I will try to answer some of your questions in this chapter. :D They'll meet each other soon but right now, I'm establishing their single lives. Thanks for reading and please leave reviews!

LeeRaRa: Things are destined to get dandy but not without some minor glitches. :D And of course the woman's another person. No serendipitous hand here, just the deep desire to run after what you want. :D

ThePinkMartini: The Suzuno suggestion sounds nice—I haven't even thought of that one. But I don't like her character much so I don't know. I'll figure out what to do as I move along. :D

Disclaimer: FY is not mine.

If I continue walking just the way I am now, will I be able to meet you again?

I must convey to you properly one more time… The words " Sorry " and "Thanks"…

- Koi Kogarete Mita Yume

A curse left Yui's mouth and she clutched her head, rubbing the temple to ease the throbbing pain. She eyed the pregnancy test kit one more time, and was disappointed, again and again, to see two lines. She was pregnant. Pregnant. And with Saihitei's child. She covered her mouth and tears fell from her eyes, trying in vain to hide the sounds that were breaking out of her throat. But it left her anyway, she was crying.

Footsteps emanated from the door of the bathroom and warm gentle hands cupped her face. Kasaru's concerned face greeted her view and he slowly wiped the tears on her eyes.

"Yui… the door was open, I was calling you but you're not answering so I walked in," he told her in a soft voice, cupping her cheek with the tenderness she had always known him for. She wanted to forget the test kit and snuggle to his arms. But everything in her was against it. It was not right to use his comfort to ease the pain in her heart. "What's wrong?"

"I'm pregnant," she whispered and his purple eyes widened. She looked away to wipe her tears, slightly pushing his hands away. It was humiliating. Kasaru had always considered her as a pure woman, someone old enough to differentiate right and wrong, a woman with a good head on her shoulders. The test kit showed otherwise; she was stupid. And he was probably aware of it now.

"Are you telling him?" he asked in a very low voice. His response somehow disappointed her, he always stays quiet and gives his opinion when she asks for it. Her heart ached. She wanted him to judge her, look at her with a straight face and a disappointed look. But when their eyes met, his expression had not changed, concern still fill his beautiful purple orbs.

"I don't know…" Yui's face contorted painfully and she looked away, willing herself to stop crying. It was humiliating to be found by Kasaru in her state. But then, he had always seen her unglamorous side. "I guess this means we'll end up together after all…"

"Yui… You don't have to force yourself to him …" Kasaru told her and she met his stares. "You've already broken up—"

"We're technically still in a relationship, Kasaru," she told him and he grew a little stiff. Tears from her cheeks again and the reality sank deeper into her heart. "We just agreed to give each other space for two weeks… I'm sorry I lied…"

Silence fell between them and Yui regretted not telling him the truth. Why did she even thought of falling in love with him? Why did she even entertain him in her life? The moments she spent with him were the happiest she got after Saihitei left her. Last night, he kissed her and she did not resist. Instead, she let him explore her mouth and let the sensation of their intertwined tongues send thousands of wonderful heat throughout her body. They both brushed it off afterward but she knew it won't be long until they eventually break the silence. Seeing him in her apartment this early in the morning meant he was willing to severe it soon. And she had to face this kit, this news.

"What are you planning to do now?" he asked again, in a voice that was just as soft. And again, she realized why she wanted him in her life. He doesn't make her lose control. With Saihitei, it was always in the extremes. But with Kasaru, she was always grounded, always aware of the dichotomy of things.

"I don't know… I don't think Saihitei wants this kid…" she breathed out. A pained laughter left her. "I don't even know if I want it…"

"Yui… what do you want…?" he asked and she shook her head. She doesn't know what she wants, it was the painful truth. Being heartbroken for two consecutive relationships, being cheated, crying, hurting—everything broke the littlest confidence she had of herself.

"I don't know… I'm so confused… I thought everything was going well, meeting you—I mean you're amazing," her voice broke and she sniffed. "You—You—I like being with you… You make me feel so…clean…" she said as tears fell leisurely on her cheeks. "And I'm back where I started… I guess I can't escape him… I can't run away from the fact that I'm…"

"Shhh…" Kasaru's warm hands cupped her face again and her eyes widened when their lips met. Instead of immediately pulling away, his tongue trailed out and she closed his eyes as he traced the roof of her mouth. Last night's kiss fleeted in her thoughts and her breath caught when their tongues lapped against each other, very softly, very carefully, relishing each stroke, each muscle, each tastebud. She tasted peppermint tea in his mouth and it somehow calmed her, at least she knew he was not drunk. Slowly, he let go of her mouth. He thumbed the traces of saliva on the sides of her mouth and smiled.

"Can you want me instead?" Kasaru whispered and her eyes widened. "If he can't accept your kid, can I have it as my own?"

