"Sorry Misaki, Shino is forcing me to go shopping with him. So annoying."
"So annoying but you didn't tell him no."
"Shut up." I laughed as I pictured her pouting. She had planned to come over after her class but I guess that was not happening.
"I will see you later than. Have fun on your date."
"It's not a date!"
"And I'm not pregnant."
"Whatever, see you later. Bye!"
"Bye." I was still laughing. This was awesome; this was the first time she got involved with any guy. Though I am surprised it is with the waiter at her job. She used to complain about him a lot, but I guess opposites attract. I automatically think he is cool since he loves 'The Kan' too.
My phone rang again. "Misaki?"
"Hi Usagi, how is the meeting?"
"Boring, I wish I was there with you."
"SENSEI!"
"Alright! Misaki, my love, it seems I left part of my manuscript on my desk that they need. They want you to bring it, but I am worried about making you work that much. I think it would be best for you to rest but these disgusting, rotten people only focus on themse…" "SHUT THE FUCK UP SENSEI!" I had to hold the phone away as she yelled. There was some scuffling before Aikawa got the phone.
"Misaki!" She sounded as if she was crying. "This dumbass author was supposed to turn in his manuscript today and HE LEFT IT HOME! What was the point of coming over here dumbass?! We really need it today!"
"Damnit Usagi. Alright I will bring it." What an idiot. "Where is it?"
"It will be in my study on my desk."
"Ok." I made my way upstairs.
"It will be in a manila envelope."
That seems easy to fi… What the fuck? Didn't I clean this place two days ago! The desk, which was nicely cleaned and organized two days ago, looked like a hurricane had hit. Papers and books stacked on top of each other in a messy manner. Pencils, eraser, and small scrap pieces of paper were thrown all over. The only clean spot was a space Usagi usually keeps his laptop. Clean your damn desk! I glanced around, spotting a manila envelope under one of the books. "I think I found it."
I went to grab it when I bumped the book. The piles began to shake. Oh shit.
"Misaki!" Aikawa ran up to me as I entered the building. I had to take a moment to catch my breath. "Oh thank you."
"You better not have been running." Usagi appeared behind her. "There was no reason to hurry."
"WHO DO YOU THINK IS AT FAULT?" Aikawa and I both shouted. Usagi rolled his eyes and looked me over. "Why is there a red spot on your arm?" I glanced down.
"It must have happened when your pile of junk fell on top of me. I told you to keep your desk clean." It was scary, watching those papers and books fall on me. It hurt, and it was another mess I was just going to have to clean up.
Usagi shook his head. "Let's go."
"No you don't! We have a meeting to go to." She started pulling him down the hall. "Misaki, I have those cream puffs you like on my desk. Take them as a thanks."
"Awesome! Thank you."
She smiled, "you remember where my desk is right? Third floor." I nodded as they turned a corner. Lucky me! I have wanted those cream puffs for a while. I made it into the elevator. I have only been to Marukawa a handful of times, usually to deliver Usagi. I made it to the third floor, jumping as someone almost collapsed in the elevator. "Are you okay?"
It was a woman, with long brown hair. She looked at me, her green eyes dulled. "Can you press for floor 6, I can't see the numbers."
"Um, sure." I pressed the button and stepped off. I hope she was okay, she looked ready to pass out. In fact, why does everyone here look ready to pass out? It was scary. The aura around this office gave me the same feeling at a cemetery. Everyone dead or ready to go. I made it to Aikawa's desk and found the cream puffs.
"Oh, little miss!" I looked to my left to see Isaka walking over to me.
"Good afternoon." How could he keep that annoying smile in this place?
"What brings you here?"
"Usagi forgot his manuscript."
He laughed, "of course he did. Sorry for that, making a pregnant girl work too much. He should be ashamed of himself." My eyes went wide, when did he find out? "I know everything that happens with my authors."
"Oh, uhhhh…." He was not someone I wanted to discuss, considering he said my presence would cause issues.
"You can calm down," he shrugged. "There is nothing to do to change the situation. Akihiko seems excited so I have to accept this. Might make for some good publicity."
Just what did he have in mind? "If you excus….The Kan!" I glanced behind him to see something amazing! "Is that the special edition The Kan?! They only made 20 copies! The cover is metallic!"
