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"I can't wait for us to get home."

You met Tooru outside of the bathroom after you cleaned yourself up from the little quickie session you had with him. Him on the other hand, he looked completely soaked from taking a dip in the ocean to refresh himself. The stained cum spot was no longer there on his shorts as it blended with seawater - a bright idea that was.

The brunette covered your shoulders with his black oversized jacket, sensing that the weather is starting to drop a few degrees lower. The sun is unseen as a few clouds rolled over the sky, painting it in a soft blue gray. The remaining warmth from his jacket shielded you from the summer breeze and you quickly zipped it up to trap yourself in the heat.

His hands rubbed your shoulders from behind, following you to where the group is waiting.

"We can skip on eating out and go home early if you have no problem with take out," Tooru suggested as he hooked on arm around your neck to walk side by side with you.

You grimaced at the reasoning, and scoffed. "I don't think I can handle another hour with Rina, so take out is perfectly fine with me."

Tooru laughed, knowing that you're not ecstatic to be in the same room as her, "Okay, and we can talk about how to deal with her some other time. It seems like we need a break from today."

You agreed. So much had happened, you don't think you can last through the night.

Momentarily, to your dismay, you strode the camp spot where your friends are breaking down the lounge chairs. Immediately, you looked for Tetsu if he was nearby and you spotted him playing in the sand creating a wet castle.

For some reason, you felt your heart drop by the looks of him. Only worry filled your thoughts whether he is still being stubborn or not. Tooru squeezed your shoulder lightly to signal that he is departing to check up on him.

You only nodded in response, and watched him walk to the boy and crouch beside him. Tetsu was alarmed by his dad's sudden presence by flinching, but his body soon relaxed when they start to make an innocent conversation.

You wanted to pay attention to their interaction but Naomi noticed you first and approached you with curious eyes. Her messy silver hair is now pinned up in a claw clip as her wispy bangs fell besides her face.

"Hey, I tried to call you," she noted, which it took you by surprise.

Not even once you thought to check your phone while you were gone and you had no clue how long you were, but you can only imagine the kinds of texts she sent while you had your fun with Tooru.

Your hand scratched your head, attempting to conjure a good excuse for being absent, "Sorry, we just had to talk a lot."

Naomi didn't accuse, instead she elbowed your arm in return.

"Hmm, sure. You mean, to do a lot," she snickered, and you knew you couldn't get away with it. "Bitch, this is the second time you didn't respond to me and it's always when you're with Oikawa. So, I know."

You can feel your cheeks creeping red by her observation, and your dismissive reaction only told the truth. You didn't deny it but you also didn't admit it.

"Oh stop! I'm sure you're not looking at your phone when you're doing the hanky panky with Ushijima," you added.

The flashbacks happened and she was also taken aback by your response. As well, her stirred up red. Til this day, she still haven't told you the full detail in her sex life with her new boyfriend but

"So um," the tone of your voice suddenly changed as it become snappy and monotone, "how's everything?"

Naomi knew by your eyes flying to your child who is stacking a few buckets of wet sand on top of each other. She shrugged nonchalantly, "It was okay, but a bit awkward. This is the first time that I had Tetsu to myself and I can't naturally fake a motherly figure like you do. But surprisingly he's an easy one to take care of. In fact, really easy."

Hearing that reminds you of you once. In fact, she never was once children-oriented based on her party life. It must've been an odd introduction for her to handle kids, but you knew Tetsu was going to make it easy for her as it did for you.

With a simple hum, you glowered your eyes solemnly and blinked with curiosity. "How was he?"

"Pissed off, I would say," Naomi said in a matter of fact tone, crossing her arms as she began to watch Tetsu from a far also. "He's been pretty quiet since we gotten ice cream, but for a moment he seemed to forget about the situation."

"I guess that's good," you took a second to process the explanation and blew a sigh, but your attention trailed to the tall woman from a far, picking up and folding her off white towel in a neat square. The image of her didn't put ease to your mind as you felt yourself tensing again. "And..."

