"Is she still there?"

"Hidori, calm down. I don't want to keep talking about this."

"You know she will never let this go." Sumi-senpai chuckled as he ate one of his chips.

"I am just saying tha..mmmmmmm." "And I am saying I do not want to hear anymore from you about this." She narrowed her eyes but when I didn't hear her I took my hand off her mouth.

"Hi guys!" Shinnosuke ran over. I could see a magazine in his hand. "Sorry I am late I had to pick this up." I gasped. It was the new edition of The Kan.

"How is it? I haven't read it!"

"Amazing! Here!"

"And there they go." I shut her out as he passed me the magazine. 20 minutes and I was almost crying. "So beautiful, I love this manga!"

"I know! It just keeps getting better and better!" It was so nice to find another fan.

"It's just a cooking manga."

"Whatever Hidori. You cannot understand how amazing this is."

"Sure sure."

"And his signing is coming up."

"I know! I had a ticket for it….but I don't think I will make it." I love Miyoko and want to spend so much time with her, but it was a sad realization I was not going to the signing.

"Alright, I have to go to work and I would rather not want to hear more about your manga." Of all the things she chose not to like about me, she picked my bible. "Not like your books are amazing!"

She grabbed her chest. " .Ki. How could you say that! The Cursed Woman is a beautiful book. Tell her Ryo."

Senpai smiled. "It is a good read."

"That's the book that describes skinning people?"

"Yup. And this girl's head pops off."

Yuck. "No thank you."

"Fine. Don't you have class?"

"Yes I do. See you later." Class was boring, people finally leaving me alone after that interview. You might have thought I was a celebrity. So many people asking me about it. After school I headed for the gates when I heard my name. "Takahashi wait." I turned to see Shinnosuke running over.

"Yes?"

He scratched his head, looking around to make sure no one was around. "Um, I wanted to ask a favor."

"Sure." What are we doing with Hidori now?

"Well..that signing...I wanted to ask Shiima to go with me."

Aw a date….but it was Ijuuin. "I don't think she would be caught dead at the signing...and she would need a ticket to see him."

"I had a friend who got a ticket but she couldn't go so she gave me her ticket" Lucky! He scratched his head. "I know she doesn't like him. But if you were there she might go."

It was a dream to go see him; I still treasured the first time I ever spoke to him. But I don't think Usagi would let me go. "I don't think I will be able to make it."

He sighed, a look of defeat on his face. "I understand. I just thought if Hidori met him and saw how popular the series was then maybe she wouldn't look at it with so much hate."

"Good luck with that. I have heard her disgust since middle school but she has heard my displeasure in those creepy horror stories she likes."

"I know. That senpai keeps giving her books. I tried to read one but I never expected them to be so...graphic." We both shuddered. I have read those books before. "But I hate that the two talk to each other."

I needed to talk to Hidori. Shinnosuke looks so defeated. I did understand though, trying to find something in common with someone you like. Hidori does not talk about herself so I have not heard her opinion on Shinnosuke. She has to like him though just by the way she acts. She usually cannot be near guys for long periods of time so it was surprising to see her hanging out with him so much. But then again, I found out she also hangs out with Sumi-senpai. She even uses his first name.

"I guess I can talk to Usagi and see what he thinks."

"Thank you! It would mean a lot!" His face lit up. "I will let you get going. Thank you so much." He bowed and headed to class. Sheesh, when did I start playing cupid?

"I'm home."

"You're late." Usagi met me at the door. He kissed my forehead before handing Miyoko to me. She was in full cry mode now. "I could have picked you up."

"It's fine the walk was not bad. Shinnosuke ended up stopping me to talk to him."

"What about?"

"He wants me to help get Hidori to like him." By now we were in the kitchen as he prepared a bottle.

"That girl needs a boyfriend."

"I agree."

"Oh it's Misaki." Great, thought she was gone. "Are you feeding Miyoko?" Mizuki walked down the stairs. "Can I feed her?"

Miyoko came closer to me. "It's fine." The hairs on my arms stood up when I saw her arms reach out to take Miyoko. I could imagine the wall between us. Usagi handed me the bottle and I rushed over to the other end of the kitchen. I heard a grumble as Mizuki made her way back to the couch. "Akihiko, let's have a family outing again tomorrow. This time let's bring Miyoko."

Oh no she didn't. "Tomorrow I am busy." Usagi rolled his eyes. Take that!

"Fine. Takahashi, when is dinner ready?"

"I haven't started yet." I finished feeding Miyoko before handing her to Usagi. Dinner was quiet, awkward, Mizuki noted the chicken was dry. Doing the dishes I remembered what Shinnosuke asked. "Hey Usagi, is it possible for you to watch Miyoko for a few hours on the 25th?"

