Author's Notes: Hello again, one and all, and welcome back to the best damn Persona 3 story on the internet!
I admit, I hadn't thought of making this. The story was over, Firion and I were onto Casino Advantage (which you should all take a look at, by the way – it's really coming along well), and I figured that Change of Engagement ended on a suitable enough note to be happy with. Simple as.
But then some dedicated fans asked about an epilogue and the idea wouldn't let go. Thanks, guys – you know who you are. So after chewing on the many different approaches that could have been taken, I decided that I'd subject Firion to this flight of fancy (thanks as always, good buddy) and take one last foray into this great world and finish Change of Engagement on a suitable chapter 30. It only makes sense, right? Right.
Hopefully you're all in the mood for fluff and feels, because there's plenty here of both. Join me on this ride once more, dear readers, and enjoy.
Tiebreaker
"So, which of you two is ahead?"
Minato looked at the speaker, one Fujisawa-san from Marketing. "What's that?"
"You and Mitsuru-san. You're always competing, aren't you? Which one's ahead? People haven't had a proper betting pool for you two in a while, you know."
People around the office really needed something else to talk about, Minato decided, if they were outright asking him to give them something to throw their money at. But there was some merit to the question. Few were the cases where the husband and wife worked in the same company, and fewer still where they worked closely like he did with Mitsuru. People were bound to talk about them, and they talked even more when it was learned how they still sparred regularly, still ran and exercised together, and still competed in ways small and silly with the dedication of Olympic athletes. No one, they all said, pushed that hard to win without keeping score, and so their coworkers, in a strange sort of camaraderie, threw their weight behind one or the other and oh-so-subtly inquired who was ahead. Minato would overhear the odds he got in the office pool, and occasionally those marks in the margins of someone's notes weren't doodles, but records of accomplishments like bookies keeping track of their favorite horses.
Really, they didn't get it.
But then again, how would they? In sparring, Minato and Mitsuru could only stand to be second best for a round or two before they knuckled down and came out on top. In business, they were constantly sharpening themselves on each other so that they came out ahead of anyone else in the field, no matter what it took. Yet for all that competitiveness they were more than civil to each other. They were together all the time and looked like the strange couple since they took their lunches together, left any personal spats at the door, and had none of the frays or cracks to indicate a marriage on the rocks.
"We're not keeping track at the moment," Minato replied blandly.
"Not at anything?" Fujisawa-san pressed. "Not even at shooting down the company reps or making the new girls cry? I find that hard to believe."
Minato smirked at that. With the intensity of their positions and the stress of the job, the natural assumption was that the head lady would need some action on the side to blow off steam. Another assumption was that her husband, after all those long hours at work and not in bed, would be interested in the younger, tighter model. Many were the attempts with varying levels of subtlety at procuring Mitsuru's 'professional' attention, and Minato had no shortage of offers for 'overtime' or 'assistance' from some lovely little thing looking to climb the ladder through other uses of her hands and feet.
Many were the attempts, and as many were the failures. It was so common for those intruding parties to face disappointment that the staff didn't bother betting on it anymore – even wagering on how fast it happened became stale.
What an odd idea it must be that a husband and wife might love their spouse and want to be around them in such a capacity that other people weren't even on the radar. But then again, for the many Japanese women who controlled their house with an iron fist and the men who spent nights drinking, golfing and whoring around to slip that fist, that might actually look strange.
"If anything comes to mind that you guys can lose money on," Minato commented, "I'll let you know first."
Fujisawa-san looked interested. "Really? You mean it?"
"Sure. You've all been good at pitching in for charities and company lunches, so it's in good fun. I'll keep you posted."
"Thanks, chief. I look forward to it."
Minato watched as the man left, smiled in amusement, and got back to work. When his partners in crime called it a night, and even when Mitsuru came by to kiss him before she left, he was wrapping up those last few things that never seemed quite finished.
It wasn't the betting pool that was driving his work ethic, but the upcoming stretch where he wouldn't be around. Once a year, he and Mitsuru took some time away from the office to recharge their batteries and work out any lingering issues they might be dealing with. This year, they were taking the kids down to the villa at Yakushima for two weeks. They would still work remotely – neither could leave the company for that long without checking in, nor did either relish spending a month fixing whatever had gone wrong in their absence – but they would be away from the city and the concerns that lived alongside them there. That meant making sure everything was as watertight as possible before they left.
Minato finally hit the finish line and left. He called for a driver, made it home, and slipped into the house, padding softly through the halls to not wake anyone. The kids would insist on staying up all night to be with him, which would be bad enough, but Mitsuru's protective instincts, already sharp as her sword, were amplified when she was around their babies. He was sure she wouldn't permanently hurt him if she woke up in a flash, but there was no point in taking chances.
As it was, though, he came into the living room and stopped.
There, in the glow of the TV logo at the end of whatever movie they'd been watching, was his family. Mitsuru, dressed down in a t-shirt and capris, was softly snoring on one arm of the couch with Asami in her lap, their little girl curled up against her mother. Ryota, their son, had turned in his sleep and was wrapped around Mitsuru's leg. Blankets were strewn about and snacks lay scattered across the table, but Minato noticed more than anything the protectiveness of his wife with their children, the security they felt around her and the unrestricted affection they showed toward her. Nothing like the airs and pretense proudly displayed by his coworkers, none of the uncertainty exhibited by a lot of Japanese kids on the feelings of their parents, here was Minato's family and they had no reason to pretend at authority or deny affection. Their children were loved dearly and they knew it.
