"No," Takumi said in his clear, authoritative voice.
"No? I'm sorry Takumi but I wasn't asking for permission. I was simply telling you of my plans, no matter if you agree to it or not," Misaki replied. Together they sat in the dining chairs of their kitchen, Takumi with his tense stature and Misaki with her arms crossed across her chest. Both as stubborn as can be.
"Sweetheart, you're in high school. You shouldn't worry about having a job to help support the household, not again. You only recently quit the café, and I make enough money to support the both of us. I don't want you to overwork yourself, especially over something so unnecessary," Rubbing his temples, Takumi's head was beginning to hurt.
Misaki stood from her chair, refusing to back down. "Well I'm not a normal high school student am I? I'm married, and married couples go to work in order to bring stability to the family. I know you make more than enough but I do nothing. I will do my best to not overwork myself but all in all I'm doing this job. I'm sorry if it bothers you but I'm doing it." She gave him one last look before turning away to go to bed upstairs without giving him a second glance or a chance to reply. All she wanted to say was said and she wouldn't let him tell her what to do.
Misaki awoke to the feeling of wet kisses on the side of her neck and she immediately knew who it was. "Takumi," she warned.
"What?" He replied nonchalantly, continuing to trail kisses all over her.
She sighed before forcing herself to leave the comfort of her bed and go to the bathroom to get ready for school. She couldn't deal with Takumi at the moment, she was still upset over the fact that he won't let her accept the job. Although she already had, she just wanted his blessing.
"I wish you didn't have to go to school sometimes," Takumi sighed from their bed as Misaki went to her closet to pick her clothes.
"Well, we all want what we can't have," Misaki said in a sweet voice although her tone said otherwise.
"Misaki, are you still mad at me about the whole job thing? Seriously?" He asked exasperatedly.
Instead of answering, she took out the clothes she'd wear and decided to change in front of him, without giving him a glance.
"I know what you're doing," warned Takumi. His eyes steadily grew darker and his body became tense.
Ignoring him, she continued to change and, wanting to spice things up a bit, switched up her regular uniform. She wore a shorter skirt and a white button up without buttoning it up all the way. She tied her hair up in a high ponytail and gave Takumi one last glance before she headed downstairs.
"You're going out like that?" Takumi asked in frustration. After his stubborn wife left the room, he hopped out of bed and decided to follow her like a lost puppy.
"Like what? I wear a uniform everyday silly," Misaki replied, grabbing her bag and keys.
"You know what I-" Takumi began but Misaki cut him off by giving him a peck on the cheek and a sweet, know-it-all smile.
"Bye Takumi! Oh and by the way, I'm meeting up with the parents of the baby I'm babysitting today after school. See you!" She left without giving Takumi a chance to reply and all he could do was gape at the shut door. He was speechless. He had been married to his wife for nearly a year and they rarely fought.
Takumi sighed before running his fingers through his hair. He had a really bad feeling about the next few months.
Misaki walked into the diner with a smile on her face. She was excited to be able to do something besides school and hanging out with Takumi. Don't get her wrong, she loves Takumi more than anything but she doesn't want to have to depend on him. She wanted to know who she was without him.
Walking over to the table where a family of three sat, Misaki introduced herself.
"Hi Misaki! I'm Kimi and this is my husband Yokuto, and this darling over here is Raiden," Kimi said, holding 1 year old Raiden in her arms.
"Nice to meet you! He's beautiful," Misaki held out her finger towards Raiden and he grasped it while babbling baby noises.
"Thank you," replied Yokuto. "He's really good with strangers. Quite a talker, really."
"Would you like to hold him? He shouldn't be too fussy, he's already had his nap and has eaten already," Kimi offered and Misaki gratefully held him in her own lap. She bounced Raiden while he happily played with the watch on her wrist.
"So, tell us about yourself," Kimi said warmly.
"Well, uh, as you know I'm in high school. I'm married," she said nervously. Misaki never knew how people would react when she told them that she was a married seventeen year old girl.
