The concert was crowded. There were a lot of over eager young male fans in the front row.
"I didn't realise she's very cute." Hikata commented. His eyes was following the singer as she belted another popular song.
Hyoga nodded with a smile. "Ah, yeah she's cute alright. Do you agree, Ryouji?"
Ryouji looked amused at his brother-in-law before grinning and pulled Megumi towards him. "Are you trying to get me into trouble? She's alright. But my wife is better."
Hikata and Hyoga laughed while Megumi rolled her eyes at him.
Suddenly, Megumi let out a shriek of excitement as the next song started and she broke free from his hold. She rushed toward the front along with the over eager fans along with Keiko.
Hikata glanced at Hyoga and Ryouji, looking amused. Hyoga shook his head in disbelief as the crowds all started to dance along to the melody. Megumi turned around and smiled at Ryouji as she sang along to the chorus.
Even when I'm an old lady, will you take me swimming?
I Won't look nice in a stylish swimsuit, I couldn't compete with the younger girls
Even when I'm an old lady, will you be there for me?
That alone worries me because you like young girls
Even when I'm an old lady, will you take me out to the disco?
I Won't look nice in a miniskirt, I couldn't compete with the younger girls
Even when I'm an old lady, will you take me for a ride?
Put down the top of the convertible and drive oh so nicely
Even when I'm an old lady, you'll be an old man
All your cheeky remarks only make your belly stick out
Even when I'm an old lady, will you be there for me? That alone worries me because you like young girls
At the pointed look and the way she danced and mouthed the lyrics at him, Hyoga and Hikata burst into laughter.
Ryouji tried his best not to laugh but he couldn't help but grinned at her and her cute dance. The lyrics that she sang along to only made him realize her worries.
If only she knew just how much he truly loved her. She really had no idea. How much he was terrified of the thought of losing her again. No amount of younger girls could ever replace her. He tried that and they're not her. Not that he would admit that to her. Just how many girls he's been trying to fill the empty void she left him with last time.
While everyone in the room had their eyes on the stage in adoration for the singer, Ryouji couldn't keep his eyes off Megumi and her every move.
So when he saw her struggle on her toes to get a glimpse at the stage, he was at his heels towards her. He grabbed her by the waist pulling her backward towards him.
He caught her by surprise when she turned and seemed ready to attack him before realizing it was him. She smiled sheepishly and pointed out at the stage. He bent down to hear her amongst the noise.
"This is the time when I wish I'm taller!! I can't see anything with everyone standing in front of me." She shouted in his ear, making him chuckle.
"Your wish is my command." He grinned at her. "I can make that happen."
"Huh?.."
She let out a shriek in total surprise when he lifted up and easily placed her on his shoulder and instantly cleared her view as she sit so tall on his shoulder. After all, Ryouji was considered tall for the average Japanese guy.
"You're the best!" She shouted from the top of his head as she caressed his hair and ruffled them gently.
He laughed at the gesture. He held on to her legs and patted them gently along the song beats.
They stayed that way the rest of the concert. Few times she was worried she might hurt his shoulder with her weight but he assured her that he was enjoying having her on top of him. His innuendo response made her kick him teasingly and sent him into another laughter.
Before they knew it, the concert was over and people started to make their way for the meet and greet area for a special fans meeting.
"Where's Hyoga?" Megumi scanned their surroundings.
"I haven't seen him since that old lady song." Ryouji winced when Megumi elbowed him on his ribs.
"He probably found a girl or went home earlier. I don't think Hyoga is a big fan of Chisato." Hikata jokes, warning him of a glare from his wife.
"Did you enjoy the concert?" Keiko asked Megumi as both girls exchanged grins. They nodded and chuckled over the obvious answer.
"Are you guys going to the meet and greet?" Hikata asked Ryouji.
He glanced at Megumi in a silent question.
She bit her lip before nodding eagerly. "Can we?"
Ryouji smiled at her obvious excitement. "Of course!!" He turned to Hikata. "Are you guys coming too?"
