'Congratulations!　He's a healthy boy.

　The moment my vision popped, I felt like that was what was said. Huh?　What?　I check my surroundings, somewhat distraught.... The shadowless lights above my head, the green linoleum floor. A woman in an operating gown........ Hospital, is that an operating room too?　Was I still in a vegetative state?
　Did I wake up for the first time since the accident?　Why am I being lifted?　Is this woman skilled enough to wait up for a grown man? No.........no way.......

　I imagined the worst thing that could happen to me.

　　That should take a lot of weight off, but no way...!　It's been a while!　Baba!　Why are you bashing people's asses? I'm going to hit you, man!

Sir, he's not raising his voice!

　A woman (middle-aged by the sound of her voice) who looks like a nurse keeps slapping my ass. I don't have the taste for screaming with joy at the hands of an old lady!　A woman who seemed to be a female doctor next to me was also staring at me and giving me instructions.

　What the hell!　What the hell is wrong with you?　I'm busy with the situation!

　Finally, this time the female doctor started beating my ass. Oh, I'm going to wake up. No, calm down, me, I'm super calm. I'm not, I'm not. Meanwhile, my ass is being spanked. Okay, okay..............................

'Oh my God! Oh my God! I know what I'm talking about!

　So unscientific, the possibility that even in that slumbering space it was impossible to reach a conclusion. It was so ridiculous that I thought it would only happen in novels.



It's like I'm reincarnated.


"Here, Mom. Pick him up.

　The female doctor handed me over to a woman I thought was my mother. Hey!　Careful with it!　Like touching a newborn baby bird!　Don't put that much effort into it! It's okay! Hmmm ... is this ... or is this my mother?　She's not extraordinarily pretty, but she's not ugly either, she's just a normal woman. But she just has a kind face. It's also true that I'm going to be her child, so there's no woman who will hold my child and look like a demon. Hm?　What's with the look of confusion on your face?　Oh, right, you're just worried that I won't respond to anything.
　I don't know what to do, I'm not really sure what to do in a situation like this. Well, let's just laugh about it...

Squeal, squeal.

　Oh, you're laughing! Mom, you're laughing at me!　Okay, I guess I was right. But what do I do now? I understand that there's nothing I can do even if I think about it, but I'm mentally an adult, so I can't help thinking about it. Anyway, my ass is sore and I'm tired from crying, so I'll just go to sleep.
　Next time you wake up, I'll take a closer look at the surroundings....

''~~~~~~~~~''


　Suddenly, I woke up to hear a voice. It was somewhat warm and pleasant. This is what it felt like to be in a slumber, oh yeah!　That was in my mom's tummy.........I see. I have this space all to myself. Hm?　I can still hear the voices, and when I open my eyes, I see my mom hugging me, smiling, and singing a song. Is this ... is this ... German?　The pronunciation is bad, but I can hear it. It's probably a lullaby, or something close to it. I wonder if I knew the song to begin with, or if I learned it for me to be born.... I can't thank him, and I can't clap for him. Let's just laugh here for now.

'Kya-kya-kya-kya'

　Okay!　He laughed with glee!　What do you think?　Mom's face looks happy. Okay, for now, I'll make it a policy to smile when I have a problem. If you can make people smile, most things will be OK! ...should!
　I was dozing off while listening to my mom sing for a while when I heard a knock at the door. If you're going to put a newborn baby and her mother in a private room, it must be a lot of work. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's not a matter of having money in this world, but if you have it, it's better to have it.
　And who is this old man?　It's touching me in a very sensual way, but it hurts. It hurts. Ow....are you stupid?　You don't have the power to do that to a newborn baby.　Mom's mad at me. Hey don't be so small. I don't know how much of a shock it is that your mother got mad at you. From the sounds of it, you sound like your father. He came in a while ago, but I wasn't sleeping. I'm sorry, Dad. It was all I could do, so I rubbed my face against his tie as a service since he was holding me. Oh, he looks happy to see me and hugs me. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch, Mom!　Help me!


'Oh my God!　Oh, geez!

　I cried a little painfully. The hapless old man is pissed at his mom again. Bastard! Next time I'll stay up a bit longer.....





-----Miki Arakawa's Point of View------

　Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I was anxious. It wasn't about being a mother, it was about being able to give birth safely. I had never been able to get pregnant in the first place. Probably until about 30 years ago, it would have been impossible, but with today's medical technology, it was not. I talked with my husband, Shuichi, many times. He told me that he didn't want a child, that he just wanted me to be there for him. I was so happy that I cried, but I still wanted the fruit of our love.
　As a result of being selfish and receiving the most advanced medical treatment, Shuichi-san gave me life. I was so happy. I missed him so much, and as my belly grew, I patted my belly several times a day. Today, this baby was finally being born. The moment I endured the pain of labor and Gongju was born, I was frozen. I froze.

Sir, he's not raising his voice!

Takigawa-san, the nurse, desperately slapped Gongju's buttocks, but Gongju didn't raise his voice. I could feel the air in the operating room tense up with a pinch.

''Doctor! Please. Please help the child Gongju!

　Did you hear me correctly?　I'm sure he's not voicing it well due to anxiety and fear of losing Gongju.　I screamed for the first time when the doctor slapped my buttocks as he hugged Gongju. I felt faint with relief and exhaustion, but I couldn't do that until I held my child in my arms.

'Yes, mom. Pick him up.














What, these eyes are not the eyes of a child........ It's as if the eyes have a black round hole in them. It's as if they were observing an experimental subject, emotionless eyes.
　 A sickening feeling that gripped the back of my mind filled me up. The moment I lost my fear and almost threw Gongju away.

''Kyah, Kyah!''

　Gongju laughed. A laugh, as if he was innocently acknowledging me as his mother. I huffed, and at the same time, I felt self-loathing. What feelings I had for this child