"Why?"

"You remember Ijuuin-sensei right? He draws The Kan."

I watched him narrow his eyes. "What about him?"

"Well...he has a signing going on that day that Shinnosuke wanted Hidori and I to go to."

"Where at?"

"The event center, about an hour from here."

Usagi opened his mouth but someone else decided to chime in. "Planning to hang out with your friends again?" Mizuki leaned against the island counter.

"Um…he wanted me to act as sort of a wingman..."

"Wow, I have never seen a mother leaving her child as much as you."

What? "That's not…" "I read that babies need their mother the most in their first year. You already leave her alone to go to school and now you want free time with your friends? What was the point in even having a child?"

"MIZUKI, ENOUGH." Miyoko shook in my arms before the room echoed with her screams. "I'll take her upstairs." The whole time up I still heard the two arguing.

"Come on Akihiko, you don't have a child to leave it."

"I don't care what your opinion is."

"You said it before those friends try to take her all the time."

"Listen Miz…." I closed Miyoko's door. It took a few minutes of rocking her in my arms before she finally stopped crying. "It's okay, daddy can be loud but he's not mad at you. Mommy is the one who started this mess." Sheesh they were still arguing. "Alright Miyoko. Time for bed, mommy needs to put on her big girl pants." I laid her down, giving her her Suzuki. A large yawn and then she was asleep.

I went back out, the fighting over but the two still looked pissed off. Their faces were almost identical. The tension could be cut by a knife. "Di..did anyone want tea?"

"Mizuki, apologize to Misaki."

Her eyes scrunched? "Huh? Why should I? I was just saying the truth."

"Miz-" "It's okay Usagi." I took a deep breath. You can do this. "I understand your concern. The last thing I want is to miss out on Miyoko's life."

"You are just lucky you have Akihiko. You have someone to push all the responsibility off on."

"That's not true!" Whoa, I did not expect my voice to get that loud.

"Face it, you got lucky having a kid with someone like him."

"No!"

We both turned as Usagi made a loud sigh. He stood up and without a word came over to wrap his arms around my waist. "Apologize to Misaki. You are wrong about her." He kissed my forehead. "I am the one who pushes most of the responsibility off on her. She takes less classes, which means she will graduate later than she was supposed to. For the first four months of Miyoko's life she never did anything else. She does everything for Miyoko and me. Even when she needs help, she still finds a way to do it on her own. You have no right to criticize our family." Usagi. He is always thinking about me. About us. "She is not like the Usami clan."

"What does that mean?"

"A..And Mizuki...I know I am new at this and maybe there are times I am messing up but this is my family. And I won't lose them to anyone. Not even you."

"Huh?"

"You heard me." We had a staring contest before I felt my body heat up. Did I really just say all of that? "I'm going to take a shower." I all but ran upstairs. Ugh, I have been saying so many embarrassing things lately. I blame that stupid cousin. Making me say things I will regret.

"Don't look so down."

"AHHH!" Dammit Usagi. "Don't sneak up on me." I should have locked the door. He chuckled as he leaned against the counter. "Don't worry about Mizuki."

Easy for you to say. "Am I really leaving Miyoko alone too many times?"

"No. I told you not to listen to her. You are doing fine as a mother. The best mother there is."

"Really?"

He walked over to kiss me. His cool lips calmed me. "The best."

That night we laid in bed, my eyes closing when he decided to speak up. "So about that signing."

"It's okay Usagi, I don't have to go."

"You want to though."

"I don't want to make it seem I don't want to be around Miyoko."

"Last month, you let me leave for two days to go to that stupid conference in Osaka. I felt guilty but you assured me Miyoko still loves me and you could handle it. This signing will be only for a few hours. I am sure I can find something to do with Miyoko while you go."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

I smiled, struggling to contain my excitement. I was going to see my hero again. "Thank you." He kissed me one last time before we fell asleep.

The next day

"Are you serious? I don't want to go to that author's signing. I don't even like his books!"

"Come on Hidori, I really want you to go. It is a miracle I am even able to go and Shinnosuke does too."

"Since when did you two get close?"

"Jealous?"

"Shut up!" I laughed, earning a laugh from Miyoko. "I don't want to go."

"Hidori pppplllleeeeeaaaassssseeeeeeee. Shinnosuke wants to spend time with you and even invited me along."

Silence. "I don't see why he had to get you to invite me."

"Because you are acting like a tsundere character who can't admit her feelings for once in your life."

"Shut up Misaki! I am no tsundere."

"Spoken like a true tsundere." "SHUT UP!"

"NEECHAN JUST GO!"

"Hiromi!"

