IYAT : Behind Closed Doors - Kippei Ebihara

by fuyuharunatsuAki

First, he didn't notice my hair. Next, he didn't care my article was up for publishing. He lied to me, then I saw him finally with another woman one evening. I broke down in the restroom of the client Mr. Ebihara was working with, and I refused to come out looking like shit. He barged in, saw me in tears... then kissed me. That's how it started.. and it's still going on until now.

21. Chapter 21

"So, you and Koichi are in better terms than before?"

"Yes."

"I still can't believe he actually owned up to what he'd done to you and there I was before, saying that he was actually a scumbag."

"That doesn't necessarily remove the fact he was one before."

"Be that as it may, but I guess people do change."

Aki, Yahiko and Choi were eating lunch at the cafe near their office. The three of them were talking about Aki's current domestic situation and the two men were relieved to hear that it was working out well on her behalf. Aki was relieved too, but she couldn't help but acknowledge an unsettling feeling that coursed in her veins. Ever since the news of Ai Yashida's disappearance, she's found herself to be more paranoid each time she was in public. Add to that Koichi's mother's haunting warning, she couldn't help but grow antsy when she's alone. It was as if there was always something that was going to spring up from nowhere and murder her. Call it a woman's intuition or whatever, but she still has had that feeling ever since.

Choi sipped his drink and asked, "I hate to bring this up, but is there really no trace of Ai Yashida anywhere? I find it odd since now that she's been stripped off her former glory and her accounts frozen, shouldn't she be an easier target now? All airport and sea ports, even toll gates have her information so she can't really get away even if she tried."

Yahiko chewed his sandwich and said, "I understand what you mean. She no longer has any source of money since her own personal accounts are closed too." He swallowed his food and added, "There is quite a hefty reward on her head and everyone seemed to be interested in turning her in to get it."

Aki knew of this since Koichi would often watch the news to update himself on what has happened to Ai Yashida. He was always listening eagerly and took notes about it, careful to base their activities on whether it was safe or not. Aki felt that Koichi was doing his best, but she hoped that he wasn't straining himself. Ai Yashida was last spotted in Chiba but disappeared once more. Aki knew that a woman like her had danger written all over since she was so good in covering up her tracks.

However, if she didn't have any money, how could she keep herself from being tracked down so easily?

"Could it be her family has connections with the underground and maybe they're housing her and protecting her?", asked Choi. "Dammit I don't know. With all that she's done, who knows what she is bound to do next. I don't know much about her family except for the fact that they are all gold diggers."

"The underground wouldn't help a penniless fugitive. They would rather have someone of use rather than some pretty face, unless they need her for... you know. And she wouldn't really be helped by them. If she got killed all of a sudden and the underground is linked to her, authorities would be itching to track them down and they wouldn't like that since it would mean delays to whatever illegal things they're doing. The underground don't go killing people unless they get exposed. They want nameless and worthless somebodies to do their dirty work so they'll be easier to dispatch with no evidence leading back to them if they died. You know, expendables," said Yahiko nonchalantly, picking out an onion ring from his sandwich and discarding it. "People who don't really have any purpose. Ai Yashida isn't one, but she is a sacrificial lamb for whoever has her right now."

Yahiko's theory maybe hard to prove, but Aki knew it wasn't impossible. Her intuition seemed to be agreeing with him, but she needed to learn more and needed those updates to where Ai Yashida could be. Yahiko's proposed situation dawned on Aki that maybe there was indeed something she had yet to realize. There were puzzle pieces scattered around in her mind, all she needed was put them together.

Choi was impressed at Yahiko's theory. "Wow, I am very impressed, Kunori. You actually know something apart from just sex, booze, Dumb Ways To Die and food. So, with what you're saying, if the underground isn't keeping her; then there's someone else who is? I mean, you won't really benefit from her anymore so why keep her when you can just turn her in and get money?"

"I think whoever is hiding her is planning to make her the fall-guy," said Aki as he finished her meal. "Yahiko does make sense that the underground doesn't need her since she will only attract unnecessary attention. Ai Yashida may be dangerous, however her way of thinking has probably shifted into a more depraved state. She's become desperate. Disappearing like that means doing whatever she can to have what she wants and getting it from whoever has what she wants."

"She's like a drug addict, you mean? You take away her high, she starts to become desperate and starts to do whatever and anything to get that high back," said Choi catching on.

Aki added, "And you know how druggies cling to their dealers. They'll do anything even without money just to have their drugs back. They'll steal, harass people.. even lie just to manipulate people into their bidding."

Yahiko nodded and added, "Most of all, kill for the sake of their high. The correct question is, 'Who's hiding her', not 'Where is she'.

The three of them were struck silent, none taking a bite out of their food. The twisted revelation was just too unnerving that Aki absent-mindedly placed a hand on her belly. There was a heightened alert that flooded her and she can only think of her safety for the coming days. Chiba isn't really far from Tokyo and who knows, maybe Ai Yashida could be lurking somewhere near them and not know it. That thought alone made Aki break down in goosebumps.

"We can't be just lax about this, most especially you."

Aki lifted her head and saw Choi and Yahiko looking completely serious now. She knew they weren't joking judging from the looks on their faces.

"Yahiko's right. You can't be alone even in broad daylight. You better tell Koichi about this. He of all people should know that it's dangerous with some deranged woman out there," explained Choi. "Nothing's worse than an ex-gold digger girlfriend out to get you."

"I know. Koichi and I already moved into our new apartment and visitors are not allowed unless we call that we are expecting. Aside from that, he does know that being in my current state, he can't just leave me alone and expect me to fight off whoever without putting harm to the baby," answered Aki.

Choi and Yahiko looked relieved. Aki, on the other hand grew anxious about it.

"I just want to know... does Kippei know about it?", she asked feebly.

Of course she'll be worried about him too. Even if Ai Yashida isn't aware of Kippei and who he is, or was, in her life, there was still danger that hung in the air for him too. Aki can only pray that Choi and Yahiko will be safe after their talk since the two of them have more involvement in Ai Yashida's almost-incarceration recently. It was obvious that she might go after them as well.

"Yes, he is aware of it. He and I talked two days ago when he went to Dad's restaurant to check up on its performance. He wasn't all too happy about the fact that Koichi's ex is after you and his son," answered Choi. "He did ask me to tell you that he wants to see you, that is if it is alright. Kippei isn't forcing but he just wants to know if you are doing well."

Aki felt a flutter in her, yet she quickly willed it to die down. She can't be too excited. She and Koichi were already well into their married life and Kippei knows that for himself. The fact that he's the father of her child will never change, however, she can't just see him and report how their son is without her emotions going haywire.

The truth of it all is that she can't stay away from him forever since he still has the right to her child. Aki now wondered if she didn't tell him, would he still chase her until now?

"You don't need to answer now. I'll just tell him that you need some space because of this crap happening to all of us," Choi told her.

"I am sure Kippei would understand. I mean, come on, the man still loves you even after everything," said Yahiko. "A man like that will never impose himself since he'll let you decide for yourself on what you want."

Aki knew Yahiko was right. Even if she's decided to make amends with Koichi, Kippei never took it against her. He was gracious enough to admit defeat but still was honorable in his intentions. Not once did Kippei force her. He didn't even force her to stay with him in Nagoya. He let her go, but Aki always found herself searching for him in her thoughts and even in her dreams. Now that she's carrying his child, she felt as if she is bound to him more than ever and it was as if the baby knew when Kippei is being talked about or not since she'd feel something overwhelm within her. And she's feeling it now.

"Come on, let's go back. Lunch break's almost over."

The three of them traipsed back to their building, the sidewalk full of employees all on their way back to their offices. As they reached the intersection, Aki looked up at the traffic sign and saw the light for pedestrians was now red. Blankly, she stared at it for a while until her phone rang. She didn't bother check who it was since her number was new. Koichi was the one who knew it, along with Choi, Yahiko and her father.

"Hello?"

She heard the same things she heard on the other end of the line. There was a bus that passed by, and the roar of the engine was heard, only to pass by before her eyes. Whoever it was was in the same area as her. She then remembered Koichi telling her he'll be getting his new phone plan today.

"Koichi, is this you?", she asked.

"I told you to bring him back to me... You stole what was mine.. You destroyed my life... Please let Koichi go.. He's all I need."

Aki was frozen in place. Her eyes grew wide as she felt a chill down her spine. She trembled slightly, her eyes now fixed ahead and saw a familiar face in the crowd on the other side of the street.

There was no mistaking Ai Yashida.

