This I Promise You
A fan fiction by Aoi Kitsukawa
Disclaimer: Joker Game belongs to Yanagi Kouji and its related committees; I only borrow the characters in the manga/ anime (or related sources).
Author's Note: To my dear readers, I'm very sorry for the very, very late updates for all of my stories regardless the fandoms. Also, there might be some changes in the stories and some corrections in the previous chapters. Please enjoy the story. :)
Summary: During one night of heavy rain, Miyoshi went all the way deep into a green forest alone, single and pregnant. Wandering without any aim, the youngster was at the edge of collapsing when he met again with the person who made a promise with him, long time ago…
Chapter 04: Afterwards
"Life is weird.
Beautifully weird."
Miyoshi stirred from his sleep but his eyes remained closed. He concluded that there was something different with the way he woke up that morning. He felt safe and warm. So comfortable that he could not resist letting out a blissful sigh. Perhaps it was because of the softness of the mattress, or perhaps it was the muscled arm draped protectively over his stomach.
Wait a minute.
The sleepy fog clouding his thoughts began to clear. A warm male body did indeed press against his backside. His warm breath caressed his neck and a soft snoring could be heard from the person. When he realized it was Sakuma, Miyoshi sighed in relief and snuggled deeper into him. Sakuma slowly pulled him closer despite still asleep, and Miyoshi couldn't help but think about what happened before.
It had been 3 days since Miyoshi was discharge from the hospital, and 8 days since he arrived at Human World. Many things happened during that time; he left his homeland the Dark World after his father disowned him, later he was found by Sakuma and his companion (he did sense his present but know nothing about him, so his identity was unknown to Miyoshi) during that raining day. Later he was hospitalized, met again with Sakuma and broke his secret of being pregnant, only to find out that Sakuma was the father of his child. It led to his anger rose up and almost broke himself, but Sakuma managed to calm him down, before slowly revealed everything that led to their current situation. It ended with unexpected marriage proposal from Sakuma.
Miyoshi felt blood rushed to his face. He never thought that Sakuma would be so bold to make such proposal, as he remembered that Sakuma was a naïve and straightforward person, but a bit shy when it comes to his personal feelings. When he heard the said proposal, he was unable to say anything as he was too shock to hear and surely his face was blushing furiously, as Sakuma just smiled and kissed his forehead, and told him no need to rush his proposal as he held him closer enough to feel warm radiated from his clothed body.
Never in his life, had Miyoshi felt embarrassed like that.
However, that was not the only shock he received that day. After some time he had calm down and was leaning against Sakuma, listening to his heartbeats, the door slowly open and revealed people whom he never thought would be seeing again after their last meeting, 6 years ago.
Entering through the door was none other than Hatano and Odagiri!
Miyoshi rarely shown his shock expression since he hated to show his so-called weak side and only on rare occasion, and the meeting was one of them. He almost pushed himself up immediately, if not because of Sakuma's arms were holding him as if to remind Miyoshi that he was pregnant and his body was still vulnerable. As Sakuma helped him to sit on the bed, Hatano was the first to come and hugged him, followed by Odagiri who went to his left and hugged him as well. It was an awkward hug and usually Miyoshi hated constant touch from others, but these two were exceptional. They were almost not seeing each other after the sad incident that Miyoshi never know almost ruining Odagiri and Hatano's life, and for Miyoshi it was giving him a relief feeling to meet some people he knew again, making him feel safe and calm. He only realized he was crying when Sakuma wiped his wet cheeks with his thumbs and saw the others; especially Hatano, were crying as well.
Then a female doctor entered and introduced herself as Isuzu 'Hanamura' Aoi or generally known as Hanamura-sensei (she used her maiden name, as it is easier to the patients who know her), one of the doctors-in-charge on him and one of the staffs who knew his status as an 'Omega'. Sakuma revealed that she was actually one of the 'Guardians' –the hidden protector of the worlds and a descendent from one of six noble families in Magic World that play important role for the said world. Unfortunately, her family –the Hanamura Family, was among the four of the six noble families who were eradicate by the enemies decades ago, leaving behind her elder brother and herself as the last living descendant. She was an Obstetric and surgeon experts, and one of the 'special' staffs treating the 'Guardians' if they were injured. Another doctor came by and introduced himself as Yuge "Alex" Tohru.
