Chapter 2

Best on Your Back

"Mm hot." Momoko mumbled while opening her eyes to come face-to-face with Sakamoto's smirking face. It took all her willpower not to scream out as she slowly moved his arms from around her. The soft chuckling snores was a giveaway that he was still asleep, but she was always surprised to see him sleeping with his eyes open. Once she knew that he was still asleep, Momoko moved herself out of the bed and to one of the dressers. The clock on Sakamoto's desk read that it was 6:15am and it was almost time for her weekend run. Nothing real special, but it kept her cardio up and her feeling better about herself. Momoko pulled out a pink sports bra and black yoga pants then made her way into the bathroom; making sure to lock it.

"Ok, I should take my work clothes home and what I wore to be wash." Momoko thought while squeezing her 34C into the tight fabric and jumping into her yoga pants. Momoko sighed knowing Sakamoto had done the clothes himself as her clothes felt unusually tight. It was always why she took most of her clothes with her to be washed at her apartment. She quickly grabbed her toothbrush and soon tied her long hair into a braided bun with her ribbon to hold it. With her morning routine done, she made her way back into the room making sure to clean up her mess as she went. Momoko stuffed the clothing in her bag and tied her shoes seeing that she was making good time. She left a note on Sakamoto's desk and made her way out of the hotel room to the elevator.

"Good morning, Miss Akatsutsuki." the bellhop said while waving at her as the door opened.

"Good morning, Goro." Momoko smiled actually able to stop and talk with him. "Here early, huh?"

"Yes ma'am! Getting closer and closer to that goal." Goro smiled causing his golden eyes to sparkle with happiness, something Momoko always like to see.

"Glad to hear it, going to get the latest edition of Super Sentai Multi 3X?" Momoko asked starting to stretch a bit, so she wouldn't run with cold muscles.

"You know it, thanks for showing me the series by the way. Really takes the stress away."

"No problem." Momoko said while starting to make her way to the door. "Well, have to go for my run, bye bye!" Goro waved good-bye to her as Momoko started a light jog toward a park that was usually busy with kids blowing bubbles or people playing with different sports. But this early in the morning it was home to runners or joggers trying to keep in shape. Momoko was already breathing hard especially with her bookbag on her back, but a quick sip of water gave her some energy again. Momoko soon made her way onto the balancing beams where she would give kicks and turns that she would practice from the tv shows she watched. It was fun to be by herself and goof off without anyone knowing it.

Bzzz! Bzzzz! Bzzzzz!

"Oh already?" Momoko said while getting her phone out only to see that it was a phone call and not the alarm to tell her she was done. She was surprised that he woke up this early on a Saturday and answered it. "Hey, Sakamoto."

"You left."

"Yes, you know I do some light jogging." Momoko said while starting to walk out of the park feeling like this was going to be a long conversation.

"You could always just use the gym that's in the hotel. It's not hard to do and it is easier than going all the way to that crowded park you like so much."

"I like going outside despite those nasty bugs." Momoko said while making her way to a water machine. The coins slid in easily and the musical queue of the water coming out was always so cute to her. The machines at the hotel were quite boring, but she wouldn't tell him that.

"Uh huh…look Momoko, I set up a dinner for us at the Ginza Ukai-Tei where our family will be joining us."

"Ah I'm sure they will like that." Momoko said while suddenly stopping in her tracks as a smell immediately caught her nose. She knew it too well because she went there every day and it made her mouth water just at the thought of it. Momoko hope she was the first one there because the fresher it was, the tastier it was. She definitely needed to get two since she missed out on getting something yesterday. Maybe something for breakfast and something for later or maybe something big that she could enjoy throughout the day. Gosh she needed it n—!

"Momoko!"

"H-Huh?" Momoko blinked quickly wiping her mouth feeling the bit of drool escape.

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

"N-No, sorry I'm getting a bit hungry haha."

"Seriously, love you are killing me." Sakamoto groaned as Momoko slowly stopped laughing while focusing on his voice instead of that sweet, tasty smell. "You need to get there by 6:30pm got it! 6:30pm."

"Ok, 6:30pm at Ginza Ukai-Tei." Momoko said showing that she was listening getting a triumphant huff from Sakamoto.

"You need to wear the navy dress I got you, the one with the cut on the leg and back open."

"Oh, I do enjoy that one."

"Lastly, don't bother the company there; this was the only time I could get, and I know what you will do if you know who is showing up. So, don't."

