"Usagi, did you want me to make something to eat before I go?"
"I don't see why you have to go." I rolled my eyes as I continued looking through the fridge. There were enough leftovers. "I'm picking you up."
"Okay." I walked back over to the living room. "So I should be done around 1."
"Yeah Yea." Such a child.
I knew the reason for his foul mood. It started yesterday, a normal day.
"SHITTY AUTHOR!" Aikawa stepped over some of Miyoko's toys, shoving the manuscript in her bag. She sat down on the couch. She was quick to grab the coffee I set down.
"Get out." Usagi growled from the stairs. Miyoko cackled with a smile as she saw him. He wobbled over to the couch in front of Miyoko.
"SHUT UP! Two weeks! This stupid manuscript was due two weeks ago! All my work got pushed back plus I had to deal with those asshole publishing companies. God how do you still have a job?"
"And yet you are still sitting here."
"I NEED A BREAK!"
"Guys, I think Miyoko is reaching her limit." We all looked at the whimpering 9 month old. I was lucky enough she could handle the shouting as much as she does now. She used to scream until she was forced to get used to it. My apologies for being born around a rowdy lifestyle.
"See, go home." Usagi got to her first. She was sucking on his finger. He winced every few seconds. Teething has begun.
"I know. I have to get this to the office and finish my paperwork and check my emails and meet with my other clients. So much freaking work!"
"You don't have any help."
"No one is as good as you Misaki. If you return…" Her eyes lit up. I heard Usagi growl but could not look at him as Aikawa shot up. She grabbed my hands. "Misaki, please come back to work with me!"
"No." Usagi answered.
"Please! Usagi doesn't have that many projects right now and we do have a daycare at Marukawa. Miyoko meets the age requirement!"
"I don't trust that place."
"Oh shut up, Misaki is the best helper! And I am sure Misaki wants to get moving outside the home."
"No…" "Can I?"
Usagi's eyes went wide. "Why?"
"I mean, I haven't worked since getting pregnant with Miyoko. And she is a little older now, maybe it won't be bad to have her interact with others." I gave my best puppy eyes. I love Miyoko but talking to others in a normal way sounds like a dream. We had a staring contest before he sighed in defeat. "Fine. With rules!"
Today was going to be my first day back. Usagi did not have any upcoming deadlines so he was spending the day with her. "Stop sulking Usagi. Miyoko is going to cry." That was a lie. Angry or sad Miyoko still smiled at him as if nothing was wrong.
"Misaki…"
"Usagi hush, I am only going in for three hours. That's just an hour longer than school. You will be fine." I had to roll my eyes when I heard him grumble. Child. "Ok Miyoko, mommy will be back soon. Make sure you go to the bathroom before I get back home."
"That was cruel." Usagi chuckled. I picked her up to kiss her cheek before handing her to Usagi. I moved away when his arm trapped me close. "Usagi?"
"Where's my goodbye kiss."
So embarrassing. "Not in front of Mi…" He never let me speak.
"Oh Misaki thank you so much!" Aikawa said as I placed a box full of books on her desk. "I get so much done with you here."
"I'm glad, it is nice getting away from the home."
She laughed, "I understand. When a friend of mine had her child she could not wait to go back to work after three months. Little monsters."
"Little monsters. What else do I need to do?"
She looked around before grabbing a stack of papers. Can you take this manuscript to the Emerald department? Stupid mail carrier always drops them off here."
"Yeah sure."
"Third floor, won't miss it."
"Okay." I think I remember that department the last time I was helping out. It looked like a murder scene. The editor in chief looked ready to bite my head off. I heard from Aikawa it was their deadline. I made my way up with caution.
"Excuse me?" Thank god there was no deadline. That scene of despair and death was gone. I swear flowers were popping out of nowhere. Aw, they had bunny stuffed animals.
"Hello!" A girl greeted me. She looked so young and beautiful! Was she younger than me? She could not work here if she was. Twenty-two? Maybe twenty-five? No, too old. "Can I help you?"
Crap, I was ogling. "Sorry, I am here to deliver a manuscript. I guess it was down in the literature section."
She reached out to take it. "Oh Ricchan, I think this is what you were looking for."
I then noticed we were not alone. Next to her was another girl, a woman. Wow, we shared a lot of similarities. I grabbed a piece of my hair to compare the brown color. She took it before sighing with relief. "Thank goodness. I was afraid to call sensei to resend it."
"Knowing her she probably already ripped it and is shouting at the roof about how horrible it was." A man, across from the pretty girl, chuckled. Eyes closed.
My look-alike sighed again turning to me. "Thank you."
"Of course."
"You look familiar." The pretty girl examined me from her seat. "Have I seen you before?"
I have a guess. "Maybe, I come around here a lot. My name is Takakashi Misaki, I am assisting Aikawa-san downstairs in literature."
"Takahashi?"
"Oh, she was in the magazines for a few months. You and Usami Akihiko had a child."
Guess right. "Oh right I remember! Gosh, you look so much younger. What are you 19?"
"I am going to be 21."
"Wow, you got some great looks. I'm jealous."
"You are one to talk Kisa."