He is the Crown Prince of Jupiter Nation of the Magic World.
Miysohi was shock, as he never thought that he would meet any royalties from the Magic World. Although he knew that some of the current Crown Prince's/ Princesses were not living in the said world, he never thought he would meet one who is working as a doctor!
Yuge-sensei just chuckled as he heard his statement, and proceeds to check the young Omega with his senior Hanamura-sensei. Everyone stayed inside the room as all of them wanted to know Miyoshi's current condition.
According to Hanamura-sensei, Miyoshi was currently in his 4th weeks, almost entering his 5th week. During the early stage of pregnancy, the fetus is still unstable and the mothers had to make sure that they won't overdo themselves or risk the miscarriage. In case of Miyoshi being the 'special-condition' Omega, he was told to be extra careful due to his weak condition that caused by stress and emotionally instable. He could feel Sakuma held him tightly as he knew the cause of misery while the said doctor gave those further explanations that even he did not know about.
"This might be something you people already heard but the 'special-condition' Omegas are very rare, and actually not all people in the Dark World would experience it," Said Yuge-sensei as he flipped the papers in his hands. "So we have to careful here."
"What do you mean by that sensei?" Asked Hatano as he leaned forward. Hatano presented as an Omega, but since he lived in Human World, only selected people knew about his real status as a person from Dark World (aside from Sakuma's Group).
"You people might not know this, but in reality not all people in the Dark World are bound by the "Hierarchy System" (1). Miyoshi widened his eyes, never knew such information and glanced at Sakuma whom sat quietly at his side. Judging from his reactions, Miyohi believed that Sakuma might already knew about it. "Only the people within the West Territory (2) that commonly bound with the system."
"But it was mention during our school time that all people in the Dark World are bound to the system," Said Hatano, a bit shock. "How come that not all people are related with the system?"
"While the 'special condition people' do exist as well as the classification of the personality, the system is just established 1,400 years ago," Said Aoi as she explained. "The Hierarchy System is actually something that developed by the former Regime Kurokaze who ruled the world in order to find who is the strongest people to be used as their pawns, or someone with exceptional abilities so that they will be recruited and absorb into the group. People with strongest powers, blood and personalities can be determined with the system. It also can be used to brainwash people from opposing the regime from rebelled against them."
"The system itself managed to make the people of the Dark World to believe it so deep into their lives that they finally forgot that such groups was not even applied to their ancestors. Besides, aside from the people of the Dark World, don't forget that you people also co-exist with other beings (3) such vampires, werewolves and many more..."
"Not to mention that after the fall of Kurokaze regime, many people from the Magic World and descendants of the people who left the world upon the time of Kurokaze's control came to the Dark World in order to revive the land back," Said Alex as he put down the file that contains Miyoshi's information. "If the system already exists before 1,400 years ago, there should be records older than that period regarding the class system."
Miyoshi slowly leaned against Sakuma as he heard the shock revelation. He thought that...all people in the Dark World are all the same...but after listening to the truth from the guardians, he did not know what to say.
"But does that mean all people know about this matter, sensei?" Asked Odagiri for the first time. Ever since their school time Odagiri was not a talkative person and usually preferring to read books than having a conversation with others. Even Miyoshi felt surprise to hear him speaks.
"Only the West Territory not knowing this matter, but the people outside the West Territory had been informed regarding this matter and they show positive responds in keeping the truth. I also learn from your king that people that been selected by the system were brought the said territory by the regime, thus explaining why only that area had such strong grasp with the system."
