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Kouichi 5 – Kimiko 2 months
It had already been two months since Kouichi ranked up to be a big brother. Two months since she was adopted into the family and brought in to live with him. Two months since Kouichi had to learn how to share his space with another living being.
“And two months since you stole my parents…” Kouichi grumbled, almost full of spite at the sleeping infant in front of him.
Kouichi didn’t want to mince his words but he really, really hated her. She was the one who took all of his parents’ attentions away from him. One moment he would have their attention, their love to him. But the moment she cried from her spot, both of them scurried off. Kouichi knew he shouldn’t cry. But he really wished they would spend less time with her.
Kouichi caught onto the volleyball he was bouncing against the wall and back towards the sofa. He watched how Tetsurou had already fallen asleep, his neck leaning back so much it looked borderline painful, with the sleeping infant in his arms. Tetsurou was just passing the ball back and forth with Kouichi when Kimiko suddenly cried and he had to run to calm her down. He had promised Kouichi he’d go back as soon as Kimiko had calmed down but seems like that’s impossible now.
The young Kozume sighed, pushing the ball away and stood up. He walked past the sofa, glancing disappointingly at his father before making his way upstairs. He knew Kenma was working, and judging by the closed door, he shouldn’t be disturbing the streamer, so he dragged his feet into his room instead. The moment he reached his bed, he collapsed down onto it, his limbs spread out as his face squished onto the pillow.
“Get up or you’ll die from lack of oxygen.” Kouichi felt Kenma poking his side but he didn’t budge. “Kou…”
“Leave me alone, papa…” His voice was muffled but he knew Kenma could hear him.
Kenma frowned, his brows furrowed as he sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for his son again. “Kou? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” That was definitely a lie and Kouichi knew the crack in his voice betrayed him. He didn’t fight it when Kenma had picked him up easily and settled him onto his laps. But he still kept his head low, leaning forward onto his chest.
“I see. Sorry for doubting you, little man.” Kenma murmured, reaching up to stroke his hair. And not a moment later, Kouichi suddenly burst into tears as he clutched onto the streamer tightly. Kenma was glad he had prepared himself for this so he moved his hand down to rub at his back instead.
“I-I don’t like it.” Kouichi whimpered through choked tears.
“About what?”
“I-I feel left out.” He confessed and Kenma tensed up. He moved back a bit to lean down at his son, looking through his teary eyes.
Kenma had a gut feeling he knew why. So he reached his free hand to brush his bang to the side and wiped away the tears with his thumb. “Is it because of Kimiko?”
Kouichi nodded weakly and tears fell down again. “E-Ever since she came home. Y-You and papa ignored me for her.” He whimpered, “I don’t like it.”
Kenma’s heart ached as he listened to those words coming out of his son’s mouth. He had suspected that was the problem but thought it wasn’t serious. Both he and Tetsurou had thought Kouichi was smart enough to understand. But they really had forgotten that no matter how smart their toddler was, he was still 5 and a child. He still couldn’t understand complex stuff and it was up to them to teach him, to show him as parents.
“I’m sorry for making you sad, Kou…” Kenma wiped the tears away before pulling his son in again. “We’ll fix this, alright?” He rubbed soothing circles onto his son’s back and waited patiently for the hiccups to stop and turned into steady breathing. It wasn’t until for another while that he could hear soft snores from Kouichi and he knew he should really talk to Tetsurou about this soon.
Kouichi 5 – Kimiko 5 months
After listening to what his parents had tried to explain to him, Kouichi made an effort to understand. He could tell they have been trying harder to make sure he didn’t feel left out. But he knew their priority would still be her for a while. She couldn’t feed herself, couldn’t bathe herself. Heck, she couldn’t even walk or talk. All she does was sleep, eat and cry. And repeat cycle.
Kouichi reluctantly agreed to watch Kimiko for a while when Tetsurou had to run out for grocery. He had told his son that Kenma was upstairs in a meeting and that he would come down soon. But Kouichi really dreaded the way how he had to sit there and watch his ‘sister’ sleeping. Seriously, why does she sleep so much?
“A-Ah!” Kouichi jolted, his eyes widen as he glanced at the infant. He noticed her awake, her tiny limps flailing about as she made grabbing motion.
“You have to speak if you want me to understand you.” Kouichi narrowed his eyes, watching her babbling and continued her motion. Kouichi huffed out in annoyance and looked away. “If you don’t speak I won’t…” He then spotted a milk bottle resting just on the kotatsu table. He stared at the bottle for a moment before glancing back down at the infant, tensing up when she was staring right back at him. Kouichi sighed, standing up to make his short way over to the table to grab the bottle before going back. “This does not mean anything, alright?” He handed her the bottle and could see immediately the sparkle in her eyes as she grabbed onto the bottle and began to drink the content.
