Tatsuo Kusakabe

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Since moving to the old farmhouse, their routine had completely changed. Between Tatsuo's work, the house repairs, and caring for Satsuki and Mei, moments alone together had practically disappeared. That night, his wife suggested they both bathe together while the girls bathed on their own.

Tatsuo immediately rejected the idea.

To him, Mei was still too young, and although he trusted Satsuki, he wasn't about to let her shoulder a responsibility that wasn't hers. A bath might seem simple, but one slip or a moment of carelessness could easily lead to an accident.

Noticing his wife's displeasure, he tried to explain calmly, but soon grew frustrated. He wasn't refusing to spend time with her; he simply refused to put his daughters at risk for a few minutes of privacy.

His expression hardened.

He'd spent weeks trying to keep everything under control: work, the move, the house, and the girls. The last thing he needed was to feel like he had to justify a decision that, to him, was just common sense.

He sighed wearily before speaking in a firmer tone than usual.

"I don't understand why this even needs to be discussed. I miss spending time with you too, but Satsuki and Mei are my priority. Mei is still too young to bathe herself, and I'm not going to leave that responsibility to Satsuki. If I have to choose between a moment for us or making sure they're okay, I'm always going to choose them. I'm not going to change my mind, so stop insisting."

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