The Yakuza's flower

Planning

Ume's POV

After talking with Hanayama, we decided to get married before the twins.

It felt right.
It felt real.

But now I had a new challenge.

I had to call my grandmother and tell her everything that's been happening since she left to the countryside.

My stomach twisted harder than it had when I told Hanayama.

Because this wasn't just news.

This was my life changing.
Her life.
Our family.

And she deserved to know the truth — all of it.

I sat on the edge of the futon, phone in hand, thumb hovering over her contact for a good minute. Prince babbled in the background, crawling around with one of his toys while Hanayama watched him from the doorway — silent, steady, giving me space.

When I finally hit call, my heart thudded against my ribs.

The line rang once.
Twice.

Then—

"Ume?" Her voice came warm and surprised. "Sweetheart, is everything alright?"

The lump in my throat nearly choked me. "Hi, grandma. Um... are you busy?"

"For you ? Never." I could hear her smile. "Tell me. How are things in the city?"

I inhaled deeply. "A lot... has happened."

A pause.

Then her tone shifted — sharper, concerned.
"Are you safe?"

"Yes," I rushed to say. "I'm safe. Prince is safe."

"And Hanayama?" she asked, already sensing the way my world revolved around his name.

"He's... with me," I whispered. "Grandma, I— I have news."

Another quiet pause.
The kind where I knew she sat down somewhere, hands folded, waiting for the full truth.

"Tell me,."

I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling slightly as I held the phone.

"Well... first... I'm pregnant.... Surprise." I said

Silence.

Then—

"...Pregnant?" she repeated softly, as if tasting the word.

"Yeah," I whispered. "With twins.."

"Oh my god..." she breathed — half-crying, half-laughing. "Twins... Ume..."

My chest tightened, emotions hitting me all at once.

"And..." I swallowed, "...and I'm getting married."

There was a sharp inhale on the other end of the line — not shock, but the kind of stunned joy only a grandmother can make sound so dramatic.

"...Married?" she echoed softly, like the word was something fragile she had to hold with both hands. "My sweet girl... married?"

I covered my mouth with my hand as tears slipped down my cheeks again.

"Yes," I whispered. "Hanayama asked me. And I said yes."

For a moment she didn't say anything.
Just breathed — deep, shaky, emotional.

Then—

"Oh, Ume..." her voice cracked.

A soft sniffle came through the phone, followed by her trying to compose herself.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked gently. "This is a lot for one heart to hold in."