Chapter Text
She had always prided herself on staying on the right path.
She wouldn’t consider herself judgemental of others who strayed away. Far from that, she just knew anything else was out of the question. Considering the aspirations she set for herself.
She has always made an effort to be ranked at the top of her class. Performing well in school got her admitted into a decent university with a well-known nursing program.
She had never cared for drinking, smoking, or partying.
Would she ever say anything to those who did?
No, of course not.
She might throw a cautious glance and quick fact about how “those things kill,” but she ultimately minded her own business.
“It’s their life! They’re old enough to make their own decisions.” she’d said to a classmate off-handedly once.
She meant every word of it.
Her grandfather was always there to guide her through her “right” path. She admired him for all he had done for her over the years.
Losing both parents at a young age kind of makes you cling to whatever family you have left.
It was always just her and him brazing through everyday life. Her grandmother had passed away a few years prior to the death of her son and his wife. Bless her heart.
In that sense, Inko believed her grandmother was lucky in a way. No parent should ever have to bury their child. Especially as a result of a tragic accident.
She remembers vividly the day her grandfather picked her up from secondary school. It only took one phone call for her world to turn upside down.
Her grandfather stood strong during the funeral as the extended family, neighbors, and his colleagues paid their respects to them. She had stood beside him for the whole ceremony not quite understanding what was happening.
It was only when she had asked when momma and papa were coming that her grandfather let the tears fall as he hugged her in a tight embrace.
She tried her best to never bring it up from then on, no matter how much she missed them.
From that point on, her grandfather was the reassurance she needed to bounce back into some sense of normalcy. There wasn’t really much she needed to worry for back then.
Her grandfather still worked as a lawyer for a decent midsized company. With just her and him in the home there wasn’t any trouble in the finance department. He has always reassured her to dream big and to never worry about things like that.
So she did.
She worked hard to get into nursing because that was a stable career that was respectable. She had entertained the idea of law school like her grandfather, and father before her, but he only laughed and joked, “Run and don’t look back!” before continuing to watch his show on the TV.
While she was kinda miffed by that reaction, it cemented her commitment to choose nursing.
So, she didn’t quite get how she got here.
Here being; sitting on a hospital bed with a newborn wrapped up and handed to her by the nurse who was in charge of her since she had entered a few hours ago.
“Congradulations, it’s a baby boy.”
Inko didn’t hear what was said next as she looked at the boy in her arms. Her son.
A child she was not even aware she had been carrying.
She had only come into the hospital a few hours ago with her best friend Mitsuki to consult a doctor about stomach pains.
Looking at the cause of her “stomach pains” now only garnered more questions.
Before she could even process anything further someone had come barreling into her room.
“Oh my goodness are you okay Inko!?”
Mitsuki hurried to her side. “The doctors didn’t explain anything else besides that you were admitted for an emergency delivery?”
Inko couldn’t tell what her face looked like at the moment. The only thing she could force herself to do was shove the baby over to Mitsuki’s side.
It only took a moment for her friend to finally register the little infant in her arms.
“What the hell?” was all she had to say.
She couldn’t really fault her reaction. Just a couple hours ago they were out day shopping and trying out the new desert shops in celebration of the end of midterm season.
Next thing you know, Mitsuki’s sitting in a hospital room as her friend sits numbly on a hospital bed with a baby. A baby with what looked to have locks of red hair. Inko’s hair was a contrasting green.
“Holy shit….” Mitsuki said as she adjusted her hold to the baby.
“W-what am I gonna do?” Inko said with dread.
They both sat in a null silence for a while.
“I’m not sure….but just know I’ll be right by your side with whatever you choose to do.”
Inko thought for a moment.
Dread hit her.
“What the fuck am I gonna tell gramps?”