Itazura Na Kiss- Eternal Love Story

#22 The Calm before the Storm

(Kotoko POV)

When I woke up on the Friday morning I was alone in the bed. I took the alarm clock in my hand. It was 8:30 am! "Oh no! I overslept." I yelped. Irie-kun must have left to work. I checked the phone and found 2 missed calls from Hana and Mio each. I immediately called Hana to inform that I was fine. I didn't rush as I was already late. I took my time to get ready and left for work.

I was nervous to meet Dr. Ayano. I wasn't sure if he was still angry at me. But Dr. Ayano seemed busy as I didn't see him much until lunch. After the lunch, all the doctors of Neuroshia team had a meeting. We were informed later that they have decided to recruit a very capable paediatric doctor for the team as we were short of one. We didn't know about the details of the doctor as this wasn't official yet.

In the afternoon Dr. Ayano gave all the nurses a small briefing on the meeting they just had. A few changes are in order of my treatment process. They had prepare the new treatment plan with me staying over the hospital for minimum one week during my therapy session. That can increase depending on my response to the medicine. The plan just made sure I have to spill out everything to my family. Hence for the millionth times I set my mind in doing that- tonight.

Having set my mind I returned home early that day only to discover me in an empty house. "Where is everyone?" I wondered aloud. I went near the dinner table seeing a vase containing beautiful fresh flowers and found a note pressed under that oka-san had left.

Naoki and Kotoko,

Naoki papa and I are going over to Aihara-san's restaurant for the dinner. Yuki and Konomi will join us there later. I cooked dinner for you both. We will be late so don't wait up for us. Have fun!

Oka-san.

I sighed. Oka-san must have planned this to give us some alone time. She was being so considerate while I was being a jerk to them. I went to kitchen to check the food. Knowing oka-san, she must have prepared something special.

"Why am I not surprised?" I wondered aloud again with a grin. Each and every container was filled with yummy foods which were our favourites.

I went upstairs to get changed. I thought for a moment what to wear. Then I decided to keep it casual and choose normal attire. I went back to the kitchen and started heating up the foods. Then I prepared the table and served dinner to the table. I sat on a chair and started to wait for him. But he was late!

...

(Naoki POV)

It was a long day for me. I left for work in the morning leaving Kotoko deep in sleep. I was an intern at the Tonan. So I had to apply for an official permission so that I could join the Neuroshia team in Hope. It was granted immediately.

Apparently my professor has referred about that to Tonan's director who agreed upon it. I made a call to Dr. Ayano and informed him about it. He then had a meeting with his team members and finalised it. I requested him not to disclose my identity to his team members right now. I was yet to inform Kotoko about this. Besides, Dr. Ayano also didn't know that my wife is a nurse and works under his wings.

An emergency case arrived in the late afternoon which resulted extending my working hour for the day. By the time I reached home it was well past dinner time.

I opened the door to a quiet house. "I'm home." I muttered in an audible tone but nobody answered.

I entered the sitting area and found Kotoko curled up on a couch fast asleep. My eyes fell over the dinner table and saw dinner was served. She must have fallen asleep while waiting for me. I kneeled on the ground in front of her. Using the index I traced the lock of hairs that fell over her eyes and tucked them under her ears. I cupped the side of her face with my right hand and used the thumb to caress her cheek until she stirred and woke up. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up at me.