A Week with the Kirishima's
By: Shin Sankai
Author Note: No rambling this time, just a simple, I hope you enjoy.
Wednesday – Afternoon & Evening
Every time a half an hour ticked by Yokozawa's adrenalin seemed to increase. Right at this very moment he was secretly back at his own apartment, bags of goodies lying within his usually spotless living room as he rushed from the kitchen to the living room, doing several things at once. Time was quickly ticking away that he still had a few more things to do and if he wasn't careful he'd break his promise to Hiyo-chan and there was no way he was going to do that.
Earlier in the afternoon as soon as he left work, Yokozawa headed for 'Sweet Darling' as Kirishima requested of him and paused at the window displays. It was clearly a shop dedicated to girls. There was frilly things, pink things, cute things and everything else under the sun that would be interesting to young girls who weren't truly at that teenage stage yet...or so he guessed. Yokozawa was no expert that's for sure.
Inside the large shop he was assaulted by pinks, purples, greens, blues, yellows and every other colour of the rainbow. As he calmly, or so he hoped, made his way to the register, he couldn't help but take notice of several ornaments he'd seen within Hiyori's room. This was probably a favourite store of hers and Kirishima had ordered her birthday present or presents from here and had been waiting on them to arrive, hence why he never presented her with anything in the morning.
"How may I help you?" The young sweetly voiced woman behind the counter greeted him with a pleasant smile.
"I am here to pick up a parcel under the name Kirishima. I was informed he called earlier to advise that I would be picking up the parcel, I am Yokozawa."
"Ah, yes, please wait one moment." Yokozawa had nodded kindly and once again glanced his eyes around the store, they suddenly fixating on a trio of photo albums. As he picked it from the shelf, the three albums were tied together with a red and white ribbon while each album was designed with cute dancing cupcakes in the bottom right corner. Yokozawa couldn't help but think how perfect they'd be to protect and cherish the photos that had been placed in that horrible cardboard box which was quickly falling apart. "Excuse me, Yokozawa-san," The businessman made his way back over to the counter to collect the bulky parcel belonging to Kirishima. As he placed the trio of albums on the counter his eyes glanced over at some items on display at the counter and instantly thought they'd look cute on Hiyori and took a couple and added them to his purchase.
"Thank you," He responded in kind when he was handed his items, kept in a bright purple gift bag and headed for the exit.
That experience wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be. Maybe because he was there to do one thing and one thing alone it wasn't as daunting as he thought it was going to be. Perhaps if he was with Hiyori and she was gushing here and there at the cute items or trying any of the clothing on, that is when he would feel awkward. That was definitely a store for mother's and daughter's.
The salesman strolled down the street, Kirishima's parcel tucked under one arm and the gift bag and his work bag were in his other hand. His mind was ticking over with whether he should buy some balloons or streamers or other decorative items people used to celebrate birthdays. Would that be going over the top? Was it appropriate for him to even consider doing something like that? He wasn't family at all, but Hiyori referred to him as 'Onii-chan' and she had become very dear to him and he was seeing her father, granted she didn't know that, but if that is the way he felt then surely it was alright to make an evening of it and go all out right?
Yokozawa's mind was made up as soon as he saw a party and craft store and went inside. He picked up a shopping basket and made his way around the store and filled it up with an assortment of balloons, streamers, hats and party poppers. He also noticed some confetti shaped in balloons and happy birthday and got a couple of them as well. As he turned down another aisle he noticed a packet of sparklers and instantly placed it in the basket. He made his way over to a craft aisle and just stared at too many items. He wasn't the most artistic person and thought it'd be best if he stuck with what he had in his basket.
As the businessman headed for the counter he finally noticed he'd forgotten the candle aisle. Of course he grabbed two number one candles so on Hiyori's birthday cake she could have an '11' on it and blow it out. He thought that would be better then sticking in eleven candles. Yokozawa stopped suddenly at his thoughts on candles and instantly on a cake. Who was organising a cake? The usually in control salesman scrambled to the counter, spilling out the contents so the cashier could zap them all and add up the total while he pulled out his phone and called Kirishima.
"Hey Takafumi, what's up?" Yokozawa narrowed his eyes at the far too calm and collected father.
"Have you organised a cake?"
"What was that? Sorry, I've got a bad connection, Hiyo-chan is dragging me around the place looking for something and there are people everywhere."
