Thank you for getting this far. I enjoyed writing Ibu and Seiji's love story. I hope you all fell in love with this cute love story of them. Huhu!

Epilogue

It's been an hour since our class ended, and Instead of going home straight like my usual routine, I just found myself climbing up the rooftop of our school building. At the side of my eyes were blurred visions of white silhouettes of hurried students, I could hear the sound of their rushed steps, and the laughter, stories, and even plans that would mark the sign of weekends.

I sighed as I continued to climb up the stairs. I heard last night from my parents' conversation that the elders will visit today, and that's not good news for me.

I thought I'd enjoy this weekend, but the fact that the whole Matsumoto will gather at our house means that I'd be in the spotlight again.

I was still young when they made me aware of the value of my responsibility. I thought that it was cool at first, as a young boy with a heart hungry for adventure, but as I grew up and understood a lot of things about life, I just realized that life was much better when you're free, less power, and influence.

Both of my hands were on the phone's screen, I couldn't help but think of other ways to avoid the elders for the next few days. Yes, I've been the obedient grandson, the next leader, and such. I never tried to disobey or even give them a conflict, but I knew to myself that I need a breather.

I want freedom. I want a real silence. And I think as long as I have this position, I wouldn't ever have it.

I am Seiji Matsumoto, the son of the eldest son— one of the biggest suppliers of firearms in the underworld.

When I opened the door of the rooftop, I was welcomed by a huge blank space, a whistling wind, and dancing leaves— and suddenly, my eyes veered in that direction. At that pale orange fire painted in the sky. I didn't even realize that I slowly put down my phone, and I just stared blankly at the calm sunset.

I sighed for the second time. I placed my phone inside my pocket as I made my few steps to the edge of the rooftop as if I could reach those hypnotizing orange rays that were currently gracing the whole Gifu, Japan.

The wind blew again with my white unbuttoned polo uniform, I unknowingly combed up my hair with my fingers as it hindered my eyes, I removed my backpack, and I allowed myself to spoil this beauty alone— in silence, in peace.

For me, happiness is being alone, it's my freedom. And I didn't even realize the time.

I wasn't even planning to get up on the floor and remove my eyes from the stars, but when I heard the movement of the door, suddenly I was abducted from that drowning trance.

"Seiji! They are looking for you!"

I lazily looked in the direction of the voice. It's Kousuke.

"I sent them a message. I am with friends."

"You don't have friends," he quickly replied.

"Shall we go, then?"

His eyes narrowed. He irritatingly sat beside me. "Alright. I will not tell them that you are purposely avoiding them."

I didn't answer. I looked up again and sighed.

"It must be hard for you."

I didn't answer again.

"But you don't have a choice."

I didn't answer.

"And what's the worst? You have that stoned face. You never complained! You never speak up! You're like a lifeless puppet! Tell them your thoughts! Fucking complain! What the hell is wrong with you? Can't you even notice that people are getting annoyed with that face of yours?!"

This is how I admired Kousuke among my cousins, he always has this confidence to speak with his mind— something that I'd never have the courage.

I took a glance at him before I returned my attention to the stars. "I know that I am not handsome. I am sorry if people are getting annoyed."

"What the fuck?! Seiji Matsumoto!" Kousuke irritatingly crumpled his hair. "You know that isn't what I meant! You idiot!"

"Would that make a difference, Kousuke?"

He went on silence. "I am okay."

"You were never okay."

I looked at him again. I tried to open my mouth to speak up, but ended up closing it again, I couldn't utter a single word.

"I know something that would make you break that cage," Kousuke started to open his bag, I was wondering why he was still in his uniform like me, I was sure that I saw him leaving the building, but my thoughts suddenly drifted away from his uniform when I saw the bottle of liquor on his hand.

"K-Kousuke! We're still minors! This is still the school campus!"

"So what? Our family is the most influential! We are the law!"

"L-Law?"

"Don't worry!"

I tried to decline Kousuke's ridiculousness, but when he tried to bribe me with some mobile game techniques, ideas, and skills, I didn't even realize that we were about to drink up not just one but three bottles!