Naomi followed your trace. Her mouth opened to form an 'o' shape. "Oh, her. She stayed behind to watch our stuff while we went to get ice cream. I don't think she was pleasant either about the whole thing."

And why would she? You wanted to burst out loud but you only kept your composure to not start another fire.

"Are you going to eat dinner with us?" Your friend asked, noticing that Tooru grabbed Tetsu by the hand and helped him pick up his belongings on the sand.

An exasperated sigh came out of you. "I think we're going to tap out. I'm pretty exhausted, honestly."

You didn't need to explain yourself more. Naomi gotten the idea by nodding and rubbed your shoulder in comfort.

"Can't blame ya," she patted gently. "That's okay, I know you got work tomorrow morning."

"Right," you agreed, although work isn't the main reason why you had to shorten your day.

Naomi allowed you to gather your things while she and Ushijima finished packing theirs. With the yellow volleyball against his hip, he motioned his head at Naomi that he'll be loading up the car.

You, on the other hand, joined where your boys were and you felt your nerves coming back by nearing a certain toddler. The same anticipating heartbeat pounded in your chest again.

The smaller brunette wasn't aware of you coming close to him as your voice nearly surprised him.

"Tetsu. Let's go home," you carefully but gently commanded as if you weren't mad at him hours ago.

His big brown eyes fell on you and you can tell that he is unaware how to answer you, or how to think of the situation. He stopped in the middle of throwing the wrapper of his granola bar away and stared wondrously at you.

By his unknown expression, you gulped. You weren't expecting to see a blank stare from him. It looked somehow different to you.

"Where's the seashells you found earlier?" You started.

He seemed a bit hesitant before responding, but his eyes turned away from yours as he answered shyly, "I gave it to Ri-chan."

You didn't see it but you knew you felt the guilt through his tone. It definitely pained you to know that the seashells that was originally picked for you is now handed to the woman who is your arch nemesis. Why would he?

Despite how hard it is to understand him, you did your best not to show annoyance or how bothered you are by the fact. Deep down, you felt your chest cutting up into pieces.

"But, I still want them, Tetsu," you replied, hoping that he will give a positive response. Your hand reached out to him with an open palm. "Then, do you want to look for some with me?"

Still, he isn't looking at you as his lips pursed into a sad pout. He said again shortly to keep the conversation small, "I'm tired, Mommy."

"I see," you muttered, letting your face hang so the darkness of the beach hides the glint in your eyes. The look in his distant eyes felt like a slap in the face and you knew that the bond you two had stretched into a thin line. Now the comfort level isn't there as it was before.

Tooru watched intently. His lips frowned by the interaction you two had. The disconnection was obvious as he blew a long breath, but he changed the subject quickly by tapping his palm on Tetsu's back. "Well, we should say goodbye soon."

"Goodbye?" He seemed shocked by the suggestion, the way his pupils dilated at the words and his voice pitched a bit higher.

Tooru made a curious hum, "You don't want to leave?"

"Ah," then Tetsu's eyes fell back on Rina who is done hauling things into her tote bag.

His stare became longing the more he locked eyes on her and you wondered what he could be conjuring up in his thoughts. It made you bothered at the fact that you don't know what's on his mind.

"We can go home," he said finally but in defeat, letting his head down to gaze back at the sand in between his little feet.

As much as you didn't want to do so, you followed them to where the rest of the group are. Ushijima helped Naomi loading up the last duffle bag in his black Subaru where a cooler and folded chairs huddled against each other.

Their attention flew back on Tooru with you and Tetsu behind.

"Alright guys. We're going to head out now," the taller brunette informed as he stretched his arms above his head. "Gotta take my family home so they can rest up for tomorrow. Isn't that right, darling?"

His left arm reached for you so he can embrace your neck. This was his way to uplift the mood since he knew you were very much paying attention to someone else other than the two in front you.

"Do you want a ride?" The olive green haired man asked and you shook your head.

