"Morning!!" Ryouji greeted her cheerfully. His body was still glistening with water marks from his morning shower. She blinked a few times before she realised it's the trip day.
The past few days they have been spending more times together with their morning coffee time to report her input and take on those files. Working alongside Ryouji has been boosting her confidence level. She felt like back in the days where they were co stars. Where they were more equal. It also made her days feel more purposeful than just waiting around for him at home.
"Someone sounds happy." She smiled at him refusing to move out of the comfort of their bed.
"It's my first family holiday trip in a long time. I'm excited." He grinned.
Megumi laughed at the honesty.
"Get up!! I will make us coffee. We better hit the road before late. I want to get there early." He told her. He left the room while she stared at the ceiling.
It was a while before she finally ready and head out from the room. To her surprised, she found Ryouji in the kitchen with few bags of snacks that he seemed to buy from the convenience store nearby.
"While you get ready, I got us some snacks and drinks for the road. Maybe we can stop somewhere for picnic?" He grinned happily making her smile at his obvious excitement.
"You do aware that this is family trip right? My mum and Hikata's mum would surely pack a load of food for the whole family." She smiled and picked out few snacks to throw in to the bag he had ready for them.
"More always better than less." He pointed at her coffee cup. "Drink up and I have bread ready to go for your breakfast. We're going soon."
Megumi laughed. "What's the rush? Seriously!!"
"I don't want to waste the day. We got lots of time to have proper breakfast at home and enjoy the small talk but I don't always get to go on a trip anywhere outside business hours anymore. The last time I get to enjoy my time like this was our time in Europe. I missed it."
Megumi nodded in full understanding. Her thoughts recalling her conversation with Arisa the other day when she was waiting for Ryouji to finish work.
"Is Ryouji finished yet?" Megumi asked Arisa as she glance at the watch in her wrist. It's past 8 pm. She was starving.
Arisa shook her head politely. "He should finish soon. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Nothing really. I just want to go home. It's been a long day. Is he always this late working at the office?" Arisa nodded in agreement.
"Today is considered early. He tends to stay back and work until around 10. When there's function or entertaining events, it would be even later. But since he got married, he told me to adjust his schedule not to pass 9 pm."
Megumi nodded. That explain his arrival time at home. She let out a sigh. Just where did he get his energy? He must be exhausted.
She promised herself to work harder tomorrow to help him unload some of his tasks on hand. Today was a proof that Ryouji wasn't joking that she would be a help to his work. By doing what she did, she saved his time going through those documents that otherwise requires his attentions. Those early morning at home where he got up for coffee was spent reading and catching up with these kind of documents. Reports that required approval, proposal that needs considerations. She was glad that she could at least saved those time now and let him focus on meetings.
"He's very different when you're around. " Arisa's soft voice brought her back from her thoughts.
"Ah a good change I hope." Megumi smiled when she nodded.
"He was even more workaholic when he was at Mizuho. You should have seen him then. He worked like there was no tomorrow." Arisa smiled as she recalled those memories.
Megumi was about to ask but knew the answer somehow. She left him all alone to fight her battle and hurt him in the process.
"Arisa, you were quite brave to quit your job and followed him. May I ask what made you decide to take the risk?" Megumi asked.
Arisa never get to answer that question since Ryouji entered the room right after. And Megumi never asked again.
So watching him looking so relax and so carefree at home with her, it made her happy. It's a side of Ryouji that not many seemed to know.
"Let's go then!" She finishes her coffee in few gulp and headed towards Ryouji who's already stood near the door.
———————————————-
"Megumi... are you ok?" Keiko, Hikata's wife, look at her with eyes full of concern.
Megumi closed her eyes momentarily wishing for the nauseous feeling to go away. She felt dizzy. Must be that time of the month, she thought to herself.
"I'm ok. I probably overworked myself lately." Megumi said after a while. "I'm going out for a walk. I will be back before dinner."
Keiko grabbed her arms. She glanced at her son who's sleeping and looked torn. "Where are you going? At least take your husband or Hikata with you. It's getting dark outside."
Megumi smiled and shook her head.
"I saw a souvenirs that I wanted to get for Ryouji earlier. I better go before the shops closed. Hyoga and Ryouji went to the bath house. Your husband better stay with you and help you with Hiroya. He's a dad now. Beside, I won't be far and won't be long. If anything, I know how to look after myself. I'm karate-ka remember?" Megumi winked at Keiko and waved. She went out of the room before Keiko could stop her and walk away as fast as she could. It was getting dark fast and she didn't want to be late for dinner.
She was in a rush to get to the town she didn't see the person coming from around the corner. Her head hit a wall of chest and automatically she pushed herself away and almost tripped over backward if it's not for the hands that grabbed her and held her in place firmly.
"Slow down! Where are you going?" Ryouji'a voiced made her look up to find his eyes staring at hers.
"Oh Ryouji." She said his name in relief. "I'm just going to the shop strip to get something."
"Oh?" He smiled. "I'll come with you then."
Megumi's eyes widened in surprise "no it's fine. You don't need to come along. Just relax and .."
His chuckles stopped her mid sentence. He grabbed her by the shoulder and steered her towards the town.
"I'm most relax when I'm with you." His eyes smiled teasingly. "Beside, as much as I love your family.. I missed spending time with just my wife."
It's been a day full of sight seeing and walking around the town with Hikata and her family. He was enjoying their family banters. Hikata's family and Megumi's family were so close that sometimes Ryouji felt like an outsider.
Megumi spent a lot of time accompanying Hikata's wife and their son, Hiroya. The sight of Megumi with the boy made him wonder if she's looking forward to their own. The thought made him nervous. He's not ready for baby. He's not ready to share her. Not yet. Especially now that she's finally helping him with the business, he was spending more time with her. Just the way he liked it. He's not ready for another change and for her focus to be on other thing but him.
"Well... I was planning to get something for you. It was meant to be a surprise.." Megumi let out a sigh. Ryouji couldn't contain his smile at her admittance.
"I have everything I need already. You don't need to get me anything. Just a time with you alone is what I truly want." He said earnestly.
"Well... in that case..." Megumi smile widely at her husband. "Let's take a moment together then before we have to go back for dinner. And since you don't need anything .. let's skip the shop and what do you say we go to church?"
Ryouji halted in his steps and have her an incredulous look. "What for? I didn't know you're religious."
She laughed at his expression.
"No!! There's this very nice and romantic church around the corner. Ishi no Kyokai. Have you heard of it?"
"Ahhh... I see. Yes. Uchimura Kanzo memorial. I have heard of it." Ryouji let out a sigh of relief. He remembered the unique design that was quite remarkable though he never truly see it for himself. "What do you want to do there?"
"It's nice and .." she blushed when he gave her a teasing smile and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
She was about to scold him when she spotted Hyoga and Hikata walked towards them.
"Ah there you are." Hikata greeted. "I didn't know you're with Ryouji. Keiko was worry about you and made me go and search for you."
Ryouji's teasing smile gone instantly and he gave Hikata a puzzled look. "Why Keiko worry about her?"
Megumi shook her head and rolled her eyes at Hikata.
"I'm fine. I didn't feel well earlier and Keiko was just concern. I told her I was going for a stroll. I can't believe she made you go after me."
Hyoga let out a chuckle.
"He volunteered happily. It's either look for you or look after the baby."
"Hey!! She insisted ok. She wasn't sure where Ryouji was."
"And why are you here?" Megumi asked Hyoga.
"Well... dad sent me to look for you. He wanted to make sure you come back for dinner on time. He wanted to have early dinner and walk around town. And so I bump into Hikata on my way out."
Ryouji caught the disappointment in Megumi eyes as she let out a sigh. But quickly cover it with her smile as she caught his eyes.
"I guess let's all go back together then."
"Are you sure? We could always skip dinner. I'm sure your family would understand."
"Where exactly were you planning to go?" Hyoga asked her and she glared at her brother. "We're going for a walk later. We can go there later."
"Never mind!!" She snapped at him and walk toward the direction of their hotel ahead of the rest of them. She let out another sigh at the thought of her plan to buy him a present as well as the plan to go to stone church was not going to happen.
Vaguely she heard the the three of them talking and tune out of their conversation surrounded cycling route plan they had for tomorrow. Apparently they're planning to go on a cycling trip after breakfast.
It was nice to see the changes in Ryouji. She hasn't seen him this relax since they got back to Japan. He clearly needed a time away from work from time to time.
"Ah Megumi! You're back," Keiko greeted her.
"You sent the search party," Megumi said accusingly but smile to let Keiko know she was just teasing her.
"Ah.. I was worried. You were pale and it was getting dark." Keiko said sheepishly.
"Where's Hiroya?" Megumi asked noticing she didn't carry her baby with her.
"Ah, my in-laws got them. They told us to meet them at the restaurant. And surprised us with a ticket to a live concert tonight. They will look after Hiroya." Keiko said.
"Oh really? That's so nice!! You both should enjoy the night!" Megumi smiled at the obvious excitement that radiates from Keiko.
She heard the sound of laughter behind her and saw Ryouji, Hyoga and Hikata surrounded by few girls in Yukata. She noticed the open admiration and longing in those girls eyes as they giggled and ask directions.
It was nothing new. Ryouji has always been surrounded by females even among the goggle V crew he was popular. He never truly entertained the girls then. He was too cold and aloof to flirt around.
Hyoga was more like Ryouji. He was often regarded as cold and snob even among guys. Especially after the accident back then. He tend to be a lone wolf and avoid people in general. Though he was all well now, his reserved personally stayed.
Hikata was more of a flirt and still was. He always had an easy going nature that Megumi like. Always caring and pleasant. The type of guy who would make you feel at ease easily.
Ryouji caught her eyes and a look of concern in his eyes. He seemed worry about what she might take from the situation. Instantly he took a step back from the girls and without a word and glance, he walked passed the girls and headed straight toward her way.
He was definitely being rude and the kind of jerk she thought he was back in the day. But she couldn't help but smile as he approached her and put his arms around her.
Few of the girls turned to see just where he went and their eyes widened in surprise mixed with disappointment.
Hyoga made a curt excuse and left the girls to Hikata who politely inform them that they too were tourists to the area and therefore couldn't help much with direction.
"You guys were being rude." She teased them as they both approached her and Ryouji.
"I rather rude than give false hope to anyone." Ryouji told her earnestly. Megumi nodded in agreement. Ryouji truly honest ever since she knew him and she respected that side of him. "What were you both talking about? You look excited."
Megumi smiled and pointed at Keiko and Hikata with her eyes. "They're going to a live concert tonight after dinner."
Ryouji looked interested at the mention of concert. "Who's concert is it?"
"Chisato Moritaka.." Keiko couldn't finish her sentence when Megumi squealed in full excitement. She practically beaming and jumping up and down excitedly as she patted Hikata hard on his back. Hikata shook his head looking amused while Ryouji looked confused.
"I forgot that you're a fan.." Hikata teased.
"Shall we go to then?" Ryouji asked.
"It's their date!" Megumi protested.
"Yeah come along! The more the merrier." Hikata and Keiko said at the same time.
"You too Hyoga." Keiko said warmly.
"Me? With two couples?" Hyoga rubbes the back of his neck awkwardly. "Beside, we don't have the tickets yet. They'd probably sold out by now."
Megumi nodded in agreement while Ryouji just shook his head in disbelief.
"If I can get all of us front row tickets, what do I get in return?" Ryouji raised his eyebrows as he eyed Megumi.
"What do you want?" She asked him suspiciously. He just laughed out loud and took his phone out before walking away from them all.
"I forgot he had great connection to a lot of artists. I won't be surprise he would get it." Hyoga let out a low whistle.
"I feel bad now. It's suppose to be your special date night." Megumi glanced at Keiko.
"What are you talking about? We rarely get this chance to hang out with friends without Hiroya. Don't be silly!! We should enjoy our time together." Hikata said before suddenly grinning at Hyoga. "Beside we might just get a girl for Hyoga tonight."
Hyoga rolled his eyes at Hikata before nudging him on the ribs.
"All good. We got tickets and you two also coming. Front row, centre stage." Ryouji'a voice made them all turned towards him. He was grinning from ear to ear.
"But we got tickets already!" Keiko said but Hikata just laughed.
"Looks like we've been upgraded." Hikata grinned at his wife.
"Well, well... the night just turn interesting." Hyoga laughed.