Another month had passed, and much hadn't changed. No one outside of Yato and Yukine knew about the baby. With Masaomi accepted into a new office job, Yato took it upon himself to look after his sick lover, which Hiyori didn't mind, even after he became clingy and overprotective about it. Yukine came to Hiyori's defense, calling his master out for his annoying and unnecessary behavior. It worked in keeping Yato quiet, but Hiyori always noticed that without being able to worry about her and the baby, Yato would tend to his negative ruminations.

He would constantly pace back and forth across the apartment for long periods of time, tugging and raking his hair and staring at the floor in deep thought. Hiyori knew there was still a lot to figure out about them being parents and raising their child - as it was never far from her mind - but she also knew something else was gnawing at him. There was something he wasn't telling them.

Hiyori watched him with great worry as she finished her third pudding cup. She looked over at the blonde boy sitting on the couch, staring at a commercial playing on the TV.

"Yukine-kun?" Hiyori said kindly. "Could you turn it down for a moment?"

He looked over at her with a side glance, his expression of innocent curiosity.

"O-oh, sure," the Regalia answered, reaching for the remote. "Sorry."

Hiyori smiled at the boy as she rose from her seat. She approached the god, stepping in his tracks to get his attention. It worked, as Yato came to a halt, seeing her feet cross his line of vision on the floor. He looked up, slight surprise and curiosity spread on his face.

"Hiyori?" He mumbled, then seemed to grow worried. "Is... something wrong? Are you alright? Does your back hurt again?"

Hiyori blinked, not expecting his worried response. "N-no, I'm fine. I-..."

She quickly glanced at Yukine across the room, making eye contact with him. Whatever he had earlier been watching on TV suddenly didn't seem quite as interesting as what was happening in front of him. He wondered what would unfold, unable to tear his focus from the couple's conversation.

"I was... -just gonna ask," Hiyori spoke slowly, looking at the god again, "if you were okay…"

"W-what do you mean? Why wouldn't I be?" Yato raised an eyebrow at her, and crossed his arms.

It looked as if he was trying too hard to act casual.

Yukine's eyebrow twitched. "You're kidding. You've been acting real off for a while now."

Yato glared at his Regalia. "Did I ask for your opinion?"

"It doesn't matter if you asked - I gave it to you!" Yukine rolled his eyes.

"Yato…?" Hiyori sighed softly, and held his cheek, causing him to turn his head back to see her. "You should talk to us…"

In return, Yato's gaze softened, and he wrapped his hand around the wrist of the hand she held to his face.

"What's been bothering you...?" His lover asked gently.

Yato's once calm, loving expression suddenly transformed into that of one with panic and confusion. He pulled away from his lover, and Yukine watched with shock as he viciously scratched his nails against his scalp - almost as if he was trying to dig away at his own mind.

"I dunno!" Yato cried, grinding his teeth in frustration. "It's all so much..."

Yukine said nothing. He wished he had some advice, but he didn't know how to react. So instead, he let Hiyori take over.

Yato slumped down into one of the kitchen chairs. Hiyori came to his side, kneeling down to meet his gaze as he hung his head and released a heavy sigh. She carefully placed her hand against his knee. She lowered her voice with her next question so that Yukine wouldn't be able to hear.

"Are you... -having doubts about the baby…?" She softly asked, her face showing both worry and pain.

Yato noticed the way her pink irises shook with sorrow, and quickly jumped to fix his mistake. "No! No, no!" Then he seemed to shrink in on himself again, his eyes wandering away from hers. "... I-I dunno..."

Hiyori retreated her hand away from his knee. She seemed hurt at first. However, she sighed and stood up, seeming to decide on her next move. She turned to the blonde boy.

"Yukine-kun, get ready. We're going to Kofuku-san's."

Yukine obeyed her without a word. He flipped off the TV set, ignoring his master's attempts to refuse. He went into the guest bedroom to grab his sweater.

"Woah, wait a minute!" Yato practically leapt up from his seat. "We can't do that!"

"Why not?" Hiyori looked into his eyes with burning determination. "We can't keep giving them excuses - they're suspicious enough as it is."

