Metro Station Last Chapter + Epilogue
Title : Metro Station
Pairing : Ohmiya, Sakuraiba, Jun/Toma
Rating : PG-13
Genre : Romance, fluff, Comedy
Warning : Genderswitch ^^
Summary : Kazumi wants to be a writer but her work got rejected again and on her way back home, a stranger made her fall in the metro station.
Note : Hi everyone ! We're finally at the end of this fiction. I'm glad it pleased you and sorry to have been so slow to write some of its chapters ^^" I hope this last chapter will be ok. I'll leave it to you now ^^
[Last Chapter]
Toma quietly did the breakfast dishes when he heard glass shatter behind him. He turned at once and saw his wife leaning with one hand against the kitchen table while her free hand was stuck to her stomach. At her feet were broken glass that she probably had in her hand a few seconds before. Immediately, he rushed to her and rubbed her back affectionately.
- Jun-chan? Are you okay ?
- I have a contraction, it will pass ... I'm sorry, I dropped my glass ...
- It's nothing. Sit down for a moment. He said, putting his wife gently on a chair.
Jun closed her eyes and let out a long exhale while her husband picked up the pieces of glass and threw them in the trash. He took off his apron and helped her up.
- I'm going to get your bag, I'll take you to the hospital.
- What? No ! It will pass I tell you! I'm going to lie down, rest a bit and ...
- Jun-chan you complain about these contractions since last night and you were supposed to give birth two days ago. Don't argue, we go to the hospital, our baby is ready to make her appearance in the world.
The publisher tried to keep calm and breathed slowly.
- And I'm sure you too, you know it's time. Added Toma.
- How can you be so calm? She asked, trying to stop her voice from shaking.
- I know everything will be fine. You are both ready.
The young man smiled, kissed his wife's forehead and left the room to go upstairs and pick up the bag they had prepared for maternity. Jun, she wasn't so sure about being ready to have this baby.
*****
Satoshi sighed, staring at his reflection in the mirror in his bathroom. Today was the day of his marriage, at least his civil marriage. He had an appointment with his parents in an hour to sign the papers with Airi before having to go to the town hall to formalize their union. The young man tied his necktie, ran a last comb through his hair and left the bathroom next to his bedroom.
As he picked up his phone, a thought ran through him. If he had to give up Kazumi forever, he wanted at least to tell her everything he had on his heart, and the only way was to call her. The architect dropped to his bed and dialed the number of his ex-girlfriend.
There was a ring then two and three and so on until he fell to voicemail and he didn't hang up, quite the contrary. The beep sounded and his lips grew animated.
- Kazumi, it's me ... Satoshi. I know I was a bastard, that I lied to you. But I didn't know what to do. I refused this marriage at first but ... my fiancée's father is dying. She wants her father to drive her to the altar so I finally agreed to marry her. Our plan ... was to get divorced after a year and ... I don't know ... Deep inside I knew I had to tell you everything and I knew it would be foolish to keep seeing you after my marriage but I can't live without you, Kazumi, I love you! I love you since the second I saw you the first time. This marriage was my only lie I promise you. Apart from that I only wanted to make you happy, to please you, to protect you and I never had a bad time in your company. I lived the most beautiful moments of my life with you.
The young man paused and swallowed.
- I ... I will register my civil marriage today. I will not change my mind, we will divorce in a year and I am sure that at the end of this year, my love for you will not have changed. If it's the same for you and you can forgive me, can you wait for me? No ... no ... I suppose that you probably prefer to forget me and I can't blame you, I prefer that you are happy. So ... Sayonara Kazumi. You are the best thing that happened to me in life.
Satoshi finally hung up and stayed a little while on his bed to stare at his phone and finally put it in his pocket and got up to leave the room.
*****
Kazumi had just received a call from Jun telling her that she was going into labor and that she doesn't have to come to her house for work in the next few days. Her boss had also given her instructions on the details to be worked on so that the publisher could rest after childbirth. Kazumi, suddenly taken with immense joy at the idea of the impending birth, had set to work immediately.
At the end of her phone calls, her phone warned her that a voicemail had been left to her and she hesitated for a moment to listen to it when she saw who was the author. She did, however, and the tears surfaced on her face from the very first "I love you" of Satoshi. His voice was shaking on the phone. He sounded sad, anxious, unhappy, but Kazumi didn't want to be fooled again, maybe it was just a cover. Nevertheless, yes, she still loved him and would be ready to wait a million years if necessary. The reason finally prevailed, she put her phone on the coffee table in the living room and started her video games to change her ideas ad clear her mind a bit.
*****
Toma entered his wife's room after a quick visit to the hospital's cafeteria for breakfast. Jun's, on the other hand, had not touched her tray in front of her. She stared at the food without really seeing it and the hand holding her chopsticks seemed to be playing with them on their own. The architect approached her and kissed her temple as he sat down at her bedside. He grabbed her free hand and kissed it too, hoping for a reaction that didn't come. He sighed.
- Jun-chan ... It'll be fine.
- How can it be fine? What happened is my fault.
- No, you didn't do anything.
- I should have put myself at rest as the doctor had said.
- Jun-chan, it doesn't matter ...
- Are you serious ?! she cried. Last night I gave birth to our son who barely stayed 6 months in my womb, do you realize ?! What will he become ? The doctor could not guarantee his survival and even if he survives, under what conditions?
- Calm down, honey.
- How do you want me to calm down? My baby is too weak for this world and it's my fault! I'm his mother, it was my job to protect him and I failed!
- He is our son and he will fight to live! Toma snapped, silencing his wife.
The young man sighed.
- Do you think I'm not anxious myself? I'm scared for him, just like you. But I hope he fights and he becomes big and strong so that we can show him the world! You should do the same! He will be fine!
Toma's second hand rested on hers and held her tight. Jun wiped her tears quickly and laid her free hand over it before smiling at him.
- You're right, we must have faith.
Someone knocked on the door.
- Yes, please come in. Replied the couple.
A doctor came in, her face closed.
- Ikuta-san?
- Yes, it's us. Replied Jun.
The woman approached them and shook their hands.
