I took a long sigh as I entered the elevator. Work was tough today. I guess word got around about me helping Aikawa as I started getting requests to work at different sections in Marukawa. Isaka had officially made me a part-timer for the company and now I was being called to help different departments. I was currently heading down to Shounen department, which was the section that is in charge of The Kan!

"Hello, I am Takahashi."

"Yes, hi!" I was stopped by a man with spiked hair. "Thank you for coming. It would be a great help if you could deliver these to Ijuuin-sensei."

He held out a stack of paper and a small white box with a pastry logo on the front. "Me?" Don't get me wrong, I was jumping for joy inside, but it was a strange request.

He blew out some air. "It seems sensei is feeling down at the moment."

"Wouldn't I make it worse?"

"No no, if his editor goes then there might be an argument. He usually gets this way pre-deadline."

"Not too mention I have heard from Isaka-san that you have helped him before." Another voice added. It was Kirishima, the editor in chief for Shounen. He was really nice, talked a lot about his own daughter. "You would really help us out."

"Yeah, sure."

It was a 15 minute train ride to his apartment; a large building similar to Usagi's. I made my way to the call box, typing his number. I heard the bell ring but no answer. Did I type it right? I typed it again. "SO ANNOYING."

Typed it right. "He-Hello, I am from Takahashi from Marukawa."

There was silence, followed by the door opening to the apartment building. I made my way up to his door; the pep talk I was giving myself was not helping. The man at Marukawa did remind me not to say anything that would agitate him. He apparently has a temper around this time.

I made it to his door, knocking on it. I was surprised it swung open. "Hello, it's Takahashi today." There was a loud clanging noise. "Sorry for the intrusion." I hope he was okay.

I made my way to the living room, looking down at the mess inside. I could not see the floor. Books opened all over the floor. A potted plant knocked over. Pillows stained with noodle cups spilled over.

This mess.

Was nothing!

They have not seen the inside of Usagi's place. He actually had a smell of something dying in his place. I am still convinced there was.

"Takahashi?" I turned to see sensei; he looked like Usagi at a deadline. Dull eyes, bags as dark as night, slight weight loss.

"H-Hi sensei, sorry for entering, the door was unlocked."

"Why are you here? The deadline is not due yet?" His voice was scratchy and he yawned mid-way.

I held up the envelope and cakes up. "I brought some documents and cakes from the editorial department."

He gave me a light smile. "I showed my shameful side once more."

"No! I mean I understand!" Usagi is a lot worse.

"If you have time, why not stay and eat these with me." He took the pastries from me.

"I couldn't."

"If you don't mind, I would appreciate the company right now. I am sorry for the mess."

They did say I could go home after delivering the items and Miyoko was being taken care of by Usagi. "Sure, then let me help you clean up." Not everyday you can hang out with your idol. I was impressed though; even with the mess, sensei still had a table of content created for each book. More organized than a certain someone.

I picked up a stack of laminated papers when I noticed the familiar handwriting. "Hey! This is mine."

"Oh yes, I do like to keep fan letters given to me."

"Wow, but I wrote this in high school."

Flowers popped around him. "No matter how long, all letters sent to me are precious. How could I possibly throw away words of encouragement?"

Sensei is wonderful! To keep them after all these years? I am so touched! I like him more and more.

"You know Takahashi, I am used to falling." His smile faltered. "I get so detached from the world, looking for something in my mind, getting dejected when I find none. It is at times like these where I become even more worried about my progress. Times like those, I find myself all alone."

I wonder if Usagi ever feels like this. It was hard, hearing someone talk like this. "Um, sensei, please don't think you are alone. I have been reading you since I was younger. And I am not the only one, I know a lot of people who like you. And you had lots of people at your last signing. No matter what, I will still be your fan. I like you the most sensei!"

Wow. That seemed like some word vomit right there. I hope I did not cross any lines.

"You are an honest girl." Look at that smile! So handsome! "Let's eat."

Um, maybe I am overthinking, but is sensei sitting too close? I stopped mid-bite when I felt his leg brush up against mine. I didn't want to say anything, maybe it was all in my head. "Do you enjoy your job at Marukawa?" I could feel his breath in my ear.

"Um yes, it is interesting seeing how they work. I might consider being an editor when I graduate."

"How long have you and Usami-sensei been together?"

That seems a little too personal. "About 2 years."

"Wow, and you already have a child, how old is she?"

"She is almost 1."

"She is growing up so fast. I admire the hard work you have put into being a great mother at your age."

At this point it was hard to taste the cake. "You know...I have a lot of help with my family and Usa-Usami. Miyoko is definitely going to become a daddy's girl."

"Eh, how could that be, with a cute mother like yourself." My body froze as I felt the brush of fingers through my hair. I turned to see Ijuuin much closer than before. His smile was menacing as he twirled one of my locks. "I like cute and hard working mothers like Takahashi."

"THANK YOU FOR THE CAKE." I had to be careful not to drop the plate as I stood up. The cake finished in one bite.

"You can have more if you want."

"No thank you, I have bothered you enough. Thank you for your hard work."

The smile remained on his face. "See you again." I all but ran out that door.

He did not mean anything about that, right? Maybe he was just tired. Yeah that's it. He was tired and thought of finding some entertainment. That's it. Oh, why can't I shake this bad feeling off. At least he was able to get back to work.

"I'm ho…." I could not finish.

