Chapter Text
Two years ago…
December 31st, 2009, Kotone’s Room
Kotone and Ryoji had their final chat in her room.
“I love you,” Ryoji confessed his love for her.
Kotone smiles back, trying to hold back her tears.
“Let’s go back to the others. I must tell you how to confront Nyx,” Ryoji says solemnly.
“Right.” Kotone agreed with him.
Before they left, Kotone felt so dizzy that she fell to her knees. Ryoji noticed something was off and tried to catch her in his arms.
“Kotone! What’s wrong?!” Ryoji panicked.
“I…I don’t know. For some reason, I felt weak.” Kotone says weakly.
Ryoji carried her to her bed. She can sit up, but she can’t get up.
“I knew it. The unborn child you are carrying was conceived during Dark Hour. It absorbed your lifespan since I was no longer inside you when I was Pharos. This is bad.” Ryoji says with a worried look.
“Unborn child? You mean I was pregnant with my first love the entire time?! But how?! I don't understand?! I don’t show any early symptoms of pregnancy. How is that even possible?!” Kotone panicked.
“You need to calm down when I explain what I know. I think you haven't shown any signs of pregnancy because they were growing slowly by each Dark Hour. Which month did you start to have sex?”
“October 2nd.” Kotone calmly responds.
“Starting in October, the Dark Hour runs completely different from normal life. You only had your baby for 3-4 days in Dark Hour, not in real-time. If you were pregnant in real-world time, you would be two or three months.”
“What’s going to happen to them?!”
“Without me to stabilize your unborn child with my powers, I’m afraid it’s slowly killing you until it’s fully born. I can help you to prevent your death.”
“There’s no time… Dark Hour will start in 20 minutes. You will lose your human form.” Kotone sadden.
“I can use my powers to stop temporarily promptly. It will buy me some time to save you.” Ryoji uses his powers to stop time and space. Kotone looked around and saw her room was in dull colors, and her alarm clocks stopped moving. She realizes he really can stop time and space as well. She wonders if it has something to do with the Arcana Fortune fragment inside him.
“If you want to save your unborn child. I can stabilize them with my powers, and they should grow naturally in both real-time and Dark Hour.” Ryoji suggested to Kotone to save her unborn child.
“What’s the second option?” Kotone questioned him with a worried look.
“If you want to eliminate them, I will absorb them inside my body since I sense a small portion of myself.” He says with a sad look.
“I… I can’t lose my child. It’s like losing the last reminder of someone I loved. This child is the only one I had with him.” Kotone refused to give up on her unborn child. She doesn't know how long her loved one would be in a coma. Whether it’s months, years, or even if she grew elderly, she can’t risk getting rid of them. She clenched her stomach tightly.
“I see. Your child with your first love is important to you.”
“Yes, they are. Please tell me how you can save them. I don’t want them to die.” Kotone started to shed some tears.
“Kotone, what I am about to tell you is very important. You must not freak out.” Ryoji calmly asks her.
“I promised.”
“To stabilize your child, I need to embed a portion of my powers inside of your womb. They should be able to grow naturally like normal infants, but they still can’t live without Dark Hour.” Ryoji stated.
“Embedded? Are you going to give most of your powers to them? How are you going to do that?!” Kotone looks confused.
“Something like that, but it’s not that simple.
To do that, we must be intimate with each other. After that, we have to kiss, have sexual pressure, and have sex.”
“WHAT?! I-I can’t do this. There’s got to be another way. I won't cheated on him. He was the only person I ever wanted to make love to.” Kotone looked shocked.
“This is the only way. I’m not joking. Besides, this will be the only time we ever do this before I lose my human form. I’m sorry, Kotone.” Ryoji is greatly saddened for her.
“Ryoji…” Kotone started to break out in tears. She doesn't know what to do.
He walked toward her, sat next to her, and wiped the tears out of her eyes.
“Kotone, if you felt like you were betraying him. How about after we have sex? I’ll erase your memories of your pregnancy, and we'll make love. That way, you won’t know about it. You will end up discovering it once you develop the early symptoms of pregnancy next month in January.” Ryoji suggested to her.
“You can do that? Would it be like trading my innocence?” Kotone asked him, but he didn’t respond to her question.
“It’s my fault your unborn child became part of the Dark Hour when I was inside of you. I want to make up for it. They are not only your and your first love, but they are also my child too. Please, let me help.” Ryoji begged her. He gently touches Kotone’s face with his warm hand.
“Okay. Just one time. Please be gentle with me.” Kotone sadly accepted Ryoji’s offer to save her child. She touches Ryoji’s hand with hers.
Ryoji leads first as he places his lips on her. They closed their eyes as they started to get intimate with each other. She felt his tongue intertwined with hers inside of her mouth. Ryoji touched her breasts before he squeezed them. They stop to catch their breath. He nibbles Kotone’s right ear before licking it. Kotone started to moan a little. He takes off her red scarf and places it on the ground. Kotone does the same thing when she removes Ryoji’s scarf.
