Chapter Seven:

Suspicions... Confirmed?

7/24

Minako's POV

"Hey, are you okay?" a gruff voice asks, surfacing me from unconsciousness. My head throbs slightly when I try to sit up, but I dismiss it quickly. Despite the onslaught of grogginess, I can feel the adrenaline coursing though my veins.

"What happened?" I ask hesitantly, my voice thick with some unknown emotion. The boy looks at me impassively for a moment then shrugs. For some reason I want to punch him, but I'll attribute that to the confusion for now. Before probing the boy for any more 'answers', I take a quick survey of my surroundings. I'm just outside the school gates, in fact most of the other students are still scattered around the main courtyard. So I couldn't have been out for more than a few minutes.

Just as I rise to stand, my head starts to swim as the memories from just minutes ago hit me all over again. Akihiko asking that girl out... My strange reaction... And that key realization... That still may be nothing at all. I remind myself as I collect my things from the ground. Once the boy sees that I'm steadied he shoots my a half smile and stalks away.

"Wait," I say quickly, the words coming out before I realize that I don't want him to go. I should be focusing on other things... But for some reason I felt strange seeing this guy leave without even knowing his name. "Who are you?" I ask when he deigns me with the slightest of looks over his shoulder.

"You'd just forget anyway," he says coolly, although strangely sad. Unsure of how to respond, I finally let him go. I really should be focusing on myself right now anyway. Staring nervously at my hands, I notice that they're shaking. Just what am I going to do?

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Regardless of results, if you are under the suspicion that you are pregnant it is recommended that you visit your doctor immediately. Most of the boxes said the same thing. I ended up buying four different brands just to be sure, although I guess I can't be truly sure unless I see a doctor. For some reason though the idea of telling someone else about this left my mouth dry. If I ignore it and I'm not you know what then everything is okay, disaster avoided. But if I tell someone, and I'm not then I'll have ruined my reputation for absolutely no reason.

What if you are 'you know what'? A small voice in the back of my head reminds me as the timer for the tests hits 00:10 seconds. It's not like I'm completely without humiliation at this point either. The store clerk from earlier already sent me enough judgmental glares to last me a lifetime. I know that I'm extremely young to be in this situation, I don't need strangers to remind of that fact.

When the timer finally reaches 0 "Burn My Dread" blares over my phone speakers, forcing me to focus. Like I could be thinking about anything else right now anyway.

Tentatively, I reach for the first test. I quickly recall the signs for that specific test: pink plus means positive and a blue dash means negative. My hands shake as I flip the test to see the results.

Pink plus.

My palms sear as I shove the stick back into the box. That can't be right. It has to be one of those false positives. I quickly reach for the second test, but the result is the same. My eyes sting, but I force the tears to stay back. I don't even want to look at the other two tests, but I have to.

Two more positives.

I shove everything back into the brown bag and haphazardly throw it into the waste basket next to the toilet. Unable to stay on my feet any longer I slide to my knees on the tile. How could this have happened? The tears are falling freely now, sliding down my chin and pooling on my exposed thighs. Internally I curse the Shadows for putting me in this situation. Then I curse myself for succumbing to their dumb tricks. Then Akihiko for... well I don't know.. asking another girl out while I have to put up with this by myself.

I'm furious yet dejected at the same time. Not to mention terrified. What the hell should I do? I should tell someone shouldn't I? Who would I tell anyway? My parents are dead and the living family I do have can barely be considered one. Do I tell Akihiko? A part of me is bitter about him moving on so quickly, but another part of me doesn't want to ruin his new found happiness.

A doctor. I should tell a doctor. That's what all the boxes say to do, especially if the tests are positive. Do I even know a doctor? Quickly I remember the one I saw not only two days ago at Mitsuru's beach villa. Shouldn't he have known whether I was or not? Although, I guess he probably wouldn't have even tested for that, would he? Maybe I can ask Mitsuru if she can help me schedule to see a doctor nearby...

I shudder at the thought.

Even thinking about telling Mitsuru all of this makes me queasy. What would she think anyway? She would probably get mad at me for being so irresponsible then ask what happened. Recalling what happened that night still sends sharp pangs through my chest. Despite the good terms Akihiko and I ended up on, it didn't change how violated and ragged that night left me.

Hugging myself tightly I try to make some decision no matter how small. I close my eyes and let my mind drift a little.

No matter what happens to me I still have to be a part of SEES. They all need me. I can't let the Shadows get away with what they did. Even if they didn't plan for me to get you know what it doesn't change what they've already put me through.

I try to imagine myself fighting Shadows with a swollen belly, but the image refuses to surface. Maybe I'm not meant to have the baby... That track has the promise of relief, but I have a strange feeling I would regret that decision for my whole life.

There are a lot of things I regret in my life so far, no reason to tack on any more onto that list.

Only half sane at this point, I chuckle miserably at the situation. It wasn't even my mistake that caused this train wreck. It's not even my fault that all of this is happening. Maybe I am getting my just dues for running away from home to move here, but that's one decision that I don't regret in the slightest. As long as I'm not found out that is...

Forcefully, I shake my head and try to clear away all of the nasty thoughts. Just because I might be you know what doesn't mean I have to do anything about it right now. Another full moon is coming up soon, and I should focus on getting prepared for that. The Shadows only seem to be getting stronger. If they can already control our minds and bodies I'm terrified to imagine how much stronger they can get.

After another 15 minutes or so of sulking and thinking in circles I finally decide it's about time I leave the bathroom. On the way out I check myself in the mirror. I don't want anyone to know that something is off. When I see my reflection though I almost laugh at how awful I look. My ponytail is loose, and the only thing keeping my hair in check are the barrettes, but even those are sliding out. Not to mention the light mascara I had on today is pooling thickly beneath my eyes.

I quickly retie my hair and splash water on my face, carefully scrubbing off the evidence that I had been crying. Once I finally feel satisfied with my appearance I quietly creep out of the bathroom. It's the time of night that everyone else is hanging in the dorm lobby, and if I can get by without being noticed I'm in the clear. Not too sure whether or not I trust myself to talk to anyone right now but I'd rather not test it.

Padding as silently I can I avoid sight almost completely, that is until a certain android maiden decides to bum rush me on the stairs. "Are you well?" she demands innocently, unaware that that is the one question I didn't want to be asked. She probably still thinks I have a stomach problem like everyone else. I nod curtly and try to pass her as I go up the stairs. She's quick on my heels though.

"Are we going to retire to your bedroom now?" she asks, so devoid of emotion that I'm almost jealous of her inability to have any feelings.

"No," I exhale as I rub my temples. "You have your own room now, just ask Yukari to help you with it." I wave her off and trudge down the hallway to my room. I can hear Aigis take a few steps after me, but she stops after a moment. Lowering my shoulders with relief, I close my door and lock it behind me. In one swift movement I change into my pajamas and crawl under the blankets of my bed.

That night I cried myself to sleep for the first time since leaving home.

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