“Ignore every instinct to flee. Remember: you are a monster, too.” That’s what they had been told by their parents the moment they were big enough to hold a weapon. Trained in martial arts from a young age, they had been raised to become a member of the Defense Force. Which is what led them to their current situation. Despite bleeding heavily from their stomach, they continued on, killing any kaiju that approached them. They couldn’t run away, even if they wanted to. It went against everything they had been taught.

A scream of their name had them turning, only to cry out in pain as they were flung into a nearby building. They swore they heard their spine crack as their back made contact with the concrete wall. Immediately, someone was by their side. Blearily, they blinked, looking up to meet the concerned gaze of the Vice Captain.

Wasn’t that odd? Seeing Soshiro with his eyes open was a sight to behold. He rarely had his eyes open, after all. Even as his arranged spouse, they rarely saw him with his eyes open. They realized he was speaking. To them? They weren’t sure.

While he looked concerned, they could practically feel the resentment coming from him. At least, that’s what they assumed it was. Neither had wanted the arranged marriage, yet their parents had pushed for it and left them no option but to agree. The two had been pressured into trying for heirs, as well.

There was a loud ringing in their ears, and their vision spun momentarily. Once they were no longer dizzy, they stared at Soshiro, who was holding them tightly, as if they’d disappear if he let go.

A faint whisper of his name left their lips, and he frowned, bringing a hand up to his earpiece. He spoke again, they noticed, even if they couldn’t understand him. Their gaze turned to the honju that had hit them. It was now dead, lying in a pile of diced flesh with the core laying nearby, sliced in half.

Ah. Soshiro had killed it. They’d recognize his handiwork from anywhere. Focusing back on the man holding them, they exhaled shakily. A mumbled apology was all that escaped them before they lost consciousness.

Upon waking up, they found they were in the hospital. They had an IV drip hooked to their arm, causing them to grumble slightly. At least the ringing in their ears had stopped. They shifted their gaze to the window, eyeing the darkness outside. So it was night, then.

The door to the room suddenly clicked open, causing them to turn their head to look at who entered. It was their husband. Soshiro stood there for a few moments before releasing a sigh and walking closer to the bed.

“When were you going to tell me you were pregnant?” he asked quietly. They blinked. Pregnant? Since when were they pregnant? Apparently, their confusion showed on their face. “The doctors said you were about three months pregnant. Not anymore, though. You got stabbed in the stomach by that kaiju.”