A/N: Good evening! Here's a shoutout to the awesome people who take the time to read this story and also to review-I present to you: Chapter 4.

Chapter 4: Thunder in a glass jar

xxx Tetsuhiro xxx

Dingdongdingdongdingdongdingdongdingdong!

What in the world—?! Tetsuhiro jerked awake with a groan as the doorbell rang jarringly throughout their apartment. He reluctantly got out from the bed, yelping as his feet hit the cold floorboards. The low growl from behind told him that the racket had also disturbed Souichi's sleep.

"Urgh, who the hell is here so early in the morning?"

Tetsuhiro hurriedly put on a cardigan over his pajamas. "Sempai, I'll go check out the commotion; why don't you try to get some more sleep?" Stepping outside into the living room, the chimes reverberated even more stridently. From this distance, he could now hear the persistent knocking on the door.

"Tatsumi Souichi- san, Morinaga Tetsuhiro- san, are you in? We would like to ask you some questions! If you are in, please open up!"

Ehh, was it somebody they knew? However, the voices did not sound like anybody familiar… Tetsuhiro gazed into the peephole and was stunned. There was a crowd of people outside holding cameras and notepads. Reporters? And there were so many! Staggering back, he bumped into Souichi, who managed to catch him just in time.

"Who is it, Morinaga? Why don't you open the door? It's creating a disturbance!"

"Sempai, no—!" However, before Tetsuhiro could pull Souichi away, the other man had released the door chain and swung open the door. Immediately, camera flashes went off, blinding them momentarily. The horde of reporters that had been languishing outside snapped to attention, whipping out portable microphones and shoving them into Souichi's and Tetsuhiro's faces.

"Tatsumi- san, Morinaga- san, is it true that Tatsumi- san has gotten naturally pregnant?"

"Tatsumi- san!" A particularly loud reporter stepped boldly in front of the surprised Souichi. "Is it true that you have a developed uterus like a woman's body? Is it true that you were impregnated naturally? How far along are you? How does it feel to be a pregnant man?" Beside him, a cameraman wearing a khaki jacket and boots lifted the camera dutifully, the large lens tilted downwards to focus on Souichi's protruding belly, undisguised beneath the cover of a thin sweater.

"What are you—who the hell are you people? You have the nerve to ask me those questi—" Souichi shoved the camera away and gripped the front of the reporter's coat, his infamous glare in full mode. "Get your asses away or I'll call the police on you!"

"Hey, watch it! We have press freedom!" A struggle ensued as the bespectacled reporter desperately tried to hold on to the microphone and free himself from Souichi's hold. "We received information that you have managed to achieve what was thought impossible for humans! What are your thoughts on your pregnancy?"

The crowd of people pressed closer, shouting their questions to be heard over others'. More camera flashes went off as Souichi pushed the sputtering reporter aside, capturing the tussle in full view. It was all getting out of hand.

Panicking, Tetsuhiro tugged Souichi's hand free, shielding the angered man with his body as more pictures were snapped. "Please leave us alone!" Ignoring the myriad questions thrown at them, Tetsuhiro ushered Souichi into the safety of their apartment and slammed the door shut.

Both men stayed motionless at the genkan for a moment, blinking to ease the afterimages caused by the dazzling camera lights. Eventually, Souichi broke the silence, his voice tight with anger. "Those people; they are infringing on our privacy! I'm going to call security on them—" Without preamble, he stalked towards the telephone beside the couch and began to dial the numbers.

"Sempai—" The doorbell began to chime in earnest again, as did the knocking. Even through the thick wooden door, Tetsuhiro could hear the barrage of questions like bullets. As though to add to the cacophony, his cell also began to ring loudly, vibrating against the glass coffee table. He rushed to pick it up, feeling the beginnings of a headache thumping in his temples. "Hello…?"

"Morinaga-kun! I'm glad that you have finally picked up the phone! I've been calling ever since I saw the newspapers this morning…have you seen them?" Isogai's usually low tone was raised in anxiety.

"No, I haven't. However, there is a group of reporters outside of our apartment right now…Isogai- san, what happened?" Clutching at his cell as though it were his lifeline, Tetsuhiro walked slowly towards Souichi, who had just finished making a report and was now resting on the couch.

