Someone reviewed asking what kyoju means. It means professor. Somehow this always makes me think of Cujo by Stephen King. Actually that's rather appropriate for Kamijou 'demon professor' Hiroki.

I'm mostly staying away from Japanese for obvious reasons, but a big plot point in the novel is the main character's insecurities about her brilliant proespective in-laws.

Chapter 2

The alarm was going off.

No. It was the phone. And this Takada-san had to be the most masochistic person alive. But was the singer really singing "Pissing the night away?" He didn't know much English, but wasn't that something you do in the bathroom? Now that he realized it, wasn't this this the ringtone that went off when Obnoxious Salaryman answered the phone? He swung his legs over his bed, sat up and reached for the phone while moving his dark brown locks out of his face. He really needed a haircut.

"Hello?"

"About time. You'd never make a good PA." What exactly was a PA and was it so important it had to be in English? Well two could play at that game.

"Well that's fine because I'm a PT." Because one thing he did know about English was PT was a physiotherapist.

"So, now that I'm sure you've found your ring, I'd like to make arrangements for you to drop off this one. The main headquarters are conveniently located in Chiyoda. Nevermind, I'll just have a messenger come by and pick it up. Your address?"

"Wait. You said that if I helped with that British delegation, I could borrow it and my ring hasn't been found yet!"

"Seriously?"

"Also, it might help me since you want me to forward your messages if you told me your name."

"This is ridiculous. I don't have time for this."

"Please! This ring is a family heirloom of my fiancé's! If I don't find it, I'm in big trouble. And my future in laws are scary!"

Usami san sounded disinterested and impatient. "Oi. What are they? Yakuza?"

"Even worse! Intellectuals."

Brilliant intellectuals. Yoh's father, Miyagi Arata was a Literature professor at Teito who lived and breathed Genji, as in Hikaru Genji the main character from the famous Monogatari Genji.

Yoh's mother, Miyagi Rei, was also at Teito as a Literature professor but an English one. They'd even jointly written a paper they published comparing Genji to a famous work Misaki had never heard of. Yoh of course being a professor of Literature with his own obsessive bent on Basho fit right in. The Miyagi family lived and breathed literature. They'd even gone on literary vacations together, which perhaps explained why Yoh had thought a 'Walk in the Footsteps of Basho' tour would be at any way remotely appropriate for a honeymoon. Misaki had responded, "I didn't know Matsuo Basho ever travelled to Hawaii," and thankfully, Yoh had gotten the picture.

"Intellectuals? They're often boring, but I've never met one that was scary. Well, aside from my friend who's a Literature professor at Mitsuhashi who likes to throw things at his students when they're not listening."

"I think my fiancé is a colleague of his, by the way, and I'm just thankful he wasn't a professor in my day there! My in laws don't really scare me that way. They're just brilliant, and, well, I'm, let's just say I'm brilliant in a different area."

"Yes. You appear to be very brilliant at losing rings and stealing cell phones."

"I found the phone in the garbage!"

"I'm sure your fiancé will surely forgive you. I am right that he's a man?"

"Well, you know that there's all sorts of people in the world and, ah, well, uh, yes."

"What a long answer to such a short question. How eloquent you are." Misaki suspected he was being made fun of. Again. What an arrogant man. He looked at the time. He was starting work later than usual today, but he was supposed to meet up with Yoh first at his office. How amusing that Usami San was friends with Yoh's very scary colleague, Kamijou Kyoju.

The truth was Kamijou Kojou wasn't exactly scary to him. What did bother Misaki, not like he'd ever tell Yoh this, was the simpering fake over the top voice he put on to pretend flirt with the guy. It was the type of voice straight men pulled when they wanted to pretend to be gay. The irony in this case being that Yoh was far from straight, so what was up with that?

The annoyance wasn't even that he was jealous. It was obvious that Kamijou Kojou hated it even more than MIsaki did. It was almost as if Miyagi was clinging to an image of himself as straight, and okay, the man had spent years in love with his dead sensei, and he'd even been engaged to a woman at some point, but since then he'd only been with men. This was the real reason he hated it. It made him wonder if Yoh really wished he was with a woman.

