"Isn't it strange? Just the eight of us again… " remarked Yasushi, leaning on a sunbed next to Yumeko. They all snuggled up with their spouses watching the sunset from their cherished spot on the beach like they do every summer.
"I can't believe the kids just decided to go on a vacation on their own…" Kaito complained, clearly offended.
"Stop complaining. At least your kid is going abroad just because of vacation. Our daughter moved overseas because of a guy," Sota grumbled.
"Wonder who this kid takes after?" Yasushi chuckled.
"You say that as if she's not just as much of an adrenaline junkie as her father," Saeko added with a smirk.
"Quit it, it's just so peaceful finally," Tatsuya said with a lazy smile, caressing Saori beside him.
"Listen, Tatsuya…" Kaito loomed over him with a threatening expression, his tone unusually serious "if your daughter ever hurts my son's feelings…"
"Hey, it should be me who is worried," he muttered unfazed.
"Come on Kaito, why worry at all? Remember, some years back you made that recording for Tatsuya's kids in case they are having love problems," Yasushi said, referring the time, he recoded the serenade Tatsuya was giving Saori. "You said it would serve as a proof if they really love each other, they can make things right no matter how impossible a situation looks."
"Yeah, but who would have thought it will be MY son who is the victim."
"Victim?" Tatsuya glared at him.
"Good for you Yasushi, your son is only into studying…" Kaito said reassuringly.
"Not so sure about that…" he said.
"Why?"
"He is into his 10 years older art sensei at uni…" he smiled slyly.
"You mean my sister, don't you?" Saeko jumped in the conversation.
"Are you kidding? Little Mitsuko?" Tatsuya laughed. Well, not so little anymore. She is around thirty now.
"I heard a colleague of hers is courting her too," Sota added.
"Well, may the one who match her best win," Yasushi said with a wink.
"How can you be so laid-back about it? It's your SON after all…" Kaito exclaimed at Yasushi.
"What's the big deal with sons?" Saori whispered into Tatsuya's ears.
"Well, knowing it's our dear Mitsuko I'm all good. At least I know he is in good hands," Yasushi answered.
"And what about you, Saeko? Why aren't you freaked out about it?"
"Come on, we are talking about Yasushi's son. He is already more mature than you will ever be," Saeko teased.
"As if it were a good thing…" he muttered, finding consolation in his wife's embrace.
"Gosh, life would be so bleak without you all," Saori laughed wholeheartedly.