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Matoba Seiji thought this day would never come, the day where he would see himself in a loving marriage with a beautiful wife and children. And yet here he is: his beautiful wife, Natsume Takashi, dressed in a light blue yukata leading his twin sons around the local festival.
(Of course, there is also the addition of Natori in his silly bucket hat and glasses–let’s be honest, that get up basically screams a famous person in hiding–but he often chose to forget Natori’s existence to enjoy special moments like this)
Natsume’s friends planned on meeting at the small festival back in Hitoyoshi for a reunion. When Natori laughed when he heard the place, Natsume exasperatedly explained that it was the festival where he got trapped inside a jar and kidnapped by youkais. It was a story that warranted a snicker from Matoba from the sheer ridiculousness of the situation.
Naoto and Seiya wanted to learn more of their Mother’s adventures, wanted to experience the festival, so they begged and begged to go with Natsume. Since it was coincidentally a day off for both Matoba and Natori, they went as a family.
The twins were extremely excited to explore the festival. Their golden eyes that they share with their mother brightened at the lively market. For a small festival of old tradition, it was quite crowded. The kids pulled Natsume here and there, trying various festival games. With Natori’s help, the twins won a pair of goldfish that they held high proudly. Their family cat, Nyanko-Sensei (Matoba Seiji finally has a cat! The cat may not be the one he likes most from the catalogue, but he still loves the aggressive pig-cat nonetheless) was yapping incessantly on top of his wife's headーdemanding for snacks as bodyguard fee.
The sight is very ... domestic.
It burns Matoba’s heart.
He has his own family, one that actually loves him as Seiji , not as Clan Head Matoba.
It took a while until reality sinks in. It became very real when Natsume gave birth to a child that bears the resemblance to him. A child with Matoba blood running through his veins, born from love not intimidation nor necessity.
Matoba will probably never admit this out loud, but he loves his little family (yes, even Natori). They held a special place in the corner of his heart. He could not leave his clan behind, nor that he wants to, so he is very blessed with a wife willing to compromise. His little wife always disliked Matoba’s way of extreme exorcism, so for Natsume to marry him is nothing but luck.
He will not take things for granted. He will protect what is his. Nothing will dare touch a single strand from them and get away with it. Hell, they will pay if they mess with Natori, simply because he is now part of the family.
Matoba Seiji wants to see his family smile for a long, long time. He will do his best to keep them happy. He will not repeat history, he will not let his family drift away.
They're his just as he is theirs.
(Matoba could not bear himself this sappy. It is so out of character for him, though it seems like getting married and having children has mellowed his heart and principle. He has been very lenient towards his children. He finds that he likes it.)