#cheating tw

As much as he missed his wife and daughters during his chaotic workweek, he would be lying if he said he didn’t like having the house to himself after a debilitating 24-hour shift. 

Daichi could unwind and eat his breakfast without his puppy-eyed babies staring at him, pleading with him to share his meal even after they had already had their uninterrupted breakfast beforehand. It didn’t matter in what mental state he found himself in, he could never say no to his princesses.

After stowing away his coat and shoes, he walked past the living room to the kitchen —hand rubbing the exhaustion out of one of his eyes— only to do a double take when he noticed a nearly unmoving figure sitting at the dining table. 

Daichi stepped backwards to the doorway of the living room with a curious frown. 

“Oh.” He said surprised. “Hey, kid.”

It had already been nearly a week since you, the newest and temporary addition to his family, had moved into the guest room, but Daichi still had to get used to your presence. 

When you weren’t busy taking his daughters to and from school or their extracurricular activities, you were usually out of the house, doing god knows what. With Daichi’s unusual work and sleeping schedule, he had barely caught a glimpse of you since you had been living with his family. 

“Mr. Sawamura, um, hi—” You looked up from your laptop sitting in front of you, only noticing his presence then. Swiftly, you closed your device like you were looking at something you weren’t supposed to. “Just give me a moment and I’ll get out of your hair.”

A notebook, a few pens and other knickknacks were scattered across your side of the table. You quickly gathered the smaller objects and messily stuffed them into your pencil case before stacking everything on top of each other.

Daichi smiled amused and shook his head. “You don’t have to leave. Technically this is your house now, too.”

A sentiment Mr. and Mrs. Sawamura didn’t seem to share. His wife, Yumi never explicitly told you you couldn’t be in the same room as her, but in the first few days you often caught her, what you could only interpret as ‘what are you still doing here?’ glances when you weren’t attending to her children. You always excused yourself to your room, kept busy with the girls or found something outside of the house to do.

Daichi’s tone seemed sincere, but you still weren’t entirely convinced he actually meant it.

“I just don’t want to be in your way.”

“You’re fine.” He assured you. “I’m going up soon anyway.”

You gave him an unsure nod and Daichi went on about his day, moving on to the kitchen. 

It was hard to ignore his presence. Even with him in the next room, you felt like your every move was being monitored. You straightened your back and disassembled the tower on top of your laptop. This time you made sure not to take up so much room, taking out just one pen to take notes.

You resumed scrolling through the translated list of various activities around the city, bookmarking the most intriguing ones.

From the next room the soft clanks of pots and pans reached you, followed by the beeping of the microwave as Daichi prepared last evening’s left overs. After the end signal, it only took him another moment for him to appear in your peripheral vision as he approached the dining table.

“Do you mind?” He asked, reaching for the chair diagonally across from you.

You forced a smile. “Yeah— I mean no. Go ahead.”

Daichi pulled his phone from his back pocket and sat down. He got comfortable in his seat and whispered his gratitude before starting on his breakfast. 

There was a moment of an uncomfortable silence —probably just uncomfortable to you— filled with closed-mouthed chewing, the inaudible swiping on his screen, the clicking of your mouse and the seconds ticking away on the clock sitting against the wall. 

It was even more impossible to ignore him when he was sitting at the same table as you. Like a moth to a flame, his presence attracted your gaze to him and for the first time since you arrived you got a good look at him. 

Daichi was as handsome as Yumi was beautiful. As far as you knew, the couple was both in their late 30s or early 40s, but noticing his salt-and-pepper hair and the lines in his face, you wondered if there was somewhat of an age gap after all. 

You wanted to tear your eyes away before it became clear you were staring, but you couldn’t help but let them wander to his exposed arms. How didn’t you notice how buff he was before? Comparing him to the pictures hanging around the house from his volleyball days in high school and college, he had grown softer over the years, but his years as a firefighter definitely showed in shirt-hugged biceps. 

Mrs. Sawamura had great taste in men.

“Since when do we have tea?” 

Your gaze flickered up to his and luckily he hadn’t caught you ogling his arms. His attention was fixed on the transparent cup next to your laptop. Embarrassment still warmed your cheeks, your heart picking up at how close you were to making your host think you were a pervert.

It took a moment for you to gather your words. “Oh, it’s from back home. Raspberry leaf tea.”

“Ah, I was about to say.” Daichi smiled short of a laugh. “We’re more of a coffee household.” 

“I’m also more of a coffee person. This just helps relieve. . .” You stopped yourself from giving away way too much information, mentally face palming yourself for your nerves getting the best of you. “. . . certain symptoms.”

Horrible safe. 

“Is that why you’re staying in today?” Daichi asked.

“Hm?” You expected him to take a moment to think about how to change subjects, but to your surprise he never halted in his movements or response, like it was the most normal thing to discuss with a practical stranger.

“You’re usually already out and about by now.” He chuckled, almost embarrassed, assuming he phrased his question oddly. “I’m just being nosy, you don’t have to answer my question.” 

“Oh, no, you’re fine. I’m just—” not used to others taking an interest in what I do. “I’m not feeling great so I decided to stay in.” 

“If you’re not up to getting the girls later, I’ll go so you can rest up.” Daichi offered without hesitation, like exchanging his well-needed rest with yours was nothing, like they weren’t paying you to take this responsibility off their shoulders. 

You shook your head with a grateful smile. “I should be fine, but thank you sir.” 

“Alright.” He gathered his empty plate and utensils before he got up from the dining table and headed to the kitchen. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.” 

As Daichi left you to be on your own once more, a spark of hope ignited in your chest that this new adventure wouldn’t feel so lonely after all.