Minato approached – he didn't notice doing so until he was right at the table – and took a picture with his phone. The lighting and poses, the perfect moment, this was something he would want to remember forever.
Even the slight click of the camera going off was enough to stir Mitsuru from her slumber. Cradling their daughter, she shifted and opened her eyes through her hair. The momentary wariness diminished when she saw him, and she mumbled, "Movie night. We wanted to wait up for you."
"Finishing everything took longer than I thought," he answered softly, leaning over for a kiss.
"It'll be worth it," she noted before giving in to a yawn.
"I'll put them to bed," he told her. Ryota was first. Gently so he didn't wake anyone else, Minato hefted his son into his arms and slipped down the hall to his room. Moving the blankets aside with ease that came much more readily after so much practice, Minato set the boy down and tucked the blankets up around his chin. Ryota must have been tired – he barely stirred.
Minato brushed his son's hair back and noted the family resemblance. His firstborn's name shared a character with Ryoji, the boy who'd been a Shadow and became so much more. At first it had been in honor of the choice he'd made and how he'd given Minato his second chance at life, the reminder to never take that for granted. But Minato observed as his son more and more resembled him, and Ryoji by extension, and the name suited him. He'd been tested for any sign of a Persona, and Minato and Mitsuru never breathed easier than when they learned their son didn't have one. Neither did Asami. Their children would lead normal lives, free of the terrors that roamed the night and the sorrows and loss that he and Mitsuru had gone through, and the banality of everyday life never looked better.
He went back to the living room and found Mitsuru wrapping up the cleanup of the evening, the TV off and their daughter still slumbering on the couch. Mitsuru picked her up and cradled her, taking her to bed without a word. The girl was set down and tucked in and then watched by her parents. Minato stroked the back of her hand while Mitsuru brushed the girl's wavy dark hair from her face. Almost two years old and she held her parents in the same orbit her brother did – neither could look away.
But they had to, or they'd be tired in the morning that would come too quickly. They left the girl's room, riddled with her many stuffed toys, and shut the door. Mitsuru yawned wide and leaned on Minato, and he swept her into his arms. She barely squeaked at her sudden reorientation, instead hugging him and nuzzling his shoulder. He took her to their bed where she stripped out of her clothes and impatiently patted his side for him to get in.
It had been years since they'd started sharing a bed in the Iwatodai dorm, and Mitsuru still slept best when he was next to her. Whether it was for the job or the rare argument they couldn't work out before bedtime, few were the times when they slept apart, and neither liked it so much that the cause wasn't rectified soon after.
Minato got under the covers and was promptly glomped onto by his warm, loving and lovely wife. Her legs wrapped up with his, skin on skin, and her head rested on his shoulder. She was asleep in moments, even deeper than when she'd been with the kids.
Minato put his nose to her hair and took in her feel and scent. Sleep closed in swiftly, but an image stayed in his mind before it did: Ryota holding onto his mother on the couch, and Mitsuru stroking Asami's hair with all the tenderness in the world.
-30-
The big day came for the Kirijo family. They went to the private dock where their staff and luggage awaited. The call had been made to the employees at the villa in Yakushima to prepare for their arrival, and everything was ready for them to embark on the first step of their vacation.
The fastest way there, without question, would have been by plane. But Mitsuru and Minato flew often enough for business and wanted to have some time, space and privacy for a change. A longer trip would also give them the chance to make the experience fun for the kids, so their choice of transit was the Kirijo private yacht. It wasn't too opulent or extravagant in the ways people expected when they heard 'yacht,' but there were private quarters for the family and staff with room to spare, an office to hold teleconferences and conduct business, and plenty of space to entertain the children for the two days it would take to get there. When the proposal of going by sea was brought up, no one complained.
Mitsuru played with the kids while the staff loaded everything on board. Minato went through his mental checklist one more time, made sure they had everything and that their contingencies had contingencies, and finally nodded in satisfaction. They were ready.
That was when he sidled up to his wife, who was already in vacation mode in a sundress and strappy heels, and asked, "Everything okay?"
"Perfect," she answered honestly. "Even if I'm sure I'll remember something I forgot at home after we leave. But if we did, it's nothing important."
Ryota went onto the yacht deck, holding his sister's hand protectively and staying in sight of his parents.
Mitsuru sighed contentedly. "This is just what we need. It's going to be great."
Minato nodded and put his hand around her waist. She wiggled into his grip and rested against him, content enough to sigh. But for one of the few times he could think of, his thoughts weren't on his beloved just then. He watched Ryota and Asami and then said, right from the blue, "What do you think of having another one?"
"Another… you mean another boat? We don't really use this one enough as it is."
"I mean another baby."
She went still, then looked over, her face unreadable. "You're serious?"
"I wouldn't joke about it."
"Two isn't enough?"
