Chapter Text
The pool was alive with the sound of splashing feet and children’s laughter. Kakyoin walked along the edge with his whistle in hand, calling out encouragement as the last few minutes of the 9 a.m. class wrapped up.
“That’s it, Rika, keep those kicks strong! Good job, Kenji, almost all the way across!” His voice carried easily, warm and steady, and the kids responded with eager smiles and water flying in every direction.
He crouched near the shallow end, offering high-fives to each child as they clambered out, dripping and proud of themselves. Parents were waiting with towels in hand, waving or snapping quick photos. Kakyoin moved through them with practiced ease, answering questions, giving little tips, and accepting a few sheepish “thank yous” from moms who admitted their kids were now begging to come to the pool every day.
“Sensei, thank you so much. She wouldn’t even put her face in the water before,” one mother said, bowing slightly.
Kakyoin shook his head, smiling. “It’s all her. She’s braver than she thinks.”
By the time the last child had been collected, the clock was edging toward ten. It was finally Wednesday—the day the 10 a.m. group would have their turn at the special Mother’s Day class. The doors opened, and children spilled in with bright faces and bouncing excitement, their mothers following close behind. The air buzzed with a different kind of energy, and Kakyoin found himself feeding off it, greeting each parent warmly as they came in.
“Yuki, Mitsuki!” he called, spotting the couple walking in hand-in-hand with their daughter. He leaned down to wave at the little girl before looking back up at them with a grin. “Both of you today? That’s not cheating, is it?”
Mitsuki laughed. “We asked ahead of time. We’ll come back for Father’s Day, too—make it fair.”
Kakyoin chuckled, nodding approvingly. He was about to tease them further when a sudden burst of energy collided with his side.
“KAKYOIN-SENSEI!”
“Jolyne!”
He caught the small girl as she launched herself into his arms, her momentum nearly knocking him back a step. She squealed with laughter as he spun her once in the air, her small hands gripping his shoulders, before he set her down carefully on the tiles. She clung to his shirt for a moment, giggling.
Kakyoin smoothed her hair fondly, the corners of his mouth tugging into a smile. He expected to see Holly Kujo settling on the benches, as she always did, gentle and supportive from the sidelines. But when he turned, the sight that greeted him stopped him cold.
The man standing there wasn’t Holly.
Towering well above the others in the room, he was at least 1.95m tall, his frame a study in power—broad shoulders, long legs, every line of him sharpened by muscle. He wore only black swim trunks and a dark tank top, and even that modest attire couldn’t dull the weight of his presence. It hit Kakyoin in the chest like a rip current—inescapable, overwhelming—and something deep inside him stirred unbidden, a sharp tug of awareness that set his instincts buzzing.
He wasn’t the only one who noticed. From the far end of the pool, a cluster of mothers lingered near the benches, their chatter faltering mid-sentence. More than a few pairs of eyes trailed openly over the newcomer—some with shy glances, others with unabashed interest. One omega mother nudged her friend with an elbow, whispering behind her hand, while another beta tilted her head, lips parting in open appreciation. The ripple of attention followed the man wherever he moved, though he seemed utterly unaware of it—or perhaps trying to be. If anything, his lips tugged down in faint displeasure, as though the weight of their stares was more an irritation than a compliment.
Jolyne tugged proudly at the man’s hand, her bright voice carrying easily over the echoing pool.
“Daddy! This is my teacher, Kakyoin-sensei!”
The man’s gaze shifted toward him, and Kakyoin found himself pinned beneath it. Steady, unreadable green eyes, sharp and assessing, lingering just long enough to make his skin prickle with heat.
“Kujo-san?” Kakyoin managed, forcing his voice to remain polite, almost too even, when his throat wanted to tighten.
The alpha inclined his head slightly, his voice low, deep, and final.
“Jotaro.”
Kakyoin’s chest tightened. The weight of that single word made his pulse quicken, and for a moment, he could do nothing but nod in acknowledgment, his lips parting slightly as if to say more, but no sound came. A faint warmth crept into his cheeks, and he quickly forced himself to turn back to the pool.