"I said: HAVE YOU ORGANISED A BLOODY CAKE?" The cashier behind the counter jolted at his yelling over the phone. He placed the money quickly on the counter, not worrying about the change and instead gave extra as an apology for his sudden behaviour and he was gone.
"Oh, well, Okaasan usually worries about that sort of thing."
Yokozawa was so tempted to snap back 'do you do anything' but thought better of it and instead made his way down the street to try and hail down the nearest taxi. "I'll get one organised."
"You know you don't have to go crazy."
"Too bloody bad." Yokozawa snapped once more and hung up on Kirishima. The father on the other end and on the other side of the city stared blankly at his phone before hurriedly catching up to his daughter who was waving him over to what appeared to be one of those instant photo booths.
After a block of trying to hail a taxi, Yokozawa was finally successful and climbed inside, piling his goods into the back with him as he asked the driver to take him to his apartments address. All that was left to do was get a cake, but where from? The bakery he usually got her green tea sweets from didn't exactly sell birthday cakes or if they did he was always too late as none were ever on display. Maybe you had to pre-order them? Yokozawa let out a frustrated sigh as he stared out the window. It was then his eyes caught sight of what he'd been searching for.
"Stop!" He called out suddenly and the driver did his very best to find a parking spot legally and Yokozawa asked him to wait as he bolted out of the back, down the street and into the store. The bell gave off a merry chime as he entered and a woman came from out the back to greet him. "I'd like this." He indicated to the dessert he saw from the window display fridge cabinet and the woman went to work. He was only gone for several minutes as he rushed back, but without running since he didn't want to mess up the relatively large square box. "Thank you for waiting, please drive on."
Everything was in order.
Yokozawa thought about taking the train, but realised with all his goods and how packed it would become there was no way he'd risk anything being damaged. Plus time was running out, he'd secretly messaged Kirishima to find out just how far away the two of them were and when he got a message back saying they'd be another half an hour to forty-five minutes and so a taxi was the best resource to use.
When he was dropped off, he leapt up the stairs two at a time and made his way to the door. It was then his face fell instantly. He didn't have a key. How the hell was he going to decorate the living room standing out here!
"Shit, shit, shit!" He couldn't help but grumble to himself.
"You look like you could do with a hand Takafumi-kun." The salesman turned around, surprise on his face as he found a short smiling woman behind him.
"Kirishima-san," It was the editor-in-chief's mother, she dressed traditionally in kimono and just coming up the stairs after her was her husband, also dressed in traditional attire. "I...sorry about my language." There were times when he felt so awkward in front of the couple especially when he was caught off guard. Plus there was the fact she just liked calling him Takafumi-kun. It was so personal...and motherly for that matter. He just wasn't used to it. After all, his family were not like the Kirishima's at all.
"Zen called, said you were on your way home and we were in the car coming over so what great timing. Let me grab some of your things."
"That's alright," He replied in kind, not allowing her to take any items. "I'd be grateful if you could get the door."
"Of course."
"Lovely afternoon isn't it Yokozawa-kun?"
"Indeed it is." Yokozawa greeted Kirishima's father in kind and half smiled his thanks as his mother opened the door. Thank god they kept a spare key.
He let himself in and removed his shoes before quickly moving down the hallway. "I have a favour to ask the both of you. Would you help me decorate?"
"You are certainly going all out." Kirishima's father voiced as he took a peek into one of the plastic bags to see what the businessman had purchased.
"Hiyo-chan and I kind of made a promise last night."
"Oh?" His lover's mother questioned intriguingly.
"Though this is Hiyo-chan's 11th birthday party, it is in fact my 1st with her and also my 1st birthday party at all, so we promised to celebrate together." He scratched awkwardly at the back of his head.
"You've never had a party Takafumi-kun?"
"No," Yokozawa spoke as he opened the bag of streamers and started spreading them over the coffee table. "I've always been on my own, so being here, surrounded by such a lively family, it makes me envious that my own were never like this."
"Takafumi-kun..." Deep blue eyes glanced up to see that sad expression on Kirishima-san's face. It was like the one Hiyori had given him when she had discovered he'd never had a party before, only she had started to cry.
