A/N: lengthy chapter! Enjoy.

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Something didn't seem right. Ever since this morning, you couldn't help but feel a hunch when it comes to Rina and Tetsu. Nothing has happened. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, but you knew that there was something that you couldn't ignore.

You just couldn't pin point what it is.

"Perfect. Just the person I needed to see," gasped Naomi with her hands over her knees, looking like she's about to pass out any minute.

You and the boys just came back from settling into the hotel nearby the beach. It was a short distance away from the shore that walking isn't much of a brooding. You were worried if the sun was too hot for Tetsu to take, but surprisingly he was soaking in the weather like the sun child he is.

Approaching the scene, it looked like both Naomi and Ushijima are in the middle of a netless volleyball game. Relief washed over her, only you can guess that she is getting murdered by her boyfriend who shown no exhaustion during their game sesh - a game he took over too seriously. Just sweat beading down his forehead from the heat hovering his head and a wet patch on the back of his blue Hawaiian shirt.

She was dressed in her summer outfit with ripped denim shorts and a laced white halter top. Her face turned into a speculating one once her dark eyes found a foreign head following behind you.

"Hi, you must be Naomi," Rina greeted politely with a small wave.

Considering the last time Naomi heard about this woman, she didn't make a welcoming face. Immediately, her eyes read suspicion yet her face masked her disapproval.

So this is the bitch, she thought.

"Howdy," she greeted back shortly, standing to her full form. Her tone almost sounded sarcastic. "And you must be Rina."

By her voice, you knew there was going to be a rude awakening coming to Rina. So you sent a certain look to Naomi to shut her trap and behave. Obviously, she acted as if she didn't see it and continued to ignore it. In fact, she might be living for it.

"It's Ushiwaka!" Cheered Tetsu as he ran over the white sand, particles kicking behind him, to stare wondrously at the man's form. Typical Ushijima, he didn't make a face at the boy and just stared back at him with deadpanned eyes. Then Tetsu turned back, "are they playing hanky panky?"

"No!" Both you and Tooru shouted. This caused to raise a few brows from the group.

"What is he talking about?" Naomi questioned.

"Don't mind that," the brunette quickly changed the subject before anyone can interrogate. His hand was raised above his head to show a large paper bag, signaling that he had brought food for everybody. "Let's eat! My love made us onigiri."

You were stopped by a presence missing when everybody decided to gather around the public picnic bench to unload the food. Tetsu's attention was at the ocean, completely absorbed by the blue water and the distant seagulls floating over it.

"Hey buddy." The boy flinched by your voice and looked up at you approaching him. "You can swim after you eat, okay?"

Then his eyes shifted down to his feet in hesitance, almost ashamed by your words.

As you kneeled, you encouraged him to look at you again. "What's wrong?"

"I can't swim," he replied shyly, as if he was embarrassed to admit it.

You secretly wanted to laugh by how cute he responded. It didn't surprise you since you were in that place once when you were young, so you empathized with him.

"It's okay. Your Daddy and I will teach you," you assured.

"Really?" His eyes widened. The excitement started to fill back in to his pupils as well as the light reflected in them. His cheeks grew bright pink and mouth gaped in amazement. He did a little chicken dance with his arms, waving frantically. "I can't wait!"

You, yourself, couldn't wait either since this will be the first time you get to teach something brand new to the boy, especially that you are partaking the role of a mother figure in his life.

"Oikawa," a stern voice spoke.

Tooru turned by the improper greeting, looking back at the built man whose eyes are getting intense. Ushijima didn't say anything else, instead he rose the volleyball that's gripped in his hand and pointed it to the direction to him.

"I'll show you that you should've joined Japan," then he paused, "after we eat."

The fire in Tooru's eyes beamed when he challenged him. His expression didn't stir as he kept a bold smile on his face and fixated the white cap on his head while his other hand gripped his hip.

"Still going on about that? You need to move on to better things, Ushi-chan. Let's not forget who won the recent Olympics," Tooru replied sarcastically, amusement was reeking from his tone. "But sure, I can remind you who's the better loser."

