This was possibly the worst situation I could be in. I would rather tell my brother I was pregnant aga….no this isn't as bad as that but I still wish to run away.
"Good evening Usami-sensei." I felt my blood start to boil when hearing Ijuuin's voice. How could someone I admire sound so condescending? Especially in a situation like this.
Usagi let go of his hand to step between us. "My apologies but the only one able to touch my daughter besides me."
"Dada!"
It was hard to decipher Usagi's face when he turned. His eyebrows were scrunched, lips in a tight line. Miyoko's smiling face is still reaching for him. "Let's go." He maneuvered so she sat on his left hip and grabbed my arm to leave.
"Usami-sensei, I already told Misaki how I felt. Now it is up to her."
What does he mean?! "What?" Usagi stopped walking to turn back. "What is up to her?"
"Her feelings. As long as she likes me more than the person she is with, can't that open the possibility of a new relationship."
"Bu..but…"
I felt Usagi pull me closer. "Let me warn you: if you are doing this because of your curiosity then please stop now but if you are serious, just now I will never hand either of them over."
With one last stare down we left. "Uh bye Ijuuin-sensei." I did not hear his response.
"Why were you there?!" I asked when the heat was cleared and we were close to home.
"You and your friends were acting strange so I called your job and they said you were there with Miyoko. I arrived as you were all leaving and came to pick you up."
"But saying all of that to him…"
"I know it's your job and I am grateful it allows Miyoko to be with you instead of strangers but I don't want you either of you alone with that man."
"Usa…" "I'm jealous of him."
"Eh?" He sighed, rubbing his chin. I saw him glance in the mirror to the backseat. Miyoko's eyes kept opening and closing. "Usagi?"
"I know you have been a fan of him even before meeting me but ever since you met him again you keep talking about him, making me jealous. And now he also set his sights on our daughter, trying to insert himself in my place."
""Whaa…" He parked the car and got Miyoko out of the car seat before I could close my door. "But Usagi, you know I don't like him like that."
"I do believe you Misaki, but because of that man I still feel uneasy. I didn't want you to worry but I see I failed."
So the way he was acting was because of Ijuuin's confessions that day. Hidori is going to not let it go that she was right. I scowled. "Usagi, you have to talk to me about this. I will know if something is bothering you. I worry about you. And so does Miyoko."
On cue she yawned loudly. We both chuckled and ignored the current issue enough to put her down to sleep in her crib. She cuddled into her mini Suzuki. I followed Usagi outside to the balcony. He grabbed a cigarette. I leaned against the wall, staring up at the stars and waiting for him to continue. All I heard was him blowing the smoke out.
"I'm sorry." Guess I will start. "If I had told you earlier then you would not have worried."
Another blow. "I have been thinking about how to place myself first in your heart. I thought I had sealed these feeling away once Miyoko was born but I always find myself troubled with anything relating to Misaki"
"Usagi."
"So I tried to get rid of anyone who tried to get close to you."
"That's…not a good thing to admit." He sighed and threw the pack on one of the chairs. He took a step towards me. "I'm sorry."
He patted my head. "It's okay."
It didn't seem okay. I wanted to ease his worries; what could I say to help? Unless…I tell him I love him? That seems to make him happy and I guess having Ijuuin-sensei saying it to me made him feel insecure. If that was even possible.
So I just tell him.
Should be easy.
Right.
…..
I can't say it. Why did I have to say it? I'm a pure Japanese girl….with a kid.
I'm a loser.
Okay Misaki, you can do this. "U-Um, Usagi-san."
"Hm?"
"I–I—I….I love you." My voice squeaked towards the end; I hope he heard.
"What did you say?"
"YOU HEARD ME!" I jumped when he grabbed my hand. "What is it?"
"I wanted to touch you." I let out a yelp when he pulled me closer. "MIsaki, you bring me so much joy and liveliness."
Why is he choosing now to be a sap? "I didn't do anything. I just want you to be happy."
"I am." He tilted my head up. The stars were out but Usagi's smile was all I could focus on. I liked his smile. I liked when he was happy. "I am always happy with you." He kissed me, a light peck at first and then full force that he held me up when my knees gave out.
We laid in bed. The sheets felt cool against my bare stomach. "Let's go somewhere, just the three of us."
"That's sudden."
"We still haven't celebrated your birthday properly and with everything that has happened, I want a family outing with all three of us." That would be fun.
"Let's go, as long as you have no deadlines."
"August 18th. I checked and I have nothing planned that day. I want to celebrate your birthday properly." That was perfect, I had no classes that day or work. "I love you Misaki."
"Yeah….too…." I yawned, my eyes closing.
Next Morning
"Dada. Ki, Ki!" Miyoko held her hands out. Usagi chuckled but handed her Suzuki. She cackled, putting it in her mouth.
