Staccato beeping forced Aoi's consciousness back into full swing. Her eyes struggled to open, the room was spinning, and she was feverish: but Yusaku's panicked punching of the buttons on his cellphone caught her attention. Yusaku was supporting her by the waist with one arm, while the other was holding onto his device. It took her only a moment to realize what was going on. Yusaku was calling an ambulance. This seemed to be a habit of his when he didn't know what to do. But today, Aoi would have none of it.

'Don't.' her tone was stern as she swiped at Yusaku's hand, knocking the cellphone onto the floor. This miffed Yusaku, who didn't have much spare money to replace the device if anything happened to it. However, considering her current predicament, he didn't think it was wise to get upset with her. Instead, he looked at her with quizzical eyes that thinly masked frustration. 'They'll call Onii-sama.'

'That's fine.' he pressed. 'I need to get you medical attention. I don't know-'

'No. Please.'

'Aoi-'

'I don't want to go.' she pleaded. 'Please, please-'

'You need a doctor.'

'Please. Don't. Onii-sama will find out I'm pregnant.'

Yusaku finally understood what Aoi was so fearful of. After a pause, he grudgingly let out a sigh and hooked his free arm underneath her knees, picking her up clean off the floor. If she were feeling better, she would have squeaked or at least tried to be playful. At the moment, she was numb. She felt lifeless, like a doll made out of jelly. Yusaku could have flung her around the room like a stuffed animal and she still wouldn't feel a thing. She was exhausted. All she wanted to do was lay on her bed.

Thankfully, Yusaku didn't have to be told what to do. He instinctively brought her to her mattress, laying her down carefully with her head on top of the various pillows sitting by the headboard.

'Thank you.' she whispered.

'Don't mention it.' he replied before picking up his phone from where it landed on her rug. He tucked it into his pocket and sighed. Afterwards, he spoke again, 'You need a doctor. I'm not equipped to treat you.'

'It's fine...' she giggled hollowly. Yusaku knew that she was just trying to appease him, so he forced his muscles to somewhat relax. When he did that, he noticed that Aoi herself calmed down. It touched him that she was concerned about his wellbeing, but he wanted to focus on her own physical state.

'You're burning up.' he pointed out. 'You need help.'

'No... I feel like this sometimes. I think it's because of the pregnancy.'

'I don't think these symptoms are normative.'

'Oh?' Aoi questioned playfully, bitterly. 'Are the other pregnant girls not as sick as me?'

'Will you shut up about that already?' he finally snapped with angry eyes. 'There are no other girls.'

Aoi did as she was told. Her lips were sealed. After giving him a long, hard look, she turned to her side so that her back was facing him. She couldn't look at him for much longer. His image made her sad. They had just messed around again. He finished, so he was effectively done with her. She was convinced that he was only staying so long because she collapsed. She hated it whenever he pretended to care about her. It gave her hope. She wanted reality, no matter how painful it was. The truth was what she believed she deserved. This cruel lie, wherein he pretended to care for her, was beyond evil at this point.

Yusaku sighed heavily. Knowing Aoi couldn't see him, he threw his arms up in the air and contorted his mouth in a silent scream. Fuck! he mouthed to the ceiling. Nevertheless, aware that he fabricated Aoi's insecurities regarding him, he decided to step up to the challenge. He made his way over to her, climbed on top of the bed to join her, and then wrapped her in a tight embrace from behind. His chest pressed against her back and he tucked her head under his chin.

Surprisingly, Aoi pushed against him, as if to signal to him to hold her closer - so he did, pulling her to him as tightly as he could.

'You're the only girl.' he reassured in a soft, uncharacteristically gentle voice. 'I promise.'

'Whatever.' she tried to come off as flippant, but her voice broke. Try as she might to resist being lured back into love with Yusaku, her heart was mending in a painfully beautiful way. She was so tired of being hurt by him, but she'd be lying if she denied that there were remnants of her that longed for him. Those same shards of broken love were now humming vibrantly, revitalized by oaths of monogamy and unwavering desire for her.

He kissed the back of her head, catching a whiff of nostalgic lavender that warmed his blood. One of his arms was draped over her waist. He moved it downwards slowly until he was palming over her womb. The implication wasn't lost on Aoi. She gasped, surprised by his actions.

'Yusaku... What are you doing?'

'I don't really know.'

'Why are you doing this, then?'

'Because it feels right.' he replied honestly, and he nuzzled his face into the curve of her neck. She felt him take a deep breath in, and she figured with a melting heart that he was trying to inhale her scent. She wanted to say something, but all the words bundled up in her throat, choking her with emotion. Tears stung her eyes, but they didn't fall. She was lost in sentimentality, and she believed for the first time in a very long time that Yusaku felt a special connection to her. 'My beautiful baby...' he murmured, and it was all over after that. All the feelings she kept inside seemed to burst in that moment.