This was nothing new to you. Remembering the last time he had a moment like this, you thought he was going to float away by how big his head was. You decided not to get in between them and not explain to Rina or Naomi about their unspoken past. There's not much to explain anyways other than their testosterone levels and high school angst.

Lunch seemed casual. However, it was a bit uncomfortable for you since Rina is a third party to the group. You always given her a chance to speak about herself while Naomi did her best not to ruffle her feathers.

Or so you thought.

Her judging eyes did the exact same way when you first met Rina for the first time, and you wondered if you looked that painfully obvious.

"So what brings you here to Tokyo, Rina?" Naomi started as she took a bite from her salmon onigiri, eying the short haired woman who sat across from her from the wooden table. "A job opportunity, perhaps? Financial stability? ...Someone in mind?"

You scowled at her rude questionnaire almost sounding like an accusation. If she had desk, table, and chair, she would impersonate a leader of a mafia gang.

But Rina overlooked it and approached the conversation in a civil tone, adding a nervous smile. You were sure that she caught on to the hint. "I would say financial situation, however, I do miss Tokyo a bit. I thought becoming a real estate agent here would be beneficial for me."

Naomi doesn't know but you and Tooru already knew the true meaning behind it. It was smart of Tina not over share her true intentions not in front strangers, including a child like Tetsu.

"Plus," she added, "I don't see the harm in seeing an old friend."

"Friend, huh?" Naomi hummed while speculating between her and Tooru. You were about to cut in before the conversation can get ugly. "Weird. You two don't seem to fit-"

"Anyways," you had no idea how but you luckily manage to cut through. Your voice startled a few heads so they all had no choice but to pay their attention on you. "Tetsu was just telling me that he wants to swim after lunch. Are any of you guys planning to go into the water?"

Tooru shoved the last bite of his onigiri in his mouth. His cheek bulged as he chewed and wiped the excess candied bonito flakes with a napkin. Not much present in the topic, oblivious from the previous conversation, he aimed his brown eyes at the little one beside him, seeming surprised at the idea.

"You want to swim, Tetsu?" he gulped finally. "You were scared before. What changed your mind?"

"Ah, I want to learn!" The boy answered with determination. "I want to find seashells for Mommy!"

He made it sound like a task as determination filled his eyes, and you easily succumb to his cuteness by grinning ear to ear. The boy doesn't know how to stop being cute.

"Do you want to come, Ri-chan?" Then he offered to the woman suddenly who was also surprised by the invitation.

Her deep gray eyes wondered to you, looking for permission through yours. Knowing her place, she doesn't want to overstep any boundaries between you and Tetsu. There were many times she did without even realizing.

"Is that okay?" She asked, a question that's more directed towards you than Tetsu and Tooru.

Of course, you weren't going to reject and humiliate her but somehow you felt the pressure in agreeing. At least, there isn't a reason for you to and be greedy about sharing the small Oikawa. It would only be fair to allow her to have some time with him too.

"Why not," you stated, adding just a twinge of nonchalant like it wouldn't affect you. However, you were hoping it would be just going to be a moment for you and Tetsu to have.

This brought the child in a beaming smile. "Yay! I want to swim!"

"Then you better hurry and finish up," Rina encouraged as you all watched the two of them gobbling up the rest of the rice balls.

You were close to nowhere in being done, pacing yourself to not eat it all at once. Maybe you should press Tetsu in slowing down also.

"Careful. You don't want to have cramps," you warned in worry after seeing the brown headed boy pounding the last of his banana milk with a bendy straw.

"I'm okay!" He insisted, eagerly grabbing your hand to lead you out to the bench. "Come on, come on! I want to look for shells!"

This brought a small laugh from you, as you couldn't bring yourself to be annoyed by him and his childish mind. At this point, you didn't want to be too overbearing about how fast he was going.

"You coming, Tooru?" you pulled back and stared back at the man who folded his arms over the table, watching you two with curious eyes.