"You said they knew we were together now. What more of an excuse do we need?" The god argued.

"Yato..." she began gently, "they're your friends - our friends..."

"Y-yeah, but-" Yato racked his mind for another excuse, but he quickly came up dry. His lack of words gave Hiyori enough time to speak again.

"I have my family by my side. You need your family too..." she told him, taking hold of his hands between them.

Panic washed over his face, and he withdrew slightly. "W-we - but they - th-there's-"

"Yato." Hiyori interrupted, looking into his blue eyes with a small smile. "They'll understand - they care about us."

Yato sighed, but Hiyori seemed to mistake it for relief rather than frustration.

"I'm gonna go grab some things. You get ready, too," she told him, giving him one last hug before heading into her brother's room.

. . . .

After Hiyori left her brother a text message to inform him of where they'd be, the three of them set off for Kofuku's. Yato tried to keep at a steady pace, but it proved to be too quick for Hiyori, as Yukine caught her panting and fanning her face. The weather was still quite humid, especially for the brunette in the baggy sweater she had been wearing, intended to hide her baby bump.

"Hey, Yato?" Yukine called to the god who was mindlessly walking ahead of them, stopping in his tracks to stay by his friend's side. "Maybe we should give Hiyori a break."

Yato came to a halt and turned his head over his shoulder just enough to see.

Hiyori placed a hand to her knee to support herself, but even through her undeniable exhaustion, she waved them off. "I-iie! Go on ahead of me!" She insisted, rather breathlessly.

As she attempted to recover from her fatigue, Hiyori noticed brown boots step into her view, and she looked up to see the god's face. She saw the strict straightness of his lips and eyebrows. His eyes seemed stern and unbothered. There was a wall between her and her lover

"It's not safe for you to be out here. We need to keep going," he told her, his voice a monotone.

Why is he being so serious all of a sudden? Hiyori wondered. Why does he have to be so stubborn?

For a moment, there was only silence between them. The young girl stared up at him in clueless wonder while he stood tall and still.

They were disturbed when their companion's voice interrupted them. They both turned to find the Regalia not too far behind them.

"Are you demented?" Yukine scoffed as he crossed his arms at his master. "You can't just be a gentleman, n' offer to carry her or something?"

Yato's gaze fell back on Hiyori, and she saw him entertain the idea. He seemed to almost consider Yukine's comment as well - if it weren't for his own bullheadedness getting in the way. The girl looked back at him, awaiting his reaction. However, the god barely gave one. Instead, he turned around and continued on in the other direction with his hands in his pockets.

"No. She'll be fine. Let's go."

Hiyori stood in shock, unable to speak. Then Yukine seemed to cover for her once again, taking the initiative upon himself.

"What the hell, dude! Why don't you chill out? She's your girlfriend, and it's your friggin' baby! So why don't you-?"

Before he could finish, Yato spun around on his heal, charged towards the blonde boy, and grabbed him by the collar. His blue eyes were filled with fierce anger, while Yukine was busy trying to comprehend what had upset the god.

"Dammit! I know - I know already! Heaven's sake, kid - do you hafta have such a big mouth?!" He snapped.

In a sudden fit of fury, Yukine sharply kicked Yato in the kneecap. Yato cried out in pain, releasing his grip on the boy's shirt.

"You brat!" Yato spat, losing his balance and falling to the curb.

Hiyori was powerless to do anything other than observe it all unfold.

Yukine wasn't sure how to react at first, and he remained silent for a long moment. Yato was vigorously rubbing his throbbing knee when he heard his Regalia sniffle. He paused and lifted his head to see the blonde boy wiping some tears on his sleeve.

This seemed to be enough to awaken something in the god. Yato cluelessly blinked a few times, then appeared to panic. He reached out to grab Yukine's shoulders, his expression softening into one of sorrow.

"H-hey, no-" his voice was sincere, raw with emotion, "no, no, kiddo - I-I'm sorry…" Yato ruffled his shaggy, blonde hair. "I didn't mean to yell at you. C-c'mon, it's okay…"

Yukine turned his head away, tears still threatening to fall down his cheeks. He refused to look at his master.

