A/N: Thank you for all the amazing reviews and support for this story!
Jazz-Likes-Fiction: I agree, I saw a lot of chemistry in the manga, too, but personally I don't think anything would have happened between them. Ayane is underage and Pin is her teacher, so I like to think he would have remained professional as long is she was his student, and maybe they would have grown out of it, which is why they aren't together in this story. Thanks for your review :)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter 13
"Nonononon-! Stop! I don't want to hear it!" Chizu covered her ears and wailed. She was so uncomfortable, she wanted a giant hole in the ground to appear and swallow her.
Sawako's face slushed at Chizu's response. It had been about three weeks since the three of them had met up. Ayane had spent the time living with Sawako and Shouta. Sawako had only now revealed to them that they were trying to become parents.
"Chizu… They have been married for years. Of course they aren't virgins anymore." Ayane was torn between slapping her forehead and laughing at her friend.
"I know that! But it still freaks me out…" The blonde pouted. She wasn't really surprised at hearing her two friends were trying to conceive, but it was like hearing about her siblings' sex life, it grossed her out. She saw both Sawako and Shouta as her family, and it felt wrong on so many levels.
"So, you've been going at it, huh Sawako?" Ayane teased the noirette. She was already having a blast with this new information. It really wasn't that big deal, but she knew how squeamish it made Sawako, so it was only natural that she would tease her best friend. and
"O-of course not! I mean, we've been trying… but at the checkup, the doctor told me it would take some time." Sawako had also spoken to her mother and been told that her mother's side of the family took longer time to conceive than usual.
"There's nothing to worry about, you'll be inflated like a balloon in no time." Ayane assured her with a wink. Chizu snickered quietly, despite feeling a little repulsed. She was happy for Sawako and knew she would become a great mother.
She thought about her own relationship with Ryu and wondered if they would ever reach the same stage as Sawako and Shouta. Pinching herself, Chizu decided she would stop doubting her relationship and instead put more effort into it.
"I better leave now. My sister found a reasonable apartment for me and I want to take a look at it." Ayane explained and got up to leave. Checking her bag for necessities, she bid her friends goodbye and left.
"How are things with Ryu-kun?" Sawako asked after a while. Her brown eyes observed her friend, who seemed to stiffen the tiniest bit.
"Great. He's busy as usual, but that's to be expected." Chizu shrugged and looked away. She had just been reminded of how little time she had spent with him lately and she felt a stab of loneliness in her chest.
"Are you okay, Chizu-chan?" Sawako asked with worry. She had been so focused on Ayane - Chizu had been too - that she hadn't really thought about what Chizu had on her mind.
"Yeah… Ryu's just been more busy than usual. I feel a little… ignored?" The blonde tilted her head sideways. Maybe she was just being a baby and whining?
"I see. Why don't you talk to him?" Sawako suggested. Chizu had lost some of her usual spirit. She was the kind of girl, who wore her heart on her sleeve, and it took no genius to figure out that something was bothering her.
"You know words aren't my strong suit." She excused quietly. Truth be told, she had no idea how to tell Ryu how she felt. He was usually the one who picked up on how she felt, and she was actually embarrassed at how bad she was at communicating with her boyfriend.
"I definitely think you should try." Sawako reasoned gently. Chizu was looking so looking lonely; it broke her heart a little.
"I will, thanks Sawa. When will you guys be leaving for your trip?" The blonde forgot about all her troubles and got excited instead.
"By the end of next month. I really can't wait, it's going to be wonderful." Sawako sighed blissfully. She had gotten back into the swing of work, but she was already looking forward to spending a couple of days with Shouta by herself.
She and Chizu talked some more, before the blonde had to leave. Sawako spent some time grading quizzes for her class in her living room. Sawako had the liberty of giving the students pop quizzes, and she loved how excited they were at the prospect of being challenged. None of her students had scored any less than 90% and she was positively beaming when Shouta unlocked the front door and made his way into their living room.