He waved, "I owe Ushiwaka a challenge. Besides, I want to watch for a bit."

"You're welcome to join anytime," you noted teasingly, receiving an elongated 'maybe' from him.

Once you're in the clearing, Rina began to strip from her normal clothes by pulling her white T-shirt from her head, completely showing her black bikini she was hiding underneath. It didn't take much effort for her to get out as her shorts fell easily through her slim legs. She had some nice knockers as well. For someone who gave birth, her body still looked as young and youthful.

At this exact moment, Tooru swiftly turned his head away in disinterest as he refused to look at the woman who openly undressed herself. Instead, he happily watched you peel your mock dress and observed your white bandeau over your chest.

"That's my angel," he muttered under his breath, noticing a few heads have turned to look at you as it boosted his pride. Tooru smiled over at Ushijima who is impatiently waiting with a volleyball against his hip. "Aren't we lucky to be cuffed by beautiful women?"

The other volleyball player stared at the Oikawa's back as he stood proudly with hands at his hips, registering what to say in a conversation he never had before. He looked at the brunette in disapproval.

All he could conjure was this.

"Naomi never arrested me."

>>>

After you managed to get Tetsu in his navy blue swim trunks and inflatable armbands, his gaze fell back on Rina.

"What's that?" He pointed at something particular on her body.

You were also intrigued and brought your attention on her to see where was Tetsu pointing at - which you had no explanation to give. It shocked you.

Above the band of her bottom bathing suit, a black tattoo was etched near the hip of her right bone where there were subtle stretch marks. The lettering was small so it was hard to read from the distance, until Tetsu took a closer look at it by gazing up from Rina's feet. Then he widened his mouth.

"It's my birthday!"

He was right. In bold Roman numerals, it said the exact birth month, date, and year. Rina got a tattoo of the date she gave birth to him. It seemed that she had it for a while, telling by the fade of the outline of the tattoo.

Time froze for you, quickly trying to bring yourself to explain the situation. You weren't quick to react either as it also caught you off guard by the image. There's no denying that there is a connection between Tetsu and Rina.

"Funny," she started while she quickly hiked the band of her bottom swimwear to hide the lettering. "This is my nephew's birthday."

It was a lie. But little did she know, it was pointless of her to cover the truth - because Tetsu already knew she's his mother. The tattoo confirms the fact.

He fell silent, drowning back to his pool of thoughts by her answer, finding a reason as to why she would give such a lie. To him, he thought she forgot.

"Tetsu." You said something - anything to bring the kid back to reality by being dismissive. "Are you ready to go?"

His face turned to you and it was the most blank face he ever had, like he was lost and deep in his mind. The light in his brown eyes slowly illuminated once he started to realize that you were right in front of him. He instantly snapped back by holding your hand tighter.

"I'm ready," he announced quietly, then aiming his eyes back at Rina who followed behind.

Step by step, the warm water reached your toes. At first, it started off cold but once you bravely strode into the water, your body adjusted to the temperature quickly as you sank yourself deeper into the water.

Hesitance filled the boy's expression as well as fright. The rush of water overwhelmed his knees, making him jump by the loud heavy waves crashing towards him and then stumble backwards. Nervous tears were peaking at the corner of his round eyes the more he tried to walk closer to you.

"Mommy!" He cried with his hand now shaking in yours. "I'm going to fall!"

"I got you," Rina's voice came from behind, grabbing onto Tetsu's other free hand for support. "You're almost there."

Again, Tetsu was once again dazed by her gentle face, easing him into the water with less frantic movements. Your brow twitched at the sudden change of mood, but you wavered it by helping Tetsu get used to the water until the level is meeting his chest.

There was a point that Tetsu couldn't continue walking as he felt himself sink deeper into the water, his baby foot slipped against the grain and hugged Rina's stomach.

"It's scary! I don't like the water! I can't see what's under!" Shouted Tetsu who began to cry with shut eyes. "I'll drown, I'll drown! The fish will eat me!"

Tooru was right. He is scared of the ocean.