"Yukine…" Yato said softly. "I'm sorry - really."

When he got no response, Yato pulled the boy into his arms. He smoothed out the hair on the back of his head as he held him. Yukine's orange eyes widened, and his cheeks reddened, but he didn't resist. Eventually, he gave in and buried his face in the crook of Yato's neck, weakly returning the hug.

"You're a real asshole sometimes," Yukine muttered, his voice choking up, but muffled against the god's jersey.

"I know, I know!" Yato answered, scraping his teeth at his own stupidity. "Just... -be careful what you say out here. Someone could hear us. I don't wanna draw any attention to ourselves. Alright?"

"R-right…" the boy mumbled again before they finally both pulled away.

The two remebered their brunette friend when they heard a whimper. They both noticed Hiyori sobbing fiercely, trying to wipe away her thick tears and contain herself.

"Ehhh?!" Yukine blinked in shock.

"H-Hiyori! What's wrong? Daijoubu?" Yato approached her, but she stepped away and fanned her face.

"I-it's nothing!" She insisted through choking sobs. "J-just my hormones acting up again..."

"Oh, uh - d-deep breaths! Deep breaths!" Yato panicked, frantically attempting to comfort her.

"What?! That ain't gonna do anything!" Yukine cried.

. . . .

"I think you'll be a great father, Yato."

"Huh?" Yato turned his head to look at Hiyori walking beside him, tearing him away from his recent train of thought.

Hiyori grinned to herself, watching the blonde boy skip over a crack on the sidewalk in front of them. She turned to get a glimpse of the god beside her, sharing the smile.

"You have a big heart, my god. That's what matters. I think you'll be wonderful."

Her expression is so bright, and her words are so genuine…

Yato felt his heart fill with warmth. That same warmth rushed to his cheeks, and he had to force himself to hold back tears. Although, Hiyori could see by the reddening of his eyes that he wanted to. He gently lifted her hand, pausing next to a closed shop building. Hiyori's eyes softened as she watched the god press his warm lips to her knuckles.

"Oi! Keep up, you guys!" Yukine called over his shoulder. "We're almost there."

Hiyori giggled to herself, and Yato would've been lying if he said it wasn't like sugar in his ears. They repositioned themselves so that they were now side-by-side, holding each other's hand.

A thought suddenly came to mind as they continued to follow behind the young Regalia.

"You think Yukine-kun is okay with this? With... -us?"

Yato looked at Hiyori again, both of them taking on a slightly more serious tone.

"Nahhh, he's fine with it!" Yato laughed a bit, dismissing the idea.

"Really?" She asked, blinking at him in surprise. "How can you be so sure?"

Yato smirked and tapped his head with his finger. "We're connected, remember? He can be hard to read sometimes, but I always know what the kid's thinking."

"That so…?" Hiyori looked back at the boy in front of them, thinking. "I would've thought he would be a little bit fazed by it."

"Actually," Yato spoke up again, "he hasn't stung me at all. Not even when I first told him. He was angry at first, but I'm sure he understands now."

"Really?" The brunette said, surprised by that news.

Yato nodded in response, and Hiyori caught the movement from the corner of her eye. "He seems happy. I mean, maybe he's excited to be a big brother."

Hiyori chuckled at that idea, but deep inside, she was pleased to hear about her friend's joy. She was worried he'd react the wrong way, and it was relieving to know since she also knew she hadn't ever actually talked about the topic with Yukine herself.

"We're here!" Yukine cried, rushing towards the entrance of the shrine.

The couple, however, almost immediately stopped in their tracks. Their once-joyful faces plummeted into worry and dread. It was finally the moment of truth.

Yukine eagerly waved them onward. "C'mon, what're you waiting for?"

The boy skipped a bit towards the shrine, but when he noticed the other two hesitate and look back at him with horrified expressions, Yukine stopped. His upbeat demeanor ceased to exist.

"Hey, what's going on?" Yukine asked, slowly approaching them. "We came all the way here. Don't tell me you're having second thoughts?"

