もののけ | monster | soshiro hoshina (Kaiju No. 8) (COMPLETE)

はちじゅうさん | eighty three

もののけ | kaiju | monster

83

[A lengthy chapter ahead]

Soshiro

"ARE YOU SURE SHE'S OKAY God, Soshiro, why the hell didn't you tell me!?" Kiyomi's frustration was clear as she cradled Somi, who was now giggling and acting like nothing had happened. She gently placed Somi in her high chair, brushing a tender kiss on the top of her head before turning back to me with a glare that could cut steel. I set down the bags in the living room, trying to keep my own frustration in check.

"You were in the middle of a meeting," I replied, struggling to make her understand. "I didn't want to disrupt you over something that Dr. Hirano already assured me was fine. I called him the moment I got there. It's nothing serious!" I tried to keep my tone steady, to show her I had everything under control. "Look, I'll take her to the clinic tomorrow for a full check-up before I head to work, just to be safe!"

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Soshiro, that's an emergency. You should've texted me. I would've dropped everything in a second for her. You know that!" Her voice cracked, and I could see the worry etched into every line of her face.

Before I could respond, we heard Somi's tiny voice call out, "Mommy!" Instantly, Kiyomi's attention shifted, and she dropped to her knees in front of Somi, still in her formal uniform, not caring about anything else. She let Somi grab at her face, little hands tugging at her cheeks, making her laugh despite the tension in the room.

"Look," I started again, my voice softer this time, "I get it. I should've told you. But I was trying to handle it, trying to keep things calm. I'm sorry if it wasn't the right call."

Kiyomi glanced back at me, her eyes softer now, but still wary. "Somi's our priority, Soshiro. I need you to let me be there, too. Don't try to carry this on your own. She needs both of us, damn it!"

Somi's sudden cries tore through the room, sharp and panicked, yanking us both back to reality. Kiyomi was at her side in a flash, scooping her up and holding her close, her hand rubbing soothing circles on Somi's back. I scrambled for the small pink towel from her bag, hands fumbling as I tried to wipe away the tears streaming down her tiny face. I couldn't stand to see her cry like that.

"Shh, shh, it's okay, sweetheart," I murmured, trying to keep my voice calm and steady as I cooed and dabbed at her cheeks. Kiyomi rocked her gently, bouncing her with that perfect mother's touch, her voice soft as she whispered, "It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy and Daddy are right here."

Somi's little voice was shaky as she looked at us, her big, tear-filled eyes breaking my damn heart. "Mommy and Daddy yelling!" she sobbed, hiccuping between words. Both Kiyomi and I froze, staring at each other. Hell, were we really shouting without even realizing it?

I swallowed hard, the guilt settling heavy in my chest. "Oh, sweetheart, we're so sorry," I said, my voice barely a whisper now. "We didn't mean to scare you. We were just talking—well, maybe a little too loud." I shot Kiyomi a look, and she nodded, the regret clear on her face.

Somi sniffled, her small fingers reaching out to hold onto Kiyomi's uniform. "Somi scared," she said, her voice tiny, breaking my heart all over again.