Chapter 39: The Time Skip

Strange. Too strange. It was as if there was nothing happening on that particular day. Five significant months have passed, but nothing came out from Ryohei's mouth regarding the incident. All they acknowledged was Yuki was still in deep sleep, giving no signs of waking up, and their sons were healthily growing up. Yamato did not have to do a DNA test between them - both of them resembled Ryohei very much. The only thing similar to Yuki was the pretty eyes they possessed.

Ever since that day, Kawanishi never acted violently and ridiculously. He worked pretty well as an employer, and Ryohei still served him as an employee. There was no change in way of treatment, however he did not dare to raise the issue. It might bother Ryohei's potential of work.

As for Hayato, he never considered of turning back. Kawanishi has disclosed to him about Yuki's whole incident, yet he still held grudge against Yuki. He knew Yuki was in coma, and he had the earnest urge to curse at Ryohei's face. Serve him right for snatching Kawanishi away from him that he has fallen into a deep sleep.

"Hayato."

Their shift has ended. They were the only one available in the changing room. The manager Kawanishi was in his office while the other workers have already gone home. The one who was called turned around to face the latter.

"Do you want to see my babies?"

The silenced Hayato caused Ryohei to tilt his head on one side. "Oh, have I shown them to you before? I must be so proud of them and Yuki."

Hayato lowered his head and peeped Ryohei from the eye tips. Has this man gone mad? Ryohei's behaviour seemed normal to other people. Who would not be glad with the presence of offspring in their marriage? Nevertheless, in this case, it should be questioned. How could Ryohei maintain cheerful while he has had tremendous betrayal by Kawanishi? Even though Kawanishi was his employer, it did not permit the manager to lay his fingers on Yuki.

Yuki has gotten married to Ryohei, legally. Yuki was Ryohei's, and so did Ryohei.

"No, not yet," Hayato murmured, but it was still audible to Ryohei.

Ryohei drew closer to Hayato, eagerly showed a picture of two babies put side by side in a crib. Both of them were in pink, chubbier and cuter than how they were after they were born premature last five months. Thanks to Yamato's advices, he could take care of the babies all by himself, unless he had to feed them with formula drinks instead of Yuki's milk.

"They really got my face, right?" Ryohei pointed at the screen. "The nose, the mouth, even the shape of their eyebrows mimicked mine. Their only difference is the birth mark on the nape. The big bro has it, while the little bro doesn't."

Ryohei slid the screen, displaying another picture of the babies. Hayato was reluctant, but he still looked emotionlessly at it. The assumption was correct - The babies really resembled Ryohei so much. Only the eye colour copied Yuki's.

"Yuki must be upset knowing they look a lot like me instead of him," Ryohei kept his phone into his pocket. "He was the one carrying them though."

"Was Yuki-" Hayato halted in hesitation, "Was Yuki treating you badly?"

"Yuki? Treating me badly?" Ryohei ogled at Hayato in shock, "I treated him the worst. You have no idea how regretful I am now."

They walked out of the room, exiting the premise to get bumped into Kawanishi. Kawanishi overheard them talking about Yuki, and was about to trail them secretly when Ryohei turned to him abruptly.

"Let's follow me. I want to go visit Yuki."

The calmness in Ryohei terrified them too much. Was he really all right with those smiles and laughs? Did his foolishness for ridiculously believing Kawanishi's self proclamation have caused him to be crazy? None of them could figure out what has been on Ryohei's mind even though the latter still remained his cheerfulness among the workers and customers.

As if nothing happened on that day.

"Ryohei, I'm sorry!" Kawanishi surely could not wait any longer. The guilt built in him tortured him too much to the point he might commit suicide if it overpowered him.

Ryohei shifted at Kawanishi, bowing as low as he could whereas he was their boss while Ryohei was just a mere worker. Hayato gasped at the sudden apologize, but he has not had the chance to inquire when Kawanishi drag him to bow together.

"Both of us were truthfully wrong. I harassed Yuki, and Hayato injured him. No other words could portray how pitiful we were, desperately seeking for love by the ones we aren't supposed to - No, Hayato is my legal wife currently."

Hayato rolled his eyes. Why did he also need to apologize at Ryohei? As if Kawanishi could read his mind, he shoved Hayato towards the puzzled Ryohei. "Ask for his forgiveness, you ungrateful wife!"

Refusing to look Ryohei into the eyes, Hayato chirped in disgust and evaded, "I'm sorry."

"It's not me you guys ought to apologize," Ryohei tapped on Hayato's shoulder, signalling him to stand straight, "Yuki was the one struggling - even now. He's working hard to stay alive for the sake of those he loves in this world," Ryohei marched forward, providing gaps between him and the couple. "Whatever your past is, I can't change since it's a history. A fact. I just want to keep on moving. Besides, Yuki doesn't like it when I cry."

"I don't know what happened that time. I hardly accepted that Yuki has decided to stop prostituting. I must be senile," Kawanishi let out a long heavy sigh, "Please tell me how I can redeem my sin towards you guys. Anything, just name it."

The atmosphere was cool, almost imitating their current mood. Ryohei acted all brave, Kawanishi was apologizing non stop, and Hayato declined everything Kawanishi has told Ryohei. He disliked when Kawanishi spent his money to Yuki, however he could not question the rationality since both of them were practically the criminals.

A car stopped by the pedestrian lane, near those emotional trio. A man came out, waddling to their direction. Ryohei grinned ear to ear seeing Yamato with his belly. Yamato has already reached his sixth month. Honestly he was anxious from Yuki's experience, however Ryohei encouraged him to take the best care of himself. Hayato was totally pissed off due to Yamato's presence.

"Kawanishi, don't tell me you're brainwashing Ryohei again!" Without hesitation, Yamato cuddled Ryohei on the waist and seized him close to his body, "I need him. I just received a phone call informing me Yuki was dying."

The soap opera he has been acting felt ruptured and jumbled up mentally. Ryohei blankly stared at Yamato, asking him to disclose if it was only a joke. Judging from Yamato's calmness, Ryohei figured out immediately - Yamato has already predicted the outcome.

"Unless he miraculously wakes up, Ryohei. Only then."