The Brave Sacrifice (Omegaverse)

15. Hunger

The news of Yukio's pregnancy set both families ablaze. Ayako immediately went to the Nakamura's house with Genzo who had just arrived from Germany yesterday. Rumi and Ichirou booked a flight back to Tokyo as soon as they heard the news from Ryuichi.

It was Yukio's first time to see the father of the body's original owner. He was exactly what we could call a wine finely aged with time. The patrician quietly and coolly sat on a chair beside Ayako who was holding Yukio's hands.

"Are you okay? Are you having a hard time?"

"I'm okay, mom. Just really picky with food."

"Have you already gone for a check-up?"

"Ryuichi already took me, mom."

"And how's the baby?" Ayako had slight suspicions about the baby's health because she knew of her son's past actions.

"The baby's fine, Aunt Ayako. Yukio's doing great." Ryuichi answered and assuredly smiled at the young man sitting beside him. "But... there's something that I might be troubling Aunt Ayako and Uncle Genzo with. I can only hope that you'll consider for the sake of Yukio and the baby."

"What is it?" A cold and stern voice was heard.

Yukio couldn't look straight at the man who was supposed to be his father so he looked down instead. It was Ryuichi who answered again.

"As of now, Yukio's health is holding up with the pregnancy but it might get more difficult for him in the next months. So, I would like to request a fifteen-month leave for him. I hope that Uncle Genzo will see it most suitable for the situation."

Genzo's indifferent eyes shifted from Ryuichi to Yukio knowing what these two men were trying to cover. After all, with the rebellious and depressive acts done before, no doubt that the body was now suffering the aftermath.

"The difficulties in the new branch in Germany have been settled but it's impossible to look for someone to be his temporary reliever. The complexities in the corporation cannot be easily learned."

Ayako looked at her husband with pleading eyes but she said nothing. Besides, her voice never took any weight in a discussion. She could just beg in her heart.

"It's okay. I can still manage. I'll... I'll just be careful." Disconcerted with his own faults, Yukio knew he didn't have the right to ask. He had to take full responsibility with the actions of the past owner of the body he was now inhabiting.

Ryuichi's brows furrowed and he held Yukio's hand in a tight grip. "Uncle Genzo, I have been trained to handle businessses since I was young. I'm a fast learner, faster than most, surely faster than Yukio. It won't take long to teach me. I can be of more use to you than Yukio."

"It's not just a matter of skills nor talent."

"It has already been decided that my mother's shares will be transferred to me."

Yukio understood the intention but now, it made him feel guiltier. Ryuichi was going to carry the burden because of him. The corporation held many internal battles. It was glorious and peaceful to the outsiders' eyes but it held so many dangers inside.

"It's okay. It's really okay. I can still do it. I'll take precautions but... but there's really nothing much to worry about." He forced a smile to convince the people around him while unconsciously touching his abdomen. "We need to be strong, baby. You have to be strong for me, too, okay? You have to hold on and grow well."

But transparent as he was, who could he deceive with such a smile? The people around were not stupid in the first place.

"No Yukio, it's dange--" Ayako blurted in distress but was cut short by Genzo.