"Both of you are on the headlines in the local news; they are talking about Souichi's pregnancy. They even published some photos of Souichi and you…Morinaga- kun, I think you and Souichi should stay at home for the time being and not show your faces out in the open."

Tetsuhiro sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Yes, I think so too…thanks for the heads-up, Isogai- san. Hai, talk to you later." He hung up and joined Souichi at the sofa, noticing that he was stroking his distended belly in long, slow motions. "Sempai, are you feeling all right?" His hand covered Souichi's and grasped it tightly.

"Of course I'm not! I'm really pissed off by those people outside! My pregnancy has nothing to do with them; what gives them the right to stick their noses into our affairs!" Souichi raged. An expression of discomfort flitted across his face. "They woke up the baby; she's kicking me really hard now. Urgh, damn those reporters! The security had better do their job and chase them away quickly."

True enough, Tetsuhiro felt the strong impact across Souichi's skin as he helped to soothe their little girl. "Sempai, don't get so angry, please. It's not good for the baby…" Despite his words, he felt the same indignation. "Isogai- san just called. He said that our pregnancy has been featured in the headlines of the local news today…that is probably the reason why there are so many reporters here today."

"What—? How did that happen? Where are the newspapers?"

"Ah, the papers are outside; I forgot to bring them in. With those people outside, I don't think it's the best idea to go out and retrieve them…"

With a sound of impatience, Souichi snatched the remote from the table and switched on the television, changing channels until he found one reporting the local news. Two familiar faces of Japan's local broadcasters filled the screen, their voices floating out of the sound system.

"…is indeed the most unexpected happening, ne, Riko- san?"

"Yes, Takano- san; this absolutely rare event, preceded only by two cases overseas, was brought to our knowledge just yesterday night! Who would have thought that it is actually possible?"

"Male pregnancy has always been thought to be impossible and indeed a myth. The two cases that Saki- san mentioned occurred in the US and Taiwan and have also created shockwaves throughout the world. I wonder if Japan's own case is truth or myth? Today, we have invited an expert on gynecology and obstetrics to answer some of our queries on the subject. Let's welcome Dr. Genji Matsumoto- san!"

Souichi switched off the television in mid- applause. In the sudden silence, Tetsuhiro could hear the rapid trot of his heartbeat. The news channel had displayed a photo of Sempai shrugging on his parka as he stepped out of the apartment, his advanced pregnancy apparent without the cover of the thick coat. The photo seemed to be candid too. Tetsuhiro's mind flashed to the person he had seen sneaking outside of their apartment last week. Had that been when some secret camera had been installed?

"Somebody must have placed a pinhole camera outside of our apartment."

Apparently, Souichi had reached the same conclusion. Whoever it was had obviously known about Souichi's pregnancy and had intended to make profits out of it. Tetsuhiro and Souichi were not stupid; an actual male pregnancy was bound to attract unwanted attention and they had thus been trying to be discreet about it. That was why they went for private consultations with Dr. Hako and Suzuki- san. Souichi had even taken a leave from school precisely to prevent such a fiasco from happening. However, what was meant to be a private and joyous event was now being paraded to the whole of Japan for entertainment…Tetsuhiro felt sickened.

"I think I saw the culprit last week." At Souichi's gasp of surprise, Tetsuhiro closed his eyes, recalling the memory. "Somebody was loitering outside our house last Wednesday night but he ran away before I could get a clear view of his face…I didn't want to worry you so I didn't bring it up. I'm sorry, Sempai…"

"Silly, why are you apologizing? That person had probably planned everything before he even installed that camera…damnit, it's one trouble after the next, and with me in the homestretch with this one here, too," Souichi said wryly, patting his heavily rounded womb as they lapsed into a troubled silence.

"Isogai- san told us to lie low for the moment. Do you want to stay at Matsuda- san's house for this period of time, Sempai? I'm worried that they would disturb your rest if you stayed here." Tetsuhiro leaned down and kissed Souichi's womb, sighing as he felt long fingers fluff his hair. He wanted to protect Sempai in such a situation but there he was, seeking comfort, and being given it unconditionally.