Kousuke's laughing endlessly while lying on the floor, counting the stars. While my world is currently spinning.

"Oh, shit! I failed that one! Let me count again. One, two. . . three. . ."

I was clutching my chest, it felt like burning, and my throat hurts as hell.

"I think I am dying, Kousuke. . ."

"Oh! Shit!" he pointed to the sky. "Shooting star, Seiji! Make a wish!"

"My headache. Please remove my headache, kamisama," I almost beg.

"H-Huh? Huh? Seiji! This is once in a lifetime chance!" Kousuke abruptly got up. His polo's already unbuttoned, and his necktie is now wrapped on his forehead.

"My head is spinning, Kousuke. I will die," Kousuke grabbed my tie, and just like his, he tied it to my forehead.

"There!"

He started to search my pocket. "Where is it?"

"What?"

"Your phone. We need a reference."

"R-Reference?"

"Quickly! The shooting star will lose its power."

I didn't have a choice when Kousuke had my phone. He sat beside me again and immediately opened my phone for google.

"Give me your type."

"Type?"

"Cute? Sexy?"

I shook my head. "Why?"

"Come on, Seiji. Among my cousins, I know that you're hopeless! This is the only thing I can help you with. In the future, we're all getting married and you'll end up alone. This might help you—"

I shook my head. "I will not get marry—"

"Look! Here! Is she pretty?"

Kousuke opened a game online for an anime dress-up.

"Yes," I answered quickly when I saw the picture.

"Okay. Someone with a pretty face—"

"Round eyes or almond eyes," I added with a nod.

"Big—" Kousuke and I nodded in unison.

"Which dress?" he asked.

"Pink?" I said.

"Always pink? Why not the different color?"

"Yellow?" Kousuke grimaced.

"Why not gold? Like a celebrity?"

I nodded quickly. Kousuke tapped the phone as we both looked down at the female character. My face started to heat. I removed my eyes away from the screen.

"Isn't she very beautiful?"

"Don't worry! Let's ask the shooting star that even if she's very beautiful she will only look at you!"

I shook my head. "We are just fooling around, Kousuke. Let's go home."

"Come on! Oh shit! Another shooting star!" Kousuke forcefully grabbed me. I just found myself kneeling with him while looking up at the sky. When he saw that I was not clasping my hands together, he forced me to do it.

"Say it, Seiji!"

"It's embarrassing. . ." I'm shaking my head.

"Just say it! We'll forget about this for sure! Faster! I will give you my latest hero!"

"Okay!" I closed my eyes as I pressed my hands together. "D-Dear shooting star . . ."

Kousuke started to nudge his elbow when a minute passed, and I still couldn't utter a single word. "Seiji!"

"Shooting star! Yes, a girl with a very pretty face, soft skin, sweet voice, round eyes . . ."

Kousuke nudged his elbow again. "S-Sexy. . . with the gold dress," I said hesitantly.

"She will chase him!" Kousuke added.

I slowly opened my eyes, and I looked down. "I hope she'll love me a bit for who I am. . "

I felt how Kousuke's attention turned to me with his eyes wide open.

I sat down, hugged my legs, and buried my face in my knees with embarrassment. "This is really funny, Kousuke."

That night, Kousuke and I ended up laughing together until Kyohei with his hands on his hips, while looking down at us with an annoyed face.

"You're blocking the shooting stars, Kyohei," Kousuke complained.

"I just wished a beautiful girl in a gold dress. . ." I said in laughter.

I thought it was just a dream, I thought I'd never remember that silly drunken night, but it was like the flashback hit on time.

I felt like someone was trying to delicately brush the few strands of my hair that hides my eyes from the blasting sunlight. And when I tried to open my eyes, with the sound of the ocean waves, hurling trees, and birds' wings flapping, I saw the familiar glint of her eyes, the beautiful girl in a gold dress, and that sweetest smile on her lips.

"Ohayo, bebe. . ."

"Ibu. . ."

And the moment I tried to reach her, I was back again in the reality— that again, I am away from her. To my wife given by the shooting star.

Usually, it was Kyohei that greets me every morning, but this time, it was Kousuke. I shook my head when I met his eyes, I just remembered that silly night and luckily, the culprit of that ridiculous shooting star wish is very confident to welcome me this morning.

