Hello! You have no idea how great I feel that people like this :) Thanks so much!

Does anyone else have exams coming up? T-T I'm so stressed right now even though my grades are fine; something about the whole test taking process makes me anxious. You guys are lucky that it's Memorial Day weekend, or I wouldn't have had time to update!

Oh, and thank you, guest reviewer, who gave me some information on the medical system. I'm sorry I'm kinda too lazy to apply it 100%

Chapter 4

"I'm so sorry...," the doctor's voice fell. Kyoko's heart stopped for an instant. The tears spilled down her face.

She sat on the examination table without a word. Her body went into a state of shock. She huddled in the fetal position and stared blankly at the wall.

Dr. Hitoshi awkwardly prescribed some prenatal vitamins while Kyoko just sat there, her form appearing to grow weaker with each passing second.

"If you are planning to keep it, I can refer you to the obstetrics wing. There are many skilled obstetricians in this clinic," he said, trying to make conversation despite the gloomy atmosphere.

Kyoko remained pale as a ghost and without a reply.

He took her hand and helped her stand. "Would you like the ultrasound today? You can schedule a more convenient time if you are busy," he suggested.

She nodded her head 'no' slowly. "T-t-that's okay... I think I need some more time to absorb t-this... T-thank you for t-time," she sputtered out, her voice cracking more than once. The doctor looked at her concernedly as she bowed in gratitude.

She walked out of the room and to the front desk where she paid for the appointment. The once startled receptionist saw the tears in Kyoko's eyes and looked at her sympathetically. She wondered why the once rambunctious teen had suddenly transformed into the very personification of sorrow. She gave Kyoko a slight smile to try to lift her spirits, but Kyoko remained downcast and walked out of the building, her head hanging.

Where can I go now? she wondered. It felt as if the world was crashing down on her as she stood in front of the clinic. What am I going to do? Her tears earned the stares of several onlookers. She tried her best to control them, but she was too frustrated. Some actress I am... She pulled out her phone to glance at the time. In two hours I'm supposed to meet with Sawara-san... How would he feel if I canceled? She wiped the tears from her face and dialed his number.

"Hello? Kyoko?"

"Hi, Sawara-san!" She did her best to sound cheerful.

"What is it? Curious about your job offer still?"

"Yes, but I just wanted to say that six tonight won't work anymore."

"Ehhh? Why not?"

"Something... Came up..."

"Ahhh I see. Will seven tonight work?"

"That didn't make much of a difference," Kyoko answered, somewhat annoyed. She had already mentally planned an evening of tears and self-pity.

"I know, but we don't have any more time to accept the job offer. Shooting is in two days! There's got to be some time you could just look at the details!" he insisted.

"Are you saying that if I don't accept this by tonight, the job offer will be void?"

"Bingo. Which means that unless whatever you are suddenly doing is more important than accepting a job that could launch your professional career, you shouldn't cancel."

Stop wallowing in self-pity! one of her demons accused.

Take this job! If you want to crush Shou, this is your chance! another encouraged.

You can get back at him for all he's done! Do it for the baby!! one yelled.

The baby... she thought. She glanced down at her abdomen. My baby. Shou's baby... He deserves to die a hundred deaths for all he's done! I can't let this destroy my career! No matter what happens, I'll still take him down!

Empowered by her demons, she fiercely exclaimed, "I'll do it. No matter what the job is, I'll take it."

"Huh?" Sawara interjected, confused. "You're going to take a job offer without knowing the details?"

"Just accept the offer for me. You can explain the details tomorrow."

"Okay..." Sawara was perplexed by her sudden change in mood. "Just believe me when I tell you that you will love this job!"

"I do!" A few tears slipped down the side of her face; she could feel her facade slowly falling apart. She had to end this quickly. "Thank you so much!"

"Alright, I'll give you the details tomorrow," he said.

"Bye!" she squeaked an octave higher than normal, mustering all the fake happiness she could in that single word.

"Huh? Are you okay-" *click* She hung up before he could hear her crack even more.

She broke down then and there in wracking sobs. She didn't care about the stares of others. She just stood there and wept, consumed in regret.

Ren slowly opened the door to his apartment, hoping to find Kyoko either curled up on the couch or asleep in a bed. He was fairly disappointed to find his apartment empty. I guess that was just wishful thinking... He spotted the money he had left on the counter. She didn't go to see a doctor? He then noticed a note scrawled out on a small scrap of paper:

"Tsuruga-san,
Thank you very much for helping me. The doctor said it was just the stomach flu. I'll be back to work in no time. I'm sorry if I made you worry.
Kyoko"

He smiled wistfully at the note. He was happy she wasn't sick with something serious but a bit upset that she hadn't stayed. I wonder if she got home alright... Maybe I should call her. He took his phone out of his pocket and called.

"H-Hello? Tsuruga-san?" a weak voice answered.

"Hello, Kyoko. I got your note and the money you didn't use," he awkwardly responded.

"Ya... I couldn't accept your money for my problems... I still went though- I had some money. As you probably know, everything is fine," she whispered faintly into the phone.

He sighed. "Did you know that it's okay for you to accept people's generosity? You don't have to do everything on your own. I want- no, not just me- so many people just want to help you out. Next time, just know I'm more than happy to help."

"Thank you, Tsuruga-san. I'll remember that next time," she replied. Ren sensed a trace of sorrow in her voice, but he brushed it off. What reason would she have to be sad anyway? I must be imagining things, Ren assured himself. "Did you call just to tell me that?" Kyoko asked, trying to keep the conversation moving. If the call carried on for too long, she was worried her emotions would get the better of her like they nearly did on her previous call.

"No, I just wanted to know if you got home alright."

"Mhmm... I'm there right now actually. You're probably pretty busy so... goodbye." She tried to end the call quickly. She knew that she would erupt in a frenzy of sobs any moment now. Just thinking about the events of the day made her want to break down.

Even over the phone, Ren could clearly distinguish her saddened tone from her normal one this time. There was no way he was imagining it this time. "Wait! Is everything alright?"

She shuddered and wrapped one arm around her still-flat stomach. "I-I'm fine, just feeling kinda tired. B-because of the flu, of course."

"Okay... I guess I should let you go then," he sadly suggested. Truthfully, he wanted to talk to her longer to find out what was wrong. Her cheerful voice always brought him happiness and comfort, but when she was sad, he could feel his heart slowly breaking. However, he knew that if a woman didn't want to speak, one shouldn't push her. "Whatever is bothering you, I promise to help you. If you ever feel like telling me, I'll be here for you... Well, good night. Feel better."

"Good night." She abruptly hung up, silent tears gliding down her face.

I wonder what's bothering her... Did something bad happen to her today? I have to leave to go film on location tomorrow, so I won't be able to find out why she's upset. Should I call her again? He hesitantly raised his phone. No, that probably isn't a good idea, not right away, anyway. Perhaps I should call tomorrow... Why am I so paranoid about this? Why am I acting like this towards her? I feel like I need to be there for her and protect her. I guess now that I know her acting isn't solely for revenge, I've grown to like her more. Maybe if she never meets with Shou again, she can finally lead a peaceful life. He smiled at the thought. For her sake, I hope their paths never cross, and she never has to meet with him again. The time she spent with him is all in the past, and it never has to repeat itself again.

But Ren couldn't have been more wrong.

Sorry this was a more serious chapter! I hoped you liked it.

I know everyone was pretty OOC, but they kind of had to be for this chapter. Sorry again.

The next update won't be for a little while because I have finals, and then I have to take entrance exams for a school that I'm transferring to. Yay... moving... Always so much fun...