"You're going back to work so soon?" He had just arrived, and already he had received another call from the hospital. It had been this way for weeks on end. It was like they thought he didn't have a life of his own.

"It can't be helped." He sighs before standing and clearing off the area where he ate. "I hope you don't mind-"

"Oh no, not at all. I understand." I reassure him. "I'm just a bit worried about your health is all. I want you to be able to rest once in awhile, and maybe enjoy three meals a day without having to swallow before you chew, you know?" I chuckled.

Takeshi and I never spent much time together. Even on his days off, he liked to spend them alone. Doing simple things, like fishing or just enjoying a book to himself. Things that were relaxing and quiet.

I knew that if I was going to date Takeshi, that I would have to comply to his way of living, and I have.

I have grown used to being alone a lot of the time too. It was easy enough for me, I wasn't exactly a social butterfly prior to meeting Takeshi anyway. I usually spent my free time with my sister, or doing work.

Although, work seems to have diminished from my list of things to do. Being an intern isn't exactly difficult when it comes to producing a workload. The most strenuous part of it was probably having to see the painfully awkward crowd of kids I'm basically a matchmaker for.

The water begins to run from the faucet; Takeshi was going to wash his dishes.

I was glad he wasn't sexist in that way. He didn't expect me to do things because of my gender. It's one of the reasons we decided to go out; he respects my individuality, and I respect his.

We are more than just a man and a woman. He's a doctor, a reader, and a silent lover. I'm a lawyer (was), an ambitious person, and someone who strives to become a better human being everyday.

That's who we are.

"I'll get the dishes for you. You should take a quick shower before heading out." I took his hand, which was pressed firmly against the foamy sponge, ready to wash his bowls.

He looked over at me, then intertwine my fingers with his cold, and wet ones. I stared into his dark eyes for a moment before closing mine at the sight of his incoming kiss, His dry hand snaked around my waist, as he pushed his body closer to mine, until there was no gap left between us. His lips grazed mine softly a few times before he pulls away. "We'll continue this when I get back. Thanks for the meal." Takeshi kissed my forehead and left for the bathroom.

I could feel my heartbeat ease away, and the heat from my face disperse. A the gentle touch of his cold hands, I always seemed to lose it. It was like a fever that took over my body, and my better judgement.

Love is terrifying. Takeshi was terrifying. Shivers ran down my spine at the simple thought of him.

I brought my fingertips to my lips, already missing the warmth of his.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After a few weeks of observing the candidates of the marriage program, I came to produce a few scenarios for each one with Ms.Yonemoto. After I showed Hayami, he agreed.

They were simple; they had a task which did not specify location nor activity. In order for Fumiko to be able to get to know them better; the candidates themselves would choose destinations and or activities for a date. Now, some of the candidates may dismiss having a date in the first place; which is why Hayami and I have made it a task.

Another task is for Fumiko to move in with the candidate she has chosen. The rules being that a) Fumi must have her separate room whilst living with the candidate, b) that nothing physical can be done without the consent of the bride to be and c) Fumi is able to reject the candidate within the first 2 weeks of living together with a valid reason.

These 2 tasks apply to the candidate that Fumiko is bound to choose.

Although it's been several weeks she hasn't made a decision, and Hayami is beginning to get more irritated. See, I don't care too much if Yanemoto takes long in picking her future hubby, the only issue I have is that Hayami's impatience is starting to unload itself on me.

Hayami keeps bugging me to get Fumiko to pick someone as if I had that kind of influence on her. Yonemoto and I were acquaintances, close to friends, not best buddies, so it was hard to comply with what Hayami wanted me to do.

Work seemed to end too quickly; after all, getting everything done for meetings and serving coffee was quite easy.

The education project that tied in with the food department began to slowly make progress, we were trying to implement a suitable school lunch price for a school district with a tight budget. So far it was going well, and everyone seemed to work well together.

I hadn't seen much of this teamwork before; after all I only worked on my cases alone 90% of the time. It was just the way most attorneys in my firm did things.

Although I didn't contribute much to the project itself despite being part of it; I was mostly there just to refill everyone's coffee and take notes to report to Hayami.

Yamato Kougami.

Working with him in the same department and project team provided me with a daily dose of humor.

It really made me laugh how much he seemed to hate me. The glares I received were responded to with a gentle smile; I was always amused.

The way he showed his care for Yonemoto was hilarious. No grown adult glares at another in such an obvious manner. I suppose Yamato Kougami is like a child in that way.

It was adorable.

Walking through the halls, coming back from the food department, I was drowned in my thoughts as I walked back to my desk. I didn't expect a firm grip to take a hold of my upper arm.

My weight jerked me back and startled I look up to find the face of the man I hate the most.

My father.