Miki's condition was, apparently, stable. She lay on a cheap hospital bed, a pulse reader attached to her finger and the Boss clutching worriedly at her other hand. He stood when a doctor entered.
"Good evening, I'm Doctor Akutagawa. And you are, sir?"
He introduced himself formally by his family name.
"-Her partner. Can you tell me what's wrong with her?" Anxiety mounted up and tied itself into knots that a sailor would be proud of.
"Well, she should be coming round sometime soon. It would seem that she just took a turn for the worst and passed out. As for the vomit, it was probably just her body's reaction to the mini-meltdown it decided to throw, that and her condition of course. We suspect that it was stress related. Can you think of any reasons why she would be under stress recently?"
When he made a half nod in reply, the doctor continued.
"Anyway, just bear that in mind. Whatever the case, the good news is that both she and the baby are going to be fine." Dr Akutagawa beamed expectantly.
"Excuse me?" Came the Boss' startled reply. His eyes widened with the aura of suppressed shock.
"Well sometimes in extreme cases, over-stress can cause women to miscarriage. Luckily, Miki is a strong girl and it would seem like the foetus has already started to show the same traits. They both seem to be doing very well."
"I� I see. Well that�s good." He smiled in his mild mannered way.
"Well, I'm sure you understand I have other patients to see. Her records say this is her first child? Always a most exciting time. I wish you the best of luck with starting up your family."
"Thank you."
"No problem." When the doctor had left, the Boss gave Miki's hand another squeeze. He peered curiously at her stomach. It certainly didn't look any different.
"Well then," he whispered, half to Miki, half to himself. "Is this what this was all about?" When he thought about this carefully, Miki had been acting a little off. He had believed her when she had said the nausea and the fatigue were just a cold passing over. She had seemed� distracted, as of late. With hindsight, this was obviously why. He sighed. Slowly and with caution, he raised a hand to touch her belly, but stopped himself. He would wait until she woke up.
*
When she came to, Miki had a splitting headache. Groaning quietly, she cursed the day she was ever born with a head. Then she remembered what had happened - opening her eyes slowly but deliberately, as if afraid of what she might see.
What she did see was the Boss holding her hand tentatively and looking at her face with apprehension. His speech was gentle but hurried.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I'm fine. We can leave now. I'll just-" She moved to sit up and winced.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She stopped and stared at him. Guilty tears filled the dark brown of her eyes.
"I�"
"You're pregnant and you neglected to tell me? How long have you known?"
"About� two and half weeks. I can�t be more than two months in. I-"
"And how long were you going to keep this up? How long till it shows?" he sighed. "How did this even happen?" His tone never raised and his patience seemed unending. Miki was suddenly frightened. She pulled her hand from his grasp.
"Look I'll leave tonight, okay?" She stared sobbing gently. "I j-just wanted to sort out where I c-can go! I went to get rid of it, but I c-couldn't d-do it! I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I f-failed Not Kabuki! And that I failed you� I'll just go to Toshiya's and you needn't ever see me again!"
"Is it�" The Boss paused as if bracing himself for something. "Is it his then?" Miki stared incredulously back at him.
"No it's not bloody his!" Anger mingled with the fear now. "How can you even ask me that? I don't fuck about! Is that all you think of me? Just because I used to work at that club! Just because I'm not as attractive as Sakura and all the other girls! Do you think I'd just take it where I can get it? And because I have fat thighs and- and- doesn�t mean I would ever do that!"
"What are you saying?" He was so confused. Why would she be moving out then?
"The baby is yours! Who else's would it ever be? I think I must have thrown up one of my pills, okay? I know this whole thing was only temporary, and you weren't expecting this to come out of it, but frankly, neither was I! However, I understand that who ever you felt the father to be, I've violated contract, and will have to leave. I've been working in entertainment a long time, Boss-sama. I understand."
He leant forward, and placed a hand on Miki's stomach. Miki, a little confused, did nothing to stop him. To him, it didn't really feel any different. His face was that of pure concentration, as he slipped his hand under her hoodie, under her tee shirt and placed his hand on the smooth, hot skin of her belly. Perhaps he could feel something. Absentmindedly, he fiddled with her belly-bar.
