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Domestic life was never quite my style. When you smile, you knock me out, I fall apart. And I thought I was so smart.
When she was growing up, Kyoko never got to truly know her mother. She was far too young to have met her, far too young to process that her mother was taken from her far too early.
So, as far as she was concerned, it was always her, her father, and her honorary uncle Koichi. She knew that her simple family was a little different compared to the families that other children had, but she didn’t care about those small differences. They were still her family.
However, she did remember that some of her peers, and even some of the adults, would ask about her mother. About where her mother was, about whether if her mother was ill, deceased, or otherwise separated from her father for one reason or another, and other similarly invasive questions.
It often bothered her as a child. Why wouldn’t it? She didn’t have a mother like other people do, and while she never minded that, other people around kept forcing her to think and care about it. She knows that it may sound cold, even coming from her. But, how can she even begin to mourn someone she lost, but never got the chance to spend time with?
Perhaps, it was simply just another fact of life to her; something she’s grown used to, even during her childhood. She’s well aware that she’s already lost so much people in her life.
But now, things have changed. Despite everything, here she is, still living on. Against all odds, she got a second chance to live. This time, with a new family.
Kyoko never thought she’d ever settle down and have a simple, domestic life; she always thought that her profession will never allow her to have such luxury. And yet, here she is now. She gets to wake up every morning, greeted by the person she loves, and he loves her just as much in return.
She’s glad that out of all people, Makoto still chose her. He even took after her family name. Even now, she can still remember the huge grin and pride in his eyes after he officially became Makoto Kirigiri. And then, before either of them knew it, it didn’t take long before they got a new member to their little family.
Five months ago, their son, Tatsuki, came to this world.
She still remembers what happened. It hadn’t been an easy labor, and throughout it, she thought that she’d meet the same fate as her mother, that she’ll never get the chance to meet her child. It had both been sobering and terrifying, and she can only be thankful that Makoto stayed by her side, completely supportive the whole time.
Now, here she is. She’s still here, alive and healthy. She won’t be going anywhere. Death won’t take her so suddenly, not if she can help it. She will get to raise her son, watch him grow up, and then grow old together with Makoto.
Makoto is holding Tatsuki right now, bouncing him in place and making him giggle. Kyoko can’t help but smile at the sight; even though he’s still so small, her son already has one strand of upright hair on his head, just like his father.
She reaches her hand out to him, and then Tatsuki latches onto her ungloved hand. His tiny hands can barely wrap around her finger, but he isn’t bothered by the sight and texture of her scarred skin as he keeps trying to hold onto her.
If there’s one thing Kyoko is sure of, she won’t ever leave Tatsuki behind. No matter what, she’ll be there for him and his father.
I swear that I'll be around for you. I'll do whatever it takes. I'll make a million mistakes. I'll make the world safe and sound for you...
Chiaki was familiar with a quiet household. She had the faintest memory of being held by her mom, but, for as long as she can remember, it was just her and her games, inside her room.
Even as a kid, she knew that her parents were often out late. She knew they had to because of the work they had to do. They’d always remind her that they’re doing this for her, that they must work hard to provide her needs and for her future.
She can never argue against that. She didn’t want to be ungrateful to her parents. But, she can’t deny that she did feel lonely very often, even with so many games to entertain her while she waited for them to come home.
Now, she doesn’t know what happened to her parents. But, she knows that, after everything that happened, her parents are never coming home again. It took her some time to accept that.
At the very least, she isn’t alone anymore. She has Hajime with her, and she has all of her friends by their side too. Things would’ve been so much harder without them.
And now, here she is.
She thought that she already went through and survived the worst, but this? Up until this moment, she never thought she'd ever experience so much physical pain. Even after her throat has gone has already gone hoarse from how much she screamed for hours, she still can’t help but whimper at each pressure.
Chiaki doesn’t know much time has passed already, but she never thought she’d see so much of her own blood again. As minutes keep passing on, she keeps squeezing Hajime’s hand as he stays by her side, all while Mikan diligently works in helping her.
And then, one final push. Then, they all hear it. A loud cry. Mikan tearfully congratulates them both for having a healthy baby girl.
Both Chiaki and Hajime watch as Mikan clean their newborn baby up as best as she can, wiping blood and fluids away, before wrapping her in a clean cloth and passing the baby to Chiaki’s waiting arms.
With how much her hands are shaking, Chiaki is worried that she might accidentally drop the baby, but she forces herself to keep steady. Now that she can take a closer look at her child…
The baby is so unbelievably tiny. She’s so soft and vulnerable.
Chiaki remembers that she and Hajime have already talked about names months before this. And now, here she is. Their daughter, Mayumi.
She passes Mayumi to Hajime, watching him completely melt as he holds her in his arms. She can’t help but smile. There’s no doubt that Hajime will be a good dad to their daughter.
After a minute or so, Hajime passes their baby back to Chiaki, so that she can feed her for the first time.
As she holds Mayumi closer to her chest, she won’t deny that a part of her is…scared. She doesn’t have enough memories of her own mom to guide her with this new step in her life. Ms. Yukizome was probably the closest thing, but, thinking about her still makes her heart hurt. She doesn’t want to mess up and hurt their child.
But, at the same time, there is one thing she knows for sure. For as long as she lives, Chiaki will make sure that both she and Hajime will be there for their child. Mayumi will never feel alone or unwanted.
We'll give the world to you, and you'll blow us all away...
Someday, someday...