Rule Four || Dream

⏸Red String: END⏸

{Shizuka}

I've decided to remain legally unmarried. Hiroshi should be able to leave me whenever he wants, and find a girl that he could love, that doesn't have any emotional ties to an ex. He deserves to find someone who'll love him back completely. And I told him this.

He let out a short chuckle and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "You don't want anything to do with me. Do you?"

"That's not what I'm saying. I really do love you, but you don't deserve to be with someone who shares their heart with another human. You deserve to be happy."

He nodded. "I still love you. And I'll always love you. But...you are right."

I smiled. I'm glad he understood. "And I totally understand if you don't want anything to do with the baby--"

"That's where you're wrong. I'm still going to take care of him or her. Maybe whenever they're old enough, I can take them on weekends?"

"That would be lovely, Hiroshi."

"Then it's all set."

We stood there for a moment, silently. Then I stuck out my hand.

"Friends?" I questioned.

He looked at my hand before taking it, and pulling me into a hug. "Friends," he agreed.

Before he pulled away, he gave me a kiss on my forehead. Then he walked out my house, and I frowned after him. I'm sure going to miss him being here often. It was fun playing board games with him, and watching movies, and talking about our days at work.

Erie walked in the front room, with the bowl of strawberries and whipped cream I wanted.

"Could you ask for anything more expensive? Wow, you're lucky I love you."

I rolled my eyes as she gave me the bowl, and I began to eat them. "You would've gotten me them anyway, or you'd have to feel my wrath."

"I'm sure your 'wrath' is a kitten sneeze."

"Shut up," I mumbled.

Erie cuddled up against my side as we watched the movie playing. Never have I felt more relaxed and freed in my life.

⏸

Three months have passed, things more or less going smoothly. My pregnancy was going into the danger zone as my stomach protruded through every single shirt I had. So I was stuck in a dress, and I had to watch out for myself.

I was officially put on a very long hiatus, since I wasn't physically able to work. My whole body was aching and in pain.

"I can't wait to get this thing out of me," I groaned, lying on my bed.

Erie giggled, reading a book. About raising a baby, I'm sure. She wants to make sure everything is perfect when the boy or girl arrives soon. We hadn't bothered to see the gender, since I was intent on it being a surprise.

"It won't be too long, baby," Erie promised, using her free hand to rub my stomach.

I'm sure she wanted to feel the baby kick again, since it's one of the things she finds joy in. No matter if it hurt me. But I never told her it hurts.

"I want it out now," I whined, trying too rub my back. "I'm not having anymore children."

"Well, duh! I can't exactly help you in that department!"