Disclaimer: Hello, everyone! All credit goes to Shingo Nanami and フクロウ. That's all I have to say. Enjoy!

心配性な貴方

Worrywart

Ikeda x Kasane

"…What do you think you're doing, Kasane!?"

"…Ah."

Just as he thought about tidying the room, he caught Kasane carrying heavy-looking books, and quickly raised his voice.

'Shoot,' Kasane unconsciously jerked in place.

He gazed down at her, looking unusually angry, and shouted, "Carrying such heavy things, what in the world are you going to do if something happened!?"

"I-I thought I'll be fine… so…" she winced as Ikeda's expression became more stern.

Though others wouldn't be able to differentiate his mood from his usual deadpan face, Kasane, who has been his wife of several years, could easily read the slightest change in his demeanor.

'Not good.' Kasane started to sweat.

Ikeda rarely gets angry.

He's always a reserved and quiet man.

She never heard him laugh out loud or raise his voice. Nor did she ever see him shout or cry.

He has always been tolerant. He would hardly get angry when she did trivial things or fiercely glare down at her like, like now. Though he's still withdrawn towards everyone, he talked to her a lot more compared to other people. Ikeda, who always finishes a discussion in one word, would come initiating a conversation with her. And during these conversations, he would faintly smile at her.

He always lovingly treated her with care.

That's why this wasn't a common event for Kasane.

If such a thing occurred, it'll be because she obviously did something wrong.

That, and another reason.

"You're pregnant now, so please refrain from doing these things."

"…I'm sorry."

That's right, it's been three years since Kasane married Ikeda. She is now happily carrying his child. This was also their very first child, which made Ikeda especially delighted when he heard the news.

Since then, he handled her more carefully than before. He was always gentle to her, but with an extra gentle touch, he delightfully stroked her stomach. She too happily waited for her child to be born.

They often had discussions.

Whether their child will be a boy or girl.

What kind of name they should give to their child, who it will resemble the most.

Ikeda didn't care any of that if only she and their future child would remain safe.

As of right now, Kasane didn't look pregnant, but he knew her stomach would soon start growing.

When it comes to that stage, things will become even more difficult for her.

She won't be able to clean the house or cook or even do the laundry. Everything will become considerable work for her.

"You should have made one of the maids to do this. Just leave it to them."

Ikeda had employed a number of people since Kasane announced her pregnancy. He couldn't let an expectant Kasane to overwork herself. What if she accidentally slipped or fell down? What if something bad happened to her?

Even if she brushes it off as a trivial matter, something might happen to the child in her womb.

Ikeda couldn't bear the thought of losing his cute child and his loving wife.

That's why he prohibited tasks that required her to use her strength. For her sake, he employed many maids to look after his wife and do the housework in her place.

However the only one who wasn't convinced to his plan was Kasane herself.

Her stomach wasn't protruding at all, so she thought should be able to little tasks like theses without any problem.

Of course when her stomach becomes big, she'll have to listen to him, but until then she could still clean and cook.

(Ikeda-san is quite a small, no, a big worrywart, huh…)

Kasane thought to herself.

He was being overly cautious.

There's a certain idiom, 'Knocking on a the stone bridge before crossing it*', but Ikeda would do more than just that. He would surely throw a large rock onto the bridge and check to see if it'll stay intact or undamaged before letting anyone cross it.

It may because of his job as a scout and spy that makes him very cautious, but Kasane saw him as overly protective.

The maids were truly helpful. They were really good people.

They treated Kasane and Ikeda with kindness.

They cleaned, they cooked, they did all the chores. She found the food they cooked to be especially delicious.

Actually, she believed that the maids' did a better job cooking the meals and cleaning their home than her.

"…"

And that's probably what made her so dissatisfied.

It was the maids, and not her, that Ikeda was relying on. It's their job to assist them in the household so it can't be helped.

Yet, still, in her heart she couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

When she sees those beautiful maids look after her devoted husband, she would understand. They're just doing their job. But, like a small child she couldn't stop feeling envious of them.

"…What's wrong?"

"…It's nothing."

Ikeda blinked as Kasane turned sullen.