This was ridiculous. Misaki was being irrational. Yoh just liked acting the clown. He was more the type to use humor in many situations, including awkward ones.

Still, he couldn't help himself from rolling his eyes as he heard Yoh call out to Kamijou Kojou.

"My sweet honey! Can you please help me collate these booklets for me?"

Kamijou looked unusually disgruntled and noticed Misaki first as he came running in and gave a nod as a greeting before answering. "Professor, do your own work!"

The older professor turned around, and, was he upset for a moment? It seemed like Yoh had a look of pain on his face just for an instant before smiling broadly at Misaki. And then he noticed the bandage on his hand.

"Misaki! What's wrong with your hand? Oi! Did you see a doctor?" It was cute how dramatic Yoh got. Misaki had almost forgotten how on impulsive he'd wrapped his hand in a lot of gauze last night because there was no way he could show up without the ring.

"Ah. it's nothing really, it's just I burned myself while making tea. It was so silly, but I forgot to use the tempered glass and it's all right because I'm really fine now." Well that hadn't been a lie exactly. He had burned himself exactly like that. When he was 10 years old and Takahiro was working late, and he really wanted some oolong tea with honey (more like honey with oolong tea; he'd always had a sweet tooth.)

"Oh, my poor Misaki. That must be so difficult for you to work! Kamijou isn't your lover a doctor? Do you think he could look at it?"

Misaki cringed. He hated taking advantage of people and it was so ridiculous. Did he even know what type of doctor this man was?

"Can you please keep my personal life out of work? Not only is he not a dermatologist, he's a pediatrician. Unless Takahashi kun here is as young as he looks?"

Misaki laughed nervously. Time to change the subject! "My injury isn't as bad as it looks. It hopefully shouldn't affect my work." Because he was going to take it off as soon as he got there.

"I hope so. I'll always remember that massage you gave me the first time we met. With the special cream."

Misaki started blushing. Yoh loved bringing up the 'special cream' up since they'd become a couple only a few months before. It was bad enough that he had mentioned it to probably the worst choice of Misaki's colleagues, Kisa San, who behind the chibi face was a major pervert. After that Kisa san kept asking if the cream helped for getting into tight places. That man's brain was perpetually in the gutter!

And it had been so ridiculous. Misaki would never have indulged in inappropriate activities with a client. By the time they'd discovered its other use they had already become an official couple. And then it was just office sex, and office sex is completely different!

"Can you two maybe flirt somewhere else? I'm trying to get some work done here!" Was it just him or did Kamijou look angrier than usual? He kept mumbling things that sounded like 'stupid idiot' and 'New York.' Oh well. Not his problem.

"Ah, Misaki, we won't be able to visit my parents Sunday. They couldn't get a flight out of Miami There's some sort of Hurricane threat. They decided to go up to New York to visit cousins there. They'll catch a flight back from there."

"Well I'm glad they didn't end up stuck in a hurricane." I'll have more time to find the ring, and I won't have to play Genji Trivial Pursuit with them either!

He also wouldn't have to worry about the news flash that his future in-laws weren't so excited about him, which Yoh had mentioned by accident the night before last. It turned out all the times when he'd passed on messages from them saying they wished they could meet were either fabrications or wishful thinking on Yoh's part. It didn't appear to be because of Misaki being a man. His parents had made it clear that was perfectly fine. Maybe it was because Misaki was so different from them? Well, they weren't exactly normal. Most people don't mark September 29th as the beginning of the week when Murasaki died. Or was that Genji? Wasn't it weird that he died multiple chapters before the book ended? Misaki knew that it was a national treasure, and the first novel ever written, but Za Kan made a lot more sense and was a lot more enjoyable to read and did anybody make limited edition phone straps of Hikaru Genji? No. They didn't.

At the thought of his late lamented collectable he frowned.