"It's� my baby? Our baby?" Miki nodded slowly. He smiled slowly, his face such a picture of innocence and glee that it made her giggle. "Then why would you be leaving?" The smile fell for a second "Don't you want to stay with me?"
"Well of course but-"
"Did you really think I'd let you disappear after all this?"
"Look, don't think you have to look after me just because you're the father. I don't want a sympathy vote."
"But I want you. I want us. I want you to come back and live with me like you have been for the past two years. I don't want you to go anywhere. I want all that� But what do you want?"
She certainly hadn't been expecting any of that. She placed her hands on top of his.
"I� I want to go home. With you. I want to stay at Not Kabuki and I don't want to go anywhere." She smiled openly for the first time in a while.
"Then let�s go."
*
"So she'll be okay?" Toshiya bit his lip worriedly and swatted Kaoru away from the phone.
"Yes, the doctor say's she will be fine. She did have me worried though. She's resting now. I� did you know? About the baby, I mean?"
There was a pause as Toshiya considered his answer. He shot Kaoru a glance that said it was time to shut up and be serious for a second.
"Yes. She told me as soon as she was sure. Listen, she didn't tell you because she didn't want to lose you, okay? So don't go-"
"It's fine."
"What?" Toshiya was stunned.
"It's fine. We're going to have the baby together."
"But that�s great! So you're not chucking her out on the streets?"
"No, I'm not."
"Good! Well, thanks for letting me know. Tell her to feel better and give her a big smooch from me will you?"
"Okay, Hara-san. Be seeing you." Toshiya chuckled at the Boss. He was always so polite, so formal.
"Bye!" He hung up. Kaoru gave him a quizzical look.
"Well what was that all bout then?" He lounged back on the couch and grinned madly.
"Miki� had to go to hospital� she collapsed or something. But she's okay now. And the Boss found out about her being pregnant, but I think he's okay with it. So yeah. Um." Toshiya hovered unknowingly, as if unable to think on a practical level.
"Well if it's all okay, then that's good. Just sit down and watch the television will you?" he patted the seat next to him and Toshiya complied. He could now cross another thing off in his mind of things to worry about.
*
From the doorway to their bedroom, the Boss stood and watched Miki sleep. His mind was still getting over all of this. That she was having his baby. That they were having a baby. He couldn't believe that she was going to leave� it had seemed as if she felt like she was un-valued. Just some girl on the side of the business. Surely since they have been together for two years� since he has persuaded her to come and work for him.
//I've only come here to scout for talent� to look for dancers to make my club the best. This place is a nice one, low key and pleasant. I have heard they have variety here, and from what I can see they do. It is hard to select an interest when there are so many feathers and sequins and pretty faces. Everyone seems to be enjoying the work, which is always a good thing. I take a sip of my drink and relax at my table.
The act finishes and I sit bemused as each entertainer begins to work their own personal magic about the place, speaking to people with their own mouths, using their own words, flashing their own smiles. I survey as the supposed predator, only to become a rabbit in the headlights.
A girl with a boy and an ambiguity are wandering towards me. She smiles broadly and it is as if she is smiling only for me. All three of them sit themselves down at my table. "Hey stranger-sama! Sitting here all alone?" I nod, unable to do anything else - my mind is just drawing at a blank. "You're new here, eh? Well I'm Miki, this strapping young lad here is Toshiya and the minx over there is Shin-chan. To whom do I owe the pleasure? Care to drop us your name?" I tell her. "Well isn't that a nice name? I bet you hear that all the time."
I open my mouth to say something but the one she referred to as Shin-chan cuts in.
"So, what brings you to our little corner then?"
"Stress at work? At home?" The boy chimes.
"Hey guys, give him time to breathe." This sparsely lit and smoky place seems suddenly so much brighter. I smile back.
"HEY TOTCHI!!" I turn to face the call. "Get your hot self over here!" A man with purple hair is standing at a table with a group of others and he waves in our direction. To my relief, the dark haired boy waves back, laughing.
"Miki, I'm off babe, things to see, people to do, you know the biz. Shin, you coming?" he is grinning wildly with wonky teeth. The one called Shin links arms with him and the both walk off. I'm left alone with this girl, Miki.