"That would explain why the Omegas are being called as 'exotics' by the traders, stupid bastards..." Said Sakuma as he cursed. Miyoshi looked up and saw Sakuma has irritated feature.
When was the last time he saw that?
"By the way Miyoshi-kun," Miyoshi looked at the female doctor who took the file from Alex and begun to write something. "Did you have any symptoms of being pregnant? Like having irregular sleeping patents, nausea in the morning, or feeling exhausted even not doing heavy work?"
Miyoshi paused for a while before nodding his head, "...Except for the tiredness..."
That was a lie. He did experience such tiredness that he always fell asleep even just doing small chores. Since he was already finished his exams and the school was in break, the family did not bother to check on him whatever he do. Besides, the family was busy preparing themselves for some long-time trip after the last one (during the bar incident).
"I see...maybe this could explain about your weak state when you were admitting here first."
"Could it be that the 'special-condition' people have the same condition as the ordinary woman?" Asked Hatano, curiously. He is also an Omega so the topic did concern him a lot.
"As far as the information and data we have gather so far, apparently they have the same patents as the women pregnancy. However, the symptoms and the period of time they would have are different on each individual..." Miyoshi did not bother to listen more as he closed his eyes and leaned against Sakuma weakly. He was tired, yet he could feel the said man slowly wrapped his arms around his waist, and that was enough for him.
He remembered when the first time he had the pregnancy symptoms. Miyoshi knew something was wrong with him when he suddenly had changed in with his sleeping pattern. He woke up late after four days of the incident at the bar, and he felt horrible. The constant bathroom visits he had experienced for the past three weeks and the exhaustion did not help at all. Every day, he woke up feeling horribly nauseated, quickly went to the bathroom and threw out almost all his dinner that he ate. He went limp but managed to hold the sink. And he started to realize that something was wrong with his body.
Then, the event that had happened after his "stay" with a black-hair man at lodging inn came back to him and Miyoshi immediately rushed to the nearest pharmacy. The shock, the dismay, and the sheer, blind panic that had first assailed him when he had stared at the plus sign on the home pregnancy test strip had long since changed to awe.
He was pregnant!
Pregnant with a man he barely knew.
He felt confused, shock, scare...especially since he realized he was carrying a child and became the 'special-condition Omega'. He knew he had to protect the child he was having and had to make decision for the sake of his child, which resulting him being hit by his father whom later disowned him, and Miyoshi left the house...
But it almost caused him to meet again with the person whom made the promise with him, six years ago...
Who is also the father of his child...
GROOOWWLL~~!
Miyoshi opened his eyes in shock when suddenly a strange sound was hear and realized that everyone was looking at him. The same sound appeared for the second time, only to realize it was his stomach's growling. He could feel his face went flustered and hot, and slowly everyone in the room burst into laughter. He tried to cover his face with a blanket, feeling embarrased but Sakuma was faster to capture his hands and prevented him from hiding his face. Odagiri went to his side, still laughing, and handed Sakuma a cloth-wrapped box.
"Aaah~~ I also feel hungry," Said Hatano as he stretched his body. "Maybe I should go to the cafeteria. Odagiri, care to join?"
"Hey, the food is enough for everyone," Said Sakuma as he held the box and Odagiri helped Miyoshi adjusting himself. The doctors excused themselves as they realized it was already lunchtime.
"I want to buy some hot dogs."
"Don't eat too much fast food Hatano. Besides, Tazaki made this bento (4)..."
"Full of love. Yeah I know that Odagiri," Said Hatano as he smirked. "I just want to buy more. Who knows that Miyoshi would end up eating almost all the food?" He quickly left the room when a pillow was throwing to him. Sakuma and Odagiri just chuckled a little before the former quickly raised his hands when Miyoshi threatened to hit him instead.
Inside the the wrap-cloth was a large lunch box, which the first part was covered with onigiri (5). The other part consisted of some side dishes, which among them was karaage (6). The sight of the food was enough to make Miyoshi's stomach growl again, and Odagiri quickly fetch an empty bowl, fill it with water and bring it back so that Miyoshi could wash his hands before eat. Picking one of the onigiri, Sakuma gave it to Miyoshi who slowly accepted it.