Just before Yato could open his mouth to answer, the door to the shrine suddenly swung open in one vigorous movement. They all immediately looked over to find the source of the commotion.

"Yuuuu-kiiiii!"

Kofuku rushed towards them, her pink hair bouncing with every step. She quickly grabbed up the blonde boy, squeezing his ribcage in a tight, never ending hug.

Yato noticed Hiyori slightly pull away and sneak behind him. He looked over his shoulder at her. Hiyori caught his questioning glance, and she lowered her voice.

"I-is it obvious?" She whispered, her cheeks turning pink as her hand hovered over her stomach. "Do you think they'll notice?"

Between the sound of Kofuku's happy squealing, and Yukine's breathless wheezing, their conversation was just out of earshot.

Yato looked down at her stomach as well, observing the awkward curve of the baggy sweater she was wearing.

"It's not that bad," the god answered, keeping his voice down. "Just don't draw attention to yourself."

Hiyori shot him an annoyed expression. "That's helpful!" She hissed back quietly, her hand dropping back to her side.

"Where have you guys been?!" another masculine voice joined from the shrine.

The tall Regalia revealed to be Daikoku, with his cooking apron and soup ladle. He had paused in the doorway, stepping out onto the deck to find the three of them.

Kofuku switched from torturing the blonde boy to throwing her arms around the couple. "Yatty! Hiyorin!"

Before Yukine could fully catch his breath, he was greeted by Daikoku with yet another violent embrace.

"I missed ya, kid!" He practically sobbed, accidentally showing his sensitive side.

"Y-yeah, me t-too." The young Regalia laughed weakly as his face became blue.

Yato and Hiyori were busy returning the gesture with Kofuku, whose violet eyes began to tear up as well.

"You big meanies!" Kofuku declared when she finally pulled away from the two, then threw an accusing finger at her fellow companion. "We deserve a proper explanation, Yatty!"

"I know, I know!" The god defended himself before clearing his throat awkwardly. He rubbed the back of his neck and stared at the ground. "Actually... w-we need to talk."

Daikoku placed Yukine back on his feet when he heard their conversation. "I'm all ears," he said, taking on a serious tone. "But first - are you all staying for dinner?"

He directed his soup ladle at the three, swaying it back and forth among each of them.

"Sounds great!" Yato nodded.

"I'm starving!" Hiyori answered. "I already told my brother we'd be back after dinner, anyway."

"'We?'" Daikoku raised an eyebrow in confusion, folding his arms with his ladle still in hand. "What do you mean?"

He looked at Yato and Yukine curiously. "You two aren't staying? Again?"

"Uhh…" Yukine rubbed his arm bashfully, then looked up at his master beside him, hoping he would find a decent response.

"Right…" Yato said slowly, catching the boy's gaze and turning to see his friends again. "We're just... -looking after Hiyori."

The god didn't seem to realize his mistake until Daikoku and Kofuku stared at him cluelessly.

"'Looking after' her?" Kofuku's Regalia repeated, glancing at Hiyori, who tensed up and smiled nervously.

"What's wrong with Hiyorin?" Kofuku's eyes grew showed worry as she looked at the brunette. "Daijoubu? Did something happen?! You were awfully sick last time you were here!"

"And what's this about your brother? Don't you live with your parents?" Daikoku added.

Hiyori dismissively waved her hands in front of her, sweat running down her temple. "I-I'm alright! Don't worry - I promise."

Kofuku and Daikoku shared puzzled looks, then shrugged it off. They all headed inside, and Daikoku quickly rushed into the kitchen to check on the soup he had recently left unattended.

Yato urged Yukine on ahead of them, while the two stayed behind on the front porch. Hiyori let out a heavy sigh, rubbing her temple with her fingers.

"Are you alright, my goddess?" Yato asked, worry clear in his voice.

"I'll be okay," she gave him a small smile. "Just tired. And sore."

"Why don't we sit down?" Her lover suggested.

Hiyori smiled at his idea. She noticed he seemed to settle now that they had reached their familiar destination.

