The morning was quiet and still within the hospital's corridors, broken only by the occasional murmur of staff and the faint shuffle of footsteps. Shiori walked briskly, her cap pulled low over her face and a mask obscuring her features. Her nervous energy was palpable, but her determination carried her forward. Reaching the door to the examination room, she paused, her hand hovering over the handle as she took a deep breath to steady herself. Then, with a quiet resolve, she stepped inside.
The doctor greeted her with a warm smile, instantly recognizing her from a previous visit. Her demeanor was friendly, professional, and subtly curious.
"Good morning, Mrs. Shiori," the doctor said cheerfully. "It's lovely to see you again. I'm glad you decided to go through with the fertility assessment. It's an important step."
Shiori nodded slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile beneath her mask. Her nervousness was evident, but she remained polite and composed.
The doctor's brow furrowed briefly as she glanced toward the door. "But... where is your husband? These kinds of appointments are usually more productive when both partners are present. It's best to approach the process together."
There was a brief pause. Shiori's shoulders tensed, and she averted her eyes, struggling to find the right words. Her hands fidgeted at her sides before she managed to respond.
"He's... busy today," she said softly, her voice steady but lacking conviction.
The doctor regarded her for a moment, clearly curious but too professional to press further. She nodded understandingly, offering a reassuring smile. "Of course, I understand. These decisions are deeply personal. We'll proceed at your pace."
Shiori exhaled quietly, her chest loosening just slightly at the doctor's calm response.
"Well, let's get started," the doctor continued gently, gesturing toward the examination area. "Don't worry-this will be straightforward and relaxed. We'll make sure everything is as stress-free as possible."
Shiori nodded again, her movements stiff but resolute. She followed the doctor's instructions, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. While anxiety lingered in her gaze, there was also a flicker of determination. She was here for herself, for her future, and for answers she needed-whether or not Yuzuru was by her side to share the journey.
As she sat quietly, waiting for the procedures to begin, Shiori reflected on the path that had brought her here. Despite her hesitation and fear of the unknown, she knew this step was necessary. It was a moment of vulnerability, but also a testament to her strength. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was taking control of her own destiny.
Shiori walked slowly down the quiet hospital corridor, her mind heavy with the results of her recent examination. The faint hum of activity around her-nurses moving from one room to another, the soft murmur of patients speaking-barely registered. Her thoughts swirled, a mix of uncertainty and reflection.
As she turned a corner, the sound of muffled sobs broke through her reverie. Up ahead, a young woman sat on one of the waiting area chairs, her shoulders shaking as she cried into her hands. Beside her, a man-presumably her husband-sat close, his arm draped protectively over her shoulders. His expression was calm and steadfast, a sharp contrast to his wife's visible despair.
"I'm so scared," the woman choked out between sobs. "What if your parents don't accept me? What if I disappoint them? I... I want so badly to give you a child, but now..."
Her voice cracked, and fresh tears streamed down her face. She clutched her own hands tightly, her fingers trembling.
The man leaned closer, pulling her into his embrace. He stroked her back gently, his voice low and soothing. "Hey, don't say that," he murmured. "You're the most important person in my life. My parents will understand, and if they don't, it doesn't matter. We'll face this together. We'll find a way, no matter what."
Shiori stopped a few steps away, her gaze drawn to the couple. She couldn't look away, mesmerized by the quiet strength in the man's voice and the unwavering tenderness in his actions. Despite the obvious pain of the situation, his love for his wife was evident in every word, every gesture.
For a moment, Shiori's heart ached in a way she hadn't expected. She was moved, not just by their raw vulnerability, but by the unshakable bond they shared. It was a stark contrast to the distance she often felt in her own marriage.
As the husband continued to comfort his wife, Shiori turned away, her footsteps heavy as she resumed her path down the corridor. Her emotions were tangled-admiration for the couple, envy of their connection, and a creeping sadness that she couldn't quite name.
She couldn't stop thinking about what she'd witnessed. That kind of love-the kind that provided strength in the face of adversity, the kind that said we'll face this together-was something she'd longed for, even if she hadn't realized it until now.
Shiori's pace slowed as she neared the hospital exit. Her thoughts lingered on the scene she'd just left behind, forcing her to confront her own fears and desires. The warmth of their bond stayed with her, a quiet reminder of what a marriage could and should be: a partnership, built on trust, understanding, and love that could weather even the hardest storms.
Shiori walked slowly down the hospital corridor, her steps careful as she made her way toward the exit. The day had been emotionally draining, but a small sense of relief crept in-at least she'd managed to get through it all without running into anyone she knew.
But as she passed the maternity examination wing, she froze. Standing by the door, speaking to a nurse, was a familiar figure: Miyu.
Panic surged through Shiori, and she instinctively turned her face away, hoping her mask and hat would shield her from recognition. She hurried her steps, praying Miyu wouldn't notice.
"Shiori!"
The cheerful voice stopped her in her tracks. Turning slightly, she saw Miyu waving at her with an unmistakable smile.
"What a surprise! How are you? I didn't expect to see you here!" Miyu called out, her voice filled with warmth.
Shiori hesitated, her heart racing. There was no way to avoid her now. She forced a smile and walked over, trying to appear calm.
"Oh, Miyu... It's a coincidence," Shiori said, her tone awkward as she fumbled for a plausible excuse.
Miyu didn't seem to notice her discomfort. Instead, she grabbed Shiori's hand, her face lighting up with excitement. "I'm here for my baby's check-up. Why don't you come in with me? It'll be fun to have some company!"
Before Shiori could respond, Miyu was already pulling her toward the examination room.
---
Inside the Examination Room
The doctor greeted Miyu warmly, preparing the ultrasound machine as Miyu reclined on the examination chair. Shiori sat stiffly in the corner, unsure if she should stay but too polite to decline.
The room was filled with a quiet hum as the doctor spread gel over Miyu's belly and began the scan. Within seconds, the monitor lit up, showing the grainy image of a tiny baby moving within the womb.
Shiori's breath caught. She'd never seen anything like it before. Her gaze remained fixed on the screen, mesmerized by the gentle movements of the tiny life growing inside Miyu.
"Look, Shiori," Miyu said, reaching out to take Shiori's hand. Her grip was warm, her smile radiant. "That's my baby. Isn't it incredible? Watching them grow... It's the greatest joy of my life."
Shiori nodded silently, her throat tightening as she struggled to find the right words. The image on the screen, combined with the sheer happiness on Miyu's face, stirred something deep within her.
She hadn't expected to feel so moved. A mix of emotions bubbled to the surface-admiration for Miyu's happiness, a strange ache of longing, and a quiet sense of confusion about her own life.
As the scan continued, Shiori couldn't help but think of her marriage with Yuzuru, the distance between them, and the unspoken questions she'd buried for so long. Was this what she wanted? A family, a connection like the one Miyu seemed to have?
The doctor finished the scan, and Miyu beamed as she wiped the gel from her stomach. "Thank you for coming in with me, Shiori," she said, still holding her sister in law's hand. "Moments like these remind me of what's really important in life."
Shiori smiled faintly, her mind still swirling. "Thank you for sharing this with me," she said softly.
As she left the room with Miyu, a new sense of awareness began to bloom within her. What had started as a chance encounter now felt like a pivotal moment-one that might lead Shiori to reexamine what she truly wanted from her life, her marriage, and her future.