"Usagi, no more." I eyed his third cup of wine. He made no hesitation as he drank the glass in one gulp. "I need you sober when your father comes."
"I still don't see why we have to be here."
"Usagi…" He really thinks I want to be here? I am still blaming both of them.
Two weeks ago
Oh no. This is bad, this is very bad. "Misaki." How am I going to explain this? Can I scratch the name off? "Misaki?" No, he sounds closer. "Misaki I was calling you. Who was at the door?" I did not want to turn around. "What's that box?"
I'm dead. "Uh...looks like another box for Miyoko." I felt him hover over me. I opened the box more to show him the different stuffed animals. I could already feel the accusations.
"Who is it from?"
"Don't know." Not like the label was facing us with the sender's name in bold characters.
"Again?" He growled, storming back into the living room. "I'm sick and tired of this."
This was the fourth box of presents from Usagi-chichi. First was more of the peach juice Miyoko likes, then a box of clothes, then some books, and now the stuffed animals. Each one with paperwork describing plans to introduce Miyoko to the family.
I sat on the couch next to Miyoko on the floor. Usagi out smoking another cigarette. He really is going to get cancer with this increase. "Usagi..."
"No." Stubborn man.
"I think…"
"Stay out of it Misaki. I am not doing anything that man wants." Stubborn man.
"I think he will keep doing this until you respond."
"Then we are moving and not telling anyone where we are." Like that will solve anything. I watched him finish before coming inside, washing his hands in the kitchen. He sat next to me, Miyoko reaching up to him.
"I think we should talk to him."
"And I say no."
"And look where that is getting us. You already went through one pack today. Three this week. Doing nothing is not helping us."
"You won't let me call the lawyers."
"Because you don't need to. You need to talk to your father." He rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to Miyoko. She cheered as he bounced her on his knees. The phone rang. "Usami residence."
"Hi Takahashi!" Usagi-chichi! "I am glad you picked up."
"Uuuuhhhhh, how can I help you?" I glanced at Usagi, too focused on Miyoko.
"Did you receive my gifts? I have been calling but never got an answer."
"Yeah, we really appreciate them." I heard movement from behind.
"Great, I had hoped that Usagi would like them as well, I know he is well off but I think Miyoko should have something from this side." There were the footsteps. "And I wanted to ask if you have read those papers I included? They were more for yo…" "Why are you calling?" Usagi snatched the phone out of my hands.
I could not hear what Usagi-chichi was saying but it was making Usagi's eyes scrunch the more he spoke. "Enough! I told you to stay out of our lives." He went to slam the phone down. He would have done it too, had I not stopped him. "Misaki."
"If you hang up we will see more boxes. He might show up again at Hidori's job."
"But…" "You and your brother were so worried he would kidnap me or even Miyoko. We need to stop running and face him, Usagi."
I watched him argue inside. "Hello?"
A loud sigh left Usagi's mouth. "Fine, we'll meet."
So here we are, waiting for Usagi-chichi to show up. Miyoko playing with my brother. "Usagi." I am going to hit him if that fourth glass touches his lips.
"Good afternoon!" I looked up as Usagi-chichi was giving his coat to one of the waiters. His cheerful smile cutting through the dark aura. "You are looking lovely today Takahashi."
"Good afternoon sir." Usagi responded with a grunt.
Usagi-chichi sat down next to me, my chair being pulled closer to Usagi. "Ah, Dom Perignon, a good choice. Are you having some Takahashi?"
"No thank you, I don't like to drink." And Usagi would not give it to me.
"Dom Perignon has a nice citrus taste. If you prefer something sweet I can order you Sauternes."
"No, I am fi…" "She does not need to drink." Usagi growled. "Just say what you need to and let's get this over with."
"Usagi."
"Calm down Akihiko. There is nothing wrong with conversation. I actually like talking to Takahashi. She is easier to get along with."
"Can we just get this over with. We told Takahiro this would last two hours max."
"As you wish. I do not want to keep my granddaughter away from her mother for too long." It made me shiver, the way he said granddaughter. Happy?
"Don't say that." Usagi pushed the papers Usagi-chichi had given me towards him. "And don't ambush Misaki any longer. It is disrupting our lives."
"I do not mean to cause any problems. All I have wanted was to speak with you."
"I thought we said all that was needed the last time. I sign away my rights and you stay away from us. I do not care about any inheritance that my daughter or I would receive. I also do not care about what the family has to say about my child or expecting an heir."
I looked back at Usagi-chichi. He grabbed the unsigned papers to examine. He put them down and turned to me. "My son talks a lot. What do you think of this Takahashi?"
Me? I looked between the two. "Um, well…"
"I told you not to bring her into this."