"Kasaru…" She could not believe it. Why would he want to take over Saihitei's responsibility? Why was he willing to sacrifice his single life for this mistake? As if reading her thoughts, he laughed lightly and spoke.

"I grew up without a father and I know what how hard single parenthood is going to be…"

Yui shook her head. "No… Kasaru—" A crisp laughter left him and he pulled her face down, their foreheads touching.

"I missed something. I'm sorry, I offered you my life without clarifying things." He thumbed her tear-streaked face and looked at her intently. "You are special to me, Yui. I don't want to see you crying and suffering because of something you did out of love." He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes. His mouth was warm and showed no trace of hesitation. "I want to share your pain and happiness. I want to hold your hand in every visit to the doctor, in every walk, every night, every chance I get," he whispered and Yui laughed lightly. She wrapped her arms around him and he hugged her back. "I want you in my life, Yui. And if you allow me to be in yours… I will be the happiest man in the world."

"Kasaru…" she whispered his name and held him tighter. Tears flowed freely from her eyes and she never felt so relieved, as if something big had been lifted off her shoulders. She's still confused on numerous things but with Kasaru always supporting her, she knew she will eventually find the courage to brave the storm.

"Let's move to your bedroom, you'll get cold here," he said softly and Yui did not oppose when he carried her in his strong arms. She accidentally dropped the pregnancy test kit and for awhile, the lines did not matter.

"THE baby is not very strong, you have to eat more nutritious food and get lots of sleep. I'm listing down all the vitamins you can drink, other than these, you're not allowed to drink any form of medicine," the doctor prescribed and Yui nodded. Kasaru held her hand and she smiled at him. "You might want to see a specialist, I can recommend friends in St. Jude's—"

"Don't worry about it doctor, we'll go to an obstetrician next time," Kasaru told the doctor and he took the prescription. St. Jude was the hospital where Yui worked and they intentionally skipped it to avoid rumors.

"Well then, I hope you'll enjoy the whole pregnancy phase. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Tsuonie," the doctor remarked and the two blushed. They were not married but they had to pretend to avoid being identified. After her episode in the bathroom, they talked in hushed voices under the sheets, his arms and the white cloth around them as if they were kids afraid to be found.

They talked and kissed countless times yet he never took advantage of the little space between them. Their toes brushed and when she leaned closer on his chest, she could hear the wild drum beats of his heart. She closed her eyes and listened, it was all too familiar; and the sound made her heart beat double time as well.

"If we do it now…" she whispered in a voice that somehow quivered. "I can… consider this yours…" Without hesitation, Kasaru moved on top of her and she kept her eyes closed. Warm breath hit her face and she could feel their bodies bumping under the opaque sheets.

"Do you… want me to…?" he whispered, their mouths barely an inch away. The beats were consistently getting louder and louder and their skins no longer exuded comfort but heat.

"Hai…" she breathed out and his warm soft lips landed on hers, slowly moving in familiar patterns over her mouth. Yui did not dare open her eyes. She was afraid, scared of what she'll see once she opened them. Heavy breathing reached her ears, too clear in the silence of her room. It was not just him, she was running after her breath as well. A cold hand gently trailed her abdomen, and with slow precise movements, pushed away the thin robe that covered her body.

Yui leaned back and her face met the sheets, her moans dewing damp spots on the white cloth as he trailed his mouth on her neck. His hands, long-fingered but calloused by guitar strings, cupped her breast and thumbed the erect and aching tip. She arched back, releasing a whimper as her fingers brushed through his hair. Long brown locks she clutched as his warm warm mouth reached the other protruding tip and covered it slowly in his warmth.

The air was getting thick under the sheets and sweat beaded her forehead, her arms, the crevices of her body. But despite the heat, she was shivering; goosebumps forming on the skin his tongue touched and teased. He circled her nipple and she arched back, closing her eyes tighter as he slowly grazed his teeth to close on the hard rosy tip. When he lightly nipped, Yui let out a cry as pleasure sprang from that small spot. His name bore into her, crawling from within her, struggling to break out of her throat.

Sai…

Her eyes opened and she felt cold. Kasaru stopped fondling and looked up, surprised at the sudden unresponsiveness from her. Sweat filled her face and she was heaving, as if waking up from a bad dream.

"Yui…?"

