*******************************************************Author's Note*************************************************

Hi there! Tadaima~ I hope you're still with me in this series. We didn't have classes today so I finally got the time to write this overdue update. Hope you'll like it :) It's quite Aiba-centric though but bear with me. There'll be more Maotsujun moments in the next updates, that I assure you. Enjoy!

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“Mao-chan, we’re here.” A light tap on the shoulder woke Mao. Sho took the liberty to awaken the sleeping preggy. He was also the one who helped her get off the vehicle.

Mao and Arashi finally arrived at their house. They didn’t get to talk much on the way since things were, well to put simply, still awkward. Silence filled their vehicle earlier so Mao couldn’t help but take a nap.

Upon reaching the genkan, two large purple and black luggages were situated in the middle of it. They figured these were Mao’s so Nino and Aiba grabbed one each and dragged them to the living room. The rest followed them.

“Anou...” As they entered the premises, Mao whispered to Sho, “Where’s the comfort room? I really need to pee.”

“Come, I’ll show you.” The smiling idol led the way.

“If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll be at the sofa.” Sho left Mao to herself.

Mao splashed water on her face. “Yabai.” She muttered as she stared at herself in the mirror.

I’ll be living with five boys! What was my father thinking! This is insane.

Mao shook her head in disbelief.

Of course I can’t live with them. That would be atrocious, not to mention embarrassing. I have to work my way out of this.

Mao made up her mind and left the restroom.

This situation calls for an Arashi huddle so they did. Much like they were before concerts, the members formed a circle.

“So Mao’s going to live with us neh?” Aiba stated the obvious.

“Well I’m not complaining.” Nino grinned at the thought.

“But what about the paparazzi? Won’t it be a trouble if this gets to the media?” Sho was a bit worried.

“Johnny-san will surely not let that happen. Besides we will always be on guard, right? We won’t let Mao-chan be exposed.” Ohno reassured them.

Jun was all the while silent but truly happy inside. Who wouldn’t be glad if the person one likes suddenly gets to live with them?

Mao emerges from the restroom. “Gomen.” She had her head lowered to Arashi. “My father sometimes gets really unreasonable. I can’t possibly stay here and live with you guys just because I basically got kicked out. I’ll be staying at a hotel nearby. Again, I apologize about this.”

Jun stood up. “Mao-chan, you’re father will definitely know once you pay for the booking. Wouldn’t it be bad for both of us, meaning Arashi and you, if he suddenly finds out we disobeyed his orders?”

“J’s got a point, Mao-chan. Even Johnny-san will not like it if we piss off your father who, may I add, is currently one of our bosses.” Nino added.

“You don’t like living with us, Mao-chan? Why?” Ohno asked with a somewhat puppy dog face.

“Eh.. Anou.. It’s not like that.” Mao sighed. “Fine.” Whether it may be because she just can’t say no to the boys or because deep inside she also wanted this, Mao surrendered to the situation. “I’ll stay.”

Hopefully, I won’t regret this. 

“Besides whatever my father wants, he gets it right away. He’ll probably make me go back in here anyway. No matter how gruesome or unbelievable it is, he’s sure to make a way.”

Mao made up her mind. “I’m okay sleeping on the couch, if you don’t mind.”

“No, Mao-chan. You can’t sleep in here.” Sho was against the idea. “A pregnant woman should be in the most comfortable position as possible when resting.”

“Trust the Keio boy. He probably read that in a newspaper or magazine of some sort. Besides, it wouldn’t be proper for us men to let you sleep in the sofa while we’re on our beds.” Nino also won’t let that idea of Mao’s go through.

“You can just sleep with me instead!” Aiba exclaimed. As usual, this earned him a smack from Nino.

“Don’t get any ideas, -kun. Gomen Mao-chan.” The gamer idol apologized for his friend’s mindless suggestion. “I can stay in his room so that you can use my room.”

“Anou..” Ohno suddenly spoke. “Mao-chan, you can use my art room. It’s originally the guest room but since we seldom have guests her, I took the liberty of using it.” Riida offered his most treasured part of the house for Mao’s convenience.

“That would be lovely. Arigato, Ohno-san.” Mao bowed in gratitude. She can’t refuse his offer especially since Ohno is really passionate for his art and him offering this personal space just shows Mao is somewhat special.

Mao attempted to pick up her luggage. Jun beat her to it. “Pregnant ladies shouldn’t carry heavy stuff.” He beamed.

“I’ll show you the room.” Ohno led them to the place. It was pretty spacious actually. Amidst the cluster of arty things, there was a bed and closet. A desk and swivel chair was at the far side of the room. There was even a separate bathroom just right next to the room.

