Hachiman was reprimanding me about not bothering the neighbors while I nodded along with an appropriately contrite expression, but my thoughts were somewhere else. I did feel embarrassed about causing a scene, but it was more because I had lost control than out of any consideration for the neighbors, who didn't seem that friendly in the first place.

When was it?

When had these feelings become impossible to hold back?

My face almost hurt from smiling as I stared at the colorful mass of attractions and rides and the huge crowds of people making their way between them. Hachiman was to my right with Saki on his far side, holding hands with my little brother. Hachiman had tried to get me to hold his hand too, but I was already ten years old, I wasn't a little kid anymore! He looked a little hurt by that, and that made me feel bad, but it was his fault for trying to treat me like a baby.

Taishi and Komachi had come with us to the theme park, but they had split off as soon as we arrived. Hachiman had muttered some stuff under his breath with a silly face as he watched them go, which was super funny, and he made another silly face when he saw me laughing at him. He stuck his tongue out and went 'blegh', and of course I had to respond in kind, and we kept at it with funnier and funnier faces until Saki told him to knock it off.

My attention was seized by a massive explosion of balloons of all sorts of colors and shapes twisting in the wind, held by a character who looked like he would be pulled away into the sky at any moment. My feet froze in place as I was transfixed by the scene, a delighted uwaaah slipping out as I watched the balloons dance in the breeze.

"Saa-chan, can I get a balloon?!" I asked, turning towards where everyone else was, only to find that they weren't there. I cast my gaze around but there were only strangers in view, not the people I was looking for. I wasn't tall enough to see over the crowd to find Saki's ponytail, which was my usual marker. I suddenly felt a little scared, but I pushed it down with a shake of my head. I'm a big girl now, I can fix this. I just needed to get taller.

I started walking in the direction I thought we had been going, this time looking for something to stand on... After a minute or two I spotted a street light with some decorative stuff that would be easy to hold onto. I slipped through the crowd while making sure to stay out of everyone's way, which was a little difficult because lots of them were distracted by the view and weren't looking where they were walking.

I wished that I could grow up a little faster. There were no advantages to being small, it only made everything harder, and no one took me seriously.

I started climbing as soon as I reached the light post, but the footing wasn't steady and the decorative leafwork felt both fragile and a little sharp, so I thought better of it. As I looked around for another high location the massive crowd felt a little intimidating, like staring into a river that would sweep me away if I fell in. I wasn't scared, but I decided that I wouldn't try to cross again.

Spying a bench a little ways down the path, I hurriedly ran over to it and hauled myself up onto the seat. It wasn't polite to stand on something that people sit on, but this was an emergency so it was okay. I tried to spot Saki's ponytail from my new vantage, but I was only a little bit taller than the crowd around me and I couldn't see very far. Some people were giving me disapproving glances as they passed, and I found myself shrinking under the scrutiny.

No, this was not the time to be shy. I needed to hurry up and find Saki before she noticed I was gone and got like that again. I just needed to get a little bit higher. I started climbing up the back of the bench, going slow and careful. It was kind of curved so it would be hard to stand on, but it wouldn't be any trouble for me-

My foot slipped and there was nothing to hold onto, my stomach doing a flip as I was sent tumbling down the back of the bench and into some bush with prickly leaves. Branches tore at my dress and hair, and while I managed to get my hands between me and the ground before I landed, it still hurt. I felt tears bubbling up, but I just bit my lip quietly. I was big already, I wasn't going to cry from something like this.

I went to pick a twig out of my hair and saw that my hand was scraped; long, thin scratches just welling up with blood, and I choked back a sob. More people were looking at me now, some had even stopped to stare, and all those unfamiliar faces towering over me filled me with fear. Where was everyone? Saki, Hachiman, Taishi, Komachi? Tears that I could no longer hold back rolled down my cheeks as I whispered, "Saa-chan, help..."

"KEIKA!" a voice called out from somewhere in the crowd, with some people turning to look at the source of the new disturbance. Hachiman...!

