Gentaro has just returned from his day at the high school. He had to put a stop to three fights, deal with a ring of students selling exam answers, and stand up in front of the parent-teacher association and speak in favor of the school continuing its programs in martial arts and ballroom dancing.
To say he’s tired is an extreme understatement. But as soon as he comes home, his twin daughters, Yuuki and Tomoko, come barreling out to greet him.
“Daddy! Guesswhoshere! Guesswhocametovisit!” Yuuki speaks with all the energy of a rocket taking off, a fitting tribute to her namesake.
“Who? Is it Uncle Shun? Uncle Ryuusei?” The girls aren’t usually this excited when the athlete or the INTERPOL agent arrive. As he’s about to ask more questions, the delicious aroma of fresh-made food fills the air, and he knows. There’s only one person it could be.
He comes into the kitchen, waiting for a moment as his visitor sets the large pot aside, then comes up on her left, giving her a big hug.
“Hey there, big sis.” Gentaro sighs. Having Makoto here makes the troubles of the day seem to fade away.
“The girls told me you were having a rough day. And with your wife out of town for the weekend, somebody needed to do something to help you out.” Makoto responds, wrapping her arms around Gentaro. “Don’t worry, little brother. Your big sister is here for you.”
“You drove three hours just to cook a meal for us? You didn’t have to do this.” Gentaro breaks off the hug for a moment and helps set the table.
“Of course I had to. You’re my family, Gen-chan.” She hands him several more plates and flatware and Gentaro pauses.
“Makoto, why I am setting the table for so many? Aren’t there just four of us tonight?”
“Did you really think I’d come alone? The others will be here soon.” Makoto grins and goes back to putting the places around the large table.
The twins come in first, followed by three blondes. Usagi, Minako, and Haruka. They’re soon joined by the other senshi. As is his way, Mamoru shows up fashionably late, taking a seat next to Usagi.
Gentaro takes a seat at the head of the table, his daughters on either side and he raises a glass. Yuuki and Tomoko mimic his action, even though they only have apple juice in their cups.
“A toast. To family. By birth or by bond, may our not-so-little family continue to flourish. May we each find happiness and hold on to it forever.”
“Hear hear!” The voices respond from all around the table. The moment of happiness turns into one of shared laughter as the twins and Chibi-usa say “Can we eat now?” in perfect unison.