Miyoshi stared at the onigiri; it was rice, formed into a triangle shape. A nori (dried seaweed) wrapped half of the rice, fit perfectly onto his hand. He felt Sakuma patted his back, slowly urged him to eat the food, which he did.
...It tastes good.
The food was really good. He could taste the sweetness of the rice, the smoked fish... It reminded Miyoshi so much of his mother... Nao always made lunch for him, sometimes the onigiri with many fillings, covered with seaweed sprinkles, sometimes wrapped with dried nori...and when Tazaki made such good onigiri...it was delicious, almost like his mother's handmade. But it also made him remembering his late mother that midway through the meal his eyes started stinging. Then his shoulders started shaking as he tried to fight back tears, as everything was starting to get to be too much again. Then he felt Sakuma's large hand pulled him into a hug, letting him cried while still holding the onigiri, while others did not say anything.
It was overwhelming feelings to him, with so many memories that turmoil his heart that time.
The rest of the days went by; having several medical check-ups, eating medicines and foods which ended up being thrown out after eating, having people that known him visited him every day, but most important is that having Sakuma be at his side, accompanying him, comforting him...
It made Miyoshi felt safe and calm.
Yet Miyoshi felt uncomfortable whenever subjects related to a person called as "Leader" was mention, especially between Sakuma and Odagiri.
He felt strangely irritated.
When it was the time he was discharged from the hospital, Sakuma came by with Odagiri. The latter said that everything has done and the 'Leader' had already settled the bills. Once again, he felt a pang of jealousy by hearing the name.
Miyoshi wanted to ask Sakuma who this 'Leader' was, but he was unable to do as Yuge-sensei and Hanamura-sensei came by and met them for last time. Hanamura-sensei handed his appointment card and reminded Sakuma to take care of his partner. Regardless the gender, 'special-condition' Omega is vulnerable like normal woman, and can be at risk of miscarriage. She also said that the 'Leader' would be contacting him regarding some works they had done before they finally left the hospital.
Miyoshi felt a little bit irritated whenever the name 'Leader' was mention, especially when he saw Sakuma's expression changes every time it was mention. When it implied that it was a girl, Miyoshi got jealous so sudden, again.
Which he tried so hard not to show it in front of everyone, especially towards Sakuma.
During the journey to the Sakuma Household (the house was originally Sakuma's maternal grandma's house, but currently he's the one who lived there with others), Miyoshi tried to ask more about this person called 'Leader', but both men seemed reluctant to say more than what they should say.
"She's not someone that we could say as intimately close to us," Said Sakuma as he explained. "But she's important enough to be called as our friend. The situation was actually not as calm as what people see so she's a bit bad mood lately."
"Didn't sensei tell us that she's chasing the deadline today?" Asked Odagiri as glanced at Sakuma who was driving the car.
"Yeah, expect her mood will be worse than before. I hope no troubles happen today or she'll end up killing us accidentally," Said Sakuma as he chuckled.
Miyoshi who was sitting at the back just listen barely the conversation between the two men. He leaned against the backseat and yawned, feeling sleepy again.
Miyoshi did not know when he fell asleep. All that he knew was that he woke up from his slumber; he was already inside someone's large and spacious bedroom. He was lying on the soft and large bed as well. The sun already set by the time he woke up.
Miyoshi had to admit that he was a bit surprised on how spacious and luxurious the bedroom was.
He wanted to see more of the bedroom when suddenly a wave of nausea came and he quickly cupped his mouth, trying to suppress the vomit. Struggling to move his heavy body, he slowly went to the bathroom when the door was open and revealed Sakuma who came in along with a tray of meals. Seeing Miyoshi in such state, he waste no time putting the tray on the bed and helped Miyoshi's trip to the bathroom, where he was noisily vomit.