"Mommy's here, Tetsu. They won't get you if you're with me. You have your floaties on, remember?" you consoled him by squeezing the bubble band wrapped around his arm, doing your best to be patient with him.

"Do you want to let go now?" Rina asked, seeing that the tide is calming the more she moved farther away from it, allowing the three of you move to a deeper area yet shallow enough for Tetsu to swim.

There was a slight hindrance and you didn't want to put force onto the child who seemed conflicted once he was submerged.

So you kindly offered. "Hey, it's okay if you don't want to learn today. We can always come back."

His face stirred immediately, looking at the progress he made just to get himself into the water. "No! I can do it!"

He was very persistent, although his expression said otherwise. You didn't want to make a fuss out of the situation and allow Tetsu to take what he can handle.

By grabbing both of his hands, you gestured him to lay forward while you slowly walked backwards. "All you gotta do is kick, okay?"

Nodding, the boy shut his eyes once his whole body is parallel to the surface level of the ocean. He frantically kicked, creating small splashes with his feet when you paced in circles.

You couldn't help but find it cute when the water keeps hitting his face. Every time it does, he makes a sour face by the salty liquid getting into his mouth.

"Alright, let's see if you can do it yourself," you sensed him calming over the few minutes of practice. You were pretty confident that he got the hang of it, hoping that he can do the rest on his own.

Tetsu felt assured by your certainty and nodded. By slowly pulling your hands away from his, you waited a moment longer to see that he was doing the typical motions you taught him. Instead of moving forward, Tetsu just stayed at one spot while splashing around like a fish. In matter of seconds, he began to sink.

You didn't hesitate to rush towards him and pick up the boy before he can realize that he was drowning. His head was dunked but you managed to lift him to your arms as he began to cough.

Several whimpers later, Tetsu hiccuped in discouragement, "I don't like that!"

"But you were doing so good!" You applauded, only to receive unsure looks from the boy. You can tell that he was beating him for it.

"I think you gotta float," Rina suggested, observing the small Oikawa who is clinging to your shoulder. "We should take the floaters off."

Your brow quirked, "Are you sure? It doesn't sound like a good idea."

"Well, let's just try," she shrugged, and then curled her finger to gesture him to come over. "Want to try with me, Tetsu?"

"I don't know...," you pondered with concern, still holding the kid securely in your arms.

"Mommy, I can do it!" he commanded. This time, Tetsu sounded bothered that you were being cautious, almost thinking that you're being doubtful in his ability to swim. But that wasn't the case for you.

You sighed, standing stiffly in the water to peer down at him, "Baby, it's for your safety. I will feel better if you know how to breathe first."

"I think he will be just fine. Right, Tetsu?" With Rina's light hearted tone, the little brunette gazed back at her as she waited for his approval.

He gave a small pause at her words, then eventually he looked over at you with persuasive eyes. With a few seconds of contemplating, you finally allowed him to do so by bringing Tetsu to Rina's arms.

The image itself is already straining to see. You can tell that her deep gray eyes were hypnotized by him. It's like they fell into their own little world.

She had him lay on his back on top of the water as she planked him with both of her arms, acting like a raft for him. Tetsu had no clue what to expect other while laying there, blinking at the blue sky above him and waiting for Rina's next instructions.

"How do you feel?" Her voice brought his attention.

His head still laid flat, wondering if there was something eventful happening besides watching bird fly over his head.

"I don't know...," peeped Tetsu, still laying a log over the water.

"Can you swim now?"

He made a questionable face and then turned his head to see that Rina was about two feet away from him, no longer lifting him on the surface and simply just watching.

In that moment, he realized that he was floating by flipping himself over and baby-crawled over the water with the techniques that you showed him earlier. The second he moved, Tetsu was moving.

He was swimming.

A wide smile appeared on his face at the fact that he can magically swim in a a short time. He went to Rina's direction frantically to give her an endearing hug at her stomach.

"I can swim now! Ri-chan, thank you! Thank you!" He chanted.