"Oh you are a fan?"
I had to wipe some drool from the corner of my mouth. "I tried so hard to get it but I lost the raffle!" It was a horrible day.
"Do you want it?" What? "That was given to the company as a gift, you would be helping us get rid of items. I have more from this series over here."
I take everything bad I said about him back. Isaka is an amazing guy. He allowed me to take the special edition, on top of a rare The Kan figurine, five books I did not have, and an autograph interview with the author. No words could describe my happiness.
"AAAAHHHHH." We both jumped as someone screamed. A door opened with a frantic man running out. "Ah, Isaka-sama, sensei is having another meltdown."
"I can't think!" Someone yelled from inside.
"Sensei, please calm down, we can always push the deadline back for you." Isaka walked into the room. I didn't feel I should be there but curiosity one. I stood on the edge of the door, peering in. There was a woman in the room with the same frantic look. Everyone was looking at the man in the middle. He could use a shower. His hair was overgrown, covering his eyes. A small beard sprouting on his face.
"Why bother! No one is waiting for me. I am through!" Does he write an unpopular story? Usagi has never acted like this before.
"Wait sensei! This girl is a fan!" What? I did not have much time to react when Isaka grabbed my arm and dragged me in front of the man.
"Lil miss, do you know who this is? This is the Ijuuin-sensei, author of The Kan series."
What? The author?! "REALLY?" I was meeting my idol?! Is this a dream?!
"Who cares, probably someone you just brought in to make me feel better."
"That's not true sensei!" I opened my bag, "I have been following your series since it first came out. I try to get all the items that come with the series. I entered into so many raffles."
He made a grunting noise. "You read my stories?"
I nodded. "I am always waiting for the next series. I get so excited when I buy a new comic. I love the series, I love you!"
We looked at each other, at least I was looking at him, before he turned around. "I guess I will write."
"That's it sensei." The man and woman helped him sit back down.
"Good luck sensei!" Isaka led me out.
"Ah you helped us out little miss," Isaka said but I was still on cloud nine. How many people can say they met their idol?
"That was awesome!" I had something to brag about to Hidori, even if she won't care. Her new boyfriend will.
"Oh, Akihiko?" Huh?
I turned around to see Usagi glaring at me. What's his problem? "Usa-hey!" He grabbed my arm and led us towards the bathroom. "I can't go in there!" He dragged me into the men's bathroom. "Usa-" I could not say much as he pushed me up against the wall and kissed me.
Damn, why do I lose focus when he kisses like this. "Usagi!"
"Don't tell other men you love them?"
"What do you mean?" I gasped as he nipped at my neck.
"I heard you telling that man you loved him."
"That man? You mean Ijuuin-sensei? Well of course! He writes my favorite series. I have admired him for a long. Ah, I should have got his autograph, but he was busy."
"Usagi growled again. "Are you trying to make me mad?"
"Why are you…" He grabbed my chin. Not again.
"HEY, NO OFFICE ROMANCES!" Isaka pushed the door open, laughing.
I let out a shriek as Usagi rolled his eyes. "Sensei, we still have another meeting!" Aikawa appeared behind him.
"I'm going home." Here we go.
"Usagi" I tried to pull back as he dragged me out of the bathroom. Straight into his brother.
This day is just getting better and better.
"What are you doing here?"
"Greetings Haruhiko, find your way with ease?" Isaka kept that same, stupid smile.
Haruhiko looked between us, staring at me for a little longer. "I did. Seems like a lot is happening here."
"Why are you here?" Usagi asked.
"I have a meeting with him about a project."
Project? I wanted to ask but Usagi was tightening his grip on my arm so it was probably best I stayed quiet. "Misaki, let's go."
"Sensei, you cannot go!"
"Wait."
"What kind of man orders a young girl?"
"Excuse me?" Oh shit. Usagi stopped to glare at Usagi-ani. "I will hear nothing you have to say about Misaki."
"But is it worth a man who leaves their responsibilities?" Usagi growled.
This was not good. "Usagi wait!" I placed my hands on his chest before he advanced towards his brother. He did not need to be fighting right now. "Usagi, you still have work to finish. I am on my way home now. I will go straight home, ok?"
