Wilted Bloom

The second they stepped through the hospital doors, Maya immediately grabbed Shota by the wrist and dragged him forward, her grip tight as she all but power-walked through the hallways. She didn't care if she was making a scene, she didn't care if the nurses were giving her concerned looks, and she definitely didn't care about the deep sigh Shota let out behind her as she forcefully guided him toward Eri's room.

"Maya," he grumbled, his tone edged with exasperation as she practically pulled him along like an impatient child. "Slow down—you're going to put yourself into early labor at this rate."

She ignored him completely, her wings fluttering with agitation, her steps only quickening at his words. She had been waiting for this moment for too long, had spent too many days feeling helpless as the little girl she had fought for had to recover alone. She wasn't going to waste a single second longer.

"Maya," Shota tried again, his voice lowering slightly in warning. "You can't be this reckless right now. I know you're eager to see her, but you need to think about your—"

The instant she turned her head to look at him, he shut up.

The look she gave him was pure, unfiltered rage.

Her blue eyes blazed with a fire so intense that even Shota—a man who had faced villains head-on without so much as flinching—felt the slightest instinctual urge to step back.

"This isn't about me," she hissed, her voice low but furious. "That little girl has been alone for weeks, Shota. She's been locked in a room with no one, recovering from years of torture, fighting off fevers and nightmares and god knows what else, and you expect me to just—walk?" Her wings flared, her body radiating her frustration, her hands trembling as she tightened her grip on his wrist. "I will not make her wait any longer. I will not sit back while she's up there thinking she's still alone. I will not be another adult that fails her."

Shota didn't argue.

Because what could he say?

She was right.

She was right, and he knew it.

So, with a heavy sigh and a knowing look, he relented, letting her continue pulling him along, only slightly making sure she wasn't pushing herself too hard as they quickly made their way toward Eri's room.

By the time they got to the door, Maya's breath was slightly uneven, her nerves suddenly catching up to her, her hand hesitating on the handle for just a second.

And then—

She pushed it open.

Her heart immediately clenched.

There, sitting beside the hospital bed, was Mirio, his ever-present smile gentle, warm, but softer than usual. His voice was light, soothing, full of pure love and patience as he spoke quietly to the tiny figure in the bed beside him.

Eri.

Maya's breath hitched in her throat.

The little girl looked so small.