Yahiro struggled to open his eyes, rubbing his forehead. He cursed loudly as something painful shot through his head like a bullet. He winced as he slowly stood. He turned, and was surprised to see Megumi gone.

Where is that woman…?

She was normally in bed by the time he awoke… he froze for a moment. He suddenly had a feeling he had done something very strange last night.

He could remember… something about Akira? Had he dreamt of Akira last night? Had she been… crying?

He could distinctly remember the sound of someone crying… crying… his name? He frowned as he felt another stab of pain right between his eyes. He groaned and rubbed there furiously, wishing the pain would go away.

"Oi, Megumi?" he called. "Are you here?"

He was greeted with silence, and he frowned in confusion. He never could hold his liquor well… what had convinced him to go and drink? He paused.

Suddenly, the SA coming over and the disastrous events that came with them crashed into his head like a wave. He groaned. He had probably gone to his personal bar after that out of sheer frustration. He froze as he suddenly remembered what he had told the bartender.

"I think I'm falling in love with my wife."

He cringed as he remembered the shocked expression of the bartender. He made a mental note to not drink in public again. Ever.

But… what had happened after? How had he gotten home? And why had he heard crying? He was sure it was his name he heard too, so it wasn't something he had just heard on the street. What had happened last night?! Megumi was gone… was that something to be worried about?

Apparently, she was fine, he decided, when he exited the bedroom. The guest room door was closed, which must have meant someone was in there… right. Last night, she had gone to the guest room. But why?

He hesitated. He wasn't sure why she wasn't in their room, but he must have done something big. He gently knocked.

"Megumi?"

There was no response, not that he was expecting one. He would have been surprised, to say the least, if she just popped out saying, "Yes, Yahiro?". He sighed, and then lowered his hand.

"O- Oi, Megumi… I don't know if you can hear me, but… I don't remember what happened last night," he confessed. "If… If I did something bad, I'm sorry, okay?"

Megumi peeked out of the blanket, biting her lip. Maybe he meant it. He sounded sincere...

"Um, look… let's talk after I get back from work, okay?" he suggested, his voice tired. "You said you had to tell me something, and I… I haven't really been listening to you lately. I… I didn't mean it when I said I regretted marrying you, okay? Let's have a serious talk later, just you and me."

She couldn't help but to feel herself brighten just the tiniest bit. It sounded like he really regretted what had happened. Surely, he didn't deserve to be punished for this long, right?

Still, something held her back from calling out to him. She cuddled under the blanket, trying to fall asleep again.

An hour later, Megumi re-awoke, suddenly full of a new freshness. It sounded like Yahiro really was sorry for what he had done. And… he seemed willing to try and commit to the marriage a lot more than he was last time. She couldn't get Yahiro's tired voice out of her mind, and suddenly, a brilliant idea struck her.

Why don't I deliver Yahiro a bentou?

She couldn't help a giggle as she remembered something from so long ago…

-FLASHBACK-

"I'm getting hungry… one bentou!"

"Huh?"

"You woke up early this morning just to make one for me, right?" Yahiro grinned suggestively, leaning in. "After all, you're on a date with the man you've longed for!"

I- Is that how it works?!

-END FLASHBACK-

Megumi couldn't help a giggle as she began to cook the rice. Silly, silly Yahiro… after that, she mentally vowed to make him a bentou, but never did find the opportunity. Better late than never!

I wonder what I should put in it…

She opened the fridge and began to list ingredients in her mind.

We have eggs… egg rolls! Those are a necessity in bentou! We still have ground meet… maybe I'll make some hamburger! And…

She suddenly felt a giddiness overcome her. She had never made a bentou for Yahiro before, so this required something special! She searched in the cupboards for the lacquer bentou box Tadashi had given them for their wedding. It was gorgeous, with dark, polished cherry wood, with a light crystal pattern of cranes on top. Cherry blossom patterns adorned the sides, etched delicately into the smooth woodwork. There were two empty boxes in the stacked bentou; one for him and one for her.

She bit her lip in excitement.

Today's the day… I'll tell Yahiro everything… I'm sure he'll understand.

She nodded firmly as she rolled up her sleeves.

Here we go!

\Excuse me./

"Yes?"

\Could you tell me where President Saiga's office is?/

The two secretaries exchanged glances. "Do you have an appointment with him?"

