cttro
~
Just as Etsuko had anticipated, her doctor granted her the permission to be discharged. There were no health concerns for either her or the baby. However, she received a stern lecture about the need for extra caution now that she was nurturing a new life within her.
Rin maneuvered the car to a stop in front of Etsuko's house. "Finally," he uttered, relief seeping into his voice as he parked the car. "Seems like the uncles are quite excited," he added, noticing Atsumu and Osamu sprinting towards them.
A soft giggle escaped Etsuko at the sight. Osamu reached her first, opening the passenger door. Atsumu was right behind him.
"How are you feeling? Be careful!" Osamu cautioned, offering his hand to assist her as she disembarked from the vehicle.
"Hey, watch her head!" Atsumu interjected, his voice laced with panic.
Her pregnancy drew a mixture of amusement and affectionate exasperation from her brothers. Their protective instincts kicked in, and they couldn't help but fuss over her.
"What on earth is wrong with both of you? You're making me feel strange. Stop it," Etsuko chided, her words punctuated by a giggle. "Leave me be. Just get the stuff from the back," she instructed the twins.
It took a moment before Atsumu and Osamu finally acquiesced to her commands. They had no other choice.
"Are you feeling alright?" Rin inquired, positioning himself beside her.
"Yes," she responded, releasing a weary sigh. A mixture of relief and exhaustion tugged at her, a reminder of the recent hospital stay she had endured. She couldn't help but feel drained, despite not having engaged in any strenuous activities. "God, I'm so drained. And I haven't even done anything."
"That's is called isolation fatigue. You feel worn out without actually doing anything," Rin explained, a smug smile playing on his lips as he reveled in his knowledge.
Etsuko playfully jabbed him in the stomach. "Don't act smart with me," she retorted, her words followed by a giggle.
Rin chuckled in response. "Let's get you inside," he suggested, extending his hand towards her.
"Rin, I told you, I can walk by myself."
"I know. But allow me," he insisted, his gaze locked onto hers, sincerity radiating from his eyes.
Etsuko hesitated for a moment, wanting to assert her independence, but ultimately decided to accept his help. "Fine," she relented, surrendering to his persistence.
"God. It's not like I'm heavily pregnant. I don't understand why you all are acting so weird around me," she commented, reaching the front door. Rin held the door open for her, and they stepped inside.
"Can't you just let us be? We won't see you for months," Atsumu responded, a hint of sadness seeping into his voice.
"Let us pamper you, please?" Osamu pleaded.
"Okay, okay. Gosh, you guys are seriously giving me the creeps," Etsuko responded.
Rin bent down, placing house slippers in front of her. "Oh, thanks, Rin."
"Do you want to take a nap?" Rin asked, straightening up after assisting her with her shoes.
"No. I actually feel like going for a walk."
"Okay," Rin nodded in agreement. "Do you want to go now?"
"Yes-" Etsuko's response was interrupted by her mother sliding the door open.
"Hey, a guy named Kenma is outside," Etsuko's mother announced as she entered the house.
Etsuko's heart skipped a beat as her mother mentioned the name "Kenma." Osamu and Atsumu understood and exchanged knowing glances with her. Etsuko nodded in affirmation, her smile masking her nervousness cursing.
"Well, I guess I'll take a walk with him," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of anticipation.
~
Etsuko and Kenma found themselves in a park, their steps guided by an aimless wander. The silence between them grew heavy, prompting Etsuko to break it with a simple question.
"What's up?" she asked, hoping to bridge the gap of awkwardness.
Kenma, however, responded with a question unrelated to the current topic. "How far along are you?" he inquired.
"Five months," Etsuko replied, her voice carrying a hint of wonder.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Kenma's voice held a tinge of hurt.
Etsuko explained, her tone filled with a mixture of amazement and intelligence. "The truth is, I didn't know either. It's quite extraordinary to be pregnant and not be aware of it. The doctors said it's rare, but it does happen to some women."
Another silence enveloped them, leaving them pondering their next steps and what to say. Etsuko, however, already had a plan. She was always one to plan ahead; it was part of who she was. It isn't Etsuko if it wasn't planned.
"Are you going home with me now?" Kenma asked, the hope evident in his voice.
"No," Etsuko replied, causing Kenma's eyes to soften, hurt flickering across his face. "My grandparents want me to stay with them until I give birth," she explained, her gaze fixed on him. "Will you let me?"
"It would be selfish of me to say no, wouldn't it?" Kenma responded with a pained smile. He contemplated the situation, hoping that this time she would choose to go home with him.
"Hey, it's okay to be selfish," Etsuko reassured him, watching as Kenma silently shed a tear beside her.
"You'll hate me if I do," Kenma said, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "I haven't even apologized for what I did. I forced myself onto you."
Kenma stood up, kneeling in the sand in front of her, bowing his head in remorse.
Indeed, what Kenma had done was wrong. Etsuko acknowledged that. But even after everything, she still loved him.
"Do you want me, Kenma?" Etsuko asked, gently holding his chin to meet her gaze, staring into his eyes. "If you do, then kiss me."
Kenma hesitated, unsure if she was serious. "Etsuko, I can't..." he began.
"Really?" she interrupted. "Well, I can," she declared, sealing her lips to his. It took a moment for Kenma to respond, but eventually, he kissed her back, tears streaming down his cheeks.
They parted from the kiss, their foreheads pressed together, catching their breath.
"I love you," Kenma whispered, sealing their lips once again in a tender embrace.