"Well, Ryota's almost four. They're growing up fast and it would be great to experience everything with them. And maybe Asami would want a little brother or sister to play with, you know?" He lost momentum right then, which he knew was a mistake with a wife as intelligent as his, so he grabbed blindly at whatever came to mind. "And it's a tiebreaker. We have one boy and one girl. We can't leave the score even like that, can we?"
"We have plenty of ties that we haven't broken."
"We have lots of scores that are close enough to be ties," he corrected. "Sparring, business, foiled takeover attempts, our scores are close but not completely even. And that's fine, it keeps things fun, but… well…" He looked for other reasons and came up empty, so he shrugged and let it hang.
She was quiet for a few long moments, then said, "We'll discuss it later." Then she stepped aboard, as magnificent as a model with her hair blowing in the wind, and set about keeping the kids entertained and getting them ready for their first time on the ocean.
Minato let out a breath. She hadn't said no, at least, and she would have if that was how she felt. He followed her and checked their baggage, and soon enough they weighed anchor and were off.
The morning was spent getting the kids used to their new environment. Time near the railings was supervised, life jackets were close at hand everywhere, their rooms were close enough to the master suite in case anything happened, and otherwise Minato set about tiring them out so they'd sleep as much as possible. Mitsuru took a few calls and wrote some emails in the onboard office, and when she finished she came out and watched him guide Asami up and down the stairs. Their little girl was learning fast, but still fell to her bottom and laughed like it was the most entertaining thing in the world.
She smiled and then leaned in to ask, "Were you serious before? You want another baby?"
Minato cleared his throat. "Well, I asked if you were okay with it. You're the one who'll be doing the carrying, after all."
"And you're the one who will have to put up with me for nine months." She dryly listed off, "Hormones, mood swings and food cravings, me looking like a hippo in the last trimester and running you ragged the whole time while we already have Ryota and Asami, and never mind what you'll have to do at work so I don't make any major mistakes or decide to invade South Korea on a bad day."
Minato's laughter was strained. Her previous two pregnancies were handled with grace and decorum, as much as anyone could, but that wasn't to say that she didn't have her moments or extreme demands when her hormones were up. "You weren't that bad."
She sighed and kissed him on the cheek. "You're a terrible liar, beloved."
"I'd still go through it again, though." He caught one of her remarks and hastened to assure her, "And you weren't that big before."
She looked over with a cocked eyebrow. "Nice try. I was bigger than a house."
"You're exaggerating." He squeezed her waist suggestively. "And it wasn't all bad, was it?"
"What is it with men liking their women pregnant? Is it because we can't waddle fast enough to get away from you?"
"That should be obvious. Pregnancy is how we end up with such great kids, and you make beautiful ones."
She sighed as she watched their son and daughter. "And you're a wonderful father to them." She was elsewhere for a few moments, then looked over. "You're trying to butter me up, aren't you? Who put you up to this?"
"You did," he answered honestly. "Last night, when I saw you with Asami."
She was quiet again, then asked softly, "You're really asking me to have your baby?"
His answer was a firm and resolute, "Yes."
There was a heavy pause before she murmured, "I'll think about it. It's not something we should do on an impulse."
Minato smiled. "I understand. Just let me know what you decide."
Her laugh was rich and low. She kissed him, then said against his lips, "Trust me, if I want to go through with it, you'll know."
The rest of the day passed in the serenity of the sea. They followed the coast and kept passenger ships in sight and enjoyed the easy ride. The kids' sea sickness was handled with ease – they were fine by dinner – and any hiccups were handled with the ease with which Mitsuru and Minato did anything together.
That evening, Mitsuru watched him with an unreadable expression, not once touching on the subject he'd brought up. Games were played with Asami and Ryota to keep them sharp, using blocks with numbers and words to prepare them for school, but always making the experience fun as well. Once the yawns began, Minato took their children to bed so Mitsuru could turn in early. Their daughter was easy to handle, already nodding off and snuggling into him. Once he settled her into her bed, she wrapped around her favorite plush toy and fell asleep. Out of her extensive collection there was one toy she wouldn't go anywhere without, but that was a source of bemusement for her parents – it was a tonberry doll, complete with bright yellow eyes and a foam knife.
Naturally, the daughter of Minato and Mitsuru couldn't have gone for a cat or a hamster. That would have been normal.
Ryota was ready for sleep as well, his room illuminated by the Phoenix Ranger Featherman nightlight that had been a gift from Yukari for his last birthday. As he changed and got into bed, Minato asked, "Ryota, what do you think about a brother or another sister?"
The boy paused, trying to think past his fatigue. "Another one?"
"Yeah, if Mama and I wanted to have a baby."
Ryota adopted a thinking face that was the perfect mix of his parents. "Would you love Asami any less if you had a baby?"
"Of course not. We love both of you to death now; that wouldn't change."
"Hm. Can I think about it?"
"Sure, sport. There's lots of time."
"Okay." Ryota yawned then, sleepily murmuring, "Good night, Papa."
Minato squeezed his son's hand in reply. "Good night."
He took his time leaving the kids, making sure they were safe from any infinitesimal threat or the monsters in the closet. Once he was sure, he went back to the bedroom where his wife awaited, opening the door softly to minimize noise in case she was asleep already.
Then he saw her preparations.