“Ah. I’ll clean up this mess in a bit. Jun, why don’t you show her around?” Riida suggested.

“Yeah. Sure.” Jun led Mao away. He decided to take Mao on a tour of the whole house she’ll be living in for the next weeks. Midway through it, he asked. “Aren’t you afraid of us? Aren’t you afraid of the fact that you’ll be living in a house full of boys?”

Mao was stopped in her tracks. “I am a bit scared. I admit that.” She then continued to walk. “I’ve never done anything like this. I never would have guessed there’d be a point in my life that I’d need to live with five men. But you know what? This feeling of comfort and familiarity with you guys beats my anxiety. I am more thrilled than scared, Matsumoto-san. Thrilled of what’s going to happen with all of us given this situation.” There was glimmer in her eyes as she explained and this made Jun’s heart skip a beat.

Next day.

A sleepy Aiba finally emerged from his room. He still had his eyes closed as he walked towards the dining table. “Guys, I just had the most awesome dream. Inoue Mao was going to live with us! Too bad it was just a dream.” He yawned as he stretched his arms.

“Ohayou.” A female voice greeted the idol. This shook him awake.

“That wasn’t a dream, Aiba-shi.” Sho grinned while slurping the soup Mao made. Mao and the others were apparently already eating breakfast that was made by lady.

“Come eat with us.” She motioned Aiba to a chair. “Gomen ne for being such a burden.” Mao apologized again for the nth time. “The least I could do would be to make myself useful with cooking and other chores. You won’t have to worry about that anymore.”
 

Weeks later.

Mao checked her preggy calendar once again. She had a schedule for Lamaze class today. The last time she went there was with her mother.

Hoping someone would accompany her, Mao decided to ask her friends. She tried to call Maki but the answering machine said that she’s on an important trial and to call later in the evening. She also tried to call Becky but Mao remembered that her friend was supposed to be in a convention in Singapore. Mao even tried to get hold of her mother again but she too was not answering.

Mao sighed. The thought of not attending already crossed her mind but she really did not want to miss a single class. It’s all for the babies.

“Yosh! I’ll go alone. But I wouldn’t be actually alone, right? Because you babies are with me.” She told herself as she caressed her growing stomach. It has been quite a habit for her to talk to her stomach.

Just when she already made up her mind to go alone, Mao remembered that the instructor specifically told the participants to bring their partner for the next session. That session was today. She also remembered it was a special class to teach the man how to share the burden of pregnancy.

Mao let out another sigh. She probably would miss the opportunity. There was no one who could accompany her. She wouldn’t dare call her other male friends because this class required a bit of touching and of course she wouldn’t like someone not close to her having that opportunity.

Too bad they aren’t here. 

She was pertaining to the Arashi members who weren’t currently at the house. Being national idols, their schedule was pretty hectic. Mao would only get the chance to see them complete in the house during Sundays. In other days, they would arrive late, with Mao already sleeping soundly.

“It would have been nice if it was one of them.” The pregnant lady whispered.

As if Kami-sama heard her prayer, Mao heard the opening of the main door and someone announcing, “Tadaima.”

She recognized the voice. “Okaeri-nasai, Aiba-san. You’re quite early today.”

“Ah yeah. I only had a photoshoot today. The others still had tapings to attend to. I guess it’s my lucky day for having the rest of the day off.” He flashed his signature sunny smile.

“Anou.. Have you already eaten lunch?” Mao asked.

“Not yet. Did you cook? If not, that’s alright. I’ll just buy from the conbini.”

Mao thought of a brilliant idea. “No. No. I’ll treat you to lunch. It would take long if I start cooking right now. I bet you’re already hungry.”

“Eh? Mao-chan, it’s not your fault. Besides, I’m perfectly capable of buying instant food. No need to take me anywhere.”

“Aiba-san, I insist. Just think of it as a date.” Mao tried her best to charm her way towards the idol. “Also, there’s a favor I really need to ask of you and treating you to lunch might at least get you interested.”

Aiba couldn’t help but smile at this attention he’s getting. “Eh?  A favor, you say? Whatever it is, I will do my best to do it. So what is it that you want, Mao-chan?”

“I’ll tell you after eating. Hurry up and get dressed.” Mao playfully pushed Aiba towards his room. This was another indication of how close she had gone with the boys.
 

The two had finally finished eating. “So about that favor I want to ask. It’s about a Lamaze class. I badly need a partner and I was hoping you could be one.”

“Lamaze class? What’s that for?”

“Oh yeah. Let me explain.” Mao went on explaining all she knows about that class, including its benefits on her unborn children.

