The afternoon sun poured golden light into the tennis center, illuminating its floors and the faint squeak of shoes darting around the courts. Ryoma leaned against a bench after his training, fatigue etched on his face. His usually sharp eyes resembled those of a panda, dark circles shadowing their corners, a testament to restless nights.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? Not enough sleep?" Steve approached with an amused grin.
"Yeah," Ryoma replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can I sleep a bit?"
"Yeah. You should." Steve slapped his back in encouragement as Ryoma unceremoniously took his tennis bag and walked leaving the place.
As Ryoma drifted off, Steve turned to Kevin, who had just strolled over with a curious expression. "Where's Ryoma going?" he asked.
"Wants to catch some sleep. Probably tired from taking care of his wife," Steve explained, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You know she's pregnant, right? Women who are pregnant during the first trimester need a lot of attention. I've gone through it."
Kevin winced. "It's somehow scary to get married."
Steve chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, it's not that bad. Once the baby's out, you'll forget all the hardship."
"Really?" Kevin replied, glancing at the slumped figure of Ryoma who almost stumble into a pole. The uncertainty hung in the air, thick as the late afternoon heat.
Ryoma put down his tennis bag once he arrived at the locker room, laying down on one of sofa inside. He was about to set an alarm on his phone, but because of too tired, he fall asleep without even clicking the confirm button.
Ryoma awoke with a start, blinking rapidly as the dusky light filtered in through the window, phone still in hand. Panic surged through him when he realized how much time had slipped away. He quickly checked his phone and muttered under his breath, "Shit!"
He grabbed his tennis bag and bolted out of the locker room, running past Steve and Kevin, who were now deep in conversation about the upcoming tennis tournament.
Steve called out, "Ryoma, don't you want discuss about the Roland-Garros?"
"Let's do it tomorrow. I've got to go now." Ryoma called back before sprinting out, his heart racing with both anxiety and the anticipation of returning home to Sakuno.
Steve laughed softly, "His wife must be craving something."
Kevin murmured, "Are you sure he will be okay for the Roland-Garros?" He asked, his eyes still looking at sprinting Ryoma.
Steve shrugged, "Even if we asked him, he will said he will definitely win."
Kevin chuckled, "That's how Ryoma is."
As he dashed through the aisles of the fruit store, past the vibrant displays of ripe fruit, he took some watermelons, bananas and oranges.
After paid, he left the fruit store, urging his legs to move faster as he sprinted back to their apartment. The door creaked open, and he was met with silence, the kind that felt like a soft blanket over the room. Karupin lay curled up on the couch, blissfully napping. Ryoma smiled fondly, placing the fruit on the kitchen table and glancing around the apartment.
He hurried toward the bedroom, where he found Sakuno laid down amidst the gentle folds of the sheets. She looked peaceful, yet fragile, and Ryoma felt a gentle tug at his heartstrings. He sat beside her, caressing her head tenderly, feeling the warmth of her scalp against his palm.
"Sakuno," he murmured softly, coaxing her from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open, shimmering pools of warmth, but tinged with shadows of fatigue.
"Ryoma-kun," she replied, her voice a delicate whisper that filled him with relief.
"Are you okay?" he asked, concern brushing the edges of his tone. It pained him to think she might be unwell. "I'm sorry… I fell asleep at the tennis center," he confessed, guilt creeping in.
Her weak smile made his heart ache more than it usually did. "It's okay. I know you're tired too."
But just then, tears began to well in her eyes, bright and glimmering like dew on morning leaves. Ryoma's heart plummeted. "What's wrong?" His voice trembled as he took her hands into his own. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
She shook her head vehemently, her emotions flowing freely like a river breaking through a dam. "No, I suddenly feel want to cry." Her voice cracked, and the dam broke, leaving her vulnerable in the face of tangled feelings.
Ryoma drew her into his arms, enveloping her in warmth and safety. His heart ached for her turmoil. Sakuno let out a shuddering breath, clutching onto him as if he were her anchor. Ryoma noticed that her emotions became unstable during this third month of her pregnancy. He had seen her cry over memories, dreams, even small irritations. In those moments, he simply held her close, providing comfort without judgment.