- I'm Dr. Sano, I'm a pediatrician and I took care of your baby last night.
The parents' faces lit up.
- How is he ? Asked the publisher full of hopes now.
But the doctor face wasn't that encouraging.
- I came to get you to see him one last time and say goodbye.
And the young woman was now a torrent of tears in the arms of her husband.
Jun opened her eyes and recognized the delivery room where she had been installed several hours earlier. Her husband at her bedside, smiled at her immediately.
- Could you rest a bit?
- Um ... I'm not too tired yet. She said, stroking her husband's cheek.
- How do you feel ?
- Well, the epidural helps a lot. Mini Jun-chan just has to make her way to the exit. Said Jun making a small sign head down her body.
Toma chuckled and kissed her forehead.
- Do you call her that too now?
- Since I know it's a girl.
- But yet you didn't stop complaining when I said it! laughed Toma.
- It does not sound good in your mouth. Teased his wife before taking his lips.
- Yes, that's it. Seriously, she needs a name now, it becomes urgent.
- Um ... I'm waiting to see her face. I know that seeing her, I will know how to call her.
- You're amazing Jun-chan.
- I know.
- Are you ready for the birth of our baby?
- That's another story. Said Jun turning her head to the opposite side.
- It will be okay this time, mini Jun-chan is at term, you're both healthy and everything is good.
- I know. It's just that the hecatomb can always fall on us. She said with a half-forced smile.
- But after the rain comes the good weather. Said Toma before kissing her with all his love.
*****
Satoshi finally arrived at his parents' house despite all his efforts to delay his arrival. Nobody welcomed him but he knew that the Muraoka were with his parents in the living room. His thoughts were confirmed a few seconds later. Her father seemed indifferent to the situation, his mother smiled as a perfect mother and wife, the Muraoka gave him a lighter smile and Airi remained head down.
- Come, Satoshi, sit down. Said his mother.
The young man complied and settled in front of his fiancee. The marriage papers sat in the middle of the table.
- Today is a big day, ne? Launched Airi's mother.
Satoshi nodded briefly, snatching his seal from his pocket and placing it on the table. With a heavy hand, he then grabbed the pen that was also there and began to fill the papers. Once finished, he put his seal on it and handed it to Airi who still had not raised her head.
- Airi-san. Your turn. He said, forcing a smile.
The young woman thanked him politely with a head movement and grabbed the pen. Satoshi thought then that his life was going to change soon. He saw his fiance tracing the characters of her name with still more slowness than him, then her hand came to rest on the paper for a long time.
- Airi? Everything is fine ? Asked his mother.
- Airi-san? Asked Satoshi's.
Airi finally put the pen on the table and her hand on her lap.
- I definitely can't.
- What? Exclaimed Satoshi's mother, offended.
- I can't marry Satoshi-san, he ... He loves someone else and he had to give up on her for this wedding. I can't do that to him, I'm sorry.
- Are you sure ? Asked her mother.
- Hai. I'm sorry, Ohno-san.
The young woman turned to her father.
- Otou-san, I'm sorry but I can't fulfill your wish to see me get married before your death.
- It's nothing, darling, your happiness comes first.
- Ohno-san, how much do we owe you for the organization of the ceremony?
Satoshi saw that his mother was fuming.
- No ! No ! No ! It can't end like this! She shouted, punching the table.
- Ohno-san please try to understand ... tried Airi.
- You little pest! How can you be fooled by my idiot son? It is out of the question that you cancel, you'll get married that's all!
- Ohno-san I don't allow you to talk to our daughter like that! Mrs. Muraoka became annoyed. We refuse this marriage and we will not go back on our decision! Besides, we leave immediately. We will send you a check to pay you back.
- We understand perfectly. Said calmly the father of Satoshi who got up to accompany them.
The Muraoka arose and left, as Airi's mother had promised. Just before leaving the room, Airi smiled and gave a slight nod to Satoshi, who replied, as a thank you. Once the front door had slammed, Mrs. Ohno got angry again.
- How could you ruin this marriage? We have already organized everything! I knew you're really just a perfect idiot!
- I didn't want to get married and she didn't either! I love Kazumi and you took her away from me! I am not Hiroshi! I am not the good little son of the family who obeys his parents and marries a perfect stranger for the sole purpose of quickly passing on our name through my children! I'm sick of you trying to run my life, you will never do it again you hear me!
- You have no choice, there are lots of families ready to marry their daughter! I'll find you another bride and you'll marry her!
- Why do you want to force me to do that? What is your goal in doing that? Do you think you are a good mother? Do you think that's love?
- She has an affair.
Satoshi and his mother immediately turned to the father in the doorway, arms crossed.
- Mamoru ... How ... How did you know?
- Tsk ... You take the whole world for fools as I can see.
The architect's gaze passed from one of his parents to another without understanding.
- Otou-san, what is the link with marriage?
- My son, there is a clause in our marriage contract that says that we can't divorce before our children are all married, at least if your mother wants her share of property.
Satoshi's mother remained silent despite her lips that kept opening and closing as her fingers moved on her lap.
- You wanted me to get married so you could divorce, touch the amount of money that goes with it and go sleep with your lover?
- Not only you, but your brother and your sister too.
- What do you mean ?
- She knows this man for years, I'm wrong?
Mrs. Ohno looked away.
- Dad ? Why didn't you stop it if you knew?
- Your brother is like her, heartless, arrogant, cold, I am ashamed to say it but I don't care about his fate. I wanted to intervene for your sister but she fell in love with her fiance and they are more than happy together. As for you, I was sure that you would not let yourself go because you loved someone else, but I didn't know you would take so much time to rebel and there was also Muraoka and his illness. .. Damn, Satoshi, you're way too nice for yourself!
- Hum ...
- Then run and go find the one you like! Hurry! Before I kick your butt!
- But ... Satoshi started turning to his mother.
- I'll deal with your mother, go! Go find her! Tell her that you love her and make love to her like never before!
- Dad ! Grumbled Satoshi, standing up, cheeks red.
- Don't discuss !
The architect rolled his eyes and ran out of the house as quickly as possible to regain his love, now that he was finally free.
