I'm baaaack! I'm so glad people answered the poll on my profile! I think I'll use that now! I'm just wondering who's actually reading my stories, so I'm so glad to know people actually like this story... (I hope you still like it at the end of this chapter, because I feel like a lot of people are going to be very upset... ehehe, sorry?).

By the way! Just to let you know:

Okaa-san = Mother

Onii-san/sama = Older Brother

Otou-san = Father

Obaa-san = Grandmother

These are just for later in the story.

PS: YOU MUST LISTEN TO SAD MUSIC IN THIS CHAPTER! IT WILL HELP YOU! Haha, you don't really have to, but I was listening to "Daisuki da yo" by Otsuka Ai and "Sunao ni Narenakute" by Sugawara Sayuri on repeat, and I nearly cried (even though I'm the one writing the chapter! ...is that pathetic...? hehehehe).

Anyways, enjoy!

One morning, the doctor had declared her ready to be released from the hospital. Yahiro had to beg, on his hands and knees, for the Yamamotos to let him take her back to his home with her. His forehead was pressed against the cold hospital floor as he loudly pleaded with Megumi's mother to allow Megumi to return home with him. Jun was particularly against it; he was so angry, Other Jun had emerged without even needing any sort of stimulation. Apparently, Other Jun was very 'adult' in more than just seductive ways; he had very clear, specific ways on how to torture people in a very… gruesome way.

Sakura was even scarier than her husband; she didn't even change, and she was ready to spill blood. Normally, she would attack Yahiro and he would parry, and it was a typical, almost comedic routine, but this time…

She was really trying to hurt him. The frustrated tears in her eyes were clearly accusatory.

Ryuu said nothing, simply sliding Yahiro a document demanding him to appear in court on a certain date, before he and Akira went into the hospital room to help Megumi pack.

"H- Hey..."

Megumi looked up from her packing to see her rather abashed brother-in-law.

"Um... 'baa-chan..."

Chitose let out a strangled sigh before handing Megumi something. Megumi's eyes widened in surprise.

\?/

"It... It's just in case Onii-sama decides to be stupid again," Chitose muttered. "I... Sorry about him."

Megumi smiled at him, touched. She didn't think she was ever going to have to pepper spray Yahiro, but Chitose was clearly ashamed of his own brother's actions. She brought the reluctant boy into a hug.

"O- Oi, I didn't do this to get hugged, get offa me-"

She teasingly ruffled his hair and smiled at him.

"...be careful, 'kay?" he finally mumbled. "I don't know who you're going home with, but... Onii-sama isn't one to give up."

"Don't worry, Chitose-kun," Ryuu spoke up. "We're going to make sure this sort of thing doesn't happen again. Ever."

Yahiro refused to get off the ground. His parents had hesitated, but stated it might be best if Megumi go back home with her parents and Jun, but Yahiro was adamant.

If she leaves… she'll never come back! They'll never let me see her! I'll die!

"Please!" he begged. "I beg of you! I will treat Megumi extremely carefully! I swear it!"

Finally, one person spoke up on Yahiro's behalf, one that he never would have expected.

"Yamamoto-sama… I plead on Saiga's behalf as well."

Yahiro froze as he heard Kaneshiro Yuuichi speak.

"Wh-? Yuu-san?!" Hikari said in disbelief. Yuu gave Yahiro a disgusted glare that, even though he couldn't see it, he could almost feel the uncomfortable, sharp prickle on the back of his neck.

"At this rate… if you sent her back home, Yahiro would continuously throw himself at your house over and over in attempts to speak with Megumi. Let her go back home with him… and have them end it once and for all."

Yahiro's fists tightened. Of course.

"I would rather Megumi heal from him once and for all," Yuu said coolly. "Rather than live her life in constant fear and looking over her shoulder."

"But he's dangerous!" Akira finally shrieked out. "You must be insane if you think we'll let him stay with her alone!"

"I doubt Saiga would actually have the gall to do anything so grossly inappropriate now," Yuu said icily. "This is his final chance with her, and everyone knows it."

Everyone fell silent as Yuu's true words sank in.

I will show Megumi that I would be a better husband to her than Yahiro could ever be.

Yahiro continued to stay on the ground, the very image of an already defeated man. Finally, a single word spilled from Yamamoto Rin's lips, one that was worth every second of his begging.

"Okay."

"Okaa-san!" Jun protested.

"Yamamoto-sama?!"

"You can't be serious!"

"Yahiro has been a good son-in-law to me," Yamamoto Rin said firmly. "If this is to be my last favor to him… I will grant it."