"No, I refuse to be driven out of my own home by those voyeuristic vultures! Besides, I don't want to bring trouble to Matsuda- san or Kanako; the less they are exposed, the better. I don't want Kanako's studies to be affected." Souichi continued to stroke Tetsuhiro's head as he spoke in a thoughtful tone. "So long as we continue to ignore those reporters, I'm sure some, more interesting, news would arise soon and then we would be free from them."

Sometimes, Sempai's strength astounded him, even after all this time. Was it any wonder why he had fallen in love with him? Tetsuhiro nodded his head in agreement and let the sound of Souichi's steady heartbeat drown out the shouts and knocks from the front door.

Homos!

Faggots!

Disgusting scum of the earth!

Get out from here and stop staining us with your presence!

Hands trembling, Tetsuhiro picked off the pieces of paper taped to their apartment door, bag of garbage a forgotten heap on the floor as he stared at the loathsome words that dripped with venom. This was the fourth time in as many days ever since their pregnancy had become national fodder. The only thing he could be thankful for was the fact that Sempai had not seen any of these notes.

"Morinaga, where are you? Why is the front door open?" Souichi's voice travelled to the corridor and Tetsuhiro hurriedly picked up the bag of rubbish.

"I'm taking out the garbage, Sempai!"

His cheery tone belied the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Ever since news of Souichi's pregnancy had broken out, reporters had hounded them day and night until the estate's security guards had stepped in. However, this had not stopped those blood- thirsty reporters. Incessant phone calls for interviews had also come in at all hours of the day until they had had to pull out their landline. The only time Tetsuhiro stepped out of the apartment was to take out the garbage, and that was done very early in the morning.

The past few days had been hell. Yet, there were still unpleasant things that were threatening to bury them... Shoving the offending pieces of paper blindly into his pockets, Tetsuhiro took the elevator down to the first floor. To his surprise, there was a group of housewives in the lobby at the early hour, chattering amongst themselves as they prepared to go out. Tetsuhiro bowed quickly before he quickly walked away, noticing despite himself the loaded pause in their conversation as he went by.

It hurt. The slanted glances, lowered voices and the subtle shift of the body—they made him feel sordid and dirty as though, by being a homosexual, he was sub- human and should be looked down upon. And now, he was causing Sempai to be covered in the same dirt as him…in the cold winter morning, Tetsuhiro tossed the garbage bag into the large dump, watching as the bag landed amongst other identical black ones. If only things like gender discrimination could be as easily disregarded…

Back in the apartment, Tetsuhiro strove to keep his dark mood down and pasted on a smile. Sempai had been waking up at the same time as him for the past few days, even though it was an hour earlier than their usual time. He had insisted that the baby made it hard to sleep for too long but Tetsuhiro knew that Souichi did not want him to feel alone. The least that Tetsuhiro could do was make sure that he did not add on to Sempai's worries.

Moving to the kitchenette so that he could start making a simple breakfast, the sounds from the television could be heard. They avoided the news channels but otherwise continued to use the appliance to stave off the boredom of staying at home the whole day. From the dialogue being exchanged, it sounded as though Sempai was watching a talk show.

"What was brought to national attention in recent days has been the male couple residing in XXX province. According to an insider at XXX hospital, it is known that the couple's pregnancy was conceived naturally and the fetus is being carried in a developed uterus in the carrying male. What is your view on childbearing and homosexuality?"

"One of the theories that try to explain the rejection of homosexuality is the perception that such relationships are not 'economical' because there is a lower possibility of bearing children and carrying on the seed of humanity. However, even if same- sex pregnancy were possible, I personally believe that it is a gross aberration of nature and only occur in less- developed and specialized species such as plants and animals.

"If homosexuality were to be consented by the deities that created us, why is it that only females can bear children and only males can produce sperm? I have my doubts regarding the truth behind the so- called male pregnancy that has been circulating around; it is my opinion that this couple is merely making fun of the media and the citizens of Japan by pretending that such a phenomenon is even naturally possible."