He headed to work and looked at his appointment schedule on his laptop. Then he took off the gauze. Maybe gloves would be better? Fancy gloves. For men. In the middle of August? second thought, maybe he'd just buy more gauze before going home.

As he waited for his first client, he forwarded more messages to Usami. Interesting. It couldn't be a coincidence that his surname was the same name as the corporation he worked out. He must be high up in the company. No wonder he didn't respond to his own email. It made sense. He'd had the air of a man used to ordering people around.

Usami San got a lot of mail that was for sure. He was also overdue for a dentist appointment. Naughty naughty. There was another email from somebody named Usui Risako thanking Takada San for handling some sort of situation and not to tell Usami Sama. Hmm. Usami Sama. Interesting. Something about that piqued his interest. He checked an earlier email from Takada San.

Usui San,

I hope I'm not being too forward, but I think you should know that Usami San is engaged. - Takada San.

Then he of course had to look at the previous emails, and it turned out this Usui lady had been trying to contact Usami San and he had completely ignored her. What was wrong with the man? And why was he overdue on his dental appointment. He looked like a man who was concerned about his appearance.

Then he noticed an email that was just a little freaky. He really didn't mean to read it. It's not like he was normally the type to do that sort of thing, but somehow it had drawn him in; like when you're passing an accident on the highway.

Akihiko,

I can't believe you had the nerve to stand me up like that.

Do you know how much you destroy me? No. The Great Lord Usami only thinks of himself.

I guess you forgot all those promises you made – remember those?

If you don't write back are you telling me I'm like the gum on your shoe? You are aren't you.

Meanwhile you sit back happily ignoring the only person who can really give you what you need.

- The forgotten and unloved Kyo.

Oh-kay.

Well that told him a few things. Maybe Kyo was his fiancé? And a guy? So that tall handsome but somewhat full of himself guy wasn't so straight? Of course, he would neglect to mention that point when he had asked Misaki the same thing. How convenient. If this Kyo was Usami's fiancé did that mean they were also pursuing adult adoption as a substitute for legal marriage? This Kyo guy seemed a little bit on the insecure side. How different from Usami San, who radiated confidence. Not like Misaki knew him or anything. He really needed to stop being so nosy and just send the emails.

His first client showed up. He was a new patient. At least this as one area in his life where he felt confident. He loved physical therapy and how he was able to make a difference in people's lives. And he met so many different types of people so that also made it interesting.

"He looked at the chart in front of him as a tall bespectacled dark-haired man walked in. Usami Haruhiko he read. Usami? Seriously? Could he and Usami San be related? Maybe he was born in the fall and this Haruhiko guy was born in the spring. And if their parents were Fuyuhiko and Natsuhiko it would be just perfect! Not like that would ever happen in real life of course.

Unfortunately for Misaki's patient, somebody on a bicycle had ran into him and his right leg had taken significant damage. It looked like he'd be needing therapy for some time. It went as well as it could be although the poor guy was obviously in pain. He had been cooperative though and promised to do his homework. Misaki would of course know if he did anything when he came back two days from now.

The rest of the day went quickly. In between patients Misaki sent off more mail to Usami Akihiko. On a whim he sent him a message.

Usami San, I hope I've been sending your mail to your satisfaction. My ring still hasn't been found unfortunately, but I will let you know as soon as I do! By any chance are you related to Usami Haruhiko? Thanks for your patience! :)

Am related. Just send the emails.

How abrupt.

He looked at his watch. He'd had a last-minute cancellation which meant 45 minutes until his next client. Maybe it was time for coffee. And kuma cream puffs.

"Anyone want coffee and pastry?" He yelled out.

"Can you get me some dorayaki?" Kisa San. What a surprise. The man ate so much dorayaki he was going to turn into one. He imagined a dorayaki with arms and legs and a little chibi Kisa head on top complete with his raven hair parted in the middle, those big dark brown eyes and that innocent look on his face, like he wasn't really a major perv and started giggling.