Kakyoin clapped his hands together, the sharp sound echoing across the pool. “Alright, everyone! Moms—and…” his voice caught for the faintest second as his eyes flicked to the towering figure at the back, “…dad,” he finished, cheeks heating. “It’s time to get ready and join your little ones in the water.”
There was a round of laughter, a few mothers giggling as they peeled off cover-ups and slid into the pool, while others leaned closer together, their voices dropping just enough to think they couldn’t be overheard. “That alpha scent… no wonder heads are turning,” one murmured, her friend stifling a laugh behind her hand. “Mm, strong shoulders and a strong scent? Dangerous combination.” A ripple of agreement passed between them, punctuated with low, appreciative hums.
The atmosphere was light on the surface, but Kakyoin’s smile thinned, a flicker of distaste flashing across his face. He had no patience for people who reduced someone to pheromones and posturing. At his side, Jotaro’s lips pulled down as well, jaw tightening faintly; he clearly didn’t care for the attention either.
Jolyne, oblivious, puffed up proudly, tugging at her father’s hand as if she had personally won a prize by bringing him.
“Come on, Daddy, hurry!” she urged, splashing impatiently at the surface.
Kakyoin hid a smile behind his hand, feeling lighter again, before stepping into the shallow end himself, water lapping around his waist. “Okay, everyone, let’s start with warm-ups. Circle arms! Big, slow circles—pretend you’re drawing the sun in the air.”
“Like this, Sensei?” a little boy called, his arms flailing dramatically.
“Exactly like that, Daichi-kun, but maybe… a little less like you’re swatting flies,” Kakyoin teased, earning a wave of laughter from both kids and moms.
The group followed along, arms spinning clumsily but happily. Water sloshed and shimmered, little faces concentrating as they tried to mirror Kakyoin’s smooth motions. He moved around them, encouraging gently, helping one girl adjust her stance, and clapping when another finally rotated her arm the full circle without stopping.
Every so often, though, his gaze drifted toward the far side of the pool, where Jotaro had finally stepped into the water. The alpha was impossible to miss—towering over the cluster of mothers, his movements precise but restrained, as if he’d been dragged into a world he didn’t belong in. Beside him, Jolyne was a spark of energy, tugging on his arm.
“Daddy, bigger circles! You’re too stiff!” she demanded, puffing out her cheeks.
A ripple of laughter spread through the nearby mothers, some covering their mouths as they watched the rare sight of the stoic man attempting exaggerated arm circles at his daughter’s insistence. His face barely shifted, but Kakyoin caught it—the subtle tug at the corner of his lips, the almost imperceptible softening in his expression.
“Perfect, Jolyne,” Kakyoin called out, grinning. “I think you’ve got your dad beat already.”
Jolyne stuck out her tongue in victory, splashing water up at Jotaro, who merely shruged, his patience unshaken.
“Alright! Time for something fun. Everyone grab your partner—motorboats!”
The pool erupted with squeals as children clung to their mothers’ arms, shrieking with laughter while they were spun in lazy circles through the water. Jolyne shrieked the loudest, her voice echoing off the tiled walls, and Kakyoin had to laugh at the sight of her demanding, “Faster, Daddy! Faster!”
“Careful, careful,” Kakyoin reminded, holding up a hand, “we want motorboats, not whirlpools.”
The next activity was a shallow-end relay, kids splashing furiously while their mothers cheered them on. One girl slipped halfway and popped up with a pout, only to beam when her mom kissed her cheek. The group’s laughter grew louder with each messy race, and Kakyoin found himself shouting encouragement, clapping loudly, his hair damp from stray splashes.
“Go, Hana-chan, almost there!”
“Great job, Mitsu-kun, you’re like a dolphin!”
Even Jotaro got pulled in, his long strides through the water steadying Jolyne as she paddled furiously toward the wall. “You can do it, Jolyne!” a mother on the side called, and Jolyne answered with a loud, “Of course I can, I’ve got Daddy helping me!”
Finally, Kakyoin tossed bright foam rings into the pool, announcing, “Treasure hunt! Whoever finds the most gets bragging rights until next week.” The kids dove after the floating circles, some triumphant, some clumsy, but all of them grinning. Jolyne surfaced with two rings in hand, splashing toward her father triumphantly.