I didn't even count how many times I wish that I'd be in Kousuke's place, he has the freedom that I've been wishing for since I was a kid.

"How are you?"

"I am not fine."

My answer gave him a smile. Very ironic.

"Love really makes interesting things in life. Usually, you will say that you're fine. You're always fine, Seiji Matsumoto."

I irritatingly looked at him. "Away from her? Never."

"Pity that when you learned to speak up, nothing can be granted."

I lay back on my bed's headboard. "I don't know anymore, Kousuke. I better off dead than being away from her. This feeling is killing me. I hate it when I can't do anything."

He laughed. "Those are the words I never thought I'd hear from Seiji stoned face Matsumoto."

"They should disown me."

"Huh? You should remember that this isn't just your decision. It was also her decision. She let go of you because she cared for you. She loves you. And she doesn't want anything that might harm you. She sacrificed her happiness for you."

"That's supposed to be me, Kousuke. I should be the one sacrificing everything for her. Even this damn— this damn responsibility," I cupped my face with my palms.

"All this time I had accepted my fate. I even embraced this cage and live my life with it, but when I met her, I just realized how suffocating my life was, how I need air to breathe, how I need to hear music, and how I need to extend my hands to reach the things that I really love. I started to live my life because of her. She made me realize that I'd be happier if I choose life— a trap that would make me happy. And this trap will never be my happiness, it is always the trap with her— my life trapped with her."

My hands were now trembling as I looked at them. These calloused hands that I've been forcing to work for the things against my will—these calloused hands bind with an invisible rope.

"I miss her. I miss her so much. . ."

Kousuke sighed. "I wish I could do something to help you, Seiji. But just like you, I am powerless in this powerful family. Just like you, I am trapped with tradition. We're all puppets here."

"What are you going to do when you're in my place? Are you going to let yourself suffer like this?"

"I will avoid this situation as earlier as possible. I will try my best not to fall in love with a woman that would bring complications," he said with a small smile.

"Do you think I didn't try to avoid it? I tried my best to push her away. But I fell harder—helplessly. Hopeless. . ." I combed my hair with my fingers.

"You didn't try harder, I guess?"

"Pushing her away and avoiding her was even harder, Kousuke."

"Then you should think of something that would make them disown you. They will never let you go because if they are willing to entertain that thought they already have done it a long time ago."

I closed my eyes and pressed my head to the wall.

"But are you sure that you will give up everything for—" I didn't allow him to finish his words. I nodded at him quickly.

"How are you going to provide for her and your future?"

"Ibu, proposed to me before that she's fine if I can be her househusband."

His eyes widened. "Huh? Huh? Are you fine with that?"

"Of course, I can find another job. After all, she wants ten babies."

His eyes widened more. "A-Are you really serious about that?"

"She's serious about it. I couldn't disagree with her. I want everything that she wants."

Our conversation was interrupted when the door suddenly burst open. Expectedly, it's the most obedient grandson of all, Kyohei. Behind him were Tadashi and Shin.

"I have the way to disown you. But be sure that you're not going to change your mind. I'll have your position. After all, it's really my position. I am the most qualified and damn that birthright."

"A-Are you helping me?"

"No way! I am snatching my position because you don't deserve it. My father has been dreaming of me claiming the throne. Aren't you all aware that there was a time that someone claimed the head position of our clan not based on his birthright?"

"I am aware of it. You should well. . ." Shin purposely cut off his words.

"Almost kill him in combat," Tadashi added.

"Oh? Seiji almost healed his body. Another hospitalized day again for you," Kousuke said.

I nodded.

Kyohei massaged his temple, Shin shook his head, Tadashi simply smiled and Kousuke sighed again. "Everything for her girl."

"You'll realize it when you meet her," I said.

"I prefer meeting a ghost than a woman that would make me like you— hopeless."

I smiled. "But happy. . ."

***

When I first saw this small arena in the middle of this dark room, I never thought that I'd find myself in this position, in the center of my family's attention with their disapproving eyes. From the very beginning I tried my best to please them, to hear them, and to give them the rights of my life, but now that I've found my purpose, the real happiness, I know that the pain right now would fade away— from her touch, her smiles, and her loving voice.

