Miss Sunohara WG/preg - 01

Take Care of Miss Caretaker!

Part 1: Spring

Ayaka Sunohara woke up to a warm ray of morning sun filtering through her room at Sunohara Inn. She stretched gently, aware of a new heaviness in her middle. Three babies… The reality still amazed her. Only a few months along, and already her body was changing rapidly to accommodate the triplets. As she sat up, she noticed her once-trim waist now sported a small but undeniable bulge. Her hands instinctively caressed the growing belly, feeling its slight firmness. A mix of excitement and nervousness fluttered in her chest. She swung her legs over the side of the futon and heaved herself up carefully, already needing a hand on the low table to balance. Ayaka couldn’t help a soft smile – she felt a tad embarrassed by how even a simple motion required effort now, but also a tender pride knowing why.

Dressing for the day proved to be an unexpected adventure. Ayaka pulled her familiar white turtleneck sweater over her head. The soft knit, which once draped loosely over her voluptuous figure, now clung around her midsection. She tugged it down, stretching the fabric over her little baby bump. The sweater hugged the curve of her swelling breasts as well, which had grown heavier and fuller in recent weeks. Ayaka bit her lip as she felt the material strain; even the usually loose sleeves felt snug around her softening upper arms. Maybe I should invest in maternity clothes soon, she mused, cheeks warm with self-consciousness. For now, she added her pink apron over the sweater, hoping it would hide the tightness.

In the kitchen, Ayaka moved about preparing breakfast for the inn’s residents. Cooking had always been her joy, and pregnancy had only heightened her insatiable appetite. As she fried eggs and grilled fish, the delicious aromas set her stomach growling louder than ever. Cravings struck at all hours now – this morning it was for sweet bean jam pancakes and pickled radish, an odd combination that made her giggle at herself. Unable to resist, Ayaka fixed a small plate of pancakes for “taste-testing.” One bite turned to several, and by the time she was done cooking, she had eaten two pancakes and a serving of pickles on the side. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips as the warm food filled her belly, quelling the constant hunger of carrying triplets. She rubbed her tummy in slow circles. 

“You liked that, huh?” she whispered affectionately to her unborn babies, imagining them happy and full.

At the breakfast table, the other residents gathered. Aki, the only boy in the inn, shyly thanked Ayaka for the meal. Yuzu, the petite student council president, adjusted her glasses and began to eat, while Sumire and Yuri chatted cheerfully. Ayaka served everyone generously, and she herself sat down with a heaping plate of food. Normally, as caretaker, she might eat modestly after everyone was served, but lately her cravings were too strong to ignore. As they all ate, Ayaka found herself finishing her portion quickly and then nibbling on leftovers the others insisted they couldn’t finish.

Yuri smirked playfully as she watched Ayaka polish off a third helping of rice. 

“My, Kanrinin-san, your appetite sure has grown! Should we start cooking for four people instead of one when we cook for you?” she teased, winking.

 Ayaka felt her cheeks flush. She dabbed her mouth with a napkin, embarrassed yet amused. 

“Ahaha… I’m so sorry, I just feel so hungry lately,” Ayaka apologized softly. 

Her free hand rested on her midsection under the table. Yuzu’s eyes widened in realization and she nearly choked on her tea. Despite her assertive personality, Yuzu was easily flustered by personal matters. 

“A-Ayaka-san! You don’t need to apologize,” Yuzu stammered, trying not to stare obviously at Ayaka’s tummy. “You’re eating for, um… f-four, after all.” 

The table fell quiet for a moment, and Ayaka’s face went pink as everyone acknowledged her condition.

Sumire’s lips curled into a gentle smile. The tall girl’s eyes sparkled as she regarded Ayaka. 

“You look radiant, Ayaka-san,” she said kindly. “It’s natural that you’d be eating more. We want the babies and you to be healthy.” 

Ayaka met her gaze and returned a grateful smile. She felt a flutter of happiness – and not just from the babies moving. The support from the inn’s residents meant a lot to her. Despite her initial embarrassment at how much she was growing and eating, their acceptance made her feel warm and cared for.

After breakfast, Ayaka attempted to carry the stack of plates to the kitchen sink as usual. She had always been industrious, gliding through chores effortlessly. But today she noticed how off-balance she felt. The subtle weight of her belly pulled her center of gravity forward. As she pivoted toward the kitchen, her hips bumped the edge of the table, rattling the dishes. 

“Eeek—!” Ayaka gasped, steadying the plates just in time. Her widened hips had misjudged the clearance. Blushing, she adjusted sideways to move past the table, acutely aware of how much space she was starting to occupy. Aki jumped up from his seat. 