He did have not the slightest clue that Kasane was jealous and so questioned her unusual behavior.

"Lately, you aren't in a good mood. Did something happen?"

"…"

As Ikeda earnestly inquired her, Kasane gazed at him bitterly. As she thought, someone as dense as Ikeda couldn't possibly understand these delicate emotions. Usually, no obviously, he wouldn't even notice these sorts of things. Kasane knew this much.

"…Katsusaburou-san…"

"?"

"…Never mind," she abruptly turned her gaze away. He would probably never understand her irritation.

"…Could it be that you don't want to give birth to my child?"

"Wha-!?"

"…Since your pregnancy, you've been acting strange."

Of course not.

When she discovered that she was carrying his child, she was so happy.

What woman out there wouldn't be happy to carry the child of the man she loves?

"You're wrong! Why do you think I feel that way!?"

"Then how come you haven't looked at me in the eye lately?"

"..U-…" She faltered at his scathing question.

She couldn't just tell him the truth, that she was jealous.

"…I- When you told me you were pregnant… Truthfully, I believed that I wouldn't be a good enough person to father our child. Even so… I was happy."

"…I was also super happy when I learned that I was carrying the your child."

He caressed her stomach. Gently, lovingly, to the flat abdomen that carried life. Kasane also rubbed her stomach and placed her hand over his. The warmth of their hands mingled together. Even with with this simple act, she felt relieved.

"Really?"

"Really!"

Ikeda anxiously confirmed. In response, she immediately answered. Hearing those words, his features relaxed.

"Then was it just me that believes that you've been awfully cold to me lately?"

"…Isn't that just your imagination?"

"…"

He narrowed his eyes at Kasane who was feigning ignorance. He continued to wordlessly stare intently at her.

"P-please don't look at me like that…!"

Unable to endure Ikeda's gaze, she felt her cheeks heat and flare up.

Knowing that she would never tell him the truth, he gave up and kissed her lightly on the lips. He watched her face flush red as an octopus.

"Make sure to watch your step."

"Geez, I told you I'm fine~" she sighed, giving up at his persistent reminders. He faintly smiled.

"I can't wait for our child to be born."

"Yes!… I hope to see it soon."

"That's true but… I also wish to eat your home cooked meals."

"Eh."

"And… I still have to restrain myself from sleeping with you since you're with child."

"Ueeeeeh!?"

"…Why are you so surprised?"

Hearing those unexpected words, Kasane, in spite of herself, turned bright red.

"…Ikeda-san… wants to eat my meals…**?"

"Of course."

"You're… also lonely because you can't touch me…?"

"…You thought I wasn't?"

He heaved a sigh at her questions.

She had only assumed that the meals that only the meals the maids had cooked were delicious. She only assumed Ikeda was his usual calm self. She never knew the meaning of his scarce touches.

"…What's that face for?"

"…Ehehe… I just feel really happy," she shyly blushed.

What should she do? She's happy, so happy.

"…As you can see I'm just an impatient person," he pouted. Seeing his cute reaction, she immediately embraced him.

"Before my stomach gets bigger, I would like to cook your meals."

"…Kasane…"

"I know that this body isn't just mine now. I'll make sure to be careful! Please!" she begged him, fixing her big chestnut eyes on him. Overwhelmed by her gaze, he stood there, lost in thought.

"…Please, don't do anything rash." He eventually answered. Finally gaining his permission, she joyfully cuddled closer to him.

"…Kasane, um. I'm happy that you're hugging me, but… well."

Feeling her soft body pressed against him, Ikeda began to feel restless.

"Just a bit more. I want to hold on to you a little bit more."

"…Kasane."

He tried to admonish her actions, but couldn't shake off the sight his cheerful wife clinging onto him.

"It can't be helped," he sighed and returned the embrace.

*being excessively cautious

**This is kinda hard to explain... She says something like 'Ikeda-san also thinks about eating my meals too?' and some other things in the same sentence... Kinda got messy so I just shortened it to just that...

Eh... I'll be a bit busy during the weekends so I might not be able to upload anything during that time. So in advance, I apologize to those who eagerly await these stories. I haven't said this in a while but, don't forget to thank フクロウ for these drabbles!