Chapter Two: Diagnosis and Decisions
"Well, Shindou-san, what seems to be the problem?" The doctor, a woman with a kind-looking face, asked, smiling at him.
"Uh, well… this from about the middle of the month, every time I wake up in the morning I feel really sick. This morning was the worst so I thought I'd pop in just to prove to my lover that it's not serious." Shuichi smiled softly. "He's always worrying. Though I know he'd never say."
The doctor grinned at the young singer, noting how brilliantly he glowed when he smiled and subconsciously taking note of the fact the small man's lover was male. "I see." She said. "Are there any other things bothering you?"
Shuichi had to think for a moment, his nose wrinkling. "I get real sleepy at the oddest times. I feel light headed fairly often, too. Also, something really odd, I usually love strawberry pocky – as in like I can't go a day without five or six packets, but lately I can't stand it. The thought of it alone makes me ill." He shuddered, suppressing his nausea.
At this the doctor frowned. "Uh-huuuuh… Shindou-san, I have to ask you some very important and intimate questions, but it's vital that you answer them as truthfully as you can. I think I know what's wrong, but I need to ask some questions and run some tests first to be certain."
Shuichi absorbed this before nodding, "Okay."
"Alright, when was the last time you had intimate relations with your lover?" She began, her clipboard in hand.
Shuichi felt the blush creep up his neck, but answered, "Um, I think it was last week. He's laid off me a little since he realized I'm sick."
"Okay, and have you found your nipples or that general area to be painful? Or very sensitive?"
Shuichi had to think about that one for a moment, "I'm not sure. I guess, they are a little painful sometimes… like rubbed raw?"
"Right…" She noted that down, it was beginning to look like her suspicions were correct. "Finally, have you found yourself taking more frequent trips to the toilet? As in, having to urinate more often?"
"Yes, but only a little. I don't think anyone else would notice if it had been them, but I can usually sit through many a recording session without needing the toilet, but lately I can't seem to do it anymore."
"Uh-huh. Okay, well that's all, question wise, but now I'd like to carry out some tests." She turned to her desk and pulled open a drawer, she reached inside and pulled out a little tub.
"Pee-test?" Shuichi asked, taking the tub from her and she nodded, guiding him to the ensuite-like bathroom.
When he was done, he came out shyly from the toilet and handed the tub to her, lid secured and then asked with some trepidation, "And the next test?"
"A blood test, just to be on the safe side." She said smiling at him, "Don't worry, it'll be fine."
After all the tests were completed, rubbing his inner elbow Shuichi sat patiently waiting for his results, fearing the worst. Shu-chan had never been the kind to wait quietly and before he knew it he found himself singing to himself. He was halfway through his third song when the door opened again and the doctor came back in, a sheet in hand.
"Well, Shindou-san."
Shuichi stood up, wringing his hands nervously. "So, Doc, what's wrong with me?"
"I'm not about to beat about the bush, as impossible as it may seem, Shindou-san, you're pregnant."
The singer blinked, sitting back down in a daze. "I-I'm what?"
She beamed at him, "I said you're pregnant. I'd say from your symptoms and from the blood test, that you're entering your second month."
As it begun to sink in, the pink-haired man pressed a hand delicately to his stomach and a smile spread across his face. "I'm gonna have a baby."
"Like I said it's… I guess, one chance to infinity, but looks like you're the one." Said the doctor, writing on a prescription pad. "These are the nutrients you need to take for the sake of your own and the baby's health. I'll book you in for another check up next month."
"Okay," he said as he took the prescription, "thank you, very much!" He waved to the doctor as he left, the grin still plastered on his face, but when he got into the elevator to go to the car park, suddenly that smile dropped. What if, after he knows that my body can do this, he doesn't want me anymore? What if Yuki doesn't want this baby? What if… what if Yuki tells me to get rid of the baby? I can't even risk that happening…
Shuichi clutched at his heart and got out on the next floor – one floor up from where Yuki was. He stopped and thought a moment, before flipping out his cell phone.
"Brat, I'm in the parking lot, like I said I'd be. Where are you? Can you get down here okay? Damn, maybe I should have stayed there and waited…"
"Yuki, I'm fine, it's nothing serious and it should be clearing up soon. You go home, I gotta sort some other things out with the doctor, you know like prescriptions and stuff, and then I thought I'd pop by Hiro's. I know you hate waiting around for me so I'll let you go…" Shuichi said, then added quickly for good measure, "Besides, I know you have a deadline approaching."
The other end of the line was silent for a moment. "I do have a deadline…" Yuki mused, "Do you want me to pick you up from Hiro's?"
"Nah, I'll catch the subway and I'll send you a text when I get there."
Again the line was silent and Shuichi knew that his lover was debating whether or not it was wise to let his ill lover wander about on his own.
"I'll be fine Yuki, really. Look, I gotta go get these prescriptions, but I love you and I'll see you soon!"
"Hn… See you at home, Brat." Was the last thing Yuki said before hanging up the phone.
Shuichi closed his phone slowly, thinking very carefully about his next step. Is this what I need to do?
After this he stared at the name he now had up on his list of contacts, slowly pressing down on the green call button.
The phone rang once before the man picked up. "This is Seguchi."
"You win, Seguchi-san… I need to disappear."