The light turned green and soon Aki was caught in the wave of pedestrians crossing the street. Choi and Yahiko were far ahead. She tried to struggle and break free, but she was no match for the wave of employees on their way back. With each step, she was brought closer and closer to her. Her stomach started to cramp and Aki knew it didn't feel right. She tried to go the other way, but it was no use.

"No! Please let me through!", she cried as she tried to push people aside.

Aki heard Choi and Yahiko call out to her when they heard her voice through the crowd. Each time she looked back at the other side of the street where Ai was, she was still there looking at her with eyes that only showed her disdain; eyes that only showed anger and her intention of wanting her away from Koichi. She drew nearer to her, with Aki pushing against the throng of people. Finally, she managed to find an opening and found herself in the middle of the street, however, the traffic light was already green when she realized she was left in the middle of the intersection.

"AKI!"

Aki turned her head to the oncoming cars headed her way. She glanced back at the other side of the street and managed to see Choi and Yahiko pushing people aside to get to her. Her eyes, however, drifted to Ai who now had this bitter smile on her face. Could Yahiko and Choi see her? Was she imagining things? There was a loud honk and Aki saw there was a bus approaching.

"Aki! Get out of there!", yelled Yahiko.

"AKI!", cried Choi.

Everything happened too fast. Aki had managed to move away just in time before she got hit. She felt the gust of wind from the speeding bus mess her hair. Heart-racing and adrenaline pumping, she exhaled a sigh of relief. Choi and Yahiko both went to her, both white but relieved, yet looking weary.

"Aki, what the hell happened?", asked Yahiko, his eyes full of worry.

Choi looked around. "You saw something, didn't you?"

Aki could remember Ai's face. She looked so miserable and betrayed. There was a different kind of sadness in her eyes that Aki couldn't get out of her mind. Even if she got startled, she couldn't help but feel the same pity she felt for her when the two of them talked. Until now, she was still suffering. Koichi had let go of her and betrayed her, and still she was holding on to him and didn't want to let him go. She just loved him so much. That same love reminded her of Kippei, but he was one who knew when to back off. He wasn't crazy enough to be selfish and close his mind to what's before him. Unlike Ai, Kippei knew where his place was and didn't impose like she did.

And that was because she did talk to him about it. Both of them were adult enough to accept things that can and can't be.

Aki now wondered how Koichi dealt with Ai to have her still chase after him like this. She was a woman and she knew well how it felt to be betrayed, unwanted and unloved. Both of them seemed to have felt that through Koichi. There was an irritation that built in Aki towards him and even if she feared for her life because Ai can prove to be dangerous in her volatile state, she knew Ai did deserve some closure from Koichi and deserved to be treated like a woman instead of the young lover that she was when they were still together. He did say he chose her instead of Ai. That meant they did see each other and that was the catalyst for her to go all-out on her when they both got into their brawl. If he saw her, when? Where? What happened and what did they talk about?

Aki looked up at Choi and Yahiko, shaking her head. "No. My wallet fell and I just ran back to retrieve it." She showed them the wallet she was holding and gave an apologetic smile. Maybe lying this once wouldn't be so bad. "Sorry, guys."

Both men groaned.

"Geez, you scared us! Dammit, you ought to be more careful!", exclaimed Yahiko, clutching his chest. "If something happened, we wouldn't know what to say to either Kippei or Koichi! We'll both end up whacked by T-squares and briefcases!"

Choi sighed. "Well, at least you're okay. But just be more cautious. You're pretty fragile, Aki. We wouldn't want you to be injured unlike last time... or worse."

You're a pretty bad liar...

Kippei did tell her that once when they still worked together. She wondered if Choi saw right through her. Choi didn't really say anything more and started on his usual bicker with Yahiko as they walked back into their building. Aki secretly apologized to Choi and Yahiko in her mind for lying about seeing Ai earlier. There was something in her that said that as a woman, there was something she needed to do.

She just hoped it wouldn't lead to more lies and near-death experiences.

But first, she needed to talk to Koichi. She needed to know his part of the story.

---

"You want to talk about her? What for?"

Koichi frowned at her from where he sat in the living room. He was watching television, but Aki was too restless to even take a nap after eating lunch that Saturday. She needed to know everything. She only knew of Ai's words, her hurtful words that was a complete aberration from who Koichi is now.

"Koichi, please. I need to know what she was to you," she told him. "I need to understand why she hates me so much."

Koichi gazed at her pensively for a second, then asked, "She called you, didn't she?"

Aki froze in her place. How did he know?

"She called me up too. It's the same thing from the last time I saw her." Koichi's expression looked grave. "Whatever she and I were is no longer applicable in my life now. Whatever I felt for her before is gone when my conscience told me to stop living my life that way. Ai didn't want me to so she threatened me that she'll tell her husband about our affair. I beat her to the punch and admitted it first."

"She said I stole you from her... is it true?"

Koichi shook his head, a self-deprecating smile on his lips. "More like you saved me from her. I thought living pointlessly like that with all the money I made was enough to make me happy, but I was wrong. I am a jerk, but I do have a conscience. I stopped myself when I thought of my parents. I didn't want that for us, most especially now that we're expecting. I knew by admitting the truth, I'll be setting myself free. I knew that by choosing you, I would find redemption from all that I did even if my reputation isn't as honorable as before. Work benefits and positions in high places... what's the meaning in all that?" He leaned his head back and stared up at the ceiling blankly. "Whatever she told you, don't listen to her. She does that to everyone just to get what she wants. If you allow her to penetrate through your head, you'll end up in her trap."

Aki couldn't move. Her eyes were just glued to Koichi. Listening to him made her realize how he really was familiar with Ai. There was no point in thinking of other things. Somehow, Aki felt a relieved knowing Koichi was aware of what he was talking about. Why wouldn't he be? He had Ai for a mistress and knew her before they were married. Aki now felt that she needed to trust Koichi more since his own familiarity with Ai would be vital in keeping them safe. He only had to put himself first before anyone else.

"So, to put it simply, she hates me because you chose me?", she asked. Aki already knew what the answer was, but she wanted to hear it from Koichi.

"Yes. She thought she can still keep me, but I knew better. She's on a rampage because her life is ruined and I am not there to join her. You may pity her and feel sorry for her, but Aki, please don't think that I never cared for her or loved her. I did, but love isn't really enough to keep you holding onto something, most especially when you're the only one who knows it's wrong. You're bound to tire one day and you'll wake up realizing that you've wasted so much for something so temporary with someone who couldn't understand. You'll see that hurting others isn't right and hurting yourself isn't too."

Aki walked over to Koichi and sat down beside him, leaning her head back on the couch's backrest as she stared up the ceiling as well. He quietly took her hand, holding it firmly in his.

"Aki... I no longer wanted to be selfish to you because of those worthless goals. I no longer wanted to hurt myself by doing something that made me miserable. I chose you because I wanted to, because you deserve my all and because I wanted to free myself. Ai will never understand that. She put herself in situations that hurt people just to be near me. It's... it's pitiful. Look at her now, she thinks hurting you will make me come back to her? That'll only make me hate her more."

Aki turned her head to the side to look at him. Koich's profile showed a solemn and resolute man who knew what he was talking about. Hearing him speak so profoundly made Aki feel secure even just for a little while. She did remember her telling Ai that if ever she hurt her, it was impossible to get Koichi back. Seeing Ai rebuke such a fact now seemed something an insane person would do.

Seeing the truth and blinding yourself from it is a deadly mistake that will poison one from the inside out.

"Are you sure you made the right choice?", asked Aki.

Koichi turned to look at her. There solemn gleam in his eyes peered into hers, his expression softer compared to before. She did notice he was indeed changing before her very eyes. Aki felt happy for him that he's finally free from what bound him to his misery. Even if he did let go of what he's held onto before, there was no regret on his part. Truth be told, Koichi did seem more peaceful now.

"I did say I wanted a new beginning... I wanted a new beginning with no one else but you," he told her, his voice dwindling to a half-whisper.

A slow smile spread on his lips, his eyes kindly gazing at her and Aki can clearly see how handsome he was. Even more so now that he's opened his heart to her. Aki returned his smile with her own and both of them sat in peace, looking at each other.

"How about you...? Was choosing me the right option for you?", he asked her.

Aki's smile faltered slowly. She saw Koichi's own smile crumble too and his eyes to look completely dejected.