She wanted him again.

She placed a hand over Yusaku's so that they were both applying pressure on her abdomen. Despite the anxieties they both had about their current predicament, neither of them held any regret or pain. Even if they didn't know what to do, and going against all conventional ideals about young romance, the fact that they had created something together was a singular, ethereal concept that they both wanted to revel in for a little while. In that instance, they gave each other what neither had but deeply desired. Aoi gave Yusaku unconditional acceptance, and Yusaku gave Aoi undivided attention.

Aoi had never felt closer to him than in this moment.

'Yusaku... I love you.'

'I love you more.' he contested before kissing her shoulder. Although it was he who was trying to calm her, Yusaku was oddly relaxed by this whole ordeal. The sheets were fluffy and comforting, Aoi's body was warm and her voice was soothing, and the fresh scent of lavender wafted seductively in the air. Yusaku couldn't have crafted a more intoxicatingly sweet scenario in his head even if he tried. For the first time in a long while, Yusaku felt complete. It was like the scars of his trauma dissipated in this safe space, within the confines of four walls of which no darkness could seep into.

'You'll never love me as much as I love you.' Aoi teased, though the joke was fully meant. She truly believed this, and she was fine with it. She was happy to love Yusaku more intensely than he did for her. In fact, she wasn't entirely convinced that he loved her - and that was just fine. At the very least, he wasn't pushing her away. He seemed to be finally making space in his life for her and that was all the motivation she needed to pursue a lasting connection with him.

'Don't assume things, Aoi. You don't know how I feel about you.'

'Mm...'

'I don't know how to show it, but I'm in love with you.' he confessed quietly. 'It's just... There's an abyss I can't cross. I do this to myself. I can't seem to get over this feeling of living in a separate world from others. Because of this, I fail to understand other people. I don't really understand you, and so I don't know how to take care of you.'

Aoi blinked a few times in an effort to process what he was saying. It was true; Yusaku was perpetually surrounded by a ring of darkness brought about by his traumatic past. Initially, Aoi wanted to save him from that... Whatever that meant. She thought that her feelings for him held light, and that he could heal from that. It was only now that she realized how unrealistic and idealized that notion was. Was she still trying to be Blue Angel, enlightening the forsaken with blue love? Who was she kidding? She was just trying to force her world views onto someone who was genuinely suffering.

And now, she had effectively given him no choice but to involve himself with her. Because she was naive and overly romanticized their sexual endeavours, she thought that Yusaku's willingness to have unprotected sex with her meant that he loved her. Of course, the truth was that he was willing to go along with it because it felt good. Aoi wondered if maybe she wanted this to happen so that she could lock him to her. Her first reaction was to vehemently deny her own accusation, but a small part of her unraveled.

His palm, which was comfortingly nestled on top of her womb, now burnt her. He must be freaking out inside, but was keeping it together for her sake. He never cared for her, but this newfound responsibility compelled him to do so now. But Aoi didn't want to be with him this way, and she most certainly didn't want him to feel imprisoned by her.

'You don't have to take care of me.' she said eventually. 'I just want you to take care of yourself.'

'I'm fine.'

Aoi smiled to herself. 'Right...'

I don't deserve you.

'Yusaku... I'm going to take a shower. I don't feel sick anymore.'

'OK...' he kissed her cheek and untangled his arms from her body. As he sat up, she got up as well. He watched her steady herself when she stood, but he was somewhat unconvinced that she was feeling better. 'Aoi, I think it's a good idea if you start seeing a doctor.'

'Oh?' she looked back at him over her shoulder. 'Didn't you know? I have a doctor.'

Yusaku raised a brow. 'Really?'

'Mhmm... The internet.' she stuck her tongue out and went on her way to the bathroom.

When Yusaku heard the shower start, he reached for his phone and dialled Shoichi's number. 'Hey...' the young man greeted when his older friend picked up. 'I have a favour to ask. Can you drive me and Aoi to school?'

'Huh?' Shoichi was incredulous on the other line. 'Right now? It's almost noon! You're just asking to get scolded by your teachers...'

'Yeah. We got caught up in something.'

'I bet.' he clucked. 'That explains why your back doesn't hurt anymore. Physical therapy, am I right?'

The heat rushed to Yusaku's face. 'That's irrelevant.'

'Is it?'

'Can you get us to school or not?' Yusaku snipped. This conversation was embarrassing. He just wanted to get it over with already.

'Yes, I can. I'll be at your place in-'

'Not my place. Aoi's.'

'What the hell! Yusaku! Are you serious?!'

'Yes.'

'How are you still alive?! What did Zaizen Akira say?!'