I have to endure it for her— for my future with her.

I could still remember how she even tried to pretend that she was asleep when I visited her in the hospital. I want to be there for her when our supposed first baby left us. God knows, how much I wished to be with her at that time, but my situation and the tied responsibility with my name would make our life in danger together.

All I did was cry in her hands, apologize and whisper how much I love her.

This pain right now is my punishment for all those times that I was not there for her. "Ibu. . ."

I could hear the shouting of my mother as my body fell to the ground for the sixth time. I tried to fight back with Kyohei with my whole strength without thinking that it would be greater to lose, but his ability surpassed mine in every different way.

"Seiji!"

My vision was getting blurry, I could taste my own blood, and the voice of my mother started to muffle. The pain in my whole body was too unbearable that when I tried to get up again with my arms trembling as I support my weight, all I did was mutter unusual words that I never thought I'd hear from my own voice. At the side of the arena, it wasn't just the vision of my parents that were trying to stop themselves to end this ridiculous tradition, but also those cousins who have been there for me from the moment this cage started to trap me.

"Please stop this! Let's just free him. Allow my son to be happy. . ." my mother almost beg.

"Disown him! From the very first place, he's not even qualified for the position! It is always my son!" Kyohei's father added.

I saw how Kyohei's fists balled. He didn't move an inch in front of me, but he was just firmly standing there, waiting for anyone's announcement. But the elders didn't answer. The whole room went on silence.

"Kyohei!" his father shouted again.

I heard how Kyohei uttered some curse words before he started approaching me again. My mother cried louder as I tried to get up again, but before anything happens again, I heard the quick movement of the rope that surrounds the arena.

I was expecting that it was my father or Tadashi since they are most probably have the courage to face the elders to save me, but at that moment, for the very first time, I saw how Kousuke bravely faced our whole clan, without that happy-go-lucky character that hides his fear and cowardice in this suffocating family.

"Why don't you disown me too? Why don't you kill me like him too? Me too, I have a girl that will never fit in with our tradition. And I will continue to love her even if it kills me. Just let him go, just allow us to live. . . allow us to love."

It wasn't just Kousuke because Shin and Tadashi stood in front of me as well.

"Me too," Tadashi added.

"I think I got her pregnant," Shin said that making everyone gasp.

The elders started to get scandalized by my cousin's confession that even I didn't even expect. Are they telling the truth?

Until Kyohei's laughter overwhelmed the whole room. "Should I beat them to death? It seems like I am the only capable Matsumoto who can follow our sacred tradition."

"Stop fooling us!" the great grandfather shouted.

"Let's put an end to this tradition. We need to live our life on our own. We need to have our own decision," Shin said.

"What in the hell is—" but Kousuke cuts off our uncle.

"Life is a constant change. We can't always stick with this tradition that started years ago. Love doesn't have a law, standard, or even a pattern. We may be shared the same blood, name, or beliefs, but the need for someone's heart couldn't be the same. We fell in love in different ways and this time, we choose to fall in love in our own way. Allow Seiji to be happy. . . he deserves to be happy with that his beloved wife. A family shouldn't be a hindrance to happiness. This is wrong. This has been wrong. . ."

"K-Kousuke. . ."

"If you couldn't stop this, it's not just Seiji. A lot of Matsumoto will be born, and this tradition? This family? They will consider this as hell. A cage. A trap without an escape. You will lose us, them. . . we should be a family, we are not robots with programs. We have feelings, different decisions, and happiness."

"Allow us to choose," Tadashi added.

"Give us the life we deserve. A family should not be suffocating like this, not a chain, a poison, a cage. . . and even the cause of pain," Kousuke said.

I tried my best to hear every word that Kousuke bravely said in front of the whole clan of Matsumoto, but my whole body betrayed me. My eyes went into total blackout.

***

I woke up under a different ceiling, heavy body, but with a great noise. I was greeted with loud congratulations and confetti. Shin, Kyohei, and Kousuke were not around, it was just Tadashi and our friends from the Philippines.

