Chapter 3: Typical Day

"Bye Takumi," Misaki said, kissing her husband on the cheek.

"Bye darling," Takumi said, leaving for work.

After he left, Misaki cleaned up the entire house...which wasn't very hard to do despite their huge home. The Walker household has a cleaning staff that came three times a week.

Misaki simply had to fold and hang up clothes, make the bed, reorganize bits and pieces and then she was done.

Misaki checked her phone. It was almost time for her Pilates class. She changed into her workout clothes and brought a small tote with her.

"Sakura?" she said, calling her friend. "Feel like exercising today...?"

Sakura groaned. "Fine, I'll do the Pilates but not the kick boxing class."

"Alright, see you there," Misaki said, hanging up. She got into her car and drove to the gym.

"Misaki!" a few other women greeted.

Misaki gave them a quick hug and locked her bag up in her gym locker. Sakura and Ruri joined just as the class was about to start. Misaki didn't find the class very entertaining but it was a good time passer. Sakura and Ruri were both gasping for air when it was over.

"It's gets easier if you do it everyday," Misaki encouraged, wiping her face with a towel.

"I was never an athlete..." Ruri panted.

Misaki took a sip of her water. "It's good to keep in shape," she reminded them. "Come on," she said. "I'll treat you all to lunch."

Sakura and Ruri managed to pick themselves off the floor and trudged after Misaki. The gym was very luxurious. There was a cafe with a huge menu of healthy food.

"What can I get you ladies to drink?" the waiter asked.

Misaki scanned the menu. "Ice water with lemon," she decided.

"Plain water please," Sakura said.

"I'll take a green tea," Ruri told him.

"How do you do this everyday...?" Sakura asked, rubbing her thighs. "I'm going to be so sore tomorrow..."

Misaki took a sip of her water. "It's worth being able to eat freely without guilt," she said, lightly. Misaki really didn't care so much about her weight but it was nice to be in such great shape. She rarely had this much time to exercise in high school or in college.

"Are you ready to order?" the waiter asked. "How about an appetizer to start?"

Misaki nodded. "Let's all share some appetizers," she suggested. "Let's start with the mini crab cakes, the stuffed mushrooms, saute chicken on a stick and the veggie taco dip with wheat chips."

The waiter jotted down everything. "And your meals...?" he asked.

"I want the turkey club sandwich with steamed broccoli and carrots," Ruri said.

"I guess I'll have the chicken avocado salad," Sakura said.

"How would you like your chicken?"

"Grilled,"

"And you, Mrs Walker?" the waiter asked.

Misaki was a regular and so the staff at the gym knew her. "I'll take a well done steak with grilled asparagus," she told the waiter. "Thank you,"

"Anytime. Your food will be out shortly," he said, leaving.

"Ohh Mrs Walker," Ruri teased. "How respectful..."

Misaki rolled her eyes and sipped at her water.

"Let's make a toast!" Sakura suggested. She lifted her glass. "To the Housewife Club!"

Misaki and Ruri clinked glasses with her. "To the Housewife Club!" they repeated.

Shortly after the waiter came back with a whole tray of appetizers. He placed the plates on the table and left.

"Wow..." Sakura said, looking at all the mouth watering dishes. "I am going to get so fat..." she laughed.

"They're all really healthy," Misaki reassured her. "Not very many calories."

Sakura picked up a crab cake and took a bite. "Mmm!" she said. "This is delicious...can we just come here for lunch from now on?"

Misaki laughed and popped a stuffed mushroom into her mouth.

"Misa, have you tried everything on the menu yet...?" Ruri asked, nibbling on a crab cake.

Misaki dramatically gestured to the huge menu. "I've got a few years..." she said. "I chose my favorites for you guys to try today,"

Ruri dipped a chip into the dip and crunched into it. "This is great!" she exclaimed. "Definitely worth the workout!"

Misaki laughed and picked up a skewer of chicken. "Try these," she said. "There's soy sauce for dipping too,"

"I think we should have just ordered appetizers..." Sakura sighed.

"Don't speak too soon," Misaki teased. The waiter came with their meals and took away the empty plates.

"It's so colorful," Sakura observed, poking around her salad. "Oh good, the chicken isn't dry at all," she said, happily.

Misaki nodded and began cutting up her steak.

"So any gossip lately?" Ruri asked. "Husband troubles...?"

"I want to hear from Misaki," Sakura said. "The newlyweds!" she sang.

Misaki sighed. "We're hardly newlyweds anymore," she said. "We've been married for almost a year now."

"So bored of Takumi already?" Ruri tsked. "One year is shorter than both Sakura and I's marriage."

"We need to throw Misaki an anniversary party!" Sakura exclaimed.

"This better not be like my bachelorette party..." Misaki said covering her face.