"So what are you doing here?" She raises an eyebrow coyly. She looks... punky, almost. With her multiply pierced ears and the sparkling stud in her labret. She is quirky. I think I like that.
"Well," I speak quietly, like I always do, and she shuffles closer to hear me. "Have you heard of the entertainment club Not Kabuki?"
"Isn't that the posh place up in town that only hires girls? I heard it's pretty swanky, if you're into that kinda thing." She speaks her mind. "Why, are you looking for directions?"
I chuckle discreetly.
"No, I should know where it is, I own it. I'm here looking for dancers." She seems only vaguely taken back by this, and she smiles again.
"Really? Talent scouting, eh? Found anyone who has caught your fancy? Chihiro over there and her sister Fumiko are quite a pair. They draw in lots of customers here. Obviously I'd recommend Toshiya and Shinya, but they're guys, right? I don't know. What are you looking for? High-class girls for a high-class place? Masago went to dance school and all that stuff, if you're interested. She's over there by the big table."
I am surprised. Doesn�t she want to dance at Not Kabuki? The fact that she doesn't chase this makes me desire her attention all the more.
"What about you? Don't you want a job there? It pays very well you know. Much better than this place."
She smiles, and I swear for a second, even in this dull lighting, that she blushes.
"Well sure, but why would you want me? I'm nothing special. Tanaka Miki, plain and simple. Nothing classy about it."
I wonder how she can think this. I've known her only a few minutes and already I seem entranced.
"But there's some aspect of class in everyone, don't you think?" I wonder if she understands that about herself. There's some sort of friendly magnetism that seems to exude from her chirpy smile. She seems to be so interested. I like that.
"Oh of course. But I mean seriously, we're an odd bunch here. Don't want to scare off your high paying customers."
"No, no." I find myself defending her place at Not Kabuki as though this was a job she was quitting. "I think some variety would do the place good. We have to sell to the widest audience possibly, within barriers."
"I suppose. I-" The sound of a bell rings and all of the entertainers look up, exchanging glances. "That�s our cue sweetie, I'd best be going. See you around some time?" I want her. I want to whisk her away from here and I want her to work for me. She stands but I grab her arm.
"-No, please." Her eyes send a message of query, so I answer. "I would very much like for you to come and work at Not Kabuki. If I could talk to you - after the show?" I am hopeful - oh so hopeful, that she might say yes. She smiles.
"Sure. I look forward to hearing what you have to offer. But you should know I drive a hard bargain." I chuckle, releasing her arm. She giggles and joins her friends, giving me a small wave as she returns backstage.
I take her out for late night dinner to talk over my offer. It turns out her bargain is not so hard to drive. Laughing, she agrees, and allows me to drive her home. I feel happy. I think I am in-//
He smiled and chuckled at his own reminiscing. He stripped off to his boxers and sat on the bed. Miki stirred.
"'Ello." She grinned sleepily at him. "You alright?" he lay down next to her and pulled the covers over his body.
He pressed his small lips together and stroked Miki's hair from her face with his blunt fingers.
"I'm fine. How are you feeling?"
"Okay, I guess."
"Good. Miki?"
"Mmm?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you and Sakura were having problems?"
"Didn't want to worry you� I mean I thought it was inevitable that I was going to leave anyway, there was no point in nagging at you and� I was scared� that you would agree� with her." She seemed so fragile there and then that he held her close, like he couldn't remember doing in how long.
"Don't be silly. Why would I ever listen to her over you? She was never important. I'm really glad that we're both here, and that we can do this together. I want you, like I always have. I want you here. I want you to sleep here, with me. I want to be able to hold you. And I want to be able to do this-" He kissed her and she blushed as she had when he had first done this two years ago. When the kiss broke, she smiled gently and addressed him by his first name.
"-, Did your mother ever tell you that you were a demanding child?" And he laughed with her.
//I think I'm in-"//
"Love." He exhaled, finishing his own memory.
"What?"
"I love you, and I'm not sure I ever said. Don't ever leave. Don't ever change."
"I'm not going anywhere in a hurry." Miki giggled. They kissed again, and the bed creaked as hot bodies rearranged.
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