Neither Yukino or I had ever had a so called "proper job." She works part time for her company and is mostly a housewife or home maker. Meanwhile on my end I have never gotten a 5-9. Sure I worked part time jobs during university. But a real job? No. Sure I get paid more than average. But I have never had a proper salary man job. I haven't even woken up this early since high school. Reaching to my phone on the bed end I clicked tapped the screen to cancel out the alarm, making sure it doesn't wake Yukino. Although the three months Kurona Yukinoshita…bitch gave me wasn't over. Today was the day that Jiro, her husband had planned for me to be introduced to the board and the company. For the mission that Haruno san and I want to accomplish. I guess I have to drag myself out of bed even though it is 6 am.

But here came problem two. The awkward position that we are in. She's snuggling close with her arms around me in some sort of death grip. Trying desperately to carefully disarm of grip resulted in no success. In fact, it woke her up. Instead of shouting or belittling me she woke up with a faint blush and resituated her body on top of mine. Then sliding herself along the length of my body, making me grunt. Any other day and this sort of behaviour would result in three hours of suck, squeeze, bang and blow…not in that particular order. But today I can't. Placing my arms on her shoulders and stiffening it, I stop her erotic movements.

"You don't want me?" She pouted and complained. I sigh. My body doesn't want to say no and we both know that it is evident. But my mind has to say yes.

"Not this morning. Your dad has a car here at 7 and I needa get ready."

"Just text him…saying we are busy trying to make him a grandchild…" She pecked me in the cheek and proceeded working down toward my neck. What the hell do you do to a woman when they are in heat? Spray water on their face like dogs? And what a shame. The rare day she acts like this and I have to decline her.

"No… today…its important. For our plan to come to fruition. It's for the kids."

She pouted and rolled away, clearly disappointed.

"Kids. Plural, that assumes we have more than one Hachiman." She complained.

"Oh come on. I have to leave it 55 minutes. And it takes me at least 10 minutes to shower and 10 more for changing, not to mention breakfast."

"Just eat in the company canteen. Give me 10 minutes. It is all I need to make you happy…."

Releasing a breath to signal me giving up on arguing, I simple let her take the lead. Afterward to save time, we took a shower together, but that was mainly an excuse on my end. After everything I now put on my shoes, about to proceed down and wait for the provided driver. Until I felt something pull on my sleeve. Turning around I look at her.

"Yeah?"

"Nothing…It's just that…somehow…I feel sad and I don't want you to go."

"I go to meetings about my books sometimes though."

"That's different. Today…today is the beginning. Soon you would have to go every day and leave me here alone. Part of me doesn't want that."

I place my hand on top of her head and gently stroked her soft still slightly moist hair.

"Silly girl. Once I get rid of your moms control and terror tactics over us. I'll be with you every day again. And hey, we got a nice big house out of it, so it's not all bad."

Yeah she's dangerous. Even though she couldn't legally any force anything. I am sure she will think of a way to manipulate something or someone so it falls into an outcome that she desires. And I don't want to have our children to be basically livestock for her to find chances to manipulate for her advantage.

"Hmm…I'm just scared. I don't want her to be able to influence you. To get in your head…"

"I'm stronger than I look…at least mentally." I chuckle, Yukino smiles in turn of my comment and tip toes, making her tall enough to wrap her arms around my neck and kiss me on the lips.

"Good luck. Since I know you won't have a nice day. I won't." She smiles.

"I'll see you later. I should be home by six. Unless your dad insists I have dinner with the board of whatever."

She nods and turns away, a sudden urge I felt made be grab her and pull her toward me from behind and I hugged her. I felt very embarrassed as I did it and remained silent. Then removing my embrace after a few seconds. I turn toward the door. Only for her to raise her hand to her chest and gently wave.

"See you later." She smiled. I nod and open the door and proceeded down. Already feeling irritated about the suit I am wearing. As I opened the lobby door a black limousine was there waiting in idle. Walking toward it and opening the door. I was greeted by my father in law and Haruno san.

"Morning Hachiman!" Haruno san spoke up with a massive smile.

"Ah. Yeah…" I answered, still drowsy and tired.

"You look tired my boy." My father in law spoke up and handed me a cup. Hot and it smelled great. It must be some really nice coffee.

"Thank you." I answered and I received the cup. The car began to slowly move and I was surprised by its ride. It felt like nothing like I have ridden before, it was so comfortable and light, I felt like I was on the train...just nicer.

