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The sun rose in the sky. Its rays shone through the window. Minute by minute, they lit up more and more of the room, until it was morning.
Marin and Wakana woke up at their own pace, almost at the same time. Their gazes met, and they smiled.
“Good morning, Kitagawa-san.”, Wakana said.
Marin grinned like the luckiest lady in the world. “Good morning, Gojō-kun.”, she replied.
He kissed her, and made her blush a little.
“How did you sleep, darling?”, Wakana asked.
“Like a billion yen!”, she quipped.
Wakana gave a gentle smile. There was his wife’s wonderful enthusiasm flooding in at the start of the day.
Things were going great for Marin and Wakana. Their relationship had blossomed as Marin’s modelling and cosplay career took off. Confessing their mutual love was one of their biggest challenges, and they aced it. Both their private and professional lives went from strength to strength. It was only a matter of time before they would marry, and they did.
Marin brushed hair off her ear as she drank coffee. She put down the cup on the table and looked at her husband. Her face radiated love and happiness.
Once Wakana had put down his coffee cup as well, Marin rushed and hugged him. Wakana was no longer surprised by this after all these years of marriage. Instead, he had grown bolder in an attempt to follow his wife’s example.
Wakana kissed Marin, and slipped his hands around her back. It was the exact position he knew would turn her on.
“Ahhh, I wuv you, Gojō-kun~”, Marin said in a melodious voice.
Hearing this made Wakana happy. It also made him more determined to make Marin just as happy.
“I love you too, Kitagawa-san.”, he said as they kissed some more.
He couldn’t think of a better way to start the day.
“I’m tellin’ ya, Gojō-kun was pretty terrified of meeting my dad!”, Marin said with a laugh.
Wakana acknowledged the unpleasant memory and let the thought pass without interaction. He drank more of his tea. Sajuna and Shinju seemed very eager to hear the rest.
“Whoa!”, Shinju said. “Was your dad scary?”
Marin burst into laughter. “Hahaha, as if!”, she said, waving her hand in a reassuring gesture. “Nah, my dad’s the best. Darling Gojō-kun here was just worried about making a good impression.”
Wakana smiled. His expression was peaceful. So many years removed, it was all water under the bridge. Even he had to admit it was a good anecdote.
“That’s true, darling.”, he said. He may have been somewhat slower on improvisation, but it was all a matter of practice. “I felt quite nervous about meeting Kitagawa-san’s father.”
Marin smiled and held her husband’s hand. “Aww, come on, Gojō-kun.”, she said in a playful voice. “When have you ever made a bad impression?”
Wakana chuckled.
Marin, Wakana, Sajuna, and Shinju’s conversation continued. Just another part of the café’s tapestry of sound.
“Byee! Have a safe trip!”, Marin shouted with enthusiasm.
“See you soon!”, Wakana added.
Shinju and Sajuna waved to Marin and Wakana as they both went their way. Marin and Wakana headed home. The Inui sisters headed to the train station to go home.
On the way there, Sajuna said, “You know, it’s fascinating.”
Sajuna looked at her, curious. “Oh? What is, sister?”, she asked.
“The Kitagawa couple have been married for 5 years, and they still act like newlyweds.”, Sajuna said.
Marin and Wakana ate dinner while watching television. They were watching Tokyo MX. It was a silly variety show, but it made for good background noise.
They laughed at one of their jokes. Wakana finished laughing first, and took a moment to watch Marin giggling. It made him happy.
He ate more dinner. He thought about how time had passed, how far they’d come. His dear wife’s taste in entertainment had… almost become normal. Perhaps with age, losing a night’s sleep because of a horror movie lost its appeal.
Marin took another bite of her food. She snuck Wakana a loving glance. Then she ate some more.
“I’m back.”, Wakana announced.
Marin walked off at an excited pace and hugged him. “Welcome back!”, she said, cheerful. She was wearing her green patterned dress.
Wakana kissed the top of her forehead and returned the hug. “It’s great to be back, darling.”
“Mhm!”
