Resonance
Resonance, n: Sound produced by a body vibrating in sympathy with a neighboring source of sound.
Eimi sighed, more asleep than awake. Her rest was so peaceful that her eyelids resisted the urge to rise. Still, her senses stirred, sending signals that her mind couldn't ignore:
The scent of another person, so near. The soft sound of breaths that weren't hers. A comforting warmth beneath the covers, more than her body could generate alone.
Confused, Eimi opened her eyes... And swallowed a startled squeak. Koushiro lay beside her, sound asleep, face tilted towards hers. It was almost difficult to recognize him with no thoughts knitting his brow or sparking in his eyes.
Eimi's heartbeat was so loud that she was sure it would wake him. The small hours of the morning rushed back, with all their sweetness. She didn't trust herself to move, didn't trust the world to go on spinning without knocking something new and precious out of place.
Eimi's face heated as she tried to recall and memorize the party and everything after. There was no choice but to cease; the memories were too potent to endure. She gazed, dazed, at Koushiro, pulse spiking as her brain overlaid expressions from the night before over his sleeping face.
Perhaps she moved or made a sound without knowing. Koushiro's eyebrows twitched, then lowered, crinkling his forehead. Slowly, his lids rose, revealing dark eyes fuzzy with sleep. His alertness returned in stages, and Koushiro became more like Koushiro by the second.
When the transformation was complete, he smiled and said, "Good morning, Eimi."
Frankly, Eimi wasn't doing well on the 'poised and calm' front beforehand, but any lingering traces of reason shrank, fizzled, and vaporized with a pitiful pop. Those too-stimulating memories hijacked her brain, and suddenly, the room was dim. Koushiro moved above her, into her, murmuring her name in a husky tone that lowered into a blissful moan-
"Eimi?"
Disoriented, she shook her head, dislodging last night Koushiro to focus on present Koushiro. He lifted himself with his elbow. The blanket shifted, revealing his bare shoulders and chest. Eimi flicked her eyes up and found disheveled red hair and a relaxed, leisurely grin that she had never seen before.
"H-hi," she squeaked. Koushiro's brow furrowed with confusion, but that smile remained.
"I'm sorry. Would you rather I continue using 'san'?" His grin hinted that he knew her answer. Still, Eimi hastened to confirm, to claim the treasure freely offered.
"No! I, I like it, K... Koushiro." Eimi tried to ask herself what the devil was wrong with her, but couldn't articulate the question, let alone attempt an answer. How could she? Yesterday and today occurred in distant and distinct universes. The veil of a single night separated the old world from the new one she awoke in today, where almost every desire was met.
Koushiro's smile warmed, triggering a shock wave in Eimi's chest. He slid closer, until their bodies touched. Eimi recalled that they were naked, and the covers had slid below chest level. Feverish heat spread over her, and the urge to flee clashed with the desire to press herself to him. Unfortunately, the two possibilities canceled out, leaving her frozen.
Koushiro cupped her cheek, and his smile curled at the corners when he felt the warmth there. "What time is check out? We've likely slept in."
Eimi cleared her throat, more to search for her voice than to empty the passage. "W-we have late check out. We don't have to leave until three. Um... There's a spa, if..."
Koushiro sighed, a relieved, lazy sound. "Perfect. If you want the spa, then we'll go, of course. But..."
He looked into her eyes, and Eimi was much too far gone to guess at his intent. Finally, he shifted, closing any remaining distance between them. The heat of his skin registered first, followed by his obvious arousal.
"It really is a lovely room," he murmured. "And you look beautiful." The mischief in his eyes, the invitation to play, was a side of Koushiro that Eimi didn't quite know yet- and was eager to explore.
She giggled, dispersing some of her nerves, but not nearly all of them. She kissed him, intending it as an affectionate scold. Koushiro morphed the light contact into something much more intimate, outmaneuvering her to dazzling effect.
By the time they parted, Eimi was bereft of her faculties. "L-let me freshen up," she managed. Koushiro released her, and she fled to the bathroom, trying not to reflect on how naked she was. She shut the door behind her and took a few deep, measured breaths.
Eimi approached the vanity and splayed her hands on it for support. She stared at her reflection and laughed at the dopey, brainless smile plastered on her face.
Although she had savored each moment, and hungered for more, Eimi knew that sex wasn't a magic shortcut to a successful relationship. The euphoria inundating her nervous system, generating a flash flood of feel-good hormones, and transforming her into a merry fool stemmed from the intense shift between Koushiro and herself. Only he could say if any fears or uncertainties about his ability to be her partner lingered, but somehow, Eimi knew...
