Today is my birthday! :D Sweet sixteen! Please review as a gift to me! ^_^
Chapter 7: Boys Talk
Misaki sat on the stairs and tied her shoelaces. She hadn't properly exercised in a few days and decided to go on a morning run.
"So early..." Takumi moaned, hugging Misaki from behind.
"You can go back to sleep," Misaki said, patting his head.
"No...I will follow Misaki Chan...everywhere,"
Misaki pulled her headband on and did some stretches. Misaki did a few jumping jacks to get warmed up.
"Ready?" Takumi asked, holding the door open.
Misaki started jogging down the driveway. Takumi easily kept up with her.
"How long can you run for...?" Misaki asked.
"I'll keep up," Takumi assured her.
"We've been eating out so much and I haven't been to the gym in a while," Misaki grumbled.
"Why don't we get a home gym?" Takumi asked.
"I like the gym though," Misaki said. "There's a cafe, gym friends, a personal trainer-"
"Oh yes, Julian Echizen," Takumi said. "How is he? Decided what to do with his life yet?"
"Not really...he's still working at the gym," Misaki told Takumi. "He's still young."
"How old is he? Five years younger than us?"
"I believe so..."
"Ah I see, he got a girlfriend?"
"I don't think he ever mentioned one," Misaki said.
"Bachelor brat still..." Takumi tsked.
Misaki laughed. "Do you miss being a bachelor,"
"Of course not. Nothing fun about not being married to you."
Misaki rolled her eyes. "Sugar coating it are we...?"
Takumi smirked. "Now that I'm a married man, there is someone I can make breakfast, lunch and dinner for, someone to warm my bed, watch movies with, laugh with, make love to-"
Misaki pushed Takumi. "Don't talk so loud!" she exclaimed. "Besides...you could probably get any girl..." she muttered.
"But none of them make as cute of faces as Misa Chan does," Takumi said, smiling.
"Baka..." Misaki said, picking up her pace. Takumi easily kept stride with her. He didn't even seem to be breaking a sweat.
"Come on, Misaki," he said. "You're slowing down..."
"No, I'm not!" Misaki said through gritted teeth. Her legs burned but she picked up her speed.
"Only the fifth mile," Takumi teased, shaking his head. "Someone's been lazy," he said poking her side. Misaki jerked to the side.
"Quit poking me!" Misaki said, covering her sides. "You're ruining my pace!"
"Hai hai," Takumi said, jogging backwards. "Come on, Misaki Chan. One two! one two! one two!"
Misaki had slowed to a jog on their 7th mile. Takumi was still easily jogging backwards. A thin coat of sweat dotted his forehead.
"Come on, Misaki," Takumi coaxed.
"Quit mocking me..." Misaki panted. Her legs ached and her heart was pounding.
"I'm only trying to encourage, Misaki," Takumi said, picking up the pace.
Misaki groaned and tried to run faster. Takumi had an easy smile and he watched Misaki jog.
"Give up?" he called.
"Never!" came the determined reply.
Misaki was practically wheezing for air as they started the tenth mile.
"Ah...lovely day for a nice jog..." Takumi said, jogging normally next to Misaki.
"Quit making fun of me..." Misaki panted. "You know you're a better runner than me..."
"Misaki is always the best," Takumi said, kissing her sweaty face.
"Gross!" Misaki exclaimed, rubbing her face.
"Maybe we should skip instead," Takumi suggested.
"Stop skipping!" Misaki exclaimed. "The neighbors will think you're crazy!"
"Catch me and I'll stop!" Takumi called, skipping down the sidewalk at an unnatural speed.
Misaki sprinted after him. "Come back- AH!" Misaki exclaimed, tripping. She skidded along the sidewalk.
"Misaki," Takumi said, at her side in an instance. "Are you hurt?"
"Just a scraped knee..." Misaki muttered. She laid on the sidewalk. "I'm so tired."