Kouichi watched in silence, at how Kimiko was drinking the milk a bit too enthusiastically. But he then began to notice her legs beginning to slowly rise up and Kouichi watched in amusement at how the bottle was being hold not only with both her hands, but both her feet as well.
“Oi, papa said to not play with your food.” Kouichi huffed, trying to pry her feet away but her feet went back to its position. “Oi, you’re seriously annoying.” He moved closer and carefully pry her feed and hands away to replace with his. “You hold it like this.” He murmured quietly and for by miracle, the infant listened and lowered her feet. She rose her hand to grab onto Kouichi’s bigger one to keep it steady as she continued to drink. Kouichi watched in silence at how her eyes were getting heavy and how she was still drinking it despite her eyes were closed. “You’re really interesting, you know that?” He smiled slightly.
When Tetsurou got home a few moments later, he quickly called out to apologize to Kouichi for getting home so late. That he had bought his son some pastry as an apology but the scene he walked into made his heart swelled up with so much warmth. Kouichi had somehow lay down on his sides, his arm draping over his sister’s body with the empty bottle being on the verge of being dropped. He didn’t need to know what had happened but one thing for very clear for him. Kouichi had finally accepted his sister and from now on, it will only get much better.
Kouichi 6 – Kimiko 12 months
From then on, Kouichi had took the role of feeding Kimiko. Not that it surprised Tetsurou or Kenma. He still complaint of Kimiko not being able to speak, only babbling out a few syllables while feeding her but he’ll let that slide. He’ll teach her how to say “please” soon.
“I told you no filming.” Kouichi shot Tetsurou a glare while cradling Kimiko in his arms and legs, one arm supporting her back while the other helping her hold the bottle. “Tou-chan, stop.” He hissed through gritted teeth.
“What? I think it’s adorable.” Tetsurou smirked, “Kenma would agree.”
“I’m not siding with anyone.” Kenma murmured while sipping his coffee, his other hand tapping some random games on his phone.
“O-Oi!” Kouichi leaned back slightly, trying to move the laces of his hoodie away. “Don’t you dare grab onto it.” He threatened, watching the way Kimiko still wasn’t giving up on trying to reach for her potentially new toy. “Kimiko!” He gave her a last warning before Kimiko managed to grab onto both laces and yank onto them harshly, closing the hood on Kouichi’s head and immediately covered his vision. “O-Oi!” He screeched, hearing the loud obnoxious hyena cackle from Tetsurou. Kouichi grumbled, letting the hand he was holding onto the bottle go, knowing Kimiko would hold it in place, while he pulled the hood back, stretching it back to it would fall down onto his back.
“And that’s why you don’t wear your hood while feeding an infant, Kou.” Kenma was enjoying this as well with his smug grin.
Kouichi huffed, moving the laces and hiding it beneath his hoodie. “You two give bad parenting examples.” He grumbled under his breath and turned back to the infant. “And you missy, watch out for payback.” He pointed at her and she quickly burst into a giggle, grabbing onto his finger. “Acting cute will get you nowhere!”
Kouichi 10 – Kimiko 5
Kouichi hummed, walking down the street and stopped when he spotted the toy shop. He stared from outside the window for a moment before walking inside. He strolled down the aisle, trying to find his target before smiling, spotting what he was looking for. He quickly grabbed onto it and ran towards the counter, hoping his savings would be enough for it.
Kouichi slid the door open, entering his house as he called out his arrival. As he was taking off his shoes, he could hear the rapid footsteps running downstairs.
“Kou-chan! Welcome home!” Kimiko beamed widely, running towards him and tackling him into a hug. Kouichi braced himself, chuckling at her antic.
“I’m home, Kimiko.” He ruffled her hair as she moved back, giddy at his arrival. “No need to tackle me every day like that. I’ll burst a lung.”
“But it’s been the whole day! I missed you.” She huffed and Kouichi hummed, stepping onto the hallway as they made their way upstairs.
“Yeah, yeah. You’ll be seeing my face every day when you start going to school next year.” Kouichi walked into his room and set his schoolbag down. “Oh yeah, I got something for you.”
Her eyes immediately lit up, her smiles widening. “E-Eh? Really?”
Kouichi grinned, nodding as he unzipped his bag. “Just don’t tell papa and tou-chan I got it for you.”
“Of course!” She beamed as Kouichi pulled out two cat plushies. Kimiko gasped, smiling widely as Kouichi gave them to her, smiling at how bright her smile was. “You got me two?”
“Well, they were a set so I can’t buy just one.” Kouichi shrugged and Kimiko smiled, running to hug onto Kouichi tightly.
“Thank you, Kou-chan!”