The lights were dim to lend an air of intimacy to the room. The light scent of flowers and citrus was in the air, making his heart race. Soft music was playing over the room's speakers, something low and sensual that suited the sound of the waves, and the sheets on the bed had been changed from soft, bland white to a deep inviting red. But off to the side was Mitsuru, leaning against their clothes chest in a sheer cream-colored robe with sakura blossoms on it. It was belted at the waist and stopped on her thighs, a clear invitation to see what was underneath. She approached quietly, her smile soft and intimate and secretive while her hair was down over one eye in a style he still remembered from the day he met her. She rarely wore it this way at the office, citing the need for professionalism, but he figured it was how she separated their work life from home, just another part of herself she reserved for her friends and family.
Minato cleared his throat and had enough presence of mind to close the door behind him.
When she was within his reach, she told him in a smoky, seductive voice, "I've considered your proposal."
Minato smiled, threading his fingers and treating this like a negotiation. "That's good."
"You realize how much work you'll be in for, right?"
"I haven't forgotten."
"We'll have to tell the kids about it."
"Ryota's already a good big brother, and Asami will learn. We'll manage. We've faced worse."
Wasn't that an understatement.
"We'll have to make sure we know when the kids are around," she continued. "There were enough close calls with Ryota when he was little, remember?"
"We'll be careful."
"Will we?"
Minato shrugged. "Probably not, but we'll make it through, one way or the other."
She stepped in close. "This is your last chance, you know. If we're doing this, we're starting now and we're in it until the end."
"Hasn't it always been that way? Us, together, against the odds?"
Warmth flickered in her eye as her lips turned up in a smile. "It really has, hasn't it?"
"And we're not stopping now." He tugged her closer, undoing her robe slowly to tease out the anticipation and give her preparations their due. She bit her lip as the heat between them amped up, not giving any indication to stop.
Her gorgeous body was revealed bit by bit as the robe slipped open. Black lingerie, lacy and frilly and cut high, greeted his hungry eyes. Her figure was a thing to worship. She maintained it through her two pregnancies and had worked off the extra weight each time in a matter of weeks. What softness stuck with her only made her hips and curves more abundant, something Minato paid homage to every chance he got. The faint marks of motherhood made it all come together, and Minato lost himself looking at her until she shifted and his hands brushed her bra. Then he brushed a finger along the underside. "This is new, isn't it? Seems like you came ready."
She chuckled. "You're good at ignoring the new girls at the office. That deserves a reward."
"What girls?" he asked, getting a feel of her mouth-watering legs. "You're the only one I see."
"I know, and it drives them crazy." There was no missing or mistaking smug joy in her voice. "Anyway, I– mmph!"
She was cut off by him tugging her close and kissing her hard. Their competitive instincts flared and they pressed against each other, looking for the right position and ideal angle of attack. Their tongues dueled and their hands went amok, hers in his hair and his feeling her up. It wasn't until they needed to stop for air that they broke apart, and even then kissed again and again before they stopped to say anything. His shirt was mostly open, two buttons missing, and her robe was skewed off her shoulder, as they looked each other in the eye.
"As I was saying," she panted, "I accept your proposal as presented."
"Just so we're clear, right?" he finished with a grin. How like her.
"And we are clear." She pressed against him and hotly ordered in his ear, "Now take me to bed and make good on it. Knock me up."
He had her in his arms before she even finished speaking, and from then on their room sparked and smoldered with sensuality. She eagerly stripped him naked while he took his time enjoying her in her lingerie, making the most of her so naked and needy. They made a mess of her careful preparation of the bed, not even getting under the sheets before he rolled her underneath him and took her. Being with her was as incredible as ever, that mix of familiar and welcoming along with the same awe and newness that had marked their first time together on the eve of their fight against Nyx. His hands were on each side of her on the bed, holding her in place, but she had her legs around his waist and her body pressed against him, breathlessly encouraging him and making addictive sounds of pleasure. Their world shrank to just each other, and as usual when they were together their connection enveloped them. It wasn't he or she but them in the truest sense of the word, for they were with their person, the one they were meant and shaped for. No matter how fast or slow or hard they knew each other's next move and angled to bring the most pleasure to their partner.
Their rhythm was interrupted, first by her and then by him as their peaks came on hard. It left them both shaking as it slowly passed, but her lopsided smile and cocked eyebrow told him they weren't finished yet. Minato pulled her into his lap and silenced her cry of pleasure, taking her again.
And again.
And again.
It was early morning by the time they were drained and panting against each other, muscles shivering in exertion even as they kept close. His arm was around her waist while her hand was linked with his, their wedding rings touching between them.
"How's that for a start?" he asked cockily.
She laughed, leaning her forehead in to touch his and look into his eyes. "Four rounds? Definitely promising. But keep some in the tank – we have two weeks and you had better not fall short before the finish line."
"Trust me, I'm good for it."
She chuckled, resting against him. His hand roamed her body, along the dip of her waist and up her side, running over scars only he knew were there. He hadn't thought of those days in a while, but now the reminders were everywhere.
"What's on your mind?" she asked before yawning. "And don't say 'nothing,' something obviously is."