"Ah, sorry, these days I catch myself rambling for odd reasons. Would you mind finishing off spreading the streamers about and sprinkling the confetti over the glass top? I'll do the balloons, but I'll be right back." Yokozawa made a quick exit, not noticing the concerned gazes being passed between the elderly couple as he headed for the spare room with one of his shopping bags. When he clicked the door closed his eyes and hands sort out the cardboard box and tipped out the contents on the desk. He sat down and got stuck into sorting them out.
"Sorry I took so long." Yokozawa apologised as he returned to the living room dressed in black jeans and a blue button down shirt. "I told you not to do the balloons." He admonished the elderly couple who were red faced and breathing a little too heavily. "Let me get the both of you something to drink." The salesman came back with a jug of iced tea and five glasses. He poured the couple their drinks and set the others on the coasters before beginning the task of blowing up the last 20 balloons in a mad rush. He could feel his own face going slightly red in the process, but his attention was soon stolen by Hiyori's grandparents as they began to tell stories of when she was a baby and the hilarious disasters that came about with Kirishima being a struggling single father.
"We're home!" Both Kirishima and Hiyori voiced loudly at the same time. They removed their shoes and headed down the hallway and into the strangely dark living room.
"Papa..." But before the youngest Kirishima could say another word, lights flashed on, poppers cracked, the young girl jumping in fright at the noise and then she was rewarded with a trio bellowing out happy birthday to her. "Uwaa..." A smile split the 11-year-old's face as she glanced about the decorated living room. Balloons were scattered about the carpet and on the lounge and chairs. Streamers were mostly kept to the coffee table and the same went for the confetti and it was perfect, no matter the cleaning that would have to be done afterwards.
"Happy Birthday Hiyo-chan." Kirishima softly voiced as he placed his hand on her head, her sparkly eyes gazing up at him before she made her way over to her grandparents to give them big thank you hugs for their efforts. His observing eyes couldn't help but focus on the the slightly nervous looking Yokozawa. He was shifting from one foot to the other, chewing absently on his bottom lip until Hiyori broke contact with his mother to lock eyes with him. He froze instantly as she walked over to stand in front of him.
"Onii-chan, you did all this for me?"
"Who else deserves to be spoilt on her special day." Yokozawa felt himself reply a little too gruffly. Quickly he cleared his throat as he crouched down so he was eye level with her. "Happy Birthday Princess." And to everyone's surprise they all watched as the usually awkward businessman opened his arms and Hiyori literally fell into them, she giggling up a storm as the two of them embraced wholeheartedly. Kirishima felt his heart swell at the affection between his child and his lover.
"Hiyo-chan, how about you change out of your uniform." She broke from Yokozawa and stared over at her father with a pout on her face as though he was ruining her moment with Yokozawa. "That way we can have dinner and you'll get to open up your presents."
"Okay!"
"Yokozawa, a word if you please?" The salesman arched an eyebrow at Kirishima's sudden change in attitude and followed the man into the kitchen.
"Is everything..." He didn't get any further when Kirishima had grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the doorway and his long arms were wrapped tightly over his shoulders. "Oi, what if Hiyo-chan or your parents come in?" Yokozawa whispered harshly, even if his heart was thumping happily and heat was rising to his cheeks.
"Thank you for today."
"Getting the parcel was no big deal." Yokozawa listened to Kirishima's chuckle.
"I meant for what you've done tonight."
"Oh, well, you haven't seen nothing yet." Yokozawa half grinned at Kirishima and quickly freed himself. He made his way back into the living room as Hiyori had just returned. She wore her hair down, it slightly wavy from his braid he did this morning and she was cutely dressed in the strawberry printed summer dress he'd seen her in on the Sunday when this adventure began. He watched her sit between her grandparents at the coffee table, gushing happily as they commented on how pretty the dress was and how much it suited her.
"This is for you Hiyo-chan." Kirishima's mother voiced as she handed over an envelope to the young girl.
"Arigatou Obaa-chan." She ripped open the envelope and giggled at the cute card she received. When she pried it open, it being a card with sound as it sang an instrumental version of the happy birthday song, but what got everyone's attention was the cheque that fell out onto the coffee table. Kirishima was bringing out the sushi platters his mother had brought over earlier and placed in the fridge when he noticed the cheque and the amount.
"Okaasan, you are spoiling her too much!" Kirishima's mother waved her hand like the money written on the cheque was nothing to them. Even Yokozawa's sharp eyes had seen the figure and suppressed an urge to gawk.
"Hiyo-chan promises that she'll be placing most of it away for her education, right sweetheart?"