"It's alright. We don't want to ruin dinner for you guys," you obliged and then glanced down at Tetsu who took no part of the conversation.

He noticed, and waved at the couple in front of him. "Ah, thank you for coming!"

Naomi laughed and crouched to ruffle the boy's curly hair. "No problem, buddy. We can get ice cream any time you want."

Tetsu seemed to gleam at the idea, but his eyes were fixated at Rina who suddenly made an approach. The air suddenly felt tight as the familiar tension rose in between everyone. Panic filled in both Ushijima and Naomi's eyes, deciding that they will take no part in this discussion. It was their queue to leave before they witness another ugly moment from you.

"Text me when you get home," Naomi happily ordered before she loaded the rest of her belongings into the car.

After a silent nod from Ushijima, he hopped into the driver's seat and turned the ignition on until the car started to hum. It was only the four of you at the parking lot once Ushijima pulled out of the parking space and began to drive to the street.

The silence thickened, and you strictly told yourself not to give a word to her. Once she realized there was nothing left that needs to be said, Rina huffed a nervous breath before she gripped the handle of her tote bag.

"I guess I'll head back to the hotel," she started as a crestfallen face appeared on her.

A weak smile tweaked on her lips to fake an expression - only to appease or lessen the awkwardness. Either or, it didn't do good. Then she turned to you and Tooru which is a shock that she's able to bravely look at you without shame. Her head slightly bowed to pay respect.

"I'm sorry for what had happened," her voice quivered, only for you and Tooru to hear.

After side-glancing at each other, you weren't sure if you should say anything back to her but there are no words that are worth giving. Just a simple nod from you is what she'll get.

Understanding the silent treatment, Rina lifted her canvas bag over her shoulder as she turned to make a quick farewell.

"I'll be off then."

But her footsteps didn't travel far when Tetsu ran after her. His arms were outstretched with open palms with his little feet shuffling against the warm concrete. With raised brows, you were utterly surprised by the small child scurrying so quickly to gain on her tail.

"Tetsu!" But your voice didn't reach him as he continued to follow Rina.

The woman stopped in her tracks by the sound of Tetsu's footsteps behind her. When she turned, he halted two feet away to stare up at her.

The hindrance lingered on her face as she matched your curious expression. Rina panicked to see the boy tracing her steps, so her eyes sparked up in concern.

"Tetsu, you don't want to keep your mom and dad waiting. We can play some other time," she instructed carefully.

But Tetsu dismissed her as his feet were still planted on the ground, unmoving from his spot.

"Ah-," he stood proudly but his eyes wavered back and forth from the ground to her face. Until he took a deep breath and inhaled through his nose, Tetsu straightened his posture with fists curled against his sides.

He then asked a question you thought he'd never had to ask.

"Are you my Mommy?"

You felt the air gotten colder the more you stood there to witness the situation - a situation you couldn't even fathom about. Your heart dropped instantly by Tetsu's question.

Does he need validation? It wasn't like he didn't know, perhaps he needed to hear it from her directly.

Rina hesitated whether she should answer him truthfully or be passive, but she knew this is the moment she was waiting for for a very long time, thinking maybe it would be nonexistent. Yet, here he is, her boy is asking if she's his mom.

"Yes," her voice trembled sadly and dark eyes swelling in tears. "Yes, I am."

And what is there for her to hide? The tattoo of Tetsu's birthdate on her hip, the stretch marks, the striking resemblance is evidence. It was already telling that Rina is his biological mom and deep down, Tetsu somehow knew before you and Tooru presented the photo of her.

The flashbacks of his lonely times rushed to Tetsu's eyes as many memories of his dad working multiple hours and being left alone to take care of him with pure exhaustion were so vivid. Most importantly, the specific memory of his classmates belittling him for having a single parent made him feel so torn.

So all the five years of sadness and loneliness made him build in tears and Tetsu dropped to a sitting position as if gravity pulled him down. Then his face stirred as he suddenly began to cry with pea-sized tears streaming down his face.

