Hey guys! I posted it just like I said I would! Don't throw leeks at me! Please! Hold your fire! Aaaand…YAY! I'm in the double digits! Ha-ha! Finally! It's a qualified fanfiction!

Another thing; I put a LOT of research and thought into this chapter. I spent at LEAST an hour and a half researching pregnancy, finding her due date, finding out how much her stomach stood out, researching the Japanese school calendar, and going through pages of Hana Kimi for various references. So please be kind with your reviews, I put all of my effort into this chapter to make it the best and most accurate it could be.

Beware, this chapter is a bit sad, but not angsty (yeah, I know it's not a word). T_T it was hard to write.

Now on with the show!

Mizuki ran her fingers through her hair, trying to figure out the math problem she was working on. So, if I square this, divide that, do the same here, and move the x… Gah! This is hopeless… Putting her head down on her desk, her mind wondered towards the baby. It had been 10 days since the engagement party (dec. 20th, for my reference), and she was now in her 18th week, two weeks into her second trimester. Julia was staying with Io, and gilbert had gone back to America. It was a tearful goodbye, but at least Julia was staying. She was going to St. Blossom's with Rio again, this time 'till graduation.

She put a hand on her abdomen, feeling the small bump. No one had noticed yet, but they would soon. I think I'll only be able to stay until we get back from Christmas vacation before everyone notices. A single tear fell from her eye as she thought of the best way to say goodbye. After much thought, she decided to write a note for the principal to read to the school. The doctor said I was due on April 27th, and the spring term ends on the 7th of July, so I'll visit the school on the 30th of June. I think I'll be recovered enough and the baby will be strong enough by that time. She wrote the letter with sadness laced into her handwriting.

Dear Osaka Guaken,

I'm sorry I had to leave you all like this, but I couldn't stay with you any longer. I loved being at this school, and had a great time with you all. I haven't been completely honest with you all. I'm not who you think I am. Nakatsu will come up and tell you everything. I'm very sorry. I will visit the school sometime around June before the spring term ends.

Goodbye and I love you all,

Ashiya Mizuki

By the time she finished the letter, tears were streaming from her eyes. She folded it into thirds and put it in an envelope. She sealed it and on the front she wrote, "Please read this to the student body." After she put it in the drawer, she considered whether she should start packing now or later. I'll start after the Winter Ball. The ball was in four days, and it would be just like last year, so there wasn't anything to worry about. I still have to get Izumi's birthday present, though… I'll just ask him.

The dance and new years had passed without incident and the packing was finished. Sano and Mizuki's suitcases were filled, and the drawers empty. They had filled out the drop-out forms a few days ago and held them in hand as they took a last look at the dorm they had shared for the past two years. The first kiss… sleeping in Sano's bed for the first time… watching the scary movies on the mini television… the drunken parties… the confessions… All of it left behind. Mizuki turned to Sano with a sad expression.

"Sano, are you sure you want to leave? You could always stay and finish school. You don't have to do this for me." He took her into a warm and comforting embrace and murmured softly to her.

"Mizuki, I'm doing this because I want to, not because I have to. I love you. We're going to stay at Io's until we find a place to live, and I'm going to get a job. We'll get a place of our own and we can finish school after this is all said and done. Don't worry about it. We'll be okay." He stroked he hair once more and kissed the top of her head. Grabbing their suitcases, they walked out the door towards the principal's office to drop off the forms.

~Flashback~

"You're leaving? But… why? You can stay longer than that, can't you?" Nakatsu stared at the pair with fretful eyes. "You… you can't leave!"

"Nakatsu, I'm sorry. We can't stay, though. I'm pregnant. I never should have been at this school in the first place. I don't regret coming here, and it's been the best two years of my life, but it's time to leave. Nakatsu, I need you to do something for me. I need you to tell everyone who I am. Not about the pregnancy, just about me. Can you do that for me?" Nakatsu crushed her in a gentle hug, now crying.

"Anything. Please, don't go. I'll do anything!" A tear slipped from her eye, but her voice held strong.

"Nakatsu, I have to go. Please understand that it's for the best. Will you do that for me, though?" Pulling away, he nodded, not trusting his voice. "Thank you, Nakatsu. We won't forget to write. Goodbye." With a last kiss on the cheek, she walked away with Sano after he said his goodbye.

~End flashback~

Hey, I'm sorry this is such a short and choppy chapter, but I just felt like it needed to end there (and I'm having a lot of trouble writing the next part). I'll post the next chapter very soon because I'm dedicating all of today to this fanfiction. I hope you guys like it, and you'll find out what's going on with her parents in the next few chapters, kay? I love you all!

See you (?) next time!