"I'll take kuma cream puffs and a hazelnut coffee," Aikawa said as she passed by. Aikawa San. She loved those cream puffs more than he did. She was sporting jeans and a light blue buttoned-down blouse. "Oh no, Misaki! You still haven't found your ring?"

"No and I was bad. I told Miyagi San it was a burn. It's bad to lie to your fiancé, right?"

"Yes, but I'd probably do the same thing. The ring will turn up, Takahashi kun, don't worry so much!"

Misaki really shouldn't have lied to Yoh, but it would be all fixed when the ring was found, and nobody would know the truth. He ran to get the treats. Luckily, they were only a block away from one of the best bakeries in town.

He settled in with his coffee and pastry and amazingly enough, the mail for Usami san just kept coming in. Misaki didn't understand it. There were so many emails sent over again due to Usami san not responding to the original emails, and even when he responded they were about as short as possibly, as if he was in a contest on how little he could get away with writing.

There was the charity event at a winter festival they wanted him to take part in. Not that Misaki really was paying that much attention or anything, but if there was a conference in Kyoto that you'd registered for, how much difficult could it be to respond to someone asking you when you expected to get in, especially when Usami San was one of the speakers for the first day. If it had been Misaki going to a fancy conference in Kyoto speaking on new advances in facilitating mobility he would have found a way to answer the freaking email!

"Takahashi kun, I forgot to tell you this, but due to a legality, we have to have a discussion." Misaki looked up to see not only Aikawa san but Kisa san as well standing over him. A discussion?

"It's called an impartial hearing. Well, except that in our case it's more like a partial hearing." Kisa San seemed just a little too jovial right now.

"Ah? Aikawa San? I'm not sure what happened but I'm so sorry! If one of our clients is not satisfied-"

"Oh, Misaki, relax! It's just a formality. Nothing's going to happen. The report's just a legality. The client I need to speak to you about will sound very familiar to you. I do believe you know," Aikawa flipped back her brown pony tail and looked down at her paper like she was looking up the name, "Miyagi Yoh?"

Misaki found himself laughing nervously. "What are you talking about, Aikawa san?" His boss had steered them into the conference room along with the treats and coffees of course.

"Misaki's in trouble now!" Kisa san chimed in as Aikawa closed the door.

"Kisa san, the only reason you're here is legally we're supposed to have two people. Would you like me to ask Kirishima san to come in instead?" Kirishima san, jointly owned Physios R Us with Aikawa san.

"No. It's fine! I'll be good!"

"Okay. So, let's see here." "Miyagi Yoh came in complaining of wrist pain due to an accident with, " she stopped to look at her notebook, "a pile of oversized reference books." She furrowed her brows and continued. "Interesting, and now I remember why I asked you here instead of Kirishima san. The originally scheduled therapist was one Kisa Shouta. However, it ended up being Takahashi Misaki instead."

"Yes, he did a favor for me and switched, and to think if it had been me, I might be the one engaged right now."

Misaki usually liked Kisa san's sense of humor but this was too much. "He flashed Kisa san a quick glare and then said sweetly, "and if I'd been spending all my free time at Marimo Books do you think maybe that nice handsome man with the piercings would have gone for me?" Kisa san turned to glare at Misaki. Well, don't act like you're after my man, Misaki thought as he kept smiling.

Aikawa looked awkwardly back from Misaki to Kisa and straightened her notes. "I think we're getting off subject. The reason for this meeting is that dating clients is officially against company policy."

"Yes, but at first we were just therapist and client!"

"Which is why Miyagi Kyoju told me he knew you were the one the first time he saw you?"

Crap. Why did Yoh have to be so vocalto all the wrong people? And it was a good thing that Kisa san wasn't a judge, because he was taking this way too seriously.

"He might have felt that way, but he never said or did anything until we were close to be finished with his therapy. And then, well, things just happened. It's not like I went into work thinking which guy I could get. Unlike some people I know."

Because Kisa San used to keep a schedule of all the half marathons in the area and volunteered his services as a therapist so he could get extra close to any gorgeous fit guys. He was always going on about how a lot of wealthy men participated in marathons and how he was planning on marrying, well, getting adopted by one of them. In the end he fell for a penniless art student.

