͎R͎͎e͎͎u͎͎n͎͎i͎͎o͎͎n͎? (English)

A precious treasure

Yukiko's pov. May 4th, five years later~

It's happening again, the exact same hospital, the exact same room, the exact same bed, and the exact same doctor and nurse.

Yusaku is beside me again and I can tell he's as tense as I feel.

I'm giving birth to another baby, this time a boy.

Yusaku had told me why she died that day, according to the doctor, her body was born weak and didn't last long outside of the womb.

This is why, both Yusaku and I aren't looking forward to this baby, not because we don't want him, goodness no, but because we're not sure if his body will be any different.

Regardless, we can't just request an abortion just because of fear.

I'm Kudo Yukiko, I'm not failing twice.

At least... I hope not.

And now I'm pushing again, as much as I can, even though I went through this before, it's still as painful as last time.

I scream, both in pain and the really strong fear that's invading me.

I know I'll be able to get this baby out, I did it before, but the question is, will he last outside of me?

The same encouragements to keep pushing are heard from the doctor and nurse, Yusaku just showing his support by squeezing my hand that's tightly clutching his.

I'm in pain, but I'm also scared, I know he can tell as he doesn't try to talk, he's also worried.

I push and push, sweating and shaking, having some hesitance as a single thought of 'Maybe I shouldn't let him out.' comes to my mind.

I pause at that and glance at Yusaku, fearful hesitance in my eyes.

He looks back at me directly meeting my gaze, he sees my unspoken question and he nods firmly in encouragement, squeezing my hand.

Seeing how much he believes in me, I feel some determination come back as I nod back and continue to push, squeezing his hand back and screaming.

I can't let one death stop me from wanting to be happy, I'm Kudo Yukiko.

And I'm not that weak of a woman.

I keep pushing until I hear it, "I see a head! Just a little bit more now!"

Determination even stronger in my eyes now, I push back the memory of that day when the nurse said that exact same sentence away from my mind and just push.

Push.

I push one more time before I hear the sound of a baby crying.

Instead of freezing or looking relieved, I tense, panting.

"Congratulations, it's a boy!" the nurse says as she wraps my baby in a blanket and starts to carry him out of the room.

Instinctively, I sit up and reach my hand out, "Wait, please! Don't... Don't take him out. Do the checking here, please." I beg, looking at the doctor.

He sadly sighs and shakes his head, "Gomenesai, Kudo-san, but we can't bring the equipment here, you'll have to wait until we're done checking." and then he leaves the room.

Of course, that just makes me pale more than I already was as I try to get off the bed, wanting to be with my baby just to make sure he doesn't die on me.

I pull off the blankets and try to get off but Yusaku holds me back, "Yu- Yu-chan let go of me! I-I have to be there with my baby!"

Yusaku looks at me in understanding, his eyes sad and slightly fearful, but he doesn't let me go, instead he tightens his hold slightly and gently pushes me back into the bed, "Yukiko, I know how you feel but you being there would just distract them and it'll make them take longer to finish checking." 

I shake my head, not wanting to hear it, I know it's true, but... 

I start to shake, my breath quickening, I'm hyperventilating just after giving birth, there's no way that's healthy but I can't help it.

Yusaku immediately brings me into a hug, rubbing my back and whispering to help calm me down. Telling me that it'll be okay, but we both know that he doesn't know for sure.

I still cling to him, crying and begging that this doesn't end up with another baby of mine dying.

My baby...

Please...

Kami-sama...

Let this baby live...

Just this time, please...

It took less time than last time, but the nurse returns, the doctor with her, both of them are smiling, the nurse holding a bundle in her arms.

A bundle that's crying.

Both Yusaku and I look at them, the hope that this means what we think it means going through our hearts.

The doctor smiles and nods as he says one sentence.

A sentence that gives me more happiness than any money or gift can ever give.

"Congratulations, your baby is healthy and alive."

Immediately, we both relax, I have tears in my eyes, this time tears of joy as I can't help but smile widely.

"Thank god..." Yusaku says under his breath, smiling himself.

I reach out my arms to the nurse, who's still holding the crying baby, she smiles and brings the little bundle over, handing him to me as I immediately hold him close, rubbing his cheeks with mine.

"Thank you, so much. This makes me so happy..." I say to the nurse and doctor with gratitude before I turn to the baby who has quieted down by now, "I'm so happy you're alive..." I whisper with tears still in my eyes.

I look at Yusaku when I feel him placing a hand on my shoulder, he's as happy and relieved as I am, I think I can even see tears of his own in his eyes.

I wipe my eyes with my free hand and smile at him before asking, "Yusaku, what do you think we should name him?"

Yusaku looks down at the baby who now seems to have started getting sleepy, thinking to himself before he decides on the name.

"Shinichi. His name will be Kudo Shinichi." he announces firmly. 

I test the name, "Shinichi..." I look at the baby, "Shin-chan... I like it." I smile as I bring Shin-chan closer to my chest, cradling him as if he's a fragile thing, which he is. 

He's a precious treasure. Our precious treasure.

Yusaku says, "Then it's decided, welcome to the family, Kudo Shinichi." with a smile as he hugs me and kisses both my and Shin-chan's heads.

This is the best day of my life.