Chapter 82

Synopsis
Umi leaves for an overnight trip, leaving Takuma and Kazuma with their father. Although the twins are upset over their mother's absence, they are excited to try Kousuke's omurice. However, Kousuke struggles to perfect the dish and calls Ryuuichi over for help.

Long Summary
Umi is about to leave for an overnight trip for the Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, but Kazuma wails and clings onto Umi while Kousuke tries to console him. Kousuke says that they will house-sit together, but Kazuma continues to cry, saying that he does not want his father. Umi tells Takuma that he should let go as well, but Takuma sticks to her, insisting that he stay with his mother. She instructs Takuma to look after their father and Kazuma and house-sit, and Takuma eagerly complies. Umi tightly hugs Takuma as she thanks him. Kazuma sees them hugging and flails his arms, exclaiming that he wants a hug as well. Umi hugs Kazuma as she reassures him. She puts down Kazuma, and Kousuke is excited to receive a hug from his wife, but Umi says farewell and closes the door. Kazuma stands facing the door while Kousuke falls to his knees, saying that he wanted a hug too.

Takuma hugs both Kazuma and Kousuke, saying that Takuma will act as the mother now. Kousuke smiles and pats his sons' heads, saying that he will become the mother and holds up a spatula and pan. However, he immediately cowers and drops to his knees, saying that he cannot be as good as Umi. Kazuma tells his father that he likes Umi's omurice, and Takuma agrees. Kousuke says that he will work hard, but he ends up burning the rice. He buries his face in his hands, realizing that he is awful at cooking. The twins excitedly yell for omurice, and Kazuma holds out his spoon, asking if the omelette is ready.

Kousuke, who is hiding in the bathroom, calls Ryuu on the phone and begs if he can teach him how to make omurice. He explains that he has already asked Kokubo for help, but he had only yelled at him to look up a recipe. Kousuke failed to make omurice even with a recipe. Ryuu agrees to help, making Kousuke very happy. Later, Ryuu arrives at the Mamizuka household with Kotaro. The twins greet the two of them and immediately start playing with Kotaro. Kousuke apologizes for the inconvenience, but Ryuu dismisses the concern, saying that the two were also thinking of what to eat for lunch. He holds out a shopping bag, informing him that they had bought eggs on the way and that Saikawa had taught him a simple way to make omurice. Kousuke immediately hugs Ryuu, thanking him for being so reliable.

Ryuu puts on an apron as he asks about the rice, as Kousuke said that the rice would be ready by the time the two arrived. Kousuke opens the lid on the rice cooker only to see that the rice is raw, and he panics. Ryuu notices that he forgot to put on the inner lid of the cooker. The three children rush to the kitchen, asking if the omurice is ready, but Ryuu nervously tries to tell them that they cannot it make it quickly while simultaneously consoling Kousuke, who has dropped to his knees in despair. Ryuu turns on the television to an episode of Absolute Justice Knight. While the children watch the action scene, they look over every now and then when Kousuke cries out when he cuts himself or burns the rice. Finally, Kousuke succeeds in making an omurice, although it is not the most picturesque dish.

Kousuke places the omurice on the table and apologizes to Takuma and Kazuma for not being able to make omurice that is as good as Umi's. They eagerly eat the dish and happily announce that they like it. After they have finished, they take a nap while Ryuu and Kousuke wash the dishes. Kousuke thanks Ryuu for helping him, saying that he would have just taken them to eat outside. He reveals that he wanted to show them that he could fulfill their requests and show his good side but ended up seeming pathetic. Ryuu smiles and informs him that he looked really cool. He tells him that halfway through the television episode, the children were watching Kousuke make omurice instead of the show: they were amazed at their hardworking father. Kousuke looks at the band-aids on his fingers. He mentions that being admired by his sons is a nice thought, but he just can't help but feel that his defeatist behavior was lame. Kousuke gets so caught up in self-pity that Ryuu has to warn him to mind the suds building up in the sink.

That night, Takuma and Kazuma are bawling in their father's arms, as they did not understand what "overnight" really meant.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Umi Mamizuka
 * Kousuke Mamizuka
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Kokubo (mentioned)
 * Kisakata Asahi (mentioned)