ɪ'ʟʟ ꜱʜᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ɪꜱ & ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴛʜ

hidden inventory (i)

And I will be brave when you fall and get hurt

You can be you, you don't have to be strong

"Mimi, Tsumiki, if you're going to swim, don't go too far out!"

"Okay!"

"Woof!"

You glance up from your phone, the ocean breeze rifling through your hair, enjoying the dry heat and the occasional splashes of water. The scorching sun feels good, a sensual kiss on your skin. It's a beautiful day; sunny, with the breeze coming off the sea. The beach is busy, but not crowded, full of the happy screams of children and the rhythm of the surf. You breathe in the unfettered air; it had been a good idea for a short holiday to Habushiura Beach.

Megumi and Tsumiki are chasing the waves up and down the beach, while Megumi's white puppy yaps excitedly at their heels. Tsumiki's long hair flies loose, and Megumi's laughter comes right on the heels of a delighted scream. No one watching them would take them for anything else but siblings.

Beside you, your husband lies like a god on a deckchair, drawing many appreciative glances his way. He wears black swimming trunks and dark shades and causes an unusually large volume of women to walk by.

Your husband stretches like a cat in the sun, asking lazily, "Aren't those Satoru's?"

Your mouth curves in a smile. Briefly, you slip off your oversized sunglasses, admiring the black frames and the Gucci logo emblazoned on the side. "Yep. Stole 'em."

A snort.

"What? He has so many sunglasses, he won't miss one pair! Since when did you like Toru so much, anyway?"

"I don't." Toji confirms as much. "Just thinking he's got crap taste."

Despite yourself, you laugh. "You should've seen some of his other sunglasses. One of them had dangling charms."

"See? Crap taste."

"Questionable taste." You correct mildly.

"Same thing."

You have to laugh again.

"Mummy! Daddy!" Tsumiki is running up the beach, her feet slipping in the sand. She's predictably soaked to the skin, and her hair is in wet rat's tails. "Come and play!"

"What happened to Mimi, honey?"

Tsumiki smiles, dimpling. "He got tired."

As if to punctuate her point, Megumi crawls into your lap, squirming until he's comfortable, touching as much of you as possible. His skin is cold and sea-wet, and makes you squeal. The little puppy sits at the foot of your deck chair and curls up into a tight ball, huffing out a tiny sigh and falling asleep. Toji gives a snort. He's softer, more open around you and your children, and the sound of his laughter makes you fall deeper in love with him.

"Mummy." Tsumiki draws out the word like an entire conversation. She pouts. "Daddy."

You look at Megumi, who shows no signs of moving anytime soon. You look back at your husband. "Your turn."

Toji groans, but pushes to his feet and goes along with Tsumiki, taking hold of her tiny hand and walking with her into the surf. He lifts Tsumiki up by the waist to toss her into the waves. She comes up sputtering and laughing, clearly having the time of her life. Breathless, laughing, with salt on their lips and in their hair.

Megumi tugs on the tie of your white bikini, effectively reclaiming your attention. "Mom."

"What's up, Mimi?" You ask him with a smile.