I had been in this body for three months now, stoically enduring the annoying first symptoms of pregnancy. In my previous life I always had quite painful periods, so I already had some experience with enduring those cramps, but at least I could alleviate them by drinking a cold beer on the days when I felt more tired. Now I had to dedicate myself to a life of healthier eating and habits to take care of the "protagonist" of a few centimeters that was in me.

You really want to grow up, Josuke.-

I would say to him in Spanish and with affection, when we were alone. I didn't feel alone at all, at least I had my friends to share my days and my doubts; it was the time I spent at home that made me feel more stress.

With each day I saw the immense affection of a man for his daughter that I could never experience before. I didn't want to miss any moment of that because of the dislike Mr. Ryohei Higashikata might feel for an unmarried, pregnant daughter. I had a hard time sleeping at night thinking about the moment I would have to tell him, what words to use, for the guilt of now being his daughter and knowing her fate in history, and for the constant urge to urinate.

It was a weekend I was home alone, preparing lunch and waiting for my father from his shift at the local police station. I decided to make curry, as I had grown fond of that dish while cooking while listening to Morioh radio. I was feeling like a fangirl. I had already familiarized myself with the most common songs and enjoyed humming them.

As I was taking out the ingredients for the meal, a song with a familiar voice began to play even though it was the first time it had been played on the local radio.

Hitomi no kirei na ano ko ni

atato ki kara ikareta

yito mitsume ra rechalto

kokoro katokete kuru.

Joke. Juan Gabriel?! JUANGA! JUANGA IN THIS WORLD?! I didn't know whether to cry or laugh, so I did both. Singing his songs at the top of my lungs was one of the things I enjoyed most in my old life and listening to him now brought back several memories I didn't want to face; I didn't know how to get back to my life and besides I would have to raise a human to make him a good Jojo, but above all a good person. How do mothers manage to do that? Tears ran down my cheeks as I hummed the song in Spanish.

Me he quedado solo

Sin tus besos

Estoy solo triste abandonado

Vida tu eres todo lo que tengo

Me has dejado solo estoy llorando

Le he pedido al cielo que regreses

A mi

What a stupid thing to say. If I'm honest with my feelings, I love my current life and I'm also grateful to have that little piece of my past life in this world, but I couldn't stop crying. Stupid hormonal changes and feeling like an imposter. I couldn't help but burst into song using a carrot as a microphone.

I didn't even hear when my dad came home, greeted me from the driveway and walked into the kitchen. I only saw his surprised face when he discovered his daughter singing, crying and laughing with a vegetable in hand.

Tomoko-chan, what's the matter, are you feeling... good?-

Dad!- I exclaimed in surprise, with a carrot in one hand and tissues full of snot in the other. -Welcome home. I'm a little late with the food, but I'll finish it soon. Are you very hungry? You must be tired, you can go lie down and I'll let you know when I have the dinner.- I began to speak in a rush, trying to wipe away my tears.

Were you crying.-

Oh, dad! I was cutting the onion and you know how I get.- I tried to play it down and change the subject. -I want to make curry.- I smiled.

That onion is uncut.-

I looked at the onion in my hand to realize what a bad liar I am, as well as how much it hurt me to lie to that good man. I began to cry once again.

So-sorry... sorry, dad.- was the only thing that escaped my lips, releasing the things I was holding in my hands.

Tomoko-chan, what's wrong, are you in pain?- he approached me, hugging me worried and a little nervous.

Did I deserve all this love? I have done nothing but lie to this man who hugged me and caressed my hair as if he was afraid of breaking me.

By this time I was already crying uncontrollably and hiccuping hugging my father, who was whispering to me that I was his little girl and that everything would be all right soon.

Daughter, talk to me. I can't understand what's wrong if you don't explain it to me.- he said in a fatherly tone as he handed me a glass of water in an attempt to calm me down.

My immediate response was to blow my nose, drink the water, calm down for a moment before I saw his worried face and cried again, this time in anger. Damn hormones! By this time I wanted to tell her what was wrong with me, but it was a bundle of hiccups and snot.

You're not going to get mad at me?-

I just want to help you.-

I... Dad, I... I'm pregnant.- I finally uttered the words I have been afraid of for so many years. I lowered my gaze, praying that sweet man wouldn't start hating me.