“Happy Birthday.” Kouichi smiled, “now go play in your room. I got homework to do.” He pushed her away as she giggled. Kimiko immediately ran back to her room down the hall while Kouichi watched, sighing.
“So… How long have you been saving for that?” Kouichi flinched at the unsuspecting voice. He turned around; his eyes blown wide from the scare at the smirk greeting him. “What? You do know your sister got a loud voice. And I was in the living room when you got home.” He hummed, kneeling down. “So, mind telling me how long you’ve been saving for that?”
“It’s none of your business.” Kouichi murmured, turning around to enter his room. “Go back to work, tou-chan.”
“Hmm…” Tetsurou hummed, “you really don’t like letting me or Kenma see how much you spoil her, huh.” He snickered.
“Let me focus on my homework.” Kouichi huffed, pushing Tetsurou away so he could close the door. As he closed the door shut, the last thing he could hear was his father’s cackle and he knew, he wasn’t going to live this one down.
Kouichi 15 – Kimiko 10
“I’m home…” Kouichi let out a tired sigh, toeing off his shoes as he stepped off the genkan. He grumbled, dragging his feet towards the kitchen in search for some snacks or sugar.
“Kou-chan, welcome home!” Kimiko ran towards the kitchen. “Today was the day they announce the team line up, right? Did you get in?”
Kouichi snorted, turning around after grabbing a juice bottle. “Oi, it’s not easy in High School level, Kimiko-chan.” He then pointed to the duffle bag he had just set down. Kimiko beamed, kneeling down to open it and smiled widely when a bright red jersey greeted her eyes.
“You got in!” She raised the jersey up, staring at the jersey in her hands.
“Getting in is one thing but I doubt a first year like me could play.” He hummed, grabbing his bags to go upstairs, knowing Kimiko will follow.
“I know you’ll get to play, Kou-chan! And I will definitely go and watch!” She declared and Kouichi snorted.
“Don’t overestimate me like that.”
Kimiko skipped down the hallway, her face beaming with a smile while trying to find the cheering stand.
“Oi, you’ll get lost.” Tetsurou called out to her from behind, “the cheering stand is on your left!”
“It has been a while since I entered a gym.” Kenma murmured quietly besides him, entering the gym and was immediately greeted with the sounds of balls being spiked onto the court. The sounds of shoes squeaking accompanying it.
“Since when? Your 3rd year of High School?” Tetsurou hummed, “man, saying it like that makes me feel old.”
“Well, you are old.”
“Kenma! I’m hurt!” He squawked and they saw Kimiko leaning against the railing, looking down at the court excitingly.
Down there on the court, was Kouichi in his bright red Nekoma jersey as he helped his teammates warm up with his sets. It was Kouichi’s first game in High School, whether he would play or not, it didn’t matter. The family was here on his important day.
“Kou-chan!” Kimiko hollered, waving for his attention. Kouichi tossed the ball towards his teammates before glancing up, a small smirk sketch on his face when he saw her waving. He chuckled slightly, raising up his fist at her and Kimiko’s smile grew impossibly wider.
+ 1 Kouichi 18 – Kimiko 13
“Kimiko…” Kouichi shook his sister lightly, chuckling at how she had scrunched up her nose before burying herself under the blanket. “Wake up. You’re already sleeping in.”
“Then 5 more minutes won’t hurt…” She slurred out her words and Kouichi chuckled, poking her again, this time with a bit more pressure.
“Hey… This will be our last weekend together. I just want to take you out for some sibling time.” He watched the bump tense slightly before he could see the shuffling and Kimiko then peeked an eye out of the blanket. “What? You know I’m moving out for university soon.” He watched in amusement at how realization was finally hitting her.
“E-Eh? Wait, you are?” She jolted awake and Kouichi hummed. “Kou-chan, you’re joking.”
“It’s almost April. Did you already forget that you attended my graduation yesterday?” He snorted, standing up. “Come on, we still have today and Sunday.” He ruffled her messy hair, “get freshen up. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“Make sure don’t waste too much money on her.” Tetsurou reminded while Kouichi poured some coffee onto the mugs, scoffing.
“I know, I know. I won’t.” He handed his parents the mugs, “trust me more, old man. I’m a responsible teenager.”
“Yeah right. We all know you’re the one who will buy her anything she wanted.” Tetsurou pointed at him, “don’t make me remind you the many times I caught you buying her toys behind our backs.”
“With my own money.” He bit back, “besides, it’s not much.”
Kenma chided in, humming. “I beg to differ.”
“Papa, I don’t need you to gang up on me too.” Kouichi huffed and turned back when he heard footsteps approaching them. “You’re done?”
“Yep!” She grinned, running up. “Where you will take me today?”