Hearing no refusal, Yato helped her sit down on the edge of the shrine. Once he was sitting too, Hiyori snuggled up against him, resting her eyes and head against his sturdy chest. The god instinctively wrapped his fingers around her shoulders, digging his palms into her tense muscles. She sighed in satisfaction as he continued to massage her for a few quiet minutes.

"You should really tell your baby to stop being so mean to me," Hiyori whined, puffing out her cheeks like a child.

Yato couldn't help but let out a soft, lighthearted chuckle in her ear. "Five more months, my Hiyori. Five more short, little months…"

Hiyori's cheeks darkened as she looked up at the god, catching his icy blue eyes from behind her. He smiled down at her and fixed some stray hair out of her face.

"Yato…"

"Yeah…?"

"I love you."

Yato's smile broadened. "I love you, too."

Hiyori twisted her torso so that she could face him, reaching her hand up on Yato's shoulder. The god moved his hands down to her waist, positioning her. He lowered his head down to meet hers. She felt his breath against her lips before his mouth fully came down on hers, and electricity nearly shocked her fingertips when he deepened their kiss.

Then, the sound of a camera clicking. Followed by the sound of a thrilled Kofuku's squealing.

The couple immediately pulled away, their faces beat red when they noticed the Goddess of Poverty holding up her phone in their direction. She peered out at them from around the corner of the shrine, holding the front door open as she smiled widely at them.

"Ka-wai-iiii!" She sang in bliss as they gaped in shock.

"Kofuku! The hell?!" Yato cried, picking up a pebble and chucking it directly into her forehead. Hiyori hid her red face in the god's jersey jacket.

Kofuku gasped dramatically and tipped over just as the rock made contact with her head. "Ouchie!" She whined, rubbing her forehead, revealing a red mark between her eyes.

"Milday!" Daikoku's voice boomed from inside. "Quit botherin' 'em n' come set the table!"

Kofuku pouted and got to her feet, dusting off her skirt. "Hai, hai!" She called back as she disappeared inside again.

Yukine curiously poked his head out. He noticed his master and friend still sitting outside, decided it was safe to proceed, and fully stepped out to reveal himself. He slid the front door shut and approached the couple.

"So - you guys are telliing them? Tonight?" The boy asked quietly.

Hiyori pulled away from her lover just enough to speak. "I'm not even sure how we're gonna tell them…"

Yato blinked a few times. "Shouldn't we have some sort of plan?"

"I thought I did..." She said, staring down in shame. "But now-... I'm not so sure about what we should say."

"Maybe just..." Yukine spoke up and thought for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, "-come out n' say it?"

Both Yato and Hiyori stared at him and cringed. Yukine stuffed his fists in his pockets and returned an offended look. "Just trying ta help," he mumbled.

The delivery god sighed, feeling defeated. "Thanks, Yukine. But I think we'll handle it from here. Don't worry about it."

Yukine's cheeks turned pink, and he nodded in response. He headed back inside, leaving them both alone.

Yato sighed again. They're gonna be so pissed off. I hope they don't hate me after this.

"Yato…?" Hiyori called softly, seeing his focus drift away.

He blinked and refocused on his lover. "Y-yeah?"

"They deserve to know. Also, if there's something bothering you that... I-I can't help you with, maybe they can..."

Yato scoffed in disbelief, but he spoke before Hiyori took his laughter the wrong way.

"No, no - Hiyori…" his voice softened, his forehead gently bumping against hers and closing his eyes. "Hiyori, this isn't your fault. Please understand that. None of what's happening right now is your fault."

"But...-" Hiyori saw the pain forming in his facial features. She then closed her eyes, reaching her hand up to hold his face. "It's not yours either…"

Knowing how stubborn she was, Yato resisted the urge to refuse. However, he could hear his own words in his mind.

She's just being nice. It's no one's fault, but your own.

Accompanied by his father's voice.

A failure. A coward. Rotten. Cold-hearted. Weak. Useless.

. . . .

Yukine sat down at the kotatsu, waiting patiently. Daikoku began scooping rice onto each of the plates. Kofuku noticed the couple enter the shrine just as she finished setting up the table. Her face brightened, and she leapt to her feet, excitedly pointing towards two plates on the side of the kotatsu.

