Chapter 8: The Fallout
The following Monday after Shig and Mayu's little..."moment"...the couple felt very strange around each other despite being madly in love. They thought everything
would be the same, but it turned out like many kids who had their first time; you love the person but you almost can't look at them the same and can't really imagine
being that intimate with another human being, especially if they're your best friend. The girls in homeroom noticed Mayu seemed off and not as lively as she always
was and had to see what was up. "Hey Suzume, what's wrong? Did someone hurt you? Did Morishige do something to you that you didn't want to do?" the girls asked
simultaneously. They all pulled up chairs around Mayu's desk to continue questioning her. "Did Morishige rape you?" Ayumi asked, almost blurting out the whole
conversation. "Of course not. He would never do that to me. He loves me...and I love him back..." Mayu stared down at the floor where her reflection captured her
confused and saddened face. "We finally admitted it to each other on Thursday...that we love each other...and...we..." Mayu felt her face flush with shame and her
meadow like eyes started to slowly leak out tears. "Mayu, what's wrong? We're your friends. Don't you trust us?" Ayumi reasoned. "I do...but I don't know how to talk
about it..." "It's ok if you don't want to tell us, we'll understand. Right?" Ayumi questioned the other concerned girls behind her. "Right!" Seiko and Naomi smiled back.
Morishige saw all the girls gathered around Mayu's desk and gently moved them out the way to gain access to Mayu. He lightly kissed the top of her ear and asked
what was wrong while running his fingers across her scalp and through her brown hair. He crouched beside her and wiped a finger under her eye to relieve her of
tears. "Thanks Shig. I feel a little bit better because of you." Mayu smirked gently. "Good. I have to get back to my desk now, but after class I'll walk us to physics. Is
that cool for you?" "That's fine by me. O before you go..." Mayu trailed before she slightly forced her boyfriend's body towards her to kiss him quickly but lovingly.
When they had withdrawn from the kiss, their faces had only slight tints of rosy pink on their cheeks mostly in part because they had forgotten that Seiko, Ayumi, and
Naomi were there; confused but trying to block everyone else's view. "Mmmmm...You're such a good kisser, Shig and you just made my day like you always do. Now
get to that desk of yours before Ms. Yui gets here and thinks you're goofing off." Mayu told him. Shig secretly smiled at her and while he got back to the desk Mayu
whispered to herself, "Shig, bro I love you so much. You're an amazing boyfriend." "Whatcha say there Mayu?" Naomi wondered. "Uhhhh...I didn't say a thing." was
Mayu's response. "I could've sworn I heard you saying something about Morishige being your beau." "N...nn...nn..o of course not. Why would you think that?" "C'mon,
Mayu. We all know you're a bad liar so why don't you be upfront and honest about it?" Mayu felt ashamed of herself not because she and Shig were together as a
couple, but rather revealing such sensitive information too soon. Seiko quickly left the circle and speed walked over to Kishinuma who was taking a morning nap on his
desk. "Hey, Kishinuma! Dude, wake up!" she silently yelled at him. The boy didn't wake up, so Shinohara kicked his shin to which Yoshiki groaned out in pain but not
enough so that anyone could've heard him. "Seiko, what's your deal? I was taking a morning snooze and you had to go..." he pointed out. "Shut up for a goddamn
minute and listen!" she interrupted. "I think Suzume and Morishige finally did it." "Are you pulling my leg, Seiko?" "No, I'm serious. I just heard Mayu call him her
boyfriend and before that they kissed and not like a peck on the cheek type of thing. O no, I'm talking about like they kiiiiiissssed each other to the point where it was
practically a mini make-out session." Seiko giggled. "And what makes you think that makes them boyfriend and girlfriend?" Yoshiki snidely replied back to her. "When
have those two ever shown any real public displays of affection? Never, that's when." Seiko said. Yoshiki pondered her words and agreed to Seiko's conspiracy theory.
Well, almost. "You're probably right, but just double check alright?" he commanded her as he propped up his legs and sat his fingers in his golden blonde head of hair.
"Seiko! What are you doing?" Mayu called out. "Nothing. Just messing with Kishinuma that's all." the mischievous teen lied. "Well, stop it and get over here!" Naomi
yelled. Seiko quickly shuffled her feet across the room back to Mayu's desk. "What's up Mayu?" "I've got to tell you all something, but you have to promise to not tell
another soul. I don't want Shig to be made fun of and have him break up with me." Mayu was still very apprehensive but she just had to get this off her shoulders.
