Michi's Babysitting Service

First Day - Part 1

'Nee-san! Can we get candy?!'

'Mummy? Why can't I go in the bathroom? I wanna see nee-san!'

'Mummy it's okay...I can eat tomorrow, you can just go to sleep.'

⁂

'It's nice to meet you Hinata-chan! I'm Takemichi!'

'Hina. I think I'm in love with you.'

'Will you marry me in the future Hina?'

'"Tachibana Hinata, loving daughter, sister, friend and fiancée" this is pathetic! This does nothing to capture what a beautiful and amazing and kind person you were!'

⁂

'Yeah, Ito-kun invited me over for tutoring again, isn't he so kind?'

'There's no way Akkun, Ito-kun doesn't like me that way.'

'I...Ito-kun I don't...I don't like this.'

'Please! Stop! Please just stop!'

Takemichi awoke with a start, gasping for air, sweat dripping down his damp skin. A hand brushed the hair out of his face and he tried to force his breathing to steady. He knew it was Naoto. The last few weeks had been really bad, tonight was the usual, his mind flashing through different points in his life, starting when they were happy and then jumping to when they were horrifying and traumatic.

"Shhh, it's okay, I'm right here," Naoto comforted, wiping his feverishly warm forehead with a wet cloth.

Takemichi forced the sob down his throat, it tore it's way down, clenching down tightly on his heart. His frantic eyes found themselves on the bedside alarm clock. 4:57am. There was no point going back to sleep, to get to Izana's would take almost an hour and he wanted to be refreshed and early for his first day.

"I'll drive you today," Naoto said from where he stood at the entrance to the bathroom.

Takemichi met his gaze in the mirror before spitting out the toothpaste into the sink and washing his mouth out, "You don't need to. I can look after myself."

"I know that, but I'm still allowed to be worried. I know how you are after a nightmare, you zone out and shit. I don't want you to miss your stop if you catch the bus." Naoto reasoned.

Takemichi finally gave in and pulled a hoodie over his head.

"Not wearing my clothes today?"

"Kurokawa-san said to dress comfortably since the kids get rough. I didn't want to wreck your nice shirts." He replied before double checking that the clasp of his clover necklace was secured. It was.

.

Izana adjusted his tie, suddenly feeling too tight in his suit at the thought of Hanagaki's soon arrival. He already had it all planned out, he would leave the weekly schedule along with all the kid's allergies, likes and dislikes on the kitchen table and he'd walk out just as Hanagaki walked in. That way, no need for awkward interaction.

"Izana?" Mucho called from behind him, he turned to face the blonde.

"Yes?"

"Do...do you think Takemichi-san will take care of us?" He asked hesitantly.

Izana bent over slightly, ruffling Mucho's short hair, "Don't tell me big strong Mucho is nervous about the babysitter," he teased.

Mucho's golden eyes widened and he shook his head, "No! It's just, babysitters we've had before haven't been really nice to us. They just wanted you or your company."