*****
Satoshi finally arrived at the door of Kazumi's apartment and rang several times but it was not her who opened the door, it was her brother.
- Aiba-san I ...
He didn't give him time to finish his setence that Aiba's right fist flew in his face and he fell backwards.
- Go away ! I will not let you hurt my little sister again!
The architect frowned, wiping a little blood from his lower lip and getting up in one go.
- Aiba-san let me in, I love Kazumi! I want to be with her!
- You're really looking for trouble. Masaki growled as he was about to grab his sister's ex by the collar.
- Mas', stop, leave it to me.
Satoshi's face lit up when he saw Kazumi appear behind her brother.
- But Kazu-chan ...
- Leave me alone with him, we'll talk once and for all.
The teacher sighed and stepped out of the way. Kazumi walked past him, walked out of the apartment and closed the door behind her before crossing her arms over her chest.
- So ? You are married now, if I understand correctly.
- No, my fiancée refused to fill the papers, we broke our engagement, my mother used me and my parents will divorce but all that is a long story. The most important thing is that I love you, I'm crazy about you and I want you in my life, you and you alone. I will never lie to you again, I will make you happy, I ... I ... I'll crawl at your feet for you if I have to! Please Kazumi, forgive me and come back to me! No one will get in between us! Onegai!
And saying this, the young man threw himself on the ground, kneeling, face down. There was first a brief silence and then a laugh from Kazumi.
- You really are an idiot.
- Eh?
Satoshi lifted his head.
- Coming here, shoutig all your love for me in the hallway where everyone can hear you and then throw you at my feet in the hope that I grant you my forgiveness. Nobody would ridiculise themselves like that unless they were sincere.
- Eh? He repeated without having the opportunity to say more because Kazumi had bent down to him and kissed him passionately.
Kazumi's arms surrounded him and his also met in the back of the young woman, enjoying the kiss he deepened without worrying where they were and who could see them.
- Kazumi ... he gasped as they parted.
- I may be completely crazy to trust you again but I love you too and I can't imagine the rest of my life without you.
Satoshi smiled and, mad with happiness and love, melted on her lips again. The kiss broken, their foreheads stucked to each other and their eyes plunged into each other.
- Do you promise me that you will not hide anything from me anymore?
- I promise, you will always be the first to which I confess.
- And you will fight for our couple?
- Until death.
- Never betray me again or you are a dead man, you heard me?
- Never again will I make you suffer, I swear to you.
Kazumi snuggled against him, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.
- You are mine for eternity. I love you Satoshi.
- I will never give up on you again. I love you Kazumi.
*****
Toma helped his wife into the NICU after they put on a disposable gown and a mask. The young woman could hardly contain her tears. They both found the pediatrician who had come to fetch them and she led them to an incubator where a tiny baby was resting, connected to monitors. The doctor showed a curve on a screen.
- Do you see this curve and this number beside? It's the heartbeat of your son.
Jun swallowed and squeezed a little closer to her husband.
- His heart rate is below normal and has been steadily slowing since his birth. Ikuta-san, your baby... was born after only 25 weeks of gestation, his lungs are not properly developed, he has trouble breathing even when under assistance and his other vital organs do not work well either... his brain was deprived of oxygen for 5 minutes at birth ...
- It's ok... We understood doctor... Jun said dryly between two sobs.
- I'm sorry.
- Can I at least take him in my arms? Asked the publisher.
- Of course. We will unplug him from the monitors and leave him with you until he leaves us.
- Thank you Doctor
A few minutes later, Jun was sitting on a chair in the same room, Toma at her side. She stared at each of the gestures the pediatrician made as she unplugged each probe, each electrode, each tube connected to her son and wrapped him gently in a sheet before coming to put him in her arms. She had stopped crying because she wanted to anchor her child's face in her memory as accurately as possible, to never forget it. He was still breathing softly if we were referring to the movement of his chest, but his body barely larger than Toma's hand seemed lifeless, his eyes were closed and yet, despite everything, she found him perfect. She found him beautiful, more beautiful than anything else in the world, and she could not help but smile bitterly. The heart filled with love for this little being who was already saying goodbye to the world.
Her index finger moved and touched his tiny hands, his nose, his cheek. She smelled his scent and forgot for a moment that she would never see him grow up.
- Hey little guy. Toma started in a low voice. You will soon leave this world but don't worry, daddy and mommy are here with you.
- We love you more than anything and I hope that during your short existence, you have at least a little felt it. Murmured Jun in turn.
The architect wrapped his arms around them and pressed his forehead to Jun's temple. They stayed in that position for another two hours when the pediatrician came back, lowered herself before them and put her stethoscope on the baby's chest, listened, then removed it from her ears and put it around her neck.
- Doctor ...? whispered Jun.
- He left, peacefully. All my condolences.
And the publisher finally burst into tears, letting out all her pain as she hugged her lifeless son a little tighter against her.
Later, they were about to leave the intensive care room bending over without a word above the cradle where their little boy was now wrapped in a sheet. The pediatrician came back to them.
- We need a name for the death certificate, I know it's a very difficult time but ...
- Kagero. Said Jun without emotion in her voice and without looking away from her baby. His name is Kagero. She repeated
Exhausted, panting and sweaty, Jun let her head fall back against her pillow.
- All right, Ikuta-san, again! Encouraged the midwife.
- I can't ... breathed the publisher.
- Of course you can, your baby will be here soon. Come on, you have to push!
- No I can't ! I can't... I can't... sobbed Jun
- Jun-chan, just a bit more my love, you're almost there!
- No ! As soon as she will be out of me, they will take my baby, they will take her away from me and she will die!
Big tears were now running down her cheeks. Toma squeezed her hand a little harder.
- Jun, listen to me, it will not happen but you have to push because if she stays too long stuck she will run out of energy and then she will be in trouble. You understand ? You know it as well as me, right?
Jun nodded.
- So go ahead, I will not let you go.
The young woman then gathered all her remaining energy and began to push again under the encouragement of Toma and the midwife.
- You're doing great, Ikuta-san! Come on, you're almost there!
- She's coming, Jun-chan!