Wakana sniffed in the air. “That’s a nice smell.”, he said.
“Oh, if you love the smell, you’ll love the food!”, Marin quipped.
“I will, you can count on that.”, Wakana replied. He knew his wife was great at cooking. He had taught her all he knew.
Marin blushed. “Ahh, Gojō-kun.”, she said in a playful voice. “You make me blush when you reply so earnestly!”
Wakana chuckled. He couldn’t think of a joke in response, so he said what he thought. “I suppose that must be my talent.”
Marin jumped and kissed Wakana. He caught her and held her up by her waist. Marin never knew an alley-oop from her husband could feel so good.
“This really is a great dish, darling.”, Wakana said as he savoured dinner.
“Nothin’ but the best for the guy I wuv!”, Marin said. She put her arm around Wakana’s back and drew him closer to her on the couch.
Wakana smiled and brushed Marin’s hair. Marin was head over heels and she knew it. It was a sweet reward for how hard they worked at maintaining their love.
They ate a bit more food together.
“So, how was your yoga class, darling?”, Marin asked, chirpy.
“It felt very good.”, Wakana replied. He had a dignified, thoughtful smile. “We did a heart opening exercise today. Meditated for 5 minutes at the beginning.” He ate a bit more. “I feel I’ve gotten better at being in the moment. Just meditating, letting my thoughts pass without interacting.”
Marin flashed him a naughty grin. “And I feel you’ve gotten better at flexibility too!”, she quipped.
Wakana chuckled. “Yes. Yoga truly does give many benefits.”, he said.
Marin laughed. “Hahaha, I guess I’ll have to take up the Kama Sutra now!”
Marin and Wakana held hands as they sat on their balcony. It was a calm, moonlight night. Stargazing was a bit of a challenge given Tokyo’s light pollution, but they gave it their best.
“Gojō-kun… did you ever think about parenthood?”, Marin asked.
Wakana thought in silence. This was nothing new for Marin. Back when they first fell in love, Wakana’s slower pace sometimes made her worry she said something wrong. Now, she knew her husband and his pace best. To be together, in pleasant silence, calmed her instead of worrying her.
“I don’t think I really have, Kitagawa-san.”, Wakana replied. “I’m aware of it as a possibility, but I haven’t given it much thought.”
Marin nodded. “Mhm.”, she said. She looked at him, and he looked at her. Their eyes meeting made her feel more at ease. “I haven’t either.”, she said.
“Have your thoughts changed from when we first discussed it?”, Wakana asked.
“I don’t think so?”, Marin said. She wasn’t sure herself. She rubbed her cheek with her finger and looked upward in thought for a moment. “I guess I’m not planning it. But I’m not closed to it, y’know?”
Wakana smiled. “So, nothing has changed.”, he said. He hugged his wife.
“So, how was your writing exercise today, darling?”, Wakana asked.
“Oh, it was totally interesting!”, she said. “I feel I’ve made progress.”
Wakana kissed Marin on the cheek. “I’m happy to hear that.”, he said.
Marin blushed a little, and gave Wakana a loving smile.
A thought occurred to her. “Say, Gojō-kun…”, she said. “If you had to describe me in one word, what’d that be?”
Wakana registered only mild surprise at the question. Then he looked at Marin. His gaze was careful, methodical. This was the sight of her husband deep in thought, mustering all his talents. Marin felt almost excited to find out the answer.
“Kindness.”, he said.
Marin had been so entranced by Wakana deep in thought, she blinked. It took only a second to process that. Afterwards, her heart welled up with joy.
“Really?”, she said, with an adoring gaze.
“Absolutely.”, Wakana said, with a dignified smile. “You’re the kindest person I know, Kitagawa-san. You’re friendly to everyone and you don’t judge.”
Marin was so happy she was close to crying. She gave Wakana a deep hug and a passionate kiss. “Oh, darling~”, she said, her voice playful with an emotional edge. “I love you! That’s wonderful to hear!”
Wakana smiled as he reciprocated.
