It Started with a Hello

xxxviii

It had been a few years since the arrest of [Last Name]'s father.

Both her and Hanamiya graduated high school shortly thereafter. And even though she was in the middle of completing college, she was pregnant.

They always used precautions, but condoms and birth control were never 100% effective. But they were determined to keep and provide for their unborn child.

"Mako-chan, I'm hurting."

"You're always hurting."

"Well you try growing a baby in your stomach!"

"You mean the womb?"

"Makoto."

Hanamiya sighed. Apparently [Last Name] was not in the mood for teasing.

"Well, dear," he said sarcastically, "I don't know what you want me to do about it."

"Maybe not be an asshole," she mumbled, crossing her arms and turning away from him.

Great, Hanamiya thought. Somehow watching a movie turned into some kind of argument.

"Sorry," he muttered with another sigh, "I just... don't know what to do. This whole pregnancy thing is obviously new to me."

[Last Name] glanced behind her shoulder and caught the look of embarrassment on her lover's face. Her expression softened, and she turned back to face him.

"And it's new to me, too, Mako-chan," she started, "but we'll get through it together."

"I guess..." he replied begrudgingly, not too sure he could.

"I'm only a month along," she reminded him, "we have eight months to learn anything we need to. And maybe we can get a pregnancy book, or just talk to my doctor."

Hanamiya said nothing for a while, choosing instead to stare at the movie, which had been paused.

[Last Name] gave him a small smile. "It'll be okay, Mako-chan. We've been through a lot these past few years, and we're still here. This'll be a breeze."

It was then that he looked at her, an eyebrow raised in confusion. "I think calling pregnancy a breeze is hilarious, [First Name]."

She pouted. "That's not what I meant. But compared to everything my dad did to me--"

"I get it," he said, not wanting to remember everything that her dad did, "I guess I'll try my best," he murmured, a red tint forming on his cheeks.

[Last Name] grinned. "Thanks, Mako-chan! Let's do this together!"

...

The end.

Yep, this is the last chapter. I do want to make a sequel, bc I love Hanamiya but if I do that, the chapters will be short just as they were in the beginning of this book.

The reason I kinda ended this abruptly was for many reasons:
1. The story ran its course- Hanamiya's & [Last Name]'s relationship formed & got stronger throughout the book, which was I wanted for this book.
2. The abusive dad arc was a spur-in-the-moment decision, and now that's over.
3. I don't want this book to continue just so it can continue. Like I said, I rather do a sequel with a whole new plot. There's no point of writing random things just to keep the book alive; it'll get boring quickly.

That being said, thanking for enjoying & supporting this & watch out for the sequel!

:)

-Caity