(In the school literature clubroom…)

Monika: “This is ridiculous! Natsuki should’ve been here by now!”

MC: “I haven’t heard anything from her at all.”

Yuri: “Maybe she just overslept or something?”

(I couldn’t help but feel a sense of concern. Natsuki’s usually so punctual. I put a protective hand on my belly, feeling the movements of the three babies that MC and I would welcome into the world soon. We were naming them “Shinwa”, “Jinsei”, and “Desu” after the three spirit schools of the game “Wizard101” - Shinwa meaning “Myth”, Jinsei meaning “Life”, and Desu meaning “Death”. However, I was feeling some cramps at the time. It’s at this moment that Yuri notices me rubbing my belly.)

Yuri: “Sayori, are you feeling alright? You seem to be in discomfort.”

Sayori: “I’m okay, just some cramps. It’s probably nothing, but they’re more intense than usual.”

MC: “Hey, maybe you should take it easy. You’re at a pretty advanced stage of your pregnancy, after all. Shall I get you some water or anything?”

(MC gently puts a hand on mine as Jinsei - the most active of our babies - starts to kick.)

Sayori: (smiling weakly) “Water would be nice, thank you, MC.”

(MC rushes out of the room to get some water. Monika, meanwhile, seems caught between managing her concern for me and the absence of Natsuki.)

Monika: “Okay everyone, let’s remain calm. We’ll reach out to Natsuki’s family to make sure she’s okay. In the meantime, let’s make sure Sayori is comfortable. Yuri, can you please help with that?”

(Yuri nods and moves closer to me with a concerned look.)

Yuri: “Is there a particular spot where we could make you more comfortable? Maybe we could get some pillows to support your back.”

Sayori: “Some extra pillows would be really nice, Yuri. Thank you.”

(Yuri quickly gathers some cushions from around the clubroom and arranges them on the couch for me to lean against. I take a seat and try to find a position that eases the cramping. The movements in my belly seem to calm down a little with the gentle pressure.)

(Yuri now turns to Monika and speaks in a lower voice, hoping I wouldn’t overhear their concerned conversation.)

Yuri: “Monika, should we consider calling a doctor? Sayori’s discomfort might be more significant than we’re assuming.”

Monika: (looks at me with a serious expression) “Yes, that might be necessary. But let’s not worry her just yet. Once MC is back with the water, we should talk it over with him first.”

(MC returns with a glass of water and hands it to me.)

MC: “Here you go, Sayori. Drink slowly. How are you feeling now?”

Sayori: “A little better, thanks. The pillows help, and the water is refreshing.”

(MC takes a seat beside me, holding my hand. He glances at Monika and Yuri with a look that suggests he’s seeking guidance. Just then, I felt a sudden warmth moving down my legs. Panic immediately set in - my water had just broken. The cramps I had been feeling were actually the onset of labor.)

Sayori: (voice shaking) “MC, my water just broke.”

(MC’s eyes widen with a mixture of surprise and concern.)

MC: “Oh no. We need to get you to the hospital, fast!”

(Monika immediately grabs her phone and starts dialing.)

Monika: “I’m calling an ambulance right now.”

Yuri: (visibly stressed but trying to stay composed) “Sayori, just try to relax and breathe. We’re here for you.”

(The room fills with a sense of urgency. MC is by my side, holding my hand and speaking reassuring words, trying his best to keep me calm.)

MC: “It’s going to be okay, Sayori. Just focus on breathing. We’re going to meet Shinwa, Jinsei, and Desu very soon.”

(Monika looks up from her phone.)

Monika: “The ambulance will be here any minute. Sayori, can you stand with help, or do we need to carry you?”

Sayori: “I think…I think I can stand if you help me.”

(Two members of the literature club support me on either side as we slowly make our way to the front of the school to wait for the ambulance. My contractions are growing closer together, signaling that the babies are eager to arrive. And then…I could feel urge to push.)

Sayori: (panting) “Oh gosh, I need to push…”

MC: “Hold on, Sayori! Try not to push yet. The paramedics will be here soon, and they’ll help with everything.”

(Monika is on the phone giving our location to the emergency dispatcher, updating on the situation, and Yuri is breathing in sync with me, trying to help me manage the contractions as I battle against the urge to push. There’s a clear sense of unity amongst everyone in the literature club as they work together to ensure both my safety and the safety of the babies.)

Yuri: “Just keep taking deep breaths, Sayori. Focus on my voice. We’re all here with you.”

(The minutes tick by slowly, and each second feels longer than the last. Everything was happening so fast. Just then, the pain became unbearable. Panic set in again - the urge to push was too strong. I couldn’t hold back any longer. This was it - the babies