"Shig and I are dating now." "Really? That's great, Mayu! Why were you so nervous about telling us?" they asked. "Because...that's not all. Me and Shig...we...we...
on Thursday...made love for the first time." Mayu felt so guilty telling her friends and for what she and Morishige did together. "Mayu, it's ok. You shouldn't feel bad.
We promise to not tell anyone." Naomi encouraged Mayu. "Yeah. We know this stuff is really personal and we respect that. We'll make sure no one knows. Alright?"
Ayumi smiled at her disheartened best friend. "Thanks, you guys. You always know what to say. I'm glad I can count on you. It makes everything that much better."
The day went on as normal like it always has and Mayu and Morishige sat even closer together at lunch to the point where it looked like cuddling. All week long nothing
happened, except for Friday when Naomi invited all her girlfriends to a slumber party at her house that night. "Hey Mayu, how would you feel about having a slumber
party at my house? The other girls in homeroom will be there too. So whadda ya say?" Mayu hadn't been to something like this since middle school and kicking it old
school sounded really fun to her. "I'll have to ask daddy. I'll call him the first chance I get." Mayu vowed. Suzume called Ken'ichi when she got to the bathroom and
pleaded with him let her go. "Why didn't you ask me earlier?" he asked his daughter. "I already told you. Naomi just mentioned it a few minutes before school ended."
Her father was silent for a little bit but after a minute of suspense he let her go. "Just come home first to get ready." "Ok, dad! Love you!" Mayu yelled with excitement.
"Love you too, sweetie." When Mayu got back to the house she was so excited but she was having a tough time deciding what pajamas to bring and if she should
bring her favorite plushie along with her favorite teddy bear. Mayu had to call her mother at work to get an opinion. "Mom, I'm sleeping over at Naomi's house tonight."
"Ask your father." Yukie quickly and sternly replied. "Daddy already said it was alright." Mayu cried. "Alrighty then. Have fun." Mrs. Suzumoto was in the middle of
hanging up the phone before Mayu protested the action. "Mom, is it weird that I want to bring over some stuffed animals to cuddle and snuggle with at bedtime?" "Oh
of course not honey! A girl can never get too old for her stuffed and fuzzy friends. Besides, your friends will think they're cute. I know I did when a friend of mine in high
school brought over a stuffed fish and polar bear to my sleepover." Yukie smiled. "Thanks for the help mom! You're a real lifesaver!" Mayu blissfully shouted out.
"Alright then, have fun at the sleepover!" "I will, mom. Love you!" Mayu jumped down the stairs as soon as she heard Naomi driving up to her house. "Glad to see you
could make it, Suzume! Get in. We gotta go get Seiko and Ayumi." After Naomi picked up her friends and drove them to her house, she forced her friends into her room.
"So what are we gonna do here?" Seiko questioned. "Well, I was planning us chilling out at my place for a bit, and then when you guys want we can go out and go
shopping and go out for a midnight screening of The Room later before we all hit the hay." "Isn't that movie really terrible? Why do you want to see a shit movie?"
Seiko protested. "Because it's funny bad. That's what I've heard with the reviews I read." The girls could use a good laugh on their night out so they concured with
Naomi's plans. Mayu took notice of a little children's book peeking out on Naomi's entertainment center and pointed it out. Naomi was rather annoyed that Mayu had
seen something like that and tried to hide it. "What's wrong Nakashima? I thought it looked rather cute." Mayu told her. "R...really? I've never thought anyone would
want to be my friend anymore if they found out I still have that thing and like to read it before bed. I know it's dumb...but I feel relaxed and safe when I read it." Naomi
blushed. "It's nothing to be concerned about. I brought a teddy bear and my favorite Hello Kitty plushie and I've had those since I was a baby and snuggle with them
at bedtime." Mayu opened her mini glow in the dark neon green backpack and brought out the two creatures she mentioned. "Awww...they're so cute, Suzume! We
can see why you like them so much." Ayumi spoke for everyone. "Thank you! If one of you wants to borrow one for the night I'll share. I don't mind at all." Mayu smiled.
