6 months has passed since Ririko told Rei that she's pregnant, of course Rei is man enough to take responsibility, but alas while he has that resolve, there's still a lot that he needs to figure out. It's not just about money matters, Rei has to consider certain issues like for instandces
Is he going to be a good father to his child?
What should he do to save more money?
Is Ririko really okay to be with someone like him?
What about Chitose-san, will she be alright if they go and live somewhere else?
Those are just some of the few questions that has echoing in his mind, because of this he decided to stay in Manoyama for a while, at least until Ririko gives birth and they got married.
Since Ririko announced her pregnancy Rei has been staying in Chitose's house. Chitose seems to be okay in him staying because he is helping and is nice, but Rei still finds it awkward because of Chitose's strict nature.
Rei has also started working in Angelica's restaurant as an all around staff, he washes the dishes, he cleans the place and he cooks. Yes he cooks, thanks to Akari Rei has learned how to cook, this is also a perfect timing since Erika, Angelica's daughter is about to enter high school so she needed some help as well.
"So Rei-kun how do you find Manoyama?" Angelica asked.
"Urghh well, It's nice, the people are okay" Rei answered.
From his words it's clear that Rei still has a hard time adapting, and it's just because he finds it hard adapting to his new place, this goes way back during his childhood.
Ever since he was a child Rei has been having a hard time socializing and adapting to people, he find it hard talking with kids with same age as him, also has trouble expressing his emotions and has been focusing his life on Shogi, which is why a lot thinks that he's a weirdo.
This goes until today, Rei is aware of it, but at the same time he really doesn't know what to do, which is why in a way even if he's lonely he considers himself lucky that he has some friends like the Kawamoto's whom he considers as his second family, Mr. Hayashida, some of the Shogi players and of course Ririko and their child.
"It must be hard Rei-kun, but I'm sure things will go well for you and Ririko-chan" Angelica said.
Sometime later Ririko arrived along with Shori & Sanae, they were there to talk on how to Improve Manoyama, and because today is a special day, and upon arriving Angelica was surprised on seeing how Ririko's body has changed.
"Ririko-chan your stomach is now big, you really are pregnant" Angelica said.
"I have been for the last 6 months" Ririko said back.
Angelica was so fascinated at Ririko's tummy that she started rubbing it, and soon Shiori and Sanae did it too.
"You guys are getting too excited for a Tummy" Erika said but in reality, she also wants to touch Ririko's tummy.
"Ahh this is so nostalgic, I remember the time I was pregnant with Erika, I really did take extreme measures to take care of myself, my husband even insisted that I shouldn't open the Restaurant" Angelica said.
"Riri-chan becoming a mother….ahhh it's so cute!" Shiori said as she imagines what Ririko would be like when she finally gave birth to her child.
"Shiori you've imagining too much again" Ririko said.
After eating about talking about various things it's time to go, and today is a special day, Angelica knows it because Rei asks if he could leave early.
"so Rei-kun for you, do you want your child to be a boy or a girl?" Angelica asked.
Rei blushed.
"Angelica-san that's too much to ask, whether a boy or a girl I'll accept it!" Rei said.
"Wow how manly of you" Erika said.
"How about you Ririko-chan?" Angelica asked the same question to Ririko.
Ririko blushed.
"I don't know" she said, because like Rei, she's okay with either a boy or a girl.
So the two then left and Shiori drove them to the hospital, both Rei and Ririko are feeling anxious but also excited. After waiting for half an hour Ririko went into the OB GY and there the doctor examined her Stomach.
"Oribe-san, here's your baby, congratulations you're having a boy" the Doctor said.
Both Rei and Ririko looked at the monitor, Ririko smiled as because she's having a boy, well even if it's a girl she would still be smiling. Rei on the other hand is also feeling happy, but for some reasons is having a hard time expressing his happiness, nonetheless Ririko knows that he is happy.
"Oribe-san you're not in your 6th month so you need to take extra care for yourself, choose what you eat and be careful on walking alright, It would be better if you stay at home first" the Doctor said.
After leaving the clinic Rei and Ririko was greeted by a very curious Shiori, whom with sparkling eyes asks if they we're having a boy or a girl.
"Shiori we're having a boy" Ririko said.
This got Shiori excited, and as she drove them back to Rirko's house she can't help but ask a lot of questions, for instances.
What will be his name?
What do you think he'll look like?
Will they teach him things like sports or shogi?
Shiori is just aking so many questions that it's hard to keep up with her, finally they reached their destination, it was getting dark and they're just in time, because Chitose did prepare something for them, and aside from that Sanae, Maki are waiting and so as Yoshino who is via Video call.
"Grandma, we're having a boy" Ririko said.
"a boy? I see" Chitose said.
Sanae, Maki and Yoshino are also excited and congratulated Rei and Ririko.
"So how do you guys feel that you'll become parents soon?" Sanae asked.
The two looked on different directions.
"Honestly I still don't know I do think being a good father is not just about providing food in the table, I wonder if I can spend enough time with him, teach him if he doesn't get some lessons from his school. Sometimes I actually think if I'm really cut out to be a dad.
I mean, true I can solve the money matters, but other than that what am I good at?
I'm weak, I'm not that intelligent, I don't have a proper job, and I'm still not good at interacting with people so that why-"
Rei was cut when Ririko pulled him and placed his head on her shoulder.
"Rei, I know you have a lot of issues and self doubts, but for our son we must be strong" Ririko said.
"Yeah that's right" Rei replied.
Soon everyone left, and Rei and Ririko went to bed, they are sleeping together in the same room, where at first it was all awkward but soon they've gotten accustomed to it.
"Remember the time when we first shared this bed?" Ririko asked.
"Yeah, I remember that time I was in a loss of words and we both have problems getting intimate" Rei answered.
"Which is weird because we did it before we first decided to sleep together" Ririko added.
It's getting late so they stopped talking and start sleeping, but alas, nether Rei nor Ririko can sleep.
"Rei/Ririko?" both called each other.
"You can't sleep?" Ririko asked.
"Yeah you too?" Rei asked back.
Ririko nods.
Some minutes later
"Rei"
"What is it Ririko?"
"Am I good enough to you?"
"Why did you ask?"
"To tell you the truth, just like you, I sometimes do think if I'm cut out to be a mother, I'm not good in cleaning, cooking. Nor I don't have any special qualities"
With what Ririko said realized some things.
"I see, it's not just me whose having a having self doubts, Ririko has it as well, I wonder, is it because we're too young and inexperienced, maybe?
Me and Ririko both have self doubts to the point where words such as "let's just do our best" "we can do this" or "Everything going to be alright" does not lift our spirits up, well a little but not too much. But regardless, this is the only thing that we can do. We don't have the time to look weak in front of our son" Rei thought.
Because Ririko is feeling down, Rei immediately hugged Ririko, and Ririko shed a few tears. Rei didn't say anything, but Ririko understands what Rei is trying to say using that hug. Ririko hugged him back and soon they finally fell sleepy and went to bed.
After a week Rei and Ririko had their day off and had decided to go shopping for baby clothes, they could have done it during Ririko's early pregnancy days but decided to wait until the baby's gender is revealed.
Alongside Rei and Ririko is Shiori, who tagged alongside them. Both of them are okay with Shiori joining because Shiori is Ririko's best friend, she drives them from place to place and she has a good sense of taste when it comes to Shopping.
"Oh look at this Riri-chan this is so cute!" Shiori said as she looks at a baby's clothes with cute bear designs.
Unfortunately for her both Rei and Ririko doesn't seem to get it, it's not like they don't care on how they look on public, but they just don't know about clothing and stuff. Rei is wearing a pretty plain outfit while Ririko prefers loose and light clothing and both couldn't care less about designs.
Again, a couple of minutes later while looking at the store Shiori shows up 2 baby clothes to Ririko.
"Riri-chan look at these, so which one do you prefer?" Shiori asked.
Alas this just got Ririko more stressed out because she don't know which one she should choose, let alone her fiancé.
"Which one do you think is cute Shiori, I'll go with that" Ririko said.
In the end though, Ririko decided to buy both, she does have money and so does Rei, whom has a lot of saving due to his winnings in his Shogi matches.
Of course they didn't just buy baby Clothes. They also buy other things like baby shoes, books and toys. When it comes to books and toys Ririko did gain a little energy because there are things that she wanted to teach to her son when he is born.
Because Ririko has a keen interest in the world and the unknown, Ririko wanted to buy some Geography books for her son.
"Riri-chan do you think it's too early to teach your son about Geography?" Shiori asked.
"It's alright, I may not look like it but I'm a good teacher" Ririko said, and Shiroi wonders where did Ririko gain such confidence. Things get more weird when suddenly Rei's phone rang and it turns out that It was his friend Nikaidou who is trying to contact him.
"Kiriyama, I heard that it's only a matter of time before your fiancé gives birth, and I heard it was a boy. I can't wait to meet him and teach him Shogi, I'm sure he'll be thrilled once he finds out that his dad was a Shogi genius" Nikaidou said.
"I'm not a genius" said Rei.
"Tsk Tsk Tsk..Kiriyama, if you want your son to look up on you then look up to yourself as well, anyway I need to go, Ciao!" Nikaidou said.
Shiori now wonders what will happen to Rei and Ririko's child, will he be as genius like Rei or will be as smart as Ririko?
After a whole day of Shopping, Rei ends up treating Ririko and Shiori to some deserts and the two were thankful at him.
"Ahh Rei-kun you really do have a lot of savings don't you?" Shiori said.
"Ahaha I don't really have anything to spend to" Rei responded.
Behind them are two people talking about Shogi, and while those 2 people talk Rei can't help but eavesdrop because of his familiarity in Shogi, Ririko and Shiori are looking at Rei and its more evident that he wanted to play Shogi again.
"Rei, do you miss Shogi?" Shiori asked.
Rei smiles
"Yeah, honestly I do, I hadn't had a match even since I moved here, but don't worry, I don't feel bad or anything nor I don't regret coming here" Rei said.
Then suddenly
"Shiori, please teach me how to cook" Ririko said.
Rei was confused and Shiori asked why,
"It's only a matter of time before I give birth, I want to be a good wife to Rei and a good mother to our child, that's why I want to know what a every mother needs to know" Ririko said.
"Are you sure Ririko, I'm not forcing you to learn these things quickly, besides you're on your later stage of pregnancy" Rei said.
"Rei, I can see that you're doing your best, that's why I wanna do my best too, don't worry, I'll be careful, I love our son and I want the best for him" Ririko said.
Because of what Ririko said Rei smiled.
"Ririko I really love you" Rei said.
Because of this things get pretty awkward, Rei realized what he said and felt embarrassed because he rarely says I love you, Ririko did blush and looks somewhere, she is overjoyed that Rei said it while Shiori got excited.
Soon the three left and Shiori dropped them in their house and Rei and Ririko prepared everything for their son.
They had a crib where they bought early on and now they have everything the baby needs.
Little by little these 2 are trying their best to become good parents, they both have their own personal issues within themselves, but nonetheless they are trying their best.
