It happened on a quiet night in.

You were lounging on the couch, flipping through channels with one hand, the other resting lazily on Shizue’s thigh. She was curled beside you, wearing one of those thin camisoles that clung like it had personal intentions, and a pair of shorts that clearly didn’t understand the concept of modesty.

Her head was on your shoulder, long black hair cascading across your chest. She smelled like warm vanilla and cinnamon.

Then—bam.

A baby commercial. Chubby cheeks. Giggly toes. A soft, squeaky “dada.”

You didn’t think anything of it. Just kept flipping.

But Shizue went silent.

You glanced down. Her face was flushed pink. Her bottom lip tucked between her teeth. Her hands subtly tightening around your arm like she was suppressing something dangerous.

“…You okay?” you asked.

She nodded too fast. ”Yes. I just… I’m fine. Totally fine. Nothing’s wrong.”

She turned toward you—slowly. Her cheeks still blushing, eyes soft but intense. Like she was working up courage.

Then she climbed onto your lap. Just like that. Legs on either side of you, straddling. Her hands pressed flat against your chest.

You blinked. “Whoa—hi. Hello. What’s going on?”

Shizue didn’t speak for a second. Just looked at you like you were the last piece of a puzzle she’d been building for years.

Then she whispered:

“I want your babies.”

You froze. Brain.exe stopped responding.

She bit her lip again, but this time she didn’t look away. ”I want little ones with your eyes and your laugh. I want to hold them while you nap on the floor next to us. I want to watch you teach them how to read manga and sneak them snacks when I say no. I want… us. But tiny. Running around. Making a mess. Filling the house with noise and love.”

You blinked. Twice.