"Yatty! Hiyori!" She waved to them. "These seats are for you! Right next to each other!"

Hiyori, who was wrapped around Yato's arm, giggled and nodded. "Mm. Arigato."

She couldn't deny that the pink god's joy towards the two of them being together was quite amusing.

Yato felt his cheeks warm up. "Th-thank you, Kofuku."

Kofuku straightened up with pride and smiled widely. "Hai, hai!"

The two sat down across from Yukine, who nervously glanced at his master. Yato tried to give him a reassuring smile, but he could tell his Regalia easily saw right past it.

Kofuku and Daikoku finally settled in after filling everyone's plates. Yato started picking at his food, his mind suddenly becoming foggy with anxiety. Yukine ate his food slowly, expecting one of them to speak up. He noticed his master seemed preoccupied with his thoughts, then glanced at Hiyori, but she was already stuffing her mouth with her rice. He loudly cleared his throat to get their attention, but neither of them noticed his cue.

"So, Hiyorin?" Kofuku began, sipping on her glass of juice. "How are your classes going? Did you get by with that mean teacher?"

Hiyori suddenly looked up from her plate. She blinked cluelessly at the goddess, then looked at Yukine questioningly, and back to Kofuku. She glanced at Yato to her right, but he was busy mindlessly dividing his pile of rice with his chopsticks. Hiyori swallowed her food and cleared her throat.

"O-oh. Yes, it's all worked out now," she finally replied. "But recently, I've actually been taking my classes online."

Kofuku blinked in surprise and shared curious glances with her Regalia beside her.

"You mean, you haven't been going to school?" Daikoku asked.

"Um…" Hiyori twiddled her thumbs, sweat running down her forehead. "H-hai…"

The tall man squinted suspiciously. "Don't tell me Yato's been keeping you from school now. You don't have to do whatever he wants now that you two are together, y'know," he told the young girl.

At the mention of his name, Yato completely paused, and glared at Daikoku from the corner of his eye. "Maybe she enjoys my company. I guess you wouldn't know what it feels like considering you're stuck here for all eternity, playing housewife."

"Yato…!" Hiyori hissed.

She grabbed him by the ear, pulling him closer for him to hear. She lowered her voice.

"They aren't here to attack you. Give them a chance…!"

Yato cringed as Hiyori finally released her hold on him, and it rubbed him the wrong way to notice Daikoku appear pleased to see him being reprimanded. The god rolled his eyes in response.

Hiyori's right. Why am I attacking them?

Oh, right. Because as soon as we explain why we've been gone so long, they'll make me the villain and immediately disown me, anyway.

Yato sighed to himself out of frustration and went back to swirling his ice around his glass of water. He rested his chin against his fist, admitting defeat.

"If it's not 'cuz of Yatty, then how come you're not in school anymore?" Kofuku asked, worry in her voice. "You've been really sick, Hiyorin. Is that why?"

"Come to think of it-" Daikoku joined in, "I don't think I've seen your Cord lately either."

Kofuku gasped in shock. "You're right!"

Yukine watched the fear slowly grow in Yato and Hiyori's faces.

"And your brother. How come you aren't living with your parents?" The tall Regalia asked.

"H-hang on!" Hiyori interrupted, suddenly overwhelmed by all her friends' questions. "Just let us explain!"

Kofuku and Daikoku blinked at her, a bit surprised, but waited quietly for her to speak.

"Y-Yato n' I…" Hiyori started slowly, reaching out to hold her lover's hand. "We have to... -t-tell you both something."

The couple shared grave expressions, which caused the goddess and her Regalia to tense.

Yato spoke up next, choosing his words carefully. He took a deep breath. "We-... we're done with the lame ass excuses, so we knew we had to come to you before you... -found out for yourselves..."

His lover nodded slightly. "But you're both really important to us, and you deserve to know everything," Hiyori helped Yato explain.

The delivery god avoided all eye contact, staring down at his untouched food in front of him. As she reached out to find his hand under the kotatsu, Hiyori felt sweat build up in his palm. She ran her fingertips across his knuckles in an attempt to ease his worry a bit.