“Kanrinin-san, let me help you with those!” he offered, concerned. 

He reached out and relieved her of the plates. Ayaka gave a hesitant nod of thanks, one hand unconsciously on her lower back. When did carrying a few dishes become so cumbersome? she wondered.

While Aki washed up, Ayaka wiped down the table. Even this simple task left her a bit winded. She found herself waddling around the table, her steps naturally wider now. The motion was new and strange: her thighs had grown thicker and softer, brushing together as she walked, and she had to accommodate the little bump protruding in front. Once the table was clean, she moved to straighten a floor cushion. Bending over proved awkward – her chest and belly pressed against her thighs, impeding her reach. Ayaka had to spread her stance and squat slowly instead, which made her feel undeniably heavy and ungainly. Oof, she exhaled as she managed to grab the cushion. Getting back up was even trickier; she rocked a bit to gain momentum, feeling her full breasts sway heavily with the motion. Just as she tensed to stand, a loud rip filled the air.

Ayaka froze. She immediately felt cool air on the side of her hip where there shouldn’t be. Her heart skipped – something tore! Yuzu and Sumire turned toward the sound. With a mortified squeak, Ayaka clapped a hand over the side of her skirt. The seam along her right hip had split open, unable to handle her widening curves as she squatted. 

“Oh no…” she murmured, face burning. 

It was one of her favorite skirts – the dark pink one that matched her apron – now suffering a popped seam thanks to her new roundness.

Sumire was at her side in an instant, concern on her face. 

“Are you alright?” she asked softly. 

Ayaka nodded quickly, avoiding eye contact out of embarrassment. 

“I-I’m fine. Just my skirt…” Yuzu hopped down from her chair, a bit flustered but trying to help. 

“We can sew that up!” Yuzu declared, though sewing wasn’t really her forte. Ayaka managed a sheepish smile. 

“Thank you, Yuzu-chan. I might need to start wearing something a little stretchier.” 

She gave a small, self-conscious laugh, trying to make light of it. Inside, she felt conflicted – embarrassed that her clothes were failing her, but also a tender acceptance beginning to bloom. This was happening because her body was nurturing three lives. Perhaps it was nothing to be ashamed of after all, just a sign of how well her babies were growing.

Aki politely averted his eyes the whole time, his face red as a tomato. 

“I-I’ll go get the sewing kit!” he mumbled and scurried off, leaving Ayaka both amused and touched. 

She knew he was just trying to be respectful, but the situation’s comedy wasn’t lost on her. Ayaka gingerly lowered herself into a chair, mindful of the torn fabric, and Yuzu draped a shawl around her waist for modesty. As they waited for the sewing kit, Sumire knelt beside Ayaka and gently placed a hand on the caretaker’s small but growing belly. 

“Feeling okay? Not hurt?” Sumire asked. Her hand was warm and gentle. 

Ayaka’s initial instinct was to feel shy about someone touching her new bump, but Sumire’s genuine care made her relax. 

“I’m alright,” Ayaka replied softly. 

She found herself placing her own hand over Sumire’s, right on top of the gentle curve of her stomach. 

“They’re quite active this morning. Maybe it’s all the breakfast we had.”

Sumire’s eyes lit up. 

“They must be happy. You’re doing such a good job taking care of them.” 

Ayaka felt an unexpected prick of tears at the kind words. Blinking them away, she nodded. 

“Thank you… I want to do my best, even if it’s a bit hard sometimes.” 

She glanced down at her lap. Her belly wasn’t very large yet, but it was definitely there, pressing softly against the waistband of her skirt where it sat. In the past weeks she had also noticed her face getting fuller, with a slight roundness to her cheeks she didn’t have before. It made her look more youthful, or so Nana (her cheeky younger sister) had teased on a recent visit, calling her “chubby-cheeked Onee-chan.” Ayaka blushed remembering that. At first, those comments and the sudden tightness of her clothes had upset her in private moments. She would cradle her belly and worry she was becoming unattractive or too clumsy to care for everyone. But the inn’s residents never made her feel that way – if anything, they seemed excited and supportive.

Aki returned with the sewing kit and, with surprisingly deft hands (learned from helping Ayaka before), he set about stitching the skirt seam. Ayaka remained seated, very still to make it easier. She chuckled softly as the boy concentrated, tongue sticking out a bit in focus. Yuzu hovered, offering guidance despite not really knowing how to sew. Yuri watched from the sofa with an amused grin, occasionally tossing in a good-natured joke like, “Don’t take it in too much, Aki-kun, or Ayaka will pop it again by tomorrow!” Each tease made Ayaka giggle and simultaneously flush with bashfulness, but she appreciated that they treated her situation with humor rather than disgust.