"HA-CHAN!" I shouted, throwing myself at him as he came running out of the crowd. He knelt down to wrap me up in his big arms, and I wasn't able to hold back my sobs as relief washed over me.

"Keika, are you alright?" he asked, his voice firm and serious, so much different from his usual tone. I shook my head no against his chest, and after he asked if I could walk, I shook my head again. I could, but I didn't want to.

"Alright, let's go meet up with the others, then," he murmured as he picked me up, carrying me across his chest like a child, but right now that didn't bother me. I cried into his shoulder while his big hand stroked my head, and everything was fine.

Except that Saki would be mad...

I'd stuck to Hachiman like glue for the rest of the trip, not even going on any rides, but those memories of being carried around by him at the park were some of my most cherished. I don't think that I could pick out the specific moment that I fell for him. It seemed like the feelings had slowly grown over time, until one day I noticed that they dwarfed everything else.

Hachiman wrapped up his lecture and I promised that I wouldn't do it again, though I don't think either of us believed me. He shook his head with an amused smile and turned away to start working on dinner, but I snagged his sleeve before he could walk into the kitchen. His off-balance expression as he looked back at me was very cute, even a little vulnerable, like someone who could be pressured into buying something they didn't need by a pushy enough salesman.

"Hey, Ha-chan, can I hug you?" I asked, almost giggling as his expression shifted between confused and worried.

"Um, sure, but..." he started, and I didn't wait for him to finish as I wrapped my arms around him tightly, pressing my face into his chest. After a moment of hesitation he returned the embrace, one of his hands coming to rest on my head, gently rubbing back and forth. I hummed quietly into his shirt as I was immersed in that feeling of warmth and security, just like before.

Yeah, it was exactly the same.

"Is everything alright, Keika-chan?" Hachiman asked, gentle but firm, and I nodded.

"Mhm, everything's perfect," I lied, squeezing him just a little tighter. It wasn't perfect, but this was all I could have, and I would find a way to be happy with that.

I wasn't convinced, but I let the topic rest. Thinking back to my own teenage life, my parents had never noticed my struggles, and even if they had, I don't think they could have done much about them. When I was rescued, it came from the friends I had struggled together with... And I knew that Keika had great friends because she loved to talk about them. Whatever this was, it was up to them to solve it together, and perhaps the most I could do is provide a bit of support.

Guess I really am getting older. I patted Keika on the head and pulled away, giving her what I hoped was a reassuring smile as I said, "How about we get started on dinner?"

She beamed up at me, a wide grin that made me feel like she was going to be just fine and laughed, "I want hamburg steak!"

"Alright, alright. I think we've got everything..." We started working on dinner, and by that I meant Keika watched me prepare dinner while we chatted about inconsequential things. I didn't mind, of course. Cooking was something I'd really come to enjoy, because it was something I could do to make my wife happy. Everyone loved good food.

We were interrupted by Saki as she entered the kitchen, drying the ends of her long hair with a towel. She gave an appreciative sniff of the patties sizzling in the pan and smiled. She kissed me on the cheek, resting her head on my shoulder as she purred, "Thanks for the bath, it was nice. I really liked that scent you picked out."

My face split into a silly grin. Things like perfumes and bath oils were always at the very edge of my understanding, no matter how hard I tried. I thought they all smelled fine, but what was important was whether or not my wife agreed, and it was incredibly satisfying to get it right.

"Anything for my lovely wife," I kissed the tip of her nose and then rested my forehead against her. Saki leaned in and pecked me on the lips, continuing to place a rapid-fire series of kisses all around my mouth. Keika mimicked retching sounds behind us, but my wife only smiled wide as we ignored her.

"I love you, Hachiman," she declared, and I felt myself getting flustered by that simple statement.

The words 'I love you' were powerful, but even powerful words lose their impact when you hear them often, and those words had become commonplace in my life. It became something that you just said, a ritual of greeting and parting... not that it became any less true because of that. But, there were other times, instances where you said it because it was exactly what you were feeling in that moment, and even after ten years those heartfelt expressions of bare emotion from my wife sent my stomach end over end.

