I woke up to a warm sensation on my neck. Hiratsuka's face was buried into the side of it, as he was fast asleep. I was lying on my back and his body was half on top of mine. I noticed his breathing was slow and relaxed.

I gently shifted myself out from underneath him, trying not to wake him up. But he moaned in annoyance.

"Michiru-sama, don't get up," he said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"This is so nice." He pulled me close again and breathed in deeply. We stayed like that for a few minutes. Then he traced his hand up my side. Slightly alarmed, I pulled away and jumped out of bed.

"Come on, Hiratsuka-kun. We have to get up to start the day. I have a good book for today's lesson," I said cheerfully.

He moaned again and turned away, annoyed.

I went into the kitchen to start breakfast. He followed me out after a few minutes and stood behind me as I filled the coffee maker. Then I felt his arms pull me toward him from behind. He buried his face in my neck, as it was when we were sleeping.

"I want to sleep like this for a few more hours," he said.

"Hiratsuka-kun," I said, slightly annoyed. "Wake up. We have stuff to do. Maybe you should try coffee again. I'll make it better this time."

"No, I hate coffee," he protested.

"Trust me, it will be really good."

He looked at me unsurely. "Well okay, if you promise."

He went out into the dining room and sat down. I continued making toast and coffee and then joined him when I was finished. He scowled as I set the coffee mug in front of him.

"Trust me," I said again, reassuringly. He didn't touch the coffee until we had both finished the toast and I was on my last sip.

"I don't really want it," Hiratsuka said.

"Please just try it once more. And if you don't like it you don't have to drink it again," I bargained.

"Okay." He brought the mug to his mouth. Then he paused and gave me a wry grin. "What do I get out of it?"

I blushed. "Hiratsuka-kun!" I scolded.

"Sorry, sorry. Never mind." Then he took a sip. He swirled it around in his mouth and looked thoughtful. Then he swallowed and looked at me. I didn't realize but I must have been leaning in expectantly.

He laughed. "Are you eager for my response?" he asked.

I leaned away.

"This doesn't taste anything like the coffee I had last time," he said.

"I told you! I put in some other things so it wasn't just plain. You can add lots of different flavors to make it taste good."

"Then why are you drinking it like that? Isn't it terrible?" He looked disgusted at my black coffee.

"I'm used to it. I like it strong."

He shrugged, not understanding. Then he changed the subject.

"What book do you have for me today?"

"Let me get it." I grabbed the book from my room and went back into the dining room area. I handed him a novel called Sea Breeze. It was about a boy who sails out into the ocean on a tiny rowboat looking for his mother who was lost at sea. He later realizes that the only way he can see her again is to feel her in his heart. Last night's topic about fear and losing loved ones reminded me of this book that I read when I was little.

Hiratsuka looked at the cover. The front had a beautiful picture of the ocean.

"Where is this? Where did all the water come from?" he asked.

"Hmm?" I asked, puzzled. "Oh you mean the ocean? Have you never been to the beach before?"

"The beach?" he said.

I took the book out of his hands and put it down on the table.

"I think this one needs some background experience before you can read it," I said.

The beach was my favorite place. I loved the ocean and the way it felt on my skin and the color it was. If he didn't know what the ocean was, I would have to show him that day.

"Do you have a bathing suit?" I asked.

"I thought humans bathe in the nude," he replied.

I laughed. "Okay we'll have to stop by a clothing store first." He gave me a puzzled look.

I took him to the store and bought a cheap swimsuit and then headed to the beach. It was a nice day and there were quite a few people there.

His eyes widened in amazement.

"What is this?" he said, bewildered.

"This is the beach. And that," I pointed, "is the ocean."

He bent down and felt some sand in his hands.

"It's so soft," he said. "And warm."

I led him to the bathrooms to change into his new bathing suit. In the meantime, I changed into my own. I finished before he did and waited by the men's bathroom. When he came out, I was taken aback by how defined his body was. He looked so fit and agile.

"Did I put this on alright?" he asked me.

"Yes, it looks very good."

Then he looked at me up and down and he blushed. "Michiru-sama!" he exclaimed.

"What's wrong?"