Yahiro couldn't help but to feel slightly hurt at those words; she was not trusting him. She was giving him a temporary good-bye present.

But Saiga Yahiro was not going to let it go to waste.

Megumi… whatever it takes… I will win you back.

However, it turned out to be much more difficult than what Yahiro had been expecting.

He was used to Megumi giving up much for him, used to the idea of always being there for him, which is why he was somewhat shocked when she suddenly grew cold.

After they had returned home from the hospital, Yahiro turned to her with a smile.

"Hey…"

Megumi didn't look up.

"…do you… do you want to go on a date with me?"

Why do I sound like some nervous schoolboy?

"We… We could eat dinner out?"

She stayed silent before removing her shoes at the door, picking up her knapsack, and quietly walking to the guest room.

"Wait, Megumi," Yahiro called out. "I can stay in the guest room, you don't need to-"

The door quietly closed before he could finish his statement, and he sighed in frustration. Of course, it wasn't until later, that he realized, like an idiot, that of course, Megumi wouldn't want to sleep in a bed that had the scent of the man that had tried to forcibly take her, husband or not.

Yahiro wanted to kick himself.

He called the company to inform his second-in-command that he would be doing most of his work from home, and to not expect him in for the next week or so.

I need you back, my little songbird… I need to hear your song for me again.

But he would need help…and unfortunately, he only knew one way how to do it.

"No."

That was the only word Sakura said before slamming the door in his face. Yahiro sighed in frustration.

"Oi, come on Sakura, I need your help."

"Why should I help you destroy my sister-in-law again?" Sakura snarled from the other side of the door. "Jun-kun would kill me!"

"I'm trying to heal her, not destroy her!" Yahiro argued. "And besides, doing this isn't really going to affect much."

"…"

"…"

"…I really thought you were better than this, Yahiro."

Yahiro remained silent as Sakura's scathing words passed through his body.

"I knew you were fond of games, but I didn't think you'd ever cheat."

"I didn't cheat on her," he responded immediately. "I would never-"

"Well, is it true you stood her up on your birthday to meet with another woman?"

"…it was a business deal!" Yahiro yelled back quickly. Sakura let out a derisive laugh.

"You know what? I will help you."

"Y- You will?"

The door reopened and Sakura handed him a box.

"But…"

Yahiro froze as Sakura gave him a sad smile.

"This is the last time. You can keep everything in the box, because I don't want to see you anymore, Yahiro. At least, when I do, it will be because you're the husband of my sister-in-law. We're not friends anymore. What you've done is just too cruel."

"Sakura," he tried to explain. "I didn't-"

"I don't want to hear excuses. The fact is, your irresponsibility landed Megumi in a hospital. If you really haven't done anything wrong, Megumi would have at least listened to you. Have you done anything to get her to actually trust you?"

"Akira… Akira… Akira…"

"Why do you stay here with me?" he sneered. "You should go to Italy with your precious Yuu-kun."

"You don't get it, do you? You're the only girl I can tolerate other than Akira. And she's gone now."

"What's wrong?" he demanded, voice slurred. "You can do it with Kaneshiro and Tsuji, but you can't do it with me?"

Yahiro's silence was answer enough for Sakura, who gave him a look of contempt, before re-slamming the door in his face, leaving him on her doorstep, holding the box of items she had given him as the last sign of their friendship.

"Me…gu…chan~!"

Megumi slowly awoke in surprise as a vivid red rose suddenly appeared before her eyes. She looked up in confusion at Yahiro who smiled rather flirtatiously at her.

"Are you blushing?" he winked at her. Megumi gave him a very strange glance before holding up her sketchbook.

\Please get out./

Yahiro looked rather put-off. He had spent the entire day reading the shoujo manga he had borrowed from Sakura in order to see what sort of things Megumi would find romantic. Unfortunately, it was proving to be… less than effective.

"But I don't want to be separated from you," he said in a suave voice. "I want to see my cute Megu-chan all… the… time~."

Megumi simply stared in confusion. Yahiro felt himself turn pinker than his hair.

Good grief, how do these manga writers come up with these horrible cheesy lines?

"I..." Yahiro paused. "I guess these don't work on you, huh?"

He took a deep breath and reconsidered a scene he had seen in one of the shoujo manga he had read. Before she could even react, he swiftly leaned in and kissed her, his arms forcefully around hers.

Ow!

Yahiro stumbled back in shock, hand brushing the bruised lip Megumi had bitten. Megumi gazed at him, eyes wide with frightened tears.