"She is the mother of my granddaughter, I want to hear her opinion."
"Stop calling her your grandchild."
"Is she not."
"No."
"Stop you two!" Like children arguing. Usagi's hand tapping on his glass. Usagi-chichi's smile was no longer there. "I don't know much about how your family works, and I do not know much about inheritances or heirs or any of that. But, I want Miyoko to know all of her family."
"Misaki."
"I agree."
"But, I also do not want Miyoko in the middle of some strange rich people conflict. I just want Miyoko to be around those who really love her and not her title as an Usami."
"I understand Takahashi, but we still cannot forget that she is an Usami."
"If you went through with our agreement she would not be."
"Your mother would not allow it. She was quite furious that we even spoke about it. She agrees that Miyoko should be announced as part of the family."
"Unlikely."
"And we also want to throw a gathering with the family to introduce her."
"Absolutely not. I do not want Miyoko near any of you."
"But the family…"
"I don't care."
"Do you want to see her?" They stopped arguing, both turning to me.
"What?"
"Do you want to see Miyoko?"
"We do want to announce her yes."
"But it sounds like you want to see her." Could Usagi-chichi want to see Miyoko, just because? It is starting not to sound like it was just about the Usami family as a whole.
Usagi-chichi's face softened. The extra wrinkles on his forehead went away. His eyes no longer held anger. He sighed, reaching into his suit pocket. He pulled out the picture I gave him. I looked back at Usagi. His face showed he did not know what to do.
"She looks a lot like your mother." He finally spoke. "She looks happy, you look happy. I never thought I would see this sight from you."
"Miyoko is my daughter. I am not making the same mistakes you made." Ouch. Even I felt that stab.
Usagi-chichi sighed. "I know your childhood was not the greatest. I tried to give you everything you wanted even while we were away for business."
"You always were away on business."
"You are right." He looked at me. "Everything is about the family. Decisions, relationships, all made to keep the Usami name thriving. Takahashi has no wealth, no family business that the Usami family could benefit from and yet you still chose her."
"I did not choose Misaki for her wealth. I love her for her. She cares, makes me a better person. A relationship of benefits is no relationship I want to be in."
Usagi-chichi chuckled to himself. Who knows what was going on in his mind. He turned to me. "I did not want Akihiko to end up with someone like you. He needed someone with status, and this is not a family for the faint. But you were able to look me in the eyes and say you love my son and even for your age you gave him a child with no regrets in your eyes. I may not approve, but I do respect you." Did I just….get his approval? "I know my wife thinks so as well, and we would like to be part of Miyoko's life."
"No." DAMNIT USAGI. SHUT UP.
Usagi-chichi chuckled. "Still stubborn."
"Did you want to come to the house?"
"Misaki!"
"I am stuck with meetings all day."
"We have no plans on Saturday."
"Misaki."
"I should be available." A man came up to whisper in his ears. "And my time is up."
"Finally."
Usagi-chichi got up. "I do enjoy these times with you." That seemed more directed at me. "Until Saturday. Akihiko." He left the two of us alone. I felt I could breathe.
"Wow, that was…" "Why did you invite him to the house?" Usagi growled.
I shrugged. "He looked so sincere. I really do think he just wants to see Miyoko as her grandfather. And I want that for Miyoko. I know you still have your issues, but, I want to think about Miyoko."
He let out a large sigh. "Fine. But if he gets out of line then we are moving out of Tokyo."
"What?!" How did this turn into leaving Tokyo."
"That's my condition."
"That's a terrible condition!"
"Then no Saturday." How is that fair? I did not know if it was going to be civil or not. It usually isn't when these two are together. I am just thinking of Miyoko. "Deal?"
Great, can't back out now. "Fine. Deal." Stupid smirk. Please let Saturday go well. We did eat at the restaurant; that was some really good salmon. Usagi making comments about coming here for an actual date. After we went to pick up Miyoko and now we're at a bookstore Usagi wanted to visit. A new book was coming out that he wanted to buy. Miyoko and I were at the comics, a new The Kan came out.
"You see Miyoko. You are going to read and love this too." She squealed, no idea what I said.
"Takahashi?" Wha..IJUUIN? "We keep running into each other."
"H-Hi sensei. What are you doing here?"
"I was checking out some reference books for another story. And you?"
"Usag-Usami wanted to look for some books as well so we are looking at your new book. It is really good!"
He smiled, "Thank you, next time I will have to personally send you the next new copy."
"Oh no! That would be too much!"
"Not at all. Not for you."
That made me tense slightly. I do not know if I was overthinking but it did seem there was another meaning in his words. "We-Well, thank you for the thought."
He held his hands out. "Can I hold your daughter? I missed the chance to ask before. I love children."