Hikata and Keiko glanced at each other in silent communication. "Unfortunately we can't. I think it's been long enough. We should get back to my parents and Hiroya probably needs Keiko to sleep."
Megumi nodded before whispering to Keiko, "I'll get a signature for you." Keiko smiled at Megumi in full appreciation.
"Have a great night guys and be careful on the way back. Don't get into trouble." Hikata told them.
"Don't worry. I have my bodyguard with me." Ryouji nudged Megumi teasingly, making her laugh before she nodded in full agreement.
They parted ways as Hikata and Keiko went towards the exit while they both made their way towards the long queue.
Just as they took their place, a guy approached them.
"Mr. Akagi?" He inquired politely.
Ryouji nodded curtly.
"Would you come this way please?" The man unclasped the barricade and motioned in a direction toward the back stage.
Megumi looked at Ryouji. Confusion was written all over her face while Ryouji said nothing but nodded. He placed his hand at her back and walked her out of the queue together, following the man.
"This way please."
Ryouji felt her fingers clasping his palm gently as they made their way towards the back stage. She must have so many questions running through her head but also clear excitement as they headed towards a backstage room with Chisato's name on it.
The man knocked a few times before they heard a voice from inside telling them to enter. The door opened and the man bowed politely towards Ryouji and motioned for them to enter the room before closing the door behind them as soon as they entered.
"Akagi?" A smile on Chisato's face as she turned towards them and greeted them. "Long time no see. I was so surprised when my Manager told me you're here."
Ryouji felt Megumi's fingers digging on his palm. Gone were her smiles replaced by straight lines. Ryouji chuckled at her reaction. Was she jealous? How could she be jealous when his ring was on her finger and he stood next to her.
"I was surprised to hear you're here too! I didn't realise you're holding a concert for your pre album release." Ryouji pulled Megumi closer towards Chisato. "My wife is your fan. Thank her for dragging me to your concert tonight."
Megumi watched as her idol's eyes widened in surprise. She turned to face Megumi and suddenly let out an excited shriek and gave her the biggest smile.
"You married Akagi? Congratulations!! I didn't even realize he got married." She gushed and glanced at Ryouji. "Oh! She's so cute!!"
Megumi said nothing but smiled politely. Gone was her excitement to finally meet her idol. It was obvious to her that Chisato knew her husband and that explains how he got the ticket so easily. She felt uneasy. Even when he introduced her as his wife.
"Chisato… the fans are waiting!!" Someone shouted from outside the door followed by knocks to hurry her up.
"Ah! Yes! Coming!!" She yelled at the door before turning to face Megumi.
"Can you take a picture with her and send a copy to my office?" Ryouji asked. Megumi's eyes rounded in full surprise at the personal and direct request. "Ah… maybe two signed CDs and posters?"
Chisato looked at Ryouji looking amused. She shook her head in disbelief.
"Anything else?"
Ryouji grinned at her. "Oh and a promise to send your next album to the office too. My wife likes your 'when I'm an old lady' song. I know that it's a song that is coming out in the next album, so make sure you send that one for her."
"Ryouji…" Megumi nudged him. She was embarrassed at how direct he was. How could he just order her idol around like that?
"Done!! Let's take a picture. I will do the rest after." Chisato grabbed Megumi by the hand and smiled warmly at her. "Ah… let me get the photographer… he's outside."
Chisato was about to turn and walk towards the door when Megumi stopped her.
"Let Ryouji do that." She told her before glancing at Ryouji meaningfully. "He's good at bossing people around."
Ryouji just stared at his wife for a few seconds before finally shook his head in disbelief at her words. He went outside in a few strides and they could hear his voice faintly.
Megumi heard Chisato giggling next to her.
"Well! Well! Well!! I can't believe I'm seeing a woman ever telling Ryouji Akagi what to do." She laughed openly. "I like you. Please come to the next album concert. Obviously, I will send tickets."
Megumi smiled in excitement just as Ryouji walked in with a few guys. The guy's face wasn't as pleased as him.