Truth be told, she wasn't sure. There was a part of her that was torn between him and Kippei. Aki's eyes wavered and she felt her grip loosen from his own hand. She looked away, obviously not wanting to see Koichi's face for now since she knew it will only hurt both of them. Aki wasn't prepared to answer his question and having him ask it now only made her feel horrible since she didn't know where she currently was. The emotional limbo she was in tortured her, but it was her safest place to be. There was nothing she could do at the moment but tell him the truth. Aki was scared of what lay beyond once she chooses. There was no telling what could be. All she wanted for now was just to be where she was even if it tortured her.

Maybe it would even be a little easier if someone else chose for her.

"Koichi... having you this way was something I really wanted from the beginning. I did my all to make you see that I was worthy of your love and affection, but I... I was given that by someone else when you were still your old self. I was happy when he showed me what it was like to be appreciated and wanted.. I was happy seeing myself in another person's eyes and be valued." Aki didn't look back at Koichi. It was too painful for her to tell him the truth, but it was what she needed to do. "But even if that was the happiest I ever came to be, I knew what we had had to end because I didn't want to hurt you if ever you found out. I didn't want you to think that I had someone else just to get back at you. I ended it because I can't live that way anymore."

Aki felt Koichi's hand hold hers tighter.

"It was temporary.. It wasn't meant to last since I am in a different plane of existence than him," she said.

She felt Koichi shift in his place beside her, but his hand still held hers. She still didn't face him. It was better that way until they drop the topic.

"Did you love him?", he asked in a fairly thick voice.

Aki bit her lip. She closed her eyes and felt tears fall down her face. Did it really have to be Koichi who had her admit she did have feelings for Kippei? She no longer kept the tears in and just covered her face with her free hand, her tears freely flowing down her face without facing Koichi. She felt Koichi move closer to her, his arms snaking around her with his head on her shoulder.

How could he still have the heart to hold her after what she's told him?

"Can you love me more than him?", he whispered to her. "Can you care for me a little more? Can you give me a little bit more of you, even more than what you gave him?"

Aki placed her hand on his arm, still quietly sobbing.

Why was it everything's tearing her apart now? Acknowledging her feelings for Kippei before her very own husband proved to be a very tremulous thing to do since it required courage and at the same time sincerity from her. She no longer wanted to hide anything; whether it be feelings or the baby inside of her. Now that Koichi knew that Kippei still had a part of Aki, she wished that she just lied just so she didn't need to hurt him, but if she did, it'll just hurt him more. She shivered in his arms, her heart breaking as she heard Koichi trying not to give in. Everything just had to reach this point, where in Aki now swung from Kippei to Koichi like a pendulum over and over again, her heart torn right in the middle for the two men who couldn't yield.

Maybe it'll be easier if she had two hearts instead.

Koichi held on to her tighter and asked, "Can you... can you at least... try?"

Aki turned her head to look at Koichi. He looked back at her with an imploring gaze. She placed her left hand on his face, her eyes drifting to her wedding ring. She doesn't remember when she wore it again, but what was fresh in her mind was when Kippei removed it from her finger when they were still seeing each other. The gem was glinting gloomily before her, just like the way Koichi's eyes showed her of his wish to have her for himself. She leaned closer to him, her head on his chest as she listened to his heartbeat. There was a lonely warmth that he exuded when he still held her, making her feel even more lost. Aki wasn't sure of anything as of the moment, except for the fact that having Kippei and Koichi both love her brought her to a standstill with her own choices.

The ironic truth is no matter who she chooses, there will always be someone on the losing end.

---

A week has passed and the public was still alerted of the fugitive who happened to be the wife of Yashida the tycoon. The stocks of the company had plummeted and shares dwindled that some investments were pulled out with contracts nullified since the discoveries of discrepancies in finances. There have been flops in deals, mismanagement of existing contracts and huge amounts of money were embezzled from business accounts. Ai Yashida has been found out to be corrupting her husband's advisors in cheating on his partnerships with regards to business transactions.

There was also a report that surfaced that she'd used her husband's money for her lavish upkeep, buying luxuries that could have been used for better investments. It could have helped provide more opportunities for jobs, fortifying facilities and paid off debt acquired from bankrupt sub-companies. The millions she's wasted was also used to bribe the men she's had affairs with to be silent. She also managed to pay off anyone who's had anything against her just so they wouldn't sue her. She allocated lump sum profits to her own use which was meant to pay taxes and stowed the money away in her own accounts. The Yashida subsidiaries have perished; with rural factories closing one by one and workers being laid off due to cost-cutting by the company. Yashida's company was collapsing, the money almost gone due to his wife's squandering and illegal deeds. News updated that her accounts have been seized, the money still officially belonging to Yashida himself since he had been smart enough to have her sign a pre-nup. Currently, his children were now managing the company, firing anyone who had been involved with the wife while they filed lawsuits to people who deserved them. The business reputation of the well-known company suffered immensely as local and foreign investments and transactions were either pulled out or voided as preventative measures from being part of the misfortune that was currently being experienced by the company. Spokespeople of the Yashida's only spoke of one thing : bring Ai to prison along with anyone who was part of her illicit activities.

Aki felt dismay as she read the newspaper that morning, her eyes scanning the things Ai has done. There was a pity that she felt for her, yet it vanished almost immediately knowing she used people for her own sake because of twisted reasons. She couldn't help but feel that Koichi was right; she did selfish things to keep him and in the end everything turned back on her. If she thought threatening her and him would make them falter, it wasn't going to happen. She finished her tea, leaving the newspaper on the table and went to work.

She and Koichi were supposed to go together like they usually did, but he got up extra early because he needed to go to Yokohama for a meeting to join her father. Aki didn't think anything of it since she knew he wouldn't do anything to hurt her anymore since he now worked for his father's company. She trusted him a little, but she still couldn't give it all just yet. Walking the city streets that morning felt good since the sun was shining, a cool breeze blew around and it seemed like it was going to be a good day. By the time she got to an intersection, she waited a little to cross and when the light turned green for the pedestrians, she walked her usual route half-awake; only to bump into someone who was walking a little ahead of her.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, bowing.

"You really seem to like bumping into me a lot,"

Aki raised her head and saw Kippei smiling down at her. Her heart gave a flutter when her eyes met his mysterious dark ones. For a moment, she felt her breath slightly taken away by the mere sight of him. Kippei's tender smile grew wider.

"We shouldn't talk in the middle of the street," he said.

Both of them walked together, no words exchanged as they crossed the intersection. When they got to the safe side of the sidewalk, their eyes met once more. Aki couldn't believe he was there in the very flesh. The last time he'd seen him was the day of the brawl, when he found out she was pregnant with his child. She could see herself in his eyes and his scent wafted around, her whole body feeling relaxed by having him near heart started to race and felt a little swan dive within her, making her gasp a little as she put her hand on her belly. Something inside was stirring, that overwhelming feeling stopping her from walking.

Kippei quickly held her by the arm, supporting her. He looked completely alarmed, his eyes looking wildly as if he was searching for something. He focused his attention on Aki once more, one hand on the small of her back, the other holding her hand.

"Aki, are you alright? Do you need anything? Medicine? Hospital?", he asked hurriedly.

Aki felt something stir inside her again and let out a breathless giggle. She looked at Kippei with a smile, finally understanding what it was.

"I'm okay.. Don't be too worried," she told him.

"How can I not be worried?! You suddenly stop and clutch your stomach looking stunned!" Kippei wasn't raising his voice, but there was indeed a worry present in his eyes. "Of course I'll immediately think that something might have happened to our son, and you tell me not to worry?"

Aki just continued to giggle. The stirring feeling in her was still there and seemed to be imitating her laugh. She felt particularly overwhelmed seeing Kippei like this, yet she was unsure why. All she knew was that the stirring, overwhelming feeling in her was caused by him and it felt pleasant. Aki squeezed his hand gently and said, "I'm not hurt or anything. Calm down, Mr. Ebihara."

Kippei was now beginning to be impatient. His eyebrows met the middle and his lips were thin lines or irritation and worry. "Aki, don't 'Mr. Ebihara' me. You're pregnant with our son and it's obvious I'm worried. Please don't laugh at me. It makes me panic."

Aki sighed. It really was amusing to see Kippei be close to panicking about nothing at all. Both of them continued to walk the lonely sidewalk, with Kippei still holding on to her. Looking around, the streets were still empty with only a few early birdie employees sleepily making their way to work. Aki looked back at Kippei, who returned her gaze that told her to spill it out. Aki saw an alley and dragged Kippei in. Once they were out of sight from everyone, she took his hand and placed it on her belly. The baby bump wasn't that obvious but one could feel there was already something in there.