Her bachelorette party was orderly chaos. Too many drinks always led to disaster. Luckily, Sakura and Ruri weren't drunk and managed to keep the party together. Misaki on the other hand was coaxed to drink shot after shot. It was at her bachelorette party where everyone learned that Misaki had no tolerance to alcohol whatsoever.

Misaki to this day couldn't really even remember her own party. According to Sakura, they got her a male stripper but Misaki had no recollection of that either. Only Sakura and Ruri's secret photos proved such a crazy night actually happened...

"Don't worry," Ruri said. "Our husbands will be there. Takumi won't let anything happen to you," she said with a smile.

Misaki gave a nervous laugh and drank the rest of her water. "Good thing he wasn't at my bachelorette party..." she muttered.

Ruri scoffed. "Our party was so much better than theirs. Sakura really went big."

"Yeah, go big or go home.." Sakura agreed. "I think it was Takumi, Kuuga, Tora, Hinata and maybe some other people just went drinking at a classy bar."

"Well Takumi isn't really a partier," Misaki said.

"I'm glad you are!" Ruri teased.

"Heh..." Misaki said, shaking her head. "Never going to drink like that again...my first and last time drinking,"

The girls laughed.

The waiter came back to get the plates. "Can I interest you ladies to a little dessert?"

Sakura sighed. "I've already had too much food..."

"The desserts are mostly made with fresh fruit and nonfat dairy," the waiter explained.

"Well..." Sakura said. "I guess I'll have to give one a try..."

"Vanilla berry parfait for me!" Misaki said. "And a plate of raised oatmeal cookies."

"I'll go with the parfait too," Sakura and Ruri both said.

"To go," Ruri said. "I want to get a foot massage upstairs."

The waiter quickly got their orders and Misaki handed him her Gold Card. "Thank you for coming," he said giving a small bow.

On the top floor of the gym was a spa and sauna center. The girls sat in comfy leather chairs as they got a foot massage and pedicure.

"What color would you like, Mrs. Walker?"

"French manicure," Misaki said, taking another bite of her dessert.

"Why don't you ever get something colorful?" Sakura asked, picking a pearly pink.

"I don't know," Misaki shrugged. "I think the colors look unnatural..."

"Same old Misaki," Ruri teased, pointing to a glittery purple color.

Misaki dipped her feet into the warm water. The soft music in the background and the grand city view made the environment to relaxing. An entire wall was all glass, giving a clear view of all the skyscrapers.

"Can I get anything else for you, ladies?" the manager asked. "Wax, facial, full body massage, manicure?" she asked.

"Wax," Ruri ordered for everyone.

"Eh..." Misaki said. "I don't like those..." she complained.

"It will be a surprise for Takumi," Ruri said, pushing Misaki into the next room.

Misaki picked up her tote bag and said bye to her friends. She had her kick boxing class now. The instructor at the gym gave her one on one sessions. He always pushed Misaki to her limits and designed special workouts for her.

"Okay...I'm done..." Misaki said, sitting down on the mat. Sweat dripped down her face.

Her instructor, Julian, tossed her a towel and water bottle. "Good job today," he said picking up the equipment. "You're really improving,"

Julian had turquoise eyes and chocolate brown hair that always hung in his eyes. He wasn't as tall as Takumi but he was definitely bulkier.

Misaki always secretly wondered what a boxing match between Takumi and Julian would look like... She would actually put her bet on her little alien. Takumi always had something up his sleeve.

"Thanks," Misaki said, wrapping the towel around her neck.

"Got any great future plans? Boxing pro maybe?" Julian teased.

Misaki shook her head. "Just a regular housewife," she said, taking another swig of water. "What about you? This is only a part time thing for you."

Julian shrugged. "Still deciding," he said, pulling a T shirt over his head.

Misaki nodded. Julian walked over and helped her up. "I'll see you next time, Misaki," he said.

Misaki waved to him and hit the showers. She quickly dried off and changed into a plain summer dress and flip flops. Her legs felt really smooth and silky. Misaki threw her damp hair in a bun and packed up her things.

"Where to now..." she wondered, getting into her car. She slid a pair of sunglasses and started the engine.

"Sakura," she called on her built in car bluetooth. "What are you doing?"

"Ruri and I are doing a little home shopping. Come meet us! I swear I won't make you buy clothes!" Sakes promised.

"Alright," Misaki said pushing the address into the GPS. "See you soon,"

Misaki parked and got out. "Tree Designs..." she read. Misaki shrugged and walked into the store.

"Misaki!" Ruri called, waving her over.

"Are any of you remodeling?" Misaki asked. This store sold furniture and household appliances.

They shook their heads. "But they have really cute things," Sakura said, holding up a mug.

"How was kick boxing with Mr. Muscles?" Ruri asked.

"Tiring..." Misaki admitted. "Oh this is a cute tea set." Misaki said, picking up a box. The picture on the box showed elegant cups, saucers and a tea pot all decorated with English roses.

