Mochi sat on the sofa.
Technically, there was space to lie down.
Emotionally, the sofa had taken sides and was waiting for Laddu. 😒
She chose the edge.
Dignity mattered. ✨
The house felt empty in a very specific way.
Like someone took the charger but left the cable. 🔌💔
Competitive Breathing 😤😮💨
Komi sat across from her, scrolling her phone.
Aggressively.
No screen-time limit. Just vibes. 📱⚡
"So," Komi said without looking up,
"you work at the café, right?"
Mochi nodded.
"Yes."
Komi smiled.
A victory smile. 🏆
"Must be… peaceful."
Mochi waited.
Minor Correction ✏️
"I don't work there," Mochi said casually.
Komi's thumb stopped. ⛔
"…Then?"
"I own it."
Komi laughed.
Too fast.
Too loud. 😅
"Oh wow. Like… emotionally or legally?"
"Legally," Mochi replied.
Maya choked on air. 💀
Cousin made a sound that was not human.
Job Olympics 🥇🥈
"I'm a manager," Komi announced, crossing her legs like she'd unlocked an achievement.
"Clothing shop. Big brand."
"That's nice," Mochi said.
No jealousy.
No interest.
Just nice. 🙂
Komi frowned.
"You don't seem impressed."
"I am," Mochi said.
"In a calm way."
That somehow made it worse. 😐
The Man Comparison Begins 🧍♂️⚖️
Komi glanced at the empty sofa.
"He sleeps a lot."
"Yes," Mochi agreed.
"Isn't that… lazy?"
"No," Mochi replied.
"That's efficient."
Komi blinked.
"…Efficient?"
"He finishes early."
Komi tried to process that and failed quietly. 🧠💥
House Statistics 📊🏠
Komi started noticing things.
Mama asked Mochi where the plates were.
Candy asked Mochi for help.
Ben's bowl was closer to Mochi's side. 🐶
The house had chosen a team.
"You're very… settled," Komi said.
Mochi nodded.
"I stopped competing."
That sentence hurt more than an insult. 🎯
Losing Gracefully (Almost) 😬
Komi checked the door.
"They're taking a long time."
"They're playing with a drone," Mochi said.
Komi frowned.
"…Adults?"
"Yes."
"…Together?"
"Yes."
Silence. 😶
Komi sighed.
"You're lucky."
Mochi smiled politely.
"I know."
Outside, laughter drifted in. 😂
Inside, Komi realized something painful but educational:
She brought a résumé.
Mochi brought a home. 🏡❤️
The Warning Sound 🚨
Laughter came first.
Not polite laughter.
Not guest laughter.
Real laughter.
Loud.
Dumb.
Useless. 🤣
Mochi looked up.
Komi froze.
Maya whispered,
"That's not normal human laughter."
The Entry That Changed Everything 🚪✨
The door opened.
Laddu walked in first.
Holding the baby.
Not carefully.
Not nervously.
Casually.
Like the baby was part of his daily equipment. 👶🧰
Behind him was Kubar.
Smiling.
Actually smiling. 😄
The scary-gangster-face was gone.
Replaced by the face of a man who had just heard the funniest thing of his life.
"Man," Kubar said, still laughing,
"your jokes are insane."
Laddu shrugged.
"They get worse when I'm tired."
The baby giggled.
That felt illegal. 🚔💕
Komi's Brain Starts Buffering 🔄
Komi stared.
Her dangerous, serious boyfriend was now… relaxed.
He bent slightly so the baby wouldn't bump the doorframe.
He even whispered,
"Careful, boss."
Boss.
To the baby. 👑👶
Komi's confidence dropped by twelve percent. 📉
Toy Reveal 🕷️🚤
Kubar snapped his fingers.
"Oh! I forgot," he said excitedly.
"I have the submarine Spiderman version."
The room went silent.
Candy gasped.
"THE WHAT VERSION?!"
