Chapter 160 - Happiness is in Slumber (1/2)

I’m having a dream.

It’s a familiar dream.

When you see it every day like this, it’s easy to realize that it’s a dream, but I still keep seeing this memory over and over again.

Those were the happy days.

A dream of those days that I can no longer get back.

Of course, I had some frustration and anxiety, but I was still filled with a sense of happiness that seemed to overflow from my body every day.

I had someone to love, and my children to love.

They were within my reach if I wanted them to be.

The older one was a good, honest child who was willful and mischievous, but very considerate.

The younger one was lonely and spoiled, but very smart and good.

That person was dependable, clumsy, and very loving.

My precious, precious family members were always there for me.

If only I could be immersed in these happy, nostalgic, and lonely memories, I could sleep forever.

But even that is not possible for me.

It always starts with that night.

Between the crumbling buildings.

In the corner of a desolate park, the man from my youth looks down at me, holding the ‘old’ me.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah. Thank you…”

There’s the younger, more human version of me, staring at his face with admiration.

That was our first encounter.

It was on that night that we met that I grabbed the tail of happiness. I’ll never forget it.

Eventually, the scene changes, and there’s a bloody man holding my shoulder.

“Tell me to help you! I’ll do anything for you!”

My beloved riddled in wounds, who protected me.

“Hic… h-help… help me!”

With tears streaming down my face, I was protected by his chest.

That night, I became aware of this feeling, and it became a definite thing.

My prince, who not only scooped me up from my deepest despair, but also led me to the light.

No matter how many years pass, this feeling will never fade away. In fact, the more time passes, the stronger and heavier it becomes.

Kouhei-kun… Kouhei-kun, Kouhei-kun!

Kouhei-kun!

With a cry that will never be heard, the ‘current’ me, who is not supposed to be there, reaches out to you.

My fingertips turned mercilessly to haze, and the memories of us faded into the distance.

Ah, I still can’t reach you.

I don’t even know how many times I’ve done the same thing, but I keep asking for that person.

Even if it’s a false image of a memory drawn in my unconscious, if Kouhei-kun is right in front of me, I’m sure I’ll continue to seek him.

I want to see him.

I want to see you and touch you… Kouhei-kun.

Eventually, the scene changed, and I found myself in a room with a bright white light.

This is a delivery room.

The only people there were me, Kouhei-kun holding my hand tightly, the nurses, and the doctor.

I was covered in sweat, tears, and snot, screaming in anguish, while a pale Kouhei-kun kept encouraging me.

Eventually, my voice echoed loudly in the room, and Kouhei-kun, hearing it, looked at the doctor with more blood lust.

You’re a worrier, you’re being unreasonable.

Eventually, we heard the voice we had been waiting for.

“Fuya! Nyaaaaaaahhhh!”

With an energetic cry, my treasure was born into the world.

He looked like a bright red monkey, but he was a very cute little boy.

I cried as he squeezed my hand, opened his mouth wide, and tried his best to call out for me.

When the doctor handed my son to Kouhei, he hurriedly and sacredly held him to his chest and cried without fear of being seen.

I try to keep my consciousness together and watch the scene closely, trying to catch my breath.

“Ah… it’s our baby. It’s yours and mine. I can’t believe it. Oh, damn. It’s so cute…”

“Haa… haa… you’re crying too much!”

I was also very emotional, but I think I was defeated by Kouhei-kun.

“Look, it’s your mother.”

“Fuyaaaah!”

Kouhei-san then gently placed the child in my hands.

I put my arms around its small back and felt his weight on my chest.

I lightly kissed his head, which was trembling and crying, and gently placed my cheek on him.

“It’s mom, you know?”

“Hyaaaaah!”

The sound of his voice echoing in my ear was so pleasant that I could listen to it for a long time, at least for us.

Kouhei had already decided on a name for the baby. He had been calling him that name since he was in his belly, and it was a name that he was so familiar with that he sometimes responded to it by kicking my belly.

But this was the first time I called him face to face, wasn’t it?

“Happy Birthday… Kunpei.”

“Funyah.”

Kunpei’s crying stopped for a moment as he let out a cute, nasally voice.

Kouhei and I looked at each other, and we laughed through our tears.

I’m sure that Kouhei and I were both thinking the same thing at that moment.

I was sure that my husband and I were meant to meet this child. That’s what I was convinced of.

Kunpei.

A kind and strong big brother.

The first treasure that grew up in my belly.

Ahh. How nostalgic.

And how adorable.

When I reached out to touch that little life, it moved away from me at an incredible speed.

There it is again.

This dream is my dream, but it always makes me sad.

I felt a twinge in the back of my throat and my eyes were burning.

I want to hug him.

I want to feel that soft body, that warmth, if only for a second!

Wait. Please don’t go.

Please, just a little longer.

Such thoughts were futile, and the scene of that day was already far away.

I closed my eyes tightly and held it in.

Don’t cry.

Even in a dream, if I cried, my heart would break.

The things you’ve been suppressing will come pouring out.

“Look Kunpei, this is your brother.

“My brother? This kid?”

I immediately opened my eyes.

Oh, this scene too.

It’s something I’ve been longing for.

“That’s right. Kunpei’s younger brother. His name is Shouhei.”

As I nursed the baby in the hospital bed, I held another precious treasure in my arms.

A new life, born a little smaller.

He was so weak that I was worried about how fast he would drink his mother’s milk, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him at any time.