That night, in the quiet guest room at Kenta's house, Yuzuru and Shiori lay side by side on the bed, with little Kaito peacefully asleep between them. The soft glow of the bedside lamp bathed the room in a warm, calming light, wrapping them in a tranquil atmosphere.
Yuzuru turned his head slightly to glance at Shiori. A faint smile played on his lips as he leaned in closer and whispered, careful not to disturb the sleeping boy.
"Shiori... I have an idea," he murmured.
Shiori looked at him curiously, her brow arching slightly. "What idea?"
Yuzuru's smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about we stay here at Kenta's house a little longer? Miyu only has a few weeks left before the baby arrives. We could help take care of Kaito... think of it as practice. You know, like he's our own."
Shiori blinked in surprise at his suggestion but quickly let out a soft chuckle, her lips curving into a small smile. "You're impossible... Don't we already have a 'child' to take care of? What about Sora? She's our baby too."
Yuzuru stifled a laugh, his voice still low. "True, but don't you think it'd be nice to add another to the family? Sora's so calm and quiet. Maybe Kaito could be the lively little brother to balance things out."
Shiori couldn't hold back a quiet laugh, shaking her head at his playful tone. Her gaze shifted to Kaito's peaceful face as he snuggled deeper into the blankets. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what Yuzuru had said-a life where they were a family of four, filled with laughter and warmth.
Their eyes met over Kaito's sleeping figure, and they exchanged a tender smile. In that fleeting moment, it felt as though they were already living the life Yuzuru had jokingly described-a small, happy family bound by love and simplicity.
That morning, the dining room at Kenta's house was filled with the comforting aroma of breakfast and the sound of cheerful chatter. The warm sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a soft glow over the table where everyone sat enjoying the meal together.
Kenta leaned back in his chair, a playful grin spreading across his face as he glanced at Yuzuru and Shiori, who were seated next to each other.
"So," Kenta began, his tone teasing, "you two are really planning to stay here and help look after Kaito? That's great! Consider it practice for when you have your own kids someday."
Yuzuru and Shiori exchanged a quick look, their expressions a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. A faint blush crept onto Shiori's cheeks as she laughed nervously.
Miyu, sitting across from them, joined in with a gentle smile. She turned her gaze to Shiori. "Kenta's right, Shiori. Kaito could be a good trial run for the both of you."
Shiori let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You two... It's not like that at all! We're just happy to help out. Kaito's adorable, and it's nice to spend time with him."
Yuzuru leaned back slightly, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Well, if that's the case," he said, feigning a serious tone, "then let's say we are practicing. If Kaito ends up being naughtier by the time we leave, it just means we're doing something right, doesn't it?"
Laughter erupted around the table, the atmosphere growing even warmer as everyone joined in on the joke.
Kaito, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, looked up at the group with a groggy expression, clearly confused by all the commotion. But as he saw their smiling faces, a small grin appeared on his own, lighting up his sleepy features.
The moment was simple yet full of joy-a shared breakfast that felt more like a gathering of family than anything else.
The café was quiet, its serene ambiance punctuated by the soft hum of conversation and the gentle clinking of cups. Yuzuru and Akarin sat at a small table near the window, each with a cup of coffee before them. While Yuzuru seemed relaxed, savoring the moment, Akarin appeared distracted, her gaze distant and unfocused.
Yuzuru leaned back in his chair, his tone light and conversational. "So, what do you think about staying at Kenta's place? I think it's a great idea. It's a calm environment, and we can help them take care of Kaito while they're busy with the preparations."
Akarin gave a small nod, but her expression remained troubled. Her mind seemed far away, and she barely acknowledged Yuzuru's words. Noticing her unusual demeanor, Yuzuru tilted his head, concern creeping into his eyes.
"Akarin," he said softly, his tone shifting to one of genuine care, "what's wrong? You seem... different today. Is something bothering you?"
Akarin hesitated, her fingers tightening around the edge of her coffee cup. She avoided Yuzuru's gaze, biting her lower lip as she tried to muster a smile. The attempt was weak, and the strain behind it was obvious.
"It's nothing," she said quietly. "Just... a small issue with Ren."
Yuzuru leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowed. "An issue with Ren?" he asked gently. "What happened, Akarin? You know you can talk to me if something's on your mind."
Akarin's shoulders slumped, and her composure began to crumble. Her head lowered as tears spilled onto her cheeks. She struggled to keep silent, but a choked sob escaped her lips. Unable to hold back any longer, she began to cry in earnest.
Alarmed, Yuzuru quickly stood and moved to her side. He crouched beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
"Akarin," he murmured softly, his voice soothing, "I'm here. You don't have to carry this alone. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Akarin clung to him, her tears soaking into his shirt as she cried harder. Her sobs were raw and unrestrained, echoing the weight of her bottled-up emotions. Yuzuru held her tightly, his presence steady and grounding.
"It's okay," he whispered, his hand lightly stroking her back. "I know it's hard, but you don't have to go through this on your own. We'll face it together."
Akarin took a shaky breath, her sobs gradually quieting though her tears continued to fall. Yuzuru stayed by her side, patient and unwavering, his silent support speaking louder than any words. For now, he simply let her feel what she needed to feel, offering her the solace she so desperately sought.