"That's an order!"

"AAARGH fine!... Did Shino really want me to go?"

"Yes ma'am. He really likes you."

More silence. "Fine. I'll go." I could hear Hiromi cheering in the background. "Shut up!"

"I'm home."

"Welcome back, I'll call you later Hidori."

"Okay, talk to you later." I hung up the phone as Usagi entered, kissing my forehead. "Was that Hidori?"

"Yeah. Took her a minute of convincing but she finally agreed. It's fun playing matchmaker." He chuckled, taking Miyoko from me. She reached up to touch his face. "She was crawling more today. I even saw her trying to walk."

"She is growing too fast."

"I know. She is already eight months old. Soon she will be a year."

"Don't remind me." We stared at Miyoko, watching her look between us, when the front door slammed shut.

"I have arrived!" The two of us stood like deer in headlights.

"Kaoruko?"

"Misaki, you never answer your phone!"

"Oh sorry, I left it up…" "Get out!" Usagi growled.

"I can't leave! I am here for Misaki's birthday. We are going to bake a cake together." She wheeled her suitcase past Usagi. Thankfully his dark aura didn't affect Miyoko's attitude. She stayed snuggled in his chest before he set her down in her playpen.

"But my birthday is not until next month."

"I have lessons during that time and cannot make it so I came now."

"Thank you but you didn't have to." It was nice though.

Her cheeks turned red. "Of course I did! What kind of best friend does not do something for a birthday."

"Well thank you."

"What is all this noise?" Mizuki yawned, coming into the room. She stopped when she looked at us. "What is she doing here?" That's a new face. She has not even looked at me with such anger.

"Oh, Mizuki is here? You get fired?"

"Shut up loser, I am on vacation. Annoying female."

Huh?

"And you still have that bad attitude."

"Shut up."

Did those two not like each other?

Next chapter of COH:

To the signing

MIYOKO-5 months

AKIHIKO

"The diapers will be here, usually she might go while we are gone. She still needs to drink milk. Her formula is on the table. We have been giving her baths in the sink. She should be fine unless she spills milk. Also her clothes will be up…."

"I apologize to Manami." I watched the two disappear into Miyoko's room.

Takahiro chuckled, "She acts like this is the first time she has left the house."

"Might as well be."

"Doesn't she leave the house twice a week to go to school?"

"And cries every time she leaves and begs for forgiveness when she gets back."

"That sounds like her."

"It is getting hot but we tend to keep the A/C cold so we do have a second blanket in case she needs it." The three made their way downstairs. Miyoko having the time of her life bouncing in Misaki's arms. "Ah, I forgot to grab Suzuki…"

"Misaki, I am sure she can find Suzuki. She is in the crib."

"And if not there is a whole room full of them."

Boy did Takahiro offend someone. "NIICHAN! Miyoko's Suzuki has a ribbon with her name on it! It is different from the others. If Miyoko does not see her Suzuki she has a meltdown."

His hands went up, "whoops."

"Is this a good idea?"

"Yes!" Takahiro, Manami, and I said at the same time. "Misaki, you have been cooped up in this house for so long. It is great you want to always be there for Miyoko but it will not do her any good if you don't take care of yourself."

Her pout was back. "I know...I just…"

"I know. You are a great mother. I promise nothing will happen to her."

"Niichan." I guess it was idiotic of me to think we were getting out with no tears. Even Takahiro was tearing up. Troublesome siblings.

"Misaki, we should head out."

"...Fine." She kissed Miyoko as a woodpecker pecks a tree. I walked over to give Miyoko a light kiss on the forehead before she handed her to Takahiro. "Hi baby girl." He cooed.

"You guys have a great time!"

I could feel the resistance as I pushed Misaki out the door. The elevators had not closed yet. "What if they don't find her clothes? What if Miyoko has diarrhea. She got it the first time with that food. Did you put the diapers back where they go? Wasn't Miyoko about to take a bath? Let's call niichan just to make sure…" A grumble was let out when I took her phone. "Usagi!"

"You need to calm down."

"But this the first time Miyoko won't have either of us. What if she cries?"

"Then she will cry until they calm her down. You need a break, we both do."

"...Are we bad?"

"No. It is not a bad thing to ask for help. Now calm down, you are supposed to be thinking about me."

Ah, there's my smile. "Horrible. Trying to get me to not think about our child."

"And I hope it is working."

I took her back to the aquarium. We had not been there since her planned date. There was a commercial for it and I could see the want in Misaki's eyes. My last project just ended, a stupid family series Isaka signed me up for to "reinvent" my image. A month after the interview and things were finally dying down. Misaki told me she was constantly being asked about our relationship at school. On top of that she had exams that she was studying for two weeks. Along with raising Miyoko, these last few weeks have been hell. I was thankful when Takahiro offered to watch her on his day off.