"Oh…gotcha." Momoko said while feeling unsure about how he said that.

"Promise me, love."

"I will try."

"Promise me, Momoko." Sakamoto said and Momoko could actually feel the tiredness in his voice. She felt she could be hard to deal with and she knew this was stressing him out.

"I promise." she swallowed getting a sigh from him and then he hung up. Momoko was nervous but hoped she could pull it off. "But first." she thought while making a dash to the smell that was fogging her mind once again.

"Hello, Welcome to Bric-A-Brac Bakery! What can, oh, hello Momoko good to see you this early in the morning." smirked a male with dirty blonde hair and purple eyes.

"Sora, good to see you too. I owe your sister, so definitely give me her favorite for when I see her at work."

"Haha got it and what do you want?" Sora asked already seeing their best customer drooling over all the baked goods that just came out of the oven.

"What did your boss make that smells like cinnamon and apples?" Momoko asked while trying to get a look at the back where the baker would always hide. Momoko never saw him in the times she been here, but Sora who was usually the front man would say he was there probably listening in. She could hear the noise of pans moving around and could hear the roaring of the fire. He probably wasn't listening now.

"Boss just made some Apple Cinnamon Fritters along with some cinnamon rolls and baked apples." Sora said while Momoko seemed to have stars in her eyes causing him to chuckle. "Shall I add them all?"

"Gosh yes!" Momoko practically moaned while Sora started bagging up the treats for her. "I wish your boss could come out here, so I could thank him for all these delicious goods he makes for me, eh us."

"He's just shy as a mouse." Sora laughed while a wooden spoon from the back area flew at him.

"Hehe um I think you made him mad." Momoko giggled while only getting a glimpse of a red cap.

"Yeah, yeah…that will be 2,692.56 yen."

"Here you go and thank you!" Momoko shouted back while making her way out of the bakery. Momoko always wondered what that baker looked like as she quickly stuffed a cinnamon roll in her mouth. She sometimes pictured him a bit chubby or sometimes short, but whenever she saw that red cap flash by Momoko thought otherwise. As she licked her fingers, Momoko started her way to her apartment slowly starting to feel a weight off her shoulders she didn't know was there. It was only a few blocks away from the bakery which made the task of getting sweets all the more fun.

"Good timing, Ms. Akatsutsumi." the mailman said while handing her mail to her. With a bit of juggling she managed to keep everything in her hands while stuffing another roll into her mouth.

"Thangk yow!" Momoko said while making her way up to the 2nd floor and going to the first door on the left. She placed the mail on the ground and got her keys out of her bag to open up her place. Once opened, Momoko was hit with the smell of peaches and the sound of the tv still running. "Oops!" Momoko put her stuff down and turned the tv to some music channel letting the upbeat notes fill the air. She was sure the bill would reflect that mistake, but she was happy to be back home. It was pretty small, studio apartment were kind of like that, but she enjoyed it. The kitchen had the fridge, sink, a bit of counter space, a washer and dryer that sat all together on the right wall. The living room with a red loveseat, small table, and tv that attached onto the wall was right across from it. It would also house her shelves full of comics and manga that she collected from years of buying them. Right next to the door of the apartment the bathroom then small sitting area for eating were nestled together that could led just a few feet to the kitchen. Then to the left of the door was a small staircase that lead up to the bedroom where her cherry blossom bed spread sat with a small closet that kept her clothes and action figures in it. The windows let in a morning glow making the black and wooden design of the apartment feel so warm and invited it always made Momoko feel welcomed.

"Ok, time to wash clothes." she said while emptying out her bag and heading to the bathroom to grab her clothing basket. Momoko had mostly sort the clothes out already and squeezed her way to the washer machine. She pulled out the clothes that were in there and put them into the dryer then put the new batch of clothes into the wash. Once that had started, she stripped out of her running clothes and quickly got into the shower. Momoko promptly started singing the song that the tv was playing, though she kept it a little quiet once the neighbors asked her to keep it down. After the shower, Momoko turned off the music and just walked around in her Sailor Goddess towel enjoying being clean and refreshed. The mail finally caught her eyes seeing the big box look at her with cute anime eyes designed on the front. She squeaked and grabbed it choosing to ignore the other mail (she would look at it later) as she ripped open the box. "Soo, cooool! It's the posable Super Sentai Multi 3X pink and red couple set!"