Last night, after months of erosion, the crumbling barrier between them collapsed. Something in him had yielded, embraced her, melded, and remained.
Eimi nodded to herself, struggling for calm, for the ability to act. Okay. Pee. Wash your face. Brush your hair and teeth. And then… She endeavored not to articulate what would follow, for the sake of her sanity and a heart nearly aching with desire and joy. Even without the formality of words, her body and all it housed knew what would happen next:
She would return to bed, and all the promise it held.
XXX
Eimi sat on the sofa in the living room of her Odaiba apartment, gazing at Tokyo Bay and rocking the baby in her arms. Summer and autumn had passed, and winter was waning as March marched along. Still, the bay was a moody blue-gray, cold and still.
The baby gurgled, flailing a pink fist. Smiling, Eimi ran her fingertips along his cheek. He grunted and placed a tiny palm against the back of her hand.
Recently, Eimi had discovered that it was possible for a human heart to liquefy, but still function. That sweet, strange sensation gripped her for what might have been the twentieth time today. "Kazuki," she cooed, raising and lowering her pitch. "Darling boy!"
Normally, a response of, "Buh," wouldn't have impressed Eimi, but it earned Kazuki a snuggle. Hikari and Takeru could interpret moods and needs from their son's vocalizations, but Eimi hadn't spent enough time with him to understand. Still, he seemed content, as infants went. At least, he wasn't screaming (anymore), and he didn't smell.
The sound of a key working the front door's lock caught Eimi's attention. Koushiro entered and smiled when their eyes met. "Tadaima," he greeted as he stepped out of his shoes.
"Okaeri!" Eimi watched Koushiro remove his coat and store it in the closet by the door. "How are your parents?"
"Fine," Koushiro began. He paused, as if listening, then poked his head into the hallway. "Ah- Taichi-san! Welcome back."
"Taichi!" Eimi echoed. "Kazuki! Your uncle is home!" She stroked the baby's head, which was covered with a wispy tuft of brown hair. She cuddled her nephew, knowing that her baby time was about to be interrupted. Still, having Taichi safely home from France was a fair trade.
Koushiro moved aside, clearing room for Taichi. He appeared in the portal, hair mussed, clothes rumpled, eyes bleary and red. He dragged a rolling suitcase in with a groan.
"Layover hell, night flight," Taichi grunted by way of explanation He ripped off his shoes and outerwear as Koushiro closed the door.
"Sorry about the flight," Eimi said. "How was France? How's your girlfriend?"
Taichi shrugged, but managed a tired grin. "The usual. Do we have any damned coffee?"
Eimi and Koushiro shared a look. Taichi was a low-maintenance man, save for the clothes he needed for work. Still, Koushiro and Eimi had already learned that failure to replenish his coffee supplies was performed at their peril.
"I'll make some," Eimi said mildly.
Taichi released a gusty sigh, tipped his head to the side, and twirled his shoulder until something popped. Satisfied, he switched shoulders and gazed about the living area. The furniture was modern, as in Taichi's old apartment, but Eimi had brought her own touches of comfy pillows and blankets. The longest wall was glass, overlooking the bay, but the shorter sides of the rectangular room were normal walls. Scowling, he moved to the wall containing the entry closet.
Eimi bounced the baby, grinning in anticipation. While Taichi was away, she had printed, framed, and hung new photos, adding to their gallery. One was a group portrait from Hikari and Takeru's wedding, an intimate, simple, perfect gem in Eimi's memory. The other was a professional shot of Kazuki in Hikari's arms, with Takeru holding his wife.
Taichi tsked and gestured at the growing collection of photos of their nephew. "My apartment looks more like a shrine to Kazuki every time I come home." He stomped to the couch and paused for an enormous yawn. "Lemme hold him."
"Wash your hands and change," Eimi replied. Taichi grunted, but pivoted towards the hallway leading to the bedrooms without argument. He was protective of the baby, and would have corrected anyone who dared approach with grimy airport clothes and hands.
"He's exhausted," Koushiro observed, noting Taichi's lapse.
Eimi nodded. "Would you mind holding Kazuki until Taichi gets back? I'll start the coffee. Do you want some?"
"I'd love some." And, because Koushiro knew the rules, he moved to the kitchen to wash his hands. Then he sat beside Eimi, and she passed him the baby.
