I was so happy and content that I didn't even remember to call a cab to take me straight home, I just walked and sang as if I was a boy that just skipped school and headed towards the arcades so what he could play with his allowance, everything thing had a happier color, the sounds were more pleasant, the music was more melodious, I knew I had found the so wanted and searched for happiness I always wanted to have. I didn't even notice that it passed already one hour when I arrived home, it was past ten am when I entered it, I headed straight directly towards my room as the little one said she would be there for now.
When I arrived at the room I didn't find her on her bed, I got worried for an instant but then I noticed a little note beside her bedpost with her unmistakable pawwritting that said "dear I headed to talk to Enmie, as I didn't have anything else to do, so you don't have to worry about me when you are back, i adore you, Hikari Akira"; that made a small tear leave me eyes, I sat on her bed and hugged the letter, because at that moment I felt Talia was right, she loved me and didn't want to bother me; I thought about going after her, but I noticed that her bed was still warm, denoting she left a little while ago.
"This is a great opportunity to check what she is really physically feeling" I thought" because without me around she can open up to Enmie without fearing making me more worried"; thinking that I took my laptop and sat on my bed, I typed in the security cam's password and began looking at the one in the infirmary noticing that only Enmie was there, probably Akira still hadn't arrived there yet, pressing another button I turned on the microphone that was in there as well so I could listen to the sounds on the room, I noticed the usagimimi sighting here and there, saying things like "How is Enma now?" or "I was such an idiot…"; after a couple of minutes I heard that room's door open, the rabbit then looked at the sounds direction and exclaimed:
Akira! Long time I didn't see you around here! – Enmie then lost her smile almost instantly, frowning in sequence – hey you are too pale! Are you eating normally? – she then pointed the bed – sit here.
Kay… - Akira replied dispiritedly, sitting on the bed – no Enmienee-chan… I don't have appetite lately… I can barely eat anything…
Akira that is not good at all! You need to make an effort to eat even if it is just a little! Did you actually have breakfast today in the morning? – to what Akira limited herself to whisper "no" as a reply – I understand… well I am bringing you something really light and I want you to eat it while I exam you, agreed?
Yes Enmienee-chan… - Akira replied while Enmie went to the locker in there and took some light saltine crackers from inside.
Here Akira-chan – said Enmie, after opening the package and handing the little nekomimi four of them – I need you to eat at least those here, it can be slow, you don't need to rush – to which Akira just nodded and began nibbling them, while the usagimimi just placed the paw on Akira's forehead and used the luminous rays – it is weird, I don't feel absolutely nothing wrong with your body Akira, maybe this might be stress? – she then sat beside Akira.
Akira then slowly began eating the crackers one by one; both girls were in an almost sepulchral silence; after around ten minutes the nekomimi had, after much effort, finished eating them, Enmie then neared her and, passing her arm behind Akira's neck, placing her paw on her shoulder, then she pulled the nekomimi close to her, much the my beloved's little one surprise that looked at the usagimimi's eyes, who limited herself into saying:
Akira-chan, I know you are a strong and brave nekomimi, that is doing your best – Enmie's voice had changed completely – to take care of your dear Richard, trying your best to hide your worry to not make him worried with you; but that is doing ill to your health, as you are not letting out what is going on inside of you – Enmie then hugged the nekomimi stronger.
Akira said nothing, after some instants tears began flowing quickly from her little eyes, she placed her small paws on Enmie's clothing and, grabbing them using them claws, she rested her head on her chest, beginning a cry full of pain and worry that was also followed by me as I just noticed how much she worried and care about me; she actually even said things like "Why they try to make dear suffer?", "I don't want seeing him sad! It hurts me a lot!" or then "Enmie… what do I need to do… to make sure dear does never get sad anymore?"; after around ten minutes she finally calmed down, parting herself slowly from the usagimimi, that looked at her with tenderness in the eyes and asked:
Akira-chan, I could notice from what you just told me that you like Rick quite a lot, am I right? – Enmie smiled then.
Y… Yes… it is something… that I don't know how to explain Enmienee-chan – Akira blushed lightly replying this – when dear smiles, I feel like smiling as well, when he is sad, it is as if something inside my heart hurt a lot… I just know I want to see him smiling always… all I can do to make him smile, I will do!
That is so pretty Akira-chan – Enmie replied, smiling – do you love him?
L… L… L… L… Love? – Akira stuttered, becoming as red as a ripe tomato – I d… d… don't know Enmienee-chan… what is love… I n… never felt… this before… how do I k… know if I l… love dear?
