Accidentally become a father-Chapter 75: An Inconclusive Conclusion
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And for the third time—
it wasn’t entirely true.
The room fell silent again.
No one moved for a few seconds.
Yuna sat on the futon.
I stood near the door.
The teacher... was silent.
Completely silent.
---
Her eyes shifted slowly.
From Yuna—
to the blanket—
to the floor—
to me.
On repeat.
Like she was trying to find a pattern.
There was none.
She took a breath.
Slow.
Measured.
Then gave a small nod.
Once.
As if finally deciding on something.
"...Very well."
Her tone returned to being professional.
Stable.
Too stable.
"For now, I don’t see any issues with Yuna’s condition."
"...She can return to school tomorrow."
She paused.
Looked at me again.
Longer than necessary.
"...Assuming her condition stays like this."
Silence.
She didn’t move.
As if waiting for something.
An additional response.
An explanation.
Anything at all.
Nothing.
I had none.
She blinked once.
Then looked away.
"...Alright."
The word slipped out again.
Quieter.
Less certain.
She packed her bag.
Neat movements.
Precise.
But slightly faster than before.
Not entirely calm.
"...Then, I will take my leave."
I nodded.
Didn’t move.
She turned around.
Walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
Her hand already on the knob.
But she didn’t open it.
For a few seconds.
Silence.
---
Then—
without turning back—
"...Have you really not slept?"
The question came out again.
Quieter.
Less formal than before.
I thought for a second.
Didn’t need long.
"No."
Silence.
She still didn’t move.
Her hand on the doorknob.
Tightening slightly.
"...And you don’t think that’s a problem?"
"No."
A direct answer.
No pause.
No hesitation.
She finally turned around.
Slowly.
Her gaze now... was different.
Not sharp.
Not judging.
More like... disbelief.
"...You know,"
She paused.
For a fraction of a second.
Choosing her words.
"...usually, the one I worry about in cases like this is the child."
I didn’t answer.
She continued.
"...but this is the first time I’ve felt—"
She paused again.
Longer this time.
Her brow furrowed slightly.
As if unsure whether she should say this or not.
"...that the parent is the more concerning one."
Silence.
Yuna moved slightly behind me.
The soft rustle of the blanket shifting.
I didn’t turn my head.
There was no need.
---
I looked at the teacher.
There was nothing to correct.
"No."
A simple answer.
She blinked.
"...No?"
"It’s not a problem."
Silence.
Longer than before.
She stared at me.
For a few seconds.
Then—
very quietly—
she let out a sigh.
Unrestrained this time.
It just slipped out.
"...I have no idea what to write in my report."
The sentence came out half-mumbled, like she was talking to herself.
Not meant for me.
Not meant for anyone.
---
Yuna lifted her head slightly from the futon.
"...Sensei?"
The teacher changed instantly.
A reflex.
The smile returned.
Quick.
Professional.
"It’s nothing."
A soft tone.
Warm.
Just like before.
"Sensei was just thinking."
Yuna gave a small nod.
She looked toward me again.
Briefly.
Then back to the teacher.
The teacher noticed it.
That small movement.
It didn’t go unseen.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Not in suspicion.
More like... making a note.
---
Then finally—
she opened the door.
The outside air rushed in.
Colder.
"...Take care of your health, Yuna."
"Yes, Sensei."
"...And..."
She stopped.
Looked toward me.
One more time.
For the last time.
"...You too."
I didn’t answer.
There was no need.
She waited a second.
No response.
Then gave a small nod.
Like she was giving up.
And stepped out.
The door closed.
Click.
Silent again.
No sound for a few seconds.
Then—
"...Papa."
"Hm."
"...Sensei was acting weird..."
I looked toward the door for a moment.
Then back.
"Who knows."
Yuna fell silent.
For a few seconds.
"...Papa is too..."
I didn’t answer.
There was nothing to answer.
She pulled her blanket up slightly.
Adjusting her position.
Closer to the edge of the futon.
Closer to me.
A small movement.
Unintentional.
I checked the clock.
10:32.
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