"Hey, you are still a looker too Ricchan, especially with a 9 year old. Man, I want a child. Is it possible to see a picture of yours?"
"Uh, yeah." I took out my phone to find a recent picture of Miyoko. She was cuddling with her Suzuki. The pretty girl, Kisa, squealed. "I'm so jealous! She is adorable!"
"Hey, why don't I see you working?" I jumped at the new voice. Walking past me was a tall man, dark hair and dark eyes. He did not look my way as he made it to the front desk. "Onodera, did you contact Mutou-sensei for her manuscript."
"We found it down with literature." My look alike, Onodera replied. A scowl now on her face.
"Useless mail carrier." He then acknowledged me. "Do you have business here?"
"Takahashi-chan brought the manuscript over. You should see her daughter Takano-san! She is adorable! Takahashi you have to see Ricchan's child. He is a cutie, so mature for his age."
"Kisa" Aw, Ricchan's blush was cute.
"Thank you for the manuscript but we still have work to do."
"I'm sorry, please excuse me."
"See you around!" Kisa called as I walked out. That editor in chief was scary. I went back to work, the three hours flew by. "Thank you so much Misaki."
"Yeah, I had fun." My phone vibrated. Usagi was here. I swear I can't even walk to the store. "Usagi's here."
"You go, say hi to Miyoko for me!" I waved and made it down the hall. It was almost lunchtime. Usagi might want salmon. Miso soup did sound good around now. I wonder if he had fed Miyoko already. I will have to…. "Little miss!"
"WAH!" My scream echoed in the hall. I could have jumped if the hand on my shoulder did not hold me down. I turned to see Isaka...and Usagi-ani?! What was he doing here?
"Hey little miss, you spend too much time here. Did you come with Akihiko?"
I found myself staring at Usagi-ani a little longer. That same emotionless expression. His eyes did seem wider than before. Last time I saw him was at the aquarium. We did not have much of a conversation then. They both waited for me to say something. "Yeah...No, I was here helping Aikawa with her work but Usagi is here to pick me up."
"Working? Akihiko let you?" I noticed some people look our way as Isaka laughed. "I bet Aikawa could use the help though. When you graduate I may open a position for you."
"That would save a lot of headache."
"Misaki." Great, how do I get in these situations? I looked back, Usagi standing in all of his mightiness, and that same sour face as he looked behind me. Miyoko and I made eye contact. She started to whimper.
"I was on my way." Miyoko grabbed my hair when I took her.
"You took too long. Why are you with him?"
"That is your daughter." Oh yeah, Usagi-ani never saw Miyoko in person. I almost tripped as Usagi pulled me behind him.
"None of your business."
Isaka clicked his tongue. His hands went to his waist. "Calm down Akihiko. I am sure Haruhiko wants to meet his niece."
"It's not his niece." Please don't do this now. I grabbed his shirt.
"Usagi."
"Is your work done?" I nodded. "Then let's go."
"Akihiko." Miyoko shook in my arms when Usagi-ani raised his voice. Not much but enough for even me to get chills. Even Isaka looked surprised. "Stop running away."
No one spoke. The heels echoed as Asahina walked over. "Isaka, there are some clients that need you." She looked at all of us with no surprise.
Isaka scratched his head. "Okay, I will be right back Haruhiko. Why don't you guys go into one of the open conference rooms. You all always cause a scene in my building."
"I said we are lea…." "This one is available." Asahina opened one of the doors.
"Perfect." Haruhiko made his way in.
Usagi growled but nodded. "Fine, Misaki, take Miyoko to the car."
"She is part of this."
"I say no. Misaki!"
"Come on Usagi." No way was he keeping me out of this. Miyoko was fine, she's chewing on Suzuki's paw.
"I told you…" "Shut up. As her mother, if it has to do with Miyoko I have a right to hear as well." Take that man-child.
I watched him growl. I won. Haruhiko made no comment as he sat down. No one spoke until Usagi finally sat down next to me. "What do you want?"
He leaned in. "Father is being persistent about seeing your daughter."
"And I told him no."
"He informed me of your conversation." Conversation? When did Usagi talk to him? "You are aware he did not remove you from the Usami household. Your mother would not allow it." Usagi's mother? I never thought about her through all of this. I wonder how she felt about this.
"I don't care. I want to be removed. Miyoko is not having any part of that family."
"And yet she has the Usami name."
"I'll change it to Misaki's then."
"Do you know why Usagi-chichi wants to see Miyoko?" I get that is his granddaughter but he was not jumping for joy when we decided to have her.
Haruhiko's shoulders flinched so slightly that I was unsure if he even moved them at all. "I never know what that man is thinking. One minute he is discussing with the lawyers about filing the paperwork to remove Akihiko from any inheritance. And then last week he wanted to see about adding Miyoko to his will." Whoa! I looked at her, still with Suzuki still in her mouth.
"He better not."
"You know he already did. He was upset after your conversation. I wanted to stay out of this mess but I was worried about Takahashi."
That was, kinda sweet. "Why me…" "She is not yours to worry about." I shivered when Usagi wrapped his arm around me. His cold hand brushed against my shoulder.
