Kaede's health

Hana sat in the waiting room of the clinic, her fingers nervously tapping on the armrest of her chair. She glanced at the door every few seconds, her mind racing with a mix of hope and fear. It was Kaede's monthly checkup, a routine she had grown all too familiar with, yet it never got any easier. But today, unlike in the past, she wasn't sitting alone.

Ryo sat beside her, his usual calm demeanor giving her a sense of quiet reassurance. He noticed her fidgeting and spoke softly. "She's strong, Hana. Kaede will be okay."

Hana gave him a small, appreciative smile but said nothing. Her eyes darted back to the door, where Kaede was inside with the doctor. Ryo sat back in his chair, glancing around the clinic before his thoughts drifted to Kaede's condition.

A congenital heart defect, Ryo thought to himself. A condition where the heart doesn't develop properly before birth. In Kaede's case, it's more complicated than most. Her heart has to work harder, making her easily tired and prone to complications.

He clenched his fists slightly. Kaede is just a sweet girl. She doesn't deserve this. He truly felt bad for her and Hana, as they have been beaten up by a deadbeat husband and now this disease.

Hana's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Ryo…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've been... the best thing to happen to us in a long time. I don't know what we would have done without you. Kaede usually do not like to visit clinic, but today she looked like she was going on a trip coming here."

Ryo looked at her, surprised by her sudden words. He opened his mouth to respond, but Hana quickly looked away, biting her lip. Her thoughts drifted to something darker—Kurosaki's visit. She wondered whether she should tell Ryo about the encounter, about the way the Kurosaki family had come to her house, pressuring her to sell her land.

But she hesitated. Ryo already had so much on his plate with his own troubles. He doesn't need this burden too, she thought. I'll handle it.

The distance between their relationship had thinned so much that, Hana started to consider Ryo a close friend, not just because of how kind he was to them, but she truly liked his character.

Just as Hana was lost in thought, the door to the clinic opened, and the doctor stepped out. The look on her face immediately made Hana's heart sink.

"Hana," the doctor said, her voice serious, "is this man with you?"

Hana quickly nodded, glancing nervously at Ryo. "Yes, this is Ryo. He's… he's a close friend of Kaede. He's been helping us."

The doctor eyed Ryo for a moment, then nodded. "I see. Well, Hana, we need to admit Kaede for surgery soon. Her condition is worsening, and she shouldn't be working at the shop. Rest is crucial right now."

Hana's face paled. "Surgery? But… we can't afford that right now. The shop…" She trailed off, her voice shaky. "Kaede..."

The doctor sighed. "I understand the financial strain, but this is her health. It's non-negotiable. Please consider it seriously."

With that, the doctor gave a brief nod and walked back inside, leaving Hana standing there, frozen with shock. Ryo watched her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at the door.

Without missing a beat, he turned to Hana. "I'll help pay for the operation."

Hana spun around, eyes wide in shock. "Ryo, no, I can't—"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she shook her head. "I'll manage somehow. You've done so much already. I can't… I can't take money from you."

Before she could say more, Ryo pulled her into a gentle hug. Hana's breath hitched as she felt her emotions crash over her like a wave. She buried her face in his chest, unable to hold back her tears. She was tired of everything. She was tried of putting up a strong face in front of Kaede taking all the burden onto her shoulder.

The relief she felt when she was given another shoulder to rely on was not something she took lightly. If she wasn't married, Hana might have fallen in love with Ryo just because of that. The comfort she found in this man, she truly adored that.

"I'll figure something out," she sobbed quietly. "I have to."

Ryo didn't say anything at first. He simply let her cry, holding her as the weight of her world crumbled in her arms. Deep down, he wanted to do more—to help her more—but he knew Hana was proud. She wasn't the type to take charity, even if it meant sacrificing everything for Kaede.

After leaving the clinic with Kaede, Ryo decided not to take them straight home. He knew they all needed a break from the heavy emotions of the day. They drove out of the city, far from the chaotic streets of Tokyo, to a quieter town where they could escape, if only for a little while.

Ryo also had to be careful that nobody identified him because he knew he would end up in the paparazzi magainze if that happened with Kaede and Hana.

Kaede, despite her condition, smiled brightly as they walked through the streets. They stopped at various shops, with Ryo indulging her every request. They ate at a cozy little restaurant where Kaede's eyes lit up at the sight of her favorite dishes.

They played games, which Kaede had never experienced in her life. She was truly having a time of her life.

"Look, Mama! It's my favorite soba!" Kaede giggled as she slurped the noodles. Ryo watched her with a soft smile, and Hana couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in her heart. For the first time in a long while, Kaede looked like a normal, happy child.

Later, while Ryo and Kaede played in a nearby park, Hana stood back, watching them. Her eyes lingered on Ryo, taking in the way he treated Kaede, the way he smiled so genuinely at her. If I had met him earlier, she thought, her heart squeezing painfully in her chest, maybe my life would have been different. Maybe... he would have made everything beautiful.

The thought made her heart race, and she quickly shook her head, scolding herself. No, she told herself firmly. If I had met him sooner, Kaede wouldn't be here.

But the feeling lingered, no matter how much she tried to push it away. A tiny seed of something more than admiration had been planted in her heart, and she hated herself for it.

As the sun began to set, Ryo drove them back to their small home. Kaede, exhausted from the day's adventures, yawned and waved goodbye to Ryo as she went inside.

Hana turned to leave as well, but Ryo gently grabbed her hand, stopping her. She looked up at him, confused.

"Wait," he said softly.

Hana blinked, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. She stared into Ryo's eyes, seeing something in them she hadn't seen before. Before she could question it, Ryo spoke again.

"I like you, Hana," he said, his voice calm and sincere. "Don't misunderstand me. I didn't help you because of that. I helped because I wanted to see my own skill and I truly found value in your cooking. But... I can't keep pretending I don't have feelings for you."

Hana's eyes widened in shock. She hadn't expected this—she hadn't seen it coming at all.

Ryo continued, his gaze unwavering. "You're the most hardworking, resilient woman I've ever met. The way you take care of Kaede... the way you never give up. I admire you, Hana. And somewhere along the way... I fell for you."

Hana's lips parted, but no words came out at first. Her mind raced, trying to process what he had just said. Slowly, she smiled, but it was a sad, bittersweet smile. She gently pulled her hand away from his, taking a step back.

"I'm... married, Ryo," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly. "I think you're an amazing man, truly. But... I can't return those feelings."

Ryo clenched his jaw, clearly wanting to say something more. He thought about her deadbeat husband—the man who didn't deserve her—but he stopped himself. Instead, he smiled, bowing his head slightly.

"I understand," he said, his voice calm and composed. "I'll respect your decision."

As Hana turned and walked back toward her house, Ryo stood there, watching her retreating figure. He was fazed, but there was also admiration. Hana was the most loyal woman he had ever known, even when she was bound to a man who didn't deserve her.

A husband that is truly a pile of grabage.

That loyalty, Ryo thought to himself, only makes me want her more.

"I will have you, Hana. I will make you fall for me. I want all that loyalty and love you have for myself,"

But as the door closed behind her, he sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. He would give her space. For now.