(In the school literature clubroom…)

Sayori: (clutching her swollen belly) “OW! Ow, ow, ow! Sachiko, couldn’t you have waited until the nine-month mark to come out?!”

(The rest of the club members, including Sayori’s husband MC, rush to Sayori’s side.)

Natsuki: “Is everything alright, Sayori? What’s happening?”

Sayori: (wincing in pain) “Sachiko’s coming, Natsuki! It’s too early!”

Yuri: “Oh my goodness! We need to get her to the hospital immediately!”

MC: (holding onto Sayori’s hand) “Stay strong, Sayori. We’re here for you.”

Monika: “Don’t worry, Sayori. We’ll take care of everything. MC, call an ambulance right away!”

MC: (nodding) “Of course, Monika. I’ll call for help right now.”

(MC quickly dials emergency services while Monika and the others try to keep Sayori comfortable.)

Natsuki: (frantically) “What should we do in the meantime?! Is there anything I can do?”

Yuri: “We need to make sure Sayori is calm and relaxed. Maybe some deep breaths would help?”

Monika: (placing a comforting hand on Sayori’s shoulder) “Breathe, Sayori. We’ll get through this together.”

Sayori: (taking deep breaths) “Okay, I’ll try…but it hurts so m-”

(Just before Sayori could finish her sentence, she starts to feel another wave of intense pain.)

MC: (panicking) “Hang in there, Sayori! Help is on the way!”

Natsuki: (frantically searching for something) “We need towels or blankets to keep her warm!”

Yuri: (finding some blankets in a nearby closet) “I found some! Here, let’s wrap them around her.”

Monika: (trying to stay calm) “Remember, we need to keep her as comfortable as possible until the paramedics arrive.”

Sayori: (gritting her teeth) “I-I can’t hold on much longer…”

MC: (holding onto her hand tightly) “You’re strong, Sayori. Just a little longer. I’ll time your contractions on my phone’s stopwatch app, okay?”

(Sayori nods weakly, her grip tightening on MC’s hand. MC begins timing the contractions as the club members continue to support Sayori.)

MC: (strained) “Okay, Sayori, here comes another contraction. Just breathe through it. You’re doing amazing.”

Natsuki: (teary-eyed) “Hang in there, Sayori. We’re all here for you.”

Yuri: (stroking Sayori’s hair gently) “You’re doing so well, Sayori. Keep breathing, and try to relax your body as much as possible.”

Monika: (keeping a close eye on Sayori) “The ambulance should be here soon, Sayori. Just hold on a little longer.”

Sayori: (gritting her teeth) “I can’t believe this is happening…”

MC: (checking his phone, his eyes filled with panic) “…oh my god…”

Sayori: (straining) “What is it, MC? What’s wrong?”

MC: (panicking) “Sayori, I’ve timed your contractions, and they’re less than two minutes apart. We need to get you to the hospital now!”

Natsuki: (frantically) “But the ambulance should be here any minute!”

Yuri: (thinking quickly) “Maybe we can help carry Sayori to the car. It’ll be faster than waiting for the ambulance.”

Monika: (determined) “That’s our best option. Let’s do it. MC, can you call the ambulance again and let them know what we’re doing?”

MC: (nodding) “On it, Monika.”

(MC makes the call while the rest of the club members carefully lift Sayori and carry her towards the car, when suddenly…)

Sayori: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

(The entire club freezes, their eyes widening in shock and concern.)

Natsuki: (gasping) “Sayori, what’s wrong?!”

Sayori: “SHE’S COMING!!!”

(Sayori’s loud cry fills the room, and the club members hastily lower her to the ground, realizing they won’t make it to the hospital in time. They gather towels and blankets, preparing for an impromptu delivery.)

MC: (frantically) “We need to deliver the baby right here. Stay calm, Sayori. We’ll guide you through this.”

Yuri: (taking charge) “Natsuki, find some hot water and clean towels. Monika, help me create a makeshift birthing area with cushions and blankets.”

Natsuki: (rushing to the nearby kitchenette) “I’ll get the water and towels! Just hold on, Sayori!”

Monika: (quickly rearranging the furniture) “We need a clean and comfortable space for Sayori. Let’s make sure she’s as relaxed as possible.”

(MC kneels beside Sayori, providing support and reassurance.)