He had Kotone lie down on her bed, where he started to kiss her neck. He then took off his collar shirt, revealing his avenged lean body. She almost forgot that he was skinnier than Shinjiro, who was slightly muscular. He removed her orange sweater top and placed it with her scarf, revealing her red lace bra.
“Kotone…” Ryoji whispered her name softly.
“Ryoji…” Kotone whispered back to him.
The two made out again, but they embraced each other this time.
“Shinji… I’m so sorry. I can’t bring myself to get rid of our child. They are the last reminder of you..” Kotone says in her thoughts, regretfully.
Present
Kotone regains consciousness when she sees Shinjiro by her side with a worried look.
“Koto, are you alright?” Shinjiro asked.
“Yeah. I’m alright. I remember everything on that night on December 31st, 2009. He noticed my weak state because my life force absorbed our unborn as nutrition. They weren’t stabilized without Ryoji. He said the only way to save them was to make love for a while, giving most of his powers to them. This was the only way Ryoji transferred his powers as Death to them. He also offers to erase my memories after we had sex and accept it.” Kotone felt shameful and regretful for cheating him.
Shinjiro reacted in shock and confusion. He grabbed his clothes from the bag, stood up, and walked away.
“Shinji! I’m so sorry! *sob* Please don’t go! Shinji!” Kotone screamed his name, but he ignored her. He looks at her, and she is crying uncontrollably.
Shinjiro stops briefly to tell her face-to-face.“Kotone… I need some time apart.” He looked disappointed in her.
Kotone felt like her heart had sunk into the bottomless ocean, where nothing had come back up. She looked down at the floor and broke down, starting to cry her eyes out in remorse.
He leaves the building alone without Kotone.
Two weeks later.
March 20th, 2011
Shinjiro rarely comes to the apartment where he and Kotone live. He spends most of his days at the back of Port Island Station. Kotone focuses on training to get stronger and focus on choosing her classes in the college she chose for her spring semester. They haven’t spoken ever since.
Kirijo Headquarters - Meeting Room
Yukari, Junpei, Fuuka, Ken, Koromaru, and Mitsuru were the only ones present. The room consists of a long table with several black leather business chairs, a whiteboard with several colors of waterproof markers and erasers, and a projector screen connected to the ceiling.
“I called you guys here today to discuss Kotone and Shinjiro’s relationship,” says Mitsuru. She drops her surname and calls Kotone by her first name. It shows how serious she is.
“I know, Kotone hasn’t been her usual cheerful self lately. She still felt guilty about what she did. I realize she did it to save Vincent’s life. If she didn’t, neither of them would be alive today.” Yukari sadden.
“I agree with you, Yukari-chan. I felt bad for her, too. I could never be mad at her. She didn’t want to lose her child with Aragaki-senpai.” Fuuka pats Yukari’s right shoulder for comfort.
“In my opinion, I should be mad at her for cheating on Shinjiro-senpai like that. However, it was technically his fault for writing an apology letter to her in the first place. If Chidori cheated on me with someone by force, I would be pissed off too. “
“Junpei! Now is not the time!” Yukari yelled at him angrily.
“What? It’s my option. If it weren't for Ryoji, I would lose my best friend and Senpai. Vincent is also our friend, even if we have only been together briefly. He’s the main reason both of them are alive today.” Junpei looks depressed.
“I’m kind of worried for Shinjiro-san. He hasn’t texted or talked to Kotone-san for two weeks. I’m unsure if they call off their engagement or do not want to see each other again.” Ken looks sad.
“*Whine*…” Koromaru seems sad about their relationship falling apart. Ken comforts him by hugging him. Koromaru rests on Ken’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, Koromaru. I’m sure they will make up somehow.”
“Do you know where Aigis is?”
“She locked herself in the lab. She still felt guilty for hurting Kotone’s relationship with Shinjiro. Kotone tried to call her many times, but she ignored her. Maybe Aigis thinks she might never forgive her again after what happened.” Mitsuru explained.
“We should focus on fixing their relationship first. We need to find a way for them to meet up again without getting suspicious,” Yukari wonders.
“How about Yakushima!” Junpei excitedly suggested.
“Iori, why do you think going to Yakushima would solve anything?” Mitsuru suspiciously asked him.
“Well, since last year, we haven’t gone due to our business schedules and fighting shadows outside Tatsumi Port Island. I thought it would be a good relaxing weekend. This will also be Koromaru, Ken, Shinjiro-senpai, and Chidori’s first time going there.” Junpei grinned in delight.
“You just want to see Chidori in a swimsuit, right?” Yukari guessed in annoyance.
“A course! I knew many swimsuit shops that would suit her best. I’m planning on taking her myself!”
“Nice try, Junpei. Fuuka, Kotone, and I will take her shopping. You’ll make her wear something inappropriate or sexier swimsuit.” Yukari looks disgusted at Junpei’s pervert nature.
“Oh, come on! I will never do that. I considered finding her a red or pink since she always wore white dresses.”
“I think it’s a good idea to go to Yakushima for Spring Break with everyone.” Fuuka liked Junpei’s proposal.
“By the way, where’s Sanada-san?” Ken asked Mitsuru.