"By the way Hachiman, today is nothing tough. Basically I will take you through a walk around of every department of the company and then we'd meet the board. That's it really for today."

"You make it sound like a school field trip." I retorted to Haruno, making my father in law chuckle.

"You two are always snapping at each other. I wonder if you are like this with Yukino. Arguments aren't good for marriages."

Well, being overly obedient to your wife to the point where she is almost in total control aren't staples of a good marriage either. But I couldn't say that to his face.

"We don't bicker that often." I replied instead.

"Yeah dad, those two are totally in love. I bet they were baby making this morning too! Hence why he's so tired!"

"You…"

"You're not denying it!" She laughed.
Haruno you bitch, you have to bring some shit like this up to my in laws.

"Well they are young! But Haruno, don't say something like that when your mothers around. She doesn't like it."

"That's why I am saying it here father."

Cheeky. Now can we please stop talking about our sex life?!

"Anyway…"I cough to get attention.

"What's the schedule today. I don't assume we would be walking around the entire place." I continued. Haruno san nodded.

"Yeah. Our company as you know, mainly concentrates in construction. We would be visiting the departments most relevant to your job title as president. So HR, BI, BD, Logistics, Finance, Interior, pre-con, and Operations."

I basically got none of that. What is up with the acronyms.

"Ah…"

Haruno san chuckled, probably amused that she knows that I was completely lost.

"Then after that we will introduce you to the board in a buffet style dinner."

"Dinner? What time does it end?" I more or less promised to be home asap.

"Uhm. Usually dinner leads to drinks. So maybe 11 earliest 1am latest?" Haruno responded with a finger on her cheek.

"What!" I accidently spurt out, damn near spitting my coffee into my father in laws face. Not to mention his ridiculously expensive suit that is worth more than my life.

"Oh. You must be missing Yukino. Did you promise to spend time with her? I could rearrange the event or you could leave earlier. It's no big deal my boy." He responded with a warm smile. While I know that he doesn't mind, doing so will not do me any good or favours in the long run. So I really have no choice but to run by it.

"No… its fine. I'll call her later." I sigh. So this is the life of a corporate slave. Even if you want, you can't say no.

"If you are worried I could get Hayato to visit her. Although I am sure Yukino chan will be fine." Haruno smirked and I point my gaze at her.

"No. Please don't." I mutter. The ride didn't take too long. By the end of the ride the coffee was still warm if that means anything. Finishing it off I proceeded inside with the two Yukinoshita's.

"Hachiman my boy, I will be leaving now for a meeting. Haruno will be your guide for the day as she is vice president. You two will need to register in HR first and they will give you an access card as well as a network access key, so you can access our company's servers etc because it is encrypted. It is imperative that you do not lose this key. As all of our information is there."

I feel like a three-year-old….

"No problem."

"Good. I'll see you two at the dinner at 5:30 then." He smiles and walks away into his I presume private lift.

"Let's go then!" Haruno says excitedly. As she was the boss's daughter everyone was looking at me as we proceeded toward the human resources department. It didn't take long for me to get everything cleared. After all no one wants to make the boss's daughter wait. With everything cleared we begun the long day. Going department after department and talking to many people I have to admit I learned a lot and some of it was even interesting. As the clock hit 1 Haruno and I hit the employee canteen. However, something was curious, people were staring.

"Do I really look that shady?" I muttered.

"A bit. But the main reason is because you are here."

"Huh?"

"You are probably the first ceo to be sitting and eating lunch with the commoner employees. Dad never did, the board never does. What you are doing is...kinda gathering moral with the troops per say. That you are one of them and not above them."

"You planned this?" I chuckle. Secretly impressed at how devious Haruno san is.

"Doing this is better than talking to a hundred people. Perhaps the foods not bad…for you."

What are you on about?! This don is pretty great! Oh wait, its pedestrian food. People like you won't possibly eat something like this.

"You are just posh." I mumble, slightly embarrassed.

"But you're not. So maybe you would be loved here."

"I've never been loved in my life." I shrug.

"Oh. Even Yukino chan?"

"Except her."

"Komachi chan?!"

"Okay Point taken…"

"Gahama chan?" Her aura noticeably changed to something cold and she looked at me.

"Of course not." I retorted back.

"You two do seem awfully close. Especially after what she did in that brunch, if it was anyone else you'd have destroyed her."

"She's my friend."

"Friends don't do something like that. Now if I find out any funny business between you two..."

"You won't." I cut her off.