"Misaki..." Takumi scolded. "Your shoelaces were untied. No wonder you tripped..." he said, tying her shoes.
"That's because you made me chase you..." Misaki reminded him.
"I'm going to have to punish you for not taking care of yourself..." Takumi warned.
"No!" Misaki laughed as Takumi tickled her. "Stop in! We're in public!"
Takumi chuckled and helped her up.
"Ouch..." Misaki said, studying her knee.
"I'll carry you," Takumi offered.
"No it's ok-"
"I'll carry you princess style or piggy back," Takumi said. "Choose one."
"I'm fine-"
"Nope," Takumi said, putting a finger to her lips. "You're hurt,"
"But it's a tiny scrape..." Misaki grumbled. She held out her arms and Takumi turned around."This is very unnecessary..." Misaki muttered as Takumi piggybacked her home. "Aren't you tired..?"
"Light as a feather," Takumi reassured her.
They made it back to their front door in no time. Takumi set Misaki down, opened the door and then swept her off her feet.
"Hey!" Misaki exclaimed as Takumi carried her to the kitchen and sat her on the counter.
"I have to clean that scrape," Takumi said getting some cotton balls and disinfectant. He gently dabbed on the scrape and blew on it. "Does it hurt?"
"No..." Misaki said. "It's not even that bad."
Takumi threw the cotton ball out.
"Oneechan are you hurt?" Suzana asked, coming downstairs.
"Just a little scrape," Misaki said, waving it off. "Suzana there's fruit, bread, cereal, milk...help yourselves."
Takumi laid all the food out on the counter.
"I'm going to go shower," Misaki said, heading upstairs. "Where's Hinata?"
"Shower," Suzana said, popping bread into the toaster.
Misaki went into her bedroom and grabbed her bathrobe. She stripped out of her dirty clothes and dumped them into the basket. Misaki turned the taps to hot and stood under the steaming spray. Misaki closed her eyes and rolled her shoulders back. So relaxing...
The water droplets rained down on her sore muscles. Misaki could practically feel the hot water giving her a massage...wait...someone was actually rubbing her arms.
"OH MY GOSH, TAKUMI!" Misaki screamed when she turned around. "DO YOU HAVE ANY MANNERS?! YOU CAN'T JUST BARGE INTO PEOPLE'S SHOWERS!"
"Hinata was using the hall shower..."
"WELL I'M USING THIS ONE!" Misaki yelled, covering herself up.
"Can't we share...?"
"NO!" Misaki screamed, grabbing her bathrobe. "Ugh, you perverted alien!"
"Oh, calm down," Takumi said, rubbing her stiff shoulders. "Relax, you're so tense..." he said, working out the knots in her shoulders.
"You don't see me appearing in your showers," Misaki muttered.
"You're welcome to join-"
Misaki clapped her hand over his mouth. Takumi had a glint in his eye and Misaki immediately retracted her hand. "Did you just-"
"Lick your hand? Yes, it tastes like soap."
Misaki face palmed. "You're such an idiot..." she muttered.
Takumi smirked and hugged Misaki from behind. "Misaki Chan...you're so cute."
Misaki turned around. "You just like making fun of me, don't you? You did this in high school too. Always outdoing me...just thinking about your rank one scores makes me want to punch you..." Misaki said, clenching her fist.
Takumi leaned down and kissed her.
"What was that for?" Misaki asked.
"What were you doing at Tora's? It very unlike you to attack me like that..." Takumi asked.
Misaki blushed. "It was my dare..." she muttered.
"Oh, so it wasn't anything I did," Takumi pouted.
"It was just a kiss..." Misaki muttered, looking away.
"What if I want more than a kiss...?" Takumi asked, locking the door.
"W-what are you doing?!" Misaki demanded.
"You'll see..."
Suzana and Hinata looked up from their breakfast. Suzana paused before taking a bite of her toast.
"Do you hear that, Hinata?" Suzana asked.