"Hai!" She hugged her grandparents in thanks once again and was presented with a perfectly wrapped parcel from her father, it being the one Yokozawa had picked up earlier on. Hiyori ripped it open with gusto, eyes sparkling at the items within the bulky parcel. Another two cat ornaments to add to her growing collection. She carefully removed the pink tissue paper to reveal a new skirt and a couple of tops. There was also a heart shaped silver jewellery box, a cute new summer hat and some new stationary and a diary too. "Arigatou Papa!" She got up and rushed around the coffee table to hug her father.
"I almost forgot about these." Kirishima pulled out a plastic bag from behind his back. "Sorry these aren't wrapped, someone dragged me away from the office where I had them stashed and I was going to get around to doing it." He slyly remarked and tickled his genki daughter. She opened the bag and pulled out a matching kitchen set of apron, tongs and an egg flipper with a strawberry design on them. It was extremely cute and Hiyori was very happy to receive them.
"And you say we spoil her." Kirishima's mother grumbled and everyone burst out laughing.
All the while Yokozawa was standing off to the side observing everything. He had thought about presenting Hiyori with his gift, but he had chickened out at the last minute. Maybe if he got her alone after the initial party ended he'd have the courage then to give it to her.
"How about some dinner?" Yokozawa broke into the family moment as he pulled the lids off the sushi platters and presented the offerings to everyone.
"Ah, Onii-chan, this is from the restaurant the other night."
"Your Papa asked me to place an order earlier on. He said its the bet sushi you've ever had." Kirishima's mother commented with a small grin on her lips. Yokozawa finally understood where his lover had gotten it from now.
"Ah, well, your sushi is yummy as well Obaa-chan."
"Cheeky," Hiyori was cuddled by her grandmother before everyone sat around the coffee table, Kirishima and Yokozawa on one side while Hiyori wished to remain in the middle of her loving grandparents.
"Itadakimasu," Everyone voiced before tucking into their dinner.
"...and Hiyo-chan couldn't stop crying that day." Laughter filled the living room as the birthday girl's grandfather was finishing off a story.
"I remember hunting high and low for that rabbit, it took me three hours. The rabbit was getting quite dirty so in the wash it went and I'd forgotten about it, since it'd been raining all day, I had placed it in the dryer afterwards." Again laughter filled the room as Hiyori gazed from her grandparents to her father as she listened to their stories. She loved stories.
"I think its time for cake." Yokozawa interrupted as he rose to his feet.
"Hooray!" Hiyori clapped excitedly. She loved all her green tea flavoured sweets that she got to try every now and then, but she loved cake just as much.
Yokozawa headed into the kitchen and set about getting his surprise ready.
"I have an announcement to make." Kirishima suddenly voiced while Yokozawa was out of the room and out of earshot too. He couldn't deny the fact that his hands began to shake and his heart thumped heavily within his chest as three pairs of eyes were starring at him across the coffee table, but he couldn't contain his feelings any longer. "I'm going to ask Yokozawa to become part of our family."
"Zen..."
"I know its quite sudden to say this, but its how I feel. He's become very important to me."
"And me!" Hiyo-chan added in, a grin on her face. "But Papa, I always thought Onii-chan was part of our family already." Kirishima smiled sweetly at his daughter. He wished she would stay so sweet and innocent forever.
"I know you do."
"Zen, are you..." He listened to his mother pause, she not sure about what she was going to say next. His eyes glanced over to his father who did nothing but stare at him. He felt himself shift in his seated position and cleared his throat.
"I assure you this is not a joke. I've been thinking this for quite some time now."
"Zen, listen,"
"And nothing you say can make me change my mind." He interrupted once more. He felt his heart pounding within his ears. He wasn't too sure if Hiyori understood any of what was being said, but if she ever asked him what he and Yokozawa were, he was certain they could answer any of her questions...together. "I'm finally happy again." He whispered with soft conviction before bowing to his parents. "Please think it over as I'd really like your full support."
"Is the birthday girl ready?" Kirishima jolted as he sat up, eyes not focusing on his parents as he turned to watch Yokozawa come back into the living room. He was holding quite a large box in one hand and plates, napkins and spoons in his other. A gentle smile graced his lips at how multi-skilled his partner was, not even realising his mother was gazing quietly at him.