\...no…/Megumi hesitated. \I'm his wife, Saiga Megumi./

"Wife?!"

Megumi gulped as several people around the front desk stilled. Little by little, the employees of the company began to inch towards her, trying to steal glances at her face. Apparently, President Saiga's bride had been a much-gossiped topic at the company. People had been trying to guess what sort of woman she was. Megumi was definitely not in their imagined boundaries, however.

"That's President Saiga's wife?"

"She looks so innocent though…"

"And so young too…"

She desperately tried to block the voices as she smiled weakly at the secretaries.

\So…/

"P- Please excuse us, Saiga-sama!" the two secretaries bowed. She laughed weakly, waving a hand.

\It's fine. So… could you tell me where his office is?/

"Um… he currently has a guest though," the secretary hesitated. Megumi smiled.

\Oh, it's fine! I'll just pop in and drop this off for him!/

"…well, okay… it's on the 15th floor, at the end of the hall, directly across the elevators."

\Thank you!/ she smiled at the two women, bowed, and made her way to the elevators. The secretaries exchanged glances.

"Poor thing…"

"She's so nice."

"And she looks so young too…"

"You should have told her it was President Kawashima who was in his office," the older secretary scolded. The younger secretary bowed.

"Please excuse me!" she bit her lip. "Poor Mrs. Saiga... who knows what that devil hussy woman is doing to President Saiga."

"Shh!" the other secretary reprimanded sharply. "We don't talk that way about the president of Kawashima Corporation."

"But Amamiya-san, did you see what she was wearing? As a business president, she really shouldn't-!"

"Enough!"

"I apologize," she bowed again, but couldn't help herself from shooting the happily unaware Megumi a worried glance.

"Yahiro-kun," President Kawashima cooed as she entered.

"President Kawashima," he nodded in greeting. "May I ask the nature of your visit?"

"Now, Yahiro-kun," she sat on the couch without waiting for invitation, the skirt of her dress hiking up ever so slightly. "I've told you, just to call me Sayako."

Yahiro sat on the couch opposite from her across the small coffee table, eyebrow raised.

"…President Kawashima, I must repeat. What are you doing here?"

She pouted, crossing her legs so that her dress rode up higher. "I brought some information about the merger."

"I see. This was not something you could have emailed or sent with a subordinate?"

"I wanted to see you," her voice lowered suggestively, her tongue ever-so-subtly peeking out from the corner of her red lips. "So I thought I might as well bring the information over myself."

"…thank you for your consideration," Yahiro nodded as he stood up and took the folder from her. "Good day then."

"Wait, Yahiro-kun!" her hand shot out and caught his arm. "We're alone… just you and me."

"…I am aware of this," he muttered, refusing to face her.

"Don't you want to… thank me for allowing your company to have a part of Kawashima Corporation?"

"I thank you," he forced out. She giggled lightly.

"Oh it was no problem convincing my husband to sign the papers too… he believes me to be an absolute angel."

The meaning of those words slowly sank in.

It's okay… I'm married too. That shouldn't stop us from having a good time.

He clenched his jaw.

"President Kawashima… you're going to have to leave now."

"…then I'll take this silly little thing with me," she declared, plucking the folder out of Yahiro's hands. She stretched her long legs and stood. She began to walk to the door, tossing her hair over her shoulder, making sure he could see the come-hither jut of her hip as she put her hand on the doorknob.

"W- Wait."

She turned around, a predatory smile on her angelic face as he sat down to ponder the situation.

"Yes… Yahiro?"

He gazed longingly at the folder. This could really benefit his company. There were so many advantages to the two merging, and as a businessman, he had to seriously consider the consequences of not accepting an offer. This was a great opportunity, and he wasn't sure if letting it slip through his fingers was the wisest idea.

"Made up your mind?"

Yahiro blinked. While he had been so zoned out, she had crept over to where he sat on the couch, leaning over him, her chest enticingly close to his face. He turned away, unable to look anywhere near her. She slowly unzipped the front of her dress, smiling at him as her tongue darted out to lick her lips.

"Yahiro…" she purred.

He hesitated, and she took the opportunity to loosen his tie, rubbing her voluptuous body against his. She eagerly began to open the top two buttons on his shirt.

"Stop."

She paused on the third button as he put his hands on her shoulders and roughly pushed her away from him.

"I'm sorry," he said firmly. "I don't think we need to do business anymore after all."

