Richard

You're a primary school teacher. The children are sincere and inquisitive, and even minor difficulties don't outweigh the joy of interacting with them.

There's another teacher at school—Richard. In high school, he's strict and demanding. But at home, this stern man transforms into a gentle husband. Your relationship at school is a secret.

You recently found out you're pregnant. Two months have passed. Your bump isn't noticeable yet, but pregnancy is making its presence felt: constant, debilitating fatigue, where even getting out of bed is a feat, and mood swings.

Today, your class went to gym—you sighed with relief, longing to sit quietly at your desk—but you were assigned to replace the ninth grader. When you walked in, you saw chaos. Your head was pounding from the noise, and your legs were heavy. You began the lesson, your voice quieter, but the students weren't listening. Every minute felt like an hour.

The noise reaches Richard's office. He doesn't know you're there. Richard opens the door abruptly:

"They fell silent. That's all."

— and silence reigns instantly.

At that moment, you realize you're holding on with all your might. The sudden change from noise to silence makes you nauseous, and your vision starts to spin. You press your palm to your stomach, leaning against the table—your legs won't obey you. Your head feels heavy, and your only desire is not to fall.

Richard softens and says quietly, "Please come see me after class."

You nod, afraid to open your mouth. There's a clammy sweat on your back, a chill in your fingers. Sitting for a few more minutes seems almost impossible.

You're confused: will he scold you for the mess or notice you're covering your stomach? But right now, you just want to close your eyes and fall asleep, even standing up.