As The Wind Blows Your Scent To Me

Because of the change of situation, or to be exact, because of the unexpected occurrence, Kanna dropped her shopping plan and brought Yuina immediately for a detailed check-up.

Both of them went to the hospital where Kanna officially worked before she went for the exchange program.

"Don't think about anything else. For now, let's get you to check first," Kanna tried to reassure her friend as she saw how troubled Yuina looked right now.

Yuina just nodded without answering verbally. Her mind kept on drifting to the test kits she stored inside her bag.

Was she really pregnant?

For how long already?

Soon, her questions were answered by the obstetrician. The middle-aged female doctor showed her a calm smile as Yuina sat to listen to the results of her examination.

"Congratulations, Ms. Masuda. You're six weeks pregnant."

Even though the congratulatory words were said gently but, they thundered inside Yuina's mind.

For a moment, she didn't know how should she react.

She was really pregnant?

For six weeks already?

A sense of surreal enveloped her as Yuina still couldn't bring herself to believe the news.

"Dr. Otsuka, my friend has been pregnant for six weeks?" Kanna acted as the intermediary at the sight of her friend looking lost. With a hand gently placed on Yuina's shoulders, she said again, "This is her first time. Could you share what should she place importance on?"

Although Kanna herself was a doctor, she still sought guidance from another one. Especially with the years of experience under Dr. Otsuka's belt. This kind-looking obstetrician was a renowned figure in the city. Many expecting mothers flocked to be put under her care.

"Hehe, yes, you're sure to look so young, Ms. Masuda," Dr. Otsuka's words were still soft.

Throughout her years being a doctor specialized in women's health and pregnancy, she had always came across a new mother who had yet to fully embrace their new status. Most of it was due to shock because it came without warning.

Thus, Dr. Otsuka shared what should Yuina pay focus on and the things she should avoid early in her pregnancy. The female doctor also mentioned sharing the news with the young lady's partner. She didn't ask for the details about the father because in some cases, it was a sensitive subject.

"You're blessed with a new life budding inside your womb. Please take care of it well." 

Yuina and Kanna thanked Dr. Otsuka before both of them came out of the doctor's room. They walked quite a distance before suddenly, Yuina listlessly dragged Kanna with her and sat at one of the chairs provided by the hospital.

"Kanna, am I really not dreaming?"

Yuina's voice was so low, almost indiscernible if not due to Kanna sitting so close to her.

"I know the news comes as a shock," Kanna wrapped one arm over her friend's shoulders, trying to offer her comfort, "But, please think it carefully. I don't know either you're ready or not but, either way, you have to talk to your husband about it. A child's life is not something you could play with."

As someone to who Yuina always poured her heart, Kanna knew her friend had yet to properly fathom the sudden arrival of the child. It was obvious from Yuina's current state, she still found it unbelievable even after listening to Dr. Otsuka's guidance earlier.

Although Kanna always stressed about the having a child topic to Yuina, she faintly understood the reason why her friend was reluctant was due to her husband's career. If not, Yuina would be the happiest to receive such news.

"...How should I tell him? About us... having a child?"

Yuina cast her dull gaze on the floor. Her words were barely audible.

Ryuu would be extremely happy once he heard about them going to have a child soon. He had always been talking about how blissful both of them were once their child was born. But, deep down in her heart, Yuina felt she was not ready.

Although she loved to have their own little bundle of joy, Yuina was still embroiled in her fear. 

She was afraid she couldn't take proper care of their own child when complicated and dark thoughts kept on lingering in her mind.

She was afraid they would consume her alive.

Kanna pursed her lips hard. She pulled Yuina closer to her, embracing her friend dearly.

"Yuina, I'm glad that I'm next to you in this situation. You have me and you have Ryuu. This is a life-changing matter. Talk to him, okay? You shouldn't conceal this matter."

Yuina quietly nodded, silently agreeing with her friend's opinion.

No matter how afraid she was, this was not something she could hide from Ryuu.

"I'll talk to him once he returns," She said after a long stretch of silence.

"That... Never mind, when would he be back?" Kanna swallowed her initial words before asking Yuina a question.

"In three or four weeks," Yuina smiled faintly, "I don't think I could tell him when he's still away. It's better if we're talking face to face."