Eimi stretched when she stood. "Oof! I think I was sitting for too long."
Koushiro grinned. "I doubt if Kazuki-kun knows what it feels like to not be held." Eimi snorted, but offered no comment. What could she say? Kazuki was an extremely popular little dude.
She stepped into the kitchen, which was separated from the living area by a large island. She filled an electric kettle with filtered water, then began measuring the beans. From the corner of her eye, she watched Koushiro hold the baby. As usual, he regarded the infant with a sort of polite expectation, as if awaiting the start of an interesting conversation.
Eimi stifled a giggle. "Are you more used to him?"
Koushiro's brow crinkled. "I'm still awkward with him, I'm afraid. I just... don't know what to do."
"I don't think he's holding you to a standard," Eimi pointed out. Koushiro smiled sheepishly. Kazuki gazed up at him, eyes half-lidded and serious. Eimi imagined them engaged in a staring contest and stifled a laugh.
Sluggish footsteps announced Taichi's return. He paused in the hall opening and audibly sniffed. "Oh, god," he groaned. "That smells amazing. Is it ready?"
Eimi nodded towards the French press, which was full of dark liquid. "Almost."
Taichi sighed, then collapsed beside Koushiro on the sofa. Koushiro passed the baby over with visible relief, then scooted to the side, establishing personal space.
Taichi tucked the baby into the crook of his arm like an American football. "Hey, buddy! How ya doin'!" He tickled Kazuki's chest and was rewarded with a pink, gummy smile.
"So cute," Eimi breathed. When it came to making Kazuki smile, the only people who beat Taichi were Hikari and Takeru.
Koushiro glanced from Taichi, who was entranced with the baby, to Eimi, who was watching them interact. "Ah," he began, looking out of his element. "Eimi, my parents wondered if you'd like to have dinner together tonight."
Taichi looked up from the baby, blinking. "Damn, really? How long have you two been at the 'dinner with the parents' stage? That's serious!"
Eimi paused after pouring a mug of coffee. "Taichi. Koushiro's parents are amazing. I like spending time with them. You said they were doing fine, Koushiro?"
"Yes, thank you. I had a late breakfast with them," Koushiro explained to Taichi. Taichi sighed, still vaguely tickling Kazuki.
"Too bad I missed that. It's been years, and your Mom's cooking is amazing."
Koushiro brightened, and Eimi grinned as she added fixings to the coffee. She had quickly learned that Koushiro was a mama's boy. Thankfully, Kae was a sweet, kind woman who seemed genuinely thrilled to welcome Eimi.
"I'm sure my parents would love to have you. Mom still asks after you."
"Oh, yeah?" Taichi grinned, clearly pleased. "I'm in. Not tonight- jet lag- but soon, hopefully."
Eimi approached with two mugs and gave both to Koushiro. "Let's get Kazuki settled while you drink."
Taichi stared at the baby, then at the steaming mugs. The desire for baby cuddles warred with the need for caffeine, until he made his choice with a gusty sigh. He handed Eimi the baby, and she moved to the cat-print blanket on the floor. A round pillow for propping up infants waited there, and she placed Kazuki within its support.
Taichi took a long draught as Eimi retrieved her cup and sat on the armchair nearest Taichi. They drank in silence, enjoying that first hit of caffeine. Eimi savored the full, nuanced flavor, already grateful for the remaining coffee in the press.
When Taichi lowered his mug, his eyes were a touch more alert. Suddenly, he scowled and said, "Wait- What the hell is Kazuki doing here?"
Koushiro snorted and quickly moved his mug away from his face. Eimi laughed, then said, "Kazuki hasn't been sleeping well, and Takeru… Well, he fell asleep at work a few days ago."
"What, he face planted at his desk?" Taichi winced. "Well… Kazuki does have a good set of lungs."
"Agreed," Koushiro muttered.
Eimi opted to ignore their input. "We came to Odaiba for my… my show, and to visit." She hesitated, fighting a flash flood of nerves. While she focused on Kazuki, she didn't have to think about her first concert since taking ill last spring, or wonder if her recovering voice would hold. Now that she wasn't solely in charge of him, those thoughts slipped through her control and jolted from neuron to neuron.
"You okay?" Taichi asked. Sighing, Eimi rubbed her forehead.
"Tired." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth. "Takeru called around 5 AM today, nearly in tears about how they hadn't gotten any sleep. I offered to take Kazuki."
