Ayumi's smile vanished almost immediately after she stood up. One moment, she had been celebrating the approval of Karate Bunny 3; the next, she pressed one hand against her stomach and bent forward as a wave of nausea passed through her.
Zaboru immediately placed the controller aside and moved toward her. "Ayumi, what's wrong?" he asked, supporting her by the shoulders before she could lose her balance.
Ayumi closed her eyes and took several slow breaths. "I don't know, Zabo. My stomach suddenly feels strange, and I'm nauseous."
Akechi had already risen from his chair. His normally expressionless face remained calm, but his eyes sharpened as he observed his sister. He was silent for a few seconds before asking bluntly, "When was your last period?"
Ayumi slowly looked toward him.
Zaboru also turned toward Akechi, surprised by how directly he had asked.
Akechi remained completely serious. "Answer."
Ayumi thought carefully while still holding her stomach. "I'm not completely sure. Maybe seven or eight weeks ago?"
The room became quiet.
Zaboru's eyes widened.
Ayumi's nausea was momentarily forgotten as the possibility entered her mind too. She stared at her husband, and the two of them shared the same stunned expression.
Zaboru's surprise quickly transformed into a wide grin. "Don't tell me..." he murmured before gently taking Ayumi's hands. "Ayumi, we should go to the hospital and check."
Ayumi's eyes brightened, but she also looked nervous. "Right now?"
"Right now," Zaboru answered without hesitation. "I won't be able to think about anything else until we know."
Akechi gave a tired sigh as he looked between the suddenly excited couple. "Go together. I'll stay here and watch the children."
Zaboru nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Akechi-san."
Akechi glanced toward the hallway where Zenshin and Arumi room is, then replied quietly, "Drive carefully."
Despite his usual stoic expression, there was a faint softness in his voice. Ayumi noticed it and smiled before taking her brother's hand briefly.
"Thank you, Nii-sama."
Akechi gave a small nod. "Go."
Zaboru helped Ayumi put on a light coat, then led her toward the car. He moved with such urgency that Ayumi had to grab his sleeve before he reached the driver's side.
"Zabo," Ayumi said calmly, "I might be pregnant. I'm not dying."
Zaboru froze.
Ayumi smiled despite her lingering nausea. "Drive normally."
Zaboru nodded with exaggerated seriousness. "Right. Normal driving. Safe driving. Extremely responsible husband driving."
Zaboru opened the passenger door for her and replied, "Just trust me."
Ayumi sat down and fastened her seat belt before muttering, "That sentence made it worse."
Fortunately, Zaboru managed to restrain himself. He still drove faster than usual, but not recklessly. Throughout the journey, he repeatedly glanced toward Ayumi to make sure she was comfortable.
Ayumi eventually sighed and said, "Zabo, please watch the road. Staring at me every ten seconds will not make us arrive faster."
Zaboru faced forward again. "Sorry. I'm nervous."
Ayumi gently rested her hand on his arm. "Me too."
That simple admission calmed him more than anything else.
The hospital was not far away, and because of Zaboru's status, the registration process could have been accelerated immediately. However, Zaboru insisted that they follow the normal emergency and outpatient procedures unless Ayumi's condition became serious. He did not want another patient pushed aside simply because he was famous.
The night receptionist recognized him anyway and almost dropped her pen.
"Z-Zaboru Renkonan?"
Zaboru gave an awkward smile. "Yes, but tonight I'm just a worried husband."
The receptionist looked toward Ayumi, quickly regaining her professionalism. "Of course. Is she experiencing severe pain, bleeding, dizziness, or loss of consciousness?"
Ayumi shook her head. "No bleeding. The pain isn't severe. Mostly nausea and some discomfort."
The receptionist nodded and called for a nurse.
A few minutes later, a young nurse approached them with a wheelchair. Ayumi stared at it, then looked toward Zaboru.
"I can walk," she said.
Before Zaboru could answer, the nurse smiled and explained, "This is only a precaution, Mrs. Renkonan. Since you've had sudden abdominal discomfort and there's a possibility of pregnancy, we would rather not have you standing for too long until we check your blood pressure and general condition."
Ayumi reluctantly sat down while Zaboru walked beside her.
The nurse guided them into a private examination room and began with the routine checks. She measured Ayumi's temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen level before asking several questions about her medical history.
The nurse looked down at her form and asked, "When did the nausea begin?"
"Just a short while ago," Ayumi replied. "But now that I think about it, I've felt slightly tired and strange for several days."
The nurse nodded. "Any unusual food cravings, sensitivity to smells, breast tenderness, or changes in appetite?"
