Meanwhile, in the other room...

Just as Mr. Fukada finished his nightly routine, he noted that the sounds coming from the other room seemed to have quietened down. He faintly heard something like shifting bodies, before the noises settled and that room turned silent.

“Do you think Ken-san got through to her?” He asked, taking a seat at the edge of the double-bed he shared with his wife.

“I think so,” Mrs. Fukada’s voice answered from the bathroom, as she was brushing her hair. “I don’t think Emiru-chan would have done it with him if he hadn’t. I think she’ll be OK now.”

“Really? You think so?”

“Well, I am her mother,” Mrs. Fukada came out out of the bathroom with a knowing smile. “Call it...my intuition.”

Mr. Fukada gave a small nod as Mrs. Fukada sat next to him. His wife often cited her 'intuition' as the reason as to why things would turn out a certain way; it might have been funny if her predictions didn’t have a tendency of being accurate.

“So what next then?” He asked, moreso to hear what Mrs. Fukada thought rather than for lack of ideas himself.

Mrs. Fukada thought for a moment. “I think that our role for now is the same as it always has been. This will be a difficult time for Emiru, maybe the most difficult. It’s our job as her parents to help her through that.”

“I agree,” Mr. Fukada said. “But do you think that she made the right choice? Do you think she’s ready to have a baby of her own?”

Mrs. Fukada sighed and took a moment to glance at a framed picture placed on a nearby dresser. It was taken just under 20 years ago, depicting her cradling an infant Emiru with a younger looking Mr. Fukada by her side.

“Who can say? How can you ever tell that you’re ready?” She answered with a wistful look. “But if this is what Ken-kun wants...and if Emiru has the will to do it...then she’ll make it work. That’s what I believe.”

Mr. Fukada smiled warmly at her. “Then...if that’s her choice, we’ll support her through it. No matter what.”

The two exchanged a quick peck on the lips before climbing into bed together. Though they turned the lights off, there was still a short time to converse before they fell asleep.

“...Ayaka. What should we do about Ken-san?” Mr. Fukada asked quietly.

“Him? Well, we’ll continue to support him too. Not just for the fever, but as hosts. It was his dream to come to Japan and experience its culture; I don’t want him to lose that, even with his ailment.”

“Even if...he decides he wants to get you pregnant as well?”

Mr. Fukada saw his wife shuffle in the dark. It was too dark to see her face, but he could still tell she was deep in consideration.

“You should know...that it’s my duty to do what it takes to alleviate his symptoms,” Mrs. Fukada stated simply. “And if that means I have to raise his child...then so be it. But don’t misunderstand; even if that happens, I doesn’t mean I love you any less.”

“Actually, you may have the misunderstanding,” Mr. Fukada replied. “All I wanted to hear is that you’re OK with it. After all…even if we both end up raising the child, I’m afraid that…most of the burden will fall on you. I will still be expected to work through the whole affair, so I may not be around much. But please, if there’s anything that I can do to support you or Emiru...please let me know.”

His wife smiled lovingly at him, and gave him one last kiss before they both rolled over and closed their eyes.

Still...taking care of two kids will be tough, even with government support. But if it’s for his sake, then what can you do? Mr. Fukada thought to himself just as he went to sleep.