But it turns out that Misaki had nothing to worry about. "Yokuto and I had our first child, Akira, when we were in high school too. She's 12 now, and we know it's not easy. Especially with the world judging you and whatnot. Don't worry about telling us the truth, it's okay." Kimi and Yokuto proved to be really understanding and nice people. They grew on Misaki fast, just as Raiden did.
"He seems to really like you. That's good," Yokuto smiled at his son who was standing on Misaki's lap playing with her hair.
"He's precious," Misaki smiled.
After an hour of just chatting and getting to know the family, they finally went their separate ways.
"It was so great meeting you, thank you for everything!" Misaki waved.
"You too, we'll see you tomorrow!"
Misaki drove home only to find all the lights off in the house. "Takumi?" She called, looking for her husband.
She went upstairs to their bedroom and called his name again. She opened the door to see Takumi sitting on the computer chair reading a book. When she entered he didn't raise his head.
"Hello," she called. He didn't answer. "Takumi!" She spoke loudly. He finally lifted his head.
"Well, hello there, wife."
Misaki narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"
He shrugged. "Reading a book." He then proceeded to look back down at his book and turning his chair away.
Misaki sighed before she went to go take his book and place it on the table. She sat on his lap and rested her head on his chest while grabbing his hand. "I'm sorry that I've been so stubborn. I'm sorry that I didn't make these decisions with you, like I'm supposed to. But this is just something I have to do, you know? I'll be more open to what you have to say, just meet me halfway? I promise I won't harm myself like you're so scared of, I'm just taking care of a baby."
Silence ensued for a few minutes. Finally, Takumi tilted Misaki's head up before he bent down to give her a soft kiss on her lips. "That's all I needed to hear. You're not a child anymore, you should be able to get a job if you want. I'm sorry for being so controlling. I just love you so much."
Misaki smiled as she played with his fingers. "Apology accepted. Now, do you want to watch a movie together before my incredibly hot husband has to go to work and I have to do my homework?" She said teasingly, deciding that she felt extra playful.
Takumi grinned and cocked his head to the side. "Watch a movie, hm?" He pretended to debate. Suddenly he wrapped his arms around her waist and stood up, Misaki's legs instinctively wrapping around his torso. "I think I have a much better idea of what we should do, Mrs. Walker." His voice low and husky, he walked them to the edge of their bed. He laid Misaki down on the bed as he crawled on top of her.
She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Better make this quick," Misaki teased, running her hands from his shoulders to the nape of his neck.
"Oh baby, we have all day," he said smugly before capturing her lips with his own once again.
"You know, I have to go do homework soon," Misaki reminded Takumi, who grumbled and held her closer.
"Stop reminding me. God, I can't wait until you're done with school so you can be all mine again," Takumi pouted.
The two of them were covered in the mass of blankets as they laid naked in bed. Misaki's back was pressed against Takumi's chest and they lay contentedly, not wanting to go back to reality.
"You are so late for work, Takumi," Misaki shook her head. Takumi just shrugged and kissed her shoulder.
"And for good reason, too," he said, skimming his fingers down the side of her waist.
"Once a pervert, always a pervert," she muttered making Takumi laugh.
They cuddled happily for a few moments in silence before Takumi decided to break the silence. "So, why babysitting? Should I take this as a sign?"
Misaki turned to look at him, shocked and laughed incredulously when she saw him wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "Just because, you idiot! It's easy pay. Plus we're too young for kids." She scoffed.
"You said that we were too young for marriage, but look at where we are now; naked and in bed after we had-" Takumi said but Misaki hit him with a pillow.
"I get the picture!" She exclaimed, her face red and flushed.
"Naked pillow fights with my wife? I'm all for it," Takumi grinned and she rolled her eyes.
"Okay that's enough, I'm doing homework and you better get your butt to work mister!" Misaki yelled, as she got out of bed and put her robe on.
Takumi pretended to sigh exasperatedly. "Okay, okay." He put his work clothes on before walking towards Misaki and gave her a long kiss on the mouth.
He leaned close towards her ear. "Thanks for your time. I'll see you later." He smiled at her and winked before turning to go to work.
Misaki shook her head smiling. Maybe everything would be okay. Right?