She wanted to prepare herself well before breaking the news to him. Those three or four weeks were enough for her, hopefully.

"If that's what you decide, then, it's okay," Kanna had no choice but to agree.

Although it was better if Yuina told Ryuu as soon as possible, the situation between the husband and wife was a complicated one. It was understandable if Yuina was reluctant to share the news with Ryuu when he was hundreds to thousands of miles away from her.

"But, the most important thing is, you have to take care of yourself well," Kanna retracted her arm from Yuina's shoulders. She clasped both of her hands around her friend's hands, grasping them gently. With her eyes on Yuina, she added in a firm tone, "You're not alone. Don't ever think that you're alone, okay?"

As she listened to Kanna's heartfelt concern, Yuina felt her nose soured. She smiled and nodded.

While the two friends were immersed in their own conversation, another pair of friends were doing the same.

Because both of them were free from their own hectic schedule in the previous weeks, Himari and Nanako agreed to have a meetup. The last time they saw each other was when they went to the clubhouse together more than two weeks ago.

As for how they had planned, the two dear friends went to a salon, had a beauty treatment together before they sat down for lunch inside a restaurant.

"Geez, I still can't believe that your status just changed overnight! You're still single when we went out for dinner then, boom! You're dating someone in mere hours!"

Nanako was still going on and on about that night. Because they hadn't met for weeks, she used this opportunity to repeat the words she often said on the phone to her friend.

"Cough... It's not that I have already expected that to happen," Himari darted her eyes away from Nanako's peering gaze. She awkwardly pressed her lips on the straw of her cold drink.

"Heh," Nanako lifted up a corner of her lips, smirking, "But, you two haven't gone out for a date properly until now, didn't you? Even your plan tomorrow has to include the two children."

Himari nodded. She understood what Nanako wanted to say.

"It would be difficult for both of you to have a normal date. Even though I understand Mr. Hayashi has his own circumstances, I'm still worried about you," Nanako carefully worded what she felt with her eyes still trained on Himari.

"Being with him means you have to accept that he has the children as his top priority. And, if you and he would get married in the end, the situation wouldn't change. While other men could put their wives and children as their top priority, Mr. Hayashi couldn't do the same."

Although Himari and Mr. Hayashi were still in the early phase of their relationship, Nanako thought it was better to quickly point it out before waiting until later.

Her dear friend only had one experience of being in love. Nanako couldn't really understand how could Himari agree to date Mr. Hayashi just because they had good feelings for each other but, as long as Himari was happy, Nanako knew she shouldn't meddle too much in the couple's relationship.

It was not too unprecedented for a couple to get together for the same reason as Himari and Mr. Hayashi. Some had even got married before falling in love. 

"Your concern is not unfounded," Himari agreed with her friend's view, "I can't deny that his shares or burden are more than most people but..."

She still wanted to try to be with him, to see how far both of them could go together.

When Himari recalled the short moment of vulnerability that Kazuya showed her yesterday, she felt distressed. He had always smiled and laughed but, only the man himself knew how many limits he had kept on breaking until now.

It was both remarkable and agonizing.

"Well, both of you have just started dating but you're already this worried about him?" Nanako asked in a teasing voice.

She decided to drop her worry and focus on the present. In Nanako's opinion, Mr. Hayashi was a good man. Her friend was lucky to meet him after being single for three years.

Sure, Mr. Hayashi had unusual circumstances but, Himari was alright with them. Let the couple sorted things out by themselves.

Nanako lifted up her brows and asked, "Well, how far both of you have gone? Have you two kissed already?"

Himari was flustered. She almost choked on her drink.

"What are you asking about? Cough! Don't suddenly ask me that!" Himari glared at Nanako with her cheeks reddened.

"Heh. It seems like you haven't," Nanako sneered. Her eyes glinted mischievously, "Okay, okay, I understand, you're shy. If you need help, just ask me. I have lots of experience in this field. I could even guarantee, if you follow my advice, you can get into a step further with him. Maybe even pounce on him? Hehehe~"

Himari shut her mouth.

Sometimes, she really wanted to know what Ryota had taught her friend. How could Nanako have such a crooked mind?