The acerbic words were accompanied by applause. In the kitchenette, Tetsuhiro flinched and the knife in his hands slipped. Through the roaring in his ears, he heard the enraged voice of his father. Words from long ago swam up as clear as day in his mind. "Disgusting shit! I do not have a homo for a son! How dare you taint this household with your dirty acts! Homo! Faggot!" The knife clattered unnoticed onto the chopping board.

"Morinaga, you are bleeding! What were you thinking, dazing off with a knife in your hand?"

Sempai's voice gradually registered; with a jolt, Tetsuhiro realized that one of his fingers was in Souichi's mouth and he was now sucking at the wound and licking it quietly. Tetsuhiro jerked back as though he had been burnt. He should not let Sempai become more like him, a gross aberration of nature. The crumpled pieces of paper in his pocket felt like rocks.

Tetsuhiro stuck his hand beneath the tap and wiped his eyes surreptitiously as he looked away from Souichi's searching gaze. "Sempai, I'm fine; why don't you sit down at the table; breakfast will be ready soon."

"No, you are not fine. Morinaga, look at me."

Ah, his finger and eyes stung so badly. Really, it must be the onions that he had been cutting. Closing the tap, Tetsuhiro shook his hands dry and turned towards the cabinets. The bandages should be somewhere in there…he moved away from the sink and began to rummage through the cupboards, putting distance between himself and Souichi.

"Morinaga." Souichi's firm tone was too closely behind. In one of the overhead cabinets, Tetsuhiro found the box of plasters and tried to shake one out. The flimsy tape fluttered in his hands and he concentrated on making a straight tear through the paper wrapping. Placing his injured finger flat against the counter, Tetsuhiro wound the plaster around it with surgical precision. A tear landed on the smooth surface of the tape as he pressed down the ends of the plaster.

"Sempai, you should really go to the table and wait; I've already bandaged my finger, everything's f-fine," a sob escaped involuntarily and Tetsuhiro stuck a fist against his mouth, mortified. Each breath hurt so badly. "Hnn-!"

"Morinaga—" through the thick cloak of tears, Tetsuhiro felt the comforting touch of Souichi as he was gently turned forwards. "Tetsuhiro."

Shocked, Tetsuhiro forgot his desire to hide, lowering his arm from his tear- soaked face to stare at Souichi. "S-Sempai, did you just call me by my f-first name?"

"…You heard me, baka." Souichi sighed and took a kitchen towel to wipe his face. "What's gotten into your silly mind again? You have been acting funny ever since the reporters came; no, since that time when we went to the hospital." A knuckle rapped Tetsuhiro's forehead sharply and he winced. "If it's about those people speculating about our pregnancy, I told you; that's none of their business so you shouldn't bother with their nonsense."

"It's not just about that, Sempai…" Biting his lip, Tetsuhiro forced himself to step away from Souichi's ministrations. "I'm gay; I've been gay since I was eleven! But you were not! You—you hated gays but I've made you into a gross, unnatural thing like—like me! And now, everyone knows about it; they are saying such bad things about y-you when you did not even ask for it!

"I'm sorry, Sempai; I'm sorry that you have to go through all of these because of me…I wish I could say that I would let you go, back to before you met me. However, even when people are saying bad things, even when they laugh at or condemn us, all I can think about is the fact that I love you! Is it so wrong to fall in love, even if you are a man and I'm also one? Is it so wrong to start a family together, the way we are?"

The small kitchenette seemed to shrink even more after his outburst. Tetsuhiro slumped against the wooden counter, the energy leaving him in a whoosh. He did not dare to open his eyes; if Sempai's face were to show regret or hatred, it would be the end of him.

For the past few days, the media coverage on their circumstances had been massive, sparking off huge debates both online and offline about their individual characters, their relationship dynamics, male pregnancy and even their sexual life. The fact that he and Souichi had chosen to keep their silence was secondary; the public was content with their self- satisfying acts of armchair critique. Closed off as they were, Tetsuhiro was sure that Souichi had, nonetheless, heard some of the more sordid theories of their relationship, such as the contents of the talk show just now. Did Sempai agree with them? Did he feel unsatisfied with and disgusted by their life together as it was now?