"M- Megumi?" he hesitantly reached out to her, but she shrank away in fear, whimpering.

"Megumi, I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"

The tips of his fingers gently grazed her arm, and she backed away even further, fright evident on her face.

"Don't touch me," she begged, voice trembling.

Yahiro stared.

So this was what heartbreak felt like.

Megumi… innocent, carefree Megumi… was afraid of him. Her eyes were full of fear and an emotion Yahiro had only seen once before, when she had been running away at his company after seeing him with Kawashima.

Disgust… she thinks I'm disgusting…

Yahiro suddenly remembered their honeymoon and felt something hot and painful claw at his heart.

Megumi… is this how you felt? When I looked at you and wished it was Akira in your place?

… I'm sorry. How am I supposed to make you realize how much I'm regretting my actions during our marriage?

"I… I'm sorry," Yahiro swallowed.

This was going to be harder than it looked… in most of the shoujo manga scenes, for some reason, it was strangely romantic for the main male lead character to grab the girl and forcefully kiss her. But… then again… those main female leads hadn't been traumatically fondled by their husbands.

Yahiro took a deep breath.

"How… How about we go out on a date today?" he said in a falsely bright voice. Megumi turned away.

"I'm busy tonight," she murmured.

"Busy with what?"

"…I'm meeting Yuu-kun."

The hot, painful feeling turned even hotter and a little angry.

"Y- You're meeting Kaneshiro?"

Calm down. At this rate, you're going to scare her.

Megumi refused to look him in the eye, and went to shower.

Yahiro slumped on the floor before he took a few deep breaths.

No… No, I can't afford to lose you like this. I'm not a Saiga for nothing. I can't lose you, Megumi. It's just not going to happen.

He ran to the bedroom. He had to contact his only ally now.

"Yahiro, I am somewhat opposed to this-"

"Shh, they'll hear us!"

Yahiro peered from behind the menu he was hiding, eyes narrowing as he saw Kaneshiro Yuuichi smiling at Megumi, his blue eyes warm with love and tenderness.

His heart hurt when he saw Megumi dressed in a floating honey-colored dress, looking like some sort of angel one only saw in dreams. Her childish purity and flawless innocence were emphasized by the sheer, twinkling material.

Except… Yahiro thought rather bitterly. Because of my idiocy, she's not so pure and innocent anymore…

Her long hair had been twisted up into some sleek, elegantly simple hairstyle; a sparkling pearl-lined comb held up a bun, while the rest of her hair flowed around her shoulders like a golden river. She even had light makeup on, emphasizing her sweet eyes and naturally pink cheeks.

This isn't fair, you're my wife, I want you to look that beautiful only for me, don't smile at him, please, please, why do you have to look so wonderful tonight, oh God, I want to rip that dress off of you and…

As Yahiro got lost in his fantasies, Kei just sighed in exasperation. Yahiro peered intently at Yuu and Megumi, listening to their conversation.

"You look beautiful," Yuu murmured.

Don't look at her like that, you bastard, that's my wife you're eying up, stop it, stop it, I hate you, I'll fucking murder you, get away from her…

Yahiro was dismayed at seeing the flattered blush on Megumi's cheeks.

"I really… I… Megumi, I… You really look beautiful in that dress," Yuu swallowed.

\You've already seen me in it./ Megumi couldn't help but to let out a soft giggle. Yahiro's eyes widened.

What is she talking about? Megumi's never worn that dress before. …she wore it for him?

Yahiro was at least satisfied to see that she wasn't using her voice… until he heard what Yuu said next.

"That's true… I'm almost glad Saiga didn't see you on his birthday after all," Yuu smiled softly. "I feel like seeing you in this dress is a privilege just for me."

Birthday?

Yahiro felt the metal wedge of guilt in his heart push in even deeper. Megumi had dressed up so nicely for him that day?

Of course she was, came that awful, cruel, brutally honest voice in his mind. She even got you a cake and champagne… don't you realize it?

The truth hit Yahiro like a cold splash of water.

She was going to tell you she was pregnant that day.

Kei noticed the sudden downturn of Yahiro's emotions.

"Yahiro…?"

The Saiga heir simply clenched his jaw and forced himself to continue to listen to Yuu and Megumi's conversation.

"Megumi…"

Yahiro had to grip his menu tightly when he saw Yuu gently cover Megumi's small hand with his own.

"…when are you divorcing Yahiro?"

