The sterile white walls of the examination room felt slightly oppressive as Shiori sat across from the doctor. Her hands were clasped tightly on her lap, betraying the nervous energy she had carried since entering the hospital. Across from her, the female doctor reviewed her medical records, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the flurry of anxious thoughts running through her mind.
Finally, the doctor looked up and offered a reassuring smile. "Alright, Mrs Shiori. From the results of your examination, there's nothing to worry about. It's just normal cramps caused by your menstrual cycle."
Relief washed over Shiori, and she exhaled a soft sigh, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "Ah, thank goodness... I was a bit worried earlier."
"That's understandable," the doctor said, her tone gentle. "Situations like this can often lead us to think of the worst. However, just to be safe, I recommend you come back in a few weeks for a follow-up checkup."
Shiori blinked in mild surprise, her brows furrowing slightly. "A follow-up checkup? Is it really necessary?"
The doctor nodded, offering another warm smile. "There's no need to be overly concerned. It's just to ensure everything is perfectly fine. Some conditions are easier to monitor with consistent follow-ups. I don't suspect anything serious, but it's always better to be certain."
Shiori bit her lip thoughtfully before nodding. "Alright. I'll schedule an appointment for the follow-up. Thank you, Doctor."
"You're welcome, Mrs. Shiori." The doctor's voice remained kind, yet professional. "Take care of your health and try not to worry too much. If you feel any discomfort before your next appointment, don't hesitate to come back."
Shiori rose from her seat, giving the doctor a polite bow. "Of course. Thank you for your advice, Doctor."
As she stepped out of the doctor's office, the tension in her chest began to ease, though a trace of unease lingered. The doctor's recommendation for a follow-up, while logical, left her feeling a little contemplative. Was there something she hadn't said outright? she wondered briefly, before shaking the thought away.
The bustling corridors of the hospital surrounded her as she made her way toward the exit. Nurses and patients moved with purpose, their lives intersecting for brief moments in this shared space of healing and worry. Stepping outside, Shiori took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze touch her face.
The warm sunlight filtered through the trees lining the hospital's entrance, and she closed her eyes for a moment, silently hoping the doctor was right-that everything truly was as normal as she had assured her.
---
The soft hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery filled the quiet restaurant. Yuzuru sat across from Kenta, his eyes flickering to his phone every few seconds. The restlessness etched on his face didn't escape his his brother-in-law notice.
Yuzuru tapped the edge of his phone lightly, muttering under his breath, "Shiori must be awake by now. I should check on her... She's not usually like this."
Kenta leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a teasing smirk. "You're really worried about Shiori, aren't you? Don't think about her too much-we're here for lunch."
Letting out a sigh, Yuzuru set his phone down on the table. "I just... I'm worried she's unwell. She seemed a bit weak earlier."
Kenta chuckled, shaking his head. "You're too attentive to her, Yuzuru. It's almost sweet."
Before Yuzuru could respond, a pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes from behind.
"Guess who?" came a cheerful, playful voice.
Startled, Yuzuru stiffened for a moment before chuckling softly. "Akarin? What are you doing here?"
The hands slipped away, and Akarin moved to wrap him in a warm hug, her laughter bubbling with joy. "You haven't changed one bit, Yuzuru. I can't believe I'm finally seeing you again after so long. Surprised?"
Still caught off guard, Yuzuru hesitated in her embrace but eventually smiled, his tone laced with disbelief and warmth. "Akarin... you're really back? I don't even know what to say."
Kenta watched the scene unfold with an amused grin, resting his chin on his hand. "Wow, look at this reunion! You two are hugging like long-lost lovers. Don't make me jealous, Yuzuru."
Yuzuru quickly broke the hug, laughing awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Kenta, stop it..." Turning to Akarin, he asked, "Akarin, what are you doing here?"
Akarin beamed as she took a seat at the table, her energy infectious. "I just arrived from America. I wanted to surprise you both-especially you, Yuzuru. Oh, and this is a secret, alright? Don't tell anyone, especially Shiori."
Yuzuru's brow furrowed slightly in curiosity. "Akarin, you... you're really back? But why didn't you let anyone know beforehand?"
With a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, Akarin leaned forward, her grin widening. "Because surprises are way more fun, don't you think?"
The three of them shared a hearty laugh as the tension melted away. Kenta leaned back, watching the interaction with a gentle smile, enjoying the lively reunion that filled the room with warmth. Despite himself, Yuzuru couldn't help but feel a mixture of nostalgia and unease as Akarin's vibrant presence stirred memories of the past.
---
The living room was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. Shiori sat on the couch, her fingers lightly gripping a glossy pregnancy brochure. The image of a smiling expectant mother stared back at her, but her gaze was distant, her thoughts adrift in unfamiliar territory.
She turned the pages slowly, her movements deliberate, as if buying time to process the swirling emotions within her. "Why... why do I feel this way all of a sudden?" she murmured to herself. "I've never thought about this before."
The brochure rested limply in her lap as her eyes wandered to the family photo on the side table. It captured a moment of pure happiness: warm smiles, hands interlocked, and the kind of joy that felt untouched by time. Her expression softened, but uncertainty flickered in her eyes.
"Kaito is growing up so fast," Shiori whispered, almost to herself. "Sometimes I wonder... what if there were another child in this house? Would it feel more complete? Would I feel... less lonely?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered. Leaning back against the sofa, Shiori closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to calm the racing thoughts that had crept up on her so unexpectedly. Memories of Kaito's laughter at the dinner table surfaced-bright, infectious, and filling the room with warmth.
Her chest tightened with an ache she couldn't quite name. "I've never imagined wanting something like this," she admitted softly. "But now... it feels empty. Like something's missing."
She opened her eyes and glanced back at the brochure, brushing her fingers absently over its pages. For a moment, her hesitation gave way to something else-something fragile but real. A flicker of anticipation stirred deep within her.
"Maybe..." she said aloud, her voice gaining quiet conviction. "Maybe it's time for a change. Maybe it's time to think about a family-truly starting one."
The brochure found its place on the coffee table as Shiori exhaled deeply, as though releasing the weight of indecision. She turned her head toward the window, where golden sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting the room in a soft, welcoming glow.
For a long moment, she gazed at the world beyond the glass, her thoughts no longer scattered but steadily aligning. Her heart beat with a mixture of nervousness and cautious hope. She didn't know exactly where this newfound desire would lead her, but she was certain of one thing: it was the start of something significant.
And perhaps, for the first time in a long while, that was enough.