Momoko ran up to her room and opened the door to her closet. The action figures (some open, some not) stood proud and tall as she scanned her eyes to the set of figures she wanted. She grinned seeing the spot of the superhero team opened for the respected pink leader and toughest fighter. Momoko decided it was ok to keep them in the box for awhile as she slid them into the team of 6 superheroes. "This is really turning out to be a good start of the day!" Momoko said while finally grabbing some clothes to put on. Some underwear, gray shorts, and a blush pink t-shirt were all she needed while she jumped into her bed making sure to not crush her laptop. "Ok, where is the Ginza Ukai-Tei?" Momoko searched it up and frowned seeing it was about a 45 minute drive to get there, which means she couldn't walk. She could ask her parents to drive her there, but that felt like a car ride she didn't want to deal with. "Guess I'm going to have to ask her." Momoko groaned while getting her cell phone and calling the one person she didn't really mind having a car ride with.

"Hello, dear sister!"

"Hello, Kuriko."

"So, what do you need?" Kuriko practically purred into the phone making Momoko's face turn red.

"How do you know I'm calling you because I need something? I could be just checking up on you."

"Highly unlikely, So…"

"Ugh so un-cute. Can I ride with you to the restaurant tonight? It's a lot farther than I thought."

"Sure, why not."

"Huh? You aren't going to argue with me. Who are you and where is my sister?" Momoko questioned getting an annoyed groan from her little sister causing a smile to form on Momoko's face.

"I'm doing this for Sakamoto's sake since…well…I heard you were late last night from mom and dad."

"Ugh, they already told you."

"Haha, yup. You should really get a car."

"I don't need one, everything I need is in running or walking distance." Momoko said while starting to browse through her laptop to keep her hands busy.

"But isn't it a distance from Sakamoto's home?"

"Yeah, but you know me, I like my little apartment more than a big hotel that feels so boring!" Momoko sighed while hearing her machines beep as she made her way off the bed.

"I'm surprise you don't run through the place acting like a hero."

"Oh, I did once, but the manager of the place said it wasn't an area for childish behavior."

"Haha, you really need to grow up sis." Kuriko said while Momoko could hear the snob in her voice and she had to roll her eyes. There was once a time when Kuriko acted just like her big sister down to wanting to be an actor in a big movie or play. Now, she was an advertising manager for some fashion companies, and she acted like she knew better.

"Growing up does not mean you have to be boring."

"Yeah, yeah. Just make sure you are prepared to go. Bye sis."

"Bye, sister." Momoko said while hanging up the phone and looking at her degree on her wall. It was for theatre and though she was quite good at it, jobs weren't open for that spotlight. Or at least it felt like it since it was a hard career to get into if you didn't know anyone. Momoko shook her head and continued doing tasks around the apartment to keep herself busy until it was closer to the time frame Kuriko would pick her up. The navy blue dress was long and sparkly as Momoko gently pulled it out of the closet.

"Guess I can't wear my bow to this place." Momoko said while heading to the bathroom to get her makeup and hair ready. The bathroom was probably the tightest of the areas in Momoko's apartment and the only thing she didn't like. The tiles were all mix-matched of colors and only had a shower that most time run out of hot water. The things that at least liven it up was the pink and red set of supplies and the peach candles that seem to fill up the whole apartment. Momoko gave her a silver style to the makeup only adding a blue wing while her hair was made into waves. After putting on some silver heels and the dress, she was completely done.

"Well, aren't we looking good."

"Gosh, Kuriko really?" Momoko shouted while glaring at her sister who was in a dark orange dress that came up to her knees and black heeled boots. "Why can't you knock instead of using the spare key?"

"You put it in a dumb place, so I have to." Kuriko giggled while placing the key right above the door frame where only family members knew where it was.

"It's not dumb, it's in a place that most people won't look." Momoko huffed while making her way out making sure Kuriko followed in order for her to lock the door. The two Akatsutsumi sisters made their way to Kuriko's yellow Toyota and quickly took off for the restaurant. The conversations they had were brief, but it was better than talking about Sakamoto or herself to her parents. They were questioning if Sakamoto ever talked about marriage with her and honestly apart of her always shied away from it. Which was still confusing for her since it was her dream to marry someone she genuinely loved. "So, why am I not thinking about it with —" However, that thought was interrupted by Kuriko pulling into the front of the building.

"Wow, Sakamoto definitely out did himself." Kuriko said while getting out of the car allowing the valet to take her car as Momoko got out to stare at the fork and spoon statues that framed the door of the restaurant. It looked like a museum in fact a lot of the reviews said it was a mixture of one and a place to eat.

