Kyouko glanced at her smartphone, scrolling through social media absentmindedly. It was a distraction, a way to avoid drawing too much attention to herself. If she kept gazing at Haruki's sleeping face for too long, the nurses or other patients might start to notice, and suspicion was the last thing she wanted.

The ward was quiet, save for the occasional murmur of voices and the soft beeping of monitors. Kyouko kept her expression neutral, her posture calm, as if she were simply a concerned mother-in-law watching over her son-in-law. Yet, her heart tugged every time she saw the bandages on Haruki’s head or the cast on his leg.

She put down her phone for a moment and adjusted her scarf, glancing around to make sure no one was watching too closely. Why did she feel so anxious about this? It wasn’t unusual for family members to sit by a patient’s side. But she knew her thoughts went beyond concern. She didn’t trust herself to keep her emotions completely hidden if someone looked too closely.

Kyouko sighed softly, shifting her focus back to her phone. She scrolled through photos, recipes, and updates, but none of it really held her attention. Her mind was elsewhere, lingering on Haruki. She worried about his pain, his recovery, and—most confusing of all—what her presence here truly meant.

Perhaps it was better to act casual, to blend into the ordinary flow of the ward. The last thing she wanted was for anyone, especially Sayaka, to wonder why she cared so deeply.

Sayaka returned to the ward after eating, holding a drink she had bought for her mother. She was still dressed in her nurse uniform, and the passing patients occasionally glanced at her, assuming she was on duty. She shook her head and smiled faintly at the thought.

As she entered the room, she saw Kyouko seated near Haruki's bed, scrolling through her phone. The sight brought a warm smile to Sayaka's face as she approached.

"Mom, this is for you," she said, handing the drink to Kyouko.

Kyouko looked up and returned her daughter's smile. "Thanks, dear," she replied, setting her phone aside to take the drink.

Sayaka let out a soft sigh, her exhaustion showing. She wanted to stay by Haruki’s side, but the events of the day and her earlier shift had taken their toll. She glanced at Haruki, still fast asleep, before turning back to her mother.

"Mom, maybe we should go back home. I really need to rest," Sayaka said, her voice tired yet gentle.

Kyouko frowned slightly, glancing at Haruki. "But who’s going to look after him?" she asked with concern.

Sayaka gave a small shrug, her tone reassuring. "The other nurses will keep an eye on him. If anything happens, they'll call me right away. Just for tonight, Mom, we can trust them."

Before Kyouko could respond, Sayaka stepped closer to the bed and gently shook Haruki awake. "Haruki," she said softly, her voice laced with affection, "we're going home now. Better not fall for any of the nurses here while we’re gone," she teased with a small laugh.

Haruki opened his eyes briefly, a drowsy smile crossing his face. "Mm, I’ll try," he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep from the medication. He nodded faintly before drifting back into his slumber.

Sayaka chuckled softly at his response, then turned to Kyouko. "Let’s go, Mom. He’ll be fine for tonight."

Kyouko hesitated, glancing at Haruki one last time before rising from her seat. Though her heart was reluctant to leave, she knew Sayaka needed rest, and perhaps a quiet night would give her time to sort through her own thoughts.

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"Mom, let’s use your car. I’ll just leave mine parked here tonight," Sayaka said, her voice calm but laced with weariness as she began gathering her belongings.

Kyouko nodded with a gentle smile. "Okay, dear," she replied softly, understanding her daughter’s exhaustion.

They walked quietly out of the ward together, the dim hospital lights casting a serene glow. Sayaka occasionally glanced back toward the room where Haruki slept, but Kyouko’s reassuring presence helped ease her worry. As they headed to the parking lot, the weight of the day began to settle, and Sayaka felt grateful to have her mother by her side.

While driving, Kyouko glanced at Sayaka, who had already fallen asleep in the passenger seat. Her head leaned gently against the window, her breathing soft and even. Kyouko could see how exhausted she was—not just from her demanding job, but from today’s events. Haruki’s sudden admission to the hospital had taken a toll on her emotionally and physically.

Kyouko’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly as she thought about everything her daughter had endured. It wasn’t easy being a nurse, constantly caring for others, and then coming home to face personal challenges like this. Sayaka’s strength amazed her, but even the strongest person needed rest, and tonight, that need was undeniable.

As the car moved quietly through the streets, Kyouko resolved to support her daughter and Haruki in whatever way she could. For now, though, she focused on the road ahead, grateful that Sayaka could find a moment of peace, however fleeting.

They arrived home, and Kyouko carefully parked the car in the driveway. She turned to Sayaka, who was still sound asleep in the passenger seat. Gently, she reached out and nudged her shoulder.

“Sayaka, we’re home,” Kyouko said softly.

Sayaka stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked groggily before sitting up, rubbing her face. “Thanks, Mom,” she murmured, her exhaustion still evident.

As they stepped out of the car and approached the front door, Kyouko stopped abruptly, her expression hardening. There, sprawled out in front of the door, was her husband. His disheveled appearance and the unmistakable smell of alcohol told the story—he was drunk again, just like so many nights before.

Kyouko sighed, shaking her head in a mix of frustration and resignation. “Honestly,” she muttered under her breath, glancing at Sayaka, who looked equally annoyed.

Sayaka crossed her arms and frowned. “He’s hopeless,” she said, her tone sharp.

Kyouko knelt down, lightly patting his shoulder. “Come on,” she said, her voice firm but quiet. “Let’s get you inside.”

Her husband mumbled incoherently but didn’t move. Kyouko exchanged a glance with Sayaka, who sighed. “I’ll help you, Mom,” Sayaka offered, despite her fatigue.

Together, they managed to drag him inside, the familiar routine draining whatever energy they had left. Kyouko’s thoughts lingered on the stark contrast between her husband’s careless behavior and Haruki’s steady presence. Though she pushed the thought away, it lingered quietly in the back of her mind.

Sayaka sighed heavily as they finally managed to settle her father on the living room couch. She crossed her arms, her expression a mix of frustration and pity.

“Honestly, Mom,” she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion, “I don’t know how you can keep up with Dad. All he does is drink, drink, drink.”

Kyouko straightened up, brushing her hands against her skirt. She looked at her husband, now snoring softly, and let out a weary sigh. A faint, resigned smile played on her lips as she turned to her daughter.

“I’ve grown used to it,” Kyouko said softly, her tone steady yet revealing an undercurrent of sadness she didn’t want to show.

Inside, her thoughts swirled. She wasn’t doing this for her husband anymore—she had long since stopped hoping he would change. No, she endured it for Sayaka’s sake, for her happiness. Kyouko didn’t want her daughter to feel the pain or instability of a broken family. She had seen what divorce could do, and she had vowed to shield Sayaka from that heartache, no matter the cost to herself.

“Don’t worry about it, Sayaka,” Kyouko said, her voice soothing as she placed a gentle hand on her daughter’s arm. “Go take a shower and rest. You’ve had a long day.”

Sayaka hesitated, looking at her mother with a mix of guilt and admiration. “Mom… you shouldn’t have to put up with this.”

Kyouko shook her head, her soft smile unwavering. “I’m fine, dear. Really. Now go on. I’ll handle things here.”

Reluctantly, Sayaka nodded and headed toward the bathroom, her footsteps heavy with exhaustion. Kyouko stood quietly for a moment, gazing at her husband’s sleeping form. She took a deep breath, pushing away the lingering ache in her chest, and began tidying up the living room.

( End of Chapter )