"Something good happen?" He asked as he kissed her cheek and took a seat beside her.
"Just grading some papers and marveling at my students' knowledge." Sawako grinned and showed him all of the checkmarks adorning a single page.
"Are you sure they are human?" Shouta whistled. Sawako just laughed at him and returned to her work, but was soon distracted by her husband placing tiny kisses on her shoulder.
"I missed you." He murmured into her hair. Sawako shivered slightly and put her pen down, turning towards Shouta.
"I was right here." She teased him, but was caught in a barrage of kisses. Shouta had been a more affectionate than usual lately, and Sawako guessed it was because of his lightened workload. They kissed some more, but spent most of the time talking and catching up. They had finally chosen the destination for their trip was, and were both excited.
They had decided to spend some days at the Inunakiyama Hot Springs in Kansai. Mt. Inunaki was surrounded by forests, waterfalls and mountains and the couple thought it would be rather refreshing to visit. So the days went by and they ticked them off in their calendar. They worked, spent time with each other and their friends and family and suddenly they were at the hot springs.
"I could get used to coming here every couple of months." Shouta told Sawako on their second night. He had just returned from the outdoor hot spring bath and flopped down on his futon. Sawako, who had opted for the indoor bath was toweling her hair dry, agreed.
They were both enjoying having time for themselves, like when they were bathing or soaking, but it was also nice to be so carefree together. Neither of them had to think about work or friends and they could spend as much time together as they wanted to.
"It warms my bones." Shouta joked, which made Sawako laugh lightly and cover her mouth with her hand.
"You sound like an old man, Shouta-kun." The noirette giggled. She felt they were teenagers again and was amused he would speak like an old man.
"Ah, but an old man wouldn't be able to do this." He whispered huskily and pulled his wife into his arms and on top of him. They had been intimate for years now, but it felt so new and exciting to make love in the room they had rented. There was something special about being far away from home with the person you loved the most, Shouta thought to himself that night when Sawako had fallen asleep.
Her head was snuggled into his chest and he had an arm around her. He lost count of how many times he had done this. Just holding Sawako, the love of his life, while she slept peacefully and he was left to his own thoughts. He prayed that he would always be able to hold her this close to his heart, like now, and moved some of her hair away from her face.
´It feels damp' He mused to himself and traced a finger down the side of her face. She looked so beautiful in the dim light.
His only wish at that moment was that Sawako truly knew how much he loved her. He wasn't very good at expressing himself, although improving, but he was certain Sawako knew. She had always had this way of sensing other people's thoughts and feelings, but he couldn't help but wonder if she was really, truly happy with him.
Deciding he wouldn't sow doubt in his mind, Shouta fell asleep after a while. He awoke next morning to Sawako smiling sleepily at him, caressing his face, just like he had done that night. Their plan for that day was to go into the city and do some sightseeing, and return to the inn after doing some shopping. They would leave in the evening the following day and wanted to see as much as possible. The day passed and so did the night, and just as quickly as their trip had started, it ended.
"I would love to come back sometime." Sawako sighed dreamily. She felt kind of tired and a little feverish, but didn't think too much of it. It had been a little chilly the past two days, especially at night, and she had only brought her coat and scarf as protection against the cold.
"We can come back again when we have some time off and maybe bring the others." Shouta suggested as he secured the bag over his shoulder. They had a few hours travel ahead of them, but luckily they hadn't brought too much luggage and only had one bag each. Sawako approved of that idea. They were already at the airport and had finally found somewhere to sit.
"It has been wonderful the past couple of days, but I'm actually looking forward to getting home." The noirette admitted. She was starting to feel a little uneasy and fidgeted in her seat. Their flight wasn't for another hour, but they had avoided traffic by leaving a little earlier, so the couple was just waiting by their gate.
"Honey, are you alright? You look a little pale." Shouta remarked and put the back of his hand on her forehead. She had a slight fever, he noted.