Haruhiko sighed, "I already know that, but that won't change how I feel." His gaze was so intense. I had to look away. Usagi growled again. "So I will be concerned for her safety."
"If he comes near her again then I will do everything in my power to ruin his life."
"Usagi!" Sheesh, he is talking about his own dad! He glanced over at me with the who-cares look.
"I suggest you figure something out quickly, before father gets too restless."
"What would he do? Kidnap Miyoko or something?" I wanted to laugh at my attempted joke but neither facial expression changed. In fact I think Usagi's got worse. I know Usagi-chichi had a habit of kidnapping me but he would not do that to a child. Right?
"How's the meeting?" Isaka opened the door. "Sorry it took a minute, are you ready for our meeting Haruhiko?"
"I suppose. There was nothing to discuss anyway."
The hell? There is a lot to discuss! "Let's go Misaki." Miyoko jerked awake when I sat up. A cry bubbling up in her throat.
"She's probably hungry. Did you feed her?"
"She had some juice."
"That peach one? Do you think she drinks too much of it?"
Usagi shrugged. "It's her favorite."
"Peach juice?" I turned to Usagi-ani.
"Yeah, that new juice they are selling. Miyoko tried some of the peach flavored and fell in love with it."
"Hm." Uh oh. I don't like that look.
"Let's go." Usagi led me out of the room. I saw no one as we made our way to the car. It was a quiet ride back. When we got home I went to grab the baby food for Miyoko. Today's lunch would be sweet peas and corn.
"Usagi.." "No." Rude. He grabbed his cigarettes and went to the balcony. I made sure Miyoko was strapped in her high chair. I turned on the TV, her eyes going straight to the weird animals battling it out. I made my way to the balcony. Usagi did not look my way. I leaned against the wall. "Usagi."
"Nothing will happen Misaki. Don't worry about it."
"I will worry. What did you talk to your father about?"
He stuck his cigarette in the ashtray. "He told me that our love was fragile. That without Miyoko we would crumble. He claimed our relationship won't hold for Miyoko's future." Ouch. I looked back at her, waving her hands at the dancing animals. What would get Usagi-chichi to accept me? "But I am sure of one thing." I turned back to Usagi.
He stood up to come around me. He wrapped around my waist; I felt his breath on my cheek. We both stared at Miyoko. "I am never letting this go. I will never let you go. This family is all I want."
I felt my smile even if I still felt uneasy. "I don't want to lose this either." The moment was ruined when I saw Miyoko's peas fly across the room.
NEXT DAY
"Misaki, do you want to go to the Bahamas?"
I rolled my eyes. "No international travels. We don't need it."
"But it's your birthday."
"And I told you I am fine with staying home."
"Then Nagasaki."
"Shut up." We both turned when there was a knock on the door. "Were you expecting someone?" I shook my head and walked over.
"Delivery." Who had a delivery?
I watched in horror as five boxes with the juice label on each one. Peach flavored. Usami Haruhiko on the label. I felt myself shiver as Miyoko cackled followed by the menacing glare. "Misaki."
How am I in trouble?
Next on COH:
Family Meeting
"Since when did you hear an author bringing a child to a meeting?" Hidori could not stop laughing.
I could only shrug. "He is hoping she will be an excuse to leave earlier."
Usagi never told me he had a meeting today that I had classes. I told him I could miss the classes but he said no. I thought that meant he was skipping until I got a call from Aikawa that Usagi was at Marukawa with Miyoko. She even sent a picture of Miyoko on the conference table around three other men. I never know what is in his head.
Usagi said his meeting would be for another hour so I am walking with Hidori to work. She was treating us to the new cakes. "Is your boyfriend working?"
"I am going to kill you."
"Why won't you date Shinnosuke? You like him."
"What makes you think I like him?"
"Oh so you don't."
We stopped walking. Her face now a tomato. "It's not that…"
"So what is it? First boyfriend jitters."
"Shut up Misaki. It would never work out anyway, we are so different."
I rolled my eyes. "If that was it then Usagi and I wouldn't be together."
"You have that once in a lifetime, commoner to princess story that you only read about in stories. Don't even try to compare." No need to throw that in my face. "No, sorry, just...I never had to deal with this before."
I patted her back. "You think I was ready to be with Usagi? Or for Miyoko? I never would have imagined I would be where I am now. I didn't want to be with him. If you are going to hesitate then you might be missing out on something great."
She gave a long sight. "I know...maybe…"
"Just think about it. One date. He already deals with your outbursts."
"Shut up!" We kept walking until we made it to her work. Shinnosuke was there. His smile took up his face when he looked at us. That boy has it bad.
"Shiima, are you late?"
"No!" Did not stop her from checking her phone. "I gotta get changed."
She walked away as Shinnosuke led me to a small table next to the window. "I think you better plan a day off." I winked. He looked confused before the smile came back. Hidori came back now in her uniform. "So which cake."
"The strawberry."
"You got it." She passed by Shino, the blush returning. This was fun.
"Ta...hashi…." Did I hear right? I heard tapping and turned back to the window. My body froze. "Takahashi!"
Usagi-chichi?!
