The Yakuza's flower

Babies

Ume's POV

The contractions were horrible.

It felt like my body was being torn apart from the inside.

And

The medications they gave me helped...

but only lasted for a little while.

Eventually the pain came in waves—stronger, heavier—until it became too much to bear.

I felt like I was suffocating. Like a fish out of water... like every bone in my body was breaking all at once.

"N-nurse... can you please get Dr. Rize?" I managed, my voice shaking despite trying to steady it. "Please..."

The nurse nodded quickly and stepped out.

The second she left—

Another contraction slammed into me.

I gripped the side of the bed, my fingers tightening as my eyes squeezed shut.

"Ugh—!" I groaned, my breath breaking as I tried to push through it.

The door opened again not long after.

Dr. Rize walked in quickly, already moving to my side.

"Alright, let's take a look," she said calmly.

I barely registered her words as she checked me.

Then—

"Ume," she said gently. "It's time."

My eyes snapped open.

Now?!

My heart started racing, panic mixing with the pain building inside me.

"Already?" I breathed.

She gave me a reassuring look.

"Your body's ready," she said. "Ume... those babies are ready."

Babies....

For a second... everything softened.

Hanayama.

Our life.

Our family.

But then reality pulled me back when I felt a strong pain rip through me.

I grabbed the bed as another contraction hit and looked around the room realizing I was alone....

I was in pain and alone

Until I thought about my best friend.

"Kozue... can she be here, please?" I asked through clenched teeth.

Dr. Rize nodded. "I'll have her brought in."

A minute later—

"Ume!"

Kozue rushed in, already in scrubs, her hair tucked under a cap. She came straight to my side and grabbed my hand.

"I got Hanayama," she said quickly. "He's on his way."

Relief hit me so hard it almost forgot about the pain.

"Thank you..." I whispered, my voice cracking.

Another contraction came.

I squeezed her hand tightly, almost crushing it.

Dr. Rize moved into position at the foot of the bed, calm and focused.

"Alright, Ume," she said. "It's time to push."

Kozue and I looked at each other.

And nodded.