Oh, that is relatively simple to know for someone that is just observing – Enmie replied in such a way that Akira rose her ears and paid complete attention to her – just answer me this question; "Do you wish from the bottom of your heart, to marry Montecchio Richard, Akira-chan?".
M… M… M… Marry? – Akira managed to become even redder, I could swear there was smoke coming out from her cat ears – m… my Saint Meow… - the nekomimi looked to all directions, think a bit more and become deep red, that was when she let out a reply that sincerely shocked me for some instants – n… no Enmienee-chan… I don't wish to marry him.
D… Don't wish to Akira-chan? – Enmie asked, apparently as surprised as me – if you don't mind, would you tell me the motive? – I swear I did the same question mentally, praying that Akira would reply it, because suddenly I was extremely worried.
B… Because… all I wish… - Akira continued blushing, but placed her small paws over her check and looked at the celling, with eyes filled with care and feelings – is him to be happy… and smiled to me, I don't mind if there is another person that makes him happier to whom he say the "Love you", I am just a slave that likes him the same way that I liked mama Mitsuki… just a little different… I want to stay beside him… i believe … he deserves much more… I just want to be sure… he will be the most well taken bare… by me…
I understand Akira-chan – Enmie then smiled on the exact moment Akira looked to her – I believe that not only you love him, but you have a love that is so rare and pure that I can say that Rick won on life's royal lottery… what a lucky guy!
A… Are you serious Enmienee-chan? – Akira asked, now turning purple so shy she was – I r… really love… my dear… as those romance movies? – both the nekomimi and myself became euphoric and anxious for the reply.
Yes! My Saint Meow Akira-chan what you feel for him is so clear and crystalline that is almost tangible! – Enmie then stood up and stopped before Akira – and even saying what you said, you just thought on what was best for him right? I believe that deep inside here – the usagimimi then pointed to the nekomimi's chest – you indeed wish to tell him how much you love him, am I right?
Y… Yes… Enmienee-chan… - Akira then looked to the ground – but… I will never tell him what I feel… I don't want to worry him with… the silly feelings of one of his slaves…
Don't be silly Akira-chan, you know very well he isn't like that! – Enmie then raised Akira's face placing her paw under her chin – I know that you don't want to worry or bother him, however him knowing about it would be very good!
Even if it is true Enmienee-chan – Akira replied quickly – I decided that I won't tell him, until I am sure that saying this won't bother him…
And in case he feels that same for you and says that he loves you? – Enmie asked, making Akira blush further.
W… Well… if he loves… me… I d… d… don't think that… it is a problem… if I tell him, right? – Akira's face became sad in sequence – it is a shame… that this will never be more than a dream… that I will never see… coming true… him confessing… to me…
I have a hunch Akira, that maybe – Enmie then looked at the camera's direction while Akira wasn't paying attention, making me shiver and said – this dream of yours will become reality much sooner than you think…
D… Do you really think so Enmienee-chan? – Akira smiled broadly – that maybe one day me dear will c… c… confess to me… and I will be able to… love him openly… as those movies in which… - the nekomimi was so into it and was smiling, talking quickly, however she suddenly stopped and her face changed, soon she desperately looked at Enmie and said – I a… am not feeling well… it is coming… again…
Akira jumped from the bed and ran towards the nearest sink, having just enough time to incline herself forwards and, after opening her eyes wide, as soon as she opened her mouth a gush of vomit left, then she began puking with extreme power as if something wanted to clean her from inside out making her stay with her tail as stiff as wood, Enmie then headed to her side and began petting her back with the paw, saying gently and with care "hey hey… everything is going to be well… there… put it all out…" the little nekomimi would have a coughing at times and would resume puking in sequence, after two minutes of intense stomachic revolt she stopped puking, the usagimimi helped clean my beloved's face, she was going to say something when my personal caretaker said:
Lately that has been happening a lot… - she then lowered her ears looking to the ground – during the mornings it is the worst… forgive me for giving you trouble Enmienee-chan…
Lately? Especially during the morning? Since when you are feeling morning sickness Akira-chan? – Enmie asked while she was kneeling, placing her paw right over Akira's tummy and using her light there – more importantly, when was your last period?
Yes, around one week ago the sickness began – Akira then looked up thoughtful – the last period was around two months ago Enmie, two weeks before my birthday… that was on April seventh…
One week of sickness… before April seventh… three weeks late period… we are in the middle of May… - Enmie then needed to think for just some seconds when the light on the paw disappeared – Akira-chan… have you even though about being a mom?
O… Of course I did Enmienee-chan! – Akira smiled with visible happiness – I always wanted to be a mommy… mama Mitsuki always said that that was a female's biggest happiness one could have" E… Even more if it is from d… dear's…
Then you can be really happy Akira-chan, as you are not ill! – Enmie then stood up and hugged her with a lot of affection – you are just going to be a mom! You are pregnant my dear!