"Good. Now hurry up. We don't have much time left." She quickly reverts back to her typical fake bubbly self. But she does have a point. Sure. I care about Yuigahama Yui. But did I act too lenient? She did essentially assist in trapping me in this. The day went on as scheduled until Haruno san and I proceeded to the top floor for the dinner. Essentially a meet and greet for me and the rest of the board. Upon them gazing me for the first sight. I know they weren't impressed at all. Hell, if I was them I won't be impressed by seeing me. But what I have to charm them is this…I read their profiles, learned about them like a stalker using the information Haruno san provided me weeks ago. Good enough for me to build a fortified mask like hers, to pretend, the act social able. To be a fake.

"Uh…" And I'm failing already. Struggling to even introduce myself.

"It's just that it's kinda intimidating being in front all you business legends…" I bsed to try and recompose myself. This is hard…how does Haruno san do it. I mean sure, she has years of practice while I just didn't care what people thought of me, but in this world, to survive, you have to be somewhat fake.

My quickly fired comments gathered a few laughs and it seemed successful. I could see in the crowd, my bitch of a mother in law staring at me, essentially giving me the message from her gaze alone that I should not even dare to screw this up. Luckily for me, to take her down I won't let myself screw up.

"My name is Hikigaya Hachiman…Uhm, I'm who Jiro san asked to be the new ceo…so I am looking forward to uh…working with you all in the future." I smile and bow. One man in the crowd wasn't convinced.

"So you just elected your son in law? Doesn't he have no experience in business at all? I mean he writes books, with great sales sure… but still." One old man muttered. What's his name again?

"Well. That is true I have had no actual experience, I will do my very best to learn from you all and try to be of service. Also…Madou san…every project you voted against were all successful, so infact I am kinda glad you don't approve of me." I try to joke and ease the tension. Haruno san was laughing at my awkward face while the rest of the board smiled and laughed at my joke. I take a breath of relief. I could see my father in law nodding and smiling in affirmation while my mother in law was not convinced at all. After shaking and chatting to everyone I see my mother in law directing me to go to her with a tilt to her head. We walked toward the other side, where there was no one, essentially allowing her to pounce.

"Not bad for an introductory speech. I do hope that there are no hard feelings between us, I only forced you into this for the greater good of the family."

"Family huh?" I chuckle.

"Is using your own grandchildren as a weapon, how family treats each other?" I retort her.

"Do you honestly think I would force my grandchildren and future grandchildren into an arranged marriage? Even I don't have enough power to do that. But here's the beauty of it. You care about them so much, you wouldn't even risk it, even if there was just a one percent chance. You took it as an absolute certainty. What I like about you is that you see everyone and everything as bad and horrid as possible and is always on alert. While this is a strength, it is too a weakness. infact one i easily exploited."

"So all of this. Was just a bluff to get me to be your pawn. Because you know asking wouldn't work."

"No. I do want to combine Hayama's firm and our company through Yukino. However, that fell through because of you. But…I guess you could call it a bluff, although you didn't call it. Someone so emotionally driven and logical would definitely think I would do those things...after all you are a man of contradiction...Actually it does seem believable that I would do something so evil and cruel." She muttered the last couple of words silently. As if she was saddened by the fact that people saw her this way and she too admits it, a moment of vulnerability.

"Then why are you telling me this now. Yes, I signed a contract but even if I do revoke it, all I have to do is pay a fee which I can afford." I can afford although it would be a significant burn in my accounts.

She chuckles.

"You can. But I bought the publisher that you use to publish your books as an investment. So do you honestly believe you could be an author again?" She laughs slightly entertained.

"I could find another one."

"Which I will catch wind of and then I will sell the one I own and buy the one you are trying to use. It's an endless cycle which you cannot win. Thankfully publishers are small and cheap, so there's really no way for you out of this." She smiles at me.

"You really do think of everything…"I sigh.

"I'm not trying to control you. I need you, our company, Yukino, we all need you. But I have to set precautions to prevent you…from rebelling. Perhaps it's not like you are given a bad job. You earn tens of millions and you take instructions from me and Jiro for fundamental plans of the company. Meanwhile Jiro could focus on his diet position. Who knows, maybe when he retires you can have that position too."

"Puppet. Just say it." I grit my teeth.

"No, you're not. Look, I want to have a proper relationship with you. I don't want my daughters husband to hate me nor do I want to hate you. We are a family and we need to take compromises for each other."