Ayumi paused.
Zaboru looked at her.
Ayumi slowly said, "Certain smells have been bothering me recently."
The nurse covered a small smile before continuing, "And your last menstrual period was approximately seven or eight weeks ago?"
Ayumi nodded. "Around that time."
The nurse finished writing and explained, "We'll begin with a urine pregnancy test. The doctor may also request a blood test to measure the pregnancy hormone more accurately. Since you may already be around seven or eight weeks pregnant, an ultrasound should also give us useful information."
Zaboru leaned forward eagerly. "Can we see the baby already?"
The nurse smiled at his excitement. "Possibly. At that stage, an ultrasound can usually confirm whether the pregnancy is inside the uterus, estimate the gestational age, and often detect cardiac activity."
Zaboru turned toward Ayumi with a grin so wide that the nurse could not help finding him slightly amusing.
Ayumi squeezed his hand. "Don't celebrate before the test, Zabo."
Zaboru only grinned like idiot.
The nurse handed Ayumi a sterile collection cup and gave her directions. While Ayumi went to provide the sample, Zaboru remained in the examination room, unable to sit still. He walked from one side to the other until the nurse finally looked at him.
"Mr. Renkonan," she said gently, "you may sit."
Zaboru stopped. "I know."
The nurse waited.
Zaboru eventually sat.
Less than a minute later, he stood again.
The nurse looked at him without saying anything.
Zaboru sighed and returned to the chair. "Sorry." he become restless!
Ayumi returned shortly afterward, and the sample was taken for testing. A small blood sample was also collected to measure beta-hCG and obtain baseline information. Ayumi disliked needles, though she tried not to show it.
Zaboru noticed anyway and offered his hand.
Ayumi gripped it tightly as the nurse drew the blood.
Zaboru winced.
The nurse looked up. "Did I hurt you?"
Zaboru shook his head. "No. My wife did."
Ayumi loosened her grip slightly and muttered, "Sorry."
Zaboru smiled. "You can squeeze harder if you need to." Zaboru caress her hair
After the samples were sent for rapid testing, they waited together. Zaboru held Ayumi's hand the entire time. Neither of them spoke much now. Their earlier excitement had become quieter, mixed with anxiety and hope.
Around twenty minutes later, the nurse returned with a smile that immediately gave away the result.
"Mrs. Renkonan," she said warmly, "your urine pregnancy test is positive."
Ayumi's eyes widened.
Zaboru froze for only a second before turning toward his wife with pure joy.
"You're pregnant," he whispered.
Ayumi covered her mouth, and her eyes became moist as she nodded. "I'm pregnant."
Zaboru pulled her into a careful embrace. He laughed softly against her hair, his excitement almost too great to contain, while Ayumi held him just as tightly.
The nurse allowed them a few seconds before continuing gently. "Congratulations. The doctor would still like to examine you and perform an ultrasound, especially because of the discomfort you experienced."
Zaboru immediately became serious again. "Is something wrong?"
"Not necessarily," the nurse reassured him. "Mild cramping and nausea can occur in early pregnancy. The ultrasound is mainly to confirm the location, age, and condition of the pregnancy."
Not long afterward, an obstetrician entered the room. She was a middle-aged woman with a calm expression and the steady manner of someone who had delivered difficult news and joyful news many times.
She introduced herself with a polite bow. "Good evening. I'm Dr. Ishikawa. First, congratulations. Your pregnancy test is positive, and the preliminary blood result is consistent with early pregnancy."
Ayumi smiled nervously. "Thank you, Doctor."
Dr. Ishikawa sat across from them and reviewed the notes. "You estimate that your last menstrual period was seven or eight weeks ago, correct?"
"Yes," Ayumi answered.
The doctor nodded. "At that stage, the clearest method is usually a transvaginal ultrasound. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but it gives us a better image than an abdominal ultrasound this early. We can confirm whether the pregnancy is developing inside the uterus and whether cardiac activity is present."
Zaboru blinked. "Transvaginal?"
Ayumi looked at him.
The doctor calmly explained the procedure. "A narrow ultrasound probe is covered and inserted gently into the vagina. It uses sound waves, not radiation. It is commonly used in early pregnancy because the uterus is still low in the pelvis."
Dr. Ishikawa smiled faintly. "The husband may remain in the room if the patient is comfortable with that."
Ayumi looked toward Zaboru. "Stay."
Zaboru immediately took her hand. "Of course."
The nurse prepared the equipment and helped Ayumi into the correct position behind a privacy curtain. Zaboru remained beside her head, deliberately keeping his attention on her face and the ultrasound monitor.