"Let's get this over and done with shall we? There's a line of fans waiting outside." He said but quickly let out a forced laugh to lighten up his complaint when Ryouji glared at him.
They took a few pictures and Chisato passed her a few memorabilia to take with her.
They part ways as Chisato rushed out for the meet and greet while Ryouji walked her towards the exit of the building.
It wasn't until they were out on the street when Ryouji broke the comfortable silence they had.
"So, I'm bossy huh?"
Megumi nodded quickly. "Very!"
"Said the woman who bossed me around." He grinned at her, making her laugh.
"So how do you know each other? Were you..?" She asked cautiously, making him laugh out loud. "She's so young and beautiful."
"Too young for my liking. She's 11 years my junior!!" He shook his head in disbelief. "Well, maybe later when you're an old lady. Ouch!!!" Megumi hit him on the arm.
"I knew her before her debut. She has real talent. I helped her secure a good record deal. And make sure it's not a company who would exploit her. She was young. Moved her to a good school." Ryouji shrugged as if it's not a big deal.
"You put her into Horikoshi High school? That famous school?" Megumi looked surprised.
"It's a private high school so it's more flexible towards those students in the entertainment industry." Ryouji explained and rolled his eyes when he saw her eyes suddenly change. "I have ulterior motives. Purely business not personal. Like I said, she's too young and a nice girl. I never want her to go through what you had to endure as a powerful player in the entertainment industry. So that's why, I'm free to boss her around. She kinda owes me a lot."
Megumi nodded in full understanding when she felt dizzy suddenly. She hung on to his arm before she felt her leg give away.
Ryouji was quick to catch her before her knees hit the ground and held her in place.
"Megumi? What's wrong? Are you ok?"
She tried to nod but felt the need to vomit. Pushing him away, she turned in time and ran towards the gutter before she let out whatever that was upsetting her body.
A hand was pulling her hair back gently, away from her face.
"Are you ok?" Ryouji's voice was full of concern. "The inn is close by, I will call a doctor. Let me carry you back."
"I… I should be ok. Just .. uh.."
She couldn't finish her sentence when Ryouji handed her his handkerchief. She accepted it gratefully.
He literally swept her off her feet as he carried her. She didn't remember much after that as she closed her eyes and felt the night breeze blowing against her cheek.
Ryouji stared at her sleeping face. A lot of things went through his mind as he tried to come to terms with the news. Pregnant. He's going to be a dad. She's going to be the mother of his children.
He had a mix of excitement, worry and fear all in one. The excitement of knowing they will have a family of their own. The worry of how the pregnancy will impact on her and fear of the unknown. He learned from an early age that often the presence of kids was what drove families apart as wives tend to focus on the kids more than her husband. Will it be the same for them?
Just as they finally found their pace and routines. With Megumi working alongside him and being around him more often. But things will have to change yet again. He couldn't expect for her to work.
"Ryouji?"
The door opened. Hyoga, Hikata and Keiko entered the room. A smile on their faces.
He glanced at Megumi before motioned them to be quiet pointing as his sleeping wife. He stood up and walked out the room and motioned for everyone to seat at the seating area in the room. They nodded and took their seats and wait until he took his seat as well.
"Congratulations in order!! You're going to be a dad soon!!" Hikata grinned at him.
"How are you feeling?" Hyoga tapped Ryouji on the shoulder. "You looked so worried when you rushed back with her in your arms like that and demanded a doctor. Have you eaten anything?"
Ryouji let out a forced smile. "I still can't believe it. I didn't expect this to happen so soon."
Hikata snorted at his words. "Yeah right! You can only expect nothing if you don't do anything."
Keiko smiled while Hyoga chuckled and nodded in agreement.
"If you're so worried about her now when she's going through the early stages .. I can't imagine how you will handle the labour and birthing." Hikata grinned at Ryouji.
"What do you mean?" Ryouji looked alarmed.
