(In the school literature clubroom…)

Monika: “You’re doing great, Yuri. Keep breathing - the ambulance will be here soon.”

Yuri: (clutching her baby bump tightly) “That’s easier said than done, Monika…” (feeling an intense contraction) “NNNGH!!! The contractions are getting closer…”

(Monika quickly checks her phone to see the estimated time of arrival for the ambulance she called earlier while trying to stay calm for Yuri’s sake.)

Monika: “They should be here any minute now, Yuri. Just hang in there.”

(Monika kneels beside Yuri, offering her a hand to squeeze.)

Monika: “Remember the breathing exercises we talked about? Let’s try to focus on those. Inhale slowly, hold for a few seconds, then exhale. That’s it.”

Yuri: (breathing heavily) “I’m trying, Monika, I really am. It’s just…so intense…”

(Monika speaks in a soothing tone to help comfort Yuri.)

Monika: “You’re incredibly strong, Yuri. I know it’s hard, but you’re not alone. We’re all here with you.”

(Sayori and Natsuki, the other members of the literature club, burst into the room.)

Sayori: “Yuri! Oh, my gosh, are you okay?”

Natsuki: “What’s happening? Is she…? Oh wow, she’s—”

Monika: (keeping her voice steady) “Yuri’s having contractions. The ambulance is on the way. We need to keep her comfortable and calm until they arrive.”

Sayori: (rushing to Yuri’s other side) “Right, right. Yuri, you’re super strong. You’ll get through this!“

Natsuki: (looking worried but determined) “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Monika: “Natsuki, could you please grab some pillows from the couch over there? We want to make Yuri as comfortable as possible.”

(Natsuki nods and dashes off to grab pillows.)

Monika: (continuing to speak to Yuri in a calming tone) “Yuri, you’re doing amazingly. Keep focusing on your breathing.”

(Yuri continues to concentrate on her breathing, grasping Monika’s hand firmly, with tension visible on her face.)

Natsuki: (returning with the pillows and placing them carefully behind Yuri) “Can’t believe this is happening right here in the clubroom…”

Sayori: (attempting to smile through the tension) “It’s like one of those intense scenes in the novels we read, huh?”

Yuri: (managing a weak smile between contractions) “Thank you, guys. It means…a lot…”

(The room falls into a rhythm of supportive whispers and concentrated breathing until, suddenly, Yuri lets out an agonizing scream.)

Yuri: “It’s happening! I can feel the baby coming!”

(Monika looks between Yuri’s agonized expression and the door, hoping to see paramedics rushing through at any moment.)

Monika: “Alright, Yuri, just focus on your breathing. In and out, remember the exercises. The ambulance will be here soon, and everything will be okay.”

Natsuki: “I’m going to check outside for the ambulance!”

(Sayori stays by Yuri’s side, offering silent support as Monika takes charge of the situation with as much calm as she can muster. She had read about childbirth in books but facing it in reality was a whole different story.)

Monika: “Yuri, you can squeeze my hand if you need to. And let me know if you feel like you need to push, okay? We’re here with you every step of the way.”

(Yuri’s breathing becomes more labored, the intervals between contractions shortening by the minute.)

Yuri: (panting) “They’re…getting even stronger now…”