Vacation at Home

“Sum-mer-va-ca-tion!!” Marin-chan said excitedly from the morning.

“Yeah… It’s hot…” I respond while lounging around.

“Come on! It’s summer vacation, let’s go somewhere!” she said, pulling my arm.

“I think it’s not a good idea to go out carelessly.”

“Oh, come on! Last time it was bad because it was just the station area… If we go far away, it’ll be fine!”

She gazed at me intently.

“Alright, alright… So, let’s experience the sea at home today!”

“…How?”

“Uh… first, I’ll change into my swimsuit, so please wait a moment!” She disappeared into the changing room with her swimsuit.

Then, she reappeared in a school swimsuit.

It looked quite s*xy, and I can’t help but glance at her.

“Hey! Why haven’t you changed, Aoi-kun!? And stop staring at my chest!”

“…I wasn’t staring at all… And you want me to wear swim trunks inside the house?”

“Yes! Hurry up and change!” She handed me the swim trunks, forcing me to change.

Even though it wouldn’t feel awkward at the beach, it somehow feels embarrassing at home, probably because everyone is usually dressed the same at the beach.

So, I returned in my swim trunks, only to find Marin-chan lounging on the sofa, wearing large sunglasses, holding a big glass, and playing a beach video on the home theater.

“…What are you doing?”

“Welcome to Hawaii!!”

“…Uh, okay.”

“Non, non, non! This is Hawaii. Therefore, Japanese is not allowed.” 

“…I’m not good at English… Uh… I’m… not good… at English?” 

(Tl/n: uhh just pretend the other part is in spanish or other foreign language)

“Okay, okay! Let’s speak Japanese with an English accent!”

“…That works for me.”

So, we sat side by side on the sofa, looking at the beach.

The sound of the waves from the high-quality speakers was soothing, and with my eyes half-closed, I almost felt like I was at the beach.

Oh, this is a home vacation.

To think we can enjoy a vacation feeling at home…

Gradually, we both got comfortable and fell asleep right there.

◇1 hour later

I woke up to the sound of water running from the kitchen. Next to me, Marin-chan was sleeping with drool on her face.

…Huh?

But, I definitely heard a sound from the kitchen…

My consciousness gradually cleared, and a slight sense of fear made me sit up abruptly.

Standing there was Marin-chan’s mother.

“Oh, did I wake you?”

“Oh… um…”

“Even though it’s the first day of summer vacation, you two are exam students this year, right? I think you should be more aware of that.”

“…S-sorry.”

“I also heard about your test results. It wasn’t a perfect score this time… Can I consider that a coincidence?”

She was indirectly, no, rather straightforwardly implying that it was my fault.

“Uh… this time, I think it was partly because… she fell ill before the test…”

“And who brought that cold, I wonder?” Her expression and tone were mismatched, which made it strangely frightening.

“…I’m sorry. It’s… my responsibility.”

“In a normal student relationship, I might laugh it off, but you two are married. You’re committed to each other for the future. You understand what I’m saying, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Good. If that’s the case, then that’s fine… Enough of my nagging,” she said as she left the kitchen and entered the living room.

“Since being with you, she’s been really happy. She’s always been competent at everything, never complained, never caused trouble. But I’m sure she’s shown you sides of herself—vulnerable, selfish, and relaxed Marin—that she never shows me.”

“…”

“I’m honestly a bit jealous. I might be strict with her, so maybe she secretly dislikes me.”

“I don’t think that’s the case at all! I’m sure she understands that you’re strict for her sake… that it’s a mother’s love.”

“…Maybe. But really, I’m surprised. I never thought she’d marry the boy from back then.”

“The boy from back then?”

“Oh? …Well, never mind,” she said, slightly cryptically. 

“I’ll leave before Marin wakes up. Please enjoy this; it’s her favorite,” she said, pointing to the omelet rice.