Summer vacation... How I love this time of year!
Even though I prefer colder weather, summer comes with so many good things: beach, travel, watermelon (Mom really loves that fruit), games, and lots of water!
And most importantly...
"Ichisuke, my son, where exactly are you looking, huh? Don't you think you're a bit too young to have that kind of look in your eyes?" my dad said beside me, a knowing smile on his face.
My face turned red as I quickly tried to explain: "N-no! Of course not. That's old people's stuff!" +100 in acting.
My dad, not buying it one bit, chuckled. "Hehehe... Youth is beautiful, truly. I remember when I met your mother: so strong, beautiful, graceful, sharp, focused, and empathetic. It was love at first sight. I'd even say she saved my life!" His eyes sparkled with nostalgia.
'Did he really almost spill the truth about his past to me, a seven-year-old?'
Classic Shiba.
My gaze turned to the ocean before me: vast and crystal clear — hyperbolically speaking, I could taste the salt in the air.
The feeling of sand beneath my feet was stimulating, making me feel even more alive.
Ichigo, Yuzu, and Karin were running around playing tag, while my mom and dad were enjoying some alone time. They deserved it.
Meanwhile, I — tall, handsome, slender, strong, and intellectually gifted — Ichisuke Kurosaki, was guarding our stuff under the umbrella.
And it was perfect...
With binoculars to my face, I watched the beach goddesses blessed by the sun and the sea in all their radiant glory.
"Wow! Size B82-W40-H34. A true lighthouse tower!"
A crooked smile crept across my face. Forgive me, but no one's perfect.
"Funfun~ Thank you, Soul King!"
Arigato, Reiō-sama!
I'm really starting to enjoy this world.
Maybe it's not so bad... I thought to myself.
...
that same week
"My lovely family! Today we'll hike through this beautiful forest and camp in it!"
Isshin Kurosaki beamed. His wife and children were excited. Even if Ichisuke seemed indifferent, deep down he was looking forward to it — and Isshin knew it.
With his experience as a father, he had realized that his eldest son wasn't great at expressing himself in certain areas, but by pressing the right buttons, the boy would open up.
He definitely didn't get that from the free-spirited Shiba side, Isshin thought, watching said son helping Karin avoid tripping on the vines.
Isshin suspected this personality came from his maternal side, but even for him, Masaki Kurosaki refused to talk about her "family" — the Kurosakis.
Masaki was the last known survivor of her clan. No one really knew what had happened to the rest after her first encounter with Isshin Shiba, who was still a captain at the time.
Isshin glanced sideways at his beloved wife, who wore her signature radiant smile.
Noticing the look, Masaki asked, "Honey, is there something on my face?"
"No, I was just admiring your incredible beauty!" he replied with a thumbs-up and steam puffing from his nose.
Blushing, Masaki scolded him.
"Mou~ Darling, the kids are here!"
"Sorry, couldn't help it."
Then, Isshin wrapped his arms around Masaki's waist and kissed her.
"My eyes! / Urgh..."
Ichigo and Ichisuke couldn't help groaning in despair.
"Ichigo, did you cover Yuzu's eyes?" Ichisuke asked nervously, still covering Karin's eyes.
"I did — barely. But if I'm covering hers, who's covering mine?" Ichigo asked, fake tears streaming down his cheeks.
Ichisuke, eyes shut and fist clenched, spoke with valor: "Ichigo, you will honor your name and protect our family! There will be moments in life when you'll think, 'Can I really keep standing?' And I say: Yes, you can! Be it against an illusionist, a panther, or a German — you must have courage!"
Ichigo barely understood any of that, but the words rang with such truth, he could only feel inspired.
"It's a promise, Ike-niisan. I will be the sword that cu—"
Ichisuke quickly placed a hand on the strawberry boy's shoulder, cutting him off.
"Calm down, little bro, we're not at the later chapters yet." +50 in meta-awareness.
"Mama, Ike-niisan is rambling again," Karin told Masaki, pointing at her dark-haired brother.
Ichisuke felt insulted.
"KARIN!!!!!!!"
...
"Marshmallows, the food crafted by the gods of the forest and camping!"
Dad shouted while pulling out a pack of fluffy white sweets from his backpack.
By then, the stars had claimed the sky, with the waning moon nestled among them. It had been hours since we set up camp.
How is it so hard to pitch a tent?
I refuse to believe it's actually hard.
"As the most proactive in setting up the camp, Yuzu-chan will get three extra marshmallows!"
I refuse to accept this.
"Ike, where are you going?" Dad asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hands in my pockets, I replied, "Just going for a walk."
Mom, sitting beside Dad, stood up and turned to me.
"Ichisuke Kurosaki, are you serious when you say you're going to walk through a forest at night?" she asked, arms crossed and eyes narrowing.
Shrugging, I answered, "Nothing's gonna happen. Besides, I couldn't get lost even if I tried."
My parents replied in unison:
"You're not going / You can go."
"Isshin!"
Nervously, Dad clarified to Mom, "Honey, he's young. Besides, he's not wrong."
It seemed like Mom was going to argue, but Dad's final words did something to her.
Her expression turned sour, arms crossed again, and she plopped down on the log near the chair.
"Hmph! Mommy and wife are mad now."
Dad and I stared at each other for a few seconds. Cold sweat ran down our foreheads.
Then he whispered in my ear, "You owe me. And find a way for me to sleep in the tent with you and your brother."
Giving him an OK sign, I began to walk away from the camp, my thoughts finally surfacing.
'Let's see who this annoying Reiatsu belongs to.'