Lesson Learned

Mayumi Asano's Background Perspective

A/N:  two updates in one day. On point. 

So this, again, I did not plan on doing this plot point from Mayumi's POV,  but there were a lot of things which weren't translating properly from Mitsuko's POV so here we have it. 

If you have a smoking problem, you may not want to read XD

***

It was just under sixteen years ago when...

The first time one of the twins kicked was when she's been sat on the sofa while Gakuhou had been massaging her feet.

"Ooh!" She touched her swollen stomach. "One of them kicked." She quickly grabbed his hand and placed it on his stomach. "Feel."

Her husband's eyes widened slightly as one of the babies moved around. "I can feel them." He smiled fondly. "This is good, I was starting worry when you said you hadn't felt much movement."

She smiled brightly. "They have been quiet, but the doctor said they'd start competing for room soon once they got bigger." She stroked her stomach. "I'm hoping they don't fight too much, Sato said her first girl wouldn't stop kicking her and it hurt so bad she couldn't sleep."

Gakuhou hummed, staring at her stomach as he cradled it in both hands. "I've read that music can calm them down if that happens."

Mayumi nodded. "Yes, I think they mentioned that on tv..." Her smile wavered. "To be honest they'll probably fight more once they out of there. One mother at the parent group says her twins fight all the time and they're only three!"

He looked up at her in amusement, rising to his feet to sit next to her on the sofa. "I'm sure they'll be fine." He kissed her forehead gently, making her smile. "Besides, we're a team, remember? Everything will be fine."

Her smile grew at that, snuggling close to him. "Yes, I know." She rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. "Did you speak to the Principal about taking extended paternity leave?"

He frowned. "Yes...but they weren't very flexible..." He sighed, humming. "I don't think I'll stay on there for another year." Then he smiled, running his hands through her light hair; it would need cutting soon to something shorter. "I think I'm going to go ahead with the plans for the Cram school."

Her eyes widened, pulling away slightly. "Did you pick the spot we saw last month."

"Yes." Gakuhou smiled with some excitement. "The main issue will be building a reputation, but if I can get at least a handful of students, that should be enough to start becoming established," he told her with a spark in his eye. "The hours will be flexible enough so I can help look after the twins."

"That'll be nice." She nodded, smiling a little in relief. "I'm happy to help out with accounting." Her smile grew teasing. "You really are awful at keeping track of your taxes."

He looked amused and kissed the top of her head. "That's why I need you."

"Exactly." She closed her eyes and drew closer to him. "You're hopeless."

***

Mayumi sipped some lemonade as she stared at the terms her children had sent her and Gakuhou in regards to custody.

She sat opposite Gakuhou at his desk in his office, the two of them going over the paperwork.

"They seem like reasonable terms," he said evenly after a long moment of silence.

Her fingers twitched as she placed the neatly typed terms on the desk. "Yes, very detailed, but that's our kids." She sighed and felt a strong aching urge for a cigarette and something stronger than lemonade. "...If this will make them happy then I'll agree to it."