(In the school literature clubroom…)

Monika: “Yuri’s been gone for quite a long time…”

Sayori: “Maybe she’s just caught up with a really good book? You know how she can get lost in literature.”

MC: “Should someone go check on her? It’s not like Yuri to miss so much of the club meeting.”

Natsuki: “Ugh, fine. I’ll go see what’s taking her so long. She probably doesn’t even realize how much time has passed. But don’t expect me to return quickly - this pregnancy weight is getting to me!”

(MC turns to Monika.)

MC: “Do you think everything’s alright? It’s not like Yuri to just disappear without saying anything.”

Monika: “I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. Natsuki will find her. But I do have to admit, it’s a bit unlike Yuri. She’s usually very considerate about letting us know if she’ll be late or has to leave early.”

(Monika leans back in her chair, looking thoughtful.)

Monika: “Well, Yuri does have her moments of being, how should I put it, extremely focused. Perhaps she found an old, dust-covered book in the library and she’s poring over it by now. Or maybe she’s stumbled onto some new poem or story that’s consuming all her attention.”

Sayori: (smiling brightly) “That sounds just like Yuri! Remember that one time she brought in that horror book and was so excited to talk about it she didn’t even hear us calling her name?”

MC: (nodding) “Yeah, that sounds about right. But still, it wouldn’t hurt to make sure she’s okay.”

Monika: (with a reassuring smile) “Definitely, it’s good that Natsuki went to check on her. But let’s try not to worry too much until we know there’s something to worry about, okay?”

(MC nods, trying to ease his friend’s concern. After a moment of silence, the clubroom door creaks open, and Natsuki walks in, breathing a little heavily due to her pregnant state, with Yuri following behind her. However, Natsuki looks like she’s in a lot of trouble as she clutches her stomach, her expression one of discomfort.)

Natsuki: “Guys…it’s not just the ‘pregnancy weight’…I think…NNNNNGH!!!…I think it’s time.”

Sayori: (gasping) “Time?! You mean, like—the baby is coming?”

MC: (jumping up from his seat) “Oh gosh, Natsuki, how can we help? Do we need to call an ambulance?”

Yuri: (stepping forward, her previous absence now forgotten) “I apologize for being so caught up in my reading. I didn’t realize what was happening. Natsuki, please sit down and try to take deep breaths. I’ll fetch some water.”

Monika: (taking control of the situation) “Right, everyone, let’s stay calm. MC, call an ambulance. Sayori, can you find the school nurse, just in case she can help before the ambulance arrives? I’ll help Natsuki get comfortable.”

(MC quickly takes out his phone and dials for an ambulance, relaying the situation to the operator. Sayori dashes out of the room to find the nurse, and Yuri returns with a glass of water, handing it carefully to Natsuki.)

Monika: (kneeling beside Natsuki) “Natsuki, talk to me. How are you feeling now?”

Natsuki: (panting) “It’s intense…I wasn’t expecting this…so soon. The contractions…AAAAAAAH!!!…are pretty close together.”

Monika: (nods) “Okay, just breathe. The ambulance is on the way. You’re doing great.”

(Sayori returns soon after with the school nurse, who quickly assesses the situation. The nurse instructs Natsuki on how to manage her breathing until professional medical help arrives.)

Yuri: (looking a bit pale but determined to be helpful) “Is there anything else I can do to assist?”

Sayori: (wrapping an arm around Yuri) “You’ve done enough by getting the water, Yuri. Now we just have to wait and let the professionals do their job-”

Natsuki: (clutching her belly in agony) “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

(The clubroom is filled with tension and concern as Natsuki’s cries of pain echo through the space.)

Monika: (rushing towards Natsuki’s side) “Natsuki, what’s wrong?!”

Natsuki: “I-I think my water just broke! The baby’s REALLY coming now!”

(The nurse moves closer, examining Natsuki with a professional eye.)

Nurse: “Alright, everyone, the ambulance should be here any minute, but we need to prepare for the possibility that the baby might start coming before they arrive. Natsuki, do your best to stay calm and follow my instructions. We need to get you lying down on a flat surface.”

MC: (to Monika) “I’ll help move the desks to make space.”

Monika: “Good idea, MC. Yuri, Sayori, help him out. We need to clear an area for Natsuki.”

(The club members quickly work together to move the furniture around, creating a makeshift area for Natsuki. All the while, the nurse stays by her side, offering words of comfort and instruction.)

Sayori: (in a shaky voice but trying to stay positive) “Natsuki, you’re super strong! You can do this!”

Yuri: (handing towels she found in a nearby closet to the nurse) “Here, these might be helpful.”

(The sounds of a siren can be heard approaching in the distance, growing louder by the second. Suddenly, Natsuki lets out another cry, gritting her teeth against the pain. Everyone’s focus is solely on her as they try their best to make her comfortable and keep her calm in the chaos of the situation.)

Natsuki: (screaming) “I THINK I CAN FEEL THE HEAD!!! OH, IT’S REALLY HAPPENING!!!”

MC: (urgently) “The ambulance is getting closer, Natsuki! Just hold on a little longer.”

Sayori: (tearing up but maintaining her smile) “You’ve got this, Natsuki! Everything’s going to be okay!”