"I know this is super bizarre but I want to read the book before we all go to bed. It's about a dragon who wants pancakes and how she makes her own for the first
time. You guys will think it's super cute." "I'm looking forward to it!" Mayu shouted and questioned, "Are we gonna go out now or what? I want to get a present for my
snake and for Shig's cat and buy some music and go to Yankee Candle and go to Le Crepes, Crepes, Crepes and..." "Mayu! Don't get overexcited now. Let's just have
fun one step at a time, ok?" Ayumi insisted. Mayu nodded her head and was the first of the girls out the door, not that is was a surprise to anyone. Mayu was not her
usual self when they got to the mall. She was kind and happy, but she was almost manic; a behavior she had never displayed. Ever. While Seiko dragged Naomi along
to go window shopping at Victoria's Secret, Ayumi walked across from them upon noticing a kid's clothing store with a particular display on baby fashion. "This is toooo
cute! Look at the tiny shoes and the little sweater-vests." Mayu also admired the cute, small clothes. "I adore babies! They're so sweet and innocent and adorable!"
Mayu exclaimed. The thought of babies also triggered Shinozaki to question if Mayu thought she was pregnant. "No way! Why would that happen?" Mayu worried.
"Because if you didn't use...ummmm...protection, then you could be pregnant. I know this is super weird, but all this baby talk just had me thinking." Ayumi replied.
"Not for me! I'm not like that. I'm pretty sure I'd know anyways." Ayumi knew Mayu wasn't completely stupid about conceiving or babies or anything really, but she still
wanted to make sure her friend knew what to look out for. "Did you miss your "time of the month"? That's a big tip off." "Ayumi, no I didn't. Everything's been normal.
Nothing has changed and I feel great. In fact, ever since Thursday I feel like a new me and I'm loving it!" Mayu grinned, her sunny face and expression lighting
everything up. "Oh, ok. But just be on the lookout please. For me. For you. For Morishige. Having a baby changes people, especially if they have them when they're our
age." Ayumi told Mayu. Mayu insisted that she would be watching for any changes in her body, and brought her to go get Seiko and Naomi to go to the crepe stand
she loved so much. Poor Naomi was getting forced by Seiko try on new jammies with sleeping teddy bears and try out those cute yoga pants Naomi had. Seiko just
had to have them as well, and see more up close how well they could fit her by observing Naomi, who was clearly very uncomfortable. "Hey guys! We're done with our
shopping. Are you two done?" Ayumi asked. "Sure. Sure. I just have to actually buy these first." Seiko said with excitement as she brought the bag they give you at
the front of the store full of clothes to the register. "Well hurry up. Mayu wants us to go to that crepe stand that she swears by. And we all know Mayu knows good
crepes when she sees them." When the girls had ordered their food, they sat down at the nearest table and asked each other what they had gotten. "Well, I got
myself some of those crazy shutter shades at the sunglasses kiosk and a Chimchar plush and a Pikachu backpack at that store that sells nothing but plushies. I also
got myself and Mayu pedicures." Ayumi smiled. Mayu blushed as she looked at her feet which glittered an emerald green to compliment her eyes. "That sounded really
fun. Seiko dragged me into Victoria's Secret after I got myself some games for my Xbox 360 and Super Famicom at that game store. You know? The one that sells retro
and new games. I love that place!" Naomi laughed while jabbing fun at Seiko, who was jabbing her friend back too. For the rest of the day, Mayu pondered what Ayumi
said to her. She was really intelligent, what with being the class rep and all, and she was taking classes on human development at school which meant Ayumi knew a
bit more about babies than Suzume did. Still, Mayu shrugged off the thought of being pregnant once their late night movie was over. When the girls had gotten back to
Naomi's house, Naomi wanted to read her favorite book to them. "And the dragon wanted to know how to make pancakes, so she asked her mommy how to make
them..." Naomi read. Mayu felt woozy and nauseous halfway during the reading and rushed to Naomi's personal bathroom. The girls all felt really bad for her because
she was throwing up like crazy after she was so bouncy and excitable just a few hours ago. "Are you doing ok? Do you need some ginger ale?" Seiko asked Mayu as
she stepped out. "No...I'm...fine. I think I ate too many crepes today and I got a tummy ache. Crepes are my ultimate weakness so it's really hard to resist them."
