Chapter 291: Our Son, Our Future ( 291 )

Words : 1112 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 291: Our Son, Our Future ( 291 ) Haruki waited as time stretched on. The hallway seemed to slow. An hour, then almost two. While he moved from chair to wall to doorway, restless and anxious. Finally, the door at the end opened. A nurse stepped out, followed by another pushing a bed down the corridor. Haruki froze. It was Kyouko. She lay propped against the pillows, hair damp at the temples, her skin pale from the effort, yet she looked beautiful. Her lips curved into a faint smile when her eyes found him, calm and reassuring even in exhaustion. Hanako covered her mouth with her hand, tears bright in her eyes. Kitayama showed relief behind a stern frown, while Kenji and Hitomi rose quietly from their seats. Haruki moved automatically toward her, quick but careful, meeting the bed as the nurse guided it along. "Kyouko..." he whispered, his voice shaking. Her smile widened, soft but steady. "Haruki... don’t worry. I’m fine." Her words steadied him. They followed the nurses as they brought Kyouko into a private ward. Sunlight spilled through the window, making the room feel warm. The bed settled into place, and Kyouko shifted, sighing as she settled against the pillows. A moment later, another nurse came in, pushing a small cradle on wheels. Inside lay their baby, wrapped snugly in a white blanket. The tiny bundle stirred, a soft sound escaping. Hanako gasped softly and pressed her husband’s arm. Kitayama’s mouth loosened into a small, rare smile. Haruki stood frozen, breath-catching as the cradle was placed right beside Kyouko’s bed. Their baby. Next to the woman he loved. The sight left him trembling with a mix of happiness and awe. Kyouko smiled faintly, looking up at him from the bed. "Haruki?" "Y... yes?" His voice cracked a little, nerves fluttering in his chest. Her eyes softened, shining with quiet pride as she looked at the cradle. "Our baby... do you want to hold him?" Haruki’s breath caught. Slowly, he reached out, movements stiff and careful. Like one wrong move could break everything. His hands trembled as he slipped them beneath the tiny bundle and gently lifted the fragile baby into his arms. Kyouko let out a soft, warm laugh. Hanako smiled, tears in her eyes. Kitayama folded his arms a bit, hiding relief behind a stern look. Kenji and Hitomi shared small, quiet smiles, letting the moment unfold. Haruki gazed down at the child. The tiny face, eyes still closed, lips pursed in sleep. His own hands shook more, but he held steady, afraid the air around them might harm this new life. My son. My child. His chest squeezed tight, and tears gathered at the corners of his eyes. His lips trembled, then curved into a shaky smile. "Itsuki," Haruki whispered. Kyouko’s brows lifted, and Hanako tilted her head. Even Kitayama and the others turned their full attention to him. "Itsuki..." Haruki repeated, his voice thick with emotion, his smile still trembling. "His name." "That name suits him." Kitayama nodded firmly, his voice calm and sure. Kenji followed with a quiet nod, a softness rare for him. Hanako’s smile grew brighter, her pride shining in her eyes. Hitomi’s lips curved in a gentle, warm smile. And Kyouko... her eyes softened, joy brightening her tired face. "I’m happy," she whispered, softly but clearly, "that you chose that name... for our first child." Haruki’s throat tightened. He lowered his head and brushed his cheek against the soft bundle in his arms. His lips trembled, but his smile grew. Inside his mind, thoughts surged in waves, heavy and trembling. Finally. I have a child. My own child. With the woman I love... His gaze moved to Kyouko, resting against the pillows, her beauty unchanged even in exhaustion. Beautiful. Serene. Gentle. And now... the mother of his first child. My first child. My son. He felt a surge of pride, so fierce it almost broke him. Our son... Itsuki. A warmth unlike anything he’d felt before flowed through him. "Alright, enough of the father’s turn," Hanako said at last, her smile widening as she opened her arms. "Now it’s time for grandma." Before Haruki could react, she was already leaning forward. With practiced ease, she slipped the baby from his trembling arms, her movements smooth and confident. The grace of someone who had done this countless times before. Haruki blinked, startled. His hands hovered, and his body grew stiff as he carefully, almost fearfully, let go. "Mother—" his voice caught, nervous. Hanako chuckled softly, rocking the tiny bundle with effortless care. "Don’t worry about it... You do know your wife is also my daughter, don’t you?" She let out a soft laugh, eyes gleaming with gentle pride. The baby shifted faintly in her arms, and Hanako adjusted with ease, her smile serene, like a woman reborn into joy, holding the next branch of her family. Hanako’s eyes sparkled as she looked down at the tiny bundle. "Ahh... I still can’t believe it. Another little grandson... after Keiko gave birth to little Haruka just five months ago." Her voice carried pure excitement, almost youthful in its brightness. Kitayama glanced at her from the side, his brows knitting. "Dear," Hanako teased suddenly, turning toward him with a mischievous smile. "What do you think... if we had another child like this?" Kitayama nearly choked, coughing hard as his eyes widened. He shot her a glare, his face stern but tinged with embarrassment. "Your mother is crazy, Kenji," he muttered gruffly, his tone sharp but betraying the faintest fluster. Kenji let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Still as lively as ever, Mother." Hanako only chuckled softly, rocking the baby as if nothing in the world could disturb her joy. Haruki sank slowly into the chair beside Kyouko’s bed, the weight of the day still heavy on his chest. Gently, he reached for her hand. Delicate. Smooth. Small. Her fingers curled around his palm, and for a moment, all the noise from the ward faded. Haruki lifted his gaze, meeting her tired but radiant eyes. "Are you okay, Kyouko?" His voice was low, shaded with worry. She smiled softly and lifted her free hand to caress his cheek. "Don’t worry, Haruki. I’m fine... don’t worry too much." He leaned into her touch, but the worry in his expression didn’t fade. Kyouko let out a small sigh, her smile turning playful despite her exhaustion. "Don’t overthink it. If you do, your handsome face will turn ugly." Her gentle tease loosened the tightness in his chest, and for the first time since the morning call, Haruki laughed softly, his heart warmed by her grace. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 291: Our Son, Our Future ( 291 )

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