"Wow, the penguins are so cute!" Misaki squealed, leaning against the glass. "Can we see the otters next?"

"Yes, yes." She grabbed my hand to drag me over. It was hard to keep the smile off my face. Her childish self surfacing after being hidden for so long. She smiled up at me. "We should bring Miyoko here."

"She would enjoy this." We got to another part of the aquarium when Misaki announced she had to go to the bathroom. I sent a text to Takahiro, asking if everything is okay. I smiled when he sent a picture back of a drenched Manami. Miyoko decided she wanted to play during bath time. A little boy was dragging his mom over to the large tank. I could only imagine how it will be bringing Miyoko here. Her eyes twinkling as she gazed at the strange creatures. Or would she be scared and bury her head into my shoulders most of the time?

I watched the family leave when it dawned on me Misaki was taking too long in the bathroom. I stood up, and just like deja vu, there she was at the entrance. My brother was also in sight. I could not see her face and he had that annoying straight look on his. But unlike last time I did not stand there sulking.

"It was nice seeing you but I think Usagi…."

"What do you want?" I wrapped my arm around her waist and put some distance between them. Misaki jumped in my arms but I did not look down though I could feel her staring up at me.

"Hello Akihiko."

"What do you want?"

"Usagi, don't make a scene."

"I want to know why he is here?" We couldn't leave our home for one day without running into these pests?

"Relax. I had business here when I saw Takahashi. It has been awhile since we last spoke." There's a reason for that. "Father keeps talking about you three. Congratulations on the child. I never imagined you would have children Akihiko. Had I known I might have sent a gift."

"We don't need it."

He sighed, "it was good I ran into you though. I have been wanting to talk to you for a while now. Father keeps asking if I would persuade you to see his grandchild."

"And he thought you could persuade me?" That must be his worst idea ye… "It's not you I have to persuade." His eyes went down to Misaki.

"Oh, uh…" "No. Let's go."

"Right now? Ok, it was nice to see yo-aaa." I turned her around and we walked away. Her head turned to look back but I kept moving until we made it to another part of the aquarium. "That was rude."

"What did he say before I got there?"

"Nothing much. Surprised to see me, congratulations on Miyoko, asked how Miyoko is doing. I did show him a picture of her."

"Anything else?" I could hear her voice trailing, not wanting to say something.

"Weeeellllll he did ask if we could have dinner and he wanted to meet Miyoko." Like hell that was happening. "But I said no!"

"Did you?"

I almost forgot my anger when she tried to growl. "Yes, I was telling him that you would not like that before you interrupted."

"That's it?"

"Yes! Sheesh I couldn't lie to you even if I tried." She was not wrong about that. I rubbed my forehead; this is why I don't like leaving the house.

"Fine. Let's go." We stayed at the aquarium for another 20 minutes. My eyes scanning each room we went to. Misaki's hand stuck to mine. We were in the gift shop, Misaki buying penguin keychains for Takahiro and Manami. We debated but decided to buy the large penguin plush for Miyoko. "That's too big!" Misaki argued.

"Suzuki is bigger." My reply. I won.

"I guess your father really wants to see Miyoko." Misaki said as we pulled out of the parking lot.

"He won't."

She sat back in her seat. "Still...he is still Miyoko's family too."

"No he is not." I have the paperwork to prove that.

"Usagi, no paper can erase blood." Watch me try.

"Did you guys have a good time?" Misaki did not acknowledge Takahiro as she made her way to the living. I heard her yell out Miyoko.

"It was good. How was Miyoko?"

Takahiro's eyes shined. "Amazing. She was crying for a moment but once she calmed down she was an angel. Suzuki was a huge help."

"Was it nice to get out?" I heard Manami ask. We walked into the living room to see Misaki rocking Miyoko. Her face showing such bliss.

"It was fun...but I kept thinking of Miyoko."

"Guess I need to do better next time." "Usagi!" She screamed but could not stop the smile growing on her face. That night she laid on the pillow with her thinking face. "Misaki?"

"Um...about today…"

"Yes?" Please do not bring up my family. I did not want to talk about them now.

"Do you think niichan would watch Miyoko again?"

Pardon. "Why?"

I saw her adorable blush forming. "Well...I did miss Miyoko...but...it was nice...just the two of us…is that bad to think of..." I could not stop laughing. "Usagi! It's not funny!"

I had to kiss her, pulling her into my arms before she could fight. "You are the perfect mother. I, too, wish to spend time with Miyoko but I still want that time with just you."

"We both are bad parents."

Our laughter echoed through the room.