"Spiderman," Kubar nodded proudly,
"But underwater. Shoots nets and torpedoes."
Laddu's eyes lit up for exactly half a second. ✨
"Cool."
That one word carried respect.
Kubar smiled like he'd been knighted. 🗡️
Best Friends Speedrun 🤝⚡
They sat down immediately.
Too close.
Shoulder to shoulder.
Like they'd known each other for years, not hours.
"I told him about the time you fell asleep during a fight," Kubar laughed.
Laddu sighed.
"I was winning."
Kubar laughed so hard he leaned back. 😂
"This guy," Kubar said, pointing at Laddu,
"is dangerous. Not like me. Worse."
Maya whispered,
"I give it ten minutes before they share snacks."
Ben walked over and sat between them.
Both men patted him at the same time. 🐕✨
Perfect synchronization.
Mochi Wins Without Playing 👑
Mochi watched quietly.
No smile.
No reaction.
Just calm.
Because she knew.
Komi, meanwhile, was spiraling.
She leaned toward Maya.
"Why does my boyfriend look happier with him?"
Maya didn't look away.
"Because men bond over nonsense faster than emotions."
Candy raised her hand.
"Are they married now?"
The Final Blow 💥
Kubar stood up suddenly.
"I'm coming tomorrow again," he announced.
"We didn't even talk about cars."
Laddu nodded.
"Bring the submarine Spiderman."
"Deal."
They fist-bumped. 👊
The baby clapped. 👏
That was it.
Komi sat back slowly.
Defeated. 😵
She brought a boyfriend.
Mochi brought a Laddu.
And somehow…
Laddu had stolen Kubar too.
Mama watched, shook her head gently, and said the final truth of the night:
"Men are very simple."
Ben barked in agreement. 🐕✔️
Career Counseling, Laddu Edition 🍳🛋️
They were still sitting wrong.
Too close.
Too comfortable.
Kubar leaned back, suddenly thoughtful.
"…Actually," he said slowly,
"I want to become a cook."
The room paused. ⏸️
"A cook?" Komi repeated.
"Yes," Kubar nodded.
"I love making food. Since I was young."
Then quieter,
"But look at me. My personality doesn't match."
Laddu turned his head slowly.
"You are so stupid, my friend."
Dead silence. 😶
Kubar waited.
"When you get old," Laddu continued calmly,
"you won't remember the money.
You'll remember the regret."
Mama hummed in approval. 🎶
Laddu added casually,
"I want to be a housewife."
Everyone snapped to him. 😳
"A what?!"
"A housewife," Laddu said easily.
"I eat, I sleep, I drink my husband's blood."
Candy gasped.
"IS THAT NORMAL?!"
"Metaphor," Laddu waved it off.
"I sleep on my girlfriend's lap all day."
"…You are insane," Kubar said.
"Yes," Laddu smiled.
"But happy."
💥 BREAKTHROUGH
"I'm done," Kubar declared suddenly.
"Done with what?" Komi panicked.
"This job," Kubar said.
"I'm joining a cooking class. From today."
Maya whispered,
"He got life advice from a professional napper."
Laddu nodded proudly.
"Good choice."
"No guns. No stress. Just food," Kubar smiled.
Ben barked.
Agreement achieved. 🐕
Support System Unlocked ❤️
"I support you, Kubar," Komi said firmly.
Everyone turned.
"You do?" Kubar asked.
"Yes," Komi nodded.
"I don't want you stuck in a job you hate."
Maya raised her eyebrows.
"Well damn. Growth."
Mochi watched quietly.
No jealousy.
Just understanding.
"She's late," Maya whispered,
"but she's learning."
Mochi nodded once.
Laddu, half-asleep on Mochi's lap, muttered,
"See? Support system."
Conversation complete. ✔️
Lesson delivered. ✔️
Effort minimal. ✔️
The house exhaled.
Full.
Warm.
Correct. 🏡✨