After they hugged and kissed, Wakana asked, “And if you had to describe me in one word, darling?”
It was Marin’s turn to be deep in thought. She thought and thought, and then laughed. “I can’t decide between ‘cute’ or ‘solid’!”
Wakana looked a bit confused. “Why those two?”
“Well, they’re obvious, yeah?”, Marin replied with enthusiasm. “Solid, because you’re a rock of stability, Gojō-kun. You’re reliable, you keep your word, and you put thought into everything.”
Wakana smiled. He felt happy to hear that. “No wonder we’re such a great team.”
“Damn right we are!”, Marin shouted, giddy. She gave her husband an enthusiastic high-five.
“And cute because look at yourself!”, Marin added with a chuckle. “You’re the cutest guy in the world!”
“Oh, darling…”, Wakana said, overwhelmed by the compliment.
“So, uh, that just happened.”, Marin said, a bit lost for words. The pregnancy test she’d taken was on the table before them. She was pregnant.
How much time passed in silence as they both pondered the situation, nobody knew. Marin felt a little overwhelmed by it all. She was the first to break the silence.
“Well… what are we gonna do, Gojō-kun?”, she asked. Her voice had a pleading sound to it. She needed reassurance.
Wakana thought a little more, and his expression turned resolute. He hugged his wife. Marin rested her head on Wakana’s chest. She felt comforted, and her worries quieted somewhat.
“Kitagawa-san.”, Wakana said. He looked at his wife, eyes full of reassurance and resolve. “The decision is yours, in the end. Just know that I will support you with all my heart, no matter what.”
Marin looked at Wakana. She felt warm.
“When we fell in love, we didn’t know what we were doing.”, Wakana said. “We’ve been through a lot together. We still don’t know what we’re doing sometimes. But look where we are. We’ve gotten this far together. No matter what the future holds, we will do our best. We’re a team, and we’ll defeat any challenge.”
Marin smiled and tears filled her eyes. “Oh, darling…”, she said as she hugged her husband.
The sonographer looked at the monitor as he gave Marin an ultrasound. Wakana held Marin’s hand. They both looked at the sonographer with anticipation.
“Congratulations are in order, Ms. Kitagawa.”, the sonographer said. “You’re pregnant with triplets.”
Marin and Wakana needed a moment to process the statement.
“Triplets?”, Marin said.
The table boasted a meal that looked like it was for a party. It was, in fact, for two. Wakana ate his small portion while Marin ate the rest.
Marin wore her flower-print bra and black panties. She gave Wakana a lustful look, holding the measuring tape in her hand.
“Gojō-kun~”, Marin said in a sultry voice, drawing out the mora. “Do you want to take my measurements?”
Wakana smiled. “Of course I do, darling.”, he replied.
Marin chuckled. By the kami, Wakana was hopeless as ever at flirty talk, and it just made him so much more charming.
Wakana measured Marin’s belly, now a few months into pregnancy. He put his ear to her bellybutton. “I can’t hear anything yet, Kitagawa-san.”
Marin chuckled. “It’ll happen sooner or later.”, she joked.
Wakana began to rub Marin’s belly. She felt a rush of pleasure through her body.
“Darling…”, she said, trying to be sultry but being excited instead. “Keep on rubbing.”
Wakana finished adjusting the tripod and camera, and flashed a thumbs up. “Ready for the picture, darling.”, he said.
“Oooh, I can’t wait!”, Marin said. If she hadn’t been pregnant, she would’ve jumped for joy. Instead, she settled for waving her fists with excitement.
Wakana smiled. He felt pride that Marin followed his advice and had brought him into her world of fashion shoots. She picked upbeat and joyful characters to cosplay like herself. Having him around on fashion shoots emboldened Marin further. She started doing her cheerful smile no matter what. In all her photos, she beamed with joy and kindness. It only made her more successful as a model.
Wakana was happy that he’d at least helped with that before Marin had to take maternity leave.
Marin held a peace sign in front of her left eye. Her grin gained a certain smugness that made her more attractive. “How do I look?”, she asked in a playful voice.
“You look amazing, darling.”, Wakana replied. He meant it from the bottom of his heart.
Wakana took photos of Marin in her bra and panties, and the last month of her pregnancy.
A wave of initial panic washed over Wakana in the delivery room. Then his inner resolve and meditative knowledge kicked in. He took deep breaths with eyes closed, and let his thoughts pass without interaction.
Marin was sat on a bed. “Sat” was a technical term. The bed stood up at a vertical angle, so gravity would help with childbirth. Doctors attended to her. Wakana was right next to her, holding tight to her hand.
“Gojō-kun…”, Marin said. She felt exhausted.
Wakana rubbed his forehead against Marin’s. Marin smiled.
The doctor gave Marin some nitrous oxide for pain control.
The pregnancy ended with success. Marin looked on with exhausted joy. She held her triplets in her hands, onto her body. Wakana looked with amazement and pride.
The doctors monitored the babies and found nothing wrong.
The kami smiled on Marin and Wakana, for sure. These were the most quiet and well-behaved children a parent could hope for. Marin and Wakana couldn’t believe their luck. Their kids were heavy sleepers and were easy to soothe when upset. It was a real blessing.
“Darling, how do I look?”, Marin said as she hugged Wakana in front of the mirror.
Wakana understood his wife wanted reassurance, just like any new mother. He was about to give her more than that.
“Darling, you look wonderful.”, Wakana said. “You look more beautiful now than you did before you gave birth.”
Marin blushed on hearing those words.
“Don’t worry about it.”, Wakana said with a smile. He rubbed Marin’s belly in a gentle way. He knew how much this had become a turn-on for his wife since pregnancy. “You’ve had this glow to you since motherhood, Kitagawa-san.”
“Really?”, Marin asked. She was a bit too overwhelmed by emotions to say anything wittier.
“Yes.”, Wakana replied. In the mirror, Marin could see his loving, serene smile. “You look so blissful, darling.”, he continued. “You look like you’re at peace. You have so much love. First you shared it with me, and now we’ll share it with our children.”
Marin felt so happy she felt her eyes watery.
“You’re still Kitagawa-san.”, Wakana said, kissing her on the cheek. “The most loving and kind woman in the world. Nothing will change that. I’m so lucky to be with you.”
“Oh, darling…”, Marin almost whimpered as she hugged Wakana.
Marin and Wakana’s triplets were daughters, and they were the spitting image of their mother. It seemed they hadn’t yet inherited their mother’s impeccable style. One wore plain T-shirts and trousers without accessories. Another wore a baggy sweatsuit. The third happened upon an outfit that made her look very precocious. She wore a red beret, thick glasses, a yellow shirt with a bow, and a brown blazer and skirt.
Marin, for her part, wore a purple blouse and patterned skirt that lent glamour to her motherly glow. Wakana dressed as he always did, in traditional clothes for casual wear.
The family walked back home. Passing by one street, Marin looked to the left and laughed.
“Kids! Kids!”, she announced, waiting to run out of laughter.
Her children and husband looked at her, curious.
Marin pointed with pride towards a building. “That over there is the love hotel where your mom and dad first made love!”
The children stared, nonplussed. Wakana looked very awkward, in a way he hadn’t been since middle school.
“Er, darling…”, he said, giving an awkward chuckle. “Don’t you think they’re a little too young to know that?”
Marin giggled. She leaned in and whispered in Wakana’s ear, “Aw, don’t worry, Gojō-kun. I didn’t tell them about the Rizu-kyun cosplay.”
One of their daughters giggled.
Marin’s words had an odd soothing effect on her husband. He forgot about his worries and caught a different train of thought. “That’s a name I haven’t heard for a long time.”, he quipped. “I forgot all about her.”
His wife giggled. “She brought us together, that’s what matters!”, she joked.
Their children’s confusion deepened.
Marin thought life couldn’t get better than this. She hugged her husband. “I wanna thank you, Gojō-kun.”, she said in a loving voice.
Wakana felt very happy, and returned the hug. “You’re welcome, Kitagawa-san.”, he said.
After a moment, curiosity occurred to him. “What for, if I can ask?”
Marin giggled. “Oh, for everything.”, she said, kissing him on the mouth.
Wakana felt a glow of pride within him as she showed Marin the plan for her updated website.
Marin’s mouth opened wide and her eyes glowed with excitement. Wakana had chosen a wonderful photo of her wearing a red dress and leather jacket. It made her look sexy, lively, and above all, fabulous.
She could barely get through the first sentence before she hugged her husband close:
“Marin Kitagawa: Model, cosplayer, actress, media personality, writer, fashion designer.”
“Hi everyone, and welcome to Kaho Shibuya’s TOKUMORI. I’m your host, Kaho Shibuya. I’m very excited to have today’s guests. They’re the married couple behind Japan’s biggest clothing brand for mothers. I’m happy to welcome none other than Marin Kitagawa and Wakana Kitagawa.”
“Aww, thanks so much, Kaho!”, Marin said, cheerful. “I’m sooo stoked to be here!” She made the double peace sign in front of her eyes and grinned.
“It’s an honour, Shibuya-san.”, Wakana said.
“Well, I suppose mentioning just the clothing brand is selling you short.”, Kaho quipped. “You’re quite the polymaths, you are.”
Wakana giggled.
“In fact, Marin, you recently wrote your memoir, didn’t you?”
“Mhm!”, Marin said. “It’s a best-seller already!”
Marin and Wakana cuddled close after having sex and cleaning each other up. They had their eyes closed and felt the warmth of each other’s body.
“I love you, Gojō-kun.”, Marin said.
“I love you too, Kitagawa-san.”, Wakana said.
They continued cuddling in contented silence. Wakana thought to himself this must be the secret to a long, happy life.
The kami had smiled on Marin and Wakana over the years. The aging process was kind to them. Their kids grew up in a loving home and went on to follow their own passions.
Marin and Wakana laughed. It was the same laughs as always, which had propelled them through a good life together. Marin’s was joyful and excited. Wakana’s was thoughtful and dignified.
“That’s a wonderful story!”, Marin said from her end of the table. “That goes to show ya, don’t ever mess with a Kitagawa!” She winked and raised her index finger. Her movements were slower in old age than youth, but the spirit was still unquenchable.
“You’re the best grandma ever!”, one of their grandchildren exclaimed.
Marin reached out to Wakana’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “Hey, don’t forget your dear grandpa!”, she replied in a mocking voice. “He ain’t chopped liver, you know!”
“Sorry, grandpa.”, the grandchild replied.
Wakana smiled. His face was serene. “Don’t trouble yourself, Wataru.”, he said.
The conversation continued. At some point, Marin and Wakana’s children went to play with their grandchildren. Marin and Wakana remained alone. They wandered onto the porch.
“It’s a beautiful night.”, Marin said, looking up at the sky and smiling.
Wakana reached out and brushed Marin’s hair. It was white now, but just as long as she always kept it.
Marin looked at Wakana with a smile. Words weren’t necessary. Their loving gazes said everything.
Wakana chuckled.
“Oh? Whatcha thinking, darling?”, Marin asked, curious.
“Remember the first time I came over to your place?”, Wakana said. “You panicked because you hadn’t put on your contact lenses.”
Marin grinned and laughed with delight.
“I don’t think our grandkids ever saw you with contact lenses.”, Wakana quipped.
Marin held her hands behind her body and tilted her head in a seductive way. “They will, once we start showing them all those photos.”
Wakana laughed.
Marin approached Wakana in a gentle way and embraced him. They kissed with passion; the kind built by decades of remaining newlyweds.
“I wanna thank you, Kitagawa-san.”, he said in a moment’s respite.
Marin smiled. Her gaze showed nothing but affection and pride.
“For everything.”, he added.
“You’re welcome.”, Marin said, in an emotional voice.
They kissed.