Chapter 14: Opportunities

Yamato was waiting for Jou in his car while he finished his job interview at a hospital. He tapped on the wheel at the rhythm at the song playing on the radio to help him pass the time.
"Hey, I'm sorry for making you wait all this time. You shouldn't have though."
"Nah, that's alright. I'm free the whole morning." He looked at Jou. "How did it go in the interview?"
"It went great, actually. I'm really confident about it."
"I'm happy to know that. By the way, I hope you don't feel offended about it, but I thought you'd be going back to Japan after… you know?"
"It's great that you are doing it. We'll love having you around again. We miss you."
"I miss you and Sora too."
"Do you have a place to stay already?"
"No, I'm still looking. I found a couple that I liked, but their owners either sold or rented to other people."
"That sucks. You can stay at my place, if you want."
"What about you?"
"I'm moving in with Sora."
"What?!" Jou was taken aback. "When did that happen?"
"Well, it hasn't yet. But with our baby coming in a few months, I think it makes sense."
"It does. I'm happy for you both. You're going to be amazing parents."
"Thank you, Jou. It still feels surreal, sometimes."
"Well, believe it. It's true. You'll have a child soon." He squeezed Yamato's shoulder lightly. "How do you feel about it?"
"Scared." Yamato gave an awkward laugh. "Sometimes I feel excited about it, and sometimes I think I can't do it. It's crazy."
"I think it's perfectly normal. Probably most couples go through that. How is Sora dealing with it? I mean, besides what I got to witness."
"She's doing great, but that's not surprising really. It's a fact she would be a great mother eventually."
"That's true. She will be perfect at it. But has she felt any nausea or something?"
"It's very rare nowadays, which is good. Overall she didn't get that sick."
"That's great. And she's been taking care of herself and the baby, right?"
"Very regularly. She would have an appointment every two days if she could."
"I'm sure she would." Jou couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I'm going to hang out at the hotel for the day. Thanks for being my personal driver today."
"Anytime." Yamato smiled. "If you need anything, call me."
"Got it." The doctor turned to get out of his friend's car. "Is the offer still up? The apartment, I mean?"
"Yes, of course! I'd rather rent it to a friend than to someone who might destroy it or leave it empty."
"Awesome. We'll talk about it again soon."
"Of course. I'll see you later."
"See you. Bye. Tell Sora I said hi."
"Will do. Bye."

.

Sora rubbed her growing belly softly while she was sitting on her chair at her office. She was almost halfway through her pregnancy and was starting to feel her baby move. She didn't think she's ever felt anything like this, to actually have a human being growing inside her.
"Hello, baby." She said gently. "I know you can't wait to come out, but there are still a few months left. So you'll have to hold on a little longer, okay? Daddy and I can't wait to see you. He thinks you'll look like him, but I refuse to accept it."
She couldn't help but smile replaying a moment she had shared with Yamato a few days ago. However, she was brought back to reality when she heard a knock on her door and looked up.
"Mimi? What are you doing here?"
"I was wondering if we could talk."
"Of course." Sora stood up. "Is everything okay? I mean, how are you?"
"I'm alright, I suppose."
"I'm sorry for everything that happened between you and Jou. I wish things would have turned out for the best."
"Oh well, you warned me, right?" Mimi shrugged and a sound that resembled a laugh came out from her mouth. "I should have listened to you."
"Well, it's a little late now to admit it. But it's never too late to start again. That's what I believe in anyway." The stylist shook her head. "What do you want to talk to me about, by the way?"
"I just thought we could spend some time together. I miss hanging out with you."
"Me too." Sora glanced at her table briefly and then back at her friend. "I have some free time right now, actually."
"Great."
"Where do you want to go?"
"I don't think about it, to be honest. Simply walking would be fine to me."
"Okay, then." She grabbed her purse and they walked out of her office. "I know a place we can go to."