"Grabe ang ginawa sa mukha niya. I have this feeling na hindi na rin siya tatanggapin ni Sidra," Langston Samonte said in grimace.

"My cousin had the worst face before. Tristan's face was unrecognizable. Tinanggap pa rin naman siya. Of course, he still has the money. Marami kaming pera, hindi pa rin siya tatanggihan," Troy answered as they stared at my face.

Aldus gasped. He even shook his head as he looked at me in concern. "What will happen to our dear friend? I heard they disowned him. Unrecognizable face. . . no money, what can we do?" he asked.

"Hiring naman yata sa biscuit company mo, Troy?"

"Yep. Hiring pa kami sa janitor."

I sighed. I suddenly remember Ibu's words before, these friends of mine are insecure with me because I have her.

"I can be her househusband. It's fine with her. I'll just take care of our ten babies in the future."

For the first time, everyone went in silence, not because I didn't get their words or they didn't have the reaction that they were expecting, but because I just gave them the taste of their own medicine that they would never expect from me.

They were used to my unbothered reactions, but this time I think I finally have the courage to play their game.

"Friends, I am happy that you welcomed me into this new freedom. I do really appreciate that you were my wife's fanboys before. Once we reunited again, I'll advise my wife not to badmouth you too much."

Their mouths hang open for the moment, but in the end, everyone cheered in joy.

"Welcome to SNMLHMHSHNB! You're a certified member!" Troy Ferell announced.

***

When my family disowned me, and literally erased me from Matsumoto's life track, my initial plan was to immediately fly back to the Philippines and reunite with her, but my friends stopped me.

Langston, Aldus, Owen, and Troy were on the couch and were all busy playing my PSP.

"Sidra's in the middle of her come back. We all know how she literally wants to give her whole attention to you. You're a big distraction. Just stay still here in your country," Aldus said.

"Wala siyang pera," Langston said.

"I can always lend him," Troy answered.

"Of course, with interest," Owen said while shaking his head.

"That's business. I am also planning to expand here, Seiji can manage it," Troy said with a shrug.

"Well, Japanese people are good in business."

"I had his record checked and how he effectively managed their branch in the Philippines. I know where to risk my wallet," Troy winked at me.

"Akala ko ay househusband siya sa Pinas?"

"Homebased? Bahala siya sa buhay niya. He should grow my business while taking care of his ten babies."

I scratched my left cheek. "I just noticed, why are you always hanging out here? In my place. . . aren't you busy?"

My place isn't the easiest place to hang out, because they always have to ride on a plane. They are all weird.

They shrugged in unison before they returned their attention to the game.

The next day we spent the whole day talking about business. And when it comes to this topic, I couldn't even recognize them. Who would have thought that these men were the mastermind of those silly plans? They know when to get serious and this is one of them.

On the third day of their stay, they told me that they had to attend a few meetings together and they might end up going home late. I was busy vacuuming the couch when I heard the ringing of the doorbell continuously as if someone was already dying.

I was still on gloves and a face mask when I opened the door.

"N-Nani?"

Troy and Langston harshly pushed me. Aldus immediately closed the door and Owen quickly went into my cabinet, pulling my clothes.

"Mag-empake ka na, Seiji! Sidra's here! We saw her here! She's in the elevator! Akala namin kamukha niya lang! Si Sidra nga!"

"Is this part of your plan?"

"NO!" they answered in unison.

"We're not aware that she's here. We have the bigger plan, but her presence here ruined it. Just pack up and do your part. End this! To hell with her comeback! Just get back to her. And do please tell your cousin, Tadashi that we did our part of taking care of you," Aldus said with his hands on his hips.

I ended up staring at them. I know from the very start that Tadashi and my cousins had been doing their part. They couldn't give me their presence, but their trust with them— to these unexpected friends of mine. . . is also one of the most unexpected things ever happened to our lives.

"Arigatou," all I did was bow my head in front of them.

***

As I pulled the luggage in my hand I couldn't take my eyes away from her— to my beautiful wife in a white summer dress, hair spread on the floor, and arms flopped helplessly, like waiting for someone to worship her.