Suzumoto reasoned with Seiko. Seiko began thinking about how she was treating Mayu behind her back ever since she started throwing up a few minutes ago, and
began thinking about what would happen if this was just the beginning of Mayu getting pregnant. She knew it would have to be a little bit longer to confirm her
suspicions but the thought of the joking and betting with Yoshiki made Seiko second guess her actions and regret what she had done. "Are we gonna finish the story
or what? I want to hear how it ends! C'mon! I wanna hear how it ends!" Mayu whined akin to that of her kindergarten self. "Alright, Mayu. Come over and sit down."
"The dragon made her pancakes and they were the tastiest in the land. She was so proud of herself for being a big girl and made pancakes everyday forever!" Mayu
just loved how sweet and cute the story was much like everyone else. While Mayu and Seiko were the last two to go to sleep, Seiko shyly asked her friend for her
snow white teddy bear. Mayu grinned at the amber eyes trying to avoid her gaze and happily handed over the fuzzy bundle of love. Seiko fell in love with him instantly
and gave the bear an Eskimo kiss while feeling the silky smooth tie he wore. It was white with orange striping. And what was this? Actual silk? Seiko had never felt
something this soft in her life. "Where did you get this cute tie?" Mayu giggled and told her. "My dad is friends with a man who works for Gucci and he gives daddy ties
and other stuff for free. That tie is worth almost $200 American dollars." Mayu didn't like to brag about the nice things she had but her handsome teddy made it
practically impossible. "And the bear?" "My mom has connections and gets me those American teddy bears. I think they're from Vermont or something like that. They're
really nice too!" Seiko further inspected the bear and noticed how luxurious it felt once Mayu had described how expensive everything was. But Seiko wasn't going to
mooch or pretend to be nicer to her to get the cool things Suzume got, but rather she would appreciate the value of her friend much more and actually stop being
perverted about Suzume and Morishige's relationship. She wouldn't stop being Seiko Shinohara altogether, however for Suzumoto she would be more considerate.
When Mayu got up the next morning she was all by herself in Naomi's room. She could hear the sound of chatter and the smell of fresh fruit and the sound of bacon
sizzling coming from downstairs. "Must've overslept. Man does that sure smell good! I gotta get some bacon before it's all gone!" Mayu jumped up in excitement but
had to quickly sit down due to feeling really dizzy. "Silly me. I got up too fast. I should be more careful. After all, I did get sick last night." While she was slowly getting
up, Mayu had to go vomit. Naomi was getting worried since Mayu should be up by now and went to go check on her. Suzumoto's purple starry blanket and Hello Kitty
plushie lay askew over the carpeted floor. "Suzume, are you alright? We're eating kiwis and strawberries and coconut meat and bacon." Naomi turned her attention
towards her bathroom as she soon heard Mayu quietly whimpering. When Naomi walked in, Mayu was sitting next to the toilet and crying. "Mayu, what happened? Did
someone hurt you?" Upon inspecting her friend, Nakashima found no signs of bodily injury. "Well I'm glad to see you're not physically injured, but...did someone say
something about you?" Mayu sniffled and coughed. "I got sick again." Naomi sat down next to her friend to comfort her. "Poor thing. Do you want to sleep in my bed
until you want me to drive you home or are you up for breakfast?" Naomi whispered soothingly while rubbing Mayu's back. "I want bacon and coconut. I want to eat
and then go to bed. Is that ok?" Mayu timidly questioned. Naomi let Mayu do what she willed and brought the girl downstairs. "Hey Suzume! You're just in time for
Ayumi Shinozaki's world famous bacon and fruit dish. The food of the meal obviously provided by Naomi herself and Seiko helped out too. So eat up. You'll love it."
Ayumi's kindness really brought out Mayu's jovial nature and the girl who was sick last night wasn't there anymore but rather the giggly and excitable Mayu they all
came to know and love. Mayu ate her food very slowly; she wanted to not eat too fast and risk getting herself sick again and Mayu liked eating slow because she
would feel more relaxed and the food always tasted better that way. "We're all really glad to see you're back to your old self." Seiko chimed while hovering around Mayu
who was finishing up her bacon and going for the coconut meat layers. Mayu felt cured by the time the afternoon came after she had rested and was ready to go home
to her loving parents.
