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Chapter 269: Akane Wants to Be a Mom?
🕑 Added 2025-04-05 09:51:51 +0000 UTCTL Here: Mass Release. Done! Total of 7, so give me your thoughts!
...
Mirai was about to leave.
That was an undeniable fact.
Minami had tried checking with the simulator to see if there was any way to extend her stay.
But it was clear—
That was impossible.
His actions had already caused a massive ripple effect in the future.
Just being able to extend her time by three extra hours was probably the simulator's absolute limit.
Now, as her figure slowly faded—
Minami and Akane didn't say much.
They simply stepped forward, one on each side, surrounding Mirai in the middle.
Then, they reached out and gently held her hands.
They hadn't realized it before—
Just how delicate their daughter's hands were.
Her body, too…
So slim, so small…
And that scent… was it her body wash? It smelled nice…
Their hands tightened around hers.
Three hours was far too short for them.
It felt like only an instant.
"Dad, Mom, don't go missing me too much after I'm gone, okay?"
Mirai's form wavered like a reflection on water, but her mischievous voice remained crystal clear.
"And don't get so lonely that you do anything indescribable before I'm even born."
She let out a sly "hmph," then continued in an oddly serious tone—
"High school pregnancy is a big deal, okay? Make sure you don't do anything reckless."
"..."
Both Minami and Akane gave her an exasperated side-eye.
This troublemaker…
Even at a time like this, she couldn't behave herself.
Did she have to crack a dirty joke?
Minami let out a helpless sigh.
This time, though, he didn't smack her on the head.
He figured he didn't want future-Mirai holding a grudge over getting smacked before leaving.
Mirai kept chattering away.
Jumping from stories of the future to the present,
then moving on to everyday habits.
"Mom, you stay up late studying a lot, don't you? That's not good! Staying up too much can stunt your height, you know? Look at you—what, barely 150 cm? That's way too short."
As she spoke, she even tried to measure Akane's height with her hand.
But at this point, her "hand" could hardly be called a hand anymore.
It looked more like a blurred silhouette of light.
"...I am trying, okay?"
Akane muttered, a little embarrassed.
She knew she was short.
Whenever she stood next to Minami—
Whenever she had to go on her tiptoes just to kiss him—
She was painfully aware of her height.
That was why she had secretly downloaded a bunch of "height increase exercises" online.
...Not that they had done much good.
Akane spoke, and Mirai turned her gaze to Minami.
She probably wanted to do a "fist pump and cheer" gesture, but since her body had grown so translucent, she could only raise her fading hand and look at Minami with a serious expression.
"Dad, it's not just the future.
Please… make sure you save Mom Matsuzaka in this timeline too."
She shook her head slightly.
"Otherwise… Shio will be too pitiful."
Yes.
Even though Minami had described how Shio had found happiness with their family—
Even though she had let go of her past—
For Mirai, Matsuzaka Satou's death would always be a scar in Shio's heart.
Even if that wound had healed over, the mark would always remain.
She didn't want that to happen.
They were family.
So of course, she wanted Matsuzaka Shio and Matsuzaka Satou to find happiness together.
And so—
She could only place her hopes in Minami.
Her voice was soft but firm.
And Minami… didn't say much.
He simply nodded.
Then, with unwavering certainty, he answered:
"Okay."
"..."
That one syllable—
That single word—
Was enough to fill her with complete reassurance.
This was her father…
This was Minami's charm.
Mirai let out a small sigh of relief.
With her father's promise, she could leave with peace of mind.
She continued talking.
She kept chatting with Minami and Akane.
"And also— Dad, stop spoiling Mei so much. I'm your daughter too, you know. Shouldn't you pay attention to me too?"
"And, you know, Yuna's getting worse. She even said she'd try to trick you into her room! Dad, you better be careful and not turn her into some kind of daddy's girl. That'd be gross!"
"And also…"
"And also—"
Mirai kept talking.
But for some reason—
The more she spoke, the more the words got stuck in her throat.
Like something was blocking her chest.
And just then—
She felt it.
A warm hand gently stroking her head.
Mirai instinctively raised her head.
And then—
She saw them.
Minami and Akane gently patting her head, their faces carrying warm, tranquil smiles.
That smile made Mirai open her mouth slightly.
She had been trying to comfort Minami and Akane with words—
To tell them not to feel sad about her departure.
But she hadn't expected that in the end…
The one being comforted… was actually me.
She realized this and quietly closed her mouth.
Choosing instead to simply stay with her young parents until the very last moment.
Three hours.
Not too fast.
Not too slow.
It felt like forever—
But also like a fleeting moment.
And then—
(Playing Now: [Yasashisa no Riyuu] )
That moment arrived.
Sensing that she was about to leave, Mirai turned her head toward Akane.
Then, she looked at Minami.
A smile appeared on her now transparent, fading face.
She wanted to throw herself into their embrace.
So she shouted at the top of her lungs—
"Dad! Mom! You have to give birth to me, okay?!"
Tears fell from her eyes.
But before they could even reach the ground—
They had already vanished into thin air.
Yet her voice did not waver.
"I want to be your child! No matter now or in the future! So promise me—bring me into this world!"
"Yes! Absolutely! I'll definitely give birth to you and raise you well!"
Akane shouted back, gripping Mirai's hands tightly as tears overflowed from her crimson eyes.
"Mm!"
Mirai's response began to grow faint, like an echo dissolving into the air.
Her lips curved into one final, peaceful smile.
"I believe in you, Mom."
"So…"
"The next time we meet… will be in eight years, okay?"
"Don't get too lonely and forget to use protection—"
"I love you!"
Her voice stretched out.
Fading.