By late morning, with the skirt temporarily mended and chores mostly done (thanks to the others pitching in), Ayaka finally took a moment for herself. She settled onto the sofa with a soft grunt, cupping her modest bump with both hands. It was becoming a comforting habit – feeling the gentle swell and knowing her children were safe inside. She let out a long breath, feeling the tension of the earlier embarrassment melt away. In its place was a growing resolve. Yes, her body was changing in dramatic ways: thicker in the hips, bust stretching heavier, appetite roaring. It was harder to move gracefully, and clothes would need replacing. But these changes were part of the journey of motherhood she was now on. Ayaka realized she would have to embrace it, challenges and all. A small smile graced her lips as one of the babies fluttered within her. There was wonder in every new change.

That afternoon, Ayaka took the students’ laundry out to hang in the courtyard. The sun was bright and the summer air just beginning to warm. Carrying the laundry basket pressed into the underside of her belly, Ayaka walked at a slow, steady waddle across the yard. Each step, she could feel a slight jiggle in her hips and bottom that hadn’t been there a month ago. It was oddly comforting, the extra softness acting like a cushion with every movement. Still, by the time she reached the clothesline, she was breathing a bit harder. She set down the basket with a little “oof.” Perspiration beaded on her forehead. Goodness, I tire so easily now… she thought, wiping her brow. Determined, she began pinning up shirts and skirts. Reaching up high caused her sweater to ride up over her midriff slightly, and a sliver of pale belly peeked out above her waistband. She felt the warm breeze on that narrow strip of skin and glanced around quickly, hoping none of the neighbors saw. Ayaka giggled to herself – how things have changed that even a gust on her midriff felt strange!

As she hung the last piece, Ayaka paused to catch her breath, both hands pressed into the small of her back. The stretch relieved some of the ache there. Her breasts, now heavier than ever, stuck out proudly above her belly, and even the supportive bra she wore was starting to feel tight by late day. She made a mental note to buy a new one in a larger size soon, maybe one of those maternity bras that her friend Yatsuho had recommended. A drop of sweat trickled down her neck and disappeared into her ample cleavage, reminding Ayaka that this physical labor under the sun was a lot for her now. As if on cue, Yuzu popped her head out from the doorway, looking concerned. 

“Ayaka-san, are you okay? You’ve been out here a while.”

Ayaka smiled brightly and waved, not wanting anyone to worry. 

“I’m alright! Just finished hanging the clothes.” 

She started to bend to pick up the empty basket, but Yuzu rushed over and grabbed it. The tiny girl nearly toppled from the weight of the basket even empty, but she steadied herself. 

“Please, let me carry this inside. You should rest, it’s so hot out.” Yuzu’s voice was firm, almost scolding, but Ayaka saw the genuine care in her eyes. It warmed her heart. 

“Thank you, Yuzu-chan,” Ayaka relented softly. 

She knew better now than to argue too much – her limits were changing, and she had to accept help sometimes.

As they walked slowly back, Ayaka reflected on the morning’s events. In just a few short months, she had gone from a busy, sprightly caretaker to a much rounder, slower version of herself. She was softer everywhere – from her slightly puffier cheeks down to her now-snug shoes (her feet seemed to be swelling a bit too!). She felt self-conscious at times, yes, especially when seams ripped or when she caught a glimpse of her side profile in the mirror and barely recognized the plump, curvy silhouette as herself. But alongside that, she also felt a budding excitement. Each change meant her babies were growing. Each little inconvenience or silly mishap was a step on the journey she’d long secretly hoped for – becoming a mother.

That night, Ayaka settled into bed with her stomach full and content. Dinner had been a jovial affair: the residents insisted she have the extra portions, and they even presented her with a surprise dessert – sweet bean jelly, which she had casually mentioned craving the other day. She ate with gusto, patting her belly happily afterward as everyone laughed. It felt cozy and joyful, like a family. Laying on her side now (she already couldn’t lie on her front at all), Ayaka cradled her tummy and reflected on the day. Her earlier embarrassment had faded into acceptance that yes, she was changing dramatically, and that’s okay. 

In the dim light, she whispered to herself, “I’m going to get much bigger, aren’t I…?” 

There was a quiver in her voice – a mix of wonder and a hint of trepidation. The babies answered with a gentle kick. Ayaka smiled, heart swelling with love to match her growing body. 

“We’ll do this together,” she murmured, closing her eyes. 

Surrounded by the warmth of the inn and the support of her dear residents, Ayaka drifted to sleep, dreaming of what the coming months would bring.