Taichi turned to Koushiro and grinned. "How fun for you. Is that why you slunk off to breakfast at your Mom's?"
Koushiro stared into the void. "His crying is so… penetrative."
Taichi reached over and ruffled Koushiro's hair, until it looked nearly as disastrous as his. "You can't ditch Eimi with a baby, though."
"It's not like he's ours," Eimi replied. "I told Hikari we'd be here from Friday through Monday if she needed help with Kazuki, or with chores or errands. Koushiro came with me to see my show, and to be with me." She meant to support Koushiro, but Taichi's smirk and her boyfriend's rapid coloring indicated that she had misstepped. She glanced at Kazuki, as if he could explain what went wrong.
Taichi's shark-like grin hovered over his mug. "Well, Koushiro? How about it? Gonna give me another niece or nephew?"
Ah, shit. Eimi had made the mistake of assuming that Taichi wouldn't act like an ass after dragging himself here from across the world, jet-lagged and irritable.
Koushiro's voice went simultaneously tart and nasal. "You're assuming we'd promote you to uncle."
Taichi's smirk snapped into a scowl with comic speed. "If Eimi has a kid, then I'm an uncle."
"You are an uncle," Eimi said, cutting off Koushiro's reply. "And you know it's way too early for Koushiro and me to even consider kids."
Taichi snorted, but drank his coffee. Slowly, the irritation eased, smoothing his brow. When he spoke at last, his tone suggested honest curiosity, not teasing. "Would you want a kid, Koushiro? Doesn't seem like your thing."
Koushiro glanced at Eimi, and then Kazuki. His head tipped, considering. "It's... difficult to imagine being a father."
Taichi caught her eye and lifted a brow, and Eimi grimaced. "I don't know. I love Kazuki so much, but…" She trailed off, suddenly unable to look at either Taichi or Koushiro. Despite her best efforts to sound casual, her voice dipped to a soft, dreamy tone. "Well, I'm really enjoying my life as it is now."
Frankly, Eimi had never been happier than these last few months. Amazing things kept coming, like Hikari's wedding and Kazuki's safe, healthy birth. Regular visits to Odaiba kept her among her friends, Taichi's parents, and now, Koushiro's parents. Jyou moving to her area in the country and the steady recovery of her voice were recent, and much longed for, developments.
And living with Koushiro… She didn't have language to describe it, and not for lack of trying. Ever since her general health returned, she had sat beside the fragile flower of her voice, waiting for the softened stem to strengthen, for the shriveled bud to green and bloom. She wrote songs in that interim, passing time, anticipating the return of an integral part of her.
She shared her work with Takeru, hoping for his lyrical input, certain that she wasn't giving her topic its due. He had always teased her about her writing on romantic love, but this time… This time, he told her not to change a thing.
Eimi swallowed hard, then hastened the subject along. "Anyway, you've been with your girlfriend a lot longer than Koushiro and I have been together."
Taichi laughed, shaking his head. "Please. Being an uncle is all I can handle right now."
Thankfully, with that, the topic dropped. They chatted about other things until Kazuki began to fuss. They tensed in unison, aware of how quickly his unhappy grunts could evolve into wailing.
"Diaper?" Taichi suggested, in a tone that said, not it.
"Food, I think." Eimi placed her mug on the side table and bent to pick up Kazuki.
There was a knock on the door, and Koushiro leaped to answer, fleeing the fussing baby. Eimi glanced up to see Hikari and Takeru, each carrying a massive diaper bag.
Taichi saluted with his mug. "Hey, Hikari, Takeru. You're just in time."
"Hi, Onii-chan," Hikari replied. "Thanks, Koushiro-san." Koushiro took her diaper bag and placed it out of the way. Hikari approached Eimi, but her goofy smile was all for her son.
"Hi, sweetie!" Eimi offered Kazuki, but Hikari cooed over him, then retreated to the kitchen to wash her hands, where Takeru was already scrubbing up.
When the parents returned, Eimi handed Kazuki to his mother. "How are you two feeling?" It was late morning, approaching midday. With luck, Hikari and Takeru had managed a solid block of quality sleep.
"Much better," Takeru sighed. "I can't thank you enough. Do I smell coffee?"
"Help yourself." Eimi smiled, but smothered a sharp pang of disappointment. She craved a second cup. Well, I'll just make more, I suppose. Takeru stroked his son's cheek, murmured a nonsense greeting, and went to the kitchen.