'Nothing.' Yusaku cleared his throat. 'He doesn't know I'm here.'

'Yusaku!'

'I know!' was the frustrated response. 'I'll deal with that later. Right now, I need Aoi to get to school. I don't want her to get in trouble.'

'Fine. What's her address?'

'I'll text it to you.'

Yusaku hung up and did as he said he would. He then sat on Aoi's bed, waiting for her to finish up and return. When she did, she was dressed in a fresh uniform. She offered him a small smile as she walked over to her desk to pick her school bag up. 'I'm going to head to school now. Thank you for staying.'

'Don't worry about it. I called Kusanagi-san to drive you to school.'

'Oh!' Aoi's eyes widened. 'You didn't have to do that.'

'I don't want you to walk in your condition.'

'I'm pregnant, not immobile.'

'You burn up and collapse every now and again.' he pointed out. 'I don't want to exacerbate your symptoms.'

Aoi sighed. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other nervously. Yusaku was worrying about her, and she didn't like that one bit. This was why she didn't want to tell him in the first place. She didn't want to stress him out. It just felt like the only thing she ever brought Yusaku was hardships. She was starting to believe that perhaps this was a sign that they were never meant to work: she couldn't make him happy. He couldn't even depend on her. She was just a child. A stupid, naive child who wanted his attention.

'He's here.' Yusaku announced when he got a text from Shoichi. 'Let's head downstairs.'

Aoi nodded. On their way out, she made sure to reenable the robot maid. If Akira came home to find it inoperable, he would know that she had done something he wouldn't have approved of.

'Hey, you guys!' Shoichi greeted the two teenagers as they walked over to his vehicle. 'Aoi-chan! It's been a while!'

'Yes, it has.' she smiled. 'I hope you've been well.'

'I have.'

'Sit in the front.' Yusaku urged Aoi. 'You're going to be dropped off at school. I'm going to take a shower at the back and then go home to change into my uniform.'

'Oh...' she couldn't hide her disappointment. 'Are you not going to be joining me and Takeru for lunch, then?'

Yusaku's gut twisted sickeningly. Takeru. Fucking Takeru. Yusaku almost forgot about him. Takeru, his wonderful friend who had been nothing but nice to him and who also coincidentally fell for Aoi. How was he going to face him?

'Yusaku?' Aoi rubbed her lover's back. 'What's wrong? You went silent all of a sudden.'

'Nothing's wrong.' he lied. 'Say hi to Takeru for me.'

'Right.'

'And Aoi?'

'Mm?'

'I'd appreciate it if...' he trailed off. If he told Aoi to keep their pseudo-relationship (was it even a relationship?) a secret, then she would undoubtedly be upset again. But, if he didn't warn her and she ended up revealing to Takeru what they had done last night and that they had rekindled some of their lost intimacy, then Takeru would be upset.

Yusaku decided that he couldn't win or control the situation.

Fuck it. Whatever happens, happens.

'Yusaku?'

'I'd appreciate it if you took it easy today.' he finished tightly, flashing her a forced smile. 'I'll see you later.'

'Oh, Zaizen!' Takeru called out from his seat on his usual bench table when he saw the said woman approaching him. 'Where's Yusaku?'

'I don't know.' she pretended, thinking that revealing what had really happened would only raise more questions that she didn't feel like answering. Furthermore, try as she might to deny that she cared, the truth was that she didn't want Takeru to think that she was a slut. If he knew just how easily she could fall under Yusaku's spell even after he mistreated her, then even Takeru might think badly of her. She didn't want that. She appreciated Takeru as a friend and wanted him to be confident in who she was. Hopefully, he could grow to trust her just as she trusted him, and he would learn to depend on her.

Aoi thought that that wasn't possible if she gave off the impression that she was easily manipulated.

After all, Yusaku and Takeru are best friends. They shared trauma and secrets together. They understood each other better than anyone else. Despite Takeru's assurance otherwise, Aoi was convinced that Yusaku must have told him something.

'I've been waiting for you for so long that I already finished my food.' Takeru teased. 'You don't really eat during lunch anyway, right?'

'Eh?'

'You know, there's this career-fair thing going on in the gymnasium.'

'Takeru wanted to go seek help for his dim-looking future.' Flame piped up.

'That was seriously uncalled for.' Takeru snapped back.

Aoi giggled. Takeru rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. Why did Flame have to go and embarrass him in front of his crush?

'Let's go.' Aoi smiled.

When they arrived at the gymnasium, they were surprised to see just how many students actually turned up. Many of them seemed anxious, frantically reaching for brochures that were laid out on different tables. Almost a hundred booths seemed to be installed, showcasing companies mostly involved in software and technology. Then, there were medical-themed booths that encouraged students to consider further schooling to become doctors or nurses. A small fraction of the booths were dedicated to underlining the importance of being involved in service-sector, government jobs.