Jun clenched her teeth and pushed, pushed with all the strength she already thought running out of her from the previous push and when she was finally ordered to stop, she felt like if her head was filled with cotton for a few seconds. Then, when this feeling faded, it gave way to all the other sensations and everything went very quickly. Her eyes opened and she saw the most beautiful thing of the world being deposited against her chest. Her hands closed on her warm, soft and wet little body, her nostrils were filled with the smell of that little wonder, her eardrums were filled with her cries, congratulations from the caregivers and the "I love you" Toma kept on whispering in the hollow of her ear. A huge wave of love for her little girl crossed her as she kissed her little head and finally, facing all these emotions at the same time, her brain gave only one order to her voice.
- Mirai, finally I hold you in my arms ...
~ END ~
[Epilogue]
- Wow ... what a little wonder. Whispered Kazumi with a broad smile admiring the newborn who was sleeping in her arms.
Satoshi, who was sitting next to her, brought his index finger to the baby's cheek and tickled it for a second, which caused the child to frown and turn her head a little.
- Stop ! You'll wake her up! Kazumi growled in a low voice.
- Don't worry, Kazumi-chan, it takes more than that to wake a baby up.
- Especially if she's like her mother. Said Satoshi.
- How do you talk about your big sister, you?
The architect pulled out the tongue to Mitsuki then stood up.
- Well, it was nice to meet my new niece but we have to go. Jun asked us to come to her house.
- Oh already? whined Kazumi.
- Hum. Satoshi acquiesced, takig the child from her arms and gently giving her back to her mother before grabbing his girlfriend's hands to make her get up. If we're late, she'll kill me.
- True. Kazumi said, slipping in her coat and scarf to face the cold outside. See you again Mitsuki nee-san!
- Mata nee! Answered Satoshi's sister when they left her room.
They went out hand in hand from the hospital and took the train to Jun and Toma's house. The car was miraculously empty and so they could sit side by side.
- You should think about getting your car out to get around sometimes. Kazumi said.
- I know but I like the train. Not you ?
- I can't say I'm crazy in love with it.
- Yet if I had taken my car the day we met, we would never have met.
- That's true.
Kazumi's hand slipped on her boyfriend's knee as the man's arm circled her shoulders. She looked up and kissed his cheek before snuggling against him.
- I love you.
- Me too. He replied after a quick kiss on the tip of Kazumi's icy nose.
*****
They finally arrived at Jun and Toma's house. Satoshi entered without ringing as his publisher friend had asked him to, and dragged his girlfriend with him.
- Eh? The lights are off. This one noticed when they entered the living room.
Suddenly, the light was on, party crackers exploded and their friends as well as Sho, Masaki and her parents appeared.
- SURPRISE !!! they all shouted in chorus.
Kazumi stood motionless for a moment and turned to the architect who was laughing quietly beside her.
- A surprise for what? It's not my birthday ... Is it you behind all that?
- No it's me ! Satoshi only helped me. Said Jun approaching Kazumi to hug her.
The publisher then went to the coffee table, where a cardboard box was placed, from which she took out something which she came to give to her friend. It was a book, her book.
- Tadaaa!
- It arrived ? Oh my God, I can't believe it!
- You finally became an author Kazumi-chan, congratulations! Bookstores will be supplied tomorrow morning.
The young woman brushed the cover of the book and then squeezed it against her.
- Thanks, Jun-san! It's thanks to you !
- Hey, I just did my job it's Satoshi who showed me your manuscript I'll remind you.
- I know I know. I am a great man!
Kazumi chuckled and pinched the arm of her boyfriend.
- Ite!
Little cries sounded in the baby monitor near the box and Jun sighed.
- We woke her up ...
- I go. Said Toma kissing his wife.
- You're so sweet.
Masaki then arrived to hug his sister and grab a copy of her book from the box.
- I'm proud of you Kazu-chan! So ? Will you sign it for me?
- I'll get a pen. Said Jun with a smile.
Kazumi rolled her eyes and her boyfriend laughed before dragging her onto the couch. Soon, the guests were all lined up to have a sign on their own copies and Toma returned with her daughter in his arms.
- Mirai-chan came to join the party. He announced. Coming to sit next to his wife.
- Awww ... This little girl is so cute she could almost steal the show from Kazumi-chan. Sho said tickling the baby's chin.
- I have no merit, she looks like her mother. Said Toma.
Jun kissed her daughter's head and took her in her arms too.
- 4 months old and she already breaks hearts, the worst nightmare of her father. laughed Jun dropping a kiss on each of her cheeks.
For any answer, Mirai stuck her fist in her mouth and chuckled, triggering the guests' reactions again. Masaki tugged on his companion's sleeve.
- Ne Sho-chan, I would like you to make me thousands like her!
- It's not exactly possible, honey.
- I'm sorry I thought he understood when we had THE discussion when he was younger. Said Kazumi and Masaki's mother who was getting her book signed.
A burst of general laughter.
- Good now that everyone had its dedication, it's time for champagne! Toma shot up to serve everyone.
Once everyone had a glass of champagne, Jun, who had not dropped her daughter an inch, toasted.
- To Kazumi-chan! May her author's career flourish, and I am ready to buy all the copies of her book myself if necessary! Kanpai!
- Kanpai!
Before drinking, Satoshi kissed his girlfriend and the look her father gave him didn't leave him indifferent as he abruptly left the woman's lips. Kazumi noticed it and hastened to call her father to order.
- Dad !
- I have you in the eye, both of you. He replied, looking at the architect.
The young woman rolled her eyes and took a sip of champagne, squeezing a little closer to Satoshi.
*****
Kazumi turned off the electric heater in the bathroom and ran quickly into the next room to slip under the thick blanket of Satoshi's bed. The architect was sitting against the headboard, her book open in his hands. A small smile graced her face and the young woman slipped against him, looking for warmth and, knowing very well what part he was reading, let him finish. It was not long before he looked down at her.
- You dedicated your novel to me?
- Of course. I even called it "Metro Station" in honor of our meeting.
- I am touched. He said kissing the top of the young author's head.
- And me, I love you.
- I know, but not as much as I love you. Satoshi replied before sealing their lips in a tender kiss.