Kippei's eyes grew wide, a look of awe on his face. He drew nearer to Aki, his one arm around her waist now while the other was planted securely on her stomach. Aki felt the thump again, and hearing Kippei gasp a little told her he felt it too.

"Is that...", Kippei asked but his voice trailed away.

Aki nodded. "I guess he was just really excited to have his father near him...", she softly said. There was the little thump again. "Think of it as him meeting halfway with you since he's still in my belly."

Kippei looked near tears, but quickly cleared his throat. He seemed lost for words. Aki only looked at their hands on her belly. She smiled to herself thinking the moment just felt right. Even if they were in an alley hidden from the world, there was a certain peace that Kippei brought to her; a security that even their baby felt. She relaxed onto Kippei, both of them quiet as they felt the little one rejoice for having his real father near him.

"I'm... very happy.."

Aki looked up at Kippei and saw his eyes glimmering with joy.

"I know this is the only way I can get close to you and our son.. and having done so makes me feel so complete inside. I never knew I could be happy like this..." He sighed deeply, his eyes full of love. "Thank you, Aki.. I don't know how much more you can make me happy.. I don't know if I can love you enough for taking care of our son."

Aki felt the surge of emotion within her, her smile spreading on her lips as she nodded to Kippei's words. She just felt him bring her closer to him, his head on hers as they basked in their secret privacy...

"I'm so sorry, that's my phone."

Their moment of silence was disturbed when Aki's phone started to ring. With a shy smile at Kippei, Aki took her phone out of her bag and saw that it was her dad calling.

"Dad? What's up?"

"Aki, I just wanted to check up on you,"

There was an urgency in her father's voice. It sounded very unlike him since he's usually very cheerful.

"What's wrong, Dad? You sound really off today," she replied.

Ringo sighed on the other end of the line. "I just heard from the police that there was a sighting of Ai Yashida in Yokohama just this morning."

"Yoko... hama?" Aki frowned.

Wasn't Koichi in Yokohama for a meeting?

"Yes. I am quite worried since that's somewhat near Tokyo. Would it be such a hassle if you and Koichi moved to our home just until this Yashida mess is over?", asked Ringo.

Aki gripped her phone tightly in her hand. Her heart raced, her mind going haywire at different thoughts zipping in her consciousness. It might be sheer coincidence that Ai and Koichi were in the same place. It could be that he wasn't aware. She exhaled an anxious breath and met Kippei's sharp gaze. He looked like he seemed to know what she was thinking. Oh dear.

Koichi wouldn't... would he?

"Aki?"

"Oh, sorry Dad. What did you say?"

"I said would it be okay if you stayed here at our house until Ai Yashida is taken into custody?"

Aki thought it would be a good idea, but if Ai Yashida knew, it would put them all in danger. However, who would even tell her? She's on the run and won't really be staying in one place for long lest she wanted to lead the police to her. Her mind drifted to what she, Choi and Yahiko talked about. She was already destitute, having no source of income and her family is far away. Going through airports, seaports and toll gates would only lead to her capture. Somehow, Aki was now convinced someone was helping her.

But why?

What else would a normal, law-abiding citizen benefit from sheltering her?

Whoever is hiding her is planning to make her the fall-guy...

There was a strange pattern that now formulated in her head. But that's ridiculous. Maybe it's just for the money and Koichi won't do anything.

Right?

"We're alright, Dad. He has it all under control and we don't really accept visitors unless we call the lobby to let them up. The guards are very strict and-"

"Alright, alright... I guess I am just really worried since.. well, you know. You almost suffered a miscarriage because of that woman. I wouldn't want someone like that near you in any possible way," said her father. "Anyway, do update me on your whereabouts. Update Koichi, Choi and that idiot friend of yours. Yahiko, was it? Oh, and update Kippei too, if you must."

Aki's eyes drifted to Kippei. His eyebrows raised a little, as if asking 'What'. "Okay, Dad. I'll let them know. I'll update every two hours if need be."

"Okay, I'll be going to my meeting now, you have a safe day. Remember it's dial 1 and the emergency security force will be there where you are in five minutes. I had them stationed all over the city so you're pretty much protected."

Aki then remembered something. "Yes, Dad. Oh, Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Your meeting... is it in Yokohama?" she asked, her breath cutting off until her father answered.

Ringo took a while and then said, "Uhm, no. It's in Chiba in three hours. Why the sudden question?"

Aki felt her heart stop. She cleared her throat to dispel the paranoia taking over her. She didn't want to believe what she'd heard. She didn't want to believe what was happening. There were so many things said, so many things that she believed; was it all really going to waste now? Would Koichi really do something he knew she wouldn't like?

"Well, it's nothing Dad. Maybe Koichi was just doing research there with regards to the other facilities there," said Aki, masking the nerves that were taking her. Her eyes were now watery and she had a lump in her throat that wouldn't fail to be swallowed. "He did talk about the factories there needing some ocular inspections."

Ringo chuckled and said, "Yes. He did propose that to me recently and I did tell him it's a go. I just didn't really realize he was serious. Well, he had really been working hard. Even if he barely comes in the office, he still manages to deliver the reports I ask of him and contributes well to our meetings. I understand though, he takes care of you and seems to be quite hands-on too. That's pretty admirable. Though I can't imagine him running around town and buying whatever you want. I guess he's really doing his best."

He comes in just three times a week? But Koichi always leaves for work everyday and comes home around the same time to pick her up. If he just comes in barely, where does he go? What does he do? How barely is 'barely'?

Aki gave a light laugh. She could see from the corner of her eye that Kippei was now suspicious of how she was acting. His eyebrows met in the middle and his hold on her became a bit firmer. "Ah, yeah... He is.. Anyway, I need to go as well, Dad. I'll drop by the house soon, okay? Don't be too paranoid."

Ringo gave a laugh and bade her a good day.

Talking to her father made her feel better, but it gave pretty alarming news as well.

Aki put back her phone in her bag, her heart skipping violently in her chest. What a way to start the morning.

"What's wrong?"

Kippei looked very serious now. His gaze was intense and she knew that he has an idea of what it was. Aki simply tried her best to smile a bit, but it was a failed attempt. It was hard to disguise now what she felt, most especially her hormones are now causing her to be more emotional because of her pregnancy.

"Stop smiling. He lied to you, didn't he?", he asked gravely.

Aki's smile looked extremely forced. There was no point denying it, but she can only ask why. There was no reason for him to lie to her again since he's practically making amends with her still for what he's done; and now, they're all going back to step one? Surely there has to be a reason for him to go to Yokohama, but why not tell her straight? Considering Ai Yashida was there, Aki couldn't help but feel the dread that maybe...

...just maybe...

Kippei looked away, obviously angry now. His lips were a tight line on his face, his dark eyes growing ominous. He dry-washed his mouth, fuming as he remained quiet. Aki wasn't smiling anymore. There was confusion mixed with paranoia overriding her system as she tried to process what was happening. Her eyes were blankly looking at nothing, but Kippei broke her gaze away and sighed abruptly when he took her face in his hands.

"You've always been a bad liar," he told her. "Until when will you cover up for him? I'm not forcing you to do anything extreme, but the lies can't go on."

"Kippei, people have reasons. I can't just assume anything without really knowing the truth. Besides, Dad knows Koichi to be pretty resourceful." Aki can only shield her own heart, but clearly, it's failing. "He's known to do things on his own. I can't just assume anything just because it doesn't look right."

Kippei looked at her in disbelief. "Why?", he asked her helplessly.

"'Why', what?"

"Why are you doing this to yourself?"

Aki just looked at Kippei not knowing the answer herself. She averted her gaze, looking at the side as she shook her head unsure of what she was going to say. "I... I don't know.. There were so many things he told me and he's been kind to me all this time. I don't know why and I don't know what to say," she answered him with a pathetic shrug. "He told me to trust him.. well, I guess maybe I should. I don't know.. I don't want to think of anything but the baby."

She said she didn't know, but inside, she felt rotten. Aki couldn't believe what she's heard from her father and what Koichi's done to her.

With all that he's told her, was everything now down the drain?

How he looked at her tenderly and how he's held her in his arms, were those just done out of a need to make her forgive him?

Kippei gently placed a hand to her cheek, making her face him. His expression was softer now, but there was a seriousness that glowed from his eyes. "Then just think of our baby. If he told you to trust him, go ahead. If he's man enough to hold true to what he's said, he will have an explanation for what he did. For now, don't bother and just focus on your work and our so . Stressing yourself isn't going to help."