Did that man hurt you.-

No, dad! No! It was with a foreigner who was visiting Morioh and... I won't see him again... that's all.-

That man has to take responsibility.-

NO! This son is mine, he is mine alone. I want to take care of him and love him... I'm sorry for not telling you, dad... I didn't want you to be angry with me... I didn't want you to be disappointed in me... I was... I was afraid you wouldn't love me anymore.

Tomoko, I will never stop loving you. You will always be my little daughter, no matter what you do or how many children you have.-

Even if I'm not married, even if you don't know the father, even if I haven't told you for months.-

Even if you rob a bank, you will still be my daughter and I will love you… Months?-

I'm... I'm three months pregnant.-

My little one, you must have felt very lonely. I thought you were acting that way because of something at the university.-

No… In fact, I'm doing better than ever.-

So, what was it that made you cry?-

Oh...it's that...- My eyes started to water once again- It's that...I LOVE JUAN GABRIEL SO MUCH!-

My crying sounded ridiculous at this point, but not distressed, so my father didn't insist. After a long time trying to convince him that this "Juan Gabriel" was not the foreigner father of my son, but a singer I really liked, I managed to calm his anxiousness to look for him and force him to "take responsibility".

Our neighbor, Mrs. Nijimura has a young son, maybe it would be good for you if you both could share time together; I know her a little and she is a good woman. I'm sorry that your father can't help you much more with your pregnancy, but rest assured that I won't leave you alone.-

My father calmed me down, when we were already together drinking tea and with our lunch completely overdue.

"Nijimura...sounds so familiar." I couldn't stop thinking.

But first, Tomoko; go get ready. To celebrate today, we're going out for lunch. No wine for you, miss, because I have to take care of my grandson. We'll toast with juice.-

Thank you, Dad.- I jumped up to hug him and he greeted me with laughter.

I ran to my room to change my clothes and wash the mess on my face. I noticed my notebook with notes from this world and instinctively checked it.

"OKUYASU NIJIMURA! I have to be more attentive to all the details!" I said to myself somewhat annoyed that I didn't remember it sooner. I think it would be a good idea to befriend his mother and have our children be friends from a young age. Maybe I can even have a new friend and help her if I can figure out why she dies and try to prevent it.

Still I was frustrated that I didn't know if it was specifically me who couldn't remember her death or if Araki never explained it. While I miss not having a mother in this world to share everything that is happening to me, I am infinitely happy with the father who is with me today. I finished recording the new data I remembered and changed my clothes to go out to lunch with him.

Dad... can I ask you one more favor?-

Tell me, my dear.-

Could you stop making toast in the mornings? I can't stand the smell.-

No more toast for my princess.-

He said solemnly to which I responded with an embarrassed laugh. I loved how affectionate he had become with me, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing his delighted grandfatherly face as he started shopping for the first clothes for his grandson. I regretted all the time it took me to tell him and that I forced myself to suffer unnecessarily for keeping my secret from him, but how was I supposed to guess that he would end up being such a lovely grandpa!

Not many days later I would find myself sipping chamomile tea at my neighbors' house, admiring Mrs. Nijimura's beauty and her saintly motherly presence as she stroked the hair of the little blond boy cuddled against her leg.

With the delicacy of an elegant woman, she talked to me about which foods would do me good and which to avoid, as well as activities that might be dangerous to do in pregnancy. She never asked me about the father or touched on any uncomfortable topics. I admired this woman very much and would have liked to see more of her in the series. I can understand how her absence destabilized what now seemed to be a perfectly happy family.

What did the doctor tell you? Are your test results okay?-

What test? At college?-

You haven't gone for your first check-up of your pregnancy yet?-

No…- I answered embarrassed.

Without letting much more time pass, she picked up the phone and made an appointment for me while she scolded me for having let so much time pass. I honestly never contemplated that my little Josuke might be sick, although I admit it was irresponsible of me to deny him a doctor's visit.

Have you thought of a name yet?

Josuke. It is a beautiful name.-

What if it's a girl?-

It won't be. I know it will be my little Josuke.-

I understand, I also felt like that when I was expecting Keicho.I hope our children can be friends in the future.-

Of course they will! My Josuke and Okuyasu will be best friends at school.