She leaned on his shoulder to hide her face. She was so ashamed. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Before she knew it, she was crying again and he was consoling her. She briefly felt the hardness between his legs and the wetness on her own. It would have been perfect, it would have ended in a blissful connection between them. But it did not happen, she was trembling and trying to push Saihitei from her thoughts. "I'm sorry…"

"No… I'm sorry I'm forcing myself to you…"

"Kasaru… Kasaru…" she called, repeated his name to remember it, to imbue it in her. She wanted to be his, to see him in her thoughts as pleasure burst through her body. She wanted to think of him, of his calloused fingers, of his mouth, of his tongue. She broke into sobs and she called him again, but this time the words have changed but she didn't notice—reason had left her. "Sai… Sai… Hold me… Don't let me go…"

Yui knew what she did was humiliating and to make up for it, she asked him to take her to the doctor. An awkward silence filled them afterward and he nodded. The gap only dissolved when the doctor showed her a small mound in the ultra-sound. He held her hand and laughed as they watched it move lightly. It was still too small but all her hesitation melted when she saw it. Yes, she wanted this kid.

"Do you want to eat?" he asked and she shook her head. Instead, she pulled him toward the benches at the park facing the bay. Silence came between them again and she felt guilty. It was stupid of her to initiate and then stop and break out.

"Kasaru…"

"I can't replace him in your heart," she cut him and she looked up. A smile spread over his face and he slowly turned toward her. "But I'm optimistic… that in nine months, it would be otherwise." She smiled sadly and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer until her hair was under his nostrils. She looked up and he leaned down for a quick kiss. "I'll content myself with kisses for now," he teased and she leaned to him, forehead on cheek.

Together, they watched the sun set in the horizon, throwing fiery hues in the cold twilight.

"YOU can still accompany me in the flower shop but I have to say no to the bar. My gig always ends up late and it's bad for the baby," Kasaru told her matter-of-factly as he arranged the futon. She decided to spend the night with him. She was feeling emotional and unstable lately; being with him was the only way she can stop thinking of Saihitei.

"What time are you going back?" she asked and he looked up, all dressed up for his nightly band plays. He's an acoustic singer and since it was the trend nowadays, the bohemian bar where he plays was always packed.

"I'll try to come back before midnight. Don't wait for me and just rest, you still have hospital duties tomorrow," he told her and she smiled.

"I want to quit the hospital."

"Yui…" Kasaru gave her concerned looks and he sat beside her on the other side of the futon. "You've always wanted to become a doctor…"

"They'll notice I'm pregnant right away. I don't want anyone to know yet…" He pulled her head and embraced her.

"Then just take a leave, a month or so would be good." Kasaru's fingers brushed through her hair and she smiled. "When this is over, you'll want to go back to your old life." She looked up, this time frowning.

"But—"

"I'll take you away but…" he smiled and his eyes brightened. "…until I do, please bear it a little more." He leaned down to kiss her and she closed her eyes. "I'll see you later…" He stood up and walked out of the room, swinging the guitar on his right shoulder.

Silence filled the room when he left and Yui sighed. She wanted this and Kasaru had been trying really hard. But still, it seemed that it was not enough and she hated the fact that she wanted more from him. She was not supposed to ask, it was too much already. Still, when he had left, her heart yearned for someone else.

A loud ringing sound filled the night and the blonde immediately answered the call, uncertain if she read the right caller. "Yui…" Saihitei's deep voice came from the other end and she held her breath. She had forgotten that he was scheduled to call today. It had been awhile since they talked and hearing his voice did not help restrain the yearning she felt.

"Sai…"

"How are you?" he asked and she briefly debated with herself whether to tell him about the pregnancy or not. "Yui…?"

"I'm fine. I… Do you need anything?" she asked in a voice that feigned annoyance. Her heart was beating loud and she was afraid that if they talk longer, he'll hear it. "I'm with Kasaru now…" she lied and regretted it.

"I see, I'm sorry…" Silence came between them again and he sighed. "I called because… I'm seeing someone tomorrow," he whispered and her heart skipped a beat. Saihitei was dating another woman tomorrow and she… Her breathing became labored and she tried to repress the tightening on her chest.

"I see, it's about time you do…"

"That's it, I guess. I just want you to know…"

"Are you sleeping with her tomorrow as well?" she asked before he spoke again. Saihitei was taken aback by her question and he briefly stammered on the other end.

"I… guess… if it can't be helped," he answered. "Do you want me to sleep with her…?" Silence and Yui closed her eyes. He was waiting for her to respond, even if it takes a long time.

"Tomorrow, Kasaru and I are going out and…" she swallowed hard. "…and I'm giving myself to him. You should… enjoy this brief separation while it lasts, Saihitei." She cancelled the call and threw her phone away. "Damn…"

Tears fell from her eyes to the sheets and she lied down on the futon, crying silently. Her blue eyes stared straight in the dark, at the spot where her phone landed, waiting for a ring to come.

It did not make a sound again.

A/N: This is by far the most serious chapter I've ever written on them. I added some lime scenes because I want to get even with Sai—he had sex with Houki already! Anyway, please do leave reviews. :D Btw, Koi Kogarete Mita Yume is the theme in Cross Game, a tear-jerker anime.