The shock on her face was evident, from her widening eyes and the strangled gasp she made.

"Y- You… how dare you?" President Kawashima seethed. "Are you rejecting me? Me?!"

"You have a husband," he said calmly, gazing at her in the eye. "Even if our companies merged, I would feel indefinitely guilty to Vice-President Kawashima."

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him," she said aloofly, unzipping her dress tantalizingly. He turned away from her. The proud smile on her face wavered as it suddenly hit her.

"You're actually turning me down!" she exclaimed in shock. "Do you know who I am?"

"Yes," he whirled around to face her. "But all that really matters is that you are not my wife. I will not play your petty games, President Kawashima."

"How dare you," she snarled, before she smirked. "Well… you certainly are a good little boy aren't you?"

Before he could understand her statement, she pushed the low coffee table toward his leg, forcing him to stumble. She grabbed his collar and pulled him towards her before he could steady himself, and then screamed at the top of her lungs.

Megumi tried to ignore the stares and whispers around her in the elevator. The business men and women stared at her cute, white one piece dress with the denim jacket. Clearly, there was a dress protocol at the company.

"Who is that?"

"A newbie, maybe?"

"Doesn't she know the rules of dress here?"

"Idiot! That's President Saiga's wife!"

"No way! Ice-for-blood Saiga?!"

"Poor thing… how did he force her in?"

"She looks so innocent too…"

"You think it was arranged?"

"14th floor," said the smooth elevator tone, and the few remaining people left the elevator. Megumi sighed in relief as she was finally the only one inside. Apparently, few people had reason to visit the president. The elevator glided up and the doors slid open again.

"15th floor."

Suddenly, the peace and quiet on the 15th floor was shattered by a loud woman's scream. Megumi's eyes widened before she dashed off the elevator.

"Is everything okay?" she flung open the door… and froze. Her breath caught in shock.

Yahiro was laying on the floor, President Kawashima trapped under him. The woman was sobbing behind her hands, her dress unzipped in the front. Yahiro's shirt was unbuttoned slightly, tie undone. Anyone could tell what had been about to happen.

"Oh, you monster!" President Kawashima cried again, her voice sufficiently muffled by her hands. Megumi just continued to stare dumbly, one hand clutched on the doorknob, the other one gripping the knot of the scarf covering the lovingly wrapped bentou boxes. The couple could only stare at each other, unable to fully comprehend what was happening.

"Wh- Why?" was the only word she could utter, before whirling around and running away. Reality hit Yahiro like a bucket of cold water.

She's running away! She has the wrong idea!

"Damn! Megumi!" he yelled, suddenly kicking himself into action. What was he doing? His wife was running away, thinking he was some sort of sick pervert. He got up, not caring less about President Kawashima who was smiling satisfactorily from the floor. He buttoned up his shirt as he ran down the hall, but she had already slammed the button for the elevator to close. The two met eyes just once before the elevator doors closed.

"Megumi…"

The tears… She was so hurt, so angry. The desperation in them made his heart hurt before they vanished from view. He growled in frustration, the headache from the morning starting to come back. He made a dash for the stairs and began to run down.

Megumi continued to sob in the elevator, her hands still clutching onto the knot on top of the bentou boxes. She knelt down, grateful to be alone in the smoothly gliding elevator, trying to wipe away the tears furiously. She could hardly believe it… she thought being in Akira's shadow was hard enough, but now this woman? Well, it was clear what sort of women Yahiro preferred. Tall, lean, and beautiful, and although Megumi hated to admit it, she was none of those.

I failed…I failed as Yahiro's wife.

The elevator finally reached the first floor; mercifully, no one had tried to ride the elevator in the middle of her trip down.

She ran across the lobby, trying not to show her face. As she dashed by the front desk, the secretary from earlier shook her head in sorrow.

Poor Mrs. Saiga…

"It's her, it's her!"

"That's President Saiga's wife!"

"Wow… she's so… cute!"

"Isn't she?! So little!"

"Seriously, she looks like a high-schooler!"

"Hey… is she crying…?"

She was about to reach the sliding glass door, only to be stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist.

"Wait!" Yahiro shouted, ignoring his gossiping subordinates. "Let me explain!"

"No!" she tore herself away from him. "I'm tired of it! Every time you explain, we just fight!"

"But this really wasn't my fault!"