"You're practically," he paused and his face turned redder. "You're not wearing your clothes," he said shyly.

"This is my bathing suit, or swimsuit," I explained.

He looked away, embarrassed. "You shouldn't dress like that in public. When it's with just me, I don't mind but," and his voice trailed off.

"Everyone is wearing swimsuits," I said.

He looked around at the beach and the people playing in the sand and swimming in the water. Then he looked at me, shocked.

"This is such a strange custom," he said. "First you make so much effort to cover yourselves, and then you have places like this. I don't understand."

I laughed a little and led him onto the wet part of the sand where some children were building sand castles.

"When the sand is wet," I explained, "you can mold it into different shapes, like those children there. Building little castles made of sand is a popular thing to do at the beach."

"It looks so fun! Michiru-sama, can we build one?"

"Sure! Maybe in a minute though. I want to show you my favorite part."

I let him observe the water, not knowing how his cat instincts would respond.

"Are you afraid of the water?" I asked.

He didn't answer and stared at the vast ocean.

I let him watch as I stepped into the oncoming waves. I smiled as they splashed my feet, cooling them down from the hot sand. I walked deeper into the waves until they were up to my thighs.

"Michiru-sama!" Hiratsuka called. I turned around and saw him surprised and worried. I smiled and motioned for him to follow. He hesitantly stepped into the water until it was brushing the tops of his feat. He jumped a bit at the cold and wetness but then continued when he saw me move further into the sea.

I was far enough that the water reached my shoulders if a strong wave came in. The tips of my hair were already wet. I turned around and saw Hiratsuka not far behind. He looked at me a little worried but not terrified. He struggled to get closer as a fresh wave pushed him back. He continued forward until he reached me.

"Michiru-sama, I trust you but are you sure this is safe?"

"Of course. Just follow me and you'll be fine." I smiled to ease his nerves. He relaxed a bit. I grabbed his hand and led him a little further inward. I stopped when I could swim without me feet touching the bottom. Then I let my body float on my back as the waves gently tossed me. The sensation was so soothing.

Hiratsuka was still standing upright, since he was taller than me and his feet could still touch the ground. He came up to the side of me so we were perpendicular.

"Michiru-sama," he said.

I swam upright again to face him.

"Isn't it beautiful and relaxing?" I asked dreamily.

"I'm still afraid that maybe you'll be carried out so far that you can't get back," he said, worriedly.

"It's okay. I know the limits."

He grabbed my hand, still not at ease.

It was too hard to tread water and hold his hand at the same time so I said, "You can carry me if you want. I'm lighter in the water," I said.

"You're pretty light out of the water too," he added.

He put one arm in the crook of my legs and the other behind my back. I put my arm that was on his side around his shoulders and we stayed like that for a few minutes in silence.

"It is relaxing," he said softly, breaking the silence. We could hear the sound of children playing and yelling to each other on the beach mixed with the sounds of waves and the seagulls calling to each other above us.

Hiratsuka was carrying me facing the waves. A fairly strong wave picked up and pushed me toward him a few inches. Compared to the water, the warm touch of his skin was pleasant and I felt completely at ease. I rested my head against his shoulder. He smiled

"This is a wonderful place," he said. "I'm still a little nervous but I think it's magnificently beautiful." He looked down at me contently. Then I let go and started swimming around him.

"You should try swimming," I said.

"I don't think I know how."

"It's okay. You can still touch the ground here. Try lifting your feet."

He did and paddled for a few moments and stopped. He looked scared and worried. But he tried again. I showed him how to keep himself floating using his arms. After many tries he was able to swim short distances and was beginning to like it. He was actually smiling happily and keeping up with me.

After some time, we swam back to shore and built sand castles. He seemed to be enjoying himself when he added moats and other safety features to his pretend fortress. When it was past lunchtime, I suggested we get something to eat. We stopped at an ice cream stand and bought two cones.

"It's dripping on your hands, Michiru-sama," Hiratsuka said.

"Huh?" I looked down and there was a trail of ice cream making its way down my fingers.

"It's okay," he said and he bent down to lick the ice cream of my hand.

"Hiratsuka-kun!" I said a little shocked.

