During the lunch break, we all sat together in the cafeteria. My arm rested protectively around Ai, her head gently leaning on my shoulder, her right hand resting on her belly. There was an air of quiet excitement around us, though I could feel my heart beating faster than usual, as if the weight of the announcement we were about to make had taken physical form. The hum of voices and the clatter of utensils filled the air, but to me, it felt like we were in our own little bubble, separate from the noise and chaos around us.
"So, ah…" I began hesitantly, unsure how to put the news into words. The words sat heavy on my tongue, waiting for the right moment to leap out.
