The next day, Yaeko Nishimiya met with Mr. Nishimiya to discuss matters. Together, they went to the hospital for a check-up and confirmed that she was indeed pregnant.
Mr. Nishimiya, fearing that this child might also be born with complications, expressed his reluctance to raise the child with her.
In the end, they reached an agreement: he would cover all medical expenses and provide 80,000 yen per month in support until the child graduated from high school.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, seven months passed.
Two months earlier, Yaeko had already quit her job and started resting at home in preparation for childbirth. A few days ago, after calculating the timing, she checked into the hospital early to await delivery.
On this particular day, while lying in a hospital bed chatting with Miyamura Shizuka, a sudden sharp pain shot through her abdomen, startling Shizuka, who had been sitting beside her. Shizuka quickly called for a nurse.
The nurse arrived promptly and rushed Yaeko to the operating room. Fortunately, the delivery went smoothly, and she gave birth to a healthy baby girl—Nishimiya Yuzuru.
Back at home, Nishimiya Kei was taking care of little Shouko and Akira. The phone near the entrance rang, and Kei got up from the tatami mat to answer it.
Upon hearing that her daughter had gone into labor, her mind went blank. In her panic, she left three-year-old Akira at home with Shouko and rushed to the hospital.
Akira sat quietly on the tatami, watching Kei's hurried silhouette disappear through the door. He sighed.
"I get that you're in a rush, but maybe think twice before leaving two toddlers alone," he muttered.
"Ah~ah! (Hug!)" Shouko, noticing Akira was no longer playing with her, opened her arms wide and pounced on him without hesitation.
With a soft "oof," Akira became her human cushion. He lay flat on the tatami mat, staring up at the green ceiling, utterly defeated.
Shouko giggled and snuggled into his arms.
Time passed quickly again. Now, both Akira and Shouko were four years old, and it was time for them to start kindergarten.
April 1 – Sunny.
Miyamura Shizuka drove Yaeko Nishimiya and the two children to visit the kindergarten and meet their teachers. Miyamura Daiki was at work, and Nishimiya Kei stayed home to take care of baby Yuzuru.
When they got out of the car, they saw that the kindergarten was situated along a tree-lined street. The outer walls were painted with colorful cartoon characters.
Next to the main gate was a sign that read: Futaba Kindergarten.
The gate itself was shaped like a giant rainbow bridge, with two cute little bears standing at either end.
When Shizuka and Yaeko had first visited the school, they had been pleased with what they saw. The kindergarten even had specialized facilities and classes for children with hearing impairments.
"Good morning!"
Standing by the gate was a gentle woman in a yellow t-shirt and blue jeans. She greeted them warmly—her eyes clearly drawn to the two adorable children in matching white outfits, holding hands.
"Good morning, Sensei. Could you tell us where the Sunflower and Sakura classes are?"
"I'm actually the teacher for the Sunflower Class. My name is Midori Yoshinaga, but you can call me Teacher Yoshinaga." She smiled and crouched down in front of Akira and Shouko.
"Which one of you is in the Sunflower Class?" she asked, gently patting their heads.
Akira, finding her kind and approachable, responded politely, "Good morning, Sensei. I'm in the Sunflower Class."
Shouko remained silent, her gaze fixed on Yoshinaga's hand on Akira's head.
Shizuka and Yaeko stood nearby, watching with warm smiles.
Just then, another woman walked out. She wore a blue t-shirt, beige jeans, and glasses—her demeanor quiet and composed. She approached them and asked politely:
"Good morning. I heard one of the children is in the Sakura Class. I'd like to learn more about her needs. My name is Masumi Ue'o."
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Ue'o. Let's talk over there," Yaeko replied, and the two women stepped aside to chat.
Meanwhile, Shizuka kept an eye on the kids.
Soon, Yaeko and Ms. Ue'o returned. Teacher Yoshinaga seemed amazed by Akira's maturity and charm, offering praise after praise.
Shouko, on the other hand, hugged Akira tightly the moment Teacher Yoshinaga removed her hand, glaring at the teacher with clear protectiveness.
Shizuka smiled at the scene and reminded everyone, "Alright, shall we head inside?"
"Of course," Yoshinaga replied, and both teachers led the group through the main gate.
Akira's eyes lit up as they stepped into a spacious playground covered with green grass. On one side was a beautiful slide, on the other a large sandbox surrounded by toys.
They walked past four cozy one-story buildings and a three-story main building with a European-style façade, white marble walls, and stained-glass windows.
Silver plaques on the doors read: "Sunflower Junior Class," "Lily Middle Class," "Rose Senior Class," and "Sakura Junior/Middle/Senior Classes."
The Sakura Class was specifically for children with hearing impairments, focusing on sign language and other support methods.
"Alright, little ones! Time to split up now!" Teacher Yoshinaga clapped with a bright smile.
She and Ms. Ue'o stood in front of their respective classroom doors. Shizuka reached for Akira's hand to guide him toward the Sunflower Class.
Yaeko moved to guide Shouko—but Shouko clung tightly to Akira's hand and was already being led in the wrong direction.
"Shouko, our classroom is this way," Yaeko said gently.
Akira leaned close to Shouko's ear with her hearing aid and said slowly, "Shouko, we'll see each other soon."
She didn't react, so he repeated it—this time slower and clearer.
Understanding finally dawned on Shouko. She let go of his hand—but then suddenly threw her arms around him and refused to let go.
Teacher Yoshinaga and Ms. Ue'o exchanged a smile. These two kids were clearly close.
Shizuka gave the teachers an apologetic look and stepped in to help calm Shouko, but to no avail.
Helpless, Akira sighed. "Aunt Kei, let me stay with Shouko in the Sakura Class for now. Mom, can you help register me in the Sunflower Class first?"
Shizuka nodded, chuckling. "Yaeko, don't forget to record the orientation for me."
She turned to explain the situation to Yoshinaga, then walked toward the Sunflower Class.
Yaeko could only take Akira's hand and lead both children into the Sakura Class.
Inside, the room was mostly filled. More than a dozen children and their parents turned to look at the new arrivals—a tiny girl wrapped around a slightly taller boy, with an adult trailing behind them.
Ms. Ue'o clapped her hands to gather attention.
"This is our new friend, Nishimiya Shouko. Let's give her a warm welcome!"
The parents started clapping. The children followed shortly after.
Shouko remained clinging to Akira, unmoved by the applause.
Akira looked out at the crowd of big and small faces, then introduced himself awkwardly but clearly:
"Hello, everyone… This is Nishimiya Shouko. Please take good care of her."
The room chuckled warmly.
Yaeko stood by the door, covering her mouth to suppress a giggle as she recorded this memorable moment on her phone.