Chapter 164: Mizuki’s partner

Our precious twins, whom we adored, were now seven years old. Both born in May (the cutoff for school enrollment in Japan is April 2nd), and with excellent growth, they were quite tall compared to their school friends. Girls already grew taller than boys at an earlier age, and thanks to Aya’s dominant genes, which completely overrode my own, they were already quite striking in height.

“We’re off to school, Mommy!”
“We’re off to school, Mommy~!”

Every morning, they’d cheerfully shout and skip out of the house, holding hands. Watching them go, I felt a sense of liberation from childcare… but reality soon hit.

“Wahh… Ugh…!”
“Oh, my beautiful daughter, why are you crying~? You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

I rushed to the bassinet, where our newborn youngest daughter lay. Her name was Nonoka (乃々花). Mizuki had said that since the twins’ names, Hanae and Hazuki, had a connection to the character for “flower” (花), Nonoka’s name also included ‘花’ at the end.

“Wahh…!”
“Yes, yes, Nonoka, let’s eat~”

I gently soothed Nonoka and breastfed her, a small chuckle escaping me. Our Nonoka had light blonde hair. I thought she might take after Reina Unni. Perhaps now it felt like an even mix of Aya and me.

I had also obtained my medical license and was now smoothly balancing my internship. This was thanks to the active support of the Yukikawa family, who held a firm grip on the medical world. It allowed me to manage the demanding schedule of childcare and hospital life, but… if I had married into an ordinary family…? I didn’t even want to think about it.

Anyway, at 27, I couldn’t be considered old for my youngest daughter, but I still couldn’t believe that I was a mother of three girls. Of course, since Aya and I couldn’t produce an XY chromosome, I was a little sad not to have a son… But what did it matter? They were our precious daughters, born from our love.

“My Lady, it’s almost time for the hospital.”
“Oh, yes! Ma’am, please take good care of Nonoka!”
“Yes, go and don’t worry~”

And one more thing. At 27, having three children, it was still a bit awkward to be called ‘My Lady’ by the governess. I took it as a compliment on my youthful appearance, but it was still better than being called ‘Auntie’ or ‘Madam’. I didn’t bother to correct it.

‘Auntie… that word would sting.’
I knew that with three seven-year-olds, being called ‘Auntie’ was inevitable, but looking in the mirror, I still looked like my fresh and pretty high school self. I was not an Auntie!

****

After my shift at the hospital, I quickly got into the car to pick up the children. The annual spring festival at Takamari Academy was scheduled for the end of April. This festival included students from Takamari Elementary School, so our family naturally attended.

More than anything, I was excited to reminisce about my school days. As I got into the limousine, Aya greeted me, wearing a truly beautiful yukata.

“Ta-da! Your yukata, Rina.”
“Eh… Eh?! Are we wearing yukatas to the festival?”
“Yes! You know how to put it on, right?”
“Of course…!”

The Yukikawa family was very particular about traditions. They seemed modern, but they also valued their heritage. When we were newly married, I was called to lessons.

“Are you wearing underwear?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll hold the curtain for you, hurry up and get dressed!”
“Ugh… But are you going to watch, Aya?”
“We’re married.”
“Aya…!”

Ugh… Aya only pulled the curtain over the driver’s side window. So she was going to watch.

I quickly shed my blouse and formal skirt and changed into the yukata. Aya watched me intently. She was truly… a beast. I didn’t know how Aya ended up taking on the role of the man in our relationship, but she did.

By the time I finished arranging my yukata, we had arrived at Takamari Academy. The academy looked even cleaner than before, still as magnificent as ever, a school every student desired to attend, even in an era of declining birthrates. Hanae and Hazuki, who had been contacted beforehand, were waiting for us at the school gate.

Oh, they were so cute!

“Aya, it’s been a long time since we’ve been to the academy, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, it has. We haven’t been back much since we graduated.”
“It feels… strange.”

As we got out of the car, the twins greeted us.

“Mommy!”
“Mommy~!”

Our daughters hugged us tightly. They were so beautiful. They were both about 138cm tall now. My height was just under 160cm, so they were already only about a head shorter than me.

As our family of four walked through the school gate, hand-in-hand, the atmosphere was just as lively and vibrant as I remembered. Global warming had caused the cherry blossoms to fall early, but colorful lights adorned the night sky for the festival, and what appeared to be idols were performing in the distance.

The boisterous music, the children’s laughter, and the distinctive sweet scent of the festival…

“It’s been so long… We used to prepare for the festival.”
“Yes, the kouhais seem to be doing well.”

I held Aya’s hand as we walked through the bustling booths. Walking together like this, memories of our school days flooded back.

“Aya, remember how we used to fight so much over the budget when preparing for the festival?”
“Ah, yes. And Rina, you suggested sponsorships and started the social media promotion.”
“That’s right… I don’t know why I worked so hard.”

Now, social media promotion was a tradition, a standard practice.
We chuckled at each other. The children begged for sweet candies and cotton candy, and we gave them treats as we leisurely strolled through the festival.

“Mommy, I want to try that too!”
“Okay, let’s go together.”

Hanae tugged at my hand, pulling me towards the water balloon fishing booth. Aya took Hazuki’s hand and headed towards the shooting game. For the first time in a long time, we enjoyed the festival like an ordinary family with our children.

It was a heartwarming moment.

Then, a familiar face caught my eye amidst the crowd.

“…Arisu?”

I blurted out the name. Arisu’s appearance had changed quite a bit since then. Her boyish bob had grown into long hair, giving her a more feminine look, and she wore glasses, exuding the aura of a corporate executive.

Arisu, who had spotted us from afar, widened her eyes.

“Oh my, Rina? Aya? It’s been so long!”
“Wow… Arisu, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

I hadn’t thought I’d meet someone from high school here. We clapped our hands and bounced around, laughing, just like in high school.

“What brings you here?”
“Oh, work… I’m a festival sponsor.”
“Ah… I see!”

I chatted briefly with Arisu. Arisu, having work to do, regrettably left us. As we re-immersed ourselves in the festival atmosphere, I spotted Mizuki walking with another woman.

“Oh? It’s Mizuki!”
“Mizuki Auntie?”

Mizuki, seeing us, waved with her usual cheerful smile.

“Rina, Aya! Kids~!”

The twins raced towards Mizuki as if competing to see who could get there first. And… our eyes fell on the woman beside Mizuki. Of course, it was a familiar face.

“Mizuki, who’s this…?”
“Hehe, long time no see, right? Let me introduce you. This is Kasumi Reira. You all know her, right?”

I was truly surprised. Not only were Takamari’s Four Beauties gathered here, but Kasumi, who was shyly greeting us, felt like Mizuki’s partner. And then, I remembered her old nickname.

“Ah…! Sapphire Diva!”
“No, wait…! Please stop calling me that name! I graduated from being an idol a long time ago!”

Kasumi Reira blushed and waved her hands frantically. Mizuki laughed at her reaction.

“Ahaha, I’m sorry~ Reira is very shy.”
“Um, well… Mizuki, when did you and Kasumi-san…?”

Mizuki, blushing to her ears, said, “Well, various things happened…”
“We recently started dating.” Kasumi said shyly, taking Mizuki’s arm. Mizuki chuckled, embarrassed.

“Hehe, that’s how it happened.”

We all stood there for a moment, dumbfounded, then burst out laughing. So, Mizuki was also… like us?! But I never would have imagined Kasumi would be Mizuki’s partner.