Sakuma scoop him up and carrying him to the bed after helping him washing his face. Miyoshi lost his appetite and refused to eat, which Sakuma said nothing about it. And yet, he urged Miyoshi to take a full glass of milk added with honey, so that he would not having an empty stomach throughout the night. He tried to make Miyoshi take a bath before sleep (since he left the hospital at afternoon and slept until sunset) but Miyoshi felt too exhausted to move, so Sakuma once again carrying him and even helped him at the bathroom (just a quick shower, Miyoshi felt embarrassed).
After a quick shower and change of clothes, Miyoshi laid on his back while Sakuma lay next to him. For a while none of them were talking with each other, until Miyoshi gathered his courage to ask him who this 'Leader' was.
"Oh...she's a person who once led me and Odagiri during one mission. She can be considers as our high-up as well despite she's still young," Said Sakuma as he looked at Miyoshi. "She is actually one of the "Guardians" whom we always cooperate during missions so...nothing special between me and her. Well, of course that person is a girl, but still..."
The subject was drop after that. Miyoshi felt relief, unconsciously. At least now, he knows that the said person is not someone that romantically involved with Sakuma. Miyoshi snuggled and hugged his torso as he felt dazed and his eyes started to grow heavier. It may have been his imagination, but he swore that he could almost feel his lips brushing against his forehead. He was lulled to sleep.
Here he was; in his arms and wished that they could stay like this forever. His eyelids slowly cracked open. Sunlight forced its way into the bedroom, unwanted and unforgiving. He watched the alarm clock on the bedside table and it shows that it was 5: 45 a.m.
It was still early to wake up.
Miyoshi slowly turned around, to be face-to-face with Sakuma's sleeping face. Good thing his nausea did not come so suddenly. Not being able to help himself, he just lies there, staring at his gorgeous face. Without warning, Sakuma pulls him closer and he was staring into those beautiful deep blue eyes of his. He then leaned forward and pressed his lips on Miyoshi's for morning kiss. He pulled away, but does not loosen his hold around his waist.
"Is it that much fun to stare at me while I sleep?" he asked suddenly in a teasing tone.
"Eh...ah...h-hai," Miyoshi answer truthfully while his face turns a burning crimson.
This puts a wide smirk on his face, "Well, that's good to hear, I wouldn't have let you out of bed if you had answered any other way," he whispered suggestively into Miyoshi's ear, making a shiver go up his spine.
"Y-you wouldn't, I'm pregnant," Miyoshi answered back.
"That doesn't affect anything until you're at least five months in," Sakuma chuckled into his ear.
"You-you have works this morning...!" Despite his effort to push Sakuma away, he was unable to resist the warmth he felt as the said man pulled him closer. Not to mention he felt Sakuma touched his sensitive spots constantly.
He really knew his weaknesses, damn...!
"I can handle that," Sakuma said between his kisses, trailing down Miyoshi's jaw and neck.
"Bu-but everyone will...!"
"Our room is a bit isolate from others, don't worry..."
Easy for you to say!
"Then...!"
"Maybe I should prove it."
Before he knows it, Sakuma has Miyoshi pinned to the bed as he kisses him passionately, while pushing his shirt over his head.
Miyoshi never thought Sakuma was the type to do this on impulse.
-Omake-
Odagiri walked along the pathway staggered, as he was still sleepy when suddenly he heard some muffle noises. His half-open eyes became wide, as he realized what it was. He glanced at his watch (he wore it when he rose from the bed, a little bit of habit), when a sudden presence almost made him scream in shock.
"Shhh...! Be quiet!" Hissed Hatano as he pressed his hand onto Odagiri's lips.
"Hatano! Don't scare me like that!" Scolded Odagiri, half whispered.
"Let's get out from here."
"...Aaah..." Both of them walked away from the said area when suddenly Odagiri remembered something.
"By the way Hatano, what are you doing here in the first place?"
"I should ask you the same. What are you doing there in the first place?"
