—Cole POV, Next Day—
Taking the day off for Eri's field trip, I dressed much more casually than normal. Wearing a pair of jeans and a funny "Dad of the Year" shirt Eri had picked out for me, I came downstairs to find Eri waiting for me in the kitchen. Standing on her stood, she was ready to make our lunch for this afternoon.
"You beat me coming downstairs today.", I chuckled as I tickled her, "So what are we making for lunch today?"
"Hamboogers!", Eri shouted with glee, "Great-grandpa said they are the yummiest food!"
"Did he now…", I said glancing over at him.
Seeing a goofy smile on his face, he appeared to be on cloud 9 as he admired how adorable she was. Understanding the sentiment well, I told her that burgers would be difficult to make since they would be cold by lunchtime. Giving me a downcast look, she said she understood why we couldn't.
"Hmm…how about we eat out for lunch instead? I think they have a burger place at the zoo.", I told her.
Turning her frown upside down, she nodded her head rapidly saying that was fine with her. Since we were going to eat out for lunch, I told her we would be cooking breakfast here today. Asking her to help me cook the meal, we kept it simple with homemade breakfast sandwiches. Helping me fry the eggs, I took care of the rest and before long we were sitting at the table having our meal.
"Bacon is the best!", Eri informed us, "Can I get bacon on my hambooger?"
"Of course you can, you can even get cheese on it if you want.", I assured her.
Looking at me with excitement, she told me she was going to order it for lunch with some french fries and a melon soda. Telling her that was fine, we ate our breakfast and then headed over to her school. Teleporting us next to the school, the front of the school was packed with parents and children in line for boarding the buses. Looking at how cramped things were going to be, I wasn't so keen on using the bus to get to the Zoo.
'I don't understand the thought process behind this.', I thought, 'We could have all driven separately to the Zoo…'
"Good Morning Miss Todoroki!", Eri shouted waving over to her teacher.
Hearing Eri, Fuyumi turned around to see us standing behind the crowd of parents. Walking over she said good morning and turned to look at me with a smile.
"You are looking good today.", she told me with a smile, "Eri was telling the class about that shirt she picked out for you, it looks great on you."
"Thank you, you are looking beautiful today as well.", I replied with a grin.
Asking her if taking the bus was required, she informed me that it wasn't. The school provided transport to the Zoo to save parking spots for normal visitors because we weren't the only school going today. There would be a total of four other schools there so parking would be tight if everyone drove separately. Understanding now why they were doing this, I said I would just take Eri straight there.
"Oh right, you can just teleport there.", Fuyumi said remembering that fact, "Well if you are going to do that, can I come with you?"
Before I answered, Kota came running over with Shino, Ryuko, and Tomoru close behind him. Having taken the day off to accompany him to the Zoo, Shino was looking forward to spending family time with him. As for Ryuko and Tomoru, they had taken the day off to join us since they had no other plans. Tiger wasn't here though as he was helping his sister prep for his nephew's third birthday party this evening.
"Good…Good Morning Kessler!", Tomoru stuttered nervously.
"Tomoru, you can call me Cole when we are off the clock.", I chuckled finding her nervousness cute, "All of you are welcome to call me that as well."
Nodding their heads, they agreed to call me that since we weren't working. Suggesting that we get a move on to the Zoo, I stretched my hand out and told them to grab on. Doing as I asked, I teleported us to the Zoo instantly. Remembering something when we arrived, I asked Fuyumi if it was really alright for her to leave her post.
"My class is already on their way here, I just stuck around waiting for you.", Fuyumi admitted.
Thanking her for doing so, the seven of us got in line to enter the Zoo. Scanning our passes as we walked through, Eri and Kota ran over to get a map of the place for us. Bringing it back over, they handed it to me and asked me to be their guide since they had never been to the Zoo before.
"Haha I see, well then let's see what we have here.", I said having us move to the side so we didn't block people's path.
Reviewing the layout of the Zoo, there were a lot of attractions for Kota and Eri to take in. Plotting a course that put us right in front of the food court at lunch, everyone agreed with my plans and followed me into the chaos. Putting Eri and Kota on my shoulders, so they didn't get lost in the crowd, the two of them eagerly looked around for all the animals. Walking to the first exhibit, we all realized just how packed the Zoo was today. Unable to get close to the glass to see the animals, Eri and Kota were disappointed that we weren't able to get closer.
"Is it always this bad?", I asked Fuyumi.
"Unfortunately yes, it's almost always like this.", she admitted.