Pairing : Ohmiya, Sakuraiba, Jun/Toma
Rating : PG-13
Genre : Romance, fluff, Comedy
Warning : Genderswitch ^^
Summary : Kazumi wants to be a writer but her work got rejected again and on her way back home, a stranger made her fall in the metro station.
Note : Hi everyone ! We're finally at the end of this fiction. I'm glad it pleased you and sorry to have been so slow to write some of its chapters ^^" I hope this last chapter will be ok. I'll leave it to you now ^^
[Last Chapter]
Toma quietly did the breakfast dishes when he heard glass shatter behind him. He turned at once and saw his wife leaning with one hand against the kitchen table while her free hand was stuck to her stomach. At her feet were broken glass that she probably had in her hand a few seconds before. Immediately, he rushed to her and rubbed her back affectionately.
- Jun-chan? Are you okay ?
- I have a contraction, it will pass ... I'm sorry, I dropped my glass ...
- It's nothing. Sit down for a moment. He said, putting his wife gently on a chair.
Jun closed her eyes and let out a long exhale while her husband picked up the pieces of glass and threw them in the trash. He took off his apron and helped her up.
- I'm going to get your bag, I'll take you to the hospital.
- What? No ! It will pass I tell you! I'm going to lie down, rest a bit and ...
- Jun-chan you complain about these contractions since last night and you were supposed to give birth two days ago. Don't argue, we go to the hospital, our baby is ready to make her appearance in the world.
The publisher tried to keep calm and breathed slowly.
- And I'm sure you too, you know it's time. Added Toma.
- How can you be so calm? She asked, trying to stop her voice from shaking.
- I know everything will be fine. You are both ready.
The young man smiled, kissed his wife's forehead and left the room to go upstairs and pick up the bag they had prepared for maternity. Jun, she wasn't so sure about being ready to have this baby.
*****
Satoshi sighed, staring at his reflection in the mirror in his bathroom. Today was the day of his marriage, at least his civil marriage. He had an appointment with his parents in an hour to sign the papers with Airi before having to go to the town hall to formalize their union. The young man tied his necktie, ran a last comb through his hair and left the bathroom next to his bedroom.
As he picked up his phone, a thought ran through him. If he had to give up Kazumi forever, he wanted at least to tell her everything he had on his heart, and the only way was to call her. The architect dropped to his bed and dialed the number of his ex-girlfriend.
There was a ring then two and three and so on until he fell to voicemail and he didn't hang up, quite the contrary. The beep sounded and his lips grew animated.
- Kazumi, it's me ... Satoshi. I know I was a bastard, that I lied to you. But I didn't know what to do. I refused this marriage at first but ... my fiancée's father is dying. She wants her father to drive her to the altar so I finally agreed to marry her. Our plan ... was to get divorced after a year and ... I don't know ... Deep inside I knew I had to tell you everything and I knew it would be foolish to keep seeing you after my marriage but I can't live without you, Kazumi, I love you! I love you since the second I saw you the first time. This marriage was my only lie I promise you. Apart from that I only wanted to make you happy, to please you, to protect you and I never had a bad time in your company. I lived the most beautiful moments of my life with you.
The young man paused and swallowed.
- I ... I will register my civil marriage today. I will not change my mind, we will divorce in a year and I am sure that at the end of this year, my love for you will not have changed. If it's the same for you and you can forgive me, can you wait for me? No ... no ... I suppose that you probably prefer to forget me and I can't blame you, I prefer that you are happy. So ... Sayonara Kazumi. You are the best thing that happened to me in life.
Satoshi finally hung up and stayed a little while on his bed to stare at his phone and finally put it in his pocket and got up to leave the room.
*****
Kazumi had just received a call from Jun telling her that she was going into labor and that she doesn't have to come to her house for work in the next few days. Her boss had also given her instructions on the details to be worked on so that the publisher could rest after childbirth. Kazumi, suddenly taken with immense joy at the idea of the impending birth, had set to work immediately.
At the end of her phone calls, her phone warned her that a voicemail had been left to her and she hesitated for a moment to listen to it when she saw who was the author. She did, however, and the tears surfaced on her face from the very first "I love you" of Satoshi. His voice was shaking on the phone. He sounded sad, anxious, unhappy, but Kazumi didn't want to be fooled again, maybe it was just a cover. Nevertheless, yes, she still loved him and would be ready to wait a million years if necessary. The reason finally prevailed, she put her phone on the coffee table in the living room and started her video games to change her ideas ad clear her mind a bit.
*****
Toma entered his wife's room after a quick visit to the hospital's cafeteria for breakfast. Jun's, on the other hand, had not touched her tray in front of her. She stared at the food without really seeing it and the hand holding her chopsticks seemed to be playing with them on their own. The architect approached her and kissed her temple as he sat down at her bedside. He grabbed her free hand and kissed it too, hoping for a reaction that didn't come. He sighed.
- Jun-chan ... It'll be fine.
- How can it be fine? What happened is my fault.
- No, you didn't do anything.
- I should have put myself at rest as the doctor had said.
- Jun-chan, it doesn't matter ...
- Are you serious ?! she cried. Last night I gave birth to our son who barely stayed 6 months in my womb, do you realize ?! What will he become ? The doctor could not guarantee his survival and even if he survives, under what conditions?
- Calm down, honey.
- How do you want me to calm down? My baby is too weak for this world and it's my fault! I'm his mother, it was my job to protect him and I failed!
- He is our son and he will fight to live! Toma snapped, silencing his wife.
The young man sighed.
- Do you think I'm not anxious myself? I'm scared for him, just like you. But I hope he fights and he becomes big and strong so that we can show him the world! You should do the same! He will be fine!
Toma's second hand rested on hers and held her tight. Jun wiped her tears quickly and laid her free hand over it before smiling at him.
- You're right, we must have faith.
Someone knocked on the door.
- Yes, please come in. Replied the couple.
A doctor came in, her face closed.
- Ikuta-san?
- Yes, it's us. Replied Jun.
The woman approached them and shook their hands.
- I'm Dr. Sano, I'm a pediatrician and I took care of your baby last night.