MC: (gently) “You’re doing great, Sayori. Just focus on your breathing, and trust in us. We’ll safely bring Sachiko into the world.”

Sayori: (nervously) “I can’t believe this is happening… I’m scared.”

(Meanwhile, Natsuki returns with hot water and towels, placing them beside Yuri and Monika.)

Natsuki: (holding a bowl of warm water) “Here’s the hot water, and I found some clean towels too.”

Yuri: (preparing the area for delivery) “Thank you, Natsuki. Let’s make sure everything is sterile as possible.”

Monika: (helping Yuri) “We also need to boil some water to sterilize any additional supplies we might need.”

(Yuri and Monika frantically gather supplies, while MC keeps comforting Sayori.)

MC: (encouragingly) “Remember, Sayori, we’re here for you, every step of the way. Just focus on your breathing and listen to what your body is telling you.”

Sayori: (nods, tears streaming down her face) “Okay, I trust you all.”

(Yuri and Monika return, sterilized supplies in hand.)

Yuri: “We have gloves, clean towels, and some sterilized string for tying the umbilical cord. Let’s get ready.”

Monika: “We might not have medical training, but we’ll do our best. Sayori, do you feel the urge to push?”

Sayori: (nodding) “Yes, I do.”

MC: (taking charge) “Alright, Sayori, whenever you feel a contraction, I want you to push with all your might. We’re right here with you.”

(Sayori grips MC’s hand tightly as another contraction begins. The club members work together, guiding Sayori through the delivery.)

Natsuki: (checking Sayori’s progress) “I see the head! Keep pushing, Sayori!”

Yuri: (encouragingly) “You’re doing amazing, Sayori. The hardest part is over. Just a few more pushes.”

Monika: (supportively) “You’re almost there, Sayori. Keep pushing, and soon you’ll hold your beautiful baby.”

(Sayori’s cries mix with the sound of her exertion as she follows their instructions. Finally, with one last push, Sachiko is born.)

MC: (teary-eyed) “It’s a girl, Sayori! We have a daughter!”

(Sayori collapses back onto the makeshift birthing area, breathing heavily. MC quickly wraps the newborn baby in a blanket and places her in Sayori’s arms.)

Sayori: (exhausted, but filled with joy) “Oh my goodness, MC…our baby girl. She’s perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better husband than you, MC.”

MC: (smiling) “And I couldn’t have asked for a better wife and mother for our daughter. We did it, Sayori. We brought Sachiko into the world together.”

Natsuki: (wiping away happy tears) “Congratulations, Sayori and MC. Sachiko is beautiful.”

Yuri: (overwhelmed with emotions) “This is such a special moment. Sayori, your strength and resilience are truly admirable.”

Monika: (admiring the newborn baby) “Welcome to the world, Sachiko. You are surrounded by so much love.”

(Sachiko lets out a soft cry, catching everyone’s attention.)

Sayori: (gently rocking Sachiko) “Shh, it’s ok, little one. You want Papa to hold you, don’t you? Don’t worry, little one…he’s here.”

(Sayori gently hands Sachiko to MC, who carefully cradles her in his arms.)

MC: (softly) “Hello, Sachiko. I’m your Papa. I promise to always love and protect you.”

(Sachiko settles in MC’s arms, looking up at him with wide eyes.)

Natsuki: (wiping away more tears) “This is such a beautiful moment. I can’t believe we helped deliver a baby!”

Yuri: (smiling) “It’s a testament to the strength and bond of our club. We’ll always be there for each other, no matter the circumstances.”

Monika: (gently touching Sachiko’s tiny hand) “Sayori, MC, you’re going to be amazing parents. Sachiko is lucky to have you both.”

Sayori: (gratefully) “Thank you, Monika. And thank you all for being here with us. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system.”

MC: (earningly) “No matter what challenges come our way, we’ll face them together. Our little family will always have the Literature Club to lean on.”

(Sachiko gazes up at her parents, surrounded by love and warmth. Their journey as a family has only just begun, but already their bonds are unbreakable.)

(The club members continue to bask in the miracle they just witnessed, cherishing the new life that has entered their lives. In that moment, the literature clubroom becomes a place of love, joy, and the start of a beautiful story.)

{SEVEN YEARS LATER}