"I want to go to the bathroom."
"Urgh! Again with your half-asleep habit (7)! That's where Sakuma-san's room locates."
"Oh, ri –wha –WHAT!?"
"So, do you know what exactly those sounds are?" Asked Hatano, smirked.
Odagiri blushed as he looked away. He glared at the youngster who tried to hold his laugh as much as he could, but failed.
"Shut up you little brat!"
WHACK!
End of Chapter 04
Hints or Explanations:
(1) 'The Hierarchy System'– In the Dark World, it was a special condition in its people, where people's status were classified into three groups based on the condition, abilities and strength, a society system based on the hierarchy power of wolves. The three groups were called as 'Alpha' –the top and the strongest 1, 'Beta' –the middle power; the follower but above the third, and 'Omega' the follower, the weaker ones. It was heard that once this system had other two additional groups, but currently these groups were consider no longer in the system.
Later it was revealed by both Hanamura-sensei and Yuge-sensei that this condition was prominently found ONLY in the west part of Dark World, and mostly its people were based on personality.
(2) West Territory –The Dark World territories (or continents) were divided based on compass rose with the four main points as the main territories. West Territory is one of the main territories, and mostly people of the system came from there, including Sakuma, Miyoshi, Hatano, Odagiri and Tazaki.
(3) The other beings –According to Alex, the Dark World was not only consists of the humans who live there, it also contains supernatural beings (thus the examples that he mention). Besides, there are also the descendants of the people who escaped the Kurokaze that return back to the their ancestors' land along with large amount of Magic World's people that moved to the world in order to revive and restore the world into its original state.
(4) Bento (弁当, bentō) is a single-portion takeout or home-packed meal common in Japanese cuisine. A traditional bento consists of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables, usually in a box-shaped container. Containers range from disposable mass produced to hand crafted lacquerware. Although bento are readily available in many places throughout Japan, including convenience stores, bento shops (弁当屋, bentō-ya), train stations, and department stores, it is still common for Japanese homemakers to spend time and energy for their spouse, child, or themselves producing a carefully prepared lunch box.
Odagiri reluctant to let Hatano goes to cafeteria since Tazaki made the bento, yet he replies that he knew Tazaki made it 'full of love'.
(5) Onigiri (お握り or 御握り; おにぎり), also known as omusubi (お結び; おむすび) or rice ball, is a Japanese food made from white rice formed into triangular or oval shapes and often wrapped in nori (seaweed). Traditionally, an onigiri is filled with pickled ume (umeboshi), salted salmon, katsuobushi, kombu, tarako, or any other salty or sour ingredient as a natural preservative. Because of the popularity of onigiri in Japan, most convenience stores stock their onigiri with various fillings and flavors. There are even specialized shops whose only products are onigiri for take-out.
(6) Karaage (唐揚げ or 空揚げ or から揚げ[kaɾaaɡe]), while mostly known as fried chicken, is a Japanese cooking technique in which various foods—most often chicken, but also other meat and fish—are deep fried in oil. The process involves optional marinating small pieces of the food in a sauce, then lightly coating it with a seasoned wheat flour or potato starch mix, and frying in light oil. It is similar in technique to the preparation of tempura.
(7) Odagiri's sleepwalk habit –Aside from his weakness against alcohol (canon info), Odagiri also had some trouble with his sleepwalking habit. He did not realize where he go under that state, and if nobody has ever wake him up, he might ends up waking up far away from his room.
Many things happened not long after I post my third story and last updates of Dark Soul Hunter. In short, I have got into depression state so bad that my doctor almost referred me to psychiatrist specialist. And I just change my job again, since I couldn't deal with the pressure of the said work. Just lately, I manage to gain strength to continue this story. Thanks for everyone, especially JJBlue1-san for her encouragement. If not because of you, I'll probably unable to continue and gain the strength. Thank you very much.
Thank you for those who read this story, I really appreciate it.
–Aoi Kitsukawa.