"We're taking a huge risk just telling you guys this, but it has to be done. Although, we've probably done enough damage ourselves as it is. We can't afford to make a wrong move." Yato added, his tone darkening.

"W-what's going on? You're scaring us…" Daikoku told them, his face dark with fear.

The God of Poverty and her guidepost looked at each other with concern and confusion. Even Hiyori lost track of what her lover was saying, staring at him with a worried, puzzled expression.

It seemed there was something he truly hadn't told her - or anyone - that he knew the others would catch onto once their secret was exposed. Hiyori suddenly knew there was something more complex ticking in his head. The god didn't notice her confused looks, as his head was hanging low.

Hiyori shrugged it off and continued as she lowered her head as well. "In the end, we both made our decision. There's nothing more we can do. And obviously, we didn't consider this happening, b-but… it did. So now, we need to be very careful while it-"

Hiyori lifted her head, only to find the pink goddess and her Regalia staring back at her with dread and panic. She paused, not realizing the effect of her words on them.

Yukine leaned in towards Hiyori, lowering his voice for her to hear. "Y'know what? Maybe you should-... get to the point."

Hiyori pressed her lips together, contemplating what she would do next. She seemed to come to a solution, then closed her eyes and sighed heavily. They all observed her carefully as she withdrew from the kotatsu and stood up in front of them, releasing Yato's hand. She turned around so that her back was facing them. They heard her take a deep breath again and undid the zipper on her sweater.

They waited painfully long as Hiyori slowly pulled off her oversized sweater. She paused, feeling her fingers suddenly go numb. Yato quickly stood up and came to her side.

"H-here - let me," he said softly, helping her tug off the sleeves, to which she gave him a small smile.

Once it was finally off, Hiyori turned around, finally revealing her bulged, rounded stomach, and her belly button pressing outwards against her tight-fitting shirt. Yato's knees were shaking as he helped hang the sweater and supported Hiyori as she sat back down by the table.

The three turned their heads, finding Kofuku and Daikoku gaping at the young brunette with pure horror on their faces.

Yato noticed their reactions and quickly lowered his head in shame. Hiyori did the same.

"I-I'm so sorry…" Hiyori mumbled. "We should've told you sooner…"

"H-...Hiyorin…" Kofuku whispered in shock, her purple eyes shaking with emotion.

Daikoku was frozen in shock, unable to process what was going on in front of him.

"D-Daikoku-san…?" Hiyori said softly, her eyes narrowing with worry and sorrow.

The man blinked, and made a noise like choking on air. "Th-this…" he stammered, his voice quieter than he'd ever been. "You're...e-expecting…?"

Yukine nervously looked away, not knowing how to react. He started playing with his fingers, a blush forming across his face.

Hiyori felt her face grow hot. "H-hai…"

She noticed Yato move and reposition himself out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes darted over, only to find Yato down on his hands and knees. His teeth gritted together in some sort of sad rage, but they couldn't make out his expression with his dark hair hanging over the upper half of his face.

"F-forgive me," he begged, choking back tears. "I didn't mean...to-to hurt her…"

"Wha-?!" Hiyori exclaimed, reaching out to place her hands on his shoulders. "No, no - Yato, please don't do that! It's okay, my god…"

Yato refused to move, and he continued to wallow in his self pity. Hiyori felt tears start running down her cheeks as she tried to comfort the god.

"I-I'm sorry…" he mumbled to the floor. "I'm so sorry… I messed up - I messed up bad…!"

Yukine tightened his fist. He racked his mind to find something to say, but came up dry. He remained silent instead.

"Yato…" Hiyori hiccuped a sob, "it's alright… I forgive you…"

"Yatty…?" Kofuku's voice gently called from across the table.

She stood up from where she had been sitting, and crossed over to the other side of the kotatsu to Yato.

"Yatty, sit up." The pink god insisted, her voice taking on a darker tone.

She placed a hand on his back, which seemed to start him enough that he lifted his head and turned to look at Kofuku with red, swollen eyes. Hiyori exclaimed, surprised that he had finally listened.