"Ok, I can do this." Momoko said under her breath as the two sisters walked up to the host.

"Reservation?"

"Yes, um under Sakamoto Nomura, 2 guests with the names Momoko and Kuriko Akatsutsumi." Momoko said hoping she said everything right.

"Ah yes, Akatsutsumi. A few of your members have already arrived. Right this way." the host said while the girls followed along. Momoko checked the time and smiled seeing that they were 5 minutes early which means she wasn't late. Momoko could already spot Sakamoto's parents at the table where they seem to be sipping on wine already. "Here you are ladies."

"Thank you." they both said then turned to his parents.

"Good to see you, Mr. and Mrs. Nomura." Momoko said while bowing a little as his parents nodded giving her a smile.

"Good to see you both made it ok, and it's alright to call us, Kajal and Asahi." Kajal Nomura said in her Indian accent that always confused Momoko's hearing. Momoko didn't want to mess up the woman's name and she couldn't bring herself to say their first names. Felt too casual.

"I know but feels respectful to say your last name." Momoko smiled seeing the woman shrug as her husband kind of agreed with Momoko.

"Sakamoto is here by the way, Momoko. He just had to talk to the chefs about something." Mr. Nomura said while pulling out the chairs for the girls as they took their seats.

"Well, that's good to hear." Kakiko said as the host lead Momoko's parents to the table. "Looks like we were the last ones then."

"Good to see you again, Kakiko and Hachizou." Kajal said while getting out of her seat to hug them both. Momoko took notice of how short she was compared to her mother and it made her smile.

"Always good to see you too. So, I wonder what your son has plan for the evening if he invited us all here?" Kakiko asked as the parents seem to get a strange glimmer in their eyes, but Momoko was busy looking over at a certain table to notice.

"I have a feeling." Sakamoto's father chuckled causing all of them to smile as Kuriko just rolled her eyes at how weird they were all making it. Luckily Momoko wasn't paying attention or she would understand for sure.

"Might want to keep in on the low then." Kuriko said while seeing Sakamoto leaving the kitchen area and making his way to the table.

"Good to see everyone made it here ok." Sakamoto smiled while kissing his mother's cheek and touching the shoulders of everyone else. Momoko had to quickly turn around feeling his touch and finally was giving a kiss on the cheek. "Good to see you too, love."

"Hi, Sakamoto. Definitely a nice place to have dinner at." Momoko said trying to make it seem like she was looking around instead of at the people who were just two tables away. It was the actors for the Super Sentai Multi 3X and boy did she want to scream and go over there.

"Yes, well let's get started shall we." Sakamoto said while menus were set out and the evening began.

The conversations were fun and light because the parents would hold it up, but Momoko didn't mind that. They always had something fun to say whether it be about Mrs. Nomura's homeland or Momoko's father's job at the powerplant. Momoko listened in, but sometimes she would catch herself looking at the table of the actors who would sometimes take pictures or sign something for a fan. The food was really good too especially when you got to see it being made right in front of you. All of them would applaud as the chefs would do some fancy trick or the fire would roar loud and proud.

"Truly this was a delicious evening, Sakamoto." Momoko's father said while everyone agreed as the men patted their bellies.

"You're welcome, but I'm sure someone wants dessert." Sakamoto said while everyone's eyes fell onto Momoko who looked back at them before they caught her looking at the actors.

"Dessert would be nice." Momoko said while about to take the menu, but Sakamoto already took it.

"Don't worry love, I know what you want." Sakamoto said while making his way back to the kitchen as Momoko pouted knowing he wouldn't know what she was craving at that moment. She might have loved sweets, but certain times she liked something specific depending on what she ate before. Only a salad, at his request, needed something heavy and chocolatey to counteract that small food.

"Well, are you guys going to order any dessert?" Momoko asked while they all said they were full. Momoko nodded then turned to see Sakamoto coming back with ice cream which would have made her pout, but shock was over her face because of the Super Sentai Mutli 3X actors getting ready to leave. "Oh-no, oh-no! They are leaving! I was hoping I could get their pictures or autograph before we left!" Momoko thought feeling like the world was moving in slow motion as she watched the actors and Sakamoto. "I can't miss this! Sakamoto will always take me out, but these actors will not be around!" In a split second, Momoko grabbed her purse and made her way over to the group of actors nearly crashing into Sakamoto.

"Love."