"Be nice, Michan! I met a lot of interesting people there."

"I'm sure you did!"

Aikawa frowned and not for the first time did she remind him of his strictest teacher in middle school.

"Gentlemen, can we stick to the subject, please. Misaki, your statement is that you were professional throughout your interactions while Miyagi Kyoju was in therapy?"

"Yes, Aikawa san."

"Alright." She scribbled some notes. "We all sign here, and we're done. "She pointed to the bottom and gave Misaki a pen and with one perfectly manicured hand grabbed a cream puff. "Phew. I hate this stuff; So stressful." So stressful? For a moment there Misaki had thought his job was on the line!

"No problem, Aikawa san."

Kisa frowned. What was up with him today? "This was so not a disciplinary hearing. How boring. Oh well. Back to work."

"My life isn't your entertainment, Kisa san!" Misaki yelled after after Aikawa had disappeared down the hall.

Which was ironic, because lately Misaki had been finding Usami san's life entertaining. So maybe he was being hypocritical?

Like This Kyo san without a last name. Now he had sent an email to Takada san.

Takada san,

I'd say this is a bit embarrassing, but unfortunately, you've already been around for enough arguments to know the truth about Usami san and myself. Still. I hope you will be amenable to printing out my email and putting it on his desk?

His email address is from ikyo No wonder Takada ended up dumping the job so quickly, and Marukawa as in Marukawa Shoten the publishing company? Well it was an improvement from them both working at the same corporation. That could be awkward.

Misaki knew he shouldn't read the attachment and he wasn't going to. Somehow it just opened.

Akihiko-

Is it so hard for you to just pick up the phone and call me for shit's sake?

I know what it is. It's your jealousy. Because I'm doing what I wanted to do with my life and you're stuck working for your asshole father.

Isn't it time you stopped taking this crap on me, the one person who truly loves you? Oh wait! You don't give a shit about that do you, because you've managed to live your entire freaking life as an emotionless, cold uncaring jerk. Are you even a human being?

-You know who

PS I used to think you wanted me. All those times on your desk and in the conference rooms when nobody was around? Now I know you were just messing with me.

This guy's picture had to be in the dictionary under drama queen.

Although maybe it went both ways? It seemed farfetched, but maybe Usami san sent responses as dramatic and ridiculous as his fiancé did? They probably got together had fabulous makeup sex afterward. On office desks. Misaki found himself blushing. He had come a long away from when he was eighteen when peck on the cheek from his crush had sent him reeling, but he still blushed easily. He'd probably be 40 and still blushing. Oh well.

Before he knew it, Misaki had finished with his last client and on a whim decided to see just how expensive an emerald heirloom ring could be. A quick google search would tell him all he needed.

Very expensive as it turns out. His eyes grew big as he looked at the rings. 3.5 million Yen. 2.8 million Yen. 4.2. million yen! Shit!

His phone rang. Niichan with his daily phone call to make sure Misaki was alright, because never mind that his 26th birthday was this summer, to Takahashi Takahiro Misaki would always be his baby brother with the emphasis on baby.

"Niiichan. I'm just about to leave work. Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I'm just well, I'm still a bit worried."

"Niichan, the wedding's in less than three weeks. Please try to trust me."

"I do trust you, it's just Miyagi Kyoju is so much older than you. I don't know. I can't help myself. I'm worried."

"But we've gone over this. If it's the right person age doesn't matter. And I never even think of us being 16 years apart." It was bad enough that his parents didn't seem to like him, why couldn't Niichan, who was more of a father than a brother just be happy for him.

"You're right, Misaki. It's my brother complex I guess." Well at least he has the honesty to admit it, Misaki thought.

Their conversation turned to easier things, but when they'd hung up Misaki frowned. The older Miyagis and Niichan were wrong. Miyagi Yoh was perfect for him, wasn't he? So why was he feeling so uneasy?