"Do you want any?" Eimi asked Hikari.
She shook her head. "I avoid caffeine. I'm breastfeeding."
Taichi cringed. "Yikes. No sleep and no caffeine?"
"It's not all glamorous." Hikari bounced Kazuki and offered him her pointer finger. His hand curled around it, and her smile announced that coffee could go right to hell, for all she cared.
"Do you have herbal tea?" Takeru asked. "I'll make it."
Koushiro joined Takeru to show him the tea options. As Koushiro dug out boxes, Takeru said, "Oh, that's right. Aniki and Sora-nee are stopping over, if that's okay."
Taichi groaned and cupped his forehead. "Normally, they're welcome, but I need to pass out."
"No problem," Takeru replied. "They're just meeting us here. We're gonna go to lunch. You're all welcome."
Eimi smiled with the force of a rush of contentment. When she moved to the country, she lost the pleasure of friends popping in when they were nearby, just to say hi. The new Odaiba apartment was in a prime location near the bay, and their friends established the habit of stopping by when they left for or returned from Tokyo mainland. Typically, people didn't stay long, unless they had specific plans, but seeing her friends always improved her day.
Before anyone could reply, Kazuki began grunting again. The pleasure of seeing his parents had faded enough to for him to recall that he wanted something.
"Sorry, sweetie," Hikari said. "You're hungry, aren't you. Eimi-nee, can you help me?"
Eimi blinked. She had fed Kazuki expressed milk in a bottle during the morning, but surely, Hikari was going to breastfeed him. How was she supposed to help?
Still, she nodded, grabbed the diaper bags, and followed Hikari down the hallway. "Do you mind if I use your room?" Hikari asked.
"Not at all. Let me move Aegis."
Aegis was sleeping smack in the middle of the bed Eimi shared with Koushiro. He lifted his head when they entered the bedroom and wagged his tail. "I'm sorry," Hikari sighed. "I didn't mean to have Aegis locked up in his own home…"
"It was only for a bit." While Eimi knew that Aegis wouldn't hurt anyone, at least without her direct order, she couldn't be too careful with Kazuki. At her signal, Aegis followed her out of the room, down the hall, and into the living area. He perked up at the sight of the crowd and ran to Taichi, his favorite person after Eimi. Eimi watched Taichi greet the dog and scratch his chin, giving Hikari and Kazuki time to settle and latch.
When Hikari called her, Eimi returned and shut the door behind her. Hikari sat on an arm chair in the corner of the room, her back to the wall of windows. The blinds were still down from the morning, granting privacy. Kazuki was suckling, his little hands smushed to Hikari's breast. Eimi sat on the edge of her bed and kept her eyes on Hikari's face. "What can I do?" she asked.
Hikari offered a weary smile. "I just wanted company, and to thank you for taking him this morning."
"I'm happy to help. It must be hard on you to separate from him, though."
Hikari shifted, and Eimi suspected that she was hugging her baby harder. "It… really was. This is the first time. I really didn't want to, but we were so sleep deprived, and Takeru keeps falling asleep-"
Eimi held her hands up. "Please, you don't need to explain. It's okay. Taking care of yourself is important. And… I'm really glad you trust me with him."
Hikari's gentle smile seemed to make her glow. "You're our first choice, and you were in town, so..."
Eimi blinked. Taichi was on a plane during the babysitting window, but what about Yamato and Kazuki's grandparents? True, she and Koushiro arrived in Odaiba yesterday with a standing offer to help, but neither of them had experience with a baby. She had expected to help with cleaning or errands.
"Not your mom?" Eimi asked. "Or Yamato?"
Hikari tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and delicately winced. "I love my parents, but… Well, of all my relatives, you're the best about respecting boundaries. I knew you'd follow my instructions perfectly." Eimi's lips twisted into a lopsided grin. As Hikari predicted, she had kept Hikari's notes on hand all morning and followed them with comical care.
"As for Yamato-san, he… Have you seen him, lately?"
"A few weeks ago. Is something wrong?"
"Not wrong," Hikari said quickly, sensing Eimi's concern. "It's just that Sora-san is due soon. Yamato-san doesn't say so, of course, but he's fretting over the delivery. They have a lot on their mind. And anyway… I can see how much you love Kazuki."
Eimi laughed. "Hikari, everyone loves Kazuki."