Aki couldn't understand how Kippei could be this generous and giving; but the agony was pretty much there in his eyes. She knew instantly that he was just being considerate of her feelings because he didn't want her crying or feeling stressed. She was in a pretty fragile situation now, so what the hell was Koichi thinking lying to her face?

"I'll take you to work. Can you text me or tell Choi to text me instead if you're on your way home?" asked Kippei.

"I can just text you myself," she told him. "I'll just get your number from the calling card you gave me and save it in my phone."

Kippei shook his head no. "As much as I'd like that, I can't allow that."

Aki was surprised. She didn't expect him to refuse her. "Well... okay.. I'll tell Choi," she replied with an obvious tone that let him know she felt somewhat dejected.

"Don't pull that face. It's better that way. I wouldn't want your husband overreacting when he sees my name and number in your phone. The last thing we'd want is him thinking we're doing shady things behind his back. I can't put you in that light. This doesn't count, I just saw you and am exercising my rights to our child," Kippei explained.

Aki scowled. Something about what Kippei said didn't add up. "Why do you think Koichi will overreact if he sees your name and number in my phone? He doesn't even know that we'd been seeing each other. Even Ai Yashida doesn't know it's you."

Kippei looked cornered. He sighed heavily, now thinking of what to say to her. Judging by how he reacted, it was now obvious that he and Koichi saw each other before. But when? Aki now felt angry. There were so many things she didn't know, yet she's the one who's trapped in the middle of the web unaware of what's happening around her.

Kippei took a deep breath and said, "He and I saw each other at a hotel. I was at a business lunch with Choi's dad and saw him enter with Ai. God knows what they did, but I met him again when my meeting was done. Both of us were getting our keys in the reception and I approached him myself. We both sat down and talked... then I gave him an offer he couldn't refuse."

Aki was stunned. She found it hard to believe that Kippei would do something so brash.

"An offer he couldn't refuse?", she repeated.

---

"I know you have an affair."

"And so? I know my wife is aware of that."

"Yes, I know... but are you aware about ours?"

Koichi was struck silent, his eyes latched on to Kippei's. Kippei didn't back down from the glare. He simply remained composed, but he could see Koichi turning stiff, his earlier smugness leaving him. There was almost a disbelief in his eyes, and as the seconds ticked by he then gave a sarcastic smile.

"You and Aki? You actually involved yourself with her? You were just supposed to be her subject for her article, Mr. Ebihara. I didn't think you'd be such a snake to manipulate her in her most vulnerable state." Koichi looked at Kippei with jeering eyes. "Did you just have me sit down with you so you can brag to my face that you fucked my wife?"

Kippei didn't show any shred of emotion which Koichi can control to his own advantage. He knew that what he was doing was risky, but he only thought of Aki and how she was still hurting over her husband's infidelity. It hurt him to do this, but he simply wanted her to be happy. He didn't want her to break her morals, have her mull over her deeds outside her marriage since she did hold an ideal to her vows. Kippei had all the reasons to steal her away, but he couldn't dare break them apart when there was still this sliver of hope in Aki that revolved around Koichi's conversion. It was enough for him to have had her even just for a little while, but the fact that she belonged to someone else already was what influenced him to do something so risky. He loved her so much, but he needed to let her go even if he knew didn't want to. The sacrifice was huge, but it was directed to Aki's happiness.

Even if it wasn't with him.

What power does he have over morals and vows? There was no other choice but to yield.

"I didn't think you'd think so low of me, Mr. Natsukawa. That could've probably hurt me if I really did, as you say, fuck her," he answered.

Koichi scoffed. "Going after a married man's wife? That's not something to be considered as pretty indecent?"

"You should say that to yourself," Kippei countered. "You of all people should know that pretty well."

Koichi looked angry now, his glare intensifying. "What is your point for telling me of your affair? You're pretty stupid for doing this, don't you know that? What makes you think I'll care?"

"Pretty idiotic, I agree. It would've been easier to have myself steal Aki from you if I didn't tell you, however, I do have a conscience and I am not really self-centered like you. Treating her like a business transaction isn't something excusable. Even with all the benefits you will get and the promotions, you're actually digging an early grave since you're the one who's fornicating with Yashida's wife. My affair with Aki isn't as showbiz worthy as yours since I am not really involved in any business world bullshit like you are, and even if people knew, I don't have any company to represent, a family who will suffer the shame, and a reputation to protect."

"What did you just say?" Koichi growled, his hands balling into fists.

Kippei wasn't at all threatened. What for? His intentions were clear right from the start. He told that to Ringo Gojo himself. He even left Tokyo to move on and give Aki her space for her life to be put into place. However, seeing that her husband was still doing shit, rather than steal her away, he'd rather be the voice of reason for them to be together.

Even if it hurt like hell.

"Think of yourself, Mr. Natsukawa. You married Aki for the benefits she had tucked under her name, right? Imagine divorcing her and having your own affair brought out in the open after. Without Aki and Mrs. Yashida to protect you, where does that leave you? Surely Mr. Yashida wouldn't want you in his circle of friends and his wife won't be rolling in dough like she used to be. Your family's business would suffer and considering the Gojos are pretty much up there in their own stable league, being divorced would mean losing a very huge opportunity to be back up again. Her father isn't one to be tricked again." Kippei saw it all coming. For their sakes, he thought it was better than he be the one to concede and admit defeat. "Aki's still believing in you until now for you to see her as someone you'd actually care for, Mr. Natsukawa. You're a very lucky man for having her still think of you despite our own affairs. We both knew our own affair cannot just simply be prolonged like yours because Aki still had you in her heart, the hope that you'd actually change is pretty obvious."

Koichi was gray in the face now. He looked to the side, obviously rattled. With a sigh, he seemed calmer now.

"I know. I know how Aki's worth both financially and personally." Koichi looked really bitter, but he did continue on. "And what you said, they were all correct. I just wanted to be ahead in the game. It's not as if I loved Ai Yashida, I just wanted to be close to where I want to be... but I do think of Aki from time to time. I know she didn't deserve it. I was brought up in a family that only cared about business, reputation and prestige. I never even understood what kind of love they showed me, but it wasn't something that made me happy. I thought, if I soon reached where my parents wanted me to be, then maybe I can go my own way and be a husband to Aki then. Personally, I think it was better that she divorced me since I didn't want to show her that life, but I had no choice since my parents already made the arrangement."

Kippei frowned. What on earth was he hearing?

"Aki is pretty special. She's strong and hardworking, beautiful and smart as well. I didn't imagine I'd marry someone who'd actually be against my mother. It's strange to have my mother tell me she hated my wife, but still kept her because of her economical advantage." Koichi shook his head, a sarcastic smile on his lips forming once more. "I was pretty cruel to Aki, but it's only because she didn't need to see the crazy things that I was doing. I didn't think she'd be so stupid to still stick it out with me, affair or no affair."

"Even I don't see why since I would rather have her drop you and have her marry me instead, but that only shows that she cares enough for you to change yourself. Doing so isn't only for her, but for you as well."

"I don't understand. Why are you telling me this? You could pretty much have her and leave me to rot in my own sins. It's obvious you love her; why do something... I don't know if it's even stupid or noble. Why?", asked Koichi. He did look confused, maybe even pitied him a bit, or actually found Kippei ridiculous for letting something slip in his hands. "What's in it for you if you do this?"

Kippei could feel his own heart breaking. He didn't want to do this. He wanted Aki for himself. He wanted to show her the love she deserved ever since and wanted her to love him because he now couldn't live without her. He sat in his seat with his usual poise and composure, but underneath the layers of clothes and skin, his whole body was trembling, aching in agony as he knew what he was doing will only ensure Aki will never come back to him. Even if it was a romantic idea to steal her away from the adulterous husband and live happily ever after, he couldn't allow himself to have Aki suffer the guilt, most especially when he'd witnessed firsthand how she shouldered all the anguish of hurting the people around her. He knew how she was torn between her morals and her own selfish happiness. That can't go on any longer.

They said that if you borrowed something, you return it back to where you borrowed it from.

They said that don't take things that don't belong to you.

They said all good things come to an end.

They said don't steal or cheat.

They said don't lie.

Morals... How could morals be so undermining and limiting?