“Anywhere you want.” He followed her towards the door, ignoring the smug looks on his fathers’ faces.
“Don’t have too much fun, kids!” Tetsurou hollered as the door closed.
As both Tetsurou and Kenma had suspected, Kouichi let Kimiko indulge in her sweet tooth when they walked into a café. But who could blame him, really? This would be their last weekend together before Kouichi moved into dorm for his university. He wanted to make sure he could spoil his sister as much as possible.
After letting her devour more sugar than she should have, Kouichi led them to a park where he knew had a volleyball court and agreed to set for her as well as let her practicing her digging and blocking.
Kimiko lay on the grass with a satisfied sigh. It had been a while since she had worked up a sweat playing volleyball. It was to be expected, playing against one of the top volleyball High School players. She sighed, closing her eyes while remembering that he’d be leaving for school soon and she’ll have less time to annoy him from now on.
“If it isn’t Kozume.” Kimiko peeked an eye open, looking at the group of teenagers surrounding her. “What are you doing here alone?” Their voices were seriously ticking Kimiko off. She really forgot she disliked this group from her class. They always acted like they’re mightier than everyone.
“I’m not alone.” She sighed, trying her best to sound calm. “I’m here with my brother.”
“But I don’t certainly see any ‘brother’ around here…” One hummed, looking around, “you sure he didn’t abandon you? You two aren’t even blood related after all.” Kimiko knew he had fallen into their trap the moment those words left his lips. And she hated it more that she was left speechless, not knowing what to say or even argue back.
“So what he said was right?”
“N-No.” Kimiko cursed her voice for sounding so shaky. “He’s only going to get some drinks…”
“You sure he didn’t leave an orphan like you behind?”
Kimiko really knew she shouldn’t fall into their traps like this. It’s not like she was unaware she was adopted. She knew fully well she was adopted. She knew that for a long time. But that never mattered to her when she was surrounded by three of the most precious men in her life. She knew they spoiled her senseless, especially Kouichi when he thought their parents weren’t looking.
“Oi, you’ve gotten quiet, Kozume.” She felt a small kick to her leg but she didn’t want to look up. She could feel tears dwelling up in her eyes.
“My, my, my, what am I seeing here? A group of kids ganging up to bully someone better than them?” A shadow loomed over them.
The boy scoffed, turning up. “This is none of your business, old man. Screw off.”
“Old man? The last time I checked, 18 isn’t the age to be a grandpa yet.” He hummed, rubbing his chin. His eyes then narrowed, glaring down at them. “But… When I see someone trying to hurt my sister, I don’t mind being the mean guy, yeah?” His voice was low and threatening and he knew he had gotten his message across. “Oh, don’t think you have a girl here makes any difference. Like I said, I don’t mind being the bad guy and hit on a girl.” He grinned.
“W-We’re telling the adults on you!” They shouted and began to scramble like headless ducks. Kouichi couldn’t help but to smirked at how they changed so quickly after he arrived.
After he watched them ran off for a moment, he glanced down at Kimiko, seeing she had already pulled herself into a ball and hiding her face behind her knees. He sighed, scratching the back of his neck before kneeling down.
“Want to go home?”
A small shake.
Kouichi debated mentally and tried to think up of scenarios. He really wasn’t good at comforting someone when they’re like this. He rubbed his neck, thinking for a bit before taking a seat beside her and wrap his arm around her shoulders. He could tell she had tensed up momentarily at the action.
“I’m sorry if I got back too late.” He whispered softly, “do you know them?”
Kimiko nodded shortly, “they’re in my class… They always like to tease other classmates. So I knew they were just trying to get a rise out of me.”
Kouichi hummed, looking up. “Well, one thing they got wrong for sure was bullying my sister. Pretty sure they were jealous of me for having such an amazing sister.”
Kimiko snorted, raising her head up to turn to him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“There’s the smile I know and love.” Kouichi smiled, reaching his hand over to wipe the stray tear on her cheek. “But I am being serious. I know I don’t say it much since I’m not good with words myself… But you really are an amazing sister, Kimiko.”
“Even though you used to hate me with all your guts?”
Kouichi let out a huge cackle, “yes. Even though I used to hate you for stealing my parents away from me.” He flashed her a small smile. “But now, you know I love you more than anything. And I said it before, I don’t care if I’m older. If they dare touch you, I won’t hesitate to hurt them.”
“Don’t be mean. You can’t hit kids younger than you.”
“I’ll risk it if it means I can keep you happy.”
Kimiko stared at him for a moment before a small smile bloomed on her face. She then scooted closer to him and leaned onto his side. “I really love you, Kou-chan.”
Kouichi hummed, his arm around her just a tightening a bit with a content smile on his face.