"How was work?" How could Miyoko act like she was not being held by someone looking ready to kill. The dark aura around him filled the hallway. What the hell did I do?

"G-Good." I moved to the kitchen to start dinner.

"You came home right after work?"

"Yes." What is he getting at?

"Misaki, what happened between you and that mangaka." The pot made a loud clang on the floor. My hands froze in place.

Like a robot, I bent down to pick it up. "No-Nothing. Why do you ask?"

Uh oh. "I just received a call from Isaka. Apparently, Ijuuin-sensei wants to have a meal with me."

WWWWWHHHHAAAAATTTTTT!

"WHY?"

"How the hell should I know?" He put Miyoko down in her playpen. I could not help but take a step back as he made his way to me. "So what happened?"

"Nothing. I just took him some documents and food from the editorial department."

"That's all?"

"Yes, he was depressed so I tried encouraging him."

"Encouraging him?"

"You know, praising him because I like sensei's work."

"Like him?"

"I said his work!" But, there was that second part. "He also said something about liking me. That surprised me."

I did not expect Usagi to press so close to me. The anger on his face caught me off guard. "Usagi?"

He yanked my arms, the pot flying back to the floor. I could not speak as he pressed his mouth to mine. I would not be surprised if my lips would be sore later. "Usagi wait…" Just enough time to breathe before he kissed me again.

"Did he touch you?" I could hear the growl.

"Not much, just grabbed my hair." Another kiss. "Usa….stop...I don't think it meant anything…"

"Who knows."

It was scary. The fierceness, the desperation, the frustration. I told him nothing was happening. I don't even like sensei in that way. Is he jealous? Am I that untrustworthy?

"STOP." I pushed as hard as I could, knowing full well he could have overpowered me. I heard a cough followed by Miyoko's cackle. "Why are you like this? I told you nothing happened. I really meant it. Why do you still doubt me?"

He sighed, looking at Miyoko and back at me. " I don't trust him."

"We-well, even so, you have nothing to worry about. I never thought about having a kid with him."

"You never thought of having a kid with me."

That's unfair! "SO? I don't even feel that way for sensei."

"What way?"

He is frustrating. "You know...a different like."

"Different?"

"Stop trying to pick a fight with me! I mean you are the only one I would even care to do...ecchi stuff with." Ah, why does he always have to make me say such embarrassing words. The smirk on his face did not die down and he gave me no chance to escape when he wrapped his arms around me as we tumbled to the floor. "Usagi! I have to cook dinner and Miyoko is in the other room."

"She is fine, Suzuki is with her."

"Usagi!" I gasped as he bit my neck. His hand made its way under my shirt. "Usagi…" Is it bad parenting to do this while our daughter is in the other room. To Usagi's satisfaction, she made no noise as I attempted to keep my mouth shut as Usagi thrusted inside me.

"Stupid. Idiot. Moron. Dumbass." I kept shouting as we laid down. Miyoko tucked away in her bed fast asleep right after dinner. I turned over to pout.

Usagi got in and turned to face me, no remorse on his face. "It is not like she cared."

"How could you do that? She was so close!"

"And yet she was fine."

"Stupid." I turned back around, feeling the bed moved as he wrapped his arm around my waist to pull me closer to him. "Usagi?"

"Don't go near him."

"Sensei?" I squealed as he bit my ear. "But it was really only for work."

"I don't care. I don't trust him."

"I think you are thinking too much. I have a kid, we were featured in the news so everyone knows I am with you. Why would anyone want me now?"

He said something but I yawned too loud to hear. "Whatever. Good night." I felt him kiss my forehead as I closed my eyes to sleep.

The Next Morning

"Come on Miyoko, your grandpa wants to see you. You have to get ready." I tried putting her dress on again. She shook her head a few more times before I could get it over her head.

"Still don't see why you have to indulge him." I ignored Usagi as I put her socks on. "And you made plans when you knew I was busy."

"You would not have been busy if you had met your deadlines." I told him his father had invited us out to lunch a few days ago but he did not want to listen. Usagi-chichi has been wanting to see Miyoko more, even asking for pictures of her every now and then. Usagi did not like it but has not exploded like he did before. I cannot ask for their relationship to be mended so quickly but this was a good step in that direction.

I heard my phone go off from the kitchen. "Ah, Usagi...can you get that…" Miyoko! Why did she choose now to throw her bottle?

"Good morning. Yes, this is Usami-sensei" I picked Miyoko up to head that way. I reached for the phone but Usagi pulled away. Who was it?

"Sorry, Misaki cannot get to the phone right now. Yes, I will pass the message to her."

"Usa-." His hand shot out to cover my mouth.

"No worries. I look forward to speaking with you as well. I am hanging up now, goodbye." The dark aura returned as he hung up. "How did he get your number?"

"Who? Who was that?"

"That sensei of yours."

Ijuuin? "I remember giving him my number at work. He said for work purposes." This was the first time he has called. "So, what did he want?"

A long sigh. "In a week, I am having a meal with Ijuuin." WHAT!? I thought he said no!

"But..But...But Usagi, why would you…"

Strike while the iron is hot." Miyoko laughed as Usagi took her. "I will always see him as a threat so the best thing now would be to eliminate him." What the hell? "Misaki, let me borrow your books?"

"Why?"

"Know yourself and know your enemy and victory will be assured."

Niichan! Help me!