And in that very instant when her last words fell—
Her ethereal figure completely disappeared.
Minami and Akane suddenly felt the emptiness in their hands.
They reached out—
But there was nothing left to hold.
Instinctively, they lifted their heads.
There—
A pale, lingering afterimage slowly dissipated…
A person who once existed had vanished.
Yet, Minami and Akane simply held each other's hands.
Looking up—
They understood that this parting was not a farewell forever.
But rather—
A promise for their next reunion.
Somewhere in the Future…
Mirai felt like she had been dreaming for a long, long time.
By the time she woke up again, her cheeks were stained with dried tears.
As her vision cleared—
The first thing she saw was a woman with lavender-pink hair and a man with black hair gazing at her with concern.
"What's wrong, Mirai?"
The lavender-haired woman asked gently.
"I was just in the kitchen discussing knitting with your other moms… and then suddenly, I heard you making a fuss. Why are you crying?"
She reached out with her fingers, gently wiping away Mirai's tears.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
Before Mirai could respond—
The black-haired man, dressed in a casual spring kimono, leaned in closer.
He only took one look at her before smiling brightly.
"Akane, don't worry. Looks like Mirai didn't have a nightmare."
The black-haired man chuckled.
"She had a beautiful dream."
"Really?"
The lavender-haired woman—whom the man had called "Akane"—turned her gaze back to Mirai.
Her concern was completely genuine.
"Yeah. Just like Dad said."
Mirai sat up from the bed.
Then, without hesitation, she stretched out her arms and pulled the two of them into a tight embrace.
Using a voice so sweet it was almost sickening, she murmured—
"It was a wonderful dream. A really, really beautiful dream."
"Honestly… you silly child…"
The lavender-haired woman blinked in surprise at the sudden hug.
Then, with a sigh, she patted Mirai's head.
"Alright, if you're fine now, let go. Your Satou mama is coming over soon. You should fix yourself up a bit—you're a mess."
She said this casually.
But those words made Mirai's eyes widen in shock.
Satou… Mama?!
Her originally calm expression wavered.
Satou Mama?!
Then that meant…
"Dad, you did it—uh—"
She started to say something but immediately covered her mouth.
But no matter how much she tried to suppress it—
The excitement inside her was uncontrollable.
Dad… you really did it.
She recalled her young father's promise from the past.
And her bright eyes gleamed with exhilaration.
Instinctively, she turned to look at the middle-aged man before her.
"What's wrong, Mirai?"
The black-haired man, holding a thick novel in his hand, noticed his daughter's strange behavior.
He gave her a warm smile and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"You look like you just time-traveled back from the past."
He asked curiously.
...
Back in the Present…
Mirai had disappeared.
Just like that—
Vanished before their very eyes.
Akane felt an empty ache spread through her heart.
Only now did she truly realize—
How much space that noisy, mischievous girl had taken up in her life.
Now that she was gone—
She was back to living alone in the grand Shinjo mansion.
Without that familiar, chaotic voice filling the halls…
Everything suddenly felt eerily quiet.
Akane gently touched the cushion where Mirai had just been sitting.
It still carried a faint trace of the girl's warmth.
"Minami."
Her crimson eyes turned toward Minami.
She grasped his hand, her voice barely above a whisper—
"I miss her so much…"
There was a slight tremble in her words.
"I know."
Minami stroked her back softly, comforting her.
"She was only here for a few minutes… but I already miss her so much."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
And then, they spilled over.
"I know."
Minami's voice remained steady.
"If she ever comes back, even if she's loud and obnoxious, I won't get mad anymore."
"I know."
Minami gently stroked her head.
"Even if she keeps stealing snacks from my fridge, I won't hold it against her."
"I know."
Minami intertwined his fingers with hers.
"I really... really miss her..."
Akane's voice was filled with longing.
Minami pulled the violet-haired girl into his embrace, pressing his lips gently against the tears at the corner of her eyes.
"I know."
He lifted his head and softly said, "I miss her too."
Hearing these words—
Akane, who had been trying to hold back, finally lost all restraint.
She clutched Minami's collar, her tears soaking into his chest.
Minami said nothing.
He simply held her, silently accepting the storm of emotions pouring out of her.
—
To take care of the emotionally unstable Akane,
Minami made a call to STARRY, letting them know he wouldn't be coming home tonight.
Of course, Hiroi Kikuri had plenty to complain about.
After all, she had been skipping alcohol in exchange for free meals at Nanxiang's house every day.
And by now, her taste had completely been spoiled by Minami's cooking.
She used to enjoy eating out, but now she found it nearly impossible to stomach anything from a restaurant.
She was practically turning into a socially inept mess, unable to function properly without Minami's presence.
On the bright side—
Since she had quit drinking, she had stopped breaking equipment as often.
She was even starting to save up some spare money.
Which, in turn, had finally given her the confidence to show off in front of the Ijichi sisters.
Back in the day, she had been flat broke all the time—
Struggling to pay her utility bills, relying on the Ijichi family and Yoyoko Ohtsuki's place to shower and eat.
But now that she had money?
She was getting a little too cocky.
To the point where she even dared to complain to Minami.
And Minami?
He didn't care in the slightest.
Why waste time taking a drunkard's complaints seriously?
That woman never acted like a proper senpai anyway.
Let alone now.
So, he casually brushed her off with a few indifferent responses.
Then he hung up and turned back to Akane.
At that moment—
He saw her staring intently at the screen of her phone, carefully reading a child-rearing manual.
...
Wait.
She's not seriously thinking about becoming a mother already, is she?!
Comments
B.I.G E
Ahh I need more😭
Kloud Paradizo
Damnit author-san, you made some dust get into my eyes... Whaaa
