After their less than stellar reunion, five very healthy children were born. There were many things Maruo wanted to say to Rena, but he knew they needed to wait for now. In those couple of days Rena was passed out, Maruo and the rest of the hospital took care of the five nameless children. They certainly couldn't tell them apart in the slightest, leading to some getting more nutrition than others and such. Rena's life was not in danger, but she was fatigued in every way. The combination of her disease and giving birth five times took almost everything out of her. During these days, Maruo was also in a constant state of waiting dread. He feared that any hour, the person who was most likely to be the father would show up and flaunt his family in front of Maruo. But, by the third day, that dread turned to anger.

Maruo:[Where the hell is he? Does he not care about his own daughters?]

…

Finally, Rena woke up. Thanks to their quick thinking, the nurses were able to set it up so the first thing she saw were her daughters.

Rena:"...I'm so happy you all made it. I must thank you, Maruo-kun."

Maruo:"Let's save that for now. You should give those kids names."

Rena:"Of course. I've had these names in mind for a long time."

The new mother then then pointed to the one fourth in line.

Rena:"You were the first one out, so you'll be Ichika."

Maruo:[Huh? She could tell who was first?]

Rena then pointed to the middle one.

Rena:"You came out second, not to mention you were putting up a fight. You'll be Nino."

Her finger then went to the far left one.

Rena:"You were pretty quiet, weren't you, Miku?"

Her finger then went one baby to the right. This baby reached for her mother's finger.

Rena:"And you're quite energetic, Yotsuba."

Finally, she went to the far right baby.

Rena:"And finally, you were the last one to come out, but you were very cooperative and patient. Isn't that right, Itsuki?"

Maruo:[To think she could tell them all apart…]

Rena:"Ichika, Nino, Miku, Yotsuba, Itsuki. I'm so glad you're alive."

With them finally named, it was time for Rena's recovery to take precedence. Maruo personally made sure everything was okay with her. They would begin to catch up about what went on in between their meetings, but this quickly led to the question of where the father was. Once Maruo asked this, Rena's face clearly had a wave of sadness wash over her. She simply said that he had left her and nothing more. Despite Maruo's additional questions, Rena would not budge in her stance of complete silence. Unhappy with the current answer, he took it upon himself to search for the person in question. Much to his surprise, he found the name quite quickly, followed by the fact that this person, Monogaku Noboru was incarcerated for accounts of money laundering, theft and falsified documents. The man in the picture certainly looked like him. Maruo at the moment he found out thought of two things. The first was sympathy for Rena and her daughters for the fact that this man could not be there to complete the family. The other thought was something that disgusted Maruo. He wondered if this meant he could have a chance with Rena.

Maruo:[How vexing, I am truly a terrible man.]

…

But Maruo decided to move on and continue to take care of Rena, who would usually look out the window whenever he was there. During these times, he would always think the same thing.

Maruo:[Every day, as opposed to those days, all those years ago, she keeps looking outside. I believe I understand the reason she is doing that. She might not say anything, but her actions speak far more. Despite how many thousands of things she's pondering about, I know that I'm not in any of them. Even now, Rena would not open her heart to someone like me. But, a part of me simply can't accept that. Despite her condition and her circumstances, I still want to be the person who has made a way into her heart. I'm nothing but a horrible man.]

…

Maruo:"I'm truly impressed you could tell them apart."

Rena:"It's all about love. With it, you can tell anything apart. Well, that's what my father said. Thinking back on it, he truly was the only one to do so back in my childhood."

Maruo:"..."

Rena:"But, I suppose twins are hard to distinguish...but once you've been close to a twin for so long, you can tell when the one you're looking at is the incorrect culprit."

Maruo didn't know how to respond, so he kept quiet.

Rena:"Maruo-kun, I have a favor to ask of you."

Maruo:"What's that?"

Rena:"Once my daughters grow up, I would like you to hide the fact I had a sickness."

Maruo:"So you don't want to worry them. But, why are you saying it like you won't be there."

Rena:"We both know I don't have long to live. My condition is much worse than before, and soon, I'll leave this world."

That statement angered Maruo and he grabbed her hand.

Maruo:"Tell them yourself. I'll make sure you survive to tell them that, and far beyond."

Rena:"Still the optimist."

Maruo:"You might not trust in the idea of this being able to be cured, but I still do. Even if no one in the world believes in you, I will. I'm ready to go against the world for the sake of my dream to cure you!"

Rena:"..."

…

After some time, Rena was discharged.

Maruo:"Do you need any more help?"

Rena:"Thank you for your concern. But, I wish to raise them on my own. I don't want them to end up like me."

Maruo looked down.

Rena:"Don't look so down. We'll see each other. This is pretty incurable, after all."

Maruo:"I'd rather see you outside looking healthy."

Rena:"That time has long passed…"

Maruo:"..."

As Rena was taken away in her wheelchair, Maruo wanted to reach out. He wanted to help her with her status, but Maruo hesitated. He saw true sadness in Rena's face, but he was still scared to finally lend his unconditional help. Before he knew it, Rena was gone.

...

Over the next several years, despite how many times she would come to the hospital, how many times Maruo would tend to her, how much he attempted to cure her disease, he could never bring himself to get in her life. He was truly full of regret. But, even in this mindset, he never let go of his belief in her living long enough to see her daughters grow up. She might never love him, but he simply wanted to see her happy.

End of Chapter 107