Yokozawa sat back down, placing the boxed cake in the middle of the coffee table and right in front of Hiyori. "On the count of three." Yokozawa voiced and when he raised his eyes he noticed everyone was staring at him. Of course he knew they would be as none of them had seen the cake he purchased, but it still felt slightly odd. "What is it?" He cautiously questioned, slight nervousness creeping up on him.
"Nothing," He glanced over at Kirishima who was smiling at him. His eyes followed the older man's hand as it lifted up to rest a little too long on his shoulder as he squeezed it lightly. "So, this is your big surprise for Hiyo-chan then?"
"Sort of," Yokozawa commented before lifting the lid of the box away.
"Uwaa..." Hiyo-chan squealed loudly, she sitting up on her knees as she looked over the biggest jumbo cupcake birthday cake she's ever seen! The thick creamy icing was coloured in every colour of the rainbow. Yokozawa had stuck the '11' candles in the front, sort of denting the fluffy and awfully sweet looking icing, but he was going for flare and drama. He stuck five sparklers in the back of it, the part that was facing he and Kirishima and pulled out a lighter from his pocket, lighting the candles and everyone watched the sparklers. "Kirei..." Hiyori happily squealed not even bothered by the stench of the smoke caused by the sparklers. The adults, well minus Yokozawa as he wasn't about to sing at the top of his voice and embarrass himself like Kirishima was, but he did join in the clapping as everyone sang happy birthday to the smiling and blushing Hiyori.
"Thank you for coming tonight." Kirishima appreciatively voiced as showed his parents out and walked them downstairs to their car.
"Zen, its not that we dislike Takafumi-kun, he's very nice and an extremely polite young man, it's just..."
"A lot to take in, I am aware of that. I want the two of you to take your time in thinking about what I said. Even if you reject it, I'm still going to be with him. I just hope you will still be loving grandparents to Hiyo-chan."
"Have the two of you explained your...situation...to her?" It was the best way his mother could call it, but so far so good in the sense they hadn't completely disowned him.
"I will...we will. But you of all people know she doesn't have a cruel or judgemental bone in her body." He glided one hand through his hair. "Don't you want me...and Hiyo-chan for that matter to be happy?"
"Well of course we do but..."
"I know its not what you would have ever thought of as a possibility, but it is the way it is. And frankly I'm shit scared at asking him because I don't really know what his answer is going to be."
"Zen, language..."
"Sorry," He glanced his eyes over at his father. "You've been very quiet Otousan."
"It is a lot to take in." Kirishim nodded at his father's words. "And we have taken notice of how much the two of you have changed over the year."
"Yokozawa is...no...Takafumi is the only one I can see helping me raise Hiyo-chan." He couldn't help but laugh lightly at his own words and just how much he actually meant them. "Truthfully, some time ago we had an argument and he angrily told me to go find Hiyo-chan a new Mama. And for a few weeks I did just that, going out on dates and meeting many women, but none were good enough. None of them matched up to how good he is with her and how happy she is with him. The way he'll drop everything to come and be with her if i'm working overtime, the two of them cooking together, the way he can easily tutor her or open up about his childhood to her, they have a connection together. Just watching them, being with them, it feels me with great joy. I want the three of us to be together...always. Well us and Sorata too."
"Zen,"
"Let me finish. I already proposed to him." He watched his parents eyes widen. "Of course he refused and he gave me back the key I wanted him to keep, but I think its because he was more embarrassed and frightened at how fast I had asked him. He's not as open as we are, nor is he used to how affectionate we are around each other. Everything is very new to him and truthfully I'm glad he hasn't run for the hills. Every passing day he's slowly revealing more and more of his true self to us and I want to know more. His last relationship, it left him broken hearted and I think its tainted his views on family, love and friendship and because of those things and many more I want him to be with me. I am certain that Hiyo-chan and I can make him happy." He watched his mother trying ever so hard to say something, but she'd literally lost her own voice. "You both know me too well not to believe what i'm saying. No matter what happens, what you say or what he says, I'm never going to give up." Kirishima helped his mother into the car. "This is all my doing, he doesn't know I've talked about the both of us to the two of you, so if you could, please try not to act too differently around him." He closed his mother's door as they had no response for him and silently waved as they drove off.
With a sudden weight lifted off his shoulders, Kirishima smiled as he took the stairs two at a time and headed back to his home, where his two most important and precious people were. He felt so...free.