The parents' faces lit up.
- How is he ? Asked the publisher full of hopes now.
But the doctor face wasn't that encouraging.
- I came to get you to see him one last time and say goodbye.
And the young woman was now a torrent of tears in the arms of her husband.
Jun opened her eyes and recognized the delivery room where she had been installed several hours earlier. Her husband at her bedside, smiled at her immediately.
- Could you rest a bit?
- Um ... I'm not too tired yet. She said, stroking her husband's cheek.
- How do you feel ?
- Well, the epidural helps a lot. Mini Jun-chan just has to make her way to the exit. Said Jun making a small sign head down her body.
Toma chuckled and kissed her forehead.
- Do you call her that too now?
- Since I know it's a girl.
- But yet you didn't stop complaining when I said it! laughed Toma.
- It does not sound good in your mouth. Teased his wife before taking his lips.
- Yes, that's it. Seriously, she needs a name now, it becomes urgent.
- Um ... I'm waiting to see her face. I know that seeing her, I will know how to call her.
- You're amazing Jun-chan.
- I know.
- Are you ready for the birth of our baby?
- That's another story. Said Jun turning her head to the opposite side.
- It will be okay this time, mini Jun-chan is at term, you're both healthy and everything is good.
- I know. It's just that the hecatomb can always fall on us. She said with a half-forced smile.
- But after the rain comes the good weather. Said Toma before kissing her with all his love.
*****
Satoshi finally arrived at his parents' house despite all his efforts to delay his arrival. Nobody welcomed him but he knew that the Muraoka were with his parents in the living room. His thoughts were confirmed a few seconds later. Her father seemed indifferent to the situation, his mother smiled as a perfect mother and wife, the Muraoka gave him a lighter smile and Airi remained head down.
- Come, Satoshi, sit down. Said his mother.
The young man complied and settled in front of his fiancee. The marriage papers sat in the middle of the table.
- Today is a big day, ne? Launched Airi's mother.
Satoshi nodded briefly, snatching his seal from his pocket and placing it on the table. With a heavy hand, he then grabbed the pen that was also there and began to fill the papers. Once finished, he put his seal on it and handed it to Airi who still had not raised her head.
- Airi-san. Your turn. He said, forcing a smile.
The young woman thanked him politely with a head movement and grabbed the pen. Satoshi thought then that his life was going to change soon. He saw his fiance tracing the characters of her name with still more slowness than him, then her hand came to rest on the paper for a long time.
- Airi? Everything is fine ? Asked his mother.
- Airi-san? Asked Satoshi's.
Airi finally put the pen on the table and her hand on her lap.
- I definitely can't.
- What? Exclaimed Satoshi's mother, offended.
- I can't marry Satoshi-san, he ... He loves someone else and he had to give up on her for this wedding. I can't do that to him, I'm sorry.
- Are you sure ? Asked her mother.
- Hai. I'm sorry, Ohno-san.
The young woman turned to her father.
- Otou-san, I'm sorry but I can't fulfill your wish to see me get married before your death.
- It's nothing, darling, your happiness comes first.
- Ohno-san, how much do we owe you for the organization of the ceremony?
Satoshi saw that his mother was fuming.
- No ! No ! No ! It can't end like this! She shouted, punching the table.
- Ohno-san please try to understand ... tried Airi.
- You little pest! How can you be fooled by my idiot son? It is out of the question that you cancel, you'll get married that's all!
- Ohno-san I don't allow you to talk to our daughter like that! Mrs. Muraoka became annoyed. We refuse this marriage and we will not go back on our decision! Besides, we leave immediately. We will send you a check to pay you back.
- We understand perfectly. Said calmly the father of Satoshi who got up to accompany them.
The Muraoka arose and left, as Airi's mother had promised. Just before leaving the room, Airi smiled and gave a slight nod to Satoshi, who replied, as a thank you. Once the front door had slammed, Mrs. Ohno got angry again.
- How could you ruin this marriage? We have already organized everything! I knew you're really just a perfect idiot!
- I didn't want to get married and she didn't either! I love Kazumi and you took her away from me! I am not Hiroshi! I am not the good little son of the family who obeys his parents and marries a perfect stranger for the sole purpose of quickly passing on our name through my children! I'm sick of you trying to run my life, you will never do it again you hear me!
- You have no choice, there are lots of families ready to marry their daughter! I'll find you another bride and you'll marry her!
- Why do you want to force me to do that? What is your goal in doing that? Do you think you are a good mother? Do you think that's love?
- She has an affair.
Satoshi and his mother immediately turned to the father in the doorway, arms crossed.
- Mamoru ... How ... How did you know?
- Tsk ... You take the whole world for fools as I can see.
The architect's gaze passed from one of his parents to another without understanding.
- Otou-san, what is the link with marriage?
- My son, there is a clause in our marriage contract that says that we can't divorce before our children are all married, at least if your mother wants her share of property.
Satoshi's mother remained silent despite her lips that kept opening and closing as her fingers moved on her lap.
- You wanted me to get married so you could divorce, touch the amount of money that goes with it and go sleep with your lover?
- Not only you, but your brother and your sister too.
- What do you mean ?
- She knows this man for years, I'm wrong?
Mrs. Ohno looked away.
- Dad ? Why didn't you stop it if you knew?
- Your brother is like her, heartless, arrogant, cold, I am ashamed to say it but I don't care about his fate. I wanted to intervene for your sister but she fell in love with her fiance and they are more than happy together. As for you, I was sure that you would not let yourself go because you loved someone else, but I didn't know you would take so much time to rebel and there was also Muraoka and his illness. .. Damn, Satoshi, you're way too nice for yourself!
- Hum ...
- Then run and go find the one you like! Hurry! Before I kick your butt!
- But ... Satoshi started turning to his mother.
- I'll deal with your mother, go! Go find her! Tell her that you love her and make love to her like never before!
- Dad ! Grumbled Satoshi, standing up, cheeks red.
- Don't discuss !
The architect rolled his eyes and ran out of the house as quickly as possible to regain his love, now that he was finally free.