"Hey Usagi, isn't your award ceremony coming up? Aikawa called yesterday to say she wanted to remind you to bring me." Though I would rather not go to another awkward ceremony, I guess Isaka still wants to play up the family man look.
He groaned, "Stupid. I don't even want to go to it."
Not shocking. "When was it?"
"August 18th."
I stopped washing the dishes, looking up at him. "Um…Usagi..isn't that the day you choose to go to Kamukura?"
No answer.
"Misaki, something on your mind?" Aikawa handed me a piece of chocolate as I finished sorting the fan mail. Once again Usagi has so many letters I know he is not going to read.
"Just stressed about the ceremony and Usagi is not helping."
She sighed. "That stupid author is going to do something stupid that day. Hopefully with you he will cooperate. I am going to apologize in advance because I know Isaka-sama is going not going to let you be a fly on the wall this time." I still remembered the last one and the feeling on running away.
"I guess we will find out." He still is adamant about going to Kamakura that same day but I know those ceremonies can be all day.
I handed her the last papers and said goodbye. Miyoko was at home with Usagi. Kisa from Emerald was upset she was unable to see her.
"Takahashi?"
"Ijuuin-sensei?!" He was walking towards me with his new editor Shizukuishi. He was nice but did not speak a lot. "Go-Good work!" He was the last person I wanted to see.
His smile did not falter. "I am so happy to see you again. Are you getting done with work? Is Miyoko here?"
"N-No, she is at home with Usag-Usami."
"That's right. The International Literary Awards are coming up. When is that again?"
"August 18th."
His smile did leave to let out a small gasp. "That's the same day as your birthday."
"Uh yeah? How did you know?"
"You told me once in an email." I think I vaguely remembered telling him when we first started speaking. This was awkward though it did not seem Ijuuin was acting any different. Could he have forgotten? I would not think that would be the case but it would be the best option.
"Shizukuishi, can you come here for a second."
"Coming. I will be right back." Oh great now I am left alone.
"Well, I should be getting back."
"If possible Takahashi, I would like to celebrate your birthday."
What?! "Oh no you don't have to. I am attending the ceremony as well that day."
"On your birthday? That does not sound very fun. There must be something you would rather do."
"No, no...I do appreciate it though."
"Besides..." I felt a chill up my spine when he leaned into my ear. "I want to hear your reply to my confession."
I don't think he forgot.
Next time on COH:
To Kamukura
OVA– Miyoko's first words
"What are you doing?"
"Playing."
"Holding her upside down is playing?"
"She likes it." He had me there. Miyoko's face was red as she laughed the hardest I have heard her. Usagi was holding her hips, carefully turning her right side up. Her head wobbled, arms flailing. In my mind I could hear her asking to do it again. Usagi granted that request.
"What brought this on?" Minus the deadline he is forgetting. I didn't miss the 10 missed calls on his phones. Now 11.
"Tanaka said he used to do this for me when I was young and seemed to like it so I thought to try it with Miyoko."
"Like father, like daughter." I giggled, finishing my homework. It was another 20 minutes, sighing with relief as I finished my essay. Longest two days getting this done. I looked up, eyes scrunching when I saw Usagi – still holding Miyoko up– frozen. "Usagi?"
I walked over to see Usagi's eyes wide open and beginning to water; his lips parted slightly. Miyoko was still cackling. "Usagi."
Then "...a" Miyoko shrieked. "Da…." Uh, did I hear right? I reached out to take Miyoko. "Dada."
Oh. My. God! "Her first words!" I grabbed her and began jumping. "Miyoko's first word!"
She kept flailing her arms as we danced together. How exciting! And it was dada, so cute! "Oh I wish I had it on camera! Nii-chan is going to freak out! Oh you are so cute!" I kissed her cheek. I then acknowledged Usagi, still frozen on the couch. "Usagi! She said dada!"
"Dada."
And then a single tear came down his cheek. I almost dropped Miyoko. "Usagi?! What's wrong?! Are you ok?"
I sat down next to him to brush the tear. He turned, looking at Miyoko. "Did she really say that?"
"Yes, she said dada."
He reached out so I handed him Miyoko. She smiled up and put her hands on his chin. And then Usagi smiled, one I have not ever since before. His eyes water but no other tears fell. He pulled Miyoko closer to kiss her forehead. "Dada."
"That's right. I'm here."
I felt my own tears threatening to fall. "Miyoko loves you Usagi."
He gave me a quick glance before looking down at her. "I love you Miyoko. I love you so much."
It felt bittersweet, seeing our daughter repeating dada as Usagi went back to flipping her upside down. She could crawl, almost standing up on her own. She said her first word and will soon start speaking more. And soon it will be sending her to school, a job, marriage? I wished she could stay like this forever, playing in Usagi's arms.
"Oh god, I think she went to the bathroom."
"And I have to get dinner started."
"Misaki!"
