"I'm just worried you'd hide it from me if something serious really happened," said Daiki Miyamura, sitting on the hospital chair with an awkward chuckle, still catching his breath.
Miyamura Yū, still lying on the bed, casually took another bite of the half-eaten apple in her hand. With her usual calm tone, she said, "Akira hasn't even gotten married or had kids yet. Until then, I'm not planning on kicking the bucket. I treasure my life, you know."
Once Daiki felt recovered enough, he left the room to speak with the doctor. He ultimately agreed with Shizuka's idea to take Yū home instead of letting her stay for observation. With the discharge formalities complete, the group was finally on their way out of the hospital.
"Haah… finally outside. Hospitals are such gloomy places," Miyamura Yū sighed as she held Akira's hand while stepping out into the fresh air.
Akira unlocked the front door and turned to his grandmother. "Grandma, please head inside first. I'll be back in a bit—I'm going to check on someone."
Shizuka and Daiki were still in the garage parking the car, so Miyamura Yū simply nodded. "Go on then. Be careful." She smiled knowingly and stepped into the house.
Just as Akira turned to leave, a familiar voice called out from down the street.
"Akira! You're back!"
Both Akira and Yū turned their heads to see a little girl jogging toward them, panting slightly but beaming with excitement.
"Shouko, careful—you'll trip," Akira said with a slight frown. When she reached him, he sighed. "Why were you running? And how'd you know I was home already?"
"Hehe… It's a secret!" she said with a tsundere snort, clearly pleased with herself.
"What secret? My sister said you'd be back in ten minutes."
Nishimiya Yuzuru pedaled up behind her on Hachiko, their family dog, who now seemed to be serving as a casual steed.
"Yuzuru! Stop it!" Shouko squeaked and covered Yuzuru's mouth, shooting her an embarrassed glare.
Meanwhile, Miyamura Yū watched the scene unfold with growing curiosity. She leaned on her cane and smiled faintly. "So, Akira, were you on your way to visit 'a friend'?"
She wasn't sure if the cheerful little girl was the friend Akira mentioned, but she asked anyway, teasing lightly.
"Hello, Grandma Miyamura!"
Shouko quickly released her hold on Yuzuru and bowed politely to the elder woman. Even though it was their first meeting, she could easily tell this was Akira's grandmother.
After bowing, she nudged Yuzuru with a slight frown, prompting the younger sibling to also greet Miyamura Yū politely.
Just then, Shizuka and Daiki walked up from the garage and saw the cluster of kids gathered at the front steps.
"Why is everyone still standing around outside?" Shizuka asked curiously. "Come inside and talk."
"Grandma Miyamura, have an orange!"
Shouko beamed as she offered a peeled orange to the elderly woman sitting comfortably on the sofa.
Shizuka was preparing dinner in the kitchen while Daiki helped. Yuzuru had already returned home on Hachiko, saying she didn't need to rush back.
Miyamura Yū gently declined with a smile, pinching Shouko's cheek playfully. "No thank you, sweetheart. You give that one to Akira."
"O-okay…"
Akira opened his mouth to decline, but before he could speak, Shouko just popped the slice into her mouth and began eating it herself.
After she finished, she caught Akira looking at her. She put her hands on her hips and said righteously, "Auntie said you've had a sore throat lately, so you're not allowed to eat citrus."
"Heh…" Yū chuckled warmly. She could already tell this was the girl Shizuka and Daiki often talked about during the holidays. As for the other children they mentioned… well, Yū had a habit of tuning those out.
As she watched Shouko speak so boldly, Miyamura Yū murmured to herself, "She really is the daughter-in-law they've chosen."
"G-Grandma…!" Akira hissed, his face instantly going red. He leaned in closer and whispered hurriedly, "We're just friends, okay?"
He was terrified she'd say something even more embarrassing in front of Shouko.
Meanwhile, Shouko noticed Akira's flustered expression and mistakenly assumed he was still upset about the orange. She quickly offered, "I'm sorry, Akira! I'll peel another one for you!"
"I'm not mad… It's just a little hot," Akira muttered, rubbing his cheeks. Then, realizing she might not buy that, he added, "Really. It's just hot in here."
Shouko nodded in complete trust. "Then I'll fan you!"
"It's okay… I'll cool down in a second."
Shouko gave him a bright smile. "If you're ever too hot again, just tell me!" She then waved her little hand like a fan in his direction.
Miyamura Yū, sitting back with a smug look, didn't believe a word Akira had just said. Kids… they're always fun to watch. Even my grandson.
"Alright, alright," Yū said aloud. "Grandma won't say anything more."
Akira sighed in relief as Yū turned to Shouko. "Come here, sweetheart. Let Grandma get a better look at you."
"Okaaay~," Shouko replied in a singsong tone as she walked toward her.
As soon as she got close, Yū stared at her with exaggerated drama and said loudly, "So this is my future granddaughter-in-law?!"
Shouko's face turned a deep red almost instantly. She stammered, "G-Grandma… what… what are you saying…?"
This wasn't kindergarten anymore. If anyone asked her to say "I want to marry Akira!" or "I'll have lots of babies with Akira!" like when they were little, she'd probably pass out on the spot.
"G-Grandma! Don't say weird things like that!" Akira added. "We're just friends!"
Why did I believe her earlier when she said she wasn't boring? he thought bitterly.
Yū reached out and tapped Akira's forehead gently. "Oh, hush. You're still young and innocent now. Just have five kids later."
Shouko froze. Her mind blanked.
Five? Isn't five… a bit much!?
-------------------------
POWER STONE!!!
Support me at patréon com/Lukas25