“Daddy, look! I win!”
He gave her the barest nod, but the corner of his mouth tugged again, and Jolyne’s joy seemed to double at that small show of approval.
By the time the class was winding down, the pool was filled with flushed faces, mothers laughing with their children, and the warm glow of shared joy. Kakyoin found himself breathing easier than he had when the session began, the weight of the alpha’s presence receding into the background. Here, surrounded by laughter and splashing water, he could lose himself in what mattered most: the kids, their smiles, and the simple joy of play.
Even if, every so often, his eyes betrayed him and strayed back to the tall, quiet man watching his daughter like she was the only star in the sky.
“Alright, everyone, that’s it for today!” Kakyoin called, raising his whistle. “Thank you all for coming to our Mother’s Day class. I hope you had as much fun as your kids did!”
The pool filled with clapping, splashes, and laughter as children clung to their mothers, still buzzing with excitement. A chorus of voices followed as the parents began to climb out:
“Sensei, thank you so much!”
“My son loved it!”
“This was wonderful, we’ll come back next year too!”
Kakyoin smiled, bowing politely, then crouched to help a little girl find her goggles at the bottom of the shallow end. He was straightening up when he felt a sudden tug at his arm.
“Sensei!”
Jolyne’s green eyes shone as she bounced on her toes, still dripping wet, her smile brighter than the overhead lights. She tugged insistently on the large hand of the man looming behind her. “Daddy, come on! You have to say thank you to Sensei, too!”
Kakyoin blinked, caught between surprise and nerves, and turned just as Jolyne gave his hand a squeeze and then darted off again, spotting one of her classmates by the showers. “Hermes!” she shouted, splashing across the tiles, already forgetting the moment she had so forcefully created.
Which left Jotaro standing there, water dripping from his broad shoulders.
Kakyoin managed a small, polite smile, nodding slightly in greeting. “Kujo-san,” he said, voice softer now that the chaos of class had ebbed away. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Holly-san usually brings Jolyne—she’s doing well, I hope?”
Jotaro’s gaze flickered, almost uneasy, but he gave a short nod. “Yeah. She’s fine. Just… couldn’t make it today.” He cleared his throat, shifting slightly, as if unused to standing still in small talk. Then, almost reluctantly, he added, “Figured it was about time I showed up instead.”
There was the barest trace of embarrassment in his tone, something that softened the edges of his stoicism.
Kakyoin tilted his head, curiosity slipping into his smile. “Trying to be more present?”
The faintest huff of air escaped Jotaro, not quite a laugh, but close. “Something like that. I’ve been… away too much. She deserves better.” His eyes followed Jolyne as she splashed happily with her friend, the subtle tug of his lips betraying just how much her joy meant to him.
Kakyoin found himself relaxing, his earlier tension easing as he glanced from the little girl back up to her father. “Well… you did well. She was thrilled to have you here. Honestly, I think she would’ve swum the entire pool on her own just to show off in front of you.”
That earned the tiniest twitch of Jotaro’s mouth, his gaze settling on Kakyoin for a moment longer than expected. “She likes your class,” he said simply, but the weight behind the words was clear.
Kakyoin ducked his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Well, she makes it easy.”
For a heartbeat, silence lingered between them—not heavy, but comfortable, filled with the sound of Jolyne’s laughter echoing against the tiles. Then Jotaro gave another small nod, straightening as Jolyne waved for him to hurry.
“I should… get her changed,” he muttered, already stepping toward the showers.
Kakyoin watched him go, heart still quickened from the unexpected conversation, before turning back to gather up stray kickboards. His hands worked automatically, but his mind replayed the sound of that deep voice—low, awkward, sincere.
*****
Friday arrived with the same whirl of voices and splashes echoing through the pool, but Kakyoin noticed Jolyne the moment she came bounding through the doors.
“Sensei! Sensei, look!” she shouted, running over and stomping her little feet proudly against the tiles.
Kakyoin crouched to meet her, eyebrows lifting as two bright-blue shark sandals snapped and grinned with each step. “Well, well—sharks, huh? I’d better be careful, or they’ll try to nibble my ankles.”