"The screams coming from upstairs? Are Misaki and Takumi fighting?" he asked, chewing on a donut.
"Who knows..." Suzana said.
"Best not to get involved..." Hinata agreed.
They smiled and Hinata took Suzana's hand. "I love you," he said, looking to the side.
"I love you too."
That evening, Takumi and Hinata were both kicked out of the Walker house. Ruri and Sakura were coming over and so Takumi and Hinata were exiled to Kuuga's house.
"What's the plan tonight?" Takumi asked.
Kuuga shrugged. "I guess we're doing a guys night since our wives don't want us around..." he said. "We can go to the gym," Kuuga suggested.
"Alright," Tora said. "I haven't gotten a good workout in a while anyways. You game, Takumi?"
"Sure," Takumi said. "Let's go."
They drove to the gym and played some basketball. It was Takumi and Tora a team and Kuuga and Hinata another team.
Naturally, Takumi's team won. Takumi casually shot another ball into the hoop.
"Have you been practicing?!" Hinata demanded, panting.
"Not really..." Takumi said, taking a sip of water
"Who's up for some lifting?" Tora asked.
Since there was still time to kill, they all headed upstairs to the weight room.
"So how's the married life?" Kuuga asked Hinata.
"It's great," Hinata said. "Being married isn't bad at all."
"I got to agree with that one," Takumi said between reps.
"What do you think the girls are doing right now...?" Tora wondered.
"Gossiping probably," Kuuga offered.
"About what?" Hinata asked.
"Clothes, shopping, us," Tora said.
"What are they saying about us?" Hinata asked.
Tora rolled his eyes. "I obviously wouldn't know since I'm right here."
"Is it bad...?" Hinata asked.
"Again, I don't know," Tora said.
"What have we done bad...?" Kuuga asked. "I mean, I may have a bit of an ego but I think I have reached my expectations for Sakura."
"Maybe Sanshita kun has some embarrassing secret he's worried about getting leaked out," Takumi joked.
"Am not!" Hinata said, dropping his bar onto the ground. He stretched out his arms. "I just can't imagine Suzana exposing my life secrets..." he said.
"Women are a strange race," Tora told everyone. "Don't try to understand every single thing they do. For example I don't understand why Ruri enjoys shopping for an entire day."
"Same with Sakura," Kuuga added. "What's Misaki's hobbies?" he asked Takumi. "She doesn't seem like the extreme shopper."
"Gym," Takumi said. "She comes here almost every day."
"Wow..." Tora whistled. "She's training for the Olympics?"
Takumi shrugged. "She likes it. Good enough for me."
"What happened to that Julian brat?" Tora asked.
"Julian?" Takumi asked. "Misaki's trainer?"
"Yeah," Tora said.
"How do you even know about him?"
"Ruri of course. I heard he's a hot shot at this gym. He's expensive to hire," Tora explained.
Takumi shrugged again. "He's still around. I haven't actually met this boy in person yet."
"When's he getting a real job? Hanging out of housewives all day is not a real job," Kuuga said.
"Misaki said he has no direction yet," Takumi told them.
"Enough about that brat," Tora said. "Let's talk about something more interesting."
Takumi went over to a bar and began doing pull ups. Hinata switched to doing military press.
"What are romantic gestures you guys do?" Hinata asked.
"Flowers, gifts, vacations," Tora said. "Ruri loves yellow roses."
"It's all about the setting," Kuuga said. "Music, candles...makes the mood just right."
"What about you, Takumi?" Hinata asked.
"I bet Takumi is the sappy romantic among us," Tora teased.
Takumi sighed and dropped down from the bar. "Well, it's all about the meaning and surprise. Misaki always notices the smallest of details so I make sure I'm thorough."
"What about kids?" Hinata asked.
Tora choked on his water. "Kids?" he asked. "Did you already knock your wife up...?"
"No, I don't think so..." Hinata said. "But I want to have a big family. Suzana likes kids too."
"We're not trying," Tora said.