Kei had to sharply kick Yahiro in the knee before the pink-haired man threw the menu aside, ready to run forward and punch Kaneshiro where he was just begging to be punched, that slimy son of a-

Megumi hesitantly withdrew her hand from his, placing it on her lap unable to look him in the eye.

"I'm sorry," Yuu immediately apologized. "I'm going too fast, aren't I…?"

"N- No… I'm sorry."

Don't talk to him, Megumi. Don't use your voice on a stupid, smarmy bastard like him, he doesn't deserve it, I want to be the only one your voice is used for.

"You don't need to apologize, Megumi," Yuu shook his head. "You would never. Honestly, I do want my feelings reciprocated, but… I can wait. I can wait for as long as you need me to."

"Please…" Megumi's eyes widened. "Please don't wait. I don't know… I don't know when, or if, I'll ever be ready."

"I can't honestly believe I can feel this way for you… and you feel nothing for me," Yuu confessed. "Haven't you ever seen me in a… more-than-friends way?"

Megumi bowed her head. "I… Yuu-kun, why me? I'm not very special."

"You're wrong," Yuu immediately emphasized. "I don't know what sort of horrible thing Saiga's told you, but you're beautiful, Yamamoto Megumi."

That's Saiga Megumi! She is my wife, and therefore, she's a Saiga!

"You're beautiful, you're kind, you're gentle, you're genuine, you're unselfish…" Yuu trailed off, cheeks slightly flushed as well. "I could go on, but… uh, it's a little embarrassing… and… you… You changed my opinion on women. Most women I know who are seeking relationships always do something so underhanded, or selfish, but you…" Yuu shook his head with a chuckle. "It's pretty ironic, but… seeing how hard you worked to get Saiga to fall for you… made me fall in love with you. Seeing you not give up... seeing you determined... it... it really struck a chord."

Megumi's eyes widened and she swiftly bowed her head again.

"But... I guess it wasn't really for a good cause, huh?" Yuu murmured. "You probably regret marrying that jerk now."

"...no."

"Huh?"

"I...do not regret marrying Yahiro."

Yahiro froze as he looked at Megumi, her eyes full of a calm, resigned sadness.

I don't regret marrying you!

You should just go to Italy with your precious Yuu-kun…

That day… I didn't believe you. I couldn't believe you. But… why are you defending me? You deserve to hate me now.

"…Megumi…?" Yuu's eyes widened in disbelief. Megumi kept her eyes carefully hidden, but even her bangs couldn't hide the tear that silently slid down her cheek.

"M- Megumi…" Yuu shook his head. "How can you say that? He… Look at what he did to you! Nothing positive has come out of this marriage!"

"That isn't true."

Megumi raised her head and Yahiro, Yuu, and Kei were all shocked to see the cheerful smile on her face, despite the tears that continued to roll down her face.

"Yahiro…" Megumi choked slightly, her smile unwavering. "Yahiro has learned the feeling of being loved."

"But he hurt you in the process," Yuu's fist clenched. "He made you suffer."

"I know…" Megumi whispered. "That's why I can't forgive him now. But… But if I have been hurt… I am at least glad that… Yahiro knows that he has always been capable of being loved."

"What are you-?"

"Yahiro lived for most of his life… thinking that he was too horrible of a person to ever get the love of someone he cared for. I am glad… that he realized that I… I really loved him."

The only person you can ever love is me! And you and I both know it.

Megumi kept her smile bravely on her face as she pressed the cloth napkin against her eyes softly. Yuu had to take a deep breath.

"See? It's that."

Megumi wiped at her eyes, tilting her head in confusion.

"I… I just can't take how… how… it's just… I…" Yuu took a deep breath.

"Seeing these kinds of things made me fall in love with you," he finally admitted, looking away in embarrassment. Megumi's eyes widened and she quickly looked down at her lap.

There was an awkward silence between them. Yuu, sensing Megumi's discomfort, smiled, before clutching his heart.

"Ahhhh, ow!" he moaned.

Megumi gasped at the sudden shock.

\Are you okay?!/

"Ohhhh… I think you've stolen even more of my heart," Yuu said dramatically.

Megumi paused… then couldn't help a giggle.

\Silly Yuu-kun…/

"Excuse me… are you ready to order?"

Yuu smiled at the waitress. "Yes, thank you."

The waitress almost dropped her notepad before clearing her throat.

"Tonight I recommend the Carbonara Seafood Special, with a glass of white wine on the side," the flustered waitress said somewhat breathlessly.

"Hmm… what do you think, Megu-chan?" Yuu winked at his smiling dinner partner.