He removed his shoes after locking the door and headed down the hallway. All the streamers and balloons were still spread about the place, but the massive amount of left over cake was now placed back in the fridge. Kirishima had complained earlier that they'd be eating cake for weeks now, but he received a thump on the shoulder from Yokozawa.
Speaking of the said man, his eyes moved about his living room to catch sight of him ducking into his daughters bedroom holding a purple bag behind his back. Curiosity got the better of him as he made his way over to the partially opened door. Eavesdropping was becoming a bad habit of his these days, but Yokozawa was being far too secretive around him.
"Thank you for a wonderful birthday party Onii-chan."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Yokozawa softly voiced as he helped tuck her into bed. It had been her last birthday request of him.
"Ah, Onii-chan can you pass me my bag." Yokozawa did as the Princess requested and she unclipped it and pulled the flap open as she began to search what she was looking for. "Ah, um," Deep blue eyes took notice of a small package in Hiyori's hands as she fidgeted in bed. "Onii-chan, for you!" She voiced loudly, arms thrusting out to him with the small package and her eyes were tightly closed.
"Thank you..." Yokozawa replied as he cupped her hands within his large ones before letting go to stare down at the tissue paper wrapped package. "May I open it?" He watched a little blush rush across her cheeks but she nodded her head vigorously. He pulled back the tissue paper as it rested against his right thigh as he sat on the edge of Hiyori's bed and found a new leather key case.
"Papa said yours looked worn out and so we thought..." The youngster trailed off then. "Open it." Yokozawa felt his heart pound faster as he clicked it open. His eyes first took in the clear plastic inside the key case, it now holding a sticker photo of Hiyori being hugged to death by her equally smiling father. He was crouched down, arms wrapped protectively, lovingly around his girl's shoulders and she was giving the camera the peace sign. The background the youngster had chosen was hearts and they were every colour of the rainbow. It was then his eyes focused on a charm which was hanging from one of the empty keychains. He noticed the silver cat paw instantly and then dangling from that were three silver letters: Z, T and H. Any other time he may have thought that receiving something like this, something that seemed slightly girly or feminine would horrify him, but truthfully, he felt his heart swell at the cuteness of it all. "Onii-chan,"
"Hm," His eyes rose to sparkling brown ones.
"Happy 1st Birthday Party." He couldn't help but chuckle as he ruffled her hair.
"Arigatou," He shifted slightly, knocking the bag against his foot and gazed down at it. "I have a present for you as well."
"But Onii-chan, you've already done so much!"
"Well, its more like a present for you and your Papa." Kirishima arched an eyebrow as he quietly poked his head around the corner to watch Yokozawa pull his gift from the purple bag. "I'm sorry they aren't wrapped." Kirishima squinted his eyes in the dull lighting of his daughters bedroom as she only had her desk lamp on and tilted his head slightly when he noticed the trio of albums.
"Onii-chan..." Hiyori softly voiced as she read the perfect calligraphy done of her name while she trailed one hand over the photo on the cover of the album, it being her Papa and Mama holding her as a baby. The photo album was labelled 'Kirishima Hiyori'. She placed it aside to look at the next one which was labelled 'Papa and Mama' and the photo on the front of this album was her parents wedding day. It was all Yokozawa could think to call it since technically he didn't even know what her mother's name was. "Eh, Onii-chan, this one is blank." Her eyes gazed up at Yokozawa who nodded his head in agreement.
"That it is. Because this one is for Hiyo-chan to fill with her own story."
"My own story?"
"Hai, for Hiyo-chan's adventure is just beginning." He was engulfed in her tender embrace, it caught him off guard once again but this time he pat her lightly on the back, while his other hand was brushing through her unbound hair. "Now get some sleep, its way past your bedtime."
"Mm, good night Onii-chan."
"Night," Yokozawa backed out of the room after turning off the desk lamp, clicking the door closed lightly.
"Our adventure is just beginning too."
"Jesus," Yokozawa gasped in surprise. "Will you stop eavesdropping on us and scaring the shit out of me in the process."
"But I feel left out." Kirishima pouted as he followed Yokozawa to the spare room as he listened to his lover snort lightly at his whining.
"Thank you for the key case."
"It truly was all Hiyo-chan's idea, she just asked me what you may need or what you might have liked from her. Of course I said she didn't have to worry but she gave me that damn pouting look and I caved instantly so you better feel grateful as I walked around for hours trying to find the perfect one for you."