He did not look convinced but sighed. "Straight home."
"Straight home."
Aikawa walked over to pull him away. "Straight home."
Sheesh, what am I, ten? But I was happy, I did not want to see Usagi fighting. "He still is a lot to deal with."
I turned to the two men. "It's no problem."
"I heard my father has been giving you grief recently. He always does things on his own accord. You can always contact me if he tries something again."
"No, no that's fine! He has not been doing anything too threatening." He did not look convinced. "Um, I will take my leave now."
I turned to go until I felt my bag being yanked off. "Oh little miss, I can get you Ijuuin-sensei's autograph! Just wait a moment!"
"What?" He pushed me into a small room. "Haruhiko, you can wait here as well."
"Wait what? Isaka-san?" He closed the door, taking my things with him. "What the hell?"
"Might as well just wait for him to return." Man, I just want to go home. Though an autograph would make up for this.
I looked back at Usagi-ani as he sat down. This was too awkward. I sat down across from him. "I wanted to thank you."
Me? "About?"
"I plan to leave my home in the near future."
"Really?"
He nodded, "I also thought about continuing my designs. As much as I would like to, I cannot abandon my responsibilities. I am going to be in charge of the employment facility for the Usami group. It is not my own design but I will be participating in the construction."
"Oh wow."
"You told me to pursue my dream. I do not know if I will make it but it is something I want to try, because of you."
That seemed to be a big difference between Usagi and his brother: confidence. Usagi has too much and it seems Usagi-ani does not have enough. "Um, I think you just have to use your all. I do not know much about the business world but the aquarium was amazing."
He stayed quiet as I spoke and even a few moments after. Did I overstep my boundaries? "Haruhiko-san?"
"I really do love you."
Not this again! "Har-Haruhiko-san..."
"Life would be easier with me. Akihiko is just going to cause you problems later on. I already suspect my father is getting involved because of the two of you. I already heard a little about the trip to the Hot Springs. My father will continue to be a problem. He would not have a care if you were with me."
Is Isaka coming back yet? I heard a chair scrape against the floor and saw him getting up. It made me stand up as well. "What…." Before I could say more he grabbed my arm, pulling me into his arms. "Wait…" He took another hand to grab my chin. He lifted my face.
"Choose me Misaki."
"Sto…" He kissed me with force that I ended up bent over the table. "Wait, stop it!" He kissed me again. I felt his tongue on my teeth but I kept my mouth closed. I was not going through this again. I did tense, when I felt his hand on my stomach. "Wait!" I don't know how but I was able to take the one arm he was not holding down and push on his shoulder, hard enough he lifted slightly off me. My other hand became free and I was able to push him off of me, sitting up. I did not know I had that much strength in me. I felt my stomach, the slight bump seeming unharmed.
"I'm sorry Haruhiko-san, I cannot accept you."
I looked up to see him staring down at me; his face was emotionless. "Why? What do I lack compared to Akihiko?"
"No, if anything, Usagi is the one lacking. He cannot do anything on his own. If I leave him alone, who knows what will happen to him. I am always worried that he will drop dead."
"Do you love him?"
I could feel my cheeks heating up. Not a conversation I want to have with him. The serious look on his face was making me nervous. "Um...well..you see...Yes." I bowed. "I'm sorry, I cannot choose you Haruhiko-san."
It was quiet again, I did not look up yet. "Are you satisfied?" Huh?
The door opened to a wide-eyed Usagi. "EEEEHHHHH."
"Akihiko you went in too fast!" Isaka shouted from behind.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING EAVESDROPPING?"
"You were the one blabbering away in public."
"DON'T YOU DARE TURN THIS ON ME!"
Isaka sighed loudly, grabbing our attention. "Alright Haruhiko, playtime is over, time for business." Haruhiko moved to leave.
"Um, Haruhiko-san," He stopped to turn back to me. "I really do hope you succeed."
He gave me a slight nod and continued following Isaka. I did feel bad, and a little guilty. I never wanted to hurt anyone but Usagi-ani did need to know that I would not feel the same way for him that I feel for Usagi.