Monika: (firmly) “Listen to the nurse, Natsuki, she knows what to do.”

(The nurse, with a calm and authoritative voice, guides Natsuki through her breathing and positioning. Despite the pain and the fear, Natsuki tries her best to follow the instructions.)

Nurse: “Natsuki, you need to push with the contractions. We might need to deliver the baby right here if the ambulance doesn’t make it in time.”

(The siren is now blaring just outside the school. The door of the clubroom bursts open and a team of paramedics rush in. They quickly take in the situation and move to take over from the nurse.)

Paramedic: “We’ve got an emergency birthing kit here. Are you the nurse? Fill us in quickly on her condition.”

(The school nurse quickly tells the paramedics how far along Natsuki is and what she has observed so far. The paramedics nod, turning their attention to Natsuki.)

Paramedic: (to Natsuki) “You’re doing great. We’ll take it from here. Let’s get you prepped and ready. Can you tell us when your next contraction is coming?”

Natsuki: (sweating and breathing heavily) “It’s…it’s coming now! AAAAAAAAAHHH!!!”

(The paramedics, with the help of the nurse, work diligently and efficiently. One of them communicates with the ambulance driver, relaying the urgency of the situation, while the other assists Natsuki with her breathing and coaches her through her contractions.)

Paramedic: (to the team outside) “We need to preform an emergency delivery here! A student in this school is having her baby!”

(As the paramedic communicates with their team, the other paramedics and the nurse create a sterile area. Monika, MC, Sayori, and Yuri stand back to give them space, huddled together in support of their friend.)

Paramedic: “Natsuki, when the next contraction comes, I need you to push as hard as you can. Ready? One, two, three—push!”

(Natsuki bears down with all the strength she has, her face twisted in a mix of pain and determination. The literature club members watch on, their expressions a mixture of concern, encouragement, and awe.)

Sayori: (whispering to MC) “This is so intense…Natsuki’s really strong, huh?”

MC: (nodding, his voice low) “Yeah, she’s amazing. I can’t believe she’s going through this.”

Yuri: (holding her hands together, speaking in barely more than a murmur) “This is so far removed from the usual quiet of our literature club… but I’m proud of how we’re all supporting Natsuki in this unexpected turn of events.”

Monika: (placing a reassuring hand on Yuri’s shoulder) “We’re more than just a club. We’re a family here.”

(After several minutes of intense labor, guided by the paramedics’ instructions and supported by the encouraging words of her friends, Natsuki lets out a long, loud cry as she pushes with everything she’s got.)

Paramedic: “Keep going, that’s it! I see the head! Good job, Natsuki! One more big push!”

Natsuki: “AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!”

(After what seems like an eternity, but in reality is only a few more moments, the room is filled with a new sound—the loud, healthy cry of a newborn baby. Natsuki collapses back, exhausted but overjoyed, tears of relief streaming down her cheeks. The paramedics quickly clear the baby’s airways and wrap the little one in a blanket before handing the newborn to Natsuki.)

Natsuki: (cradling her new daughter) “Oh my god…I-I-I did it! I’m actually a mom! You’re here, Sakura!”

Paramedic: “Congratulations, mom. You did an incredible job. We’re going to make sure both you and the baby are stable before we transport you to the hospital for further care.”

(Natsuki gazes down at her baby, Sakura, with immense love and wonder, her previous agony replaced with the profound joy of motherhood.)

Monika: (with a teary smile) “She’s beautiful, Natsuki. You’ve done something truly amazing today.”

Sayori: (wiping away her own tears) “Sakura is such a cute name! And she’s already so loved by all of us here.”

Yuri: (smiling softly) “Such a delicate and precious life. Welcome to the world, Sakura.”

MC: (beaming with pride) “Natsuki, you’re the strongest person I know. Congratulations!”

(The paramedics proceed to monitor Natsuki and her baby, ensuring their vital signs are stable. The nurse remains by their side, assisting in every way necessary.)

{7 YEARS LATER}

(In Natsuki’s room…)

Natsuki: “And that, Sakura, is the story of how you were born. Right here in my high school literature club, with all my closest friends around me to help. Can you believe it?”

Sakura: (with wide, sparkling eyes) “Wow, Mommy! That’s like a story from a book! So what happened after? Did you all stay friends? And did I get to go to the literature club too?”

Natsuki: (laughing softly) “Yes, sweetheart, we all stayed very close. Your aunts and uncle from the literature club visited us in the hospital right after you were born. And you’ve been an honorary member of the literature club since you were a baby. They all love you very much.”

Sakura: (clapping her hands excitedly) “I want to go to the literature club one day, just like you, Mommy! And read and write lots of stories!”

Natsuki: (smiling warmly) “I’m sure you will, honey. But it’s time for bed now. You need your rest if you want to grow up strong and smart like all of them.”

Sakura: (yawning) “Okay, Mommy. Goodnight! I love you!”

Natsuki: (kissing her forehead) “Goodnight, my little Sakura. I love you more.”

(Sakura drifts off to sleep, a contented smile on her lips. Natsuki watches her daughter for a moment, her heart full of love. Then she quietly stands, turns off the light, and closes the door, leaving only a soft nightlight to glow in the peaceful room.)

[THE END]