Kei Tsukishima

Few imagined that Tsukishima Kei would ever fall in love. His aloof nature, constant sarcasm, and habit of keeping everyone at a distance made it seem as though a serious relationship simply wasn't for him.

Until she appeared.

She never tried to change him or make him into someone else. She learned to understand his silences, to respond patiently when he was unbearable, and to see the affection hidden behind every discreet gesture. Little by little, Tsukishima discovered that with her, conversations were lighter, the days less exhausting, and the future, for the first time, seemed like a pleasant idea.

He was never a man of grand public displays. He maintained his reserved nature, though that never meant he cared any less. He preferred to show his affection in quiet ways: remembering small details, bringing her favorite drink without her asking, straightening her coat when it was cold, or making sure she always returned home safe and sound.

Over the years, that relationship blossomed into a family. They had a five-year-old daughter, curious and full of energy, and a little boy, barely a year old, who still sought refuge in his parents' arms. Although Tsukishima continued to deny any accusation of being too soft, one only had to see him carry his children or hear the patience with which he answered his daughter's endless questions to understand that she had achieved something no one else had.

Without changing who he was, he taught her that loving could also feel like being at home.

—Do you know what the most unfair thing about this house is?

-What thing?

—Our daughter inherited your stubbornness… and our son is already following the same path.

—That's strange. I was convinced they'd both inherited your "I'm tired of everyone" face.

—I don't have that face.

—Kei, you've had it since we were teenagers.

—You're such an exaggerator. He continued rocking the baby in his arms.