CHAPTER 23: WE’RE BACK... AND IT’S COMPLICATED

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The taxi ride back felt longer than the hospital wait.

Sora leaned against the window, silent, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. I kept glancing at her, unsure if I should say something... anything.

She hadn’t cried.

Not yet.

But I could feel it building behind her eyes.

I gripped my knee tightly, feeling the weight of everything pressing in. The test result. Her fever. The fact that the others were home, probably watching the clock, probably still thinking it was just some flu.

It wasn’t just the flu.

And I hadn’t even processed it fully myself.

Pregnant.

My head kept saying the word like it was foreign.

But it wasn’t.

Sora.

Pregnant.

By me?

I couldn’t even remember touching her like that. Not fully. Not... consciously. I mean, yeah, there were a few heated moments, blurred lines, maybe I should’ve noticed she was acting off these past weeks—but—

The taxi stopped. I didn’t even realize we’d pulled up to the house.

"Ren," Sora’s voice was quiet, almost apologetic. "Can you... maybe go in first?"

I blinked. "You sure?"

She nodded, avoiding my eyes.

I stepped out and closed the door gently. The moment I faced the house, my stomach turned.

There were shadows behind the curtain. Movement.

They were watching.

I didn’t even make it to the front door before it opened.

First was Akane, arms folded, eyes narrowed.

Then Elira, chewing gum, her phone still in one hand.

Mei was behind her, tall and calm as always, but something was off in her posture.

Ayame sat on the couch, halfway to standing up, looking concerned.

And... Rin.

Rin stood in the corner, holding a tray. Probably something she made while we were gone. Her eyes met mine for a second before dropping.

The silence was loud.

"You’re back," Akane said, flat.

I forced a nod. "Yeah."

Sora came in behind me, head bowed, hoodie pulled low.

"Is she okay?" Mei asked, moving forward.

"She’s... she needs rest," I said. I didn’t want to lie, but I wasn’t ready to tell them the truth either. "She got medicine."

Mia raised a brow. "Medicine for what, exactly?"

Ayame gave her a warning look. "Mia."

"What? It’s not like we weren’t all wondering."

Rin set the tray down. "I made some porridge. Just something light."

"Thanks," Sora said quietly, not looking at anyone. She took the bowl with both hands like it was armor and sat down on the edge of the couch.

I watched her closely. She was trying to hide the tremble in her fingers.

I could feel all their eyes shifting back and forth between her... and me.

And then Rin broke the silence.

"Can I ask something?" Her voice was soft. She wasn’t smiling.

I nodded slowly.

"Is it serious?"

The room stilled.

I didn’t answer right away. I couldn’t.

"Yes," Sora whispered.

All of them turned.

Rin’s face didn’t change much, but I noticed her shoulders sink a little.

"What does that mean?" Mie asked, eyes narrowing. "Serious how?"

Sora looked at her. "I’m pregnant."

Just like that.

Like pulling the pin out of a grenade and tossing it at their feet.

There were a few seconds of absolute, chilling silence.

Then—

"No. Way," Mie said, blinking.

Akane’s mouth parted, then closed again. Her fists clenched.

Ayame’s hand went up to her mouth.

Elira sat back down.

Rin... didn’t say anything. She just stared at Sora for a long time.

I couldn’t breathe.

"No offense," Akane finally muttered, "but how long has that been going on?"

"It’s not like that," I said quickly. "It just... it happened."

"So you two were sleeping together?" Mie said bluntly. "You and quiet, innocent little Sora?"

"Mie, not now," Elira said firmly.

"But come on!" Mie looked around. "None of you are gonna say anything?"

"I didn’t plan this," Sora’s voice cracked. "I didn’t even know I was—until—"

"You didn’t look shocked at the hospital," I muttered without thinking.

She looked at me with wounded eyes. "I suspected."

That hit me like a gut punch. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I was scared."

The silence returned.

I glanced at the others again. They weren’t just quiet now—they were processing. Calculating.

Ayame looked... disappointed.

Akane looked furious, even if she was trying to hide it.

Elira looked like she didn’t want to take sides.

And Rin.

Rin had turned away. Her hand gripped the edge of the tray tightly.

"Sora," Rin said gently, without turning. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

That surprised me.

Sora hesitated. "If... if it’s okay."

"Of course."

Mie scoffed. "Wow, that’s big of you."

Rin turned to her, smiling faintly. "You think being jealous helps her right now?"

Mie blinked, caught off guard.

"I don’t think Ren planned this," Rin continued. "But that doesn’t mean we should treat her like a villain."

I stared at her.

Rin. Always composed. Always mature. Even now?

Ayame sighed. "What happens next?"

I looked at Sora. She looked back.

And for the first time in a while, she smiled... even just a little.

"I don’t know," I said honestly. "But I’ll be here."

Whether they liked it or not.

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