*6 months later*
Mayu was sick for the longest time, but her will to persist helped her to overcome. Besides, it was very likely the stomach bug that likes to spread itself around school
during this time of year that was causing her vomiting in the morning. The whole ordeal lasted for 8 weeks. Nothing else had happened to her and within 6 months of
her first episode of illness, Mayu was back to normal and continued her life with her boyfriend Sakutaro Morishige. Every morning before the first bell rang, Mayu would
run up to him and practically smother him to death with kisses. Morishige would go along with her eagerness and overflowing energy and happiness because he loved
that about her and would do anything to keep her this way. Despite Naomi's concerns for her those couple of months ago, her fears were put aside as Mayu remained
the same and Seiko was able to breathe easy knowing her innocent friend wasn't pregnant. Seiko wasn't even sure how Mayu would cope or how the kids at school
would treat her. She didn't want the poor girl to be called a slut nor did she want her relationship with Morishige to end; they seemed so happy together. One Monday,
Mayu began to feel funny. Her stomach was aching on and off a lot and she almost threw up twice in the morning. Mayu tried to hide her anguish from her beau and
her friends. Satoshi had just walked into homeroom when he saw the teen girl writhing in her desk. "Suzume, are you alright? Did you eat something that didn't agree
with you?" "I'm fine. It's just that I'm getting these nasty aches and cramps all over my tummy. I want to wait this out before I do anything." Mayu replied to the
concerned chick magnet who eyed the floor while in thought. Seiko was watching their conversation from across the room while writing in her diary about what she
plans to do with Naomi today. Her mind found it difficult to concentrate on her friend's pain and her daily plans and coming up with an exact day when she'll finally tell
Naomi what she really thinks of her. Naomi knew Seiko liked her, but she thought it was Seiko being silly and devilish. Naomi wasn't aware her best friend that she
confides her love of Satoshi Mochida to was full out genuinely in love with her. Seiko knew she wasn't into other girls and she would keep a smile whenever Naomi
would go on about how sweet and selfless her dream boat was. Internally, Seiko conflicted with herself. One part of her was angry at Naomi for not noticing her
feelings while the other part was content with Naomi's choice in love interests. Ayumi liked Satoshi as well. In fact, a lot of the girls and even a few of the guys thought
Satoshi was the cutest guy ever and Seiko chuckled silently at the competition Naomi has to deal with on a daily basis. Meanwhile, Satoshi was trying to comfort Mayu
about her deadening fears and pain. "Thanks Satoshi. You're a really nice guy. I wish more guys were like you and Shig." Mayu complimented to the friendly face she
was conversing with. Satoshi appreciated the compliment and went to sit down at his desk. Mayu tried her best to fight the nausea all day and by the end of the day
she was feeling like a million bucks. She immediately went up to her room and checked her Facebook. No new messages but Morishige did poke her. She giggled as
she felt him touch her arm in real life and she noticed he was already online. She started the conversation. Shig, bro! What are you doing? Mayu wasn't sure of how to
start this whole thing. She needed to ask him the question that's been on her mind for awhile. Shig, if something happened and it turned out I was pregnant would you
hate me? Those words hit Morishige like a train. "What? Did she just find out? Did she know but didn't tell me this whole time? I need to know." he thought to himself in
panic. Are you pregnant right now? "Way to be subtle, Sakutaro. Real fucking smooth." Mayu was worried now. She knew she wasn't having a baby, but she had to
know if Shig wouldn't love her anymore or leave her if such a thing were to happen. Of course not! I've just had a lot of things on my mind lately and this was something
that popped into my head. Morishige calmed his nerves at this truth. Thank goodness. I thought something bad had happened. Although she felt a tad bit happy at his
reply, Mayu was still concerned why he avoided her question. Shig, please answer me. If I happened to be pregnant would you hate me or leave me? "How could I be so
blind? Poor girl must be scared out of her wits." Why would you think that? Of course I'd never do such a thing. You're Mayu through and through and no matter what
happens I'll always love you as a friend, as a girlfriend, and as a human being. If anyone tries to get you to think negative about me, then they're lying. Mayu had never felt