"Sorry, sorry one second!" she pleaded while going up to the actors while Sakamoto was following her.

"Momoko." Sakamoto almost hissed under his breath, but Momoko was completely absorbed in the heroes before her.

"Aah! It's so cool to finally meet face-to-face with my favorite actors and heroes of my favorite tv show!"

"Haha, good to see an older fan once and awhile." The pink leader actor said while causing Momoko to jump up a bit.

"You all inspired me to try acting as a career and I just have to have an autograph and photo with you all!"

"Momoko, I'm sure they are very busy and don't want to have someone annoying them." Sakamoto said while trying to keep ahold of the ice cream.

"She's good, we love this sort of thing." the male actor of the yellow suit said while Momoko squeaked causing a few people to look at them. She quickly got out a pen and a small notebook from her purse as they started to sign it. Sakamoto and the group were waiting for Momoko as the ice cream slowly melted as the actors talked to Momoko giving her pointers and stuff about the acting industry.

"Momoko, love. Your ice cream."

"Fine, fine. Oh! Can you take the picture really quick Sakamoto!" Momoko said while forcing her phone in his hand which did cause him to spill some of the ice cream onto his suit. Sakamoto was looking quite irritated by now, but the actors were already posing while Momoko was smiling happy as can be.

"Smile." he said while taking a few pictures then the heroes started making their way out.

"Eep! I can't believe I met the actors of my favorite tv show!" Momoko said while shaking Sakamoto who started spilling more of the ice cream onto them both. People were starting to stare at the scene while Sakamoto had to grab her to calm her down. Momoko didn't mind because this was the best night of her life.

"Momoko," Sakamoto huffed while putting his hand in the melted mess and finally pulling something out. "will you marry me?"

"Huh?" Momoko said while looking at Sakamoto who was looking quite frazzled. He huffed again and got down on one knee as Momoko felt every part of her freeze up.

"Will you marry me?" Sakamoto asked again getting everyone to gasp or stare in awe as Momoko stared at him.

"I um…" Momoko was kind of speechless as she stared at the man that she had known for a long time. She was sure she was supposed to be excited but felt like a wall had came down on her. People were also starting to whisper as she looked to her family who were looking quite flabbergasted at her. "I um…sure, I mean yes."

"Woohoo!" Kuriko shouted causing the moment to break as everyone started clapping and Sakamoto got up to put the ring on her finger.

"We need to talk, love." Sakamoto whispered into her ear making a shiver run down her back, but she nodded. After that everything seem to go by in a blur for Momoko as they started to leave. Kuriko and her parents congratulated her again while Sakamoto's parents did the same. She somehow ended up in Sakamoto's car as she stared at the diamond on her hand. Momoko then found herself at his hotel as she stared at her reflection in the elevator door. The only thing that brought her back was the kiss Sakamoto placed on her lips showing that they were in his room. "Seriously, love what were you thinking."

"What do you mean?" Momoko said while looking at him noticing the lights were dim and she couldn't see the expression on his face.

"You ruined the evening with that little stunt of yours." Sakamoto said while shedding the sticky clothes he had on.

"I didn't know you were going to propose to me." Momoko said while feeling him do the same to her clothes causing her to wrap her arms around herself. She wasn't sure if it was to feel smaller or to cover up, but it felt right to do.

"Why else would I take us to a fancy restaurant with both our families there?" Sakamoto asked while pulling her close to him finding that he already attacked her neck with kisses and bites. He had also found an arm around her waist pulling her closer to him.

"I thought it was just a nice thing to do." Momoko said shivering at his touch and keeping her arms around herself. Sakamoto sighed picking her up and getting her on the bed with no effort. Momoko wasn't surprised, this was about how it always went with them; but this time felt a bit different. Scarier? Well, she was just proposed to, so maybe it's the shock of it all.

"Why don't you use your head, love." Sakamoto whispered moving her arms away from her body which made her look away from him. "Momoko, stop being so hard to please; we done this before."

"Sorry." Momoko mumbled, but still couldn't bring herself to look at him as he started touching her chest and sensitive area roughly.

"Useless…can't take you anywhere without causing a scene."

"I-I know." Momoko gasped starting to move her hands to cover up, but Sakamoto had already learned to grab both her hands to put them above her by now. "Slower, p-please."

"And I'm the one putting up with it tck." Sakamoto said while getting her legs around his waist causing a small moan to come to Momoko. "Heh, guess this is the only place you need to be. Right on your back."