"You don't care if I hate you or not. You care if Yukino does or if my children do. I have no Yukinoshita blood through my veins, I'm as disposable as that Kimono you are wearing."

"You don't have to be that specific my dear. But you are no puppet. Even if Jiro and I do tell you to bring something up to the board, they could veto it. You are just an…middle man."

"A board you control."

"Is that so? Happy coincidences I guess." She smiles and places a hand on my shoulder, I shrug it off immediately.

"Look Hachiman. Enjoy these 2 and a bit months' you have left as an... househusband. Come back refreshed. Many would kill to have your position. Think of the positive side. I'll see you soon."

With a small fake smile. She walked away. Even though before I was slightly hesitant to bully an old lady out of her own company, this conversation alone solidifies my conviction and commitment. I could see from a distance Haruno san smiling and nodding at me, then raising up a glass. I nod back. I'm done losing and being manipulated by this woman.

By the time I got home it was 12am. The first reaction I felt as I opened the door and looked at the dining table was one of guilt. Yukino was sitting on her typical spot with a table full of my favourite foods. Everything covered up with translucent lids. I completely forgot to tell her that I wasn't going home for dinner…she must have cooked everything I liked because she knew today was going to be hell for me.

"Yo…" I muttered.

"Is this going to be the norm now? Are you never going to answer calls or be home for dinner? Are you going to end up the same as father did when I was a child?"

I pull my phone out of my pocket. I left it on silent without vibration. There were tens of calls and texts I missed.

"I totally forgot. I'm really sorry…and no…I want to be home. It's just that the situation today. Never mind…"

"Did you eat then? Because all I can smell from your body is the stench of alcohol."

Yeah…I was forced to go to drink with all those old geezers. Thank god they were all old and lightweights. Otherwise I won't be home yet.

"Yeah I ate. I am sorry you know?"

"Whatever. Go wash off that stench. I'll put everything in the fridge."

"Right." Even though she was glaring at me, I could tell from her eyes and the shape of her mouth that she was also extremely saddened. Maybe something of her childhood was projected onto my behaviour tonight, but it cannot be blamed. After all, she was stuck here alone even though our daughter was here, she had no one really to talk to…

After taking a shower and changing into sleeping attire I laid down in bed. Yukino was already tucked in, more or less and completely ignored my existence, clearly still angered or at least annoyed. Switching off the remaining lights I placed an arm loosely around her waist and laid, closer than usual. After all, I did miss her too.

"Stop being mad okay? I promise I won't do this again…probably."

"If you can't even commit to a promise. Don't bother."

"It's not that…I don't wanna lie to you. So I can promise you concretely."

"You know…when I was a child. Father was my only defence against mother. He protected me and let me be. But as I grew up, he was never there anymore…" She rolled around, facing me with a pained face. She reached her hand up and gently cupped my cheek.

"Am I being stupid or illogical for worrying that would be the same?"

"You know I don't want any of this. Your mom…let just say we fell into her trap."

"That's not the point…" She mumbled.

"I know…Look, I'll try my best to maintain my role as a husband and a father. Perhaps, with me gone all the time, I'd have to fret about you cheating on me…so the pains both ways." I try to joke and ease her. But the reaction was mute at best.

"You know I wouldn't do that…"

"Yeah I know. It was a crap attempt to kind ease things." I raise my hand to stroke her hair.

"Hachiman…."

"Yeah?"

"I don't think we should have a second child anymore…" She speaks up. It was slightly shocking because we have been working hard to try to accomplish it and the sudden change of heart caught me completely off guard.

"Why?!" Was all I could say.

"With you busy now and away from home most of the day…I simply cannot carry another child. We have a baby to take care of already. With you away I simply cannot handle it…I'm sorry. Maybe we should wait a year or two? At least until Nanae could somewhat take care of herself."

"Right…"

"I am sorry. But I think it's the best option based on the current situation of things. Assuming I do get pregnant in the next few weeks or 2 months. Then what? You would be at work all day and I simply cannot handle taking care of Nanae and carry a child at the same time whilst being a home maker."

"No, No. I get it. Don't worry." If I was to say I wasn't disappointed, I would be lying, but if this is her choice and decision. I should respect it.

"Anyways…goodnight…" Those were the last words she spoke tonight. Closing her eyes, she relaxed and quickly fell asleep, probably due to the labour of making a dinner that I completely wasted. Although I do wonder, how did my face look when she told me her decision…and did that face upset her? But it was too late to ask or say anything now.