Aki was enduring Koichi's wrong with a heart that didn't give up on him. Though she knew that he was cheating on her, having another person's wife in his arms and lied his way to the top, she tried her best to see through the good in him even if she hated his guts for hurting her deeply. She stuck through her vows as she wore her ring on her finger, but the morals she upheld flew out the window in the restroom of Mr. Hirai's restaurant when she and Kippei saw with their eyes Koichi and Ai sharing a passionate kiss. Kippei didn't want to see Aki cry nor cut herself with her own morals and stole her away from the life she had when he can, cheated her pain by giving her happiness and lied to his own heart by saying he wasn't hurt when he knew she was thinking of Koichi. He loved her more each time they saw each other, found himself forgiving his mistakes and his atonement for not being able to make his dream with his brother seemed to be a nightmare that was replaced by another dream that involved him and Aki being together forever. She freed him from his own lies to himself, made him happy despite her own sadness and showed him that there was a world out there for him to explore with a smile on his face and a new perspective in his life. Kippei couldn't understand how Koichi would be so close-minded and not see Aki for who she was. She wasn't stupid nor an idiot, she just did what she can to have people be happy even if it meant sacrificing her own. Kippei saw it all, experienced it and shared it with her in their short, but blissful affair.

Koichi was lucky, he was MARRIED to her. That meant a lifetime with her which Kippei will never have.

"There's nothing in it for me, but Aki's happiness. Her own smile is what's in it for me. I know I am more than man enough to give her that, but you're the one who's married to her. It's your duty, Mr. Natsukawa, as her husband. I am yielding for your sake and for her because that's how much I love her. I love her enough to give her what she wanted, and she did want you to love her and choose her instead of your mistress. She knew you're only getting yourself in deeper shit and seeing her worry about you as a person, I thought, 'why not'?" he answered.

Koichi looked at Kippei like as if he's seen some mythical creature in his place.

"This isn't a guilt-trip. I am just telling you the facts of everything. You should be thankful she's actually protecting you from her own father. Imagine if Mr. Gojo found out. It'll be a disaster since all your cards will fall one by one and you will be left with nothing. I love Aki, Mr. Natsukawa. I love her more than anything in the world. I know that she loves me too, but she does love you too as well." Kippei gave himself a self-deprecating smile. "I promised that I won't stop loving her, that I'll chase her forever if I have to until she chooses me; but for now, since it's obvious that she's chosen you, I think it is best to think about yourself."

"You love her... but you're letting her go? And she... chose me?", Koichi said, not being able to believe it. "Even after everything I've done to her?"

"She may not forgive you easily, but she knows you're a good person. You just need to believe that for yourself too. It's not too late."

Koichi's eyes met Kippei's and both were silent. The talk was shrouded in a bittersweet atmosphere that Kippei knew would mean that he might never get to be with Aki again.

It did feel good that he's done something for them, but it paralyzed him to accept that he was going to give up something that gave him his brand new life to live. He hoped he could share it with Aki, live it with her and give it to her; however, he couldn't see another man suffer through their affair. The lies, the secrets, the deceit, all of it had to stop sometime and it was right to end it there. Kippei needed to teach Koichi a lesson, and looking at Koichi now told him he was actually learning it at that precise moment.

"You're really just going to let her go?", asked Koichi once more. He seemed to not be over it. "I find this very... interesting."

"If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it's meant to be yours. You don't love her, but she came back to you, Mr. Natsukawa. I don't know what that means, but I do know that you cannot waste this moment to have a happy life with her," he answered him calmly. "Her scars will heal in time and she will forgive you, but I have certain things to ask of you."

Koichi didn't break Kippei's gaze. "And those are?"

"If ever you do decide to choose her, you will have to protect her. Protect her and cherish her like she did for you. Accept her the way she's accepted you. Whatever mistakes you've made that scarred her, if you can, don't do them anymore. Love her more than she loves you. This is what she's been wanting from you since the beginning. Don't be so complacent to think that I am giving her away to you because she doesn't mean anything to me, in fact she means everything to me and since her happiness means something to me too, I'd give you room to be man enough to give her that as her husband. You vowed before God and family. It's only right to own up to it responsibly and with no hesitation. Also, choose her because you've decided it on your own, not because of external forces like reputation or whatever. You did tell me you were brought up with no love. Don't give her that when she has so much of that to give you. If you want to know what happiness is, choose her because you want a new life, not because of fear from doing the right thing."

Kippei's gaze became sharp.

"I ask you those because even if I have the power to give all those to her, I am limited because I am not her husband and I don't want her to live a double-life. You have no idea how much all this took almost my whole being to tell you, but you deserve to know. I am the other man who's loving your wife, but I am willing to let her go because I love her so much and I wouldn't want us to live a lie wrapped in secrets. I may be a fool to forsake having her to myself because of your stupidity, but I am not one who takes advantage over other people's weaknesses," he told Koichi.

Koichi looked confused. "Me? Weak?"

"If you were strong enough, you wouldn't really go through an affair to get what you wanted. Other than that, trivial matters like money, reputation and all that won't really matter to you if you were strong enough and man enough to believe there are more things worth than that," said Kippei simply.

"You went through an affair too, that makes you weak as well. You took over Aki's pain and used to to get her to be yours even just for a bit."

"It didn't get me what I truly wanted and we're no longer seeing each other. I wanted her happiness and that can only be attained if you choose her."

Koichi kept his eyes on Kippei. He then gave a sigh, a bitter smile on his lips. "I still can't believe it, you're really letting her go? You love her, but you give her back to me. You tell me to love her when you can do that yourself. You give her up because you cannot be selfish and steal her away for your own sake. I don't get it, why?", he asked again, looking very frustrated. "Why the fuck would you throw away something so valuable and worth it?"

"See? You do know yourself that Aki is indeed worth it all. So, why the fuck would YOU throw her away?", countered Kippei.

Koichi didn't say anything and just stared at him. He just looked stunned as if he was hit in the face with a brick.

"And why? Because love is unconditional. Love isn't selfish nor resentful. It's not fearful nor reasonable. It's neither smart nor stupid, not even aware of what's right or wrong. Love doesn't need to be quantified nor explained. You'll only understand when you experience it or give it yourself," he told Koichi.

Koichi thought for a moment and then said, "I don't know if you're noble or a moron for telling me all this, but I admire your honesty and courage in giving back what's mine."

"Who cares if I'm dumb or crazy for doing this? I love Aki and that's all I know. I don't care about your opinions."

Kippei stood up and took his coat, ready to leave the hotel to reach his meeting and to keep himself from breaking down before Koichi. He's stood his ground quite longer than he'd expected, but the looming fact that he was returning Aki was breaking him into pieces. He'd seen the world in a much better view, felt his heart lighten from his former miseries and found forgiveness by living his life to the fullest and Aki gave him all that just by having her by his side. He's already shared so much with her, he actually didn't know if there was still something left in him to figure out how to live on without her anymore. Koichi was a man blinded by ambitions that corrupted him from within because he never understood was love was and Kippei could easily maneuver himself into freeing Aki from him; but he couldn't just take her away and have her bear the guilt. Aki wanted Koichi to choose her, she wished for it and hoped for it. Even before their affair, Kippei knew that well and saw the belief that Koichi might change. Even during their affair, there was always a part of her that still belonged to Koichi that Kippei knew will never be his. Through what Koichi lacked, he hoped to replace; but it wasn't as easy as he'd thought since he'd always consider Aki's feelings and their situation. Kippei couldn't live through their secret, only having to have her in times when Koichi wasn't there. He couldn't handle being the other man who was always kept in the shadows, only to be acknowledged when the searing pain blinded Aki into fleeing her own world.

He didn't want to be the secret, he didn't want to be the second choice; but he accepted that out of love because he regained a part of himself in Aki, even if their relationship was brief. He wasn't ashamed of what they did, he wasn't ashamed of his choices and wasn't ashamed of what he put himself into; in fact he grew to know of love so unconditional that he didn't care if it formed within him during the affair. He wasn't expecting to love her so much, but he did; and though Kippei knew that Aki will never be his, the short time he got to have her was enough to make him understand that he didn't need anything else to tell him that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Kippei didn't need to know her too long to understand he wanted and needed her. He didn't need her to be free just to accept that fact his life meant so much more with her. There was so much limitation in their relationship, but he learned not to take offense nor resent because if he did, then he didn't really love her at all.

Imagine if Aki was free, then everything would've been perfect. But she wasn't, and nothing is perfect.

Kippei didn't need perfection in his life and relationship, despite the fact he was a perfectionist in his work. He knew perfectly well that love wasn't perfect and that it couldn't be designed the way people wanted it to be. Love wasn't negotiable, wasn't easily manipulated, isn't attained through proposals, and most of all, it wasn't something you plan.

For a man who has planning, negotiating, and proposals in his daily itinerary; it was rendered useless when he fell in love with Aki.