"Clearance on dish soap!" Misaki exclaimed when they walked by an aisle.

Sakura and Ruri both burst out laughing. "This is Misaki's kind of store..." they agreed.

A few hours later Misaki had a new tea set, three mugs, five bottles of dish soap, and two picture frames.

"Would you like me to carry that out for you?" the sales assistant asked.

"Nope, I'm a strong woman. Thank you," Misaki said, picking up her own bags.

On the way home, Misaki stopped by the grocery store and bought some eggs, blueberries and milk.

Misaki parked in the garage. Takumi's car wasn't back yet which gave Misaki some time to put things away. Misaki made two trips to carry in everything. The food was neatly placed in the fridge, the dish soap under the sink and the mugs were rinsed and put into the cabinet.

Misaki sat at the dining room table and carefully unpacked the tea set. Each piece was securely wrapped in bubble wrap.

"Misaki?" a voice called.

"Takumi!" Misaki called back. She hurried over to the front door.

"Hi beautiful," Takumi said, hugging her. "Did you have a good day...?"

"Yeah," Misaki said intertwining her hand with his. "I bought a tea set," she told him.

Takumi followed her to the dining room. "Where'd you find it?" he asked. "It's very nice."

Misaki told him about the store and the soap clearance.

Takumi laughed. "You're so cute," he said patting her on the head. "What would you like for dinner?" he asked.

"How about curry rice...?" Misaki suggested.

"Curry rice it is," Takumi said, hanging his suit jacket up and tossing his tie on the coffee table. He undid the top buttons of his shirt and rolled his sleeves up.

Misaki sat in the counter stool and watched Takumi put on his cooking apron and take ingredients out of the fridge.

"Tell me about your day," Takumi said, cutting up carrots.

"Well..." Misaki said. "I had a Pilates class which Sakura and Ruri joined. They didn't seem to like it but then we had lunch at the gym cafe and they loved everything. Both of them got dessert too!" Misaki added.

Takumi cut up all the vegetables and got the rice cooking. He listened to Misaki as he seasoned the curry and let it simmer.

"That smells great," Misaki said, inhaling the aroma that filled the kitchen.

"Wait till you taste it..." Takumi said, scooping rice into two bowls.

Misaki poured two glasses of milk and grabbed two pairs of chopsticks.

"Mmm..." Misaki said. "This is definitely better than any cafe."

"It's because I pour all my love into it for the woman I adore," Takumi said.

Misaki looked down. "Stop it..." she said.

Takumi laughed and took her hand. "I can't help it..." he said, winking. "You little vixen stole my heart."

"Eat your food..." Misaki muttered.

"Can you feed me?"

"No!"

"Why not...?"

"Takumi!"

Misaki sat in bed, reading a book. Takumi was working still even though it was getting pretty late. Misaki placed the bookmark on the page and put the book on the nightstand. She got out of bed and rubbed her arms. It was a little cool.

Misaki wandered downstairs, warmed some soy milk and poured it into a mug.

"Takumi...?" she asked, softly, leaning against the door.

Takumi was sitting in his home office and looked up from his computer. "Hey," he said, adjusting his glasses. "It's late, you should be sleeping" he said, checking his watch that laid on the desk.

Misaki walked over and set the mug on the desk. "I wanted to see what you were doing..." she said.

"Let me finish one more email and I'll call it a night," Takumi promised. His fingers typed quickly on the keyboard. "There," he said clicking the send button. "All done,"

He held his arms out and Misaki sat on his lap.

"I brought you some soy milk," Misaki said, pointing to the mug.

Takumi picked it up and gulped it down. "Mmm...thanks," he said, nuzzling her neck. "Tell me why you can't sleep," he said, patting her knee.

"Takumi, can I ask you something?"

"Anything," he promised.

"Can I work...?" Misaki asked.

Takumi studied her face. "Why would you want to do that...?" he asked.

"Because I'm not doing anything productive," Misaki explained. "I spent everyday going to the gym or shopping."

"What's wrong with enjoying yourself?" Takumi asked.

"I want to get a job," Misaki pressed.

Takumi sighed. "Misaki, we've been over this. I make enough to support the both of us. I don't want you to work. I want you to be at home."

"But I feel so useless," Misaki argued. "It's like you're supporting my every need and all I do is take your money."

"I don't see anything wrong with a husband caring for his wife," Takumi said, holding her close. "Besides you do work. You fill the important role of my wife. You are the home caretaker and I am the bread winner."

"But-"

"Shh..." Takumi said. "It's late. Let's go to bed."

Misaki frowned. Takumi kissed her on the forehead and stood up with her in his arms.

"Alright wife," he said, laying her down on the bed. "It's sleep time."

Misaki laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Takumi turned off the light and wrapped an arm around her.

"Caretaker..." Misaki thought to herself. Was she really content with simply being a housewife?