Hidden Secrets

Chapter 105

"Another break? Are you serious? We're just a few meters away from the Tower, and I'm already carrying all the bags," Shingo complained as Usagi headed for a bench for the third time on their way home.
"You're only carrying yourself. I'm sharing my body with two more passengers," she puffed, sliding into the shade on the bench.
"Usa, you're only in the middle of your fourth month. Stop blaming your poor condition on the babies. You could still do some exercise even while pregnant," he retorted, handing her a water bottle. She accepted it gratefully and skillfully ignored his provocation.

"Feeling better?" he asked after a moment, extending his hand to help her up.
"Yeah, I don't know, I just feel like I have no energy and I'm so thirsty. That's the second bottle on the way back... Maybe I should stop by Amy's when we get back... Just to be safe," she replied, linking arms with her brother as they continued on their way.
"If we even make it to the Tower at your pace," he teased, earning an elbow in the side.

Usagi was already gasping for air after just a few more steps, but she didn't dare ask her brother for another break. It wasn't until the Tower was in sight that Shingo stopped. His worried glance swept over to her, and his face went pale in an instant.
"Damn, Usa. You're sweating like crazy! What's wrong with you?" he asked, quickly guiding her to a small wall where he sat her down. Usagi took a deep breath, her hands gripping the stone beneath her to keep her balance.
"I don't know, but I really don't feel well," she murmured.
"Wait here a moment, there's a vending machine up ahead. I'll get you something, and then I'll call Seiya," Shingo said, rushing off. His sister watched him go, the words of protest on her lips dying away under her breathlessness.

It didn't take long before a water bottle appeared in her line of sight. With trembling hands, she reached for it and managed to bring it to her lips. Despite all the water she had already drunk, her throat still felt parched.

Shingo stood to the side and pulled out his phone, keeping his eyes on his sister. Her condition was really worrying him.
"Seiya? Something's wrong with Usagi. I don't know, we were just shopping at a baby store, and now she's gasping for air and downing water like crazy. She can barely walk more than a few steps at a time... One street away from the Tower... Yeah, okay. See you soon," Shingo's words reached her in a muffled tone.
"Seiya's on his way. He'll be here soon," he said reassuringly to Usagi, hurrying back to her side.

Seiya's pulse skyrocketed as he ended the call.
Shocked, he glanced over at Yaten, who was still sitting on the couch, puffing away. In an instant, the dark-haired man grabbed his jacket and bolted for the door.
"Yaten, I have to go. The family business is in your hands for now. Something's wrong with Usagi! I'll call you when I know more. Haruka knows about the meeting with the architects for the new freighter..." his further explanation was cut off by the slamming door.

The silver-haired man looked up in surprise and rolled his eyes in annoyance. It seemed there would never be a quiet day in this family, he concluded. Knowing that any objections would be lost on Seiya, he pulled out his phone and texted Minako.

>  Sweety, can't make it. I'm acting CEO for now... Some problem, Seiya had to leave. < Yaten.

__

Minako read the message and tucked her phone back into her handbag. In the next moment, she handed the stroller over to Hikari.

"Looks like your son won't be showing up anytime soon. Are you really sure you can manage her if I go see Rei?" she asked, glancing from her sleeping daughter to her future mother-in-law.

Hikari smiled lovingly at the sleeping bundle before turning back to the blonde. "I raised three of them, and when Yaten was this age, I had a one-year-old crawling around the house, pulling everything down, and a two-year-old eager to explore the world. I think I can handle one baby. Now go on, your friend is probably already waiting for you."