Somehow, Hikari's expression warmed even more. "That's true. Everyone is so generous and eager to help. So many people want to visit that we have to schedule it. Sometimes, I feel like Kazuki's secretary!"
Hikari paused, allowing space for Eimi's laugh. In a wistful tone, she added, "It's almost hard to remember how scared I was when I first learned I was pregnant. I wish… I could have known then that there was nothing to fear."
Eimi smiled, basking in the sentimental mood. But when tears pooled in Hikari's eyes, she startled and stood. "Hikari- are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Hikari managed a weak laugh as she wiped her eye. "I'm sorry, I'm still hormonal. Sometimes, I look at Kazuki sleeping or smiling and I just… cry. It's like I'm too full, and it has to get out somehow."
Eimi sighed with relief as she sank back on the bed. "Thank goodness. I'm so glad everything worked out, Hikari. I knew it would, though; we all love you so much."
Another tear leaked free, but Hikari's smile grew. "I know," she whispered. "I know you love us."
Flustered, Eimi grasped for a way to change the subject. "So- How is Takeru adjusting to fatherhood? Did he really face plant at his desk?"
Laughing, Hikari leaned forward to dish on her husband.
XXX
Koushiro watched Aegis circuit the room, requesting pats from all three men. He glanced at his wristwatch and frowned. "Will Yamato-san and Sora-san be here soon? I'd like to ask them something." Ideally, they would come before Hikari finished breastfeeding, while Eimi was in another room.
Takeru looked up from petting Aegis, but a knock on the front door cut off his response. Aegis trotted over, tail wagging, waiting for Koushiro to admit more visitors. Yamato and Sora entered, the latter almost waddling, awkward with her enormous baby bump. Yamato's eyes seemed permanently glued to her, displaying the worry that didn't reflect in his neutral expression.
"Hey, everyone!" Koushiro shook Yamato's hand as Taichi approached and gave Sora a side-hug. Takeru waved from the kitchen.
"Hey, Aniki! Coffee? Sora-nee, would you like herbal tea? I'm making some for Hikari."
Koushiro glanced at the almost-empty French press and suppressed a grimace. He wanted more coffee, but would never deprive a guest. He asked Takeru if he needed help, but the younger man declined.
After they washed up, Yamato escorted Sora to the sofa, which his wife allowed with a tolerant smile. He sat beside her, and Taichi took the last open spot on the couch. Koushiro sank onto the armchair.
"Hikari is feeding Kazuki with Eimi," Taichi said. "Koushiro, did you want to talk about something?"
Sighing, Koushiro leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees. "I'm sorry for troubling you, but since we're all here, I hoped I could ask your advice."
Sora held the bottom of her belly, supporting her baby. "I hope nothing's the matter?"
"Nothing's wrong," Koushiro said. "It's just... Eimi is so nervous about performing tomorrow."
"Huh?" Taichi scowled and tipped his head. "She can finally sing again. Hell, how long did that take? Nine, ten months? I thought she'd be happy."
"She is," Koushiro allowed. "Happy that she can sing, that is. I also assumed that she was looking forward to her first show since taking ill, but... She told me that she's anxious, and she's been having dreams about losing her voice in the middle of the performance."
"Eimi-chan..." Sora's brow crumpled with concern. "She went through so much..."
Takeru approached and handed Yamato and Sora a mug. "The doctor cleared her to sing, right?" he asked. "And I'm sure she's been practicing."
"You can't logic trauma away," Yamato said. "The good news is that Eimi told you about it, Koushiro. And you told us."
Koushiro nodded, relieved that someone else had come to the same conclusion. "Eimi struggles with asking for help. I had to push a bit for her to invite everyone here to attend."
"What!" Taichi sputtered. "Like we wouldn't come, if we could!"
Takeru snorted. "Joke's on her. I get an email whenever her blog updates. I booked our tickets and called Aniki about it months ago, well before Eimi-nee told us." Yamato nodded, scowling into his mug.
"Please, try not to take offense," Koushiro sighed. "I hate to say it, but she's feeling fragile… Which is why I'm grateful that we can all make it. Jyou is attending, as well as my parents and Taichi-san's parents. I'm hoping she'll feel at ease when she sees so many of us."
Taichi stared at Koushiro, then slowly grinned. "You want her to know that support is there, if she just asks."
"Exactly." Koushiro hoped he wasn't mirroring Taichi's dopey grin, but feared for the worst. It was difficult to assist Eimi, due to her tendencies to care for others and hide her struggles. Now that she was coming to him for help on her own, he was eager to provide- and it seemed as though he was succeeding.