I looked down at her, staring at him with curious eyes. She cackled and reached out for him. "Okay."
Ijuuin did look good with a child I must admit. He bounced her on his side, shaking her hand. She giggled the whole. Time. "You are good with children."
"I do love children. I hope one day to have some of my own, might be just an old man's dream."
What?! He wasn't old at all! Usagi was older than him! "You aren't old at all! I think you will be a great father. Usagi is much older than you and we have a kid!" Wow that came out louder than needed.
He blinked before chuckling. "Thank you Takahashi. You always find a way to cheer me up. I hope I also find someone like you." I bet I was blushing. Not everyday your hero says he admires you.
"Misaki?" We both turned as Usagi walked over. Why does he look so mad?
"Good afternoon Usami-sensei."
There's that fake smile. "Good afternoon Ijuuin-sensei. May I have my daughter back?"
"Certainly." Did someone turn on the air conditioner in here? "Your daughter is a delight, I see a lot of her mother in her. A very cute girl."
"Yes, I am thankful my girlfriend shows more in our child than me." Why is he so mad?
"I should get going. I will see you around Takahashi, as you still are working at Marukawa."
"Uh yes, thank you for your hard work."
"Until next time Usami-sensei."
"Same to you." I bowed as he walked away. "Don't get near him."
"What do you mean?"
His eyes narrowed, all smiles gone. "I don't trust him. He is trying too hard to get close to you."
"What? He was just being friendly."
He gave me are-you-dumb eyes. "That's the problem. You are not aware of any threats to you."
"And Ijuuin-sensei is a threat?"
"A big one."
"Come on Usagi, not everyone is after me. I doubt people would want me after I had a kid anyway."
I saw him roll his eyes. "You are a cute, innocent, great mother. It just makes you more desirable."
"Shut up." He is so embarrassing. His smirk came back as he leaned down to kiss me.
Next time on COH:
Ijuuin, the threat
Saturday
"And there you go." I admired Miyoko in her yellow dress. Her hair was long enough to be put into two pigtails. "You are so cute."
"Maaaaaa." Yes! I was even more happy that she started talking. She had already said "dada" and now was saying "ma." Been trying to get her to say "mama" the past few days.
"Usagi, stop pouting and come inside."
I did not hear a reply but I did hear the balcony door shut. "Can we still cancel?"
"No. Now please try to behave." He grumbled, picking Miyoko up.
"Dada, dada." Oh so cute!
The doorbell rang. Another growl from Usagi. "Behave." I ran over to the door to let Usagi-chichi in. "Hello Takahashi, looking cute as ever."
"Hi sir, Miyoko and Usagi are in the living room." He followed me back to Usagi. He was still on the couch, now shielding Miyoko in his arms.
"Hello Akihiko."
"Yes."
"You said you would behave. Please have a seat." I gestured to the empty couch. Usgai-chichi nodded but I could see the hesitation in his steps as he went to sit down. I sat next to Usagi, giving him the best glare. He agreed to try. He sighed but loosened his grip. Miyoko turned, smiling at me before noticing the third person in the room.
Usagi-chichi said nothing. The two had a staring contest before Miyoko started crying. "Looks like my daughter knows a threat when she sees one."
"Usagi!" He passed Miyoko to me. "It's okay."
"Akihiko was a crier. Nothing could shut him up."
"I wonder why."
Why did I agree to this?
"Miyoko, that's your grandpa. Say 'Pa.'"
"Do not say Pa."
"Say it" I was taken back by the excitement in Usagi-chichi's eyes. He leaned forward, tapping his leg with impatience.
"Maaaaaaa." Miyoko smiled again. I could not help but laugh. "She will get there."
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
"Stop it."
"May I hold her?"
"Sure," I replied before Usagi could say anything. I moved to sit next to him. Miyoko looked at us. I turned her his way. "Grandpa." I set her down in his arms. And she cried again.
"Yes, Akihiko's daughter." I took her back. Neither of us missed Usagi's smirk.
"Good character."
"Stop it Usagi." I rocked Miyoko until she stopped crying. The gentle look of Usagi-chichi was back. "Once she warms up to you she won't be like this."
"That's okay Takahashi." He held his hand out flat. Miyoko's favorite. It took a moment before she figured it out. She cackled as she slapped his hand. She loves high fives.
"Hi Miyoko." He whispered, the two sharing a moment.
I looked at Usagi, the happiness bubbling inside me. Usagi looked back at me, still some uneasiness in his eyes but he was smiling. I know this was not going to fix everything but this was a great start. I want Miyoko to have the biggest family, full of people who love her.
"Now, let's discuss a summer home for your brother."
The biggest normal family.