"She gets that look from you."
"Oh?"
"And you get yours from your mother."
"Ah, my mother..." Kirishima mumbled, lost in thought. The editor-in-chief didn't realise he was blatantly being stared at by Yokozawa, the younger man already sitting on the bed, several buttons on his shirt undone and he'd drawn one leg up, elbow on his knee while his hand cupped his chin as he freely gazed openly at his older partner.
"Are you alright?" Yokozawa questioned, watching fascinated as Kirishima mumbled something he couldn't make sense of and he sat absently next to him. "Do you want to have sex?" The salesman found himself blurting out and waited with baited breath for Kirishima's answer. When an answer did not come and instead he watched a frown appear on his lips, Yokozawa felt half offended and half disappointed at the same time. For one, the man wasn't listening to him at all and two, he wasn't being jumped. He lifted his hands and made a loud clap.
"Eh?" Almond eyes turned to gaze over at him.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong."
"I know when you're lying. Something happened didn't it."
"N-Not really..." Kirishima felt his walls crumbling down. It was his damn eyes, they could practically see through him at times.
"Something changed, when I came back in with the cake, now what is it."
"I love you." Blue eyes widened.
"You're changing the bloody subject."
"I love you." Kirishima repeated.
"First you're lying to me and secondly you were completely ignoring me earlier, lost in your own little world."
"I wasn't..."
"It's about your wife isn't it."
"Huh?"
"It's okay to tell me, it is the anniversary of her death tomorrow." Yokozawa frowned when Kirishima slapped a hand over his mouth. "Oh for fuck's sake, what is wrong now?" He harshly whispered and took a sharp intake of air when shimmering almond eyes gazed over at him.
"I forgot..." Yokozawa's eyebrows rose in shock. "This is the first time that has ever happened." Yokozawa stood up, pulling Kirishima to his feet.
"You need to go to bed, it's been a long day." He walked his lover to the door and opened it up, pushing the man lightly on the back as he now stood in the hallway. "Tonight and tomorrow are days for you to remember your precious wife and everything you had together."
"Takafumi..." He only twitched a little this time at being called by his given name. He was slowly getting used to the way his name sounded coming from those lips and that deep sensual voice.
"Go to bed."
"You're kicking me out awfully fast."
"Because I'm bloody tired you idiot."
"Hm, why do I feel like I just missed out on something exciting." Kirishima frowned when a wicked and almost evil grin grew upon Yokozawa's lips. He stepped closer, leaning up slightly as he pressed his lips to Kirishima's.
"I guess you'll never know." And he moved back into the room and closed the door on the now grumpy looking editor-in-chief. He pressed his ear to the door, listening to Kirishima walk away, opening and closing the door of his master bedroom. He turned around, eyes casting to the forgotten items on the desk. They were new hair pins for Hiyori that he'd seen at Sweet Darling. There was a pair of black clips with strawberries on the end of them and also a pair with cupcakes and another pair with cat faces on them. He'd have to remind himself to give them to her later.
Yokozawa shuffled over to the bed and lay down on his back, gazing up at the ceiling before turning on his side to look at his old key case on the bedside table. He pulled the new one from his pocket and switched all the keys over, his eyes once more fixated on the photo. When they smiled like they did, they truly did look like father and daughter. The salesman fingered the dangling charm and removed it from the case to stare at it more closely. He finally noticed that each letter had their own fake looking diamonds in them, the Z had a yellowish-brown coloured ones, the T had purpley-blue ones and the H had reddish-pink ones. What was he going to do with it? The salesman shook his head as he rested it against the black leather case for now.
He flicked open his phone, noticing how late it was and turned off his alarm. Perhaps he should have told Kirishima and Hiyori not to wake him tomorrow since he decided to take a couple days off work. He shook his head, thinking nothing more of it as he rolled over almost fidgeting as he tried to look for a comfortable spot. Usually the bed was taken up by Kirishima, the man usually touching him in someway and the warmth and feel of his fingers made him relax instantly. Yokozawa rolled his own eyes, he mentally telling himself not to act so stupid considering he'd driven the man away for the evening and he closed his eyes. Today...had been a great day.
The salesman was out in an instant.
Inside Kirishima's bedroom he was sitting on his bed, a small box within the palm of his hand as he gazed down at a small picture of his wife and two identical gold wedding bands.
"See you tomorrow."
To be continued...