She did catch him for a brief moment, but now it seemed he was falling again, with her face and memories they shared the only view he has until everything turns black.

Kippei Ebihara may be committing the biggest mistake in his life, but when was life and love perfect anyway?

There was no perfect life nor love to boast about.

There was no right or wrong in Kippei's decision.

There was no smart or dumb to be considered.

To him, love is unconditional, knows no boundaries, doesn't recognize logic or reason, limits, faults, and knows no time, situation or circumstance.

This talk with Koichi happened because he absolutely loved her.

"Mr. Ebihara,"

Kippei stopped gathering his things and saw Koichi bow to him. He wasn't expecting such a gesture from him. HIM, of all people.

"I may never understand why you'd let Aki go, but to see you freely give her back to me is an honorable thing to do considering how much you love her. I have heard of something similar to what you said, about loving something and setting it free... I now realize what you mean by unconditional love. What you've done is a pretty selfless sacrifice. I could tell it's pretty hard on your part," he said to him.

"Really, how so?"

Koichi still kept his head bowed. "Because you're basically here talking to me about it when you and I both know you didn't have to. To admit to me you're the other man who has been seeing my wife... I guess it must be really love to have you let her go to see her achieve her wishes when you yourself could make that come true for her."

Kippei nodded. "But what if I was just saying these things to you for the hell of it and still continue seeing your wife?", he asked. "Didn't you think about that?"

He actually wished he could do that, but he couldn't do something that would only put Aki in more trouble.

Koichi nodded. "That is actually pretty plausible, and yes I did think of that, however,"

"However?"

"A man who sacrifices himself has no room to go back unless there is something that aggravates the intentions of his gesture." Koichi blankly stared at nothing and then said, "It's just like business. You can pull out your investments and sever agreements when your trade partner doesn't abide by the clauses in your contract or unscrupulously uses your stocks and resources for their selfish reasons."

"That's right. To make matters simple, I am yielding to you and backing off out of my love for Aki since she's chosen you. I have nothing against that and bear no resentment or regret. However, fuck it up, you'll be signing papers," said Kippei. "You're actually pretty smart. I could've been impressed, but thank God for restraint."

Koichi scoffed. "I thought you said love was unconditional,"

Kippei gave Koichi a pointed smile. "It is... but you're not really serious in doing the same thing over again, are you?", he asked. "Shame on you for hurting her badly at first, but shame on me if you do it again. Love may be unconditional, but I didn't tell you there were many forms."

He walked to leave for his meeting, but stopped beside Koichi.

"And sometimes, certain forms of love manifest in someone leaving because they finally loved themselves a little more and decided to share that love to someone else who actually loves them unconditionally." Kippei curled one side of his lip in a smile.

Koichi shook his head, a small sarcastic smile escaping him. "You just contradicted everything you told me. Now, it's looking like you just bullshitted me for ten minutes."

Kippei sighed and said, "Hardly. Aki chose you and I chose to let her go. I didn't force her to choose you and I didn't even force you to sit down and talk to me. I never imposed on you anything. You merely decided everything on your own, just like what you've been doing from the very beginning. Besides, why should I force things when you can pretty much do well or screw it up yourself without anyone having to do that for you?"

Koichi turned his head to Kippei and their eyes met. The two men seemed to have reached an agreement without having to say anything.

"I thought you were going to let her go and back off from her?"

"But I didn't say I was going to give up. A word of advice? Pray that she doesn't wake up one day with the decision that she's finally had enough of your shit and leave you for it. You seem to not be aware that she can and she will do that, even without me influencing her. She's got her own mind, and she's actually a pretty smart woman. It won't be long now before she reaches that thought so... I'll leave it at that."

There was a shocked expression that crossed Koichi's face. Kippei looked at him one last time and put on his coat.

"Good day, Mr. Natsukawa. Thank you for taking the time to consider finally making your wife happy," he told Koichi and went on his way.

Kippei walked towards the exit of the hotel, not bothering to look back, a tear rolling down his cheek.

If only he can still hold on, if only he can keep Aki, he would and he will. Kippei stood on the curb as he waited for a taxi. Everything that composed of him now felt broken, his heart shattered as he tried his best not to break down in broad daylight. Inside the cab, he buried his face in his hands and quietly wept, his sorrow as consistent as the tears that slipped through his fingers.

---

"You... you did that?"

Aki couldn't believe what she's heard. She wasn't sure of what she felt. Her amber eyes just kept locked on the man before her who looked utterly lost for words. Kippei averted his gaze, looking tortured at what he'd done and the fact that he'd hid it from her. He tried to take her hand in his, but Aki just shook her head and took a step back from him.

"Aki, please..." he begged sadly, looking desperate to have her listen to him. "Please listen to me, you have to understand... I just did what I thought was-"

"How come you didn't tell me...? How come you decided on your own?", Aki asked in a half-whisper looking betrayed.

Kippei knew she was angry. People had been keeping things from her, her own husband at the top of the list who didn't bother be honest with her. Now, in her pretty fragile and volatile state, it was understandable, however, he only did what he foresaw. After all, this was where they were headed, their relationship wasn't bound to last due to the restraints of moral and physical limitations.

"You're married, Aki... The only thing we have is our son that you're carrying.. Even if we try to hold on, even if I try to make it work, we can't just act out of our own feelings. We need to consider the fact and realities that are revolving around us. I decided to do what I didn't want to because I had to. I couldn't make you suffer any longer. I'm willing to be the one to bear it all... I just don't want you to go through hell just because you're carrying my son.. Koichi and I talked because I had to make things right, because I love you. I love you too much, Aki... I just love you too much to keep you from wavering in choices that you don't really have to make because your situation already has made it for you... You already chose this even before you met me, Aki... I just had to be the one to yield. I can't let you be the one to do that," he told her.

Aki understood what he meant, but it cut her so deep in the heart to have him be the one to walk away. She had no right to be angry, in fact, she should be thankful for his consideration for her feelings and well-being. Everything around them seemed to be tearing them apart, and the better things became for Koichi and Aki, she found it harder to keep herself from distancing from him. Strange. Everything seemed to lead back to him.

Kippei took her hand gently, pulling her closer to him but not as close as he would usually do. "Aki... from here on, I am merely the father of the child you are carrying." He did look agonized by that fact. "But, don't think for a moment that I love you any less... You know how I feel about you... There's no need for you to doubt me, if that's what you're scared of."

Aki looked up into his eyes and saw the sincerity gleaming in them, along with the hurt that there's no longer any room for him in her heart. He's the one driving himself away, that in return, it was bringing her deeper into a torn, languishing feeling that she couldn't explain. She bit her lip, closed her eyes and tried hard not to cry. The baby in her belly seemed to be depressed as well as he seemed to be weeping in his own way, the churning in her made her even more frustrated. She felt Kippei's big hands on the sides of her face now, wiping her tears away. She felt him get closer, planting a soft, gentle kiss on her forehead.

"You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Aki... And now that you're carrying my son, I don't know how you could overwhelm me even more." Kippei sighed, kissing her forehead once more and keeping her closer, even if he restrained not to. He just couldn't stop and resist himself. "I guess everything would be perfect if you end up coming home with me, with you allowing me to take care of you and love you... I wouldn't ask for anything more... except for your hand in marriage.. but someone already beat me to it."

Aki opened her eyes and saw Kippei in tears before her.

"Well, you really can't have everything you want, right?", he asked deprecatingly, a small sad smile forced on his lips. "No matter how much I wish or pray that one day you'll be mine, fate cannot intervene for our sake anymore since it already did months ago.. I guess the choices we've made has already sealed it from allowing our paths to cross again once more... but I don't regret." Kippei leaned forward to kiss her, his lips landing on her cheek instead. He stayed that way for a few seconds and sighed as if to savor their stolen moment. "Aki... we need to go to the office. I'll take you there... that's the least I can do for you at this time."

Aki wasn't sure how or what possessed her, but she held onto him. Wrapping her hands around him from behind, she stopped Kippei from leaving, her head on his back as she only let her tears flow down her cheeks. Her amber eyes looked at the fabric of his suit, his scent embracing her as she held on to him. Her arms felt Kippei shudder, and she could feel his own tears fall on her skin. It hit her in the face like a brick. They weren't in any situation nor place to keep on holding onto each other. They after all made a choice already and he was right, he was just now the father of her child. However, it shattered her. Even if she and Koichi were already doing well in their blooming relationship, Aki didn't want Kippei to be just the father of the child. She wanted him to be something else other than that. How impossible things were. Everything just seemed to converge in the same intention of leading them from each other.