"…Are you seriously asking someone who is eight months pregnant to join you on the kitchen floor, Morinaga? Urghh—come here!"

A shocked Tetsuhiro was tugged upwards and dragged out of the kitchenette behind Souichi. "Stay here and don't you dare disappear on me!" Souichi pushed Tetsuhiro onto the couch, pinning him there with a well- placed glare before he went into their bedroom.

With nothing to do except follow Souichi's instructions, Tetsuhiro grabbed the cushion from the side and buried his face in it. The faint floral fragrance did nothing to calm his frazzled emotions. Was Sempai trying to prepare him for a gentle letdown? Was he, at this moment, packing his belongings to leave?

Lost in his dejection, Tetsuhiro was only roused when there was a soft rustle and Souichi settled beside him on the sofa, sitting so close that their legs touched. "Isogai prepared and mailed this to me. I had intended to bring it out after the baby is born and maybe after we have met with your family…anyway, just—take a look at it."

Tetsuhiro glanced at the manila envelope that was practically shoved into his lap. Why did Sempai pass him this? Could it be some research article, or even worse, a news article that talked about them? Filled with misgivings, Tetsuhiro began to unwind the string sealing the envelope. For some reason, he could feel Souichi tensing up with every loop that came free. Finally, the lip of the envelope could be lifted and Tetsuhiro slowly pulled out two white pieces of paper. The black kanji on the top left corner spelt out 'yōshi engumi no shinsei'. His mind went completely and instantaneously blank.

"Does this answer what you were asking just now?"

Clutching the papers so tightly that he was leaving creases, Tetsuhiro nodded his head rapidly, a beam breaking on his face even as he started to sob. "I—I thought you didn't want me, Sempai—! This—this is—hnn!" Blubbering madly, he lurched forwards, burrowing into Souichi's embrace. "Could you—hic—tell me that you l-love me, Sempai? P-please?"

"B-baka…! Really, I don't know why I'm doing all of this—" With a long- suffering sigh, Souichi shifted so that Tetsuhiro could rest more comfortably against his chest and womb. "S-suki..." The one word was whispered so quickly that Tetsuhiro would not have caught it had he not been so near.

"That's cheating, Sempai!" The last vestiges of his gloom were dispelled and Tetsuhiro sat up indignantly, wiping at his tears impatiently. "That could mean you like anything! Use my first name, Sempai! Like how you did just now~"

Tetsuhiro's pouting got him nothing but a rebuff from Souichi. The long- haired man hurriedly pushed him away and shooed him to the kitchenette. "Go and prepare breakfast, you silly idiot! No way am I going to spout such embarrassing things so early in the morning."

"Ehh, but you just proposed to me! Sempai, onegai?" Sombering, Tetsuhiro pinned the blushing man to the kitchen wall, a hand tracing the outline of Souichi's face tenderly. "I want to be Tatsumi Tetsuhiro for the rest of my life, Sempai. Thank you for this priceless treasure. With it, I don't want for anything else! I love you so, so much." As their gazes locked, the intensity of the moment was enough to make Tetsuhiro tremble. Slowly, achingly, their lips met, melding together in a timeless exchange of love.

Souichi mumbled something against Tetsuhiro's nape as they broke the kiss, arms intertwined around each other. "What did you say, Sempai?"

"I said that I love you, baka Tetsuhiro!"

"Ehhhh? Sempai, that doesn't count! First, the tone—you should be more gentle, and more loving! And how could you call me a baka when you are confessing! Say it one more time, Sempai~!"

"I'm not going to repeat that again! Urghh, you always ask for more whenever I give you an inch! H-hey, where are you putting your hands, Morinaga! Stop it, it's daytime-!"

The bickering lasted all the way from the kitchenette to the bedroom until, with a decisive slam, the peace and quiet of the morning returned to the empty living room.

"You are special, that's why."

To be continued.

A/N: yōshi engumi no shinsei translates to 養子縁組の申請, or application for legal adoption. It's Souichi's surname that would be taken by Tetsuhiro because he is the older one of the two of them; that's how it works in adult adoption in Japan.

The last sentence was actually the words mumbled by Souichi at the last part, hehe.