'Yusaku should've come to this.' Takeru lamented. 'I can't imagine myself doing any of this. But Yusaku... He's more reliable than a supercomputer. I bet he'd have no problem getting a job at one of these software companies.'

'I know.' Aoi agreed. 'He's so clever.'

'Yeah. I can't wait to see what he does in the future.'

Aoi's heart skipped a beat at that. The future. Yusaku's future. That could possibly involve a child now, considering that she was carrying his genetic material. This conversation was triggering an ongoing debate in her head that she tried to quell, but kept her up at night anyway. Did Yusaku even want this baby? He said he does. He acts like he does, but he may just be protecting her.

'Takeru-kun... What do you think Yusaku wants to do in the future?'

'Ha...' Takeru chuckled. 'You'd have to ask him that. I shouldn't be speaking for him.'

'Oh...' Aoi's eyes were downcast, but she quickly regained composure. Looking at her companion, she interrogated him further with determination, 'What do you think Yusaku should be doing?'

'I don't have a clear picture in my head. But I think whatever he'll be, he'll be great.'

Can he do that with an obligation hanging over his shoulder?

Aoi instinctively palmed her womb. She felt sick again, but this time she was sure that it wasn't from the pregnancy. Her heart dropped and she felt like her insides have been gutted out. She felt empty inside. It was so easy to hate herself nowadays.

Why did she do this? Why did she fuck him? Why did she fuck him, unprotected? She was screwing everything up for everyone. How long could she keep this a secret? What was Akira going to do when he found out? Because, inevitably, he was going to find out. Be it tomorrow or on his death bed, she knew that she couldn't keep it from him forever.

And then there was Yusaku.

Aoi knew that she was fucking everything up in his life. He was so young and full of potential. He didn't need to deal with her antics, nor did he deserve to be saddled with a child - all because she couldn't keep her legs closed. She was the one who forced her feelings onto him, she was the one who crawled back time and time again hoping that he would love her. If she hadn't done that, then he wouldn't have this burden to carry.

He should hate her.

Of course he doesn't want this baby. He was just too nice to say anything, because no matter how cruel he had been to her, he never actually wanted to break her. But in his selfless acceptance of her stupid mistakes, she was the one breaking him apart. What was she supposed to do when she started showing? Not only would she be freaking Yusaku out, but she wouldn't be able to go to school. Why did Akira work his ass off every night, then? Why did he gave up so much if she was just going to end up a high school dropout?

She was just a child herself. How was she supposed to take care of a child? And how could she have the audacity to take Yusaku's future away from him? And to invalidate Akira's past, to discredit all the hard work he's put in for her?

'What do you want to do when you're older, Zaizen?'

Aoi thought about it. After a while, she candidly revealed, 'I have no idea.'

The hand on her womb balled up into a fist.

Thank you guys so much for your overwhelming support in this story!

If you have an account, I have responded to you privately. Otherwise, I do so below.

Guest, thank you for your review!

Yujo0147, thank you for your continued support and encouraging words! Yusaku and Akira will have another confrontation in later chapters. Emma and Aoi will have more conversations like the one in this chapter, although their relationship will evolve as well. They'll both help each other discover themselves as they relate to each other in a way that men can't to women. Yes, you are absolutely correct, there will be revised moments based on the anime! Yusaku and Aoi will have different conflicts that don't have to do with mistreating each other, but about secrets unraveling. Their relationship will have ups and downs, but it will be unlike the pattern in this story. I hope that if you do read it once it's up, that you'll still find it enjoyable!

Guest, thank you for your review!

Aniki, thank you for your review and continued support! Yusaku wants to change to assist Aoi, although Aoi herself is questioning his sincerity no matter how much she wants to believe it. And yes, at this point, Yusaku would be devastated if anything happened as he's finally allowing himself to form a connection.

Guest, thank you for your review! And yes, everyone is starting to feel differently about everything going on. Thank you as well for saying that you would like to read the upcoming story! As for my deleted story, I didn't feel like I could go anywhere with it plot-wise, so I decided that it was best to discontinue it.

Guest, thank you for your review! Don't worry, their relationship will soon take a public turn! And you are right about Aoi exploring new and dangerous territory. Akira has to realize that his sister is growing up and that he can't protect her from everything, and that she will inevitably make choices that hurt her.

Guest, thank you for your review! Akira wants Emma to investigate what Aoi has been up to lately to hopefully uncover why Aoi is so standoffish. As for the AU, Yusaku and Aoi use their relationship together for different reasons. In the AU, Aoi is more connected to the Lost Incident, and her part in it will greatly affect how Yusaku feels about it.

Guest, thank you for your review! And yes they will. This story will ultimately showcase closure of their relationship.