I was so, so lucky to have her. Of all the myriad and terrible paths my life could have taken, I ended up here, with a beautiful wife who loved me this much, soon to have a family of our own. The me of the past might have played off my embarrassment with a joke, but that wasn't who I was anymore. In order to have something genuine, you need to be genuine. That was a lesson that had taken far too long to learn, and I wouldn't forget it.

Even though I was embarrassed, perhaps because it was embarrassing, I gathered up the swell of gratitude and wonder and awe that she evoked in my heart and responded in earnest, "I love you, Saki."

A radiant blush spread across her cheeks as her amethyst eyes shone, reflecting what felt like my whole world. The connection was intense, building with every moment, so much so that I almost wanted to look away, but at the same time I wanted it to last forever. Keika, however...

"Oh my god, there are other people in the room, you know?" she whined, rolling her eyes. The moment faded, leaving me feeling a little wistful. Well, it was probably for the best, I was in the middle of cooking, after all.

"You'll understand once you get a man of your own," Saki giggled, her head on my shoulder and one arm around my neck possessively, looking entirely too pleased with herself as Keika rolled her eyes in response.

I agreed, it was too early for Keika to be thinking about romance, and it's not like there was a guy who I would be happy to give her away to anyways. The kids of this generation didn't put any effort into anything, simply drifting into whatever path provided the least resistance. It was up to me to scare off any bad guys that tried to latch onto her. There was no way I could count on her father to do it, since he hadn't even been able to stop me from marrying Saki.

Not that I was a bad guy or anything, but if our positions had been reversed, I definitely wouldn't have allowed it. Though, what if she went ahead and married him even if I forbade it? Then I would be the bad guy, and my little girl would hate me forever. Ah, maybe being a father is a lot harder than I thought...

Just as I promised, after dinner we settled in to watch a movie. Keika sat to my left and Saki on my right, closer than was strictly necessary, but this sort of thing was normal, if a bit difficult for me. Saki entwined her hands with mine and rested against my shoulder, while Keika was content to wrap herself around my other arm. I would have liked to have a bit of room to shift around and get comfortable, but I wasn't so clueless as to say it out loud, and I suppose it was nice to be popular with the girls in my life. Definitely better than any alternatives.

After about an hour I had had enough, though. Saki was nodding off on my shoulder, and my arm had long gone numb from the position I was stuck in. I gently roused her and said, "I think it's about time for bed."

Saki yawned and stretched, giving me a fantastic view of her chest as it pressed against the light fabric of her pajamas, paining a pleasant picture that I felt no desire to look away from. "Mmm, alright. Kei-chan, you should take a bath, and make sure to dry your hair before you go to sleep, okay?"

"Okaaaay," the younger sister replied, dutiful as ever, then immediately asked, "Ha-chan, can I finish the movie?"

"Sure, just don't stay up too late, alright? You've still got school tomorrow... After you take a bath," I hastily added as Saki shot me a disapproving look. That's right, I shouldn't spoil her too much... At least not while Saki was around.

We said our goodnights, Keika disappearing into the bathroom while Saki and I retired to our room. As I changed into my own pajamas, I inclined an eyebrow at Saki who was watching me from the bed with a little grin.

"Just enjoying the view," she teased, and in response I struck a few half-naked bodybuilder poses. I wasn't the peak of physical fitness or anything so I hammed it up a little with a few super sentai poses at the end, which sent her into a giggling fit. I finished buttoning my shirt and slid into bed beside her, while she wasted no time snuggling up to my side.

"Goodnight, Saki," I whispered, pushing back her bangs to plant a kiss on her forehead.

"Mmm, goodnight Hachiman," she murmured, already starting to drift off.

I was jealous. It always took me a while to fall asleep, perhaps because I kept up these conversations with myself instead of... whatever it was other people did. I contented myself with stroking Saki's hair as I waited for sleep to take me.

I awoke at the urging of my bladder, groaning when I saw the clock display read 01:32. Damn it, wasn't this sort of thing only supposed to happen when you got old? Give me a break, I'm not even 30 yet. Ah, damn it, I'm almost 30...