*****
Satoshi finally arrived at the door of Kazumi's apartment and rang several times but it was not her who opened the door, it was her brother.
- Aiba-san I ...
He didn't give him time to finish his setence that Aiba's right fist flew in his face and he fell backwards.
- Go away ! I will not let you hurt my little sister again!
The architect frowned, wiping a little blood from his lower lip and getting up in one go.
- Aiba-san let me in, I love Kazumi! I want to be with her!
- You're really looking for trouble. Masaki growled as he was about to grab his sister's ex by the collar.
- Mas', stop, leave it to me.
Satoshi's face lit up when he saw Kazumi appear behind her brother.
- But Kazu-chan ...
- Leave me alone with him, we'll talk once and for all.
The teacher sighed and stepped out of the way. Kazumi walked past him, walked out of the apartment and closed the door behind her before crossing her arms over her chest.
- So ? You are married now, if I understand correctly.
- No, my fiancée refused to fill the papers, we broke our engagement, my mother used me and my parents will divorce but all that is a long story. The most important thing is that I love you, I'm crazy about you and I want you in my life, you and you alone. I will never lie to you again, I will make you happy, I ... I ... I'll crawl at your feet for you if I have to! Please Kazumi, forgive me and come back to me! No one will get in between us! Onegai!
And saying this, the young man threw himself on the ground, kneeling, face down. There was first a brief silence and then a laugh from Kazumi.
- You really are an idiot.
- Eh?
Satoshi lifted his head.
- Coming here, shoutig all your love for me in the hallway where everyone can hear you and then throw you at my feet in the hope that I grant you my forgiveness. Nobody would ridiculise themselves like that unless they were sincere.
- Eh? He repeated without having the opportunity to say more because Kazumi had bent down to him and kissed him passionately.
Kazumi's arms surrounded him and his also met in the back of the young woman, enjoying the kiss he deepened without worrying where they were and who could see them.
- Kazumi ... he gasped as they parted.
- I may be completely crazy to trust you again but I love you too and I can't imagine the rest of my life without you.
Satoshi smiled and, mad with happiness and love, melted on her lips again. The kiss broken, their foreheads stucked to each other and their eyes plunged into each other.
- Do you promise me that you will not hide anything from me anymore?
- I promise, you will always be the first to which I confess.
- And you will fight for our couple?
- Until death.
- Never betray me again or you are a dead man, you heard me?
- Never again will I make you suffer, I swear to you.
Kazumi snuggled against him, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.
- You are mine for eternity. I love you Satoshi.
- I will never give up on you again. I love you Kazumi.
*****
Toma helped his wife into the NICU after they put on a disposable gown and a mask. The young woman could hardly contain her tears. They both found the pediatrician who had come to fetch them and she led them to an incubator where a tiny baby was resting, connected to monitors. The doctor showed a curve on a screen.
- Do you see this curve and this number beside? It's the heartbeat of your son.
Jun swallowed and squeezed a little closer to her husband.
- His heart rate is below normal and has been steadily slowing since his birth. Ikuta-san, your baby... was born after only 25 weeks of gestation, his lungs are not properly developed, he has trouble breathing even when under assistance and his other vital organs do not work well either... his brain was deprived of oxygen for 5 minutes at birth ...
- It's ok... We understood doctor... Jun said dryly between two sobs.
- I'm sorry.
- Can I at least take him in my arms? Asked the publisher.
- Of course. We will unplug him from the monitors and leave him with you until he leaves us.
- Thank you Doctor
A few minutes later, Jun was sitting on a chair in the same room, Toma at her side. She stared at each of the gestures the pediatrician made as she unplugged each probe, each electrode, each tube connected to her son and wrapped him gently in a sheet before coming to put him in her arms. She had stopped crying because she wanted to anchor her child's face in her memory as accurately as possible, to never forget it. He was still breathing softly if we were referring to the movement of his chest, but his body barely larger than Toma's hand seemed lifeless, his eyes were closed and yet, despite everything, she found him perfect. She found him beautiful, more beautiful than anything else in the world, and she could not help but smile bitterly. The heart filled with love for this little being who was already saying goodbye to the world.
Her index finger moved and touched his tiny hands, his nose, his cheek. She smelled his scent and forgot for a moment that she would never see him grow up.
- Hey little guy. Toma started in a low voice. You will soon leave this world but don't worry, daddy and mommy are here with you.
- We love you more than anything and I hope that during your short existence, you have at least a little felt it. Murmured Jun in turn.
The architect wrapped his arms around them and pressed his forehead to Jun's temple. They stayed in that position for another two hours when the pediatrician came back, lowered herself before them and put her stethoscope on the baby's chest, listened, then removed it from her ears and put it around her neck.
- Doctor ...? whispered Jun.
- He left, peacefully. All my condolences.
And the publisher finally burst into tears, letting out all her pain as she hugged her lifeless son a little tighter against her.
Later, they were about to leave the intensive care room bending over without a word above the cradle where their little boy was now wrapped in a sheet. The pediatrician came back to them.
- We need a name for the death certificate, I know it's a very difficult time but ...
- Kagero. Said Jun without emotion in her voice and without looking away from her baby. His name is Kagero. She repeated
Exhausted, panting and sweaty, Jun let her head fall back against her pillow.
- All right, Ikuta-san, again! Encouraged the midwife.
- I can't ... breathed the publisher.
- Of course you can, your baby will be here soon. Come on, you have to push!
- No I can't ! I can't... I can't... sobbed Jun
- Jun-chan, just a bit more my love, you're almost there!
- No ! As soon as she will be out of me, they will take my baby, they will take her away from me and she will die!
Big tears were now running down her cheeks. Toma squeezed her hand a little harder.
- Jun, listen to me, it will not happen but you have to push because if she stays too long stuck she will run out of energy and then she will be in trouble. You understand ? You know it as well as me, right?
Jun nodded.
- So go ahead, I will not let you go.
The young woman then gathered all her remaining energy and began to push again under the encouragement of Toma and the midwife.
- You're doing great, Ikuta-san! Come on, you're almost there!
- She's coming, Jun-chan!