He pulled her closer. How well she knew him. "The past. The fights and… sometimes I remember the Seal."
She went still.
"And it just reminds me how precious this is," he concluded. "You, the kids, how every day's a gift. We knew that more than anyone back then, but it's still true today. What we have is amazing – you're amazing – and I'll never take it for granted."
Her smile was a touch lopsided, growing wide beyond her control as her cheeks went redder than exertion could account for. "You… that's unfair, you know. You say that out of nowhere and I don't know how to reply."
He kissed her softly, and she pressed in close to kiss him back with girlish enthusiasm. They made out and missed a few times, and it reminded them both of their youth and left them laughing. That gave way to fatigue and they both settled in at the same time, asleep in each other's arms with no desire to be anywhere else.
-30-
Part of being a parent, Minato learned quickly, was the early mornings no matter what time they technically started. His internal clock was on the setting known only as 'kids,' and so no matter how much sex or how little sleep he'd had, he was awake when he figured something needed to be done or fixed. His eyes opened despite his body telling him to rest, and he only needed to wait a minute before the pitter patter of footsteps and something being moved around told him his offspring were up and about.
Mitsuru came to shortly after, but she burrowed back into the bed. "Look after them this morning, please," she said through a yawn.
Minato rolled over next to her. "It's your turn."
"Yours."
"I'm pretty sure I did it last time."
"But the bed is warm, and I'm busy gestating."
He paused, looking at her. "You don't know that yet."
She smiled wide as a happy cat. "Hmmmm, yet."
Minato let that sink in, then rolled out of bed, found his clothes amidst her robe and lingerie, and got dressed. He leaned back in and kissed her on the neck and shoulder – morning breath precluded morning sex – and used the distraction to slip the sheets aside and slap his sumptuous, somnolent spouse on the ass.
Mitsuru yelped in surprise, and Minato told her, "You win. This time."
Her eyes narrowed with heat, the promise of their game continuing strong, but Minato left to see to their children.
It was early enough that they'd only found their way to the kitchen, and Ryota was reaching for a jug of milk that was definitely heavier than he could manage. Minato swept in and established order before anything too egregious could happen – as it was there was a chair near the cookie jar on the counter – and set about getting them into chairs so the staff could make them breakfast.
Ryota looked over as they waited for their food, eyes serious. "Papa?"
"Hm?"
"Remember what you said about a baby?"
"Yeah."
"I talked to Asami about you and Mama having a baby, and she said you can have one. But it needs to be a brother – I already have Asami."
The way he talked reminded Minato of how Minako used to dote on him, the same tone and everything. He'd thought of his sister when coming up with names for their second child – the 'mi' character in Asami's name was the same as in Minako's for that reason – but now it seemed his son had taken that trait on instead. Minato regularly stopped at her grave to talk to her and their parents, but it seemed she'd come back to him when he was looking somewhere else. That was just like her.
Minato cleared his throat and ruffled his son's hair. "Thanks, sport. That means a lot."
Mitsuru joined them shortly after, put together and in a robe that was far more family friendly than the one the night before. Greeting and kissing their babies, she grabbed her normal coffee and took her seat with them. When their food came, she softly guided Asami's food to the correct place, eating her own when she had the chance. Meals were as much fun as they were function, and no matter how far she went in life, she seemed much happier cleaning up their daughter than she did in a board room.
Minato watched and helped her, and once the kids were fed and discussing what toys they would play with first, he came up next to his wife. "I talked to Ryota about a new baby," he told her quietly. "He approves, and he says Asami does too."
"He's so good with her already," Mitsuru noted. "He'll be great with another one."
Minato stroked her hip. "I agree."
She glanced over, her eyes hot through her lashes. She said in the same tone as the night before, "Then he'll be expecting good news soon. We can't disappoint him."
"My thoughts exactly."
-30-
The trip was completed without any problems. The staff at Yakushima – most of whom had been with the Kirijo family since Mitsuru's parents were young and were therefore like dear relatives themselves – welcomed the couple and the kids with open arms. The luggage was taken in, the food stores were stocked, and the vacation could continue in earnest. The house at Yakushima was large enough that they could all make the most of their time in their own way, no matter what that looked like.
For Minato it was the quiet and serenity away from work. He and Mitsuru traded off doing the business calls so the other could play with the kids, but there were some days where Abe-san or the others told them that things were handled, instructing their bosses not to call.
Minato was fine with that – it meant more time with his wife.
Because Minato and Mitsuru chased every chance to steal away together, opportunities which involved a little proper planning and some spontaneous inspiration. Their first day at the beach, for instance, involved them reliving a teenage memory as he massaged her with tanning oil, her hair held up and her eyes smoldering as he copped more than one feel 'just to make sure you're covered.' The day was spent building sand castles with the kids and running with them all over the sand, but when Ryota and Asami were laid down for a nap she pulled him into the shower and they used considerably more water than usual. The next time she was in swimwear, it was the two piece she'd worn that first time at Yakushima, unable to properly fit her bounteous curves and now clinging to her while failing to retain any kind of decency.
Minato wasn't sure if the bikini had survived the three rounds that followed, but he'd have it mended as a tribute if it hadn't.