so relieved at text before today. Thanks, Shig! I can rest easy tonight knowing that. Morishige couldn't help but let out a proud smile at his victory. The couple continued
to talk for a few minutes before Mayu remembered she had history homework to do. "So...World War I ended in 1918 and started in 1914. Just gotta remember those
dates since everything else isn't a problem." Mayu talked to herself while taking down study notes. She closed her book and looked at Herbert, her teddy bear. He was
wearing a sparkly pink tie today. She cradled Herbert in her arms and rocked him gently while singing a lullaby. Mayu was caught off guard by this. "When did I start
acting like this?" Was she starting to gain some maternal instincts? "You would be a cute baby Herbert." she smiled. The thought of becoming a mother both excited
and frightened Mayu. She didn't want to have babies while she was still in school. She wanted to wait until she and Shig got married before she could think about
having a family. But if she did become pregnant she would keep the baby and be responsible; she wretched at the thought of having an abortion. She didn't want an
innocent baby to suffer for something she did. Mayu had been keeping her thoughts and fears away from mom and dad because she knew how angry they'd be and
how everyone would look at them because of her. Her mind continued with this pattern the next day in school and when she got home. "Should I keep secrets from
mommy and daddy? I don't want them to hate me, but I can't keep them in the dark about my feelings. Maybe I should..." she trailed. Mayu craned her neck at the
sound of someone knocking at her door. She jumped down the stairs and greeted her beau. "Shig, bro! What are you doing here?" His eyes drew down to the ground
while his girlfriend brought him inside. "I was thinking about what you said the other day and I want to recap with you about this whole thing." he admitted. Mayu sat
him down on her soft couch in the living room and heard him out. "Mayu, I love you...so damn much. I would die for you. I would do whatever would make you happy
and safe. If we do become parents or you become pregnant, I'll be there with you more than ever. I know it sounds really cliche'd and all but I want your life to be
happy and fulfilled." Shig's eyes kept themselves shied away from Mayu's direct gaze. Suzume had grown internally ecstatic and gently kissed Shig unexpectedly. He
managed to take her sudden oral invasion and kissed her back with as much love and care. He had allowed Mayu to lie on top of him while they continued to kiss each
other harder. Mayu flipped a piece of his luscious navy hair away from his eyes and stared into them for a little bit. Morishige had freed his hands and brought them
behind her in order to take off her blouse. Mayu smiled and allowed for him to do such a thing to her. Was this moment happening again? It's been a while but neither
had planned for this to happen; it was so sudden, so impulsive and yet so...right. "Please, Shig. Make love to me again. I'm begging you." she cried gently into his
ear. "I'm not sure...What about all the stuff we were talking about before?" Mayu frowned at his words. "I'm sorry Shig. I don't know what got into me. I'm not like
this. I'm acting like a..." "Don't you dare say that about yourself. You were in the moment and thought you were doing the right thing. If I had something for
protection, then I'd consider but I just want to wait until I get that stuff." Mayu hugged him fiercely and thanked him for stopping her from making a mistake. "Aahhh...
O...oww..." Mayu whimpered, clutching her stomach in sudden pain. "Mayu! What's wrong? Did I accidentally hit you? Here, let me give you your blouse back." Shig
was very concerned for her. "I'm fff...ine...I justttt...need to lie down." Mayu was barely able to speak coherently and she soon collapsed onto the floor. Morishige
was pacing around figuring out what he should do, but when he saw an unconscious Mayu vomiting up some blood he got an ambulance for her. The ride in the
ambulance felt long and was hard to deal with. Mr. and Mrs. Suzumoto had found out because Shig had called them right before he got in the ambulance with Mayu
and the paramedics and they were already waiting the arrival of their daughter in the emergency room. Suzume was immediately rushed into an operating room before
her parents could ask how she was or what was going on. A short and slightly husky man with amber hair and eyes to match approached Morishige and the
Suzumotos. "What's wrong with my daughter! What happened to her!" Ken'ichi demanded the ER doctor. "We are operating to prevent any further hemorrhaging.