Mimi looked around as soon as she and Sora walked into the restaurant. They were silent the whole time, as neither of them really knew what to talk about.
"This is a nice place."
"It really is. Yamato and I came here about twice or three times." Sora looked over her shoulder towards her. "The food is really good."
"I can imagine. Your belly has gotten a little big since last time we saw each other."
"Yeah." She absentmindedly stroked it, like she always does whenever someone mentions it. "It started showing a lot in the past fifteen days or so."
"You're glowing. You look stunning."
"Thank you." She smiled as she sat down across her friend.
"How's Yamato feeling about it?"
"Honestly? He's worse than my mother sometimes." Sora couldn't help but laugh. "He takes a lot of care of me, sometimes more than necessary. I have to tell him to tone it down from time to time. But I suppose that's because it's his first child."
"That must be an amazing sensation."
"It is. Just wait until you…" Her eyes went wide. "I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay." Mimi assured her. "Has he gone back to Japan?"
"No, not yet. Actually, he's really determined in staying here."
"Really?"
"Yes, he's even having interviews in some hospitals in New York. And I probably shouldn't tell you this."
"You probably shouldn't indeed." The ex-model couldn't help but laugh. "But I'm glad you did."
"Mimi, you're not going to do anything, are you?"
"I want to talk to him."
"I don't think it's a good idea. It's better to just let it go. You made your choice when you decided to get involved with Koushiro."
"I'm deeply sorry about this and I would make things differently if I could go back in time. Besides, it's been a couple of months already."
"That's not how it works, Mimi. You messed up a lot, it's not that easy. There's a big chance he won't accept your apologies, let alone getting back with you."
"I need to try it, Sora."
"Okay, okay." Sora sighed. "But be aware it may not turn out the way you want."
"Don't worry, I'm fully aware of it." Mimi smiled warmly.

.

Hikari was sitting by the Rainbow Bridge with some sketches on her lap. She couldn't remember when was the last time she had drawn, but she has been feeling very inspired lately. Only half an hour had gone by since she arrived there and she had done three or four sketches already.
"Hey there." Takeru handed her a cup of cappuccino and stole a glance from her sketches. "Those are beautiful drawings."
"Thank you." She smiled at him and then went back to what she was doing.
"I didn't know you could draw."
"Well, it's not something I do very often, but I have been in the mood for it lately."
"You're very talented. Are you going to submit them somewhere?" He sat down next to her and placed her cup between them. "I hope you like cappuccino with cream."
"I do. Thank you." She put her pencil away to take a sip of her beverage. "Hmmm, this is so good. Where did you get it?"
"I made it myself."
"Of course you did."
"Is that sarcasm?"
"You made it yourself?" Hikari couldn't help but smile.
"Okay, fine." He pretended to be annoyed, but was smiling too. "There's this great store that has the best cappuccinos and other similar drinks."
"Starbucks, you mean?"
"Starbucks is good, but this store is better. It's near my apartment."
"How come you never told me about it before?"
"I guess it slipped my mind. But we can go now, if you want. It would be safer for you to draw as well. You wouldn't have to worry risking your sketches to fly off and fall into the bay."
"That's a very good reason." She closed her sketch book fast and stood up, grabbing her cappuccino along the way. "Let's go."
"Did I mention their cake is the best one I've ever tried?"
"I don't think so. By the way, I'm getting a little hungry."
"Haven't you eaten today?"
"Oh no, I have. I had breakfast, but that was a few hours ago."
"Well, we should change that."

.

"Where were you?" Taichi peeked from the kitchen when Koushiro dropped his keys on a bowl in their counter.
"I was at my parents' house. You knew about this."
"This I know. I was talking about last night, you didn't sleep here."
"I didn't indeed. I sort of had a date."
"Sort of?"
"That's true. I got a little drunk and spent the night at Natsuki's."
"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard it well. What did you say?"
"I said I spent the night at Natsuki's house."
"Why would you do that?"
"Did I say I was drunk?"
"Oh come on, you couldn't possibly be that drunk."
"Well, I was."
"Did you have sex with her?"
"I think that's a rhetorical question. Why else would I sleep there?"
"You said you wouldn't ever have anything with her again."
"And you can guess how drunk I was."
"Wow, I can't believe this."
"Me neither." Koushiro sat down and took a deep breath. "If only you knew how much I regret it."
"Well, you can't go back and undo it. Did you at least wear protection?"
"My mind is just a blur at that moment, but I think so."
"Let's hope you did. Who knows what she can come up with if you didn't?"
"You think she would make something up to force me to be with her again?"
"You were the one who used to date her, so you tell me. But don't forget not too long ago you broke up with her because she was too controlling."
"I'm not getting back together with her, Taichi. It was just a slip we had that won't happen again."
"If you say so."