Then there were the various rounds in bed at night or in the morning before the kids woke up, the times in the office after the day's work was done (thanks the gods for soundproof walls), the stolen stops at a love hotel in Yakushima proper when they just happened to have business in town, and a few moonlit walks on the beach that took longer than the distance walked warranted. By the end of the two weeks away, Minato and Mitsuru were more relaxed than they'd been in a long time even if they hadn't gotten very much sleep.
Returning to Tokyo had come with the unspoken promise that nothing would change until their expectations were met – neither were the sort to back down from a challenge – but it was about four or five weeks after Minato had popped the question, even before the morning sickness started, that Mitsuru tugged him to the side and informed him with sparkling eyes, "We can tell Ryota we kept our promise."
It made sense that she'd known before anyone else – she'd gotten the tests done only to confirm her suspicions, and her maternal instincts were second to none – but Minato had laughed and embraced her anyway, glad and proud that one of the many rounds had taken.
They were having another baby!
-30-
"Congratulations!" Fuuka told them when she came over a few weeks later.
"Yeah, another one for the crowd," Yukari added happily. "How about that, Ryota? You get to have a new brother or sister."
"I told Papa he and Mama could have one," the boy said seriously.
Their friends laughed even as Ryota looked around, unsure of what was so funny.
The SEES crew stopped by to celebrate the good news when they could, usually only a few at a time. Akihiko and Junpei were working but promised to visit soon while the girls had made their schedules match with Mitsuru's right away. Gifts were shared and the Kirijo house was bright and loud with laughter. Mitsuru took her place on the couch as she had her previous two pregnancies, resting in preparation for how housebound she would become and looking like a fertility icon before she was really showing. That didn't stop Yukari and Fuuka from playing with the kids and talking to the unborn child every chance they got – whenever they got together it was like they'd never really spent any time apart.
"What are you hoping for?" Fuuka asked. "A boy or a girl?"
Minato bit down a smile. The office had erupted into cheers when the news broke, bets being made on the gender of the child and what the name might be. At this point it was a miniscule thing to fixate on, and yet Minato and Mitsuru were more into it than anything. Silly as it was to vie over something neither of them could influence, it had nearly come to arguments when Ryota came along and it had still been a sore spot with Asami. This time he would just let his wife have her space. For now.
She surprised him by saying, "It's too early to tell. Ask me when my ribs are being kicked and I'll have a better answer for you."
Minato looked over at his spouse, curious, but noticed the knowing smirk on her lips. She'd said that only because he expected her to carry on their little battle, so she'd done the unexpected to keep him off balance.
"How about you, Papa?" Yukari asked.
He shrugged and went for the generic answer. "I want a healthy baby, and I want Mitsuru to be okay. I'm sure she will be, but that's what comes first."
Yukari rolled her eyes with good nature while Fuuka gushed, but Yukari asked the question, "What about more? There's this place out west, a ryokan in this small place called… I can't even remember it, it was a while ago for a film shoot. But the innkeeper, she and her husband had four kids already and at the time I think they were talking about having more."
"That's a big family," Mitsuru admitted.
"I could see you doing that," Fuuka noted, sparkles in her eyes. "You're a great mom, Mitsuru. I'm sure you'd handle it perfectly."
"Probably," Minato put in, bouncing Asami on his knee. "She's a natural at it."
Mitsuru smiled and blew him a kiss. "Ask me once this one comes out," she answered, "but three's a good number."
The conversation veered into new territory from there, but Minato watched her as he played with the kids, already falling into his old protective habits. 'Just' a few more months to go.
-30-
Things progressed as normal from then on, even if Minato's expectations were both on the money and woefully off the mark. He knew his beloved would have food cravings and hormone rushes – he'd prepared for them – but the specifics were all new this time. Food he stockpiled went uneaten as Mitsuru craved something completely different from before, she had to read new sections of her biology books to find out just what she was lacking in when she had the insane desire to eat charcoal and soap, and even when she wanted something he could provide in the painfully brief time she'd wait to get it, she'd either gorge herself and then cry for overeating or nibble on it and leave the rest for him and the kids. It was a riot of expectations that had him rushing around just to keep up, alongside everything else he was doing.
To her credit, Mitsuru did what she could. She only pointed out once that he was the one who'd asked for this, and all the other times she helped however she could so she didn't run him into the ground. Those nights often involved her burrowing into his shoulder to hold onto normalcy as he prepared for the next day with an accepting smile.
For the silver lining, there was the matter of her sex drive ramping up a level or three. That made the challenges far more bearable.
And their friends stopped by more regularly now that they had the time to work in their schedules. Mitsuru had given Minato the reins of the important things at work so that nothing too extreme was decided upon when she was having an off day, so she took the opportunities to stay home with the kids and meet with the others. One night in particular involved Ken, Koromaru, Yukari and Aigis coming over for dinner.
Koromaru, as always, was an immediate hit with the kids. "Koro-cha! Koro-cha!" Asami chirped, waving her arms gleefully. The white dog barked and yipped as the toddler was put on the floor, playing with her and licking her face with abandon. Asami's laughter brought a smile to everyone's face, including Ryota when he carefully stroked the dog as he'd been instructed.
