Author's Note: The idea for this story came to me when I realized that Kotoko and Naoki would be celebrating twenty-five years of marriage this year in the fictional world. So I decided for my first full-length Itazura Na Kiss story to be on how they would celebrate. A big party? A small celebration? Enjoy this story with humor and romance as Kotoko and Naoki plan to celebrate twenty-five years.

A few things to this story is that I have added a few original characters. One is Itsuki Irie, Kotoko and Naoki's son, because hey why not? The others will be Yuki's children whose names are to be determined.

I hope you will enjoy this story.

Now onto the first chapter…..

Chapter 1

October 7, 2018, Sunday

Kotoko Irie was busy in the kitchen cleaning the dishes as she listened to the sound of the television in the background. Her son, Itsuki, was watching some show and enjoying a leisurely Sunday. At thirteen, he was already the spitting image of his father. More importantly, Itsuki was just as intelligent, at the top of his class and on track to becoming a success in life.

'Like father, like son,' Kotoko thought with a smile.

"Mom! Where's dad?! I'd like to speak with him!"

Kotoko looked over her shoulder to find her daughter Kotomi, "Don't shout. I can hear you fine."

Kotomi came into the living room wearing her blue short-sleeved shirt and a white knee-length skirt. She had long shoulder length brown hair and wide brown eyes. Although Kotomi looked so much like her mom, she had gotten more of her brains and looks from her father. Thinking about it, Kotoko couldn't help but feel annoyed at all the times Yuki would coldly state that specific difference between mother and daughter.

"I need to see him."

"He's in his office right now. What's it about? Maybe I can help?"

Kotomi gave any annoyed look, "No offense mom but this is something only dad can answer."

Kotoko sighed, "Very well, but make it brief. He has a big surgery tomorrow and needs his rest."

"Okay."

With that Kotomi left to go see her dad while Kotoko finished the last of the dishes. She was about to rest with some tea when the phone rang.

Kotoko picked up the phone to answer, "Irie residence. Kotoko speaking."

"Kotoko! It's mom! How are you?"

"Mom so good to hear your voice! I am well and you?"

"Wonderful! It is so nice to be here with Yuki and his family. The kids are getting so big. You, Naoki, and the others have to come up here soon to see them. The kids want to see their cousins, aunt, and uncle."

Kotoko smiled nervously and replied with a small "Yeah. Sure. Perhaps sometime before Christmas."

In truth, Kotoko did not want to go to Yuki's house. Although the once bratty kid had now become a mature and successful man, Kotoko was enjoying her time with her family. When Mr. Irie passed away five years ago, Kotoko and Naoki inherited the Irie house. For the first time in more than twelve years, they were on their own as adults. While Kotoko's father and Naoki's mother continued to live with them, it felt nice for Kotoko and Naoki to be on their own. Kotoko wanted to enjoy it as much as she could without traveling into another crowded household.

"Well, I hope you do. I know Yuki and his family will enjoy having you. I also wanted to speak with you about something important. You and Naoki are about to celebrate twenty-five years next month! Can you believe it! It seems like only yesterday we had your wedding!"

Kotoko smiled at the memory, 'Yes. It was twenty-five years ago. So much happened leading up to it. Even now I can still remember my beautiful dress and Irie's handsome face.'

Kotoko happily sighed and remained in her dreamy phase at the fond memories until Mrs. Irie snapped her out of the trance, "We must have a party to celebrate! Twenty-five years is a blessed thing! Party!"

Kotoko laughed a bit, impressed that her mother-in-law still had so much energy at her age. The idea of a party sounded good, but knowing Naoki, he would not be thrilled. While he may have mellowed in the years since their youth, Naoki Irie still shied away from social events with a cold indifference.

"Think about it though Kotoko! I have to go! It's almost dinnertime. See you next week!"

With that Mrs. Irie hung up and Kotoko did the same with the phone. She walked into the living room as Itsuki muted the television. "Was that grandma?"

"Yes. She will be coming home next week. Your uncle, aunt, and cousins are doing fine."

"I overheard grandma talking about a party. What event is it this time?"

Kotoko laughed, "Well there is no party. Only a discussion. You see, your father and I will be celebrating twenty-five years together next month. Isn't that exciting!"

Itsuki remained unfazed, "I suppose. I never think much about parties or anniversaries."

'Ugh! Even my own son inherited his father's taste in celebrations. Unless it's the teenage years?'

"Although twenty-five years is a pretty long time. You and dad should have some kind of celebration."

Kotoko pressed her hands together, "That's the spirit! I should speak with your father though. You know how he is about parties."