She giggled, lifting one foot higher so the open jaws faced him. “Chomp!” she cried, before dissolving into laughter.
Kakyoin laughed too, ruffling her damp hair fondly. “Those are very impressive. You’re the most stylish swimmer here.”
Jolyne puffed her chest proudly, then suddenly paused, as if something important had just popped into her head. Her small hand tugged at his sleeve, eyes wide with urgency. “Oh! Daddy said to tell you something!”
Kakyoin blinked, curious. “Oh? A message for me?”
She nodded furiously, lowering her voice a little as though sharing a grand secret. “He said he’s gonna be late today. He has to finish… um…” Her brows knitted together, trying to remember the exact phrasing. “...adult stuff at his work. But!” she raised a finger like her father might, “he said this will never ever happen again.”
Kakyoin’s lips twitched, fighting back a smile at the seriousness in her tone. “I see. Thank you for telling me, Jolyne. That was very responsible of you.”
“Mm-hm!” She beamed, clearly satisfied with her delivery, before hopping toward the pool. “Now I’m gonna show Hermes my sandals!”
Kakyoin straightened slowly, still amused, though a strange warmth stirred in his chest at the thought of Jotaro taking the trouble to send a message through his daughter. Really, it wasn’t Jotaro that made him want to laugh—it was Jolyne, puffed up and proud, as if she’d just carried out some grand diplomatic mission. The sight was so disarmingly adorable he had to look away before the grin tugging at his mouth gave him away.
“Alright, everyone!” Kakyoin clapped his hands together, voice carrying easily over the chatter. “Let’s line up along the edge—feet in the water, big kicks to wake the pool up!”
A chorus of delighted squeals followed as little legs splashed wildly, sending sprays of water into the air. Jolyne and Hermes competed immediately, trying to see who could make the biggest waves.
“Bigger splashes, Hermes! Look—mine hit Sensei!” Jolyne shouted, proud as droplets dotted Kakyoin’s shirt.
Kakyoin laughed, shielding his face half-heartedly. “Alright, you two, if I drown standing on the deck, who’s going to run the class, hmm?”
That only made them splash harder, until a mother sitting on the benches nearby called playfully, “Jolyne-chan, save some of the water for the rest of us!”
The kids giggled, settling down as Kakyoin pulled out a basket of foam noodles. “Today, we’re going on an adventure,” he announced, eyes sparkling. “These are your seahorses! Hold on tight—we’re racing to the other side.”
Excitement rippled through the pool. Soon, children were clinging to their “seahorses,” kicking furiously as Kakyoin jogged along the edge, cheering them on. “Go, seahorses, go! Faster! Who’s going to reach the coral reef first?”
Hermes and Jolyne pushed themselves ahead of the pack, neck and neck, until Jolyne’s sandal slipped from the pool’s edge and floated away. She squeaked, twisting to grab it, but Kakyoin was there in an instant, scooping it out and holding it up.
“Shark overboard!” he declared dramatically, setting it back on the deck. “Crisis averted.”
The children burst into laughter, Jolyne clutching her stomach as she kicked to the end. “My shark tried to swim by itself!” she told Hermes, who howled with glee.
They finished the class with a round of “water trains.” Kakyoin paired the children into little lines, each holding onto the waist of the one in front of them as he led the “engine.”
“Choo-choo! Off we go!” he called, making exaggerated train noises as he guided them in a big loop around the shallow end. The children squealed with delight, splashing with every kick to keep their train moving.
“Faster! Faster!” Hermes cried, pulling her line along like a determined conductor.
Jolyne’s group immediately tried to overtake them, laughter ringing out as their two “trains” splashed side by side. “We’re the fastest train in the world!” Jolyne shouted, water spraying as she kicked furiously.
Kakyoin steered them through pretend tunnels under the floating noodles and around “mountains” made of stacked foam boards. By the time they came to a stop at the “station,” cheeks were flushed and lungs full of laughter.
“Safe arrival!” Kakyoin announced, raising his arms dramatically. “Thank you for riding today’s water express.”
The children clapped and cheered, still buzzing with excitement as their mothers wrapped them in towels, chattering happily about every splash and squeal. Jolyne stomped her shark sandals proudly against the wet tiles, sending tiny sprays of water in every direction, making sure everyone noticed them again with the triumphant grin only she could pull off.
