Kaoru's hand shook subtly as he reached for the doorknob. If Emi was hurt again… He clenched his teeth and gripped the doorknob steadily. Whatever was behind this door…
There was no more time for thinking. Breathing in deeply, he set his resolve. He swung the door open without another thought, blinking at the bright light. "Emi?"
Emi was sitting on her bed facing away from the door. Her sobs ceased slightly at the sound of his voice but Kaoru could still see the shaking of her shoulders. Emi was in her nightgown with her black hair hanging loose around her and, from what Kaoru could see, she didn't look injured. "Emi?" he called again.
He opened the door fully and walked in cautiously. He looked around him, searching for any sign of Ryota or anything that could be the cause for Emi's distress. So far, nothing. He closed the door behind him.
Kaoru went around the room, setting his eyes steadily on his adoptive mother as he rounded the bed. No wounds, no new bruises so far. He came around the bed fully and came to a stop in front of her. He frowned. What was she upset about?
Emi's head was bowed, leaving her hair haloed around her face as she stared downward. It was what Emi clutched in her hands that confused him the most. She was holding what appeared to be a very small picture album. "Emi, are you okay?"
She raised her head. Emi's eyes sparkled with the tears but she attempted to smile at him. "It's nothing for you to worry about, Kaoru," she said quietly.
Kaoru went to sit beside her regardless. He sat down on the bed, letting it dip under his weight and leaned against her, providing quiet comfort. She immediately smiled and wrapped an arm around Kaoru's shoulders tightly. "You're the son I always wanted for myself," Emi she said softly. "You know that, right?"
"I know."
Kaoru was confused though because Emi was still smiling softly down at the picture album in front of her. He looked at it as well. Arranged in the album were four pictures of a newborn baby, crying. "Who's that?"
A conflicted expression crossed Emi's face and she gripped the album tighter. "I really don't think I should be telling you."
Kaoru knew a thing or two about hiding secrets, so he knew when to let things go. "You don't have to tell me."
"But I want to," Emi said, looking up at him. "I… never told this to anyone before, but… I feel like you would understand me."
Nodding eagerly, Kaoru looked at the picture again. He kind of had a feeling where this was going. "I won't tell anyone."
She looked away again. "I'm not actually barren," she said softly.
Kaoru felt his stomach drop. Was she hiding this from Ryota?
She continued, "Remember when I told you that I left Ryota for a year? Well, it wasn't only because I was afraid of him. It wasn't just because he'd gotten violent and messed up… It was because he got me pregnant."
"Did he…?" Kaoru asked, fearing the worst.
"No," Emi said immediately, forcefully. "No, I loved him. I always did and I still do. It was just that… I couldn't let a child grow up in that environment. No one should live like we do." Her eyes snapped to Kaoru's, looking horribly conflicted. "A year before, I found out that my sister was barren and this was my chance. I was going to go away from everyone and have this baby. I told my sister and friends that I was out traveling. When I came back, I told everyone that I was barren as well. They believed me."
"What happened to the baby?"
"I gave him up for adoption," she said, smiling happily. She wiped her eyes, trying not to cry any further. "I know that he's out there, living happily, but sometimes I can't help but worry about him on days like today."
"Like today?"
"It's his birthday," she said fondly. "He would be nine."
Kaoru turned and hugged her. "I'm sorry, Emi. I'm sorry you have to go through this."
She slid her arms around him and pulled him in tighter, pressing her lips to his hair. "No, I'm sorry," she whispered. "I shouldn't have brought you into this. Any of this. You should have been adopted elsewhere with a loving, safe family. You should be happy, too."
"But I wouldn't have met you," Kaoru replied.
That was the last straw for Emi and her tears spilled over. Whether it was in happiness or in sadness, Kaoru couldn't tell. She cradled Kaoru to her and rocked him back and forth. The picture album on her lap slipped off and fell to the floor with a thud, landing face down to the floor.
They sat for a while. Kaoru let her cry it out, feeling more attached to Emi than ever. She was fragile and she didn't show it often. It was his chance to comfort her for a change.
Suddenly the door swung open, causing the two to jump apart. There, in the doorway, stood Ryota looking confused at the sight of them. "Ryota!" Emi cried in surprise, standing immediately. Before Ryota could see it, Emi subtly kicked the album under the bed. "You're back early."
"What did you do?" Ryota demanded, turning murderous eyes onto Kaoru.
A rush of fear shot down Kaoru's spine and he was frozen, petrified.
"He didn't do anything," Emi said strongly. "I was just feeling a little emotional and he was comforting me."
Ryota's eyes snapped to hers and he stared at her defiantly, not quite believing her. "Go to your room now, Kaoru," Emi said steadily, looking over at Kaoru.
Kaoru nodded and walked nervously towards Ryota. Suddenly Ryota's arm shot out and grasped Kaoru by the collar. "Punk, if you make my wife cry again, I will end you," he growled.
Kaoru struggled against his grasp.
"Ryota!" Emi scolded, coming between them. "Let go!" He released Kaoru and he stumbled back in shock. "Go, Kaoru."
He raced out of the room and the door was slammed shut behind him. Kaoru was left in the dark, fearful of Emi's safety, so he stood there, listening at the door. But as the time dragged on, Kaoru realized that Emi had calmed him down. They were talking softly inside their room.
With one last glare at the door, Kaoru returned to his room, collapsing into bed to sleep.
A close one for Kaoru. I wonder where this will lead next? So, our finale is coming up in the next few chapters or so!