P… P… P… P… - Akira's eye opened so wide I thought they were going to jump out of her face, but not from astonishment, fear or sadness, as she had a big smile on her face – pregnant? F… F… From my d… dear? Me?
Enmie, I am sorry to barge in like this, but I actually waited for a bit – Dawn said as she entered the room, she neared and handed a note to Enmie – I needed to give you this message! – she then looked to Akira and asked – oh Akira-chan! Are you alright? Are you sick?
No! – Akira replied with visible happiness – I am going to be a mom Dawnee-chan! I am pregnant!
Kya! – Dawn began shouting, stopping it by placing her paws over her mouth – are you serious? From Rick? That is so great Akira-chan! Are you happy?
Yes! A lot! – Akira replied – I cannot wait to be a mommy as mama Mitsuki was to me!
That is so cool! If you are pregnant now… - Dawn began doing some math using her paw's fingers – then the baby will be born when it is cold! Will you knit the baby's own clothing Akira-chan?
Yes! – Akira replied, lowering her ears next – but I don't know how to knit…
Oh that isn't a problem at all! – dawn took Akira's paw and looked towards Enmie – my mother taught us to knit since she was a master at it, if you want I can begin teaching you right now! Can Akira come with me Enmie?
Of course, later I will talk with Richard about all the exams you need to take now Akira-chan – Enmie then nodded.
B… But I want – Akira said, already leaving with Dawn – to be the one to tell him that, alright?
Sure sure! – Enmie replied, waving to Akira that was already leaving through the door – understood! – she then looked at the note and looked at the ground, staying still like that.
But what in the heavens I just watched now? – I said suddenly as if I had just left a dream, seeming like I was talking to someone – Akira loves me and is pregnant of me? I need to check that out right away! – I took the phone and dialed the nursery's number, Enmie was such a trance looking to the ground that when the phone rang there she was so startled that she knocked everything out from the near table in order to answer the phone, as soon as she had it in her paws, I said.
Enmie, I know I shouldn't be prying, but I was worried with Akira-chan – I sighted then – I need to confirm two things, first the little one stated that she loved me correct? and second… - I had trouble saying the next part – is s… she p… pregnant?
Yes Richard, to both of your questions, she might be on the fourth week of her pregnancy – Enmie then stopped to think for a bit and asked – what are you going to do about this? Are you going to take the responsibility now?
No Enmie – I replied, to her visible astonishment – as I won't do this simply because it is my responsibility, but because I love Hikari Akira-chan, I want to have her at my side for the rest of my life and together with our love I am sure that we shall educate and raise very well the being that is coming to this earth.
It is really great that you finally understood that you love her! That is very good to you and her! – Enmie exclaimed with visible happiness – as you heard yourself she wishes to give you the news herself, so pretend you don't know anything, she will need a lot of courage to tell you this… but tell her you love her as soon as she lets you know, to give her more trust and tranquility, so all her health problems shall end by them…
But before that… - I said, seeing that Lívia's image came to my head – I have an honor appointment that I need to solve before anything… - I sighted in sequence – called Oliveira Lívia and my promise that in case I found someone that I love and was loved back, I wouldn't need to marry her anymore…
That is right Richard, honor above anything! – Enmie replied, nodding along – make good use of the fact that Dawn will monopolize the enthusiastic Akira for a good while and settle this as soon as possible, being honest and honorable is what makes a man what he is.
I understand, thanks Enmie – something came to my head and I knew I needed to be honest – I will hang up now to talk to Lívia, but before that what about you Enmie, when will you be sincere to Enma?
A… ahhhh, I d… don't know Richard… she sent me a note, said that she will come here and wants to talk to me… I will see what… happens first, isn't it right? – Enmie replied, blushing.
Yes, do that Enmie, see you soon – I hang up the phone and turned the laptop off, then I dialed Lívia's private number, after six signs Kyou's known voice answered it.
Kyou speaking Richard-sama, master asked me to answer seeing she is a little busy, how can I help you?
Kyou I know this is a burden, but I have something very important to talk with your master, could you please pass the phone to her, I ask as an intimate childhood friend of hers, be sure to tell her that.
Yes Richard-sama, just a moment – I heard the nekomimi exchange some words with Lívia, who answered in sequence – Richard! It is so good that you called! Sorry for being so busy, but I am preparing for a sudden trip, how can I help you?
Dear Lívia, I know that soon you will need to leave, but I have something that I need to talk to you right away and that shall define our lives – I cleaned my throat then – however it is something that needs to be said personally, can we meet in a few?