Kakyoin leaned against his clipboard, droplets sliding down his arms, and for a fleeting moment, his mind wandered—not to lesson plans or schedules, but to children of his own. Tiny hands reaching for him, little voices calling his name, chaotic bath times and bedtime stories, scraped knees and comforting hugs, endless questions about why the sky was blue or why the water felt so cold. He imagined laughter bouncing off the walls, sleepy eyes peeking from blankets, and the quiet, weightless moments when a small body curled against him just for warmth or reassurance.
He shook his head with a faint, wry smile, blaming the sudden flutter in his chest on the suppressants doing their job a little too well—keeping his heat firmly in check. Even so, the image alone brought a strange, affectionate ache—light, fleeting, and entirely manageable.
“Sensei!” Jolyne’s bright voice cut through his thoughts, her shark sandals smacking against the tiles as she bounded back over. She tugged insistently at his sleeve, eyes wide with purpose. “Daddy said I’m supposed to stay with you!”
Kakyoin blinked, surprised, then softened. “Did he now?”
She nodded hard, curls bouncing. “Yup! He said to wait here ‘cause he’ll come soon.”
Kakyoin smiled, crouching to meet her gaze. “Well, that sounds like an important mission. Lucky for you, I have some time until my next class.” He checked the clock: a little past eleven. His schedule didn’t start again until half past twelve. Yeah, I was going to grab something quick at the konbini, but… I can wait.
“Come on,” he said, gesturing to the benches by the wall. “Let’s sit.”
The minutes trickled by easily enough. Jolyne kicked her sandals against the bench rhythmically, humming a tune, while Kakyoin flipped idly through his clipboard, making notes for next week’s lessons. It wasn’t until nearly half an hour later that he glanced at her again and noticed the subtle tremor running through her small shoulders.
“You’re shaking,” he murmured, frowning.
“I’m not!” she insisted, though her damp swimsuit clung coldly to her skin, goosebumps rising along her arms.
“Mm.” Kakyoin leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Jolyne, did you bring your bag with you?”
She nodded, pointing to a small, colorful backpack by the wall.
“Perfect.” He stood, offering her his hand. “Come on, let’s get you into something warm.”
She followed him trustingly into the locker room, chattering about her shark sandals while he set her bag on the bench. He crouched to unzip it, pulling out a tiny towel, shorts, and a dolphin T-shirt folded neatly inside.
“Alright, first things first—quick rinse. We don’t want chlorine sticking to your skin.”
Jolyne wrinkled her nose but let him guide her under the gentle spray of the shower. Kakyoin was careful, brisk but thorough, washing away the lingering scent of the pool. He wrapped her up snug in the towel, rubbing her arms and legs until the shivers ebbed. Her hair was a wild, dripping halo, and he worked the towel gently through it, fluffing the curls until they sprang back up.
“Better?” he asked softly.
“Mm-hm,” she mumbled, leaning into the towel like a cat.
He dressed her quickly in her dolphin shirt and shorts, then tugged fresh socks onto her feet before slipping her sandals back on. She sat still as he rummaged in her bag again and found a little hairbrush tucked at the bottom.
“Oh? May I?” he asked, holding it up.
Jolyne nodded, settling on the bench.
Kakyoin worked carefully through her curls, his touch patient and unhurried. He smoothed them back with gentle strokes, then gathered them into two high pigtails, tying them off with bright elastics he found in her bag. He gave the ends a playful little flick. “There we go. A champion swimmer’s hairstyle.”
Jolyne grinned at her reflection in the locker’s mirror. “I look awesome!”
“You do,” Kakyoin agreed warmly.
When they returned to the reception area, he grabbed some paper and pens from the desk and spread them on the low table. Jolyne plopped down cross-legged, immediately doodling a massive shark with jagged teeth but a huge smile.
Kakyoin, seated beside her, drew a tiny octopus riding a noodle “seahorse.”
“Sensei, your octopus looks silly,” she giggled, leaning over his shoulder.
“Excuse me,” Kakyoin said, mock-offended, adding a small crown to its head. “This is royalty. King Octopus, thank you very much.”