"You're begging for forgiveness, which means that some part of you truly believes you deserve it." Kofuku said at last. "We forgive you."

Through his surprise, Yato and Hiyori seemed to forget they had been crying.

"Hey, wait!" Daikoku cried, leaping up and throwing an accusing finger at Yato. "I'm still mad!"

Kofuku gave him a hard stare. "You can be mad later. Now's not the time."

Daikoku choked, holding his finger away. He blinked in shock at her, awkwardly cleared his throat, then quietly sat back down without another word.

Kofuku looked back at Yato, her expression soft and understanding. She gave him a sad smile.

"You did this for Hiyorin. Didn't you, Yatty…?"

Yato turned to see his lover, the tension in his face and shoulders ceased as Hiyori reached up to wipe his wet cheeks with her hand. Their eyes closed, and their foreheads came together.

"Yeah…" Yato whispered. "I did."

Kofuku's sad smile turned a bit lighter. "And Hiyorin? You're sure about this…?"

Hiyori touched her nose to her lover's, sniffling away her tears. "I wasn't at first," she admitted, "but I know that as long as Yato's here, I'll be okay…"

Yato finally smiled back, but Hiyori missed it with her eyes closed. Yukine covered his eyes, sensing a kiss would happen.

"I guess you're right, milady."

"Hm?" Kofuku looked over at Daikoku.

"As long they've both thought this over, and are happy about it," the large man sighed, smoothing out his hair with his hand "then, I suppose I am, too."

Kofuku and Yukine shared a weak laugh, relieved.

Yato and Hiyori pulled away after a small kiss. They continued to thank their friends, feeling much more relieved as well.

"Just be careful, you two," Kofuku nodded with a tiny grin. "If you need to, you can both stay the night."

"Of course," Hiyori agreed, smiling back.

They all continued to finish their food, to which Hiyori grabbed seconds. Kofuku asked a million questions about the couple. Daikoku was surprised she didn't lose her breath.

"You better be acting like a gentleman, Yatty," Kofuku warned, poking a finger in his direction.

Yato blushed. "Y-yes, of course!"

Kofuku giggled at his flustered reaction.

"Hold on," Daikoku interrupted. "How do you expect to support this child of yours anyway, huh? I mean, you can't possibly expect this hopeless excuse of a god to suddenly have money, right?"

He pulled out a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it, sticking it in his mouth. Yato was about to answer to the man's insult when Kofuku spoke up first.

"Daikoku!" She cried, frantically waving her hands in his face. "No smoking in here! It's bad for Hiyorin!"

Daikoku blinked in surprise, pulling the cigarette away from his lips. He glanced at Hiyori, who looked up when she heard her name.

"O-oh, right. Gomen," he replied, dipping the cigarette in the ashtray.

Hiyori's cheeks darkened, and she chuckled a bit. "N-no, it's alright. Really."

"Oh!" The pink-haired god exclaimed, smiling. "How long has it been now?"

"'How long?'" Hiyori repeated, confused.

Kofuku nodded. "You know - the baby? How's it doing so far? You've gone to the doctor's, right?"

"O-oh, yeah," the brunette laughed weakly.

She looked down at her fingers, seeming to count to herself. Then, she put her fingers down and smiled widely.

"About twenty-one - twenty-two weeks?" She answered and looked to Yato for confirmation, to which he nodded and grinned in response. "There's been a few things concerning me, but overall, they said she's doing well."

Hiyori didn't seem to realize her mistake. Kofuku and Daikoku glanced at teacher other before quickly looking back at the couple.

"'She?!'" They both exclaimed in unison.

Hiyori blinked in surprise. "O-oh," she sweatdropped, finally catching where she messed up. "I guess, we forgot to tell you."

Yato's proud smile broadened, her cheeks pink with absolute joy, and he gave the two a big thumbs up. "That's right. It's a baby girl!"

The whole room nearly erupted into chaos with the God of Poverty unable to contain her enthusiasm.

"Can we have dessert now?" Yukine blared over Kofuku overdramatic cries of happy emotion.