As Kotoko left the living room to Naoki's study, Itsuki watched his mother leave and shook his head. Along with his sister, the two found it hard to believe that their parents somehow ended up together. They noticed how different their personalities were and their own responses to events or situations. Regardless of how they ended up together, both Itsuki and Kotomi could see their parents' affection for each other.

'I suppose there are some things that do not need to be explained,' Itsuki thought. He then unmuted the television to continue watching his show.

"Knock , knock. Irie can I come in for a moment?"

Not waiting for an answer, Kotoko walked in to find her husband and daughter in deep conversation. When looking at her husband, Kotoko smiled. He was now a full fledged doctor and highly respected in his field as a pediatric surgeon. His hair had begun to thin slightly though but no gray streaks yet. A wrinkle or two had appeared in the corners of his eyes, but Naoki was still a handsome man. To Kotoko, her husband could become completely bald with an entire face of wrinkles and she would still see him as the most handsome man in all of Japan, even the world.

Naoki sighed, "Kotoko I was in conversation with our daughter."

Kotoko merely smiled, "I didn't mean to interrupt but this is important. Mother called earlier."

"Oh. How are she and the others? When will she be coming home?"

"Mother and the others are fine, and she will be home next week. I assume on her scheduled day."

Naoki sighed, "I hope on that day. I will call her later though just to be sure. Is that all you needed?"

"No. You see mother recalled that it is out twenty-fifth wedding anniversary next month."

"Okay so she remembered," then Naoki's eyes went wide, "Oh..no.."

Kotoko laughed nervously, "Well...you see...she suggested a...party...a celebration of sorts."

Kotomi looked back and forth between her parents and could sense the tension in the air. It was as if a dark cloud had formed over their heads. She decided to leave then and go into the living room.

"I better go. We can talk later dad. Perhaps get mom involved."

Once Kotomi left, Kotoko and Naoki remained silent. Then Naoki hung his head low, feeling a headache come on, "Why does my mother think these things? I would rather a quiet evening just the two of us if we are to celebrate."

"Now, now. Your mother is just thinking. It's a big occasion for twenty-five years."

"How long have you known my mother? I guarantee you that she is already making plans as we speak."

"Mother's just thinking," Kotoko placed a comforting hand on her husband's shoulder, "Let's think more about the celebration. Twenty-five years is important. Remember our wedding day. You looking so handsome in your suit. Me in that beautiful gown."

"The gigantic wedding cake. The light show. The pictures," Naoki said with a grunt.

Kotoko smiled nervously. The pictures were a bad spot with Naoki, wedding or none. She could not blame him though. To have your mother post those embarrassing photos to friends and family where, for a time, Mrs. Irie had dressed her eldest as a girl, was not the best decision.

"I know how you feel, but to me it was one of the happiest days of my life. I finally married you after so many years of uncertainty and those ups and downs. Now we are here with two great kids and a house."

Kotoko hugged her husband by wrapping her arms around his neck as he continued to sit in his chair. Naoki sighed. Even after all these years, he still had difficulty with his wife's open affection.

"A party is still not a good thing. I would rather we spend it alone together."

Kotoko released herself from Naoki and stared at him with a smile, "Now, now. We will simply tell mother to not throw a party. I think we should take the kids to celebrate though. They should know more about our love story."

"I doubt we should tell them."

"But why not? That might find it inspirational for their own love stories."

"What do they need to know? We got married and had them. Isn't that enough?"

"No. We need to tell them everything. Oh, I know! We can take them to the places where we had our most memorable moments. Karaoke, the boat ride, where you prosoposed. It will be so great to go down memory lane. I have to get a list together. No! A plan! Yes! A plan will be good and…"

Naoki listened to his wife rattle off about her possible plans to celebrate their anniversary. He sighed. Kotoko was still a ball of energy who enjoyed life and love, and yet he smiled. Even after twenty-eight years of knowing her, Kotoko still impressed him. In some ways she had changed from the inept person she once was. Kotoko had become an improved and dedicated nurse. She had eventually perfected drawing blood without causing pain to patients, could handle her time management better, and could stitch a wound up neatly. Her constant improvement and determination were what always endeared her to him, but her outgoing and cheery personality continued to make his life interesting.

"What do you think?"

Naoki, having been lost in his thoughts, looked up at Kotoko, "What?"

"My plan for the anniversary. Won't it be fine. The four of us going to all these places."

"I'd rather we not. Besides this is all too close to the holidays. It's best we celebrate at home instead."

Kotoko sighed, "Fine, but we should have a good celebration. I just hope mother takes it well."

To be continued….

So, will Kotoko and Naoki get their wish? Or will they get a big celebration instead? Find out in the next chapter what the plans will be for the pair as they celebrate twenty-five years.

Thank you for reading! Please review!