Just like on the island, I first saw Ibu with her eyes closed. I was hesitant to approach her before and every movement near her made me think a lot of times, but tonight, below those twinkling stars, the night breeze of the countryside, and her beautiful face. . . I never felt any hesitation, because I knew from the deepest part of my life that she was mine.

I sat beside her as I stared at her beautiful face, my fingers started to draw lines on her hair draped on the floor, and before I knew it my lips were on hers.

"Bebe. . ." I whispered near her lips.

I tried to calm myself and stared back at the stars before she started to wake up. Everything seems like the first time, the way my heart beats fast as she moves her lips, her sweet voice, her beautiful face, the small movement of her dress, the way her hair swayed on her shoulders, and her cute reaction.

I couldn't even look straight at her before and pretended that she didn't attract me at all, but that time, all I wanted was to cover my eyes and hide away from the embarrassment— that I kissed and saved her and I liked it, my first kiss was a beautiful woman in a satin gold dress, and my fast beating heart might betray me and she'd notice how she affected me so much.

But right now that I am witnessing it twice, in different version with her words that I could fully understand— this makes me fall in love with her more.

This is Ibu and this is how I fell in love with her— her cute way of expressing her emotions.

"Wrong wish! Nagyon agad? Hindi puwedeng bukas?! Am I dreaming? What is this?!"

I continued watching her. I suddenly want to speak with the shooting star as well.

"Bebe, before you asked for anything else, I asked you first. The shooting star granted my wish before you."

"Gosh! A-Are you real?"

I nodded.

"A-Are you sure—"

"Are you going to accept me, Ibu? I am now a beggar without any cents in his pocket. I am only suitable as a househusband. They disowned me. And I think. . ." I awkwardly scratched my left cheek. "I am happy about it."

"Huh?"

I slowly hugged his legs towards my chest as I tilted my head on my knees, showing her only one side of my face.

"Can you have me again, bebe?"

And then she cried in front of me.

"Bebe. . ." I was about to get up but she ran towards me and threw her body.

I groaned in pain when my back landed on the floor. Ibu's still heavy.

"Of course! Ang tagal tagal ko nang sinabi sa 'yo na house husband ka na lang, Seiji! I hate you! You are definitely the slowest man I've ever met!"

I cupped her face with the tears flowing down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. Let's start all over again."

That's when we let ourselves savor each other's lips and drowned ourselves in the blinking stars watching us from above.

I was about to gently caress Ibu's hair down to her shoulders, but Ibu wouldn't be my silly wife without her quick hand between my thighs. Grabbing me possessively.

"I-Ibu!"

"Ops! Just checking it. Is it still mine, bebe?"

My lips prodded and I nodded twice. She giggled. "I love you. . ."

I didn't answer her, I just felt like hugging her while hiding the stubborn tears that escaped my eyes. As those tears fell, I saw the quick line ignited in the middle of the night sky.

Thank you for giving her to me again. . .

She's the trap that I'll always ask.

***

Ibu messaged me that she was going to be late.

"Mommy's going to be late. So, let's watch your favorite show."

My arms have been aching last week since our babies are gaining weight. Yu's happily kicking his legs on my left arm, while Sayuri's scratching my right arm. They're heavy, healthy, and very adorable.

I've been wishing silently that I want babies that will look like Ibu, but the first time I saw them wrapped in white cloth, with those little eyes, I knew that Ibu will be happier.

I even heard how Ibu compliments them, sometimes panda babies, siopao, teddy bears, and such. She told me that she wants our baby cute and chubby, not like their father.

I sat on our couch with my aching arms. I sighed in relief when no one from them cried. I looked at each of them slowly and they looked back at me with their heads up. I couldn't even see my baby's neck.

They are totemo chubby. I couldn't help but play with their cute cheeks which they hate the most.

I told Ibu not to let them drink too much since they're getting rounder, bigger, and heavier but Ibu's not listening to me. She's even wondering why I am not gaining weight since I also have her. . .

I shook my head.

I playfully tapped the twins' noses which they also got from me. Their eyes were so small that I could only see two lines.