"Hikata nearly fainted." Keiko laughed. At his wife's sound of laughter, gone were his grin. Hikata glared at his wife.
"I nearly lost you! You already lost consciousness by then. I was the one watching your heart rate slowly dropping and how much blood you lost." Hikata sounded upset while Ryouji seemed pale at the thought of it. Hyoga shook his head in disbelief.
"Stop scaring him! You're also scaring me."
Keiko smiled at Hikata and patted his back as if pacifying him.
"I didn't realise you both went through such an experience." Hyoga said before Hikata shook his head as if trying to shake a bad memory.
"It's something I enjoy retelling or bragging about."
"What can I do to help or to prepare myself?" Ryouji asked, making Hikata smile in full understanding.
"Unfortunately there's nothing much we can do to help. But do prepare yourself for the changes."
"What changes?"
"Uh.. where do I even begin? The mood swings, the cravings… some days she just burst into tears for no reasons and another time she would crave for something in the middle of the night.. then Hiroya was born and things will never be the same again." Hikata let out a dramatic sigh before he glanced at Ryouji and patted his back in fake sympathy.
"Enjoy your time alone with Megumi now, because once the baby born.. that's it. We will come second. Baby comes first." Hikata grimaced as Keiko elbowed him hard on the ribs.
"So dramatic. I can't believe you see it that way." She shook her head at her husband.
"Am I wrong then? You stayed back because of those morning sickness so you couldn't travel back with me then. Also when after the baby born, you were so preoccupied with him you always refuse to go anywhere because of him. If my parents didn't insist tonight to look after him, you wouldn't go out to that concert right?" Hikata glared at her. "Tell me when is the last time we went on a date night, just the two of us like the old time? Huh?"
"Do you even have any idea what I have been through? It's not like your life is the one turning upside down. How could you make a big deal about not having a date night when your life hasn't changed much." Keiko sounded upset. For a while they both said nothing as they stared at each other in total disbelief.
Hyoga and Ryouji exchanged glances as they both caught in an awkward domestic affair.
"Excuse us.. I think I need to talk to my wife alone." Hikata stood up and grabbed Keiko's hand. He was pretty much dragged her away from the room despite her protest leaving Hyoga and Ryouji speechless.
"Wow!" Was all Hyoga had to say as they left the room.
"Wow indeed." Ryouji muttered feeling overwhelmed suddenly.
A sound of the door opening and Megumi stepped out of the room. She spotted Ryouji and Hyoga and smiled weekly. Immediately Ryouji stood up and went to her.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" He caressed her face.
"I'm ok. I'm pregnant, Ryouji. I'm not sick or anything." She smiled teasingly.
Ryouji scowled at her light hearted reply. "Tell that to the toilet you keep hanging on to this morning."
She chuckled and shook her head while her hand reached for his. He pulled her into his embrace gently.
"I feel much better after that nap. I'm actually hungry now. Where is everyone?" She looked around the room.
"Ahh Hikata and Keiko just left. Our parents went to the town earlier. They made over excited about your pregnancy news and wanted to go to the temple to get a good luck charm for you. They should be back for lunch."
"I thought we should drive back when you feel better and have a rest at home. I will get Arisa to arrange a doctor that would suit you to help with this pregnancy."
Megumi shook her head in total disbelief.
"We're on holiday, Ryouji. I feel better now. Once we get back, we can organise all that but for now…I'm really fine.. let's not ruin it."
"I'm worried.."
"She's fine!" Hyoga cut him off. "She's happier that you're with her at all times than back in Tokyo alone while you are busy working. Beside, remember what Hikata said? Enjoy your moments before the baby arrives? Use your time to date as much as you want now."
Megumi raised her eyebrow. "Hikata said that?"
Ryouji stared at Hyoga for a while before he finally nodded. His expression was serious.
"Fine. We'll stay then. But you have to take it easy and let me know the moment you feel unwell ok. No forcing yourself like last night."
Megumi smiled gratefully at Hyoga before she turned and nodded at Ryouji. "I promise."