“Well, I’d be glad to be your partner.” Aiba agreed of course. He wanted to be of help to Mao in any way he can. But from what he’d heard so far about it, the Miracle boy had on clothes that were not appropriate for a Lamaze class. His current outfit would probably restrict his movements and he’d hate if this would be a problem for Mao.

“Ah. Mao-chan, I don’t have the right kind of clothes of that class, right?”

“Now that you think of it, you’re right. I have my workout clothes inside my locker and I totally forgot about yours. Gomen.”

“Let’s go buy some neh?”
 

Aiba brought Mao to one of the shops Arashi can exclusively go to without having to worry about fangirls. The store attendants were all men. They’ve been trained and basically commanded not to talk about nor spread whatever they see in this shop if they don’t want to get fired.

Aiba began looking for clothes. Mao’s designer self started to kick in and she began also fishing out clothes for him. “Go try these on.” She ordered him.

Shopping for sweats never had been this fun, Mao thought. Silly Aiba made funny faces and gestures every time he emerges from the fitting room. Mao’s laughter echoed throughout the shop.

After finally picking out what seemed to be the perfect pair of sweats, Mao paid for it. Aiba was uncomfortable with a lady already spending money for him twice.

“I doubt you’ll like what we’ll be doing today so the best I could do would to at least buy you these stuff.” She reasoned with a smile.
They left the store and drove to the venue of the Lamaze class.
 

Aiba worried about the fact that he will accompany Mao through this class. Even if he tried to conceal himself althroughout the day, he wouldn’t be able to do so in that class. Someone would definitely recognize him and it would be bad, bad news if it gets to the media.

Mao noticed the idol’s uneasiness and she suspected he’s worried about getting his identity revealed. “Don’t worry. It’s a special one-on-one class and the instructor was already in formed of our situation. I trust he will not leak this information.”

“Okay. Wait. What? He?” Aiba was totally expecting for a female to lead the class.

Before he could complain about it, the instructor, who looked very much manly, entered the room.

The instructor looked stern and Aiba was actually a bit terrified of him. This did not go unnoticed to Mao and she thought bringing Aiba along was a bad idea.

“Are you okay, Aiba-san? I would understand if you’d back out.” She was concerned of him.

“What? No. I’m perfectly fine. Just a bit shy. There’s nothing to worry about.” He assured her with his signature sunny smile.

“Ahem.” The instructor cleared his throat. “I’m Shin. I’ll be your trainer for today. It’s nice to meet you again, Inoue-san. How are you feeling?” He approached Mao and shook hands with him.

“Ah I’m good. By the way, this is Aiba-san.” Mao introduced her companion.

“Aiba Masaki desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.” The idol shook hands with the instructor.

“Nice to meet you, Aiba-san. I hope you’ll enjoy today’s session.” Shin smiled. “Yosh. Before we go to the actual class, let’s have some kind of ice-breaker.” He left them to set up the equipment. “Well, this is more of a video showing. Enjoy.” He pressed the play button.

As expected of a birthing class, the video showed clips of actual women in labor. Of course, for Mao it was a fascinating scene to behold. But it was not the same case for the idol.

The instructor secretly laughed at the sight of Aiba Masaki being squeamish at screaming women giving birth.

The video ended, ending the idol’s misery. “Finally.” Aiba muttered as he wiped off his sweat.

“You better get used to these kinds of videos, Aiba-san. Soon, it will be Inoue-san’s turn to experience this wonderful scene. Our job as men is to help and support them during pregnancy and birth. The goal of Lamaze class is to prepare women and increase their confidence in their ability to give birth.” With that, Shin-san started the Lamaze class.

Contrary to what Mao expected, Aiba actually had a pretty good time during the session. Being a natural goofball, he made the entire atmosphere of the room sunny and even the male instructor was smiling and laughing at his antics.
 

Aside from this, Aiba was a real gentleman with how he handled Mao. The two learned techniques to help minimize the pain of labor. One of them was massage therapy. Mao felt safe, comfortable and relaxed in the idol’s hands. In that position, there were numerous ways Mao could get advantage of but he never did. And that thought was imprinted in Mao’s mind.
 

Mao and Aiba already left the building and went straight home. Before entering the house, Mao thanked the idol once again.

“Arigato. I’m deeply indebted to you, Aiba-san. I really wanted to finish the class and thanks to you I did.” Mao bowed in gratitude.

“I had fun and learned a lot of things too. If you’d ever need a partner again, I’d be glad to do so.” He was quite embarrassed but he masked it with another smile.

Before stepping inside, Mao looked back and said, “I believe you’d be a great father, Aiba-san.”