"Where were you?!" He sobbed uncontrollably. "I've been looking for you! You left me and Daddy alone! Why did you leave us?"

This particular moment made you remember a time when he cried this much. It was the same cry when he thought he caused you pain because of the bullies from his school, the kind of cry when you said you love him for the first time and he began to call you 'Mommy' from that day forward. Hearing it now absolutely broke your heart, because Tetsu is crying out of frustration and relief.

Clearly, Rina can only feel disappointment. It was supposed to be a beautiful moment to rekindle with the baby she gave birth to, but this is the exact opposite than what she expected. Instead, it was a beautiful disaster.

With her deep charcoal eyes lowering sadly, Rina frowned and crouched to Tetsu's crying form to examine him. He didn't take notice due to the overwhelming emotions take place.

"I know, baby," she said weakly, ashamed to be be in his presence because now, for once, she felt like a failure. A weird moment to witness, you somehow empathized with her. "And that is why, I can't be your Mommy because I couldn't be there for you. You're happy and that's what matters."

"But... Ri-chan," the boy sniffled with his fists at the corner of his teary eyes. He wanted to argue but wasn't sure what to counter.

She didn't want to take away the spotlight and say what doesn't belong from her tongue. Her see-through bangs fell to her eyes, avoiding eye contact with the puzzled boy who is begging for an answer.

She couldn't give it to him.

"Maybe some other time, Tetsu," she said as if those were her final words. "Right now, you should enjoy with the mommy you have now and never let her go."

Her curled finger swiped a twinge of Tetsu's brown lock away from his forehead lovingly - a sign that she is parting and saying goodbye. Once he knew that, the tears in his glossy eyes stopped swelling as they watched Rina stand to her full form and turn to a different direction from him.

"See you later, sweetie," then she walked off without stealing a glance from him.

Tetsu wasn't sure if that'll be the last time he'll ever see her. He doesn't know what this means for him and Rina - only time will tell.

Bringing yourself out of your deep thoughts, you couldn't understand fully what had happened. Your eyes stared so somberly at the boy's back before you stepped closer to get his attention.

"Tetsu," you called and he turned to you with glistening eyes.

However, you didn't say anything else but your profile said otherwise. For some reason, Tetsu seemed surprised by your state as if he forgot that you were there all along. Just seeing him reach out to somebody else, it pained you that you were about to break into tears.

How can he forget about you? There was not a split second he thought about you in that moment.

You can recognize the guilt forming in his pupils and you decided not to pursue with the conversation, knowing that'll be a dead end for you.

With your arms crossed, you turned away in shame and stepped a few feet from him to catch some air, resisting yourself from letting the tears leak from your eyes. The older brunette cut in to gesture Tetsu to stand so they can finally leave. Even he is in question if his son is starting to choose sides.

>>>

The journey back home was longer than actually traveling to the beach. Tooru kept quiet most of the time, but several times he attempted to distract you and Tetsu from today's events by bringing up tomorrow's plans. Although, he can sense that neither of you aren't warming up to the conversation but he doesn't blame neither of you.

It was odd that the small Oikawa didn't make a commotion after

Once you've arrived at Tooru's penthouse, you helped Tetsu to take off his shoes at the door and assisted to carry the rest of the supplies to the living room.

Being home relieved you since it was a long day. The privacy of his home gave a different kind of satisfaction to you.

"Let's sleep out here for once," Tooru suggested by flipping the TV on. He turned to you with the remote in his hand as a display of known shows and movies listed on the screen. "We can watch a movie until we fall asleep. Wouldn't that be fun?"

As you expected. Tooru remained doleful to finish the day with a peaceful night.

Tetsu wanted to make an excited expression but he only perked his ears up in interest. But you were unsure if that would be okay for you to overstay your welcome. You still find things to be awkward between you and Tetsu, so you weren't sure if he'll be comfortable with the idea.

The brunette can sense your discomfort and explained softly, "I know you have work tomorrow, but I would like for us to stay together tonight."