My fangirl levels were over 9000 as I imagined seeing those little boys with my own eyes walking to school together, joking and playing.

Okuyasu? -

Kei-chan's little brother! He's such a good big brother, I know he is a responsible boy who loves his family.-

I said with all the confidence of someone who has spent sleepless hours thinking about Keicho's actions in the original plot.

Tomoko-chan, you are very fanciful. I have no intention of having a second child for the time being. Although I like the name.-

Ri-right. I mean... I'm so glad you like it! It's a very pretty name.-

I brought the cup to my mouth to avoid saying things that would get me in trouble.

The next few months were pretty quiet, after getting over the nausea and withdrawal syndromes I felt from not having beer or my cell phone, I started to enjoy the attention my father and my friends were giving me. I may have started the "babyshower" tradition in Morioh, but I really wanted to get beautiful things for Josuke and play ridiculous games with my friends, so I had no regrets; it was a fun party I shared with the now also pregnant Mrs. Nijimura, who was delighted with my "seer" powers. Slowly, as the days passed, I began to say goodbye to detailed memories of my old life and to being able to clip my toenails without help.

The one thing I hadn't managed to do in this time, was to approach Reimi. How was an older woman to approach and befriend a popular young woman? I didn't know how to solve that problem, so I decided to at least keep an eye on her on the days I went to high school as a volunteer teacher intern.

oOo

Two young students were in the school music room, chatting while waiting for the music workshop practice to begin. One of them was carefully cleaning her trumpet and the other was checking her notes.

Have you seen Higashikata-sensei?-

Tomoko-san? yes.- she replied with a smile. -She was here a few minutes ago, actually.-

Se was? I wanted to show her some notes, she's helping me to study. What was she doing here?-

She came to rest a bit, it's hard for her to walk with that big belly. We chatted for a while and then she asked me to play a short tune for her.-

Which one?-

I don't know, I think she invented it or I don't know... But after I played it she smiled very satisfied, thanked me and left.-

How strange. Let's see, play it.- demanded the girl.

They listened to a light melody that several years after the new millennium, would be known by many teens in their parties.

/215xq6hx

watch?v=PVtJtqTXuyE

oOo

I left the music room to look for Reimi and try to find which of all the boys at school who were ogling her was the one who wanted to end her life. "Should I bump into her and cut the skin off her hand with a box cutter? No, Tomoko, you can't hurt students like that even for saving her life, besides you don't know if something like that will work... But what do I do, what do I do what do I do what do I do wh-"

At that moment I collided in the hallway with a student, which made me come close to falling to the ground, but the boy held me down.

Higashikata-sensei, are you all right?-

Asked a young man with a serene and respectful appearance. I smiled gratefully, because you don't see boys like that very often.

Thank you, my dear. I wasn't looking, are you all right, I didn't hit you?-

I am fine, I am not hurt.- he consoled me with a sweet smile and without letting go of my hands, caressing them with his thumbs. -Would you like me to accompany you to the infirmary?-

No, thank you. I'm really fine.-

I replied with a big smile. It's so nice to see such kind boys and it's even funny to see how they are attracted to Tomoko's beautiful face.

I am glad. I would have been distressed if something happened to our teacher.-

He said in a caramel voice, while stroking my hands with his thumbs. I was struck by how he still wouldn't let go of me, since boys are usually more shy at his age. I looked down at the exact moment to notice how the boy's nails were growing at an unnatural speed, as he admired my hands.

My breath caught in my throat, as did my hands in his. I felt dizzy, weak and breaking out in a cold sweat, I even felt my hands shaking. The boy looked at me slightly worried.

Sensei?-

I'm fine, I'm fine. I have to go.-

I said scared, by that time I was hyperventilating. I felt his hands clinging to mine, not allowing me to move away, even though I tried hard to get out of his grip.

I'll take you to the nurse.-

No! let me go, please let me go!-

I managed to release one of my hands to clutch my belly, which began to ache in my panic.

Sensei, please calm down.-

The young man said to me, without getting the least bit upset. My hand, which he would not let go of, was already hurting. I didn't know what happened next, I fainted, as it usually happens with pregnant women according to what years of soap operas taught me.