"What? I was just cleaning you. It's what cats do," he said nonchalantly.

I was going to remind him he wasn't a cat anymore. But I didn't. It would be a progression for him to fully learn to be human and would take time. Though it still almost made me blush when I realized I could still feel the wetness he left on my fingers.

After the ice cream, we decided to head home. The first thing I wanted to do was take a bath to get rid of all the sand. When I was done, I drained the water and dried myself off. Then I put the towel around my body and brushed my hair. As I was brushing, the door to the bathroom suddenly opened. Hiratsuka walked in.

"Hiratsuka-kun!" I scolded. "What are you doing? You're supposed to knock!"

"Sorry, Michiru-sama."

"I'm not even dressed yet."
He cocked his head, seemingly confused. "But you were practically naked at the beach earlier."

"That's different," I started to say.

"In fact," he continued, "you're more covered up right now with your towel than you were then."

"Hiratsuka-kun, please. I would like some privacy."

"But Michiru-sama," he pleaded. Then he grabbed me by the waist from behind. "You even let me hold you then."

I sighed, not knowing how to explain. I finished brushing my hair out as he was still holding on to me.

"Hiratsuka-kun, is something wrong?" I asked. He didn't answer, but continued his hold on me. "Hiratsuka-kun, why are you acting so…" I paused, trying to find the right word. But he didn't let me finish.

"Everyone was staring at you," he blurted out. He let go of his hold and I turned around to face him.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"You were…" he started.

"Hiratsuka-kun, are you…" I paused when a moment of realization hit me. "You're being jealous again," I said, with a smile creeping up on my face.

"What? No." He looked embarrassed.

"Yes. Yes you are," I was practically grinning.

"Why is it so funny?" he asked, confused and a little upset.

"No, it's not funny. It's kind of cute, actually. It means you really care about me."

There was silence for a few moments.

"You were really beautiful when you were wearing your bathing suit," he said. He blushed a bright red when he said so.

"Thank you, Hiratsuka-kun," I said meaningfully.

He stepped back and averted his eyes from me to the floor.

"May I bathe now?" he asked. Then he looked up with a curious expression. "Also, I just realized that I haven't started on the book yet. I'll get to that as soon as I finish."

I let him bathe and go to his studies. In the meantime, I entertained myself by watching some TV and having a snack. When I got bored, I decided to go for a short walk. I passed by Hiratsuka's room to peak in but didn't disturb him, since he seemed very engrossed in the novel. I closed the door quietly and took a stroll around a few blocks.

When I came back to the apartment, I opened the door. Hiratsuka was sitting on the couch and he got up immediately and rushed over to me. He had a look of terror on his face. But seemed relieved when he pulled me into a hug.

"Michiru-sama! Where were you?" he said.

"Sorry, I went for a walk. I didn't want to interrupt you."

"I thought something terrible happened!"

"I'm so sorry for worrying you," I said apologetically.

"I know that I should trust you to take care of yourself, but I just can't help but want to protect you." He put his hand around the back of my head and bent down to be eye level with me. He stood there staring at my face for a long time, taking it in. Then he let out a sigh and pulled me into another embrace.

"I have no idea what I would do if something happened to you," he said.

He felt warm and being so close to him made me feel at ease. He felt like home. He buried his face in my hair. We stood like that for a few moments. I took in the feeling and tried to memorize it. Then he let go and pulled my arm, leading me to his room.

"I finished the book, Michiru-sama," he said excitedly.

"Really? Already?" I knew the book was short but not short enough to read in a few hours. Apparently, it was.

He handed me back the novel, but the cover page was torn off.

"Hiratsuka-kun, what did you do?"

"I'm saving it. I think the picture is beautiful." He pointed to the wall where it was hastily hung up with tape. "I want to look at it while I study and remember the time we spent together at the beach."

I was a little annoyed that he ruined the book without telling me, but I was also a bit flattered. And that made me smile.

Author's Note:

Don't forget to favorite the story so you can check back easily when there's a new chapter! :D I hope you're enjoying it. I"m getting ideas for Hiratsuka's chapter. But if you have ideas of your own, message me or write a review. I'm interested in hearing what you want to read about!