cttro
shitty update. stay with me 😭
~
"It's common sense, Atsumu," Osamu bickered, rolling his eyes in exasperation. "They were a couple, and that's what couples do."
Atsumu was about to retort, but his words were cut short when Kiyoomi intervened, pulling him aside with a firm grip.
"That's enough," Kiyoomi stated firmly, his voice laced with a commanding tone.
"But-" Atsumu whined, attempting to protest to his boyfriend's interference.
Kiyoomi silenced him with a warning glare. "Excuse us for a moment," he said, leading Atsumu outside the hospital room to address his concerns.
Meanwhile, Osamu paced back and forth, his anxiety palpable as he nervously bit his nails. Hours seemed to pass like an eternity, testing his patience and wearing down his resolve.
Suna, growing impatient and weary of witnessing Osamu's distress, let out a sigh. "Osamu, let's step outside and get some fresh air," he suggested, taking the initiative without waiting for Osamu's agreement. Without a word, Suna grabbed Osamu's collar and gently pulled him towards the exit. Reluctantly, Osamu followed, torn between his desire to stay by Etsuko's side and the realization that he had no other choice.
Shinsuke remained outside her room, patiently waiting for the doctor's permission to see her, even if it meant catching just a glimpse of her from outside the confines of her hospital room. All he wanted was to know if she was okay.
His grip tightened around his phone, his emotions threatening to overflow. He wanted to shout, to cry out in anguish. The worry for her consumed him, and there was another concern that weighed heavily on his heart— the unborn child she carried within her.
MIya Etsuko's pregnant.
Shinsuke sighed, acknowledging the tinge of sadness that washed over him upon learning the news. It had been his dream to build a future family with her, envisioning Etsuko cradling a baby that bore her resemblance. He had already painted a picture in his mind of her tenderly rocking their child to sleep in her arms. But now, the reality seemed uncertain, the dream slipping further away.
According to the doctor, Etsuko had collapsed due to stress and exhaustion, necessitating her stay in the hospital for a few days. The doctor remained in her room, conducting further tests to ensure her well-being.
They had yet to inform Kozume Kenma about her condition, as their relationship remained complicated. It was evident that they loved each other deeply, but the twins had decided to leave the decision-making to Etsuko once she woke up.
Minutes turned into hours, and finally, the white door swung open. Shinsuke's heart raced as he instinctively rose to his feet and approached the doctor, his anxiety evident in his hurried demeanor.
"Is she okay?" he asked, his words laced with urgency.
"Yes, she's stable," the doctor reassured, studying Shinsuke's reaction. "Are you her husband?" the doctor inquired, seeking clarification.
Shinsuke was taken aback, a pang of longing piercing his heart. He wished he could answer yes, but the truth painted a different picture. "No," he replied with a pale smile, a bittersweet acceptance of his reality.
The doctor nodded understandingly. "Very well. You may now see her. I will conduct further tests tomorrow and provide her with the necessary prescriptions. For now, she needs rest."
Expressing his gratitude with a bow, Shinsuke entered her hospital room, his heart heavy with a mixture of relief and sorrow. Etsuko lay in a deep slumber, her features illuminated by the gentle moonlight that filtered through the window, casting an ethereal glow upon her face.
Taking a seat beside her bed, Shinsuke felt a lump form in his throat as he beheld her serene form. He fought back tears, but his resolve crumbled as he reached out to hold her cold hand. Sorrowful tears streamed down his face, a testament to the depth of his emotions and the pain he carried within.
Throughout the night, Shinsuke clung to her hand, his tears flowing freely until exhaustion claimed him, and he drifted into a fitful sleep.
The next morning, Shinsuke slowly awoke as the warm rays of the sun gently caressed his face. Opening his eyes, he found himself greeted by a bright smile from Etsuko.
"Oh, you're awake," she said cheerfully. "I tried my best to block the sunlight so you could rest longer," she added playfully, lowering her hand. The sun's rays now fully illuminated Shinsuke's face, causing him to squint his eyes.
"...Etsuko-san?" he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Etsuko hummed in response, her expression filled with tenderness. "The others have already gone home. You should go home too, Shin-san. Grandma must be worried about you," she said, gently running her fingers through his hair, fixing his messy bedhead. "Ah, right," she continued. "Rin bought breakfast for us from the cafeteria. You should eat it before heading home." Etsuko turned her head to search for the meal Suna had brought.
Still in a daze, Shinsuke's mind struggled to process the situation. His gaze shifted from his hands, which had been holding hers, to her face, searching for answers.
"Shinsuke-san?" she called, her voice pulling him out of his thoughts.
Shinsuke looked at her, his eyes shifting between her face and his hand that had released its grip. Realizing the implications of their connection, he immediately let go of her hand, his face filled with remorse.
"I'm sorry," he apologized, bowing his head. "It must have made you uncomfortable. I truly apologize."
"No, no, it's okay," she reassured him, her smile warm and comforting. "Hold my hand as much as you like."
Shinsuke felt his heart skip a beat at her words, a mix of emotions surging within him.
Don't smile like that, he thought, his heart in turmoil.
He stared at her hand, his desire to hold it once more warring with his sense of propriety.
This is wrong.
"Etsuko-san," he called, his voice filled with a hint of shyness as he finally met her gaze. "I know it may be selfish, but..." Shinsuke paused, gathering his courage. "Please don't avoid me. You avoided me for seven years, and I... I don't want that to happen again. Can we..." he trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. Shinsuke raised his head, locking eyes with her. "Can we be friends?"
Etsuko was taken aback by his request. She couldn't help but giggle at how adorably awkward he was. Leaning in close, she wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him warmly.
"Of course," she murmured, her voice filled with sincerity. "I would love that."
Shinsuke buried his face in her neck, a familiar gesture that brought back memories of their past. He remembered holding her like this when they had broken up in the school gym during their high school days.
Tears welled up in his eyes once again, but this time, they were different. They were tears of happiness, tears that reflected his joy for her.
"You're crying again," she whispered against his skin, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "I'm sorry, Shinsuke-san," she admitted, her voice cracking with defeat as a tear escaped her eye.
Shinsuke's eyes widened, and he released the embrace, cupping her face gently in his hands. "Please don't cry. Please don't cry, Etsuko-san," he pleaded, their foreheads touching as he desperately tried to alleviate her sadness.
After both of them had calmed down, Shinsuke bid her farewell and made his way home. Etsuko was left staring out of the window, watching the clouds and birds pass by. She had planned to buy materials for Kiyoomi's proposal to Atsumu that day, but fate had taken a different turn.
"I should apologize to Kiyo," she sighed, retrieving her phone from the drawer. As she scrolled through her contacts, intending to call Kiyoomi, her gaze froze when she saw Kenma's name.
I haven't told him yet.
Curiosity welled up within her. Would he be happy?