Jun clenched her teeth and pushed, pushed with all the strength she already thought running out of her from the previous push and when she was finally ordered to stop, she felt like if her head was filled with cotton for a few seconds. Then, when this feeling faded, it gave way to all the other sensations and everything went very quickly. Her eyes opened and she saw the most beautiful thing of the world being deposited against her chest. Her hands closed on her warm, soft and wet little body, her nostrils were filled with the smell of that little wonder, her eardrums were filled with her cries, congratulations from the caregivers and the "I love you" Toma kept on whispering in the hollow of her ear. A huge wave of love for her little girl crossed her as she kissed her little head and finally, facing all these emotions at the same time, her brain gave only one order to her voice.
- Mirai, finally I hold you in my arms ...
~ END ~
[Epilogue]
- Wow ... what a little wonder. Whispered Kazumi with a broad smile admiring the newborn who was sleeping in her arms.
Satoshi, who was sitting next to her, brought his index finger to the baby's cheek and tickled it for a second, which caused the child to frown and turn her head a little.
- Stop ! You'll wake her up! Kazumi growled in a low voice.
- Don't worry, Kazumi-chan, it takes more than that to wake a baby up.
- Especially if she's like her mother. Said Satoshi.
- How do you talk about your big sister, you?
The architect pulled out the tongue to Mitsuki then stood up.
- Well, it was nice to meet my new niece but we have to go. Jun asked us to come to her house.
- Oh already? whined Kazumi.
- Hum. Satoshi acquiesced, takig the child from her arms and gently giving her back to her mother before grabbing his girlfriend's hands to make her get up. If we're late, she'll kill me.
- True. Kazumi said, slipping in her coat and scarf to face the cold outside. See you again Mitsuki nee-san!
- Mata nee! Answered Satoshi's sister when they left her room.
They went out hand in hand from the hospital and took the train to Jun and Toma's house. The car was miraculously empty and so they could sit side by side.
- You should think about getting your car out to get around sometimes. Kazumi said.
- I know but I like the train. Not you ?
- I can't say I'm crazy in love with it.
- Yet if I had taken my car the day we met, we would never have met.
- That's true.
Kazumi's hand slipped on her boyfriend's knee as the man's arm circled her shoulders. She looked up and kissed his cheek before snuggling against him.
- I love you.
- Me too. He replied after a quick kiss on the tip of Kazumi's icy nose.
*****
They finally arrived at Jun and Toma's house. Satoshi entered without ringing as his publisher friend had asked him to, and dragged his girlfriend with him.
- Eh? The lights are off. This one noticed when they entered the living room.
Suddenly, the light was on, party crackers exploded and their friends as well as Sho, Masaki and her parents appeared.
- SURPRISE !!! they all shouted in chorus.
Kazumi stood motionless for a moment and turned to the architect who was laughing quietly beside her.
- A surprise for what? It's not my birthday ... Is it you behind all that?
- No it's me ! Satoshi only helped me. Said Jun approaching Kazumi to hug her.
The publisher then went to the coffee table, where a cardboard box was placed, from which she took out something which she came to give to her friend. It was a book, her book.
- Tadaaa!
- It arrived ? Oh my God, I can't believe it!
- You finally became an author Kazumi-chan, congratulations! Bookstores will be supplied tomorrow morning.
The young woman brushed the cover of the book and then squeezed it against her.
- Thanks, Jun-san! It's thanks to you !
- Hey, I just did my job it's Satoshi who showed me your manuscript I'll remind you.
- I know I know. I am a great man!
Kazumi chuckled and pinched the arm of her boyfriend.
- Ite!
Little cries sounded in the baby monitor near the box and Jun sighed.
- We woke her up ...
- I go. Said Toma kissing his wife.
- You're so sweet.
Masaki then arrived to hug his sister and grab a copy of her book from the box.
- I'm proud of you Kazu-chan! So ? Will you sign it for me?
- I'll get a pen. Said Jun with a smile.
Kazumi rolled her eyes and her boyfriend laughed before dragging her onto the couch. Soon, the guests were all lined up to have a sign on their own copies and Toma returned with her daughter in his arms.
- Mirai-chan came to join the party. He announced. Coming to sit next to his wife.
- Awww ... This little girl is so cute she could almost steal the show from Kazumi-chan. Sho said tickling the baby's chin.
- I have no merit, she looks like her mother. Said Toma.
Jun kissed her daughter's head and took her in her arms too.
- 4 months old and she already breaks hearts, the worst nightmare of her father. laughed Jun dropping a kiss on each of her cheeks.
For any answer, Mirai stuck her fist in her mouth and chuckled, triggering the guests' reactions again. Masaki tugged on his companion's sleeve.
- Ne Sho-chan, I would like you to make me thousands like her!
- It's not exactly possible, honey.
- I'm sorry I thought he understood when we had THE discussion when he was younger. Said Kazumi and Masaki's mother who was getting her book signed.
A burst of general laughter.
- Good now that everyone had its dedication, it's time for champagne! Toma shot up to serve everyone.
Once everyone had a glass of champagne, Jun, who had not dropped her daughter an inch, toasted.
- To Kazumi-chan! May her author's career flourish, and I am ready to buy all the copies of her book myself if necessary! Kanpai!
- Kanpai!
Before drinking, Satoshi kissed his girlfriend and the look her father gave him didn't leave him indifferent as he abruptly left the woman's lips. Kazumi noticed it and hastened to call her father to order.
- Dad !
- I have you in the eye, both of you. He replied, looking at the architect.
The young woman rolled her eyes and took a sip of champagne, squeezing a little closer to Satoshi.
*****
Kazumi turned off the electric heater in the bathroom and ran quickly into the next room to slip under the thick blanket of Satoshi's bed. The architect was sitting against the headboard, her book open in his hands. A small smile graced her face and the young woman slipped against him, looking for warmth and, knowing very well what part he was reading, let him finish. It was not long before he looked down at her.
- You dedicated your novel to me?
- Of course. I even called it "Metro Station" in honor of our meeting.
- I am touched. He said kissing the top of the young author's head.
- And me, I love you.
- I know, but not as much as I love you. Satoshi replied before sealing their lips in a tender kiss.