"It is wonderful to see everyone here," Aigis commented. "Even if I see Minato-san and Mitsuru-san often, these times are valuable to me."
Aigis had been employed by the Kirijo Group in their R&D facilities, using her knowledge banks in the applications of different medical breakthroughs and the occasional tireless bit of babysitting. She dressed like a person and sounded more human than ever, to the point that it was easy for even those in SEES to forget her synthetic nature.
"It's always great when you come over, Aigis," Minato assured her.
"Thank you."
"And I'm sure Mitsuru here would love to be kept up on the gossip," Yukari added with a grin.
"While I engage in casual conversation often, I do not share the secrets of others. That would be rude."
"Oh Aigis, I know I've tried teaching you better than that. Well, that's fine, I've got some of my own. Like that cute girlfriend of yours, Ken-kun – how's Satomi-chan doing?"
The boy blushed and squirmed, only slightly less resistant to the teasing of his friends on that topic as he had been when he was a kid. "She's fine."
"Just fine?"
"Yeah. She's fine."
Yukari's smile resembled that of a cat catching sight of a toy mouse.
Minato chuckled. Just another day in his life.
It was a month later when they were visited by another old friend.
"Arisato-sama," Elizabeth greeted with a deep bow when the door opened. "It's a pleasure to see you again."
"The feeling's mutual, Elizabeth," Minato answered with a bow of his own. "Come in."
It hadn't been the first time the strange woman had stopped by in recent years. She still disappeared for stretches at a time with no warning or explanation, but when she was around she could usually be found in her painting studio. She often spoke of a collaborator, a 'local prodigy' who had reached out to her, and the two were taking the art world by storm. But she made time to stop by to see the children, and the most recent project on her radar was a formal family portrait of the Kirijo clan. Mitsuru sternly stated that any pictures or portraits would wait until after the baby was born, and that made sense – the process would involve prolonged sitting with children under five, so once would be lots.
"Mitsuru-san," Elizabeth greeted cheerfully. "It's been too long."
The redhead came over with a smile. "You as well, Elizabeth."
"You're coming along nicely in your reproductive exercises. Truly, motherhood agrees with you – I'm sure I said that the last two times as well."
"You did, but it's appreciated." Mitsuru indicated the basket of treats and sweets Elizabeth had brought over. "Thank you for the gift – you always find the stuff I'm craving."
"Of course. Anything for Arisato-sama and his family."
Minato hadn't gone by his old family name since he and Mitsuru were married, but it was still a pleasant bit of nostalgia to hear it again. Only Elizabeth would stick to that degree of formality.
While Mitsuru took the basket into the living room for them to enjoy, Elizabeth came over to Minato. "I visited our mutual friend recently," she informed him quietly. "You'll be pleased to know that everything is working as it should. I was careful in my examination and there is no reason to be concerned."
Minato smiled even as the tension drained from his shoulders. "He's still all right being up there?"
"Very. That is where he is most comfortable, and he has created quite a world for himself. I asked him and he says he has no regrets, especially hearing how well you and Mitsuru-san are doing."
"Thanks for checking, Elizabeth. That helps."
Her bow was as polite as ever. "Anything for you, Arisato-sama."
"Is Igor still angry at you?"
She shrugged. "Such things take time to address when they are addressed at all, but I do appreciate your concern. As a matter of fact, it seems his work with the others has changed his mind a bit, or so I have heard. Perhaps he will, as you say, reach out to me."
"The others? You mean your sisters?"
She smiled a smile that suggested that she wasn't telling him everything. It was a smile he was used to. "Yes, of course that is what I mean."
"If there's a way I can help you…"
"That you would concern yourself with that is more than I deserve, Arisato-sama, but do not worry yourself about it. Things are progressing better than I could have hoped for, and while there have been some changes it's not for you to get involved with. You have Mitsuru-san and your beautiful children, you have fought harder battles than any could ask of you. Others can carry that torch and fix whatever might be amiss with the world. You are needed here."
Minato smiled. "You'd fight me if I tried to get involved, wouldn't you?"
"Within a second, Arisato-sama," she answered almost happily. "My kinship with Mitsuru-san requires as much."
"Well, thanks for putting my interests first. It's appreciated."
"Of course, Arisato-sama."
"I mean it, Elizabeth, Thanks."
Her tone warmed along with her eyes. "You are welcome. It is, and will always be, my pleasure."
When the two went to Mitsuru, they were welcomed by an attractive spread and her knowing smile.
-30-
Nine months in. The baby would be coming soon. The parents were punctual so it made sense for the child to be – it had been that way with Ryota and Asami, after all.
Minato fretted at his desk that particular overcast Thursday. The weather couldn't decide if it wanted to rain or not, and while he wasn't superstitious, he tried not to read into that and fret or seem like he was fretting, but he was doing both. Mitsuru was at home on her force-fed diet of house rest, waiting for the baby to come. Aigis was with her so there wasn't a concern for her safety. This wasn't even her first pregnancy so she knew what she was doing, and if Minato knew anything about his wife it was how well she did with pretty much any circumstance, expected or not. She was fine. It would all be fine. There was plenty of work to do as it was.
He went back to fretting anyway.
It wasn't until Abe-san stopped by that he realized how obvious he was being. "Do you want to go home that badly?" was the question asked when the man came into the meeting room. "We'd understand."