I rubbed sleep from my eyes and carefully extricated myself from bed. Thankfully, she was a deep sleeper and barely reacted as I pulled myself from her tangle of limbs. As I slipped out of the room quietly, I saw a glow at the end of the hall from the living room. Keika was probably watching some late-night anime... Well, not like I didn't understand.

"Keika, it's late, you should get to sleep," I called out in a low voice, not wanting to accidentally wake Saki, but based on the lack of response she probably hadn't heard. I sighed, a wry smile playing across my lips as I prepared to scold her for staying up too late. But if it was a good show then maybe I'd watch it with her, since I was already up. As I rounded the corner to the living room I started, "Keika..."

I froze, jaw dropping as I took in the sight of Keika's side profile illuminated by the harsh light of the TV, wearing the headset that I used when I wanted to watch something without any incriminating sounds leaking. Her pajama bottoms were stripped down to her ankles, while her top was hiked up above her full bust. She sat enraptured by the screen, one of her hands was working rapidly between her spread legs while the other fiercely groped at her exposed breast in time with the scene playing out in front of her. That was one of my...

But my eyes were locked on Keika as she trembled, knees twitching repeatedly as she rolled a nipple between forefinger and thumb, failing to entirely hold back a soft, clipped moan. Her panting almost seemed to echo in my head, exquisitely sensual, breath hitching with every movement of her hands. This... This was something I shouldn't be seeing but I couldn't look away, my feet seemingly glued in place.

Her fingers suddenly twisted and tugged, her eyes squeezing shut as she let out a plaintive whine slightly muffled by grit teeth. She collapsed backwards, thighs snapping shut around one hand which still hadn't ceased its rhythm, hips rising in ecstasy, a sweet, shuddering moan lilting in time with her spasms.

Her head rolled towards me and my heart leapt up into my chest, but it was too late, our eyes had already met. I was held in that gaze for an eternity, unable to look away from the unreasoned expression of a woman completely lost to the throes of passion. Keika's hands continued to move, fingers tracing lazy circles as she rode out the aftershocks coursing through her for only a moment... Until her eyes opened wide with terror.

She let out a panicked cry and righted herself, headset bouncing off her head as she scrabbled for the remote, mashing several buttons until the light of the TV was extinguished, plunging us into darkness. The only sound was Keika's heavy breathing and the scraping of fabric as she fixed her clothing, followed shortly by quiet sniffling.

Even if it was my apartment, once I thought for even a moment about how terrible it would feel if it were me, I felt guilty for intruding on this private moment... I rushed to try to ease some of her worry, but all I could manage was an awkward, "Um, sorry..."

"I'm sorry... P-please don't tell Saa-chan," she pleaded, voice cracking as if she were holding back tears. "I, I was just..." she petered off, seemingly lost for words.

"O-oh, sure. I, uh, I won't say anything," I assured her hurriedly, trying to keep this from being any more painful than it already was. I wished that I had simply turned around and walked away before she saw me, but the sight of her fingers pumping in desperate need- I shook my head to clear the thought, that wasn't something I should be thinking about Keika. "Um, you should get to sleep. It's late..."

"Okay..." she replied between sniffling sobs, and my heart was torn up by the deep shame in her voice. I'd figure out a way to fix this, but not tonight, I think we- she needed some time to calm down, first.

"Goodnight, Keika," I murmured, trying to keep my tone soft and gentle, but when there wasn't any reply, I slowly turned away.

Lost in thought, I almost forgot to relieve myself on my way back to bed. Those thoughts wouldn't leave me even as I slipped back into bed, awkwardly positioning myself in the remaining open space so as not to disturb Saki.

I'd definitely messed up, and I'd hurt Keika doing it. I should have walked away, pretended that I hadn't seen anything, let her save some face. That was something a parent needed to do sometimes, I just hadn't expected the way her heavy breast stretched as she mercilessly pulled-

Damn it.

I stared up at the ceiling as the scene replayed itself over and over again in my head, my regret staving off any further attempt at sleep.