takaba has a pretty wife!
cute divider from pinterest; @//bhavya
megumi wasn’t entirely sure why he agreed to follow the man home.
actually—no, he was.
it was because right as he was saying no, yuuji had already thrown himself over his shoulder, grinning like an idiot as he accepted takaba’s invitation without a second thought much to the dismay of nanami and megumi.
they followed his overly bizarre directions, which mostly just had them looping in circles before he suddenly veered off down a quieter road like this had been the plan all along.
“it’s just up ahead?!” yuuji called out, way too excited for someone who had no idea where they were actually going.
megumi cringed.
the man was painfully unfunny. and yet somehow… committed to it.
which made it worse.
megumi dragged a hand down his face, already regretting every decision that led him here.
he was spiraling, mentally preparing himself for whatever kind of nonsense he was about to walk into.
plastic snakes hanging over the doorway? real snakes?
some kind of trap where they step inside, take their shoes off, and immediately slip on something stupid like baby oil?
or worse—one of those fake doors that slam open with confetti cannons, except it’s not confetti, it’s flour or glitter that never fully comes out of your clothes.
a rigged doorknob that shocks you just enough to piss you off.
maybe even a “normal” drink that turns out to be saltwater or something equally ridiculous the second you take a sip.
megumi exhaled slowly.
honestly—
he wouldn’t even be surprised if the entire house was one big setup.
and somehow, that still felt like the least concerning possibility.
“—and then we could just eat everything!” yuuji’s voice cut through his thoughts, loud and animated as always.
takaba burst out laughing.
“no, no, i can’t do that!” takaba waved his hands dramatically, still laughing as he turned toward them. “my wife would kill me! like actually—i’d be dead! you’d be coming to my funeral instead!”
silence passed as megumi looked over at nanami who had an equally as surprised expression.
“…wife?” megumi repeated.
“yes!” takaba beamed, like that wasn’t insane information to just casually drop. “she’s going to love having so many guests to feed!”
and despite the warning—despite the buildup, the weird directions, the constant stream of nonsense—
nothing could have prepared him for what was inside takaba’s house.
because there was nothing out the ordinary.
no pranks, no traps, no collapsing furniture.
just the fresh smell of persimmons and coffee wafted through the air.
megumi stood there for a second longer than necessary, scanning the space like something had to be wrong.
like something was about to happen.
because there was no way—
no way this was it.
“…this is worse,” he muttered under his breath.
he felt like he’d stepped into an alternate reality when the prettiest woman he’d ever seen peeked out from the kitchen, pausing for just a second as she took in the group of men standing awkwardly in the doorway.
and then your face lit up.
“you’re home!” you said dreamily, stepping out fully now, a soft, flowy dress swaying around your legs with a cute little apron tied neatly at your waist.
your hands came together in front of you, fingers lacing as you beamed at takaba like he’d just returned from war instead of… fighting a grade 1 curse.
“ah!—and you have friends!”
takaba puffed up immediately, gesturing grandly toward them like he’d just brought home something impressive.
“of course! i figured i’d bring home some strays—thought we could keep ’em,” he said, nodding seriously. “feed them, raise them… maybe teach them how to laugh.”
a beat.
yuuji burst out laughing, megumi stared and nanami didn’t react at all.
you, however, let out a soft little giggle, bringing your hand up to your mouth as you smiled at him like that was the funniest thing you’d heard all day.
“you’re so silly,” you murmured fondly before turning your attention back to the others, your expression brightening again.
you introduced yourself sweetly, stepping a little closer as megumi and nanami awkwardly returned the gesture, still trying to process… all of this.
and it didn’t help that you were so perfect, hair done perfectly, were you even wearing makeup?
even nanami was struck into silence as yuuji bombarded you with questions that you answered back with equal enthusiasm.
whatever confusion they had didn’t matter for long.
because you ushered them inside like it was the most normal thing in the world, already moving back into the kitchen.
“you must be hungry,” you said over your shoulder.
“we’re fine,” megumi started immediately.
his stomach betrayed him, loud and unforgiving.
you paused for a second before smiling even brighter.
“perfect! i made extra.”
and in what a few short minutes warm, fresh, good food laid out across the table like they hadn’t just walked into a stranger’s home.
while you played everyone’s meal takaba went to get a fresh “suit”. nanami watched him go.
then slowly turned back to you.
“…you’re really married to him?” he asked, tone careful.
you blinked at him, tilting your head slightly before smiling.
“mhm! he’s my husband.”
like it was so obvious.
like there was no reason to question it.
megumi frowned slightly, glancing toward the hallway before looking back at you.
“…do you actually find him funny?”
you paused.
and you laughed.
not the soft giggle from before.
a real one, bright and full.
“heavens no!”
megumi blinked and nanami raised a brow as he grabbed the plate you offered.
you smiled after, softer now, fond as you glanced in the direction takaba disappeared.
“…but that’s what makes him funny.”
© yorikae
ngl dk where i was going w this 🌝
