Work Text:
October 5, 1996. Hyogo.
Today is a very special day in the Miya household. This is the day the twins finally turn one. As both of them are the first nephews and grandchildren in both sides of their family, this is a cause of big celebration. The twins are surrounded by aunties, uncles, and a lot of people who love them and are excited for this milestone.
The party has been going on for a few hours, but the main event has only begun, now that the twins are rested and fed and the guests just had their lunch.
The twins are seated on the floor together with a set of objects laid out in front of them. As per tradition in the Miya family, they will be encouraged to choose among the objects just like what their father and his siblings and their father did on their first birthday. It was believed that what object child will choose would represent what career they would have in the future.
There was a toy stethoscope, a book, a microphone, play money, and the toy volleyball that the twins were always fighting over to play with.
“C’mon ‘Tsumu!” “Samu, c’mere!” Miya Kaori and Miya Ichiro cry out. They are kneeling a few feet across the twins and are trying to catch their attention. Their family members are also crying out different variations of their names to encourage them to start crawling towards the objects.
Finally, Osamu looked at their parents and tilted his head looking confused. How confusing must the situation be for a toddler looking at the expectant looks on the adults’ faces and all the noises they are making. Nonetheless, he started crawling towards his parents seeing their smiles.
Atsumu, who realized his twin’s attention is not on him anymore, also began crawling as he tries to catch any piece of fabric his brother is wearing. Always wanting to be close to him.
Once the row of objects are at arms length, their parents stopped them.
“‘Samu, ‘Tsumu, ya see these?” Miya Ichiro asked, pointing at the set of objects
The twins looked down and began to inspect them.
“Can ya pick one out, sweethearts?” Miya Kaori asks.
It was Atsumu who moved first. As expected by his parents, he touched the toy volleyball.
“Oh! Look at our little athlete!” His grandma cooed.
However, Atsumu didn’t pick the toy up. He was only rolling it back and forth on the floor, his thumb on his other hand hooked in his mouth.
“Oh, ‘Samu! Wher’d ya get that?” Miya Kaori began to laugh. The guests’ attention shifted and saw Osamu holding a half-eaten onigiri, most likely stolen from one of his aunts sitting near him.
“‘Samu, ya gotta pick from those” his aunt chided as she chuckles and gently taking the onigiri from him.
“C’mon boys, pick one!” Miya Ichiro says.
Atsumu has stopped playing with the volleyball and started crawling towards his brother.
“‘Samu” he says as he pats his twin on his thigh.
“‘Tsumu” Osamu says back without hesitation and they started giggling. In their own little world and speaking a language only they can understand.
“C’mon darling, what would ya want to pick?” Miya Kaori urges.
But the boys seem to continue being engaged with each other.
“‘Samu, ‘Samu!” he giggles as he claps his hands.
“‘Tsumu, ‘Tsumu!” Osamu gives back also laughing at something only they can understand. Toys all forgotten as they proceed to play with each other.
Slowly, realization dawns upon their parents and their family members.
With Atsumu’s shrieks and Osamu’s giggles in the background, Miya Kaori and Miya Ichiro look at each other. Eyes getting wet as they look at their sons who look so happy as they roll around the floor.
They feel relieved about the twins’ futures. They might not have found out what careers the boys might have, but this tradition did tell them that the boys will have each other. Will always pick each other,
True enough, 25 years after, that is still the same.