"And you confirmed the dinner reservation after the performance tomorrow, right? That's important." Takeru's wince suggested that a similar slip of his mind had caused tragic effects before.
Koushiro nodded. "It's a nice place; the dress code roughly matches the concert venue's level. Sora-san, Mimi-san can't make it, correct?"
Sora shook her head. "No, she's in Seoul."
"I see... That's too bad, but I'm happy that your body diversity dress line is doing so well."
Sora's eyes widened, as if she couldn't quite believe it herself. "I'm stunned. I was worried that the campaign would be seen as a gimmick, but... Thanks to how hard Mimi-chan is working, and how earnest she is, people see how passionate we are about this. Mimi-chan was able to find so many amazing women from all over the world to model... And, of course, her photos with Eimi-chan started everything."
"Don't forget your work." Yamato placed his hand on Sora's knee. "You created the designs."
Sora seemed to gleam with pleasure. "I know. I wish I could still sew, though... I've had to shift to design work and administrative tasks for the last trimester."
"That's still a lot," Takeru said. "Don't overdo it."
Sora waved off their comments and turned to Koushiro. "But, Koushiro-kun... We'll all be there for the concert, and you have dinner sorted. What did you want to ask us?"
"Ah! I almost forgot." Koushiro paused, suddenly embarrassed, despite wanting their help. "Well… There's still over a day remaining until the show. What can I do for Eimi now? The closer tomorrow's concert comes, the more jittery she grows."
Taichi scratched Aegis behind the ears. "Is that why you scheduled dinner with your parents tonight? To distract her?"
"Partially," Koushiro admitted, feeling sheepish. "But also... Mom dotes on her."
"And on you," Yamato pointed out. "Just keep her busy. Maybe watch a movie?"
"Time out of the apartment is probably helpful," Sora said. "Go shopping or take a walk."
"Don't you guys have a really nice tub here?" Takeru asked. "Maybe a bath and a drink?"
Koushiro's cheeks grew hot. Truthfully, Takeru's suggestion sounded like a good one, especially since he knew from experience that they could both fit in the bath. He turned to Taichi and sputtered, "Er- Do you have an idea?"
Taichi frowned, then shrugged. "Honestly, I think you'd know what to do better than I would. Stop worrying about it, though. Eimi will pick up on you being nervous."
"You're doing great, Koushiro-kun!" The warmth of Sora's smile eased Koushiro's discomfort, and he found himself smiling back. "You've come so far, really."
Koushiro's brain rushed back in time, offering a memory of Skyping with Sora and Takeru, desperate to learn how to care for Eimi while she was still so ill. A lump clogged his throat, and he stared at the others, unable to respond. His innate humility suggested that it was presumptuous to feel proud of his ability to support Eimi, but with a room full of friends agreeing…
A tiny smile creased his face as he said, "Thank you," accepting their praise, and his.
Footsteps sounded from the hallway, and Hikari appeared, holding Kazuki. Eimi gestured to Aegis, returning him to the bedroom.
"Hi, Yamato-san! Sora-san!" Hikari approached the sofa, knowing that all visitors wanted to see the baby.
Eimi reappeared, smiling at the friends gathered in her living room. "Hi, everyone! Welcome! Does anyone need a drink? I'll make more coffee."
"Bless you," Taichi groaned, making a show of slumping against the couch.
"Ah- I made tea, Hikari." Takeru grinned in a boyish way that suggested how pleased he was with himself. He bounced towards the kitchen to grab the tea. Charitably, Hikari waited until her husband's back was turned to shake her head, grinning all the while.
"Thanks, Takeru. Let's all have a drink, and then we'll head out." Hikari handed Kazuki to Yamato so she could hold her cup and take his empty one.
Koushiro relaxed, guided by the example of his friends, who all sank into enviable coziness to enjoy warm drinks and cherished company.
Author's Note: One chapter remains: the Encore, featuring Eimi's show. I am planning to post it on Odaiba Day, so please look forward to it!
This story is over 240K words long and ran from 2014-2020! I'm so pleased that it's closing. I'm hoping to work on Four Years and some new stories! For more information, please follow me on Tumblr, where I am also ahiddenpath. It's linked in my profile.
This has been a long journey! Comments and support would mean so much to me (and I need all the help I can get to push my exhausted butt over the finish line). Thank you, and please look forward to the encore!