A Silent Voice: My First Kiss Was with Nishimiya Shouko

Afternoon.

As soon as Shizuka Miyamura stepped into the nap room of the Sakura Class, she spotted two children curled up on the bed. She greeted Ms. Ueo politely and walked over to them.

"What's going on with Shouko?" she asked softly, noticing Akira sitting beside her with a tired look while Shouko lay fast asleep.

"…She was too excited during lunch. She kept asking how much longer until school ended," Akira replied, a little helpless. "I told her to nap, but every five minutes she'd ask, 'How much longer, Akira?' Eventually, she got too sleepy and knocked out. I didn't sleep at all."

"Wake up, Shouko. It's time to go home," Akira whispered, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Mmm…" Shouko murmured, barely stirring. Her eyes stayed shut.

"Let her sleep a little longer. I'll carry her to the car," Shizuka said, stopping Akira's hand. She bent down and gently picked Shouko up into her arms. Akira followed her to the door, said goodbye to Ms. Ueo, and left the classroom.

Shouko rubbed her eyes groggily and sat up, blinking in confusion. This wasn't kindergarten—and Akira wasn't beside her. She suddenly bolted upright in a panic. But after spotting some familiar toys and furniture, she realized this was Akira's room… and relaxed.

Still barefoot, she slipped out from under the blanket and padded down the stairs.

"Awake already?" Shizuka called from the tatami mat in the living room, spotting her at the entrance.

Everyone turned to look. Hachiko raised his head from where he was lying down, Yuzuru Nishimiya glanced up from her spot, and Daiki Miyamura, remote in hand, paused the TV just as the interview began replaying.

"Mom, it's already getting dark," Akira muttered as he saw Shouko wasn't wearing slippers. He walked to the shoe cabinet and brought back a pair for her.

When Akira returned, he found Shouko sitting in Shizuka's lap. Daiki was on the sofa adjusting the volume, and Yuzuru was curled up beside Hachiko, eyes glued to the screen. Yaeko Nishimiya wasn't there—she was still working part-time.

Akira gently placed the slippers at Shouko's feet and sat down beside his mom.

"Good afternoon, viewers! I'm Suzume Koharu from Futaba TV. Today we're visiting Futaba Kindergarten again to chat with the senior class students," chirped the cheerful female reporter on TV.

Even Hachiko tilted his head and stared at the screen like he recognized the woman.

"I want to marry Akira and be his bride! I'll give him lots of cute babies!" a bright, determined voice echoed from the TV.

It was Shouko's voice.

Shouko, watching herself on TV, didn't think much of it. But Akira, sitting beside her, blushed fiercely.

"My boy is so lucky," Daiki teased with a chuckle, glancing at Akira, who was now pretending to focus intensely on the tatami mat.

"What's a bride?" Yuzuru asked curiously from where she hugged Hachiko's belly.

Shizuka paused the video, freezing the screen on Akira's flustered face. Then she turned to Yuzuru with a patient smile. "A bride is a woman who gets married. Usually to someone she loves very much."

Yuzuru nodded, somewhat understanding. "Then… what about making babies?"

Instead of answering directly, Shizuka turned to the two children beside her and grinned. "What about you two? Do you know how babies are made?"

Akira shook his head quickly. He did know, but there was no way he'd say it out loud in front of everyone.

Shouko also shook her head innocently.

"As long as a boy and girl kiss mouth-to-mouth, a baby will start growing," Shizuka said with a playful smile, then covered her mouth and giggled.

"Really?" Yuzuru blinked, not entirely convinced.

Akira glanced at his mom, tempted to correct her, but Shizuka leaned over and said, "You don't think your lovely auntie would lie to you, do you, Yuzuru?"

Daiki said nothing, quietly replying to messages from his talent agency while the others chatted.

Meanwhile, Shouko sat silently in Shizuka's lap, her cheeks turning pink. She remembered something.

Yesterday, when Akira had fallen asleep, she'd snuck a kiss on his cheek—but accidentally hit the corner of his mouth instead.

And now… her stomach felt weird. Bloated, like it didn't like the broccoli from lunch.

Was the baby already growing?

No way… but maybe? she thought, her imagination spiraling. Maybe the baby doesn't like broccoli! That must be it!

"Are you okay, Shouko?" Akira asked, noticing her rubbing her belly.

"Eh?! I… I'm fine…" she replied quickly, eyes darting away.

"Does your stomach hurt?" Shizuka asked in concern, gently shifting Shouko and lifting her shirt to check.

"Auntie… my tummy's fine," she said quietly, blushing harder.

"Are you hungry? You've been touching your stomach," Akira said, tilting his head.

Shouko nodded immediately. "Yeah."

"We'll eat soon. If you snack now, you'll ruin your appetite," Daiki called out from the sofa.

"Have some oranges first," Akira said. He got up, grabbed a couple from the coffee table, peeled them, and handed them to her.

After confirming Shouko was okay, everyone went back to watching the interview. Eventually, Kei Nishimiya came to pick up the kids for dinner.

Yuzuru reluctantly said goodbye to Hachiko. "I'll come play again tomorrow, okay?"

"Woof woof," Hachiko barked, wagging his tail in response.

Akira walked them to the door and watched them change into their shoes. Yuzuru and Kei left first.

Shouko lingered by the doorway, turning to look back every few steps. Her eyes kept flicking to Akira like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

Akira furrowed his brow. "Shouko, is something wrong?"

She hesitated. Then, as if summoning every ounce of courage, she ran up to Akira, stood on tiptoe, leaned in close to his ear, and whispered—

"Akira… I'm pregnant with your baby…"

"...!!!???"

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POWER STONE!!??

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