Yes, Keita here is a single dad! I'd like to add more maturity and complexity to this story. I also wanted to explore Kotoko's desire to be a mother thru Harumi.
Also, I'll be using a Korean song for now, it felt like it can explain Kotoko's current emotions for Keita. Enjoy!
So Good - Red Velvet
Yeah oh yeah
Ooh
Yeah uh
Between the curtains that hide the light
Gestures that rustle at the slightest wind
Oh I love even your black silhouette
I like it, to the point I lose my words
A little farther, no deeper
After swimming through my mind
What was that feeling that overcame me?
Its name must be love, right?
I like that scent that submerged me
I like this feeling, come closer
I've already fallen, silent waves hit
You've been spread towards me
I jump in, my heart's overflowed
It's a deep echo that
Tickles my ears
You fill me up (my heart's overflowed)
Um just like this, so good so good to me
So so so so good now
So good so good
You calm an excited me down
Your touch catches me
Like ink, one drop at a time, you spread everyday
Slowly, I wear a deep color called you
At times, it happens subtly without me knowing
The start is not important
This moment is all, I'm attracted to you
I've already fallen, silent waves hit
You've been spread towards me
I jump in, my heart's overflowed
It's a deep echo that
Tickles my ears
You fill me up (my heart's overflowed)
Um just like this, so good so good to me
Tell me several times
You too, whisper only to me
My shaky head is filled with you
It's hectic
I can't hide it, I want you
It spreads, I can't escape this feeling
I give myself up to my heart that's already fallen deeply
(Ooh yeah I give myself up to my heart)
You've been spread towards me
I jump in, my heart's overflowed
Your subtle breaths
Tickle my ears again
You fill me up (my heart's overflowed)
Just like this So good so good to me
So so so so good now
So good so good to me
(At the vending machine...)
"So… you told Harumi about me, and why is that?" as Kotoko stirred her piping hot cappuccino straight from the vendo.
"Nothing, you just remind me of my wife. She's a bit clumsy as well, but she warms our hearts." Keita replied.
"Oh, I see. She must be a very nice woman. But wait, does this mean you're a lot older than I am? Should I call you my older brother or…" asked Kotoko.
Keita laughed. "Not really, I'm only a few ages away from you. We married young. Before I got into law school, Harumi came into our life. She was my inspiration to become a successful lawyer."
Kotoko spilled little coffee drops on the floor and shook her head in disbelief.
"Wait, you're a lawyer? You sure have lots of surprises up your sleeve. Wow." Kotoko said. "Can we be friends? I might need a lawyer in the future. Haha!"
"Given your magnet to troubles? You sure will, so yeah, let's officially be friends. I have my own firm, so I got you! Haha. But first, we should really wipe your mess on the floor." Keita replied, then the both of them laughed.
Riiing! Riiing!
Kotoko's phone suddenly rang. Upon answering the call, Keita noticed her wedding picture as wallpaper.
"Yes, Nurse Head? What? Oh my, sorry. So sorry, I forgot to log that in. I'm currently having a quick break now, but I'll go back to the station as soon as possible! Gomen!" Kotoko dropped the call.
"Whew! Sorry Keita, I must go now. I forgot to do something for your records. Talk to you again!" as Kotoko hurriedly ran back to the Nurse Station.
"Right. She's already married… so I guess it's not possible." Keita said to himself, as he sipped his last drop of coffee.
Days went by during Keita's recovery… Kotoko and Keita grew closer together. They talked about their dreams as a nurse and a lawyer, about Harumi and sometimes, just random nonsense. The vending machine area is their usual hangout spot, where they tasted all the coffee flavors it offered. They play with Harumi when she visits her Dad after school too, helped with her homework. Kotoko sometimes falls asleep in Keita's room couch, and him just laughing about it.
There's something about their bond at night that makes their life… a lot more bearable. Keita was the calm one, he could listen to Kotoko's banter and complaints all night without complaining. She amuses him without her knowing. On the other hand, Kotoko felt comfortable and secured around Keita, it felt like she can be herself around him, without any judgement.
It's like they're in their own little world when they're together. It's safe, warm and blissful.
Meanwhile, Kotoko and Naoki's relationship continued to get dull due to their miscommunication, lack of time for each other, mismatched schedules and girls still lining up for Naoki, which made Kotoko still go nuts about up to this day. They're married, but it's all it was. Even Mrs. Irie started to notice the change in their relationship, but she simply shrugged it off and assured herself that whatever happens, Kotoko and Naoki is already married.
One night before Kotoko clocked in for her shift, she saw Naoki walking in the hospital lobby. She runs toward him and reaches out to his arm in excitement, "Hi hubby! Let's have a quick dinner before my duty starts, I still have half an hour or so."
"Come on now Kotoko, we work here. Don't be too clingy, people might describe this as unprofessionalism. Besides, I already had my dinner and I'm about to go home now, I'll just get my bag in the locker." as Naoki shrugged Kotoko's hands off his arm and walked straight to the direction of the locker room.
Kotoko, flustered in the middle of the lobby, stared at Naoki while walking away. She felt a wet, burning sensation crawling down her cheek. And suddenly, someone with a cast, holding a handkerchief appeared right in front of her.
"This is surely not your best look for sending off a friend from a hospital." a familiar voice said.
It was Keita.
"Wait, what? You're discharged?" Kotoko shouted in shock.
"Calm down… are you really my nurse or what? Haha. Anyway, not your fault though. The morning shift nurse told me I can already go home." Keita explained.
"Oh, really? I barely noticed the days you spent in the hospital. Congratulations though. It was really nice meeting you." Kotoko said.
"Oneeeee-chan!~ " Harumi shouted from afar while running towards her with Keita's sister. "We're here to fetch Dad home, I'm going to really miss you! Hmmm… can I have your phone number and socials? I don't have one, but you can have Dad's!"
"Of course, Harumi. Let's stay in touch." as Kotoko hugged Harumi and waived each other goodbye.
Kotoko looked back to Keita and jokingly said "As much as I hate it, we might still be in touch with one another. For Harumi. Now, hand me your phone, I'll put in my number and socials…" Keita smiled widely and immediately reached out his phone to Kotoko.
After saving her info, Kotoko handed back Keita's phone. But much to her surprise, Keita walked close and placed his head near her right ear as he whispered, "Aside from Harumi's sake, you should not forget that I still have my two favors from you. See you around, Ms. Aihara." Then he followed his sister and Harumi outside the lobby doors.
Her cheeks filled with tears earlier turned bright red and hot. She simply grinned back to him and waived goodbye.
Kotoko was left dumbfounded in the middle of the lobby, she felt this new and weird kind of emotion she can't explain. It's unusual, but warm and welcoming. It felt good, so good. And it's taking all over her. Her mind was currently blank, but her heart felt like it will explode anytime.
Kotoko headed straight to the Nurse Station, still in a state of confusion of what the heck she's feeling.
Unknowingly to Kotoko and Keita, a certain someone from afar witnessed everything that happened in the lobby, also confused with what he should feel. But he knew deep inside of him… that it wasn't right.
"Hey Naoki, aren't you supposed to be going home already?" a medicine student asked.
END OF CHAPTER 4