"I bought the fruits that you want to eat," he said softly, hoping to steer their conversation toward brighter shores. "Want to eat them now?"
A flicker of curiosity crossed her face. She nodded, wiping her tears hastily. "Okay." He helped her sit up, and they both shuffled into the kitchen, hand in hand.
Ryoma looked at the watermelon in front of him, distracted by the way the knife glided through the fruit's bright pink flesh. He had been quite skillful in the kitchen when Sakuno start the pregnancy journey. He glanced over at Sakuno, who perched comfortably on the couch, her pregnant belly barely showing yet, but he could see the excitement in her eyes.
Suddenly, as he put the small cut watermelon on the plate, Sakuno sprang up, her hand flying to her mouth, and dashed toward the bathroom. Ryoma's heart leaped into his throat as he quickly abandoned his task and rushed after her.
He reached the bathroom just in time to find her bent over the toilet, retching violently. Without hesitation, Ryoma knelt beside her, easing away the hair that clung to her damp forehead. He patted her back gently with one hand while the other gripped the cool porcelain of the bowl.
After what felt like an eternity, her body relaxed, and Sakuno leaned back, panting softly. Ryoma helped her to sit on the edge of the tub and fetched a cool cloth to dab at her neck. "Feel much better now?" he asked, concern still heavy in his voice.
Sakuno nodded, the color gradually returning to her cheeks as Ryoma brought her back to the couch. "I'm sorry, Ryoma-kun. You must be so tired taking care of me."
He let out a soft sigh. "No need to say sorry. This is my child too, and you're my responsibility." Ryoma's gaze softened as he lowered himself onto the couch beside her, resting his head on her lap. He reached out, placing a gentle hand on her belly. "You in there, don't make your mom tired so much."
A giggle escaped her lips, a sound that lingered like honey in the air. With shaky fingers, she caressed Ryoma's tousled hair, tilting her head slightly to get a better look at him. "I feel much better now; I think the baby listened to you."
Ryoma smiled, his eyes twinkling with tenderness. "How can I leave you like this. I'm going to Paris for Roland Garros next month. Are you sure you're going to be okay alone? You can go to my dad's house. Mom is there."
Her smile faltered for a brief moment, but then she nodded firmly. "Don't worry; I'll be okay. Besides I still have to go to school. The school is closer here."
As if on cue, Karupin leapt onto the couch, scampering to Sakuno's side and rubbing his head against her arm. Sakuno giggled once more, reassured by the presence of her furry companion. "See? Karupin is here too to keep me company."
Ryoma chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Go eat, I'm kind of sleepy again. Just wake me up if you need anything."
Sakuno nodded, shifting her seat, putting a pillow under Ryoma's head. She sat at the dining table and carefully navigated her fork through the bright pink flesh of the watermelon Ryoma had cut for her earlier. Each bite was a burst of sweet summer, a refreshing compensation for the weariness that began to settle comfortably in her bones as she adjusted to the changes of pregnancy.
Ryoma lay on the couch, seemingly draped in shadows, his chest rising and falling softly beneath his white cotton t-shirt. The sight of him, peaceful and unguarded, filled Sakuno with warmth. Despite the sweltering heat outside, the air inside their modest apartment felt cozy, almost electric, the kind only found in the presence of loved ones.
With a gentle smile dancing on her lips, she stood up, feeling a bit of the weight of her belly. As she sunk to the floor beside Ryoma, she tucked her legs beneath her, finding comfort in the intimacy of proximity. Her gaze danced between Ryoma's serene face and the scattered books on the table.
The titles of the books triggered a soft laugh from her lips. "The Couples Pregnancy Guide for Beginners," "50 Things to Do Before Delivery," "Nutritional Food for Pregnant Women." They had transformed from a couple who spent their days chasing dreams into partners preparing for the realities of parenthood.
As she leaned her head against the couch, her spirit soared with love; it felt like a warm blanket wrapping around her heart. She whispered softly, "I love you, Ryoma-kun," hoping he could feel the sincerity in her words even in his dreams.