イタズラな KISS ~3 ✔

One Shot-7

One Shot: Subtle hints

Lately, I've noticed that Kotoko is acting very very strange. Not that her voice is cold and low, she doesn't talk to me that much. She isn't the usual cheery Kotoko that I used to know. She's changed... and it was quite obvious to me. Did she ate something wrong? I get to freeze my mind wondering what had happened to her. Did I do something wrong? No. She won't get mad at me that easily! We all know that she's in cloud nine feeling in love with me. But she's acting really mad! She's really mad at me! She won't smile at me.

This is getting in my nerves. It's plucking me out.

"Kotoko, aren't you going to sleep?"

"Yes." she answered without facing me.

"Why? Are you going to make your nurse report?" I tried to make a conversation to her.

"Yes." she answered the same thing! Like she really doesn't want to talk to me!

"Is that hard? What part that you found difficult?"

"All of it." she started crumbling out papers and started a new one. She sighed deeply and started to write again while I was standing beside her, don't know what to act. I've started to flop out... I really don't understand what should I do with her.

"Do you need help?" If she's the normal Kotoko, she would be happy. She would swallow her pride and get help from me. And besides, she would do anything she can to impress her seniors with her fully detailed nurse report.

"No." and I can't believe that she refused it. And again, she refused it.

What's really wrong with her? Lately we've been okay, the last week, we made love, talking about the kid's future... telling her that I might get promoted as the next head doctor of Tonan hospital. She also renewed the faith that I always have with her by saying those three magical words. I don't think there is no wrong with those moments. We were happy.

"I'm going to sleep first." I said... but I really don't want to sleep first, I was waiting for her usual response like she wants me to wait for her or there's another crazy thing she would like to talk about or she would say a good night to me.

"Okay." that was a short response and I wasn't prepared for it. I got chills. Really, what's wrong with Kotoko?

"Wait, are you mad at me?" I asked, this gets painfully annoying that why is she doing this to me, torturing me by randomly guessing the reason whe acts like this cold to me.

"No." she answered back and she stood up, bring her cup to get a cup of coffee in the kitchen.

Perhaps, is she treating me like a wind?

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"Mom." I called my mother while she's preparing dinner. Kotoko didn't tell that she has a night schedule in the hospital. I just heard it from her friends.

"Yes, Ni-chan?" she called me while she's chopping onions.

I don't want to ask this to my mom or make her to feel concerned about it. "Did you notice that Kotoko is acting cold? She is not her usual self? Did she tell something to you that she didn't want me to know? Sorry to ask but it bothers me a lot."

"No, I didn't notice that. She's still the best daughter that I ever have! Why? Are you two in a fight again? I told you to be nice to her!"

"Whatever it is, I need to talk to her."

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The next day, Kotoko continues to act like that to me. Her response are getting shorter and she didn't visit in my office to hang around. She is not the usual Kotoko. Everyone in the hospital didn't take notice of that too, leaving that I was the only odd out. I breath deeply. I don't like this anymore. I hate to be ignored, most especially by her.

"Irie-sensei! Kotoko got home already and she's not answering her phone. But Nurse Shimizu said if she can have a night shift on Friday. I mean this coming friday..."

"Oh. I understand. My shift is already ended. I will ask that to her when I get home."

"Thanks, Irie-sensei!"

"No problem."

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Home...

"Kotoko, what are your plans for this Friday?"

"..."

"I mean, Friday... this September 28th." I said and I was about to continue talking when she stood up and ran to me, hands snaking aroung my waist, throwing me off guard. I was confused while looking at her with a blank expression. "Finally, you remembered it!" and then I asked, still I don't understand it. "Huh?" What did I remember? I was told to ask her schedules on that day.

She kissed me fully on the lips while I am still on the process of figuring it out. She acted so cold to me and then she got back at her usual self, clinging to me like a monkey. I should be happy about this... that she is not mad at me anymore.

"So how about we spend that day just for us? I mean, I still want to dress up too! I wish there's no more accident this time! I didn't want my dress to be ruined! Come on, it's a good idea to have roses and champagne during my birthday!"

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So it was her birthday after all. I really don't care about birthdays. She has to go through of this, acted so cold to me to make me remember her birthday! So that it is all about.

I smiled at her, finding myself to love her craziness more. She's Kotoko. And she is always being in herself. That's who she is.

"Okay. I will free up my schedule that time. And I really hope we could celebrate your birthday smoothly." I kissed her softly.

Geez, I should keep this in my mind forever. I hate to receive subtle hints. That doesn't work for me.

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September 28, 2022

This one shot is for our beloved Kotoko. It's her birthday. Happy birthday, Kotoko. So grateful for inspiring us!