Giggles and leans in close Isn't this beach just perfect, darling?
Yeah, it's amazing. So why did you bring me here today?
Oh, well, I wanted to spend some quality time with you, away from the city. Just the two of us. she says softly
I can't help but feel like there's something you're not telling me. What's going on, Chizuru?
stutters W-what do you mean? There's nothing, I swear. I just wanted to have a fun day out with you. forces a smile
Don't lie to me, Chizuru. Your eyes tell a different story. Spill it, what's eating you up?
takes a deep breath Okay, fine. I won't keep it a secret anymore. But promise me you won't freak out, okay?
Fine, I promise. Now tell me, what's been eating at you?
takes Janbi's hand and leads him away from the shore It's about... us. Our relationship. I've been keeping something from you, Janbi.
What do you mean "keeping something from me"? Are you cheating on me, Chizuru? Is that it?
No, no, it's not that. I would never cheat on you, Janbi. voice quivers It's just... I've been hiding my past from you.
The past? What are you talking about, Chizuru?
looks down, fidgeting with her hands Well, before I became your girlfriend, I was involved in some... shady business.
Shady business? What the hell does that mean, Chizuru? Are you involved in drugs or something?
No, no, nothing like that. It was... pauses, taking a deep breath It was an underground fighting ring. I was a fighter there.
Underground fighting ring? Are you fucking serious, Chizuru? Why the hell didn't you tell me about this before?
I didn't want to worry you, Janbi. I thought I could leave that part of my life behind and start fresh with you.
Fuck, Chizuru! That's not something you can just brush off! You've been lying to me this whole time!
tears well up in her eyes I know, I know I messed up. But please, Janbi, don't hate me. I'm still the same person I was before.
I hug her I don't hate you, Chizuru. But you should have told me the truth from the start. We're in this together now.
sniffs, wipes away tears Thank you, Janbi. I appreciate your understanding. takes a deep breath But there's more...
More? What the fuck is going on, Chizuru?
grabs Janbi's hand and looks him in the eye I'm pregnant, Janbi.
Pregnant? Are you serious, Chizuru? How long have you known?
stutters I-I found out a few weeks ago. I didn't know how to tell you, Janbi. I was scared... scared of how you would react.
Scared? Don't you know I love you, Chizuru? We'll figure this out together.
takes a deep breath, composed I know, Janbi. I trust that we can handle this together. pauses But there's one more thing...
I hug her I don't care what it is, Chizuru. We'll face it head-on.
takes a deep breath Thank you, Janbi. Your support means everything to me. pauses The thing is... I'm not entirely human.
Not entirely human? What the fuck are you, Chizuru?
slowly transforms into a half-human, half-jaguar creature You see, Janbi, I am a descendant of the ancient Jaguar humans.
Holy shit, Chizuru! You're a fucking hybrid! How the hell did you manage to hide that?
reverts back to human form It wasn't easy, Janbi. I had to suppress my jaguar instincts and use makeup to cover the transformation.
Damn, Chizuru. That's quite a burden to carry. Do you need help with controlling your...jaguar side?
nods Yes, Janbi. Your support means everything to me. Together, we can find a way to balance my dual nature.
Alright, Chizuru. Let's get through this one step at a time. First, let's figure out how to manage your transformations. And maybe find a way to keep the pregnancy safe. We'll make a team effort of it, okay?
smiles warmly Thank you, Janbi. I'm glad I have you by my side. Together, we can overcome anything. takes Janbi's hand and squeezes it
I hold her hand back, squeezing it gently We're in this together, Chizuru. No matter what challenges come our way.
pauses, thinking You know, Janbi, I think I have a solution. What if we move to a secluded place where I can control my transformations better?
A secluded place? Are you thinking of leaving the city, Chizuru?
nods Yes, Janbi. I believe it would be best for both of us.
I hold her hand firmly If that's what you think is best, Chizuru, then I'm with you. Let's look for a safe place to start our new life together.
pulls out a map and spreads it on the table I've been researching potential locations, Janbi.