?


    As Kaguya and Rudy exchanged banter about their hospital visits, Kaguya''s curiosity naturally shifted to Maria. She nced at Maria, then turned her attention back to Rudy. "So, who''s the lovelydy?" she asked with a yful grin.


    Rudy''s gaze shifted to Maria, a fond smile forming on his lips. "This lovelydy is Maria. My wife."


    Kaguya''s eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Your wife? Really?"


    Rudy nodded, his expression beaming with pride. "Yes, really. We''re here for a pregnancy checkup."


    Kaguya''s eyebrows shot up, clearly taken aback by the revtion. She looked at Maria for a few moments, assessing her carefully. Then, without saying a word, she grabbed Rudy by the arm and yfully tugged him out of the room, leading him to a corner of the hallway.


    "Hey, what''s the rush?" Rudy protested,ughing.


    Kaguya shot him a mischievous look. "Hold on a sec."


    Once they were in a more private corner, Kaguya turned to Rudy with an intrigued expression. "Okay, spill the details. She''s your wife and you''re here for a pregnancy checkup? Are you old enough to be a dad?"


    Rudy chuckled, slightly amused by her curiosity. "Yes, Kaguya. I''m old enough, don''t worry about that."


    "Wait a second," Kaguya said, her voice a hushed whisper. "Is she... old enough to have a child?"


    Rudy chuckled at Kaguya''s concern. "Yes, she''s definitely an adult. Don''t worry."


    Kaguya shot him a yful, yet skeptical, look. "You have a tendency to get yourself into the most interesting situations."


    Rudy grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, what can I say? Life is never boring."


    Kaguya''s lips twitched with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. "Well, I have to ask. Don''t want to be responsible for causing a scandal here."


    Rudyughed softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "No scandals, I promise. We''re here for a legitimate reason."


    Kaguya gave him a yful yet pointed look. "Just making sure, Rudy. I wouldn''t want your reputation as a frequent visitor to get tarnished."


    Rudy leaned in conspiratorially, his tone mock-serious. "I''m a man of many talents, Kaguya. Smooth talking is just one of them."


    Kaguya crossed her arms, giving him a skeptical look. "You''re sure about this? I mean, you seem like the eternal yboy type."


    Rudy leaned against the wall, a yful glint in his eyes. "Well, even yboys grow up eventually."


    Kaguya let out a softugh. "That''s one way to put it. But seriously, Rudy, take care of her. Pregnancy is a serious matter."


    Rudy''s expression softened. "I will, Kaguya. You can count on that."


    Kaguya nodded, satisfied with his response. "Good. Now, go back in there and take care of your wife."


    Rudy gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma''am!"


    As they returned to the room, Maria looked at them curiously. "What was that all about?"


    Kaguya just smiled mysteriously. "Oh, just making sure Rudy''s behaving himself."


    Rudy rolled his eyes yfully. "Always keeping me in check, Kaguya."


    Kaguya winked at him. "Someone has to."


    As the light-hearted conversation between Rudy and Kaguya continued, Kaguya''s expression turned more serious as she said, "Well, I guess it''s time to take Maria to the 20th floor for the proper checkup. You cane with us if you want, or you can wait here."


    Rudy hesitated for a moment, looking between Kaguya and Maria. He then smiled at Kaguya and said, "Actually, Kaguya, I think I''ll need you for something else."


    Both Maria and Kaguya looked at him with curiosity. "What is it?" Kaguya asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Rudy''s smile turned a bit mischievous. "I realized there''s something I need to discuss with you, Kaguya. Something important."


    Kaguya crossed her arms, giving him a bemused look. "Really? Important enough to interrupt a pregnancy checkup?"


    Rudy shrugged yfully. "Well, you know me, I always have a knack for timing."


    Maria chimed in, a smile tugging at her lips. "Rudy''s timing has always been... unique."


    Kaguya chuckled. "Alright, fine. What is it that''s so important?"


    Rudy leaned in a bit closer, his voice low and conspiratorial. "It''s a secret. But don''t worry, it won''t take too long."


    Kaguya''s curiosity was clearly piqued. "Alright, then. Let''s hear this important secret."


    Just as Kaguya was about to prod Rudy for more details, she turned her head as a female staff member approached them. "Excuse me, Nurse Kaguya, we''re ready to take Mrs. Maria to the 20th floor for her checkup."


    Kaguya nodded, then looked at Rudy and Maria. "Well, it seems it''s time. Maria, you can go with her, and Rudy and I will catch upter."


    Rudy''s expression shifted slightly, and he exchanged a nce with Maria. "Actually, you know what? I think I''lle with you guys to the 20th floor."


    Both Maria and Kaguya looked surprised by his change of heart. "Really?" Maria asked.


    Rudy nodded. "Yeah, why not? I don''t want to miss out on anything important."


    Kaguya chuckled. "Well, then it''s settled. Let''s head to the 20th floor."


    As they entered the bustling 20th floor, the atmosphere was different from the lower floors, filled with the anticipation of mothers-to-be and the hushed conversations of doctors and nurses. Maria was led away by a nurse into an examination room, leaving Rudy and Kaguya standing together.


    Rudy watched as Maria disappeared into the room, a mixture of excitement and nerves visible in his expression. He then turned to Kaguya, who was standing beside him. They leaned against the wall, watching the activity around them while waiting for Maria''s checkup to conclude.


    Before he could say anything, Kaguya turned to him with a thoughtful look.


    "Rudy, can I ask you something?" Kaguya''s voice was gentle, tinged with genuine concern.


    Rudy nodded, his gaze fixed on her. "Of course, Kaguya. What''s on your mind?"


    "You still have time to think about it carefully. It''s not something you can do alone, you know? The consequences of this can not be undone once you have made the decision. There is still time if you are not sure or have second thoughts about it."


    Although Kaguya didn''t mention what she was talking about, Rudy knew what she was referring to.


    "I have asked you before and I will ask you again." Kaguya''s eyes held a mix of curiosity and seriousness. "Are you truly ready to be a father at such a young age?"