The waitress couldn't help but to give Megumi a slightly jealous and disappointed look.

The three people didn't notice two figures silently leaving the restaurant, one of them giving the songbird a longing, sorrowful gaze before he walked out the door.

"…you don't deserve her."

"You think I don't know that?" Yahiro muttered, suddenly feeling very tired. Now, he wasn't even sure he wanted to be back with Megumi again; how could someone so kind and honest be with someone like him?

Yahiro knows that he has always been capable of being loved…

Without warning, Kei's fist slammed into Yahiro's cheek. He collapsed on the gravel ground of the parking lot, colorful lights flashing before his eyes.

"I meant to do that at the hospital, but I'm afraid I didn't want to cause a scene," Kei said calmly, as if he had just patted Yahiro on the shoulder. Yahiro shakily stood, carelessly brushing his hand against his cheek.

"That was nothing," Yahiro sneered. "Hit me again."

"Now, Yahiro-"

"Hit me again!" Yahiro screamed. "Do it, Kei!"

"I will not-"

"Please!" Yahiro clutched Kei's shirt collar. "Do it! Hit me, you bastard!"

"Stop this!" Kei yelled sharply. "You are being foolish!"

Yahiro began to laugh, a horrible, raw laugh tearing from his throat as tears began to form at the corners of his eyes. A sneer appeared on his face as he forcibly laughed at the pitying man.

"I bet you didn't know, did you?" he smirked. "I've fantasized about doing the same to Hikari-chan. Hey, you think she'd be willing to warm my bed-?"

Before he could finish, Kei shoved him away and promptly punched the other cheek. Yahiro struggled to stand, but, panting for breath, continued to egg him on.

"Again!" Yahiro ordered.

"Stop this, Yahiro!"

"Is that really all you've got?" Yahiro shouted. "Come on, Takishima! I've been trying to do your wife, and that's all you're going to-?"

"Enough!"

Kei promptly slammed Yahiro against a wall and kneed him firmly in the stomach. Yahiro began to gasp for air, his raspy laughter still echoing out, but strangely starting to sound more like heaving sobs.

"Why are you writing your own death sentence?" Kei roared. "Why are you doing this to yourself, Saiga Yahiro?!"

Yahiro's laughs eventually died out and he limply fell in Kei's arms. At first, Kei wondered if he would have to take Yahiro to the emergency room, until…

"Hey, Kei…?" Yahiro's voice finally emerged. He sounded lost, as if he wasn't sure where he was anymore.

"Hm?"

"…how am I supposed to forgive myself… if I'm not punished for it?" Kei clearly heard the brokenness in Yahiro's voice, and shook his head.

"You are being punished for it," Kei roughly pulled Yahiro to his feet. "Your wife is in there, being seduced by another man."

"…it's not enough," Yahiro said bitterly. "Megumi nearly died. Our baby died. It's my turn now; I need someone to make me feel close to death."

"This isn't the answer, Yahiro," Kei shook his head. "Both of you are suffering, but only you are willing to keep this relationship alive. It's your turn to heal Megumi. She said so, didn't she? That you have learned the feeling of being loved?"

"Maids cook and clean and do laundry! I want to do those for Yahiro!"

"Yahiro, don't! You might cut yourself again!"

"I cut this steak for you already!"

"Please…say that you love me. You can…You can call me Akira while we're doing it."

Yahiro couldn't look Kei in the eye.

I am not going to cry in front of Takishima Kei.

"Right now… Megumi is learning that feeling from another man," Kei pointed out. "Is that what you really want?"

Yahiro didn't trust his voice to not break, and so he swiftly shook his head.

"You have to win your wife back, Yahiro," Kei shook his head. "Think about it."

With that, Kei smartly turned around, slid into his car, and smoothly drove off. Yahiro was grateful for Kei's disappearance.

He slid down the wall of the parking lot he was leaning against and, gazing up at the stars, finally allowed his tears to freely fall.

I'm sorry… I failed you, didn't I? I wish... I didn't cause so much trouble for you. Are you angry with me? I wouldn't blame you if you were. I... I'm...

For the first time since childhood, even before he had met Kei or Akira, Yahiro broke down and began to sob.

Haruki… please forgive Otou-san.

*Deep breath* Okay... yes, I know, this was REALLY depressing, but it was 3 in the morning, and I've been listening to sad music all day.

BESIDES! YAHIRO DESERVES IT! Anyways, the next chapter will probably be somewhat cheerier (I hope!).

Thanks for reading! See you soon!