“He’s looking for Shinjiro. He will try to persuade him to make up with Kotone again.” Mitsuru responded sadly.
“How about you text him about going to Yakushima and say it will be a good way to relax and relieve stress? He won’t suspect us of bringing him and Kotone-san together,” Ken persuaded her.
“Did you think it might work?” Fuuka asked him.
“I think so. Yukari-san, you can invite Kotone-san to the trip. Tell her it’s only for friends to hang out and spend time together. It would be an excellent way to calm the minds, “ Ken persuaded Yukari.
“Okay, Ken. I hope you know what you're doing.” Yukari worried.
“I’m positive it might work,” Ken says determinedly.
“Alright, I will inform Akihiko of the plan. And if they decide to break up their engagement, we should not force them to be together if they don’t want to. We have to respect their decisions,” Mitsuru advised everyone.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“I’ll go look for Kotone in the training room. She should be there. I’ll inform her about Yakushima.”
“I’ll go with you too, Yukari-chan.”
Port Island Station
Akihiko decides to go to the same place Shinjiro always went back then. He knows Ken has already forgiven him after what happened two years ago, but Shinjiro has no reason to return there. Suddenly, he hears a beep sound coming from his cell phone. He takes it out of his pocket and reads his text message, “From Mitsuru.”
“Mitsuru? Why is she texting me? I hope it’s something to do to fix Shinji and Koto’s relationship,” he says in his worried thoughts.
> Akihiko, Amada, and the others devised a plan to batch things up with Kotone and Shinjiro. This week, we are going to Yakushima for Spring Break. Please, come up with a way for Shinjiro to go with us.
>Are you sure if it works?
> I’m not 100% sure. This was the only way we got without either of them knowing we were going on the trip together. Let me know after you talk to him.
>Will do, Mitsuru.
Akihiko put away his cell phone.
Back Alley of Port Island Station
Akihiko finally found Shinjiro. He noticed his hair had grown back to its original length from middle school; he wore the original clothes before meeting Kotone in 2009, except he wore the peacoat Kotone gave him for Christmas Eve.
“I haven’t seen you looking like this since last year,” Akihiko comments on Shinjiro’s original appearance.
“Shut up. What do you want?” Shinjiro rudely asked.
“Shinji, it’s been two weeks; Koto has been worried about you. You even ignored her text messages. Please give her another chance. I can’t stand to see the two important people in my life hurting!” Akihiko tries to convince him.
“I can’t.” Shinjiro sadly rejected.
“Why? I know what she did was wrong, but it was the only way to save Vincent and her life. Mochizuki knew he didn't do anything. Both she and your son would die. I know she’s not the type of person to sacrifice her child to save her life. Are you still mad at her?”
“I’m not mad at her! I’m mad at myself!” Shinjiiro yelled at him.
Akihiko is utterly silent as he has no idea what to say to him.
“I messed up. I shouldn’t have written that damn letter to her. I should have faith in myself and not give up my relationship with her to someone else like you. I think she secretly hates me for it.” Shinjiro says with a depressing look.
“Koto doesn't hate you, Shinji. She was hurt by what you wrote. You thought you would die on that day, but you didn’t. Do you think she would be better off with Mochizuki than you? She doesn’t have sex with him until December 31st. She didn’t do it for him. She did it for you and Vincent. She doesn't want to lose your unborn child.“ Akihiko reminds him.
Shinjiro reacted in shock. “It’s already too late for us now. I don’t know what to say or a better way to talk to her.”
“It’s not. You guys haven’t called off your engagement yet. You can make things right. Talk to her and tell her how you feel for her.
Shinjiro remains silent.
“If you still have trouble thinking, how about we go to Yakushima for relaxing and training?”
“Yakushima? Do you mean the place where you, Kotone, and the guys went for your summer vacation two years ago? Count me out.”
“Shinji, it will help relieve stress and clear your mind of negative thoughts. It will be just the two of us.” Akihiko lied to him.
“Just the two of us?”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since we've hung out. Please be my training partner. I want to see who’s the faster swimmer,” Akihiko smirked.
“I’m not interested. Go ask Ken or Junpei to be your training partner.”
“Are you a chicken, Shinji?”
“What? No! I’m not it!” Shinjiro seems furious at him.
“I thought you said you would never back out your words. I guess not training to fight against Shadow made you soft and weak.” Akihiko provoked him playfully.
“Alright, fine! I’ll go! I’m only doing it to prove you wrong! I go to the gym every day to keep my body in shape. I will make you regret it.” Shinjiro glared at him.
“That's Good. Now we can shop for your swimsuit, and we'll be done!” Akihiko jokingly smiled.
“I prefer to wear just a jacket and shorts. I’m not interested in buying a swimsuit for myself.”
“Come on, I know a swimsuit store that sells the best kind for water resistance. You need a proper swimsuit for training at the beach at Yakushima.”
“Fine. If you picked Speedo for me, I’m not wearing it like you did. I'll pick my swimsuit. I don’t want any complaints from you.”
“Deal. Come on, let’s go.”
Shinjiro and Akihiko leave the alley of Port Island Station to shop for swimsuits before their trip.