Sounds of cicadas filled the air as you sat in your room lazily. "Shin~" You cooed from your spot on the floor. "What are you doing over there?" From your spot, you stood up and made your way over to him. "Ehhh? Are you reading?"
"(Y-Y/n)!" He was startled, immediate closing the book.
"You were that interested in the book?" You pouted. "Let me see what it's about."
You reached your arms out to grab the book, but before you could, he retracted his arms. Just before he put it away, you caught a glimpse of the title.
"Parenting guide?" You mumbled. "Why?"
"I-I just want to be a good dad!" He laughed nervously, an embarrassed expression falling over his features.
You bursted out laughing.
"W-What's so funny?" He was caught off guard.
"Nothing's funny." You wrapped your arms around his muscular shoulders from behind. "I just think it's cute that you're trying so hard and even decided to read a book. It's not like you."
"Well, I-"
"I think it's great." You cut him off before he could get defensive. "You're already a wonderful father, so it makes me feel like I should try harder to be a better parent since you're trying so hard."
"W-Wonderful...?" He was both shocked and relieved to hear those words. "(Y/n)..." His eyes began to tear up.
"What??? You're crying?" You were startled and released him from your grasp so that you could face him.
"I'm just relieved." He sighed.
"You're such a softie." You giggled, taking a seat in front of him so that you were facing each other. You reached out to grab his hands with your own and looked him in the eye, smiling. "You are a great father. You should take more pride in that."
"Mama!" A familiar voice jumped onto your back, hugging you from behind.
"Oh! You're back already?" You unwrapped your daughter's hands from around your body and led her around you, placing her in your lap. She was also facing Shinpachi.
"Yeah!" She exclaimed. "Uncle Sano carried me on his shoulders and I was so high!" You giggled at her excitement.
"You weren't scared? Uncle Sano is pretty tall." You asked.
"Nope!" She smiled, staring at her father. "Hey Papa, will you carry me like that too?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" He asked with the widest grin.
"Right now?!" She screamed out of excitement.
"Yeah!" He nodded, and your daughter switched from your lap to Shinpachi's arms.
"You guys play so well together~" You smiled as you watched them interact.
The two of them played everything! From tickle-fights to hide and seek, or even just pretend. You felt exhausted just looking at them.
Like it was on cue, your daughter yawned. "Mama, I'm sleepy." She mumbled.
"Okay, okay." You grabbed one of her hands and led her to your lap, which was where she decided she would rest her head.
You gently patted her head and hummed a lullaby to get her to sleep.
"She's definitely your daughter." You laughed, taking a piece of her hair and twisting it between your middle and index finger. "She feeds off of your excitement."
"But she's the spitting image of you." Shinpachi gave a goofy grin.
"I guess so. Just her hair and eye colors come from you." You giggled at the now shocked expression in his face.
"Aren't you supposed to say something corny like, 'She has your cute little nose' or 'she has your strong sense of justice'?" He asked, pouting.
"I just told you she has energy like you." You laughed, kissing the corner of his lip. "It definitely didn't come from me."
"I guess you're right." He smiled triumphantly. "As long as she has my level of energy, she can do anything!"
"(Y/n), I'm sleepy." Shinpachi yawned, laying down on the tatami floor next to your daughter, staring up at you.
"The two of you even talk alike." You stroked his hair this time, humming a lullaby. His eyes closed shut.
"I love you, you know that?" He asked, which took you by surprise.
"That was sudden."
"Say it back," he whispered, staring at you once more. "It seems odd that I'm the only one saying it."
You giggled at this. "I love you too." Then you moved one of your hands to cover his eyes. "Now, sleep."