Ishikawa and Tamura pretended they didn't hear that. They also pretended not to laugh.
"I'm needed here," Minato replied, "and she hasn't called. She'll call."
"But is everything getting done properly if your head isn't in the game?"
Minato sighed. "We've had that conversation. She'd kick me out because I'd stress her out by worrying about her."
"So instead you're worrying about her here."
"That's right." Minato looked at him. "What did Kaori-san do with you when she was pregnant? Or your daughter, now that she's got a son of her own?"
The proud smile of a grandfather was shaded by the wry twist of a husband. "They told me to stay out of the way and stop making things worse by worrying."
"Did you?"
"Get out of the way? Eventually. Stop worrying? No."
"Then you understand. I'm almost done here, and if I'm productive then I can–"
A call came over the room's speakers. "Sir? It's Mitsuru-sama, she said you should think about getting to the hospital."
Minato was on his feet at his wife's name, but it wasn't just his devotion to her that inspired such speed and relief. This was his way to get out of the meeting with the Okumura Foods rep, a woman who seemed soft and sweet at first sight, but was actually as cuddly as a shark and had the taste for blood to match.
Ishikawa knew as much and gave him a patently unimpressed look. Still, he told Minato, "Go look after the chief. We'll hold down the fort until you get back."
Abe nodded and left.
"Give her our best wishes," Tamura added. "And send pictures! We all want to know what the card should say!"
There probably were others in the office who echoed that same sentiment, but Minato didn't hear them. He made a call to the house and was brought up to speed. Mitsuru had been with the kids when her contractions started. She worked through them via teleconferencing and business calls, then spent her time putting together lessons and games. It wasn't until her water broke that she made the plans to go to the hospital, only making the trip when she felt she was getting close and because Ryota thought she was dying.
What a scene that must have been, their son trying to guide his mother and sister out of the house. Good thing Aigis was there to help. Minato passed his projects and calls to the people he trusted in the company, got in his car and headed for the hospital. Traffic was jammed up in any number of places – only when he had somewhere he had to be, of course – so his experience with the back roads of Tokyo was essential to getting there.
He went through the usual motions even if he barely remembered them at the time. Parking, checking in at the front desk, the elevator ride that took forever, that was a blur. Getting off the elevator and seeing every one of his friends waiting outside the maternity ward, that was when he kicked into gear. Koromaru was bounding here and there, keeping Asami entertained. Her tonberry toy was right next to her, close at hand. Ryota was next to Akihiko, looking ashen.
Minato greeted the others and looked at his son. "Is everything okay?"
"Why'd they bring Mama here?" the boy asked.
"Because this is where the doctors are. They'll help her."
"People come to the hospital to die though, don't they? Is Mama going to die?"
"He's been like that since we got here," Akihiko commented with a smirk. "Wouldn't listen to any of us; I can't imagine where he got that from."
"I listen to you, Senpai, even if it's just to spare the doors," Minato fired back. He knelt to Ryota and patted him firmly on the shoulder. "Mama's going to be fine, sport. She's the strongest person you'll ever meet, all right? You might hear some things, but everyone here will help you out if you need it, and they all know how strong she is too."
Ryota's eyes were big, but he bit his lip to seem strong. "So… she's going to be okay?"
"Yes, I promise. This is just what we have to go through when babies are born."
"Was it like that with me?"
"Yes, and Asami too. You just don't remember. It's not her first time, but you'll worry her if you get scared, all right?"
The boy pondered that seriously, then nodded. "Okay. I'll wait here with Asami."
The others chuckled and Fuuka drew him over for a hug. Minato took a breath, donned his mask and scrubs, and went in.
The doctor was already with Mitsuru, the same woman who had overseen the previous two deliveries. The women were chatting between contractions, and Minato sat next to his wife to take her hand and give her something to squeeze.
Mitsuru looked over, radiant and breathing steady. "You're here."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else. You ready?"
A familiar fighting look came to those eyes. "Always."
What followed was as beautiful as it always was, even if the novelty and some of the nerves were missing. Mitsuru's labor progressed, the contractions came closer, and time stretched until the last push resulted in thin piping cries. She collapsed against the bed, tired but triumphant, and the baby was swaddled and weighed and set on her breast. Then the doctors left the parents with their little miracle, the room quiet except for the calming sound of their son snuffling closer to his mother and finding a breast to suckle.
Minato and Mitsuru watched in shared reverence, the moment going on and on. It was just a coincidence or a trick of the light just then – that's all it could be – but the clouds broke and sunlight came through the window, illuminating both mother and infant son. She wept and laughed as she held him close, whispering endearments and stroking her baby. Minato sat next to her, arm around her shoulders and running the back of his fingers along his child's arm.
Their Taiki. Their son.
"You won," Mitsuru murmured. "We got a boy."
Had he predicted that? They had both gone back and forth on what they thought she was having, partly because that was what they thought and partly to playfully trip the other up, so he couldn't claim it as a victory. But as with so many things regarding his beloved, the conclusion was just another step toward betterment and success, something they sought out and attained together and now with one more in their family.
And being with them here and now, that was worth everything.
~Fin