‘I might need your help again Mika…’ Ken said in his mind.
[Tell me what you need.]
Ken had worked with Mika to dispel Daichi’s suspicions of him. He hadn’t been too specific, just telling her to show him some memories that would make him realize that he had no bad intentions.
However, he explicitly said to only show the truth. Having experienced how the system could lie to him, Ken was still reserved when it came to trusting it and Mika.
Of course he made sure that he could also see the memories at the same time as Daichi since he needed to ensure that Mika was being honest.
‘Can you show Ai something similar like with Daichi?’
[Affirmative.]
Ken had his mental conversation with Ai while he led her up the stairs. Since she was almost 8 months pregnant, the size of her belly had ballooned even further, making it harder to move around. This was especially the case when it came to stairs.
“I have something to confess.” Ken said as they walked into the room. He helped Ai into bed and sat near her feet, taking it into his hands and massaging them.
Ai let out a sigh of contentment and laid her head back. “I’m listening—oo, right there, that feels nice.”
“To tell you the truth… This is not the first life I’ve lived.” Ken stated, his hands never stopping the massage. He then spoke for a while, detailing everything that happened from when he died in his past life to now.
There were no excuses, no embellishments. It was as if he was reading a journal of his life out loud.
[Should I show the memories?]
‘Not yet Mika.’
“And that is why Daichi and I were at odds. He was worried about my motives for befriending him this time around, but after we talked everything was cleared up…”
His words were met with silence for a while. Ken thought that Ai might have fallen asleep, so he stopped massaging her feet and let out a sigh of disappointment.
“Why did you stop?” Ai asked.
“Hmm? I thought you fell asleep.”
“I was just thinking… So don’t stop.”
“Okay.”
The two sat in silence for a while as Ken squirmed uncomfortably. He had basically given up his deepest secret besides the system, and could now only patiently wait to hear the verdict of his beloved wife.
Would she believe him? Would she tell him that he’s crazy?
As he was stewing in his own anxiety, Ai finally spoke up.
“It’s a lot to process. Like Daichi, I’ll trust that you are telling the truth, after all there is no point in you making up this elaborate lie for no reason. You could have just told Daichi that what he saw was just a dream and avoided this whole thing in the first place…” Ai replied thoughtfully.
Ken felt his body relax slightly, but he didn’t dare stop massaging Ai’s feet. It seemed that this was the key to keeping her mood positive.
“I trust you Ken, I wouldn’t have married you if I didn’t. Even back then it was me who chased after you in High School. At no point did I feel taken advantage of by you.” She said.
“Hearing your words actually puts me at ease a little. It suddenly makes so much more sense why you were avoiding me back then. You probably thought that since your mental age was much older than my own that it wouldn’t be right to date me.” She said, letting out a giggle.
“Just remembering how uncomfortable you looked back then is making me laugh.”
Ken could only smile wryly in response. He indeed had been struggling with that for a long time at the beginning. It was only when Ai said she was leaving Yokohama to head to Joshibi High in Tokyo that he finally let go of his prejudices.
“Since then, you did everything you could to spend time with me. You were patient and forgiving, I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better partner…” Ai continued.
“So I won’t be mad that you held this back from me, nor that you told Daichi first. I am just happy that you’re alive and I can live this life with you…”
“Ai…” Ken felt his heart ache. To have such a woman like this, just how blessed could he be?
“So don’t stress anymore. To me, none of that stuff matters… What matters is right now, at this very moment.” She said, moving her hands to her belly, “In a months time, our little angels will be here whether we’re ready or not.”
“Mmm…” Ken nodded, reaching his hand upward and placing it upon her belly. He received a kick of protest from one of the twins, causing him to let out a laugh.
“Looks like Kenji is already trying to protect you.” Ken said with a smile.
Ai giggled, “It’s usually Natsuki who beats me up, whereas Kenji seems to only fight back when you’re here.”
“Well it won’t be long till they can beat us up out here.” Ken replied. He got up from the bed and moved forward, planting a deep kiss on Ai’s lips.
“Are you going to bed?” she asked.
“Mmm, it’s been a long night.”
“Could you do me a favor? I’m craving some pickled onions. There should be some in the fridge.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Ken replied.
Despite the fact he disliked the taste and smell of the pickled onions, one had to make sacrifices when it came to pregnant women.
But as he descended the stairs, he saw the light of the fridge illuminating a part of the kitchen. Standing without a shirt on and in his drawers, Tetsu was helping himself to something.
CRUNCH
“Don’t tell me…”
Tetsu burped, the unmistakable smell of pickled onions wafting in the air. In his hand was an empty jar with only the pickle juice remaining.
Before Ken could say anything, Tetsu downed the whole thing, letting out a exhale of satisfaction.
“W—What have you done!?”