Chapter 11

As I hugged Haruka, I could feel her shaking in my arms, sobbing as she clutched tightly to my shirt.

"Ren-kun... this... I can't do this..." She sobbed.

I looked at Shibuya-san, her and I's expressions sad.

"What do you mean, Haruka?" I asked, as Shibuya looked over to the door, seeing Masato-san standing there, his expression upset.

Haruka sighed, her face still buried in my shirt.

"This could destroy you." She sniffled. "This..." She yelled, pointing to her stomach, "Will be so bad for your career!"

I sighed, I could feel the tears coming over, a waterfall down my face.

Hearing steps, I heard the door close, a sound of someone clearing his throat.

"It won't destroy him." Masato said, his tone stern.

Haruka looked up immediately, gasping. "Hijirikawa-san?" She asked, her tone confused. He had never spoken that sternly before.

He walked over, and knelt down, looking at her as I held her.

"This might have at a time that wasn't convenient, but this... it won't ruin him, we'll make sure of that! Don't worry. I'll go now. Your secret is safe with me. I won't say anything to the guys. You have my word." He looked towards Shibuya-san. "We should go and let them be alone."

"You're right." She looked at Haruka. "Haru-chan, you have my number, call me when you need me, okay? We'll all figure this out."

Haruka nodded, "Thank you guys." She whispered as they left, locking the door behind them.

Looking at her again, I could see her eyeing the test, her expression so unsure.

"Haruka?" I asked, trying to get her to look at me.

She cried again, moving to lay down on the bed, facing me, her mouth buried in the pillow.

I looked at her, "Please, talk to me. I know this will be rough. We can do thi-"

"How can you say that?!" She yelled.

My eyes went wide, this being the first time she really yelled at me before.

She bit her lip. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't yell... but how can you be so certain?" She asked. "We are still so young. I am only 19! You're only 20! Are we old enough? Experienced enough?!" She asked, looking directly into my eyes.

I understood now, he was worried about me, about us.

"And... what if this ruins us?" She sobbed.

Sighing, I removed my shoes and jacket, turning off the nightstand light. Moving into the bed with her, I gently took her face in my hand, looking into her eyes as gently as I could. "Haruka, I love you. I love you so very much. I know that this will be hard, we will be definitely fighting hard to stay in this business. But..." I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "This will never be more important than you. Or..." Swallowing hard, I gently pressed a hand to her lower stomach. "Or our baby."

She bit her lip. "I love you too, more than anything, but is having this baby worth losing your career?" She asked me, looking deep into my eyes.

I nodded, my stare now stern. "Haruka, this baby means more than anything. If you want to keep it, we can do this. I know it. Besides, Saotome has to have some kind of a soft spot, I'm sure."

Haruka shrugged. "We got to figure out everything..."

Sitting up, she picked up the test again. "We could go see my grandmother? Maybe we could talk to her?"

Nodding, "Of course, if that will make you feel better. But... I do want to know... as it sits right now. I'd like to know... do you want it? Our baby?"

She gasped and nodded. "Of course I do. I want it. I want to raise it. I want to love it. I want it to be loved by you."

Gasping, I pressed my lips to hers, gently kissing her as to not aggravate her morning sickness.

She slowly moved her arms around me, her hands resting on the back of my neck.

"Haruka, if you want this baby, I'll be with you every step of the way! I promise. We can do this together. I know it."

Soon, I could hear Haruka's sniffles turn into nearly silent breaths as she finally was able to sleep.

Finding myself now exhausted too, I closed my eyes, hugging her to me, soothing her hair.

Seeing as we didn't have anything scheduled for work, both of us having the next two weeks to get things in order.

I sat with her on her bed, watching as she pulled up train trips on her laptop.

"Okay, train travel for two from Tokyo to Chichibu... 8760 Yen there and then back." She murmured to herself, moving to her purse to dig for her wallet.

As she looked, I reached for the laptop and input my information, paying for the trip before she could return.

She gawked at me, laughing at me. Groaning, she gently caressed her not yet grown stomach.

"Why didn't you let me pay for it?" She asked, her tone curious.

"Well, you're already going through so much right now. I can do this. And as this gets further along, I plan to do more. So get used to it, my honey" Winking at her.

"Yes, sir." She smirked, rolling her eyes. She moved to grab her small luggage bag, she went through her stuff. A yellow loose long sleeved dress, a pair of jean capris, a pair of dark blue denim shorts, pink top with long bell bottom sleeves, and more. "Well, if we're going on the train tonight, go get packed and meet me here."

Nodding, I got up and pulled her tightly to me and pressed my lips hard to hers. "Yes my honey. I'll be back, just... lock the door behind me, just in case?"

"Yes." She said, walking me out as she locked the door.

Sighing, I brushed my hand through my hair, taking a deep breath before walking towards my room. I felt lucky to not see anyone.

As I opened the door, I saw Masato, practicing more of his calligraphy.

"Hi Jinguji-san." He said, still focused. Grabbing a backpack, he looked at me. "Where are you going?"

"Well... Haruka wants to go visit her grandmother, to talk to her, so I'm going to accompany her."

Nodding, Masato sighed. "That sounds like a responsible trip. Do take care. If I may..." He paused. "If you two decide to keep it in the end, you will both have to say something to Saotome and the guys."

I groaned. "The guys are going to kill me."

A chuckle left Masato. "Possibly."

Pulling clothing, shampoo, and soap. As I threw in my everyday routine items, "But I do fear how Saotome will handle this. I care for her and this is more important, but I do worry too."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm sure that we can come up with an argument good enough to make him back off. Now, head out! Get out to Chichibu. Be there for her. We'll see you soon."

"Thanks man." As I closed the door, heading back to Haruka's room.

Walking down the corridor with my bag, I couldn't help but finally feel all of my panic coming at me at once.

Would this work out? I could only hope so.

Saotome, I hid behind the corner, peeking around the corner to see him go into his office.

Sighing, I moved quickly by quietly.

She and I needed to go, see her grandmother, truly get advice. On the way back, we would tell my family.

This would be tough, definitely, but I knew, deep down, that things would truly be okay.

To Be Continued...