But what was there to protest when being apart was the right thing for both of them so they can get back to their lives?

"Will it be shameful of me if I ask you to be something else other than just being the father of our son?", she whispered, grasping him tightly. "Will you think of me as disgusting if I wanted you to just stay with me like this and not go because it's right for the both of us to be prioritizing both our separate lives?"

What was she saying?

Aki couldn't figure out how she could say such things but it all spilled forth from somewhere deep inside of her that yearned for Kippei, and it wasn't their son.

"You know I don't think of you in such ways... and you know I will always do what you want me to, but if it gets you into trouble, I wouldn't risk you doing so just because of feelings that can no longer be acknowledged," he replied with a voice that ached to keep from shaking.

If only Aki can see the pain on Kippei's face, then she wouldn't look so hurt.

Slowly, her arms lowered and released him. Kippei almost gave in and almost grabbed her arms to wrap them around him once more to keep her from letting him go.

"I'm sorry... for being stupid." Aki wiped her tears away and sniffled a little. "You're right, we do need to go to work and stressing about Koichi's shady trip won't make things easier for me. I should just learn how to keep calm. He'd always have an explanation anyway. You're right, I should trust him and prioritize our baby." She gave a little chuckle and added, "Being pregnant makes your emotions go crazy and you don't know how hormones could be.. I'm so sorry... Let's go?" Aki smiled at Kippei, gesturing for him to walk beside her. "I'll buy you coffee to start the day. I promise no more crying from me.. I don't want you to worry."

Aki went ahead, leaving him in the alley. Kippei knew her too well; he knew she was devastated inside. However, that was the kindest thing to do for both of them. She was being kind in no longer establishing any form of romance with him since she and Koichi were already acting their roles as husband and wife, and he was just as kind enough to just lay the boundaries that he's just the father of the baby thickly into their systems.

Kippei followed her and put up a straight face that defied the tears earlier on, with a repetitive wish that both of them just forget being kind and just be brutally honest in wanting to look for both their happiness.

Both of them already knew it rested in each other, what was there to deny?

Aki and Kippei had their morning pick-uppers and now were approaching the hospital near the places where they worked. Both of them did their darndest to act normal by talking about their work and current projects, but it wasn't enough to keep them from looking at each other with longing, tender eyes that only relayed deeper messages of affection and yearning.

"I can't do this anymore, Aki," Kippei sighed heavily as they stopped at the intersection where they needed to cross before they separated paths. He looked defeatedly at her and said, "Looking at you... it just makes it impossible for me not to kiss you and steal you away. Don't worry, I'm not going to do that, even if I want to.. I'll just torture myself by staring at you and feel content having you near me even if it's just like this."

Aki looked up at him and averted her amber eyes, a small, shy smile forming on her lips as she sipped her tea.

The people around them were gathering, making them get closer as the crowd waiting for the light to turn green grew in numbers. Soon, both of them were side by side, hands brushing as they stood waiting for their turn to cross the street. Aki felt Kippei hold her hand and lacing his fingers with hers, making her look up at him again. His profile revealed nothing and only met his stoic gaze. She looked back towards the road and didn't make anything out of it. The crowd around them seemed to be unaware of their little gesture and both of them seemed to be not bothered by it externally. It was a strange situation to be in, morals right and left trying to steer them both in their own separate lives, only to find each other in the most uncanny of places and then having a small moment to share a little bit of affection before they went on their ways. The light turned green and the crowd crossed, with Aki and Kippei going along with the unit without having the let go of each other's hand. No one made a fuss of them holding hands in private, hidden away from the prying eyes of the world. They actually seemed to be just ordinary people; a man and a woman only walking alongside each other with cups of tea and coffee in their hands; however their other hands were carefully unseen, that even the people behind them weren't able to make something out of it.

It was a private moment. A secret that they shared even if the world was bent on making their lives right for them.

Kippei leaned in close as they managed to cross half the intersection. "I promise I won't tell anyone, so you shouldn't too. Not even Choi." As both of them now were nearing the other side of the street, he leaned in close for the last time and said, "This is where I get off. I wish I could take you to your office, but I do have an 8AM meeting and the train is in for ten minutes. Text me or tell Choi when you get there and erase my number once you do from your messages folder. I'll use Choi to check up on you every hour." With both feet now on the sidewalk, Kippei squeezed her hand and said, "Please take care today. I love you so much, Aki," and then he let her hand go and went along the wave of people that flocked to the station.

Aki stood in the middle of the sidewalk, the sea of people rushing past her to get to work. She wasn't in a hurry anyway, and used a minute to spare to watch Kippei's broad back disappear into the crowd of black heads headed for the trains. She gave a small smile and walked her own way.

"Take care, Kippei...", she muttered under her breath as she neared her office.

With Kippei gone, her mind now drifted to the conversation she had with her father and her days with Koichi. She couldn't understand everything and there was a peculiar sense of dread filling her up as she thought of Koichi and Ai Yashida being in the same place. Add to that his three-times-a-week attendance in the office that her father nonchalantly told her, it was indeed a cause of alarm on her part. Both of them were already getting along, with Koichi being more open and kind-hearted, even downright sincere, so why this sudden suspicion that something is going on while he was at Yokohama?

If he's man enough to hold true to what he's said, he will have an explanation for what he did.

Kippei's right. It was a sad fact to accept that Kippei is right and that Aki had no grounds to accuse Koichi of anything just yet. If anything, she should let him explain first and from there she can gauge if he's telling the truth or lying to her once again. He wouldn't lie to her once more, right? The fact of the matter is, she was scared. She was scared that any form of information could definitely alter her mind and her fragile condition won't help at all since her hormones weren't really stable. Anything at this moment could jeopardize her and the baby no matter how little it is. Aside from that, their past history of Koichi cheating on her wasn't really dead yet, and quite frankly it was rousing from its slumber with this shady turn of events.

Aki sighed to herself. Thinking about it didn't really help her at all. She lifted her gaze and realized she was already in front of the hospital grounds that led to her office. Before she was able to cross the street again to continue her journey on the sidewalk, the guard of the entrance gate of the hospital signalled her to stop as a black car was to enter the premises. She waited along with other employees and as the car passed her by, Aki saw the license plate, making her eyes grow wide.

It belonged to the Natsukawas, well, Koichi's parents, Tetsuo and Sachie.

Even if the crowd was already allowed to cross, Aki remained in her place, her amber eyes taking in the car that stopped at the hospital drop-off. There was no mistaking it : Sachie, Koichi's mother, got out of the car and entered the main building of the hospital. It was a huge surprise to see her in the city when she would often tell Koichi she was dropping by. Well, now that their bonds have severed and both parties seem to be unrelenting to mend things, it was obvious she wouldn't call them, but still... it was suspicious having Sachie at such a place when she doesn't have anyone to see for a consultation in that hospital.

"She's not even familiar with the doctors of that hospital.. Let alone trusted anyone else with their family's health except for their doctors back in their hometown. She did tell me she didn't like the doctors in the city since she always complained about them charging high fees even just after a check-up... She's right about that, but really, what is that old hag doing here?", Aki thought bitterly. Her eyebrows furrowed as she continued on walking, her mind in a jumbled web of questions. She looked back at the hospital once more, her mind clouding even worse as she saw the significance of the establishment.

The hospital was where Koichi's former boss, Mr. Yashida, was currently confined at the moment.

Koichi didn't tell her his mother was going to be there. There was no truth in his words regarding to his trip to Yokohama and his attendance in office. Something didn't add up and Aki felt ill just acknowledging the feeling there was something bound to happen in time.

For now, maybe it's good to keep her mouth shut about what she knows. After all, if everyone can keep secrets from her, she can keep hers too.

Aki could feel the truth was just around her, she just needed to look in the right places.

(Sorry it took so long for me to update. I read all your reviews, your messages and feel so overwhelmed with the outpour of support for this fic. The end is coming soon so please stay until the end, okay? I'm happy to have you all reading this, it's such a blessing after such a busy and tumultuous two months. Thank you very much for keeping this story alive and going. Thank you for keeping track of this and waiting for the updates. For the old readers, thank you for sticking by and here's the update you requested, will follow up more frequently. For the new readers, thanks for finding this fic and enjoying it as much as I enjoyed writing this. Just a quick question though:

Who should Aki be with in the end : Kippei or Koichi? Why or why not?

Just an innocent question. Let me know. I can't deny, however, the fact that I am curious of your answers. Much love, from Aki the author.)