re the favorite. I mean, I don’t care but whatever.”
“I’m sorry,” she croaked.
Kaoru wiped her tears. “Don’t cry, you idiot. The past is the past. There’s nothing I can do to change it.”
“Still,” she whined.
“Koharu?” Hayate appeared next to her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” Koharu accepted his embrace.
Hayate shot a glare at Kaoru and he scoffed.
“Watch it, asshole. You may be family now but this is my home,” he growled. “I didn’t do shit.”
Koharu leaned back and slapped his chest. “Quit it! I said be nice.”
“I am being nice,” Hayate muttered.
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
◎◎◎◎