Chapter 4

"Congratulations! It's a healthy baby boy!"

At the moment my vision cleared, I felt someone say that. Huh? What, what? I checked my surroundings, a bit flustered... The shadowless lighting above, the green linoleum floor, the woman in surgical scrubs... A hospital, and it seems to be an operating room? So, I was in a vegetative state after all.

Did I just wake up for the first time since the accident? Why am I being lifted? Is this woman strong enough to lift an adult man? No... could it be...

I imagined the worst-case scenario.

Could it be... I lost my limbs due to the accident? If that were the case, I should have lost a lot of weight, but... ! It's been hurting since just now! Old lady!! Why are you slapping my butt? I'm going to hit you if you keep this up!

"Doctor, this baby isn't making any sound!"

A woman who seems to be a nurse (judging by her voice, middle-aged) kept slapping my butt. I don't have the hobby of making joyful sounds when an old lady slaps me! The woman who seems to be a doctor, standing next to me, was also staring at me while giving instructions.

What the heck! What's going on! I'm busy trying to figure out the situation!

Finally, the doctor started slapping my butt. Ah, I feel like I'm waking up to something... No, calm down, super calm down. That's not it, that's not it. My butt keeps getting slapped. I get it... I get it...

"Ouch! Ouch! (I said I get it!!)"

It was so unscientific that I couldn't even come to a conclusion in that drowsy space. It was so absurd that I thought it could only happen in a fairy tale.

I seem to have been reincarnated.

"Here, Mom. Hold him."

I was handed over to a woman who I assume is my mother by the doctor. Hey! Hold me gently! Like you're touching a newborn chick! Don't use so much force. I'm fine! Hmm... Is this... no, is this person my mother? She's not exceptionally beautiful, but she's not ugly either, just an ordinary woman. She has a kind face. That makes sense; I'm her child, so she wouldn't have a demonic face while holding her own child. Hmm? She looks troubled? Ah, I see, she's worried because I'm not reacting at all.

I don't know what to do in this situation. I'll just smile for now...

"Hee, hee"

Oh, she smiled! Mom, you smiled! Good, it seems I did the right thing. But what should I do from here? I understand that thinking won't help, but since I'm mentally an adult, I can't help but think. My butt hurts, and I'm tired from crying, so I'll sleep a bit. When I wake up next time, I'll observe more...

"~♪~♪"

I woke up to a voice. It was very warm and comfortable. This is the feeling I had when I was in that drowsy space. Ah, I see! That was inside Mom's womb... I get it, it's a comfortable place. Hmm? I can still hear the voice. When I opened my eyes, Mom was holding me and singing. This... is German? The pronunciation is bad, but I can understand it. It's a lullaby, or something close to it. Did she know this song already, or did she learn it for me? I can't thank her or clap, so I'll just smile for now.

"Hee♪ Hee♪"

Good! I smiled happily! How about that? Mom looks happy. For now, I'll just smile whenever something happens. A smile can solve most problems! ...I hope!

While listening to Mom's song, I heard a knock. Hmm... It seems to be a private room. If they put a newborn and his mother in a private room, it must be quite expensive. So, it seems we're in a financially comfortable environment. Money isn't everything, but it's better to have it.

Who is this guy? He's touching me so casually, and it hurts. It hurts. Ouch! Are you crazy? You shouldn't use that much force on a newborn! Look, Mom is angry. Hey... Don't shrink so much. How much did it shock you to be scolded by Mom? From what I can hear, he seems to be the father. He came earlier, but I was sleeping. Sorry, Dad. Since I was being held, I rubbed my face against his tie as a service. Oh, he's hugging me happily. It hurts. It hurts. Mom, it hurts! Help me!

"Ouch! Ouch!!"

I cried as if it hurt. The awkward Dad is being scolded by Mom again. Serves him right! But this body has no stamina... I'm getting sleepy again after crying a little. Next time, I'll stay awake longer...

-----Miki Arakawa's Perspective-----

Since I found out I was pregnant, I've been anxious. Not about becoming a mother, but about whether I could give birth safely. I was originally unable to get pregnant. It was probably impossible until about 30 years ago, but with current medical technology, it wasn't impossible. I discussed it many times with my husband, Shuichi. He said he didn't need a child, he just wanted me by his side... I was so happy it made me cry, but I still wanted the fruit of our love.

After insisting to Shuichi, I received the latest medical treatment, and a life was conceived in me. I was very happy and cherished it. As my belly grew, I stroked it many times a day. And today, this child is finally being born. I endured the pain of labor until Kousuke was born. I froze.

"Doctor, this baby isn't making any sound!"

Nurse Takigawa was desperately slapping Kousuke's bottom, but Kousuke didn't make a sound. The tension in the operating room was palpable.

"Doctor! Please, save the baby, save Kousuke!"

Did my voice reach them? I must have been too anxious and afraid of losing Kousuke to speak clearly. When the doctor hugged Kousuke and slapped his bottom, Kousuke finally made a sound. I felt a mix of relief and exhaustion, but I couldn't faint until I held my child.

"Here, Mom. Hold him."

I held Kousuke for the first time... and froze.

What are these eyes? They're not a child's eyes... They look like black, round holes. They seem to observe an experimental subject, devoid of emotion.

I felt a chill run down my spine. A creepy feeling filled me, as if something was grabbing my heart. Just as I was about to drop Kousuke out of fear,

"Hee, hee"

Kousuke laughed. An innocent laugh, as if recognizing me as his mother. I was startled and felt self-loathing. Just a moment ago, I had such negative feelings towards this child who had worked so hard to be born and was trying to live. I smiled awkwardly, and Kousuke seemed to sense it and fell asleep in my arms. At that moment, I made a decision. Even if the world rejects Kousuke, I will protect him. As a mother, I will never make this child sad.

I held the sleeping Kousuke and sang a lullaby. A gentle song I had learned desperately for this child. Kousuke's breathing changed... It seems he woke up. The voice must have been loud. I peeked at his face,

"Hee♪ Hee♪"

It sounded like he was saying, "Sing more!" Even though a newborn couldn't understand German... I sang even more tenderly.

March 1st, editing complete