We're doing all we can to ensure your daughter's well being. I will update you if anything happens." the doctor told them, in an unusual sense of empathy. Hours
passed. Yukie kept crying into her husband who vainly reassured her that Mayu was fine. Sakutaro was so beyond frightened. "Did I hurt her? Did Mayu get sick
because of me? What if she's..." he gulped silently, "Pregnant? That can't be it. We would've known by now." After what felt like eons, the doctor who had greeted
the family upon their arrival updated them on Mayu's condition. "Is Mayu ok?" her father gently cried. "Mayu will be just fine. Would you like to see her now?" Shig and
the Suzumotos followed the doctor and came upon Mayu's room in the ICU. "What happened?" her parents asked. "Mayu had an emergency c-section done. She gave
birth to a stillborn baby girl. We aren't sure why the child was stillborn but we will be preforming an autopsy in a few hours. We'll ask Mayu if she wants to see the
baby since many woman want to see their child even when they know it's dead." the doctor replied. "Pregnant?! My daughter was not pregnant!" Ken'ichi screamed.
"Mr. Suzumoto, please be quiet. Mayu's trying to rest." he paused and resumed, "Mayu may have not shown any signs of pregnancy but I assure you she was indeed
pregnant. We'll be bringing in the baby so Mayu can see her and so she knows what had happened. We cannot keep any of our patients in the dark about something
that involves them." Mr. Suzumoto glued his blazen eyes at the boy standing across the room. "YOU FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT! YOU DID THIS TO HER!" Ken'ichi
rampaged at Morishige and attempted to assault him. "Honey, calm down." Yukie protested while standing in Shig's way to protect him. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" he
yelled at his wife. "NO! Morishige did nothing wrong! He didn't hurt Mayu!" A slight groan drew their attention as Mayu had just woken up and heard people fighting.
"Daddy? Where am I? What happened?" Mayu yawned while being frightened at the same time. He couldn't reply to her as a nurse and a doctor had brought in the
dead baby for Mayu to see. "Is she mine?" Mayu questioned while cradling her. "Yes but..." the nurse choked. "The birth was a stillbirth." "What is that?" Mayu had
heard the word being used before but couldn't fully grasp what it meant. The nurse tried hiding her tears and continued on. "It means the baby was born dead. There
was nothing we could do to save her even with all the interventions we tried." Mayu was so close to balling but she had to at least look strong. "Can I name her still?"
Mayu wondered. The medical staff nodded. "Her name is Kumi. Kumi Shig Suzumoto." Mayu let them take Kumi away for the autopsy and to embalm her thereafter.
Mayu thrashed violently in her bed and cried so very loudly. "I killed her! I killed our baby, Shig!" Mayu kept blaming herself for the death of her child. "Mayu, there's
nothing you could've done. Sometimes things happen for no reason." Shig hugged her passionately while trying to comfort his girlfriend and himself. "Mayu, don't cry.
You'll be a mom one day and the best mom ever might I add. When you get married you'll be happy and have a lot of babies." Mayu instinctively kissed him in a manner
similar to a few hours ago when they were at her house but this time it felt more longing and in need of reassurance. "Shig, bro I love you. I want to marry you and I
want to have your babies. There's no other guy out there for me, especially one who loves me the way you do." Mayu sighed and asked Shig, "Isn't our daughter
beautiful?" "Of course she is. She looked just like you. She's watching us from heaven right now and smiling at you because she knows you'll be a wonderful mother.
Kumi isn't mad at you Mayu. She's happy because you loved her even when she didn't get a chance to live." Ken'ichi was internally raging but kept his cool for his
daughter. At least for now. "Daddy, I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Mayu cried while hugging her dad. "It's ok baby. It's ok." "But dad, I have to tell you. Six months ago me
and Shig became boyfriend and girlfriend after we made love for the first time. I kinda pressured him and made it all happen. I even had mom not tell you because I
didn't want you to hate me. We haven't made love ever since because we were planning on waiting for the right time again because we didn't want to do this all the
time since we both vowed each other and felt we wouldn't love each other if we did it all the time." Mayu's words tugged at her father's heart strings. "Mayu...You're
my beautiful, precious baby girl. I will always love you. You are my daughter and your mother's daughter and we will never ever hate you." Everyone gathered in for a
giant hug, but no one in that moment knew that Ken'ichi was planning on getting revenge on his daughter's boyfriend. Nothing that would cause any bodily harm. O
no, but he knew what he had to do to "protect" her; he would have his family believe he had accepted a new job at a faraway place and have them move so that
Morishige could never see her again. He would make sure of this.