She laughed so loudly that the receptionist behind the counter smiled at them, the sound carrying through the quiet lobby like sunlight.
For Kakyoin, the half hour passed far more quickly than he expected. Jolyne’s laughter filled the quiet lobby, her small hand darting across the paper as she demanded he draw silly sea creatures, and he found himself indulging every request. The steady rhythm of doodles and giggles left little room for the clock, until the sudden hiss of the reception doors cut through the calm.
Kakyoin glanced up from the page—just in time to see Kujo Jotaro stride in. Tall, broad, cap pulled low, he looked as imposing as ever, his presence alone seeming to still the air in the lobby. Yet there was something different in his posture now. His eyes, sharp as they swept the room, softened almost imperceptibly at the sight of his daughter hunched over the table, giggling with her teacher
“Daddy!” Jolyne launched herself off the bench, shark sandals squeaking wildly as she collided with his leg. She hugged him fiercely, clinging like a little barnacle. “You’re super late!”
Jotaro crouched, resting a large hand on her freshly brushed curls. His palm lingered there, protective, almost tender. “Yeah. Sorry, Jolyne.” His voice, low and rough, carried an unfamiliar note of warmth. Then he straightened, gaze cutting toward Kakyoin. The weight of it landed heavier than expected—steady, unreadable, but not unkind. “And… my apologies to you too, Kakyoin-sensei. I should’ve been here sooner.”
Kakyoin lifted his hands quickly, cheeks heating under that scrutiny. “Oh, no, really—it wasn’t any trouble. Jolyne was an angel.”
“Still.” Jotaro’s grip tightened briefly on the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder, knuckles pale. He shifted closer, setting it on the table with a quiet thud. “I brought a peace offering.”
He unzipped it, revealing neatly wrapped sandwiches and snacks. The scent of egg salad, tonkatsu, and tuna mayo drifted up between them, unexpectedly warm and domestic.
Kakyoin blinked, caught off guard. “Kujo-san, that… that wasn’t necessary.”
“Maybe not,” Jotaro replied, voice gruff, “but it’s the least I could do.”
Jolyne leaned so far over the table that Kakyoin instinctively steadied her shoulder. “Ooooh, egg salad! Daddy, can we eat with Sensei?”
Kakyoin opened his mouth to gently decline, but Jotaro’s jaw tightened—not with annoyance, but regret. “We can’t today. We’ve got to head home. Another time.”
“Whaaat?” Jolyne groaned, stomping one shark sandal against the tiles so it squeaked in protest. “But I wanted to eat with Sensei!”
Kakyoin crouched to her level, smiling softly. “Next time, maybe. I’ll look forward to it, okay?”
Her little face scrunched, but she nodded grudgingly. “…Fine.”
“Goodbye, Jojo. Have a great day, dear,” Kakyoin said gently, the words slipping out before he could think twice.
It was only as he straightened that he noticed the air shift. Jotaro had gone still, eyes narrowing faintly as though turning the word over in his mind.
“Thanks, Kakyoin-sensei,” Jotaro said abruptly, the words oddly stiff—at the same moment Jolyne chirped brightly, “Thanks, Sensei!”
Kakyoin’s own face flushed, panic fluttering through him. “Ah—I meant Jolyne,” he blurted, his voice pitching higher than intended.
Beneath the brim of his cap, a faint wash of color crept across Jotaro’s ears, betraying him more than his stoic face ever could.
Jolyne’s silence lasted a beat—before it shattered into delighted laughter. “Hah! You thought Sensei called you Jojo, Daddy!”
The flush deepened down Jotaro’s neck. He cleared his throat roughly, gaze darting away as if the ceiling had suddenly become fascinating. “Tch. Let’s go, Jolyne.”
Still giggling, she grabbed his hand, tugging him eagerly toward the door.
Kakyoin watched them go, fingers lingering above the half-finished doodle they’d left behind. His lips tugged into a small, reluctant smile, his chest unsteady with something he couldn’t quite name. Jolyne’s laughter still echoed faintly in the lobby, but so did the image of Jotaro’s ears burning red beneath the shadow of his cap.