Not wanting their first experience at the Zoo to be terrible, I looked at my watch to see what time it was. Seeing that it was barely past 8 am at the moment, an idea came to mind.
"Ladies, Kota, and Eri…can I take you all somewhere else today?", I questioned.
Looking at me, they asked what I had in mind.
"It's only 3 pm in Califonia right now, how about we go to the San Diego Zoo instead? They aren't going to be that busy on a Wednesday.", I suggested, "They have a lot more exhibits there too for Eri and Kota to see."
"I am not opposed to it, but…we only brought cash today.", Shino said showing me the Yen they brought.
"It's my suggestion so I got everyone covered.", I told her with a smile, "We can go somewhere very nice for our lunch."
Taking another look around us, everyone agreed that it was the best option we had. Getting us there in a matter of moments, I got our day passes and grabbed us a map. Showing them the San Diego Zoo map, Eri and Kota were shocked to see it was over double the size of the Tokyo Zoo. Walking to the first exhibit, we had nearly unhindered access to the animals which made the two of them very happy.
Setting them down, I let the two of them decide what enclosures we should visit since we had the run of the place. Following close behind them as they ran around, the five of us talked about random things while they took in the sights. As we wandered around the place for a while, we took pictures with the children and eventually ended up in the petting zoo area.
"The bunny is so fluffy!", Eri giggled holding a white-furred rabbit.
Watching Kota get chased by a goat, we laughed as Shino picked him up as the goat was trying to bite him on the butt. Making sure he was okay, Shino suggested we get something to eat now since it was getting late here. Telling her we needed to stop by the gift shop first, when we walked in, I told the kids to grab something they wanted to take back with them. Eri made a beeline for a stuffed rabbit, and Kota picked out a new baseball cap.
I picked jewelry for the women, specifically necklaces because earrings weren't that fashionable in the era apparently. Picking out a unique necklace for each woman, I selected a penguin for Fuyumi, a lion for Shino, a leopard for Ryuko, and a tiger for Tomoko. Putting it around their necks, they gave me a pleased smile as they looked at the stones I picked out.
"You picked out our birthstones.", Fuyumi giggled with a happy smile.
Thanking me for the gifts, Eri noticed that I hadn't picked anything out.
"Dad, what are you going to pick out?", Eri asked me with a concerned look.
Patting her on the head, I told her that there was something I wanted. Pointing over to a group photo booth next to the exit, I explained to them what I was after.
"I want a picture of everyone together, is that fine with everyone?.", I asked them with a smile, "It would be amazing to have something to remind me of today forever."
Getting everyone in the booth, I put some money into the machine and got situated. Putting Kota and Eri in front of us, I wrapped my arms around the women. Taken aback by my sudden gesture of affection, it took them a moment to recover. Leaning back into me when they did, they smiled with happiness. Saying cheese as the countdown started, we got our photo taken with a silly animal backdrop.
Exiting the booth once the photos were over, I printed several copies to give to everyone. Tucking the photos into their bags, I put mine in my wallet to have it close to me at all times. Suggesting that we head out to a well-known diner chain in SoCal called Ruby's.
"Oh!! I have heard of them!", Fuyumi said with excitement, "I hear they have bottomless fries and amazing milkshakes!"
"What's a milkshake?", Eri asked.
Going to explain to her what it was, I noticed that Kota looked a bit upset. Asking him if something was wrong, he looked up at me as he started choking up.
"The…the last time…I got to do this…was with my…parents…", he sniffled.
Kneeling down, I told him we could do something like this every month if that made him happy. Shaking his head, he told me exactly what he wanted.
"I…I want you to be…my father too.", he stated, "I…I want to be treated special like Eri. If you do…I…I promise to be good!"
Pulling him into a hug, I held him tightly.
"You don't have to bargain with me for that. If you want to call me your father, I don't mind. As far as I am concerned Eri and you are my children.", I told him honestly, "Just know that you will have some responsibilities now too."
"What…what do you mean?", he asked.
"This means you will be Eri's older brother, that means you have to help me make sure she stays safe.", I said with a smile.
Looking at Eri, she gave him a big smile.
"I never had a big brother before!!", she shouted with excitement, "Does that mean we can play more?"
Wiping his tears away, I let him go so he could talk.
"Yeah, we can play all you want!", he assured her.
"Yay!!", Eri proclaimed jumping around with excitement.
Taking their hands, I took us to the nearest Ruby's. Translating the menu to the children, we placed our meal orders and relaxed together as a family.