"No more… No more!" she sobbed, attempting to shove him away.

"But, Megumi!" he said desperately, wrapping his other arm around her, forcing her closer to his body. "Listen to me, I never meant-"

"I hate you, Yahiro!"

He reeled back in stun. He had never heard her so furious or so heartbroken. She took that moment to slip her hand out and ran outside.

Yahiro let out a growl of frustration and dashed after her, the headache beginning to really pound in.

She let out another sob as she ran faster. What had she been thinking? There was no way this marriage could work. She could hear Yahiro yell something behind her, but she ignored him. Unable to see anything through her blinding tears, she ran into the street.

Megumi, with tears in her eyes, and heart completely shattered, didn't notice the incoming car until it was too late. With a loud screech of tires and several honking horns, the double stacked bentou was thrown in the air. Pieces of food and wood flew everywhere until it fell down to settle into a pool of thick, red liquid.

Onlookers weren't sure whose scream was louder, Megumi's or Yahiro's.

Yahiro sat in the hospital wing, outside Room 207, glaring at the door as if that would make it open any faster. An untouched cup of coffee that had gone cold a while back sat next to him, as he was unable to stop a shiver. So much blood… so much… blood. He didn't even fully remember what happened after. All he could recall was him screaming, trying to run in to the street as people held him back, some man standing by was a registered nurse, and was doing something to her, but he didn't care because Megumi, his wife, was laying in the street in a pool of blood.

There was so much blood…

After what felt like an eternity, the doctor opened the door, face grim. Yahiro leaped out of his seat, heart pounding.

"Doctor…"

The doctor sighed and shook his head.

"Wh- What does that mean?" he asked, fear crossing his features. The doctor lowered his head.

"I'm afraid… we couldn't save both of them. I'm sorry. The woman is fine, but..."

Yahiro blinked and then collapsed in his chair, nearly fainting from relief.

"Doctor," he said wearily. "You have the wrong person. I'm here for just Saiga Megumi."

The doctor gave him a very strange look. "Mr. Saiga…"

"What?"

The doctor reached for the file placed in the slot next to Megumi's hospital door, and pulled out the folder. He riffled through it before pulling out black-and-white photos. Yahiro stared.

X-rays?

"Mr. Saiga…" the doctor said helplessly before handing them to Yahiro.

Don't look. Don't look.

He looked.

"What… What…"

The message wasn't processing in his mind. It couldn't be. It didn't make sense.

"I guess… she didn't tell you," the doctor finally said quietly. "Your wife is… was… 3 months pregnant."

Yahiro felt himself shaking and had to force himself to sit. All that blood… so… the blood was…

The headache began to mercilessly pound against his brain, laughing maniacally as it began to drill a hole through his skull. He struggled to think straight.

3 months?

He began to think frantically. What had happened three months ago? Three months… hadn't that been when they had gotten married?

He froze as it sank in.

"P- Please… say that you love me."

"Akira… Akira… Akira…"

He dropped the sonographs, and suddenly, things seemed to stream into his head at once.

"Um… Yahiro… could we talk?"

"I'm busy."

"But-"

"Damn, Megumi," he said in frustration. "Can't this wait?"

She lowered her head. "I… I suppose so."

"Good."

"You can't even hear what I have to say!" Megumi shouted angrily, tears starting to fill her eyes again. She hated this feeling. She had cried so much during this marriage, but she just couldn't take it anymore.

"It's not fair!" she cried, emotions filling her body. "I'm your wife! You married me! You're supposed to care about me more than you care about Akira!"

"What the hell is the matter with you?" he retorted. "Even you knew when you entered this marriage, that I couldn't devote myself to you completely!"

"You might want to lay off the rice bowls," he grinned. An angry mark appeared, fire beginning to sprout in Megumi's eyes.

"I'll have you know-!" she began, but was interrupted by a loud knock.

He clutched his head, a whimper passing his lips as the pain increased more than ever. His headache felt like someone was hammering his forehead over and over. He could vaguely hear the doctor's panicked cry.

"Mr. Saiga? Mr. Saiga!"

And then, amidst the swirl of memories came one more.

Megumi's tear-stained face, her pleading, her sobs as he ripped her nightgown open…

"Please, Yahiro! Please stop!"

Yahiro let out another cry of pain, mixed with anguish, and he ran to the bathroom. He hurtled himself over the sink before he violently threw up.