Dr. Ishikawa dimmed the lights slightly and began the examination. At first, the screen showed only gray and black shapes that Zaboru could not understand at all.
He stared intensely.
The doctor moved the probe carefully, examining the uterus from several angles.
Then she became quiet.
Zaboru's grip tightened around Ayumi's hand.
Ayumi noticed the doctor's concentration and asked, "Doctor? Is everything okay?"
Dr. Ishikawa's expression softened. "Yes. Everything appears to be in the correct location."
Both of them exhaled in relief.
The doctor pointed toward the monitor. "This dark area is a gestational sac. And inside it, we can see the developing embryo."
Zaboru leaned closer, trying desperately to understand what he was seeing.
"That tiny shape?"
"Yes."
Ayumi's eyes filled with emotion. "That's our baby?"
Dr. Ishikawa nodded. "Yes."
The nurse adjusted the machine, and a rapid pulsing sound filled the room.
Zaboru's entire expression changed.
The sound was fast, delicate, and astonishingly real.
The doctor explained, "That is cardiac activity."
Zaboru stared at the screen, unable to look away. He had experienced this before with Zenshin and Arumi, but the wonder had not diminished at all. If anything, it felt even stronger now because he understood more deeply what it meant.
Then Dr. Ishikawa moved the probe again.
Her brows lifted slightly.
She studied another section of the screen, adjusted the image, and then looked toward the nurse.
The nurse leaned closer.
Zaboru's heart began beating faster.
"What is it?" he asked. "Is there a problem?"
Dr. Ishikawa shook her head. "No problem."
She moved the cursor across the image and pointed toward another shape.
"There is another gestational sac."
Silence filled the room.
Zaboru stared at the screen.
Ayumi blinked.
The doctor continued gently, "And there is a second embryo with its own cardiac activity."
The machine picked up another rapid rhythm.
Dr. Ishikawa smiled.
"Mr. and Mrs. Renkonan, you're expecting twins."
Zaboru's mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Ayumi stared at him.
The nurse smiled at his frozen expression.
Finally, Zaboru managed to speak. "What?"
Dr. Ishikawa repeated patiently, "Twins."
"Two?"
The doctor nodded. "Two."
Zaboru pointed weakly toward the monitor. "There are two babies in there?"
Zaboru looked at her, then at the monitor, then back at the doctor.
"Twins!?"
His voice was loud enough that someone in the hallway probably heard him.
The nurse laughed and gently reminded him, "Please keep your voice down, Mr. Renkonan. Other patients are resting."
Zaboru lowered his voice immediately, though his grin remained enormous. "Sorry. But... twins."
Ayumi reached up and touched his cheek. "It seems Zen-chan and Rumi-chan will have two new siblings, Zabo."
Zaboru laughed again, this time more softly, and kissed Ayumi's forehead.
Dr. Ishikawa completed the measurements and explained that the embryos appeared to be around seven weeks in development. Based on the images, each seemed to have its own sac, though further ultrasounds would be needed to assess the placentas and monitor development carefully.
The doctor's tone became more professional as she continued, "Twin pregnancies require closer observation than single pregnancies. We will schedule more frequent prenatal visits and ultrasounds. Mrs. Renkonan should begin prenatal vitamins containing folic acid if she has not already done so. She should also avoid alcohol, smoking, raw or undercooked foods, and unnecessary medications unless approved."
Ayumi nodded carefully.
Dr. Ishikawa looked toward Zaboru. "And she will need proper rest. Twin pregnancies can place more strain on the body."
Zaboru straightened immediately. "I'll make sure she rests."
Ayumi glanced at him. "Don't become excessive."
"I won't."
Dr. Ishikawa smiled. "Support is good. Panic is not."
After the examination, the nurse printed several small ultrasound images and placed them in an envelope. Zaboru accepted it with both hands as though he had just been given a priceless artifact.
Before they left, Dr. Ishikawa scheduled a follow-up appointment and gave Ayumi written guidance on early twin pregnancy, warning signs, nutrition, and activity. She instructed them to return immediately if Ayumi developed heavy bleeding, severe one-sided pain, fainting, high fever, or persistent vomiting.
Zaboru listened so carefully that the doctor eventually handed him another copy of the instructions.
"You look like you intend to memorize every word," she said.
Zaboru nodded. "I do."
Ayumi smiled and replied, "He probably will."
Overall, the hospital visit lasted a little more than two hours. By the time they returned home, it was already late, but neither Zaboru nor Ayumi felt tired. They were still floating inside the joy of the discovery.
