The cozy, unassuming restaurant buzzed softly with the chatter of patrons and the occasional clink of utensils. At one table near the window, Yuzuru, Kenta, and Akarin sat together, their plates of food steaming invitingly. Akarin, with her usual enthusiasm, was happily digging into her favorite Takoyaki, while Kenta and Yuzuru were engrossed in light conversation.
For a moment, Yuzuru drifted off, a faint smile tugging at his lips as his thoughts wandered.
Kenta noticed instantly, his sharp eyes catching the subtle change. He smirked, leaning forward slightly. "Hey, Yuzuru! What's got you smiling like that? Thinking of something... or someone?"
Startled, Yuzuru blinked and straightened in his seat, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. He scrambled for an excuse, but before he could stop himself, the words tumbled out.
"Ah, nothing much... I just remembered Shiori last night when she was drunk. She was... kind of funny," he admitted, his smile lingering.
The table fell quiet. Kenta's brows lifted with sudden interest, and he looked at Yuzuru with a teasing glint in his eyes. Meanwhile, Akarin paused mid-bite, her gaze snapping to Yuzuru. A faint flicker of something-jealousy, perhaps-passed over her face before she composed herself.
"Funny, huh?" Akarin remarked, her tone light but carrying an edge. "It's rare to hear you talk about Shiori like that. Sounds almost... affectionate."
Yuzuru froze, realizing how his words might have sounded. Laughing awkwardly, he waved his hands in dismissal. "Oh, no, no... That's not what I meant. I just-well, you know. She looked... silly, that's all. Nothing more."
Kenta chuckled, clearly enjoying the exchange as he leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Kawaii, Yuzuru, you and Shiori might be closer than any of us thought!"
Yuzuru's laugh grew more nervous as he desperately tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but his flushed cheeks betrayed him. Akarin, meanwhile, lowered her gaze to her plate, her chopsticks idly poking at a piece of Takoyaki. Her lips tightened slightly, and though she said nothing, her subdued expression hinted at a tinge of lingering jealousy.
Unaware of Akarin's reaction, Kenta continued to tease Yuzuru, the lively energy at the table masking the subtle undercurrent of tension.
---
In the cozy living room of Kenta's home, Shiori and Miyu sat on the plush sofa, their eyes following the little boy playing in front of them. Kaito darted around the room with boundless energy, clutching his toy tightly and laughing with pure joy. The atmosphere was warm and filled with the lighthearted sounds of a child's laughter.
Miyu turned her gaze to Shiori, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "Shiori, you like children, don't you?"
Shiori's expression softened as she watched Kaito, her eyes glimmering with affection. "Yes, I do. I've always loved being around kids. They bring so much happiness."
Miyu nodded slowly, her hand reaching out to rest lightly on Shiori's. Her gaze turned more focused, her tone warm but serious. "Shiori, I know you and Yuzuru... haven't been intimate."
Shiori's eyes widened in surprise, and a faint flush crept up her cheeks. She shifted slightly, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Miyu's steady gaze.
Miyu gave her an understanding smile, her voice calm and full of reassurance. "It's okay, Shiori. I understand. Your marriage with Yuzuru is approaching three years now, but things like that... they take time. It's not easy for everyone."
Shiori looked down at her lap, her fingers fidgeting slightly as if grappling with unspoken emotions. Miyu's kind words seemed to resonate deeply, offering a sense of solace she hadn't realized she needed.
Glancing at Kaito, Miyu placed a hand on her slightly rounded belly, a subtle yet undeniable sign of her pregnancy. Her smile grew even warmer as she turned back to Shiori, her eyes brimming with affection.
"Look at Kaito, and this little one growing inside me," Miyu said, her voice tender. "They're the result of love between me and your brother, as husband and wife. Shiori, if having a child is something you truly want, maybe it's time to start thinking about the future."
Shiori's expression wavered between uncertainty and quiet contemplation. The weight of Miyu's words pressed gently on her heart, planting seeds of possibility she had long ignored.
Sensing her hesitation, Miyu squeezed Shiori's hand reassuringly, her tone filled with unwavering confidence. "Trust me, Shiori. If you truly desire it, one day you will have a child of your own. You just need to give yourself and Yuzuru the time and space to grow. Sometimes, love has a way of blossoming on its own."
Shiori exhaled deeply, her breath shuddering slightly as her emotions swirled. Her eyes glistened faintly with unshed tears, but her lips curved into a small, uncertain smile. Miyu's words lingered in her mind, igniting thoughts of a future she had never dared to imagine-a future with Yuzuru, and perhaps, a child to call their own.
---
Flashback to four years ago, in a cozy little café bathed in warm, intimate lighting set the scene for Yuzuru and Akarin's first date. They sat across from each other at a small table, sharing light snacks and soft conversation. Despite the slight awkwardness of a new connection, their smiles were genuine, and the glances they exchanged carried the promise of something unspoken.
Yuzuru sipped his coffee, his gaze occasionally drifting toward Akarin as she spoke animatedly about her day. Her voice carried a natural enthusiasm, and he found himself captivated by her energy. They seemed perfectly in sync, savoring the quiet joy of each other's company.
After a pause in their conversation, Akarin took a deep breath. Her demeanor shifted slightly-still warm, but with a hint of nervousness. She leaned forward just a little, her fingers fidgeting lightly with the edge of her cup.
"Yuzuru," she began, her tone steady despite the subtle tremor of anticipation, "there's something I want to say before we part ways tonight."
Yuzuru raised his brows slightly in surprise but immediately gave her his full attention, his gentle smile encouraging her to continue.
Akarin hesitated for only a moment before pressing on, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Since the first time we met... I've felt like there's something special between us. I know this might seem sudden, but I think it's important for you to know how I feel."
Her words hung in the air, charged with vulnerability and sincerity. Yuzuru stared at her, his eyes widening slightly as her confession registered. His heart stirred, touched by her courage and openness.
"I... I like you, Yuzuru," she admitted, her voice quieter now, yet brimming with earnestness.
Yuzuru blinked, momentarily stunned by the directness of her words. A rush of warmth spread through him, and his face flushed slightly. For a moment, they sat in silence, their eyes locked as if the world had momentarily faded away.
Finally, Yuzuru's lips curved into a soft, genuine smile. His voice, when he spoke, was as gentle as a spring breeze. "Akarin... I... I feel the same way. There's something special about us, too."
Their smiles mirrored each other, and in that moment, a quiet understanding passed between them. The look in their eyes was filled with hope and the fragile excitement of a new beginning.
As they continued their conversation, the connection between them grew stronger. It was the start of something beautiful, a journey filled with the promise of shared happiness and discovery.