"Same," Kuuga said.
"There's still time," Takumi agreed. "I want a big family too but I'm not too sure about Misaki."
"They're not going to try that get pregnant at the same time thing, are they?" Kuuga asked.
"Is that even possible?" Tora asked.
"I doubt it..." Takumi said. "Misaki hasn't brought up having kids yet."
"Your grandfather hasn't started hounding you for a son yet?" Tora asked.
"Business is going well," Takumi said. "He's been more laid back than I thought he would be."
"Do you want a girl or boy?" Hinata asked.
Tora laughed. "As long as its Misaki's, Takumi could care less."
Kuuga laughed too. "Imagine having a teenage girl."
Tora winced. "I'm not ready for that yet..."
"I think a girl would be nice," Hinata said, scratching his cheek. "She could keep Suzana company."
"I would like a girl too," Takumi said.
"Our kids could intermarry!" Hinata suggested. "Except for Takumi's kids and mine."
Takumi dumped a bottle of water over Hinata's head. "Don't get ahead of yourself," he said. "Do you think the girls are done yet?"
"Probably not..." Tora said. "Come back to my place and watch a game?"
"Sure,"
Takumi wasn't a fan of sports but he quietly watched with everyone. Kuuga, Tora and Hintata would all yell at the TV but Takumi just sipped his drink and studied the plays.
"What?!" Hinata yelled, running up to the TV. "What was that?!" He looked like he wanted to shake the TV.
"Go! Go! Go! YES!" Kuuga cheered.
When the game ended, Takumi checked his watch. "Its 3 am... Maybe we should go back,"
"Probably," Tora said turning off the TV.
Hinata grabbed another handful of chips. "Let's go!"
They all drove to Takumi's. Takumi rang the doorbell. There was no answer.
"Misaki?" Takumi called. He sighed and dug the house key out of his pocket. He unlocked the door and went in. "Misa?" Takumi called again.
They walked into the living room. The end credits of a movie were rolling on a screen. The girls were fast asleep on the couches.
"Of course..." Tora said. He walked over and gently picked Ruri up. He shifted her to one arm and grabbed her purse and shoes. "Well, see you guys tomorrow. It was great seeing you, Hinata," he whispered.
"Bye," Hinata said, waving. "I'll get Suzana upstairs," he said, wrapping Suzana's arms around her neck and heading upstairs.
After everyone left, Takumi sat on the couch and looked at Misaki. She leaned her head against the arm of the couch and wrapped her arms around herself. Takumi reached out of tucked her hair behind her ear. Her vulnerable sleeping face made his heart speed up.
"You're too cute..." he whispered, lifting her from the couch.
Misaki leaned her head against his chest as Takumi walked up the stairs. "Takumi..." she mumbled.
"Shh..." Takumi said. "Sleep."
Misaki gave no response.
"Sleep talking..." Takumi thought to himself. He laid her down on the bed and went to the bathroom to wet a towel. He gently wiped her face and neck.
Misaki was still wearing her dressy pants and blouse. Takumi rummaged through her closet. He picked out a cute nightgown. It was pale pink with crisscrossing ribbons on the back.
"Misaki, your sleeping face is too cute," Takumi said. "Don't blame me for playing dress up with you..." he said with a smirk.
Misaki woke up the next day rather confused. The last thing she remembered was watching a movie with her friends. How did she end up back in her room?
Misaki rubbed her eyes and looked around. Was it the next day? When'd Takumi get back last night?
Misaki looked down. She was wearing a really cutesy nightgown with pink ribbons and ruffles. "Takumi?!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Hm?"
"What did you do to me last night?!"
"Hmmm...?" Takumi asked, rolling over to face her. "You look adorable."
Misaki got up and looked in the mirror. "I look like a freaking doll..." she muttered.
"You're lucky I gave you any clothes," Takumi said.
Misaki's face flushed red. "Shut up, you pervert!" she exclaimed.