Akechi remained in the living room, sitting alone while watching television at a low volume. When the front door opened, he looked toward them.
His face remained expressionless, but his eyes immediately examined Ayumi's condition.
"So?" he asked quietly. "What did the doctor say?"
Zaboru held up the ultrasound envelope like a championship trophy and grinned. "Akechi-san, the doctor said it's twins! Hahaha! Twins! Two of them!"
Ayumi chuckled beside him.
Akechi's eyes lit up slightly. It was a subtle reaction, something most people would miss, but Ayumi and Zaboru both noticed it.
He stood and approached his sister. "Congratulations."
Ayumi smiled warmly. "Thank you, Nii-sama."
Akechi looked at Zaboru again and sighed. "Still, Zaboru... you impregnated one of my best developers again."
Zaboru scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Well... it can't be helped, right? Hehehe."
Akechi's expression remained flat. "And twins this time."
Zaboru gave him a helpless smile. "I may have exceeded expectations."
Ayumi lightly hit her husband's arm before turning toward her brother. "Don't worry, Nii-sama. I still have months before they're born. I can continue working carefully."
Akechi's gaze sharpened. "No unnecessary stress."
Akechi gave his sister a rare, gentle smile. "Congratulations, Ayumi."
Then he looked toward the hallway leading to the children's rooms and added, "Tell Zenshin and Arumi tomorrow. Let them sleep tonight."
After making sure Ayumi was comfortable, Akechi prepared to leave. He gave Zaboru one final look before saying, "Take care of her."
Zaboru's expression became serious. "I will."
Akechi nodded once and left.
Not long afterward, Zanichi and Keiko returned home. Sanika arrived shortly after them, bringing noise back into the previously quiet household.
Zaboru waited until everyone had settled in the living room. Then, with suspicious casualness, he placed the ultrasound envelope on the table.
Keiko noticed it first. "What's that?"
Zaboru looked toward Ayumi.
Ayumi smiled and nodded.
Zaboru could no longer contain himself. "Ayumi is pregnant."
The room froze.
Then he added proudly, "With twins."
Zanichi's tired expression vanished. "Twins?"
Keiko covered her mouth in disbelief. "Really?"
Sanika's eyes widened before an enormous grin appeared on her face. "Twins!? I'm going to have two more nephews?"
Ayumi laughed softly. "Or nieces. Or one of each."
Sanika immediately corrected herself. "Two more tiny family members!"
Keiko rushed toward Ayumi and embraced her carefully, her eyes already becoming wet. "Congratulations, dear. Twins... I can't believe it."
Ayumi hugged her back. "Thank you, Mom."
Zanichi remained seated for a moment, processing the news. Then he exhaled and grinned. "Damn. Twins. This household is getting more interesting every year."
Keiko looked toward him. "That is your reaction?"
Zanichi raised both hands. "I'm happy! I'm just thinking about how much noise there will be."
The commotion eventually woke the children.
Zenshin emerged first from his bedroom, his hair slightly messy but his expression already calm and composed. Arumi followed shortly afterward, rubbing her eyes while carrying one of her rabbits.
Ayumi sat down and opened both arms. "Come here, Zen-chan, Rumi-chan."
The two children approached, and Ayumi gently pulled them close.
She smiled warmly and said, "You two are going to have two new siblings."
Zenshin looked toward his mother's stomach, then gave a small nod. "Yay."
His reaction was calm, but the faint light in his eyes revealed his happiness.
Arumi, however, became fully awake at once. "Really!? Two?"
Ayumi nodded. "Two."
Arumi's eyes widened. "Rumi can't wait!"
She immediately placed both hands against Ayumi's stomach, even though there was nothing to feel yet.
"Hello, babies!" Arumi announced loudly. "I'm Rumi!"
Everyone laughed.
Zenshin moved closer too and quietly placed one hand beside hers.
Zaboru stood behind them, watching his wife, his children, his parents, and his sister gathered together. His chest filled with a warmth too large to explain.
Soon, the Renkonan family would welcome two more members.
The house would become louder.
The nights would become more exhausting.
The schedules would become even more chaotic.
And Zaboru could hardly wait.
To be continued.
Please give me your power stone and if you want to support me and get minimum 50+ advance chapter and additional 1 chapter a week for 4$ considering subscribe to my patreon patreon.com/Zaborn_1997
Or buymecoffee https://buymeacoffee.com/Zaborn_1997 which same with patreon
current Patreon/buymecoffe chap 1263
Also Join my discord if you want https://discord.gg/jB8x6TUByc