.

Mimi slid her emerald engagement ring on her finger before she got out of her car, in front of the old Yamato's apartment. Sora had told her they were moving in together, so she assumed he rented his place for Jou. All that was left for her to do was hope her intuition was right and he would be there. She didn't have to wait long, though.
"Jou!" She yelled while she crossed the street and ran in his direction. "Can we talk, please?"
"Mimi, we don't have anything to talk about. I said this before."
"I want to explain myself to you."
"There's nothing to explain. You made your decision."
"Please, can we go inside and talk in private?" She looked around nervously. "I really don't want to have an audience and to talk about this in the sidewalk."
"Alright, fine." He gave in, a little annoyed. "It's better than arguing here, anyway."
"Thank you."

"So, how did you know I was living here?" Jou asked when he opened the door from his apartment and motioned for her to go in first.
"I had a feeling. Sora told me Yamato was moving in with her, so I assumed he would let you have his apartment."
"He was really nice to let me stay here, but I might go back to Japan."
"Wait, you're going back? Why?"
"It depends on whether I'll find a job here or not. But honestly, I hope I don't. I don't have any reason to stay in the US anymore."
"You don't have a reason to stay in the US anymore?" Mimi repeated, hurt. "What about me?"
"Mimi, don't push your luck. I agreed to let you in, but that's all this is. Please, don't get your hopes high."
"I was hoping you could at least listen to me."
"I think I listened to you enough already. That doesn't change the fact you cheated on me and then ran to Japan to marry me, so you would feel less bad over it."
"I know I didn't think about it. I thought things would settle down on their way in the end." She said nervously. "I was wrong, I admit. I just didn't want to lose you, Jou. You have to believe me."
"These things take time. The more you push, the worst it gets for you. Now, I don't want to be harsh, but I want to be alone. So can you please just go?"
"Alright, I'll go." She walked to the door and stopped in front of him, looking up into his dark eyes. "The fashion show for my clothing line will be in about three weeks. I was hoping you'd make it."
"I don't think I can, I'm sorry."
"That's okay. I guess I'll see you around then."
"Yeah, I guess so."

.

Takeru opened the door from the cafeteria and walked in. It was his favorite place to go when he needed inspiration for his characters. He sometimes would watch the other costumers while he'd create the scenario for his novel. However, he wasn't there to work that time.
"Hey, you guys!" He exclaimed happily when he stopped at the table Yamato and Sora were sitting at. "It's been a while. How are you?"
"We're good." Yamato replied, barely holding his smile and placing his hand on Sora's belly. "You know, almost everything is for this little one over here."
"That's right, I'm going to be an uncle very soon." He sat down across them. "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?"
"No, we talked about it and decided we wanted it to be a surprise."
"That's cool. I wouldn't be able to wait that long."
"Well, halfway of it is already gone, so… not that long to go now."
"You sounded nervous on the phone. What happened?"
"Oh, right." He pulled his phone out of his pocket and accessed his camera roll. Then he placed it in the middle of the table and the couple bent over to look at the picture on the screen. "What do you think of these drawings?"
"They are pretty good. May I?" Sora picked his phone when he nodded positively. "The person is very talented. Who drew this?"
"My girlfriend, Hikari Yagami."
"Wait a moment… you're dating Hikari?! And how come I never knew she draws this greatly."
"She does, and I was wondering if you could give her a chance to shine where you work."