As more time passed it was getting harder and harder for Hotaru to continue to find work. She couldn't do anything strenuous as she could before. Unfortunately she had started to fall behind on rent.
"I can't do it. I-I don't have the money," Hotaru said to her landlady.
"You haven't paid in full for two months. This is not a nursery, this is a boarding house," the landlady snapped.
Hotaru bowed in apology.
"Don't look so forlorn, you still have a bed," the landlady said with a cruel tone and suggestive look. "You have one week." She then slammed the shoji door in Hotaru's face.
A week passed and she wasn't able to come up with the money to pay the rent so she packed her things and left.
"I'm so sorry to bother you this late but I was hoping I could stay the night. I'm sorry for the trouble," Hotaru bowed.
She found herself at the doorstep of the woman she'd helped with carrying her food.
"Don't worry about it, come inside I've just put supper on," the old woman, Midori, said.
They sat down to a modest meal of miso soup and rice.
"I'm sorry it's not much," the elder of the two said with an apologetic smile as she poured tea for the both of them.
"This is more than enough, thank you," Hotaru said sincerely.
"Meshiagare (the food is ready)," Midori said.
"Itadakimasu," they both said in unison and began to eat.
During the meal Hotaru explained how she couldn't keep up with the rent and was kicked out.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry. Where will you go now, your husband's family?" the elderly woman asked.
"I-I'm not married," Hotaru said looking down at her hands, preparing for a judgmental remark.
"My apologies for making an assumption. You don't have to explain, you're all alone in the world like I am," Midori gave a sympathetic smile. "Ah the old story," she mused.
The two continued to eat for a while in silence until the elderly woman spoke up again.
"Where will you go dear?"
"It is a risk but I am heading to the family of my lover. He's a hash- his family is well established and has an estate. However, it could go awry as his father in particular may not want me in his house especially with a child on the way," name said.
"Pardon me for asking but is your lover still alive?"
Hotaru shook her head.
"I understand," Midori said with a sad look.
"I don't have any other options. Regardless, I think Ren-my lover's father should have a chance to see his grandchild," Hotaru said resting a hand on her belly.
"Well then I wish you the best of luck dear," the older woman said, clearing the dinner plates.
Hotaru helped the host clean up dinner then they both started to get ready for bed.
"You can use the spare room in the back. There's already blankets and a clean robe for you."
"Thank you."
Hotaru found that she couldn't sleep right away as her mind was occupied with thoughts. She knew that Senjuro would be happy to see her but Shinjuro was another matter. The few and brief interactions she'd had with him either consisted of him ignoring her or a short snappish reply. He always reeked of sake, never able to completely shed the grief Ruka's death had left him. Hotaru felt bad for him but usually stayed out of his way. Since he was the master of the house he could easily decide to have nothing to do with her or his grandchild. However it was a chance she was willing to take so that Senjuro could have a chance to see his brother's baby.
Hotaru could feel her child move around in her belly.
"I guess you can't sleep either huh?" Hotaru said softly rubbing her stomach. I can't wait until you're in my arms, the expectant mother thought. She imagined a similar night like this where she is rocking a small baby with a head of golden hair like Kyojuro's. Hotaru let the comforting thought lead her into a restful sleep.
She rose early the next day.
"Have safe travels dear. I packed a small lunch for you," the elderly woman handed Hotaru a small bento.
"Thank you for all your help," the young woman bowed to her host.
It definitely was not easy to travel a long distance let alone doing so while pregnant. As a result a trip that would normally take a day ended up taking two because Hotaru didn't want to overextend herself for the sake of her unborn child.
Soon enough she found herself in front of the Rengoku estate. The young woman took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She ran her hand across her stomach. After a few more moments Hotaru knocked on the door.
A few minutes later, the shoji door opened revealing Shinjuro, his face initially showing a mix of confusion and a bit of irritation at having been disturbed. However, Hotaru noticed he didn't smell of alcohol as normal. As for Shinjuro, his eyes widened a bit when he saw her rounded stomach but he didn't comment.
Hotaru spoke first, bowing as low as her belly would allow her to.
"I'm sorry for the bother. I was hoping I could speak to you for a minute, Rengoku-sama," she said, her heart pounding out of nervousness.
"Come inside," he said. Hotaru had prepared herself to be yelled at but was surprised that he had agreed to talk to her.
Hotaru followed him into the house. The two sat across from each other in Shinjuro's room. Not a jar of sake was in sight much to her surprise.
Shinjuro's expression was unreadable, his aged chiseled features not showing whether he was pleased to see her or disturbed by her presence. He was a stone cold replica of Kyojuro. Hotaru took a breath and summoned her courage to address the elephant in the room.
"The baby is Kyojuro's. I found out I was with child before he left for his mission," she said looking at her hands.
Shinjuro didn't respond and waited for her to continue.
"I apologize if what I'm going to say next is impertinent. It's difficult for me to find work with a child," Hotaru said.
Hotaru paused, "I would like my child to be raised in their father's household." She knew that she was asking a lot and crossing boundaries but she had nothing to lose.
"I would earn my keep here, but if you desire me to leave and never come back I understand. This is my request," Hotaru said, bowing as far as she could.
She kept her head down waiting for his reply. Her and her child's future were in Shinjuro's hands.