Yu, Sayuri, and I were blinking at each other without any single noise. They got my thin hair, my fair complexion, my eyes, and my nose but their personality speaks of Ibu.

Yu and Sayuri are now sitting beside me, not technically since they couldn't even balance themselves without my support. I tried to practice them sitting alone but they are simultaneously falling side by side. So every time that we're on the couch, my arms are always wrapped around my babies as they lean their whole weight on me.

We're waiting for their favorite cartoons when a familiar commercial showed on the screen.

I couldn't help but smile. "That's mommy."

Yu and Sayuri started to kick with excitement as Ibu endorsed a perfume. Our eyes couldn't take off on the screen as we watched Ibu and hear her voice.

"Mommy's very pretty," I said.

When the commercial ended, I saw the disappointment in my babies. Yu even tried to point to the television. "Don't worry. She'll be here soon."

But the next commercial is still Ibu endorsing a shampoo.

"Oh, that's mommy again," I said.

Yu and Sayuri started kicking again in joy. If they can clap, maybe they've done it from the very beginning as Ibu swayed her long beautiful hair and walked with her ever killer heels, that until now I couldn't imagine how she could confidently walk in with that.

When the commercial ended, I heard Sayuri's starting to cry.

"Oh, no! It's okay. She's on her way home."

But Yu started to giggle when the third commercial is Ibu again. Now an expensive brand of shoes.

I scratched my head. "Nande itsumo Ibu?" I even asked myself.

Even with their weight, Yu and Sayuri energetically move happily in my arms as they support their mommy on the screen.

I couldn't help but laugh. Who would have thought that this beautiful goddess on the screen will be mine? My wife. . . she even blessed me with these wonderful angels in my arms.

We're all focused on the commercials that we didn't even notice when the door opened. We were just interrupted when we heard the familiar sweet voice— our home.

It wasn't just me, but Yu and Sayuri tilted their heads up. I felt a gentle caress on my heart as my eyes landed on the most wonderful woman I've ever met in my life— the love of my life, my wife, and the mother of my kids.

Our gazes might be in opposite direction, but that doesn't hinder us to look at her calming face.

I smiled even wider. "And that's mommy. . ." I whispered.

Yu and Sayuri giggled as they tried to move and reach Ibu above us. She's smiling back at us.

She bit her lip as she stared at us lovingly. "I was only imagining this before, now here I am, looking at these small beautiful eyes. . . blinking at me at the same time. Hindi lang ikaw ang pakurap-kurap sa akin ngayon, Seiji."

She walked quickly and joined us on the couch. She carried the twins as if they were not heavy, before she sat on my lap.

"I'm home, bebe," she kissed my cheek.

"Welcome home," I whispered as I wrapped my arms around them.

I placed my chin on her shoulder as I prodded my lips. "My vacation is almost over. I need to return to work. My arms are aching already."

"Are you complaining Mr. Matsumoto?"

"No. But why the commercial is always you?"

"I need to work hard. We're planning to have the three out of ten."

"We?"

"Yes. You're informed now. Look how cute our babies. . . ang bilog-bilog nila. They are like round white marshmallows with chocolate lines. Look at their red cheeks! Iyong mga mata talaga Seiji. . . let's make more. Ang cute ng mga nalabas."

My arms wrapped tightly around her. I even buried my face in her neck. "As you wish, I'll give you everything. Ten marshmallow babies if that will make you happy."

That's when she showered me her kisses. Those raining kisses on my face, I never thought I'd ever had.

"Let's give your Daddy raining kisses!" she carried our babies in front of me and pushed them to my face. Ibu's giving me kisses while the twins are biting me.

Until we all fell on the couch and laughed together.

Before, I considered myself weak with these frail arms of me, but now that I've found my happiness, I just realized that I could be stronger and these arms could do more— not to bind it to those chains and be helpless, but to move it freely and wrapped it to the things that make me happy.

Now I can finally say that I am happily trapped, not on the island, but in the place, I know I wouldn't ask for an escape— to her.

Our heart was once trapped in places that couldn't meet, but now that we're finally free and reunited. I know that this kind of trap is the only thing that my heart would ever ask for— a trap that is always with her.