When Haruki was finally moved to the ward, his head was bandaged, and his ankle wrapped tightly, propped up on a pillow for support. Despite his injuries, he managed a small smile as Sayaka and Kyouko entered the room to visit him.

The moment she saw him, Sayaka rushed over and hugged him, her relief spilling over in a tight embrace. “Haruki! I was so scared,” she whispered.

Haruki winced, chuckling softly. “Ouch... that's where it hurt.” he teased gently, smiling despite the pain.

Sayaka pulled back, her face flushed with a mix of relief and guilt. “I’m so sorry! I was just so worried,” she said, brushing a hand gently over his uninjured cheek. “You scared me to death, you know that?”

Kyouko stood nearby, her eyes filled with concern as she looked over him. “Are you really alright, Haruki?” she asked gently, her gaze searching his for reassurance.

Haruki nodded, still smiling. “I’ll be fine. Just a sprained ankle and a few bruises."

Kyouko breathed a quiet sigh of relief, her expression softening. “That’s good to hear. You had us both so worried.”

Haruki looked at Sayaka, noticing her still in her nurse uniform. “You don’t have a shift today, honey?” he asked gently.

Sayaka shook her head, giving him a small smile. “The doctor gave me special permission to leave early,” she said, brushing his hair.

Haruki smiled, reaching for her hand. “Guess I’ve got a good nurse looking after me.”

Haruki let out a small sigh, his eyelids drooping. “I feel... really tired,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Think I need to rest a bit.”

Sayaka’s eyes widened in concern. “Tired? But you never get tired this early...” she said, her worry evident. Unable to shake the anxious feeling growing in her, she glanced at Kyouko, who shared a similar look of concern.

“I’ll be right back, Haruki,” Sayaka said softly, squeezing his hand before she rushed out to find Dr. Rika, who was nearby. Spotting her friend at the nurses' station, Sayaka quickly called out, “Rika! Haruki says he’s feeling unusually tired—should I be worried?”

Rika turned to her, eyebrows lifting. “It’s actually normal after a fall like his, Sayaka,” she reassured her with a calm smile. “The body needs energy to heal, and fatigue is part of that process. But I’ll keep an eye on him, just in case.”

With a sigh of relief, Sayaka nodded, feeling reassured by her friend’s words. She returned to Haruki’s side, sitting quietly by his bed, watching him as he drifted into a peaceful sleep.

As Haruki settled into sleep, Kyouko couldn’t help but look at him quietly

Kyouko felt her heart skip slightly, an unexpected warmth spreading within her. She tried to keep her gaze subtle, not wanting Sayaka to notice, but her eyes lingered longer than intended, tracing the gentle rise and fall of his breath, the way his hair brushed against the bandage. This was her son-in-law, yet in moments like these, the closeness she felt was difficult to ignore.

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To avoid drawing attention, Kyouko shifted in her seat, casting her gaze elsewhere, but the pull to look back at him was undeniable. Seeing him so vulnerable stirred something deep within her—a gentle, almost maternal need to protect him. As she stole another quick glance, her heart ached softly, realizing how much he meant to her.

Dr. Rika walked into the room and stopped by Haruki’s bedside, her eyes widening playfully as she took in the sight. She leaned closer, looking at him with a teasing grin.

“Wow, Sayaka, I have to admit,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes, “your husband is really handsome—even with the bandage. And look at his face, he somehow manages to look even more attractive while he’s asleep. Not fair!”

Sayaka chuckled, feeling a bit of her worry lift as she followed her friend’s gaze. "Yeah, he does look peaceful, doesn't he?" she said, squeezing Haruki's hand.

Rika grinned, nudging Sayaka with a wink. “You’re a lucky to have this handsome fellow as your husband.”

Sayaka laughed, grateful for her friend's light-heartedness. Even Kyouko, standing nearby, let out a soft chuckle, feeling the tension of the day ease just a little.

Sayaka turned to Dr. Rika, her voice filled with concern. "How long will he need to stay here, Rika?"

Dr. Rika glanced at Haruki’s chart, flipping through a few pages as she assessed his condition. "Well," she began thoughtfully, "probably around a week, maybe a bit longer. It all depends on how he responds over the next few days. But with the way he's doing, I'd say he’ll be just fine."

Sayaka sighed in relief, but there was still a hint of worry in her eyes. Dr. Rika gave her a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry too much"

Inside, Kyouko felt a wave of relief wash over her. Knowing that Haruki wasn’t in any real danger calmed the intense worry she had carried since Sayaka’s call. She hadn’t realized just how deeply her concern for him had grown; the idea of losing him had shaken her in a way she couldn’t fully comprehend.

As she watched him sleep, her heart swelled with gratitude. She’d never felt such profound worry for anyone before—not even for herself. The connection she felt toward Haruki was undeniable, transcending her role as his mother-in-law. It rested somewhere in the quiet bond they had built over countless shared moments, a connection that had rooted itself firmly in her heart.

Kyouko glanced at Sayaka with gentle concern. "Sayaka, have you eaten yet?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.

Sayaka looked up, fatigue etched on her face, and shook her head. "Not yet, Mom."

Kyouko urged her with a warm smile. "Go on, get something to eat. I’ll stay here and look after him."

Sayaka hesitated, worry still lingering in her eyes, but finally nodded. A faint smile touched her lips. "Thanks, Mom. I’ll be back soon," she said, grateful for the brief respite.

As Sayaka stepped out, Kyouko took a quiet seat beside Haruki’s bed, watching him sleep peacefully.

As Kyouko sat beside Haruki, her gaze softened, but her thoughts swirled with uncertainty. How could she truly support him during his recovery? If she returned home, the familiar silence would feel heavier than before. The house would lack its recent warmth—no laughter, no soft hum of conversation, and no one to enjoy the meals she so carefully prepared.

Before Haruki and Sayaka had moved in, loneliness had been her companion. She had accepted it, even grown accustomed to it over the years. But after more than a year of living together, that solitude felt like a distant memory. Haruki’s flexible work schedule often kept him at home, his presence filling the house with a sense of life she hadn’t realized she missed. The thought of returning to an empty home now felt strangely hollow.

But staying here, by Haruki’s side, wasn’t without its complications. Would Sayaka wonder why her mother wanted to take on this role instead of letting her, his wife, do it? Sayaka was a nurse, perfectly equipped to care for him in every way. It was only natural for her to tend to her husband. Yet, Kyouko couldn’t shake the quiet yearning to be the one who stayed.

Deep down, she wasn’t sure if her feelings stemmed from concern or something more complicated. Was it simply maternal care, or had the connection she felt with Haruki blurred the lines she once thought were clear? The questions pressed against her as she sat in silence, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. For now, she simply stayed, uncertain but unwilling to leave.

( End of Chapter )