"Guess what, Kiri-chan? You have interview with the principal of Le Schola Cantorum thanks to your uncle Rui", Tsukushi chimed happily as she hung up the phone. But she turned to find the kitchen empty - no baby, no Tsukasa.
Clamping down on her rising panic, she ran into the living room, only to see a sight more shocking than her wildest imaginations. There was Kirara on the great Domyouji Tsukasa's shoulders, getting a pony ride. Her little hands held his curly hair as reins and she playfully kicked at his sides. Kirara's mirthful giggles were only second to the Tsukasa's own chuckles.
It was most relaxed Tsukushi had ever seen him. His tie was lost on the sofa, his shirt unbuttoned and his pants crinkling on the carpet. His smile was wide and carefree as he swerved willy-nilly to hear Kirara laugh.
"Now what do we have here?", Tsukushi teased, "you know we can't have ponies in this apartment building, Kiri-chan. Especially such an ugly pony."
"Ugly?", Tsukasa asked aggrieved, "are you going to let your pony get insulted, Kiri-chan? Let's teach your mom a lesson." He turned to pick up a giggling Kirara into his arms, settled her on his shoulders and began to chase Tsukushi around the room.
///////////////////////////////
Be careful what you wish for, thought Tsukushi wryly as she ducked to avoid getting hit with crème brulee. In a scene slightly reminiscent of the twilight zone, she glanced to her left where Matsumoto Jun was dining and then back to her right where Kirara was gleefully flinging dessert into her mouth and a 10 mile radius. Tsukasa watched on with pride and the waiter's face was frozen in a mask of polite horror.
While Tsukushi had often regretted that her social engagements with Tsukasa had taken time away from Kirara, Tsukasa's newfound insistence on taking Kirara everywhere on their dates was equally tiring. A toddler didn't cope well with society parties or dinner at five star restaurants.
Oh well, might as well enjoy the moment while it lasts, Tsukushi thought as she looked back to catch another glimpse of Matsumoto Jun's handsome face.
"Stop looking at other men when your boyfriend is right here", Tsukasa snapped crabbily, "plus, the baby is here. You'll set the wrong example for her."
Smiling at his surprisingly domestic comment, Tsukushi turned back around. "But it's THE Matsumoto Jun", she explained.
"And I am THE Domyouji Tsukasa. And who exactly is this shrimp anyway? You like him or something?", Tsukasa retorted angrily as he started to get up.
"Tsukasa, stop!", Tsukushi hissed as she clamored to get him back into his seat and away from Matsumoto Jun's beautiful face.
"Guess what? Kiri-chan got into the music school that Rui recommended", Tsukushi said quickly in an effort to distract him.
"Of course, she did. She's the smartest girl ever.", Tsukasa boasted as he turned to tickle Kirara under the chin. Kirara cooed back happily, prompting more crème brulee to land on Tsukasa's Armani and the waiter's face to stiffen further.
Ahhh, just another Friday night, thought Tsukushi, I could get used to this.
But just as this thought brought a smile to her face, another less happy one came fast on its heels. Just how long would this happy charade last? And how would she and Kirara go back to a life that seemed dull and listless in comparison?