Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094088809262/episodes/16818622171187335313
I opened my eyes and felt a soft weight on my chest.
Tiny arms were entwined around my neck and warm breath tickled my cheeks.
In my blurry vision, long black hair sways in my vision.
The hair had a familiar sheen and carried a soft, sweet scent.
In front of me was a girl being held up.
“….Yua chan?”
The name spilled out of my mouth naturally.
Because it was unmistakably Yua chan who was there.
The corners of her eyes drooped a little, and her cheeks were soft.
It was the Yua chan I knew.
However, her small body moved a little, and I felt a little strange when I looked at her closely.
Small…?
“Yua? Yua is Mommy, no?” A clear voice echoed in my ears.
Her voice was indeed similar to Yua chan’s, but it was somehow much younger and more innocent.
I stared into her eyes.
It was not Yua chan who was there.
It was a little girl who looked just like Yua chan, but smaller.
She was about…4 or 5 years old.
Her eyes were slightly moist, just like Yua chan’s, and she was staring at me.
“…..Rin chan?”
Her name came out naturally.
Yes, this girl is Rin chan.
Me and Yua chan’s daughter….
This had happened before.
So this is the future….
“Yeah ! Daddy !”
Rin chan jumped up and down and hugged me.
I staggered a little, and hurriedly hugged her small body back.
Her body was light, but it was solidly warm and she felt alive.
I look around.
This is……a single family home.
The living room is warm with wood, and the soft morning sun is streaming in through the windows.
The floor was littered with colorful toys, and cushions were stacked in a messy pile on the sofa.
On the wall, I saw what looked like family photos.
It was me, Yua chan, and Rin chan.
Seeing me in the picture with a smile on my face, I felt a little tightness in my chest compared to my old self.
It was heartbreaking to see my future.
“Daddy, it’s almost noon. Are you sleepy?”
Rin chan giggles in my arms.
Her voice finally brought me back to reality.
“No, I’m not sleepy, Rin chan.”
I chuckled as I scratched my head.
But somewhere in the back of my mind, confusion was still swirling.
Did I fly to the future again?
But I was happy for the future of my life with Yua chan continuing like this.
At that moment, I heard footsteps coming from the kitchen.
They were light and sounded a little tired.
I looked up and saw Yua chan standing there.
“You finally woke up.” She muttered with a tired look on her face.
Her voice contained the same kindness as in the past.
But there were dark circles under her eyes, and her shoulders looked a little slumped.
Her hair had grown a little longer and was pulled back into a ponytail, but some of it was messy and hanging over her face.
Still, Yua chan is Yua chan, and she was as beautiful as ever.
“Yua…good morning.”
I said, a little embarrassed.
Yua chan gave a small laugh and said, “I was trying to sleep, but Rin was making so much noise that she woke me up too.”
Saying this, she sighed lightly and sat down on a chair.
[Illustration.]
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/tanakamatao01/news/16818622171355786067
Seeing that, I felt something.
Yua chan, you must be very tired.
I wonder if it’s called child-rearing fatigue.
Rin chan is full of energy, and I’m sure she’s pushing Yua chan around.
I could see a little shadow behind her expression.
“Daddy !! C’mon, let’s play !”
Rin chan pulls on my arm and tries to pull me down from the sofa.
The force was weak, but the momentum was strong.
“Rin, Daddy had just woken up, so please wait a bit.”
Yua chan said, lightly scolding Rin chan.
But Rin chan made a pouty face and glanced at me.
“Okay, let’s go play, Rin chan.”
I stood up and patted Rin chan on the head.
“I’ll take care of her today, so you get some rest.”
Yua chan looked surprised for a moment,
then gave a small smile.
“Thanks, Dear. I’m counting on you.”
With that, Yua chan returned to the kitchen.
Her back seemed to lighten a little.
◇
Then my time with Rin chan began.
[Illustration]
First, we started drawing.
Rin chan, with a crayon in her hand, spread out a sheet of drawing paper on the living room table and began to draw something with a happy look on her face.
“This is a picture of Daddy, Mommy, and me !”
Rin chan said and showed me the drawing.
There was a big round face of me, a slightly smaller round face of Yua chan, and an even smaller round face of Rin chan.
Everyone was smiling and holding hands.
The colors were a mess, and my face was green for some reason, but her innocence made me smile.
“You’re good at it, Rin chan. But I’m not this green, though, am I?”
When I said that, Rin chan laughed and started to add more crayon strokes.
Watching her do this, it made me wonder if Yua chan had a time like this.
Next, it was time to play house.
Rin chan says, “Daddy is a guest !” and she lays out a toy hamburger and juice on a plastic plate.
“Here you go ! It’s delicious !”
For a hamburger shop, her words sounded like those of a fish seller at the market, which made me laugh a little.
But Rin chan’s eyes were serious, so I exaggerated a little and said, “Wow, it looks really good !”
Then Rin chan’s eyes lit up,
“Really !? I’ll make more !” and she brought in one toy dish after another.
I could feel my heart being gradually soothed by her innocence.
I have been so tense lately.
I was on edge the whole time, worried that something would go wrong or that I might hurt Yua chan.
But when I saw Rin chan’s smile, all that tension seemed to melt away.
“Thanks.” I said, gently patted her head.
The way she looked up at me with a confused look on her face was so cute I couldn’t help it.
◇
In the evening, Rin chan began to rub her eyes sleepily.
I put her on the bed and she started to breathe in her sleep in no time.
Her sleeping face was just like Yua chan’s, slightly open-mouthed, vulnerable and adorable.
I quietly got up and went to the living room where Yua chan was sitting on a chair.
Her back was slightly rounded.
My heart tightened again at the sight of her.
What are you doing, future me?
“Yua.”
I called her name softly and hugged her from behind.
Just like in the past, I hugged her gently but firmly.
“What’s wrong…..?” Yua chan sounded a little surprised, but she kept her weight on my arm.
The warmth of her touch was the same as Yua chan’s now, and it filled my heart.
“You must be tired. I’ll take care of the rest.”
I whispered.
Yua chan was silent for a while and then said a small “Yes.”
Her voice sounded a little shaky.
I don’t know how long I stayed like that.
As I inhale the scent of Yua chan’s hair and feel the warmth of her hair, my eyelids grow heavy.
I fell asleep again.
From this future to the original world.
As I close my eyes, I hear Yua chan’s small breath in my ear.
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !