My Japanese Childhood Friend Is Too Flirty - Chapter 153



152. Family Trip to the Beach! (3)

Taking turns listening to Yura’s favorite children’s song, my favorite pop tunes, and Aki’s beloved ballads, we pressed forward with vigor toward the beach.

After about two hours of driving, our family finally arrived at Wangsan Beach just before lunchtime. Beyond the parking lot wall, I could see the fine sandy beach and the wide-open seashore, dotted with throngs of people. It seemed many of them were families like us.

“Aki, Yura. Let’s get out.”

“Yes!”

“Our Yura, you have to unbuckle your seatbelt before you get out, alright~?”

“Ah! That’s right…!”

Yura, who was about to wriggle her way out between the seatbelt and the car seat, froze. Still a child, so she can get out like that too.

Amused by the strange sight, I chuckled while unbuckling her seatbelt, and Aki helped Yura undo hers before taking her hand to get out together. They look so much alike, it’s a bit magical to watch. How can a mother and daughter be so identical?

“Papa, where’s my hat?”

“Hat? Ah, it’s in the trunk. Just wait a moment…”

I opened the trunk and pulled out the travel bag. Inside were a picnic mat, sunglasses, swimsuits, sunscreen, and things like that.

After moving the bag, Yura’s straw hat, which I’d packed before leaving, came into view. I took it out and placed it on Yura’s head.

“Here you go. Don’t lose it, okay?”

“Yes, Papa!”

“Dear, you got your wallet, right?”

“Uh-huh. Got it. Let’s go.”

I took Yura’s left hand. Aki took her right.

And so, our little family, hand in hand, made our way towards the seaside. The lush, green seascape of July grew closer, and the salty tang of the sea, mingled with the savory aromas of food, filled the air. Seems like there must be food stalls nearby.

“Wow, the ocean…!”

Yura, her eyes shining brightly, shouted.

As if oblivious to the throngs of people and the tempting food smells, she gazed in wonder at the blue sea, then turned her head sharply to look at me.

“Papa, it’s so amazing…!”

“The ocean, or Papa?”

“Wooow, the water is really blue. Wooow, wooow…!”

“…Heh. Got ignored, did I?”

“…….”

It’s her first time seeing the ocean, so I guess it can’t be helped.

I remembered reacting similarly to Yura when I first saw the sea as a child. Genuinely amazed by the ocean stretching to the horizon, tugging insistently on my father’s sleeve, begging him to let me run into the water right away. Now, after having seen it once or twice, I take it in stride.

“If I’d known she’d like it this much, I would’ve brought her sooner.”

“No, bringing her now is just right. If we brought her any earlier, she wouldn’t even remember it, would she?”

“Ah, maybe? I suppose that could be true…”

“Papa, I have a question!”

While I was stroking my chin, Yura tugged on my hand. I met her gaze, signaling her to go ahead.

“Waaay over there, if you go all the way to the end… does the sea and the sky… touch?”

Yura’s finger pointed towards the horizon.

“Huh? Ah….”

For a moment, I didn’t grasp what she meant, then the realization dawned. Yura was talking about that line far in the distance when you look at the water, the flat line – the horizon.

Well, horizon was the word, but it wasn’t a perfectly straight line in reality, more like a gently curved one. Anyway, I took Yura’s hand and slowly began to explain.

“No, it’s not quite like that.”

“Why not? If you go all the way to the end, wouldn’t they be stuck together?”

“Yura, the premise of what you’re saying is wrong. Because the horizon isn’t a specific point, but the place where the sky and the sea appear to meet at the limit of your vision…”

“…Darling. What are you doing?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Do you think she can understand all that when she’s barely four years old?”

“Yura’s smart. She can grasp something like this…”

“Yura, that part that looks like the sea and the sky are touching? That’s called the horizon, alright?”

“Hori…zon…?”

“Yep. Horizon. But you know what? People can’t actually reach the horizon.”

“Why? Why can’t we?”

“Because the Earth is round. As Yura walks forward, the horizon recedes backward at the same rate. Even if Yura walked forward until she was an old woman, she’d never be able to touch it…”

“Wow…! I get it…!”

“Mmhmm. Understand now? Shall we go watch the sea together with Mommy and Daddy?”

“Yes! I want to!”

Aki, having finished her explanation at eye level, took Yura’s hand. Then she glanced sharply at me, her eyes practically screaming, *What are you waiting for? Get a move on.*

Hmm, Aki’s definitely better with kids than I am…

Silently admiring her skills, I followed Aki and Yura toward the changing rooms. Since I was just playing guardian, I’d stick to a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts instead of swimwear. Aki and Yura would be the only ones changing into their swimsuits.

“If anything happens, shout as loud as you can so I can hear you outside. Got it?”

“Hehe. Worrywart…”

“We’ll be back soon, Daddy!”

“Mmhmm. Be careful.”

I waved to the mother and daughter as they entered the changing rooms.

I watched their backs until they disappeared from view, then leaned against the wall of the changing room.

It’ll take them a while to change, so I’ll have to wait here. But just standing here would make me look like a weirdo. I should check my phone or something.

“Hmm…”

I pulled out my phone and checked for messages. Nothing much, just a few updates in the group chats with my high school and university classmates.

In the changing room, I snapped a photo with the sea as a backdrop, and uploaded it to our group chat. A few of the kids, having seen the picture, sent replies. Were you at the sea? Who are you with? Where is that place? The contents varied.

*Ding-a-ling!*

“Hello?”

It was a call. From Mom, no less.

I’d naturally assumed it was from one of the friends who saw the picture. I thought to myself how incredibly coincidental the timing was as I answered the call.

“Hey, Mom?”

[Yeah. Son, what are you up to?]

“Oh, I’m out with the family right now.”

[Out where? Will you be back soon?]

“Incheon. We just got here, so I don’t think we’ll be back all that soon… Why? Is something up?”

[I was going to bring some ribs over if you were coming home. You like ribs, don’t you, Uju?]

Mom’s ribs are the best. Just imagining them made my mouth water, and I unconsciously swallowed.

[The surroundings sound noisy, like you’re outdoors. Are you perhaps at Wolmido?]

“It’s outdoors alright, but not Wolmido. We came to the beach. Wangsan Beach.”

[Ah~ really? Then you probably won’t be home until after dinner?]

“We can’t exactly leave an hour or two after arriving, so probably, yeah.”

[Aww, I was going to drop off the side dishes and see Yura’s face for a bit… Shall I just leave the dishes at your doorstep, and you guys can eat them later?]

“It’s summer, they’ll spoil quickly if you leave them outside. Don’t do that, just come around lunchtime tomorrow. I’ll be waiting.”

[I can’t tomorrow. I’m going hiking with your father.]

“Ah, a date you have?”

[A date? What date? We’re just going for some exercise… Anyway, today’s a no-go, then?]

“Yeah. Today’s a bit difficult…”

“Daddy!”

I was mid-conversation when a familiar voice rang out. I looked up to see Yura, wearing her child-sized swimsuit.

“Daddy, I’m all changed!”

Yura came running towards me, and I caught her in my arms, lifting her up in one swift motion.

Right now, my pose is a bit funny – I’m holding Yura with one hand, and the phone with the other.

Well, it might be a little awkward, but my daughter’s so light it doesn’t really matter. So I was just about to continue the call in this state, when I saw Aki emerging from the direction of the changing room where Yura came out from.

Aki’s swimsuit was a beige monokini.

It was the type of swimsuit that could hide the now-bulging line of her abdomen to some extent, while still showing off her figure.

I was momentarily captivated by the sight of Aki walking towards us.

“Daddy, Mom’s pretty, right?”

“…Yeah. She is.”

Skin like white jade, a face so foreign. Pink hair, catching the sunlight and shimmering…

The way it all came together, blending so seamlessly, it was, to put it mildly, like a painting. How could Aki still radiate such beauty, even while pregnant? You could set her on a runway as she is and believe she was a model. You see it a lot overseas, right? Pregnant models, things like that.

“Honey, are you on the phone?”

“Yeah. My mom called.”

“Your mother called? …What did she say?”

“Nothing much. Said she made some side dishes and wanted to bring them over. I told her today wasn’t good, but she could bring them later when she has time…”

“Give it here.”

“Huh?”

“Quickly!”

Aki raised her eyebrows in a swift demand. Before I knew it, I was handing over my phone.

“—Hello. Mother? Ah, yes, it’s Aki. Yes, have you been well? I’m sorry, I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t been able to call as often. Yes. Yes. We’re doing fine, yes. Yes…”

The moment she answered, her voice became sweet and amiable.

The volume of the call was too low for me to hear the specifics. But judging by the keywords I caught, it seemed like they were exchanging simple greetings, talking about the kinds of side dishes she made, and asking if we were free tonight.

“Mother. Would it be alright if we stopped by your place for dinner tonight? Ah, yes. Certainly. If you and Father are okay with it, we could even stay overnight. Actually, I’d be asking a favor of you?”

“……”

“Oh, would you really? Yes, understood. I’ll see you tonight then. Yes, yes. Take care. Mother~! I love you too~”

*Click*

The call was over.

Aki handed me back my phone.

“Here you go. All finished.”

“Ah, yeah. But what did you and Mom talk about?”

“Nothing much. Just a little catching up, that’s all. Oh, and we’re staying at Mother’s place tonight.”

“Eh… Staying over?”

“I think Mother misses Yura. And it’s been a while since we visited.”

“Well, that’s true, but… is there really a need to stay the night?”

“Honey.”

“Yeah?”

Akihiko gazed intently at me.

“It’s a perfect excuse, you see? A chance to show off Yura’s face, grab a meal, and earn some brownie points. That way, later on, Mother and Father will look upon our family with favor.”

“Ah…”

I see.

Here I was, wondering why bother spending a night there, and there was a reason. It’s probably why Mom likes Akihiko more than me…

“Now that you get it, let’s go. Alright, departure!”

“Departure for the sea~!”

“…Let’s take it easy. Slowly.”

“Eesh, you’re such a wet blanket…! Husband, shout it out too, departure!”

“De-, departure…”

“Louder!”

“Departure…!”

“Yura, give Daddy’s bottom a little smack!”

“Daddy, say it with me. Depaarture!”

“…A-alright. Departure!”

“Depaarture~!”