CUPCAKE THREE

Time passed quickly.  It had been half a year, six months to be exact since Akira's meeting with Kitaro Eiji.

 All this time, Eiji often took his daughter to Akira's cake shop, because his daughter kept begging to meet Akira and she wanted to eat a cupcake, she said.  Every day Eiji comes there.  Or Akira who came there to Kitaro's because Michiko was crying and the little princess came with her nanny to his cake shop.  Akira happily played with the little one at Eiji's house.

Akira often stayed at Kitaro Eiji's house to accompany the beautiful little Michiko.  Sometimes Akira stayed there until late at night.  Accompanying the little princess to sleep.  And Akira would come home when Michiko was asleep or Kitaro Eiji came home from his office.

Even though Michiko had a nanny, the child didn't want to be separated from Akira.  She stuck like glue.  The child always wanted to be near him.  Likewise Akira, he fell in love with the princess.  Akira really loved her.  He always complied with her wishes.  He spoiled her.  He, deep down, had considered Michiko like his own daughter.  On Saturdays or Sundays, Akira often took Michiko to a playground in a residential area.  The neighbors' mothers even teased Akira.

"Akira. You are so lucky. You can get a very beautiful daughter instantly and she is very attached to you. She likes you a lot, doesn't she? Akira... His father is very handsome! Maybe it's time for you to start a new life and have a family."  they giggled.

Akira only responded to them with a smile or laughter.  He felt it was not yet the time.  Besides, Kitaro Eiji never showed special treatment in front of Akira.  So he also responded normally too.  They were just friends.

 The reason why Akira didn't respond to them was firstly that the relationship between him and Kitaro Eiji was only based on old friendship, even though they weren't actually friends in the past. But he knew Kitaro Eiji for a long time. Akira only treated Eiji as a friend.  So was Kitaro Eiji.  There was nothing special between them. Secondly, Michiko needed him.  Nothing's more.  Only that.

Akira admitted that he does have hidden intentions towards Kitaro Eiji.  He wanted the man to fall to his knees before him and regret what he had done.  It was true that Kitaro Eiji already regretted what he did to Akira in the past.  One mission had completed itself.  Other missions would be carried out as time passed.

One day, in the middle of the night his phone rang.  He woke up from his sleep.  He looked at his smartphone screen.  Kitaro Eiji's name was written on it.  He immediately picked up the phone.

 "Akira. Help me. Michiko has a fever. And she keeps calling you. Please.." Eiji's voice was immediately heard on the other side.

"Okay, Eiji, I'll be right there." He hung up the phone and he immediately ran to Kitaro Eiji's house without changing his clothes.  He was so anxious that he couldn't even think about changing his clothes.  He just grabbed what was hanging on his bedroom wall. Even though it was winter.  The air temperature in Tokyo was very low but Akira didn't care about it. 

Akira opened the gate, and at the door the nanny was waiting for him.

 " Konbanwa, Akira san. Kitaro san is already waiting in his room. Michiko chan has a fever."

Akira nodded and immediately headed to Kitaro Eiji and Michiko's room.  The father and daughter slept in the same room and on the same bed.  Kitaro Eiji loved his daughter so much that he didn't want Michiko to sleep alone.  With reason he would be able to watch her while hugging his child.

"Eiji, have you called the doctor? How is Michiko?" Akira was very worried, so he sat on the edge of the bed and put his palm on Michiko's forehead.

 "Oh my god. She's so hot. Has the doctor come yet?" He stared at Eiji.

"Yes, Akira. He already did. The doctor just came home after he checked up on Michiko. But she keeps calling you. I can't bear it. I'm sorry I disturbed your sleep in the middle of the night like this. You must be very tired after a long day of work."

"It's okay, Eiji. Don't worry. I had time to rest earlier. I was really worried when you called me. I will accompany Akira until she recovers."

"Thank you, Akira. If only her mother was beside her. I wouldn't bother you."  Eiji regretted everything that happened in his life.

 " Hey! Stop apologizing. It's fine. I don't mind. I willingly came here. There's no need to feel guilty. I'm your friend. Isn't a friend supposed to be like that? After all I can manage my time and take care of Michiko. You don't have to  worry. I'd be happy to help you out." Akira tried to convince Kitaro Eiji.

"Okay. Thanks,  Akira. "

"You are welcome,  Eiji. "

"Would you like something to drink?" Eiji asked.

 "I want a glass of water." Akira said.

The man went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and returned to his room.  He handed the glass of water to Akira.  Akira drank it down immediately.

"Are you really that thirsty?" Kitaro Eiji chuckled.

 "Yes. I feel very thirsty. I was asleep earlier and when you called I woke up and ran here immediately."

Kitaro Eiji raised his eyebrows and he realized that Akira was only wearing a yukata.  Yukata is a kimono that is usually worn in summer.  Akira often wore a yukata at home, at night.

" Huh?! How can you only wear a yukata like this? It's so thin. It's winter, Akira. You shouldn't be wearing a yukata. You should wear thicker clothes."

 "Because I was so worried, I didn't have time to think. So I immediately grabbed the hanging clothes and came straight here."

Then Kitaro Eiji took a blanket from his wardrobe.  And covered Akira's body with the blanket.

 "Let it warm up," said Kitaro Eiji.

 "Why a blanket? Why don't you just warm me up?" Akira teased him while laughing loudly.

 " Ssshh... You're so noisy! Shameless!" Kitaro Eiji pouted.  But he smiled in response to Akira.  He knew that Akira was only teasing him.  And he didn't mind.

But even so, Kitaro Eiji felt his face heat up.  Luckily the lighting in his room at that time was dim enough so Akira couldn't see him.

 "Mama..." Michiko woke up.

 "Yes, honey. I'm here." Akira replied.

Akira hugged the little girl.  Give her his warmth and love.

 " Mama... Don't come home. Hug me."

 " Sshh... I'm here to keep you company. Go to sleep, honey. I'll still hug you."

Then Akira lulled her by humming a song from nursery rhymes.  The child fell asleep in his arms.  Then he looked at Kitaro Eiji who had been watching the two of them.  He looked at the man.

"Should I sleep here?" Akira asked Kitaro Eiji.  He was a bit confused.  Because the house only had two rooms.

 "It's okay. Go to sleep. I'll sleep on the couch."

"On the sofa? With  that big body you want to sleep on the sofa? The sofa is not big enough for you to sleep on. Tomorrow you have to go to the office. Won't your body be sore later?" asked Akira.

 " It can't be helped? What should I do? Michiko wants you beside her."

They were both confused.  It wouldn't feel good to let Eiji sleep on the couch.  This house only has two rooms.  And the guest room has been occupied by the nanny.  This room was the only one left, and they're afraid that if Akira comes home, Michiko will cry again.

"You just sleep here with us. No problem right?" asked Akira.

 Kitaro nodded, "No problem. I was afraid you would mind if I slept here too. And I couldn't possibly make you sleep on the couch." Eiji said.

Then the three of them fell asleep in the same bed.  Eiji on the left, Michiko in the middle and Akira on the right.  A new start just like what Akira wanted.  One more mission has been completed.