"I feel a little lightheaded." Sawako confessed. She didn't want to worry Shouta, but she was sure it was either because she had caught a cold or because of the slight motion sickness she had been experiencing the past few weeks.
"I'll get you some water and something to eat." Shouta promised and kissed her forehead before getting up. He was a little worried about his wife, but he tried not to let her catch on to it. She would just feel bad about telling him, but he couldn't help but worry! Sawako meant everything to him, so of course he would be worried about her if she was feeling ill.
She felt better after having some water and some food, and she was fine for the duration of their flight. Once they reached home, Sawako laid down on their couch for a few minutes. Ryu had picked them up at the airport and driven them home; warning them about the cupcakes Chizu had made for them.
"Sometimes she can't tell sugar from salt." Ryu had joked fondly. He had eaten half a dozen of the cupcakes to try them, but only because Chizu had coaxed him into it. Ryu left after dropping them off and wishing them a good night. Shouta's mother had made dinner for them and had Touta and his girlfriend bring it to them. Sawako was grateful that she didn't have to cook after hours of traveling, especially when she felt so weak.
The following day, she was still feeling sick and her throat had started hurting during the night, so she made an appointment at the doctor. She had no energy and had to spend the day in the bed with SHouta taking care of her.
"Are you sure you are okay? I can take you to the hospital." He offered as he gave her yet another glass of water. She held it with both hands and took a long sip.
"It's just a cold, Shouta." She assured him. She was usually never sick, but one or twice a year, she would catch a cold like this and every time, Shouta would be worried out of his mind.
"I will go see a doctor tomorrow, I promise." Sawako took his hand in both of hers. She was propped up against the headboard of their bed with a mountain of pillows behind her, and Shouta sat at the edge next to her legs.
"Alright, I'll let you get some rest." Shouta kissed her cheek and went downstairs to make dinner. He had already planned what to make, something light but packed full of nutrients. They still had some of Chizu's cupcakes, which had been delicious, left and he planned on sneaking one upstairs while he cooked, but decided it would ruin Sawako's appetite.
Almost an hour later, Shouta came back upstairs with a confused expression on his face and his cell phone in his hand. Sawako looked up from the book she had been reading and raised her eyebrows in question.
"It's Pin. He wants to talk to you." Shouta explained. Sawako was about to ask him, why Pin-sensei hadn't just called her instead, but was interrupted by her husband who leaned closer.
"He sounds freaked out." He added in a whisper and handed the phone. He left hurriedly, not wanting to eavesdrop. Something must have been wrong for Pin to have sounded so panicked, and Shouta doubted that he was drunk again. He closed the door behind him and hoped Sawako could help their old teacher.
"Hello, Pin-sensei?" Sawako started. She was very surprised when she heard Pin's voice. He sounded almost manic.
"Kurohaya I can't marry Mai-chan." The older man rushed out as a greeting. Sawako's eyes widened and her jaw nearly dropped.
"Sensei what's going on? Why can't you marry her? Are you alright?" The noirette had forgotten all about being sick and even though her throat was still sore, she forced herself to hold back the coughing that threatened to take place.
"I just can't. I'm… I'm so scared. What if I'm not good enough for her and she decides to leave me? What can I possibly offer her? I'm just a teacher who can't even walk normally, I can't marry her." Pin's voice was hoarse and he was breathing heavily. Maybe he was having a panic attack?
"Why would you offer her anything other than yourself? Pin-sensei, you have struggled on your own for so long and look at how far you've come. Obviously Mai-chan sees something worth staying for, if she said yes to marry you. Have you even talked to her?" Sawako asked.
She was concerned about her teacher, but couldn't figure out why he was in such a panic. Had something happened between him and Mai-chan, while she and Shouta had been away? Or was he just getting cold feet? She had no idea, but had to calm him down first.
"I can't do it, Kurohaya. I can't marry her."
Oh snap! What do you think will happen next? (=w=)/