That night I found myself trying to run for my life. "Usagi!" I shivered as my newly bare shoulders caught a brush of the air conditioning. Usagi had successfully taken off my sweater, shirt, and was now working on my bra. I pressed my back further into his back to prevent that. "Usagi! Calm down! What are you doing?"
"Full body inspection. I have to make sure he did nothing to you. Did he do anything?"
"Wait!" My shoulder bumped the bag on the couch, knocking all of my books out. "NOOO!" Usagi let me go to grab them. All my The Kan books were scattered on the floor. I grabbed the most important one: a special edition of the very first book in the series. What's the black on the side? I gasped, "Usagi! He even drew on it!" I do not know how but before we left Isaka kept his promise and got me an autograph from Ijuuin-sensei. He even wrote "to Takahashi Misaki." I wanted to cry.
"Why do you even like those books? They do not even count as books. You don't even read mine."
"But Usagi, your books have so much writing."
"Because I'm a writer."
I could hear the annoyance but I was too busy looking for paper to prepare a 'thank you' letter. "There is nothing wrong with me admiring someone."
"Yes there is." Excuse me? "I won't allow it."
What a selfish guy. "Who do you think you are? Give me my shirt!"
I reached for it but he held it out of reach. Damn, short, girly body. "I will allow you to have things you like, but I have to be your number one."
"So selfish. How could you have all of that confidence?"
"If I allow you to leave, where will you go?" He grabbed my arms to prop me against the back of my house. A serious look in his eyes. "Misaki, stay by my side."
Where did this come from? "I'm here."
"I mean forever, from here on out."
"Come on Usagi, where is this coming from? I can't promise that far into the future. Can I please have my shirt?"
He still did not give me the shirt. Instead he threw it onto the couch and out of reach. "I still want you to promise."
"Why?"
"I have always been alone. I thought, in the worst case, I could get accustomed to that again. Since living with you, being happy with your presence near me, made me realized: I am scared to be alone again." He slid down to lay his head on my stomach. I shivered at the cold. "And the thought that I would lose the both of you, terrifies me to death." Usagi looked up to smile at me. "And this is all your fault."
"Like hell it is!" I was always lost when he started talking about his insecurities. It is hard to hear the all-mighty Akihiko have problems, but it also made me feel a bit happy. It just showed Usagi was still human.
"Misaki, thank you for choosing me."
"Usagi." He hopped back up to kiss me. My eyes opened when I felt his hands on my back. "Wait Usagi! This is the living room."
"Not the first time we did stuff here."
"Still." The bra came off. I must have black out because the next thing I remember is laying on the couch, Usagi hovering over me. I moaned out as he thrusted in me. "Usagi, the baby."
"This will not hurt them." Another thrust. "You never answered my question. Did that person do anything to you?"
I whined when he stopped moving. It was a strange feeling, nothing I have felt before. Not that I had much experience to compare. It took me a moment to register his question. I did not want to tell him. "No-nothing."
"Misaki."
"Well."
"MISAKI!"
I wasn't getting out of this. "He...he kissed me." His eyes went wide, is he mad? "It was a light one...and I did reje…" He kissed me with so much force. I felt the pressure from the couch as I sank in. "Usagi!"
"Kiss me."
"What?"
"Kiss me."
"Why?"
"Punishment for kissing another guy."
"But I did not kiss him!" How is he going to punish me? Stupid Usagi.
"Does not matter. Do it."
"No."
I was prepared to argue some more but he pulled back. He said nothing as he stared at me. "Usagi?" Nothing. Is this some silent treatment? "Usagi? Say something." Still nothing. Ah. Dammit! I grabbed his face, closing my eyes as I reached up and kissed his forehead.
I DID NOT HAVE THE COURAGE TO KISS HIM ON THE LIPS. IT WAS TOO EMBARRASSING.
He did not look impressed. "Huh?"
"SHUT UP! I DID WHAT I WAS TOLD!"
He coughed a laugh. "Cute."
"Shut u-AH!" He continued moving finally.
"And stupid."
"Usagi!"
"My cute and stupid Misaki!"
I was so close. "Usagi."
"I love you."
Happy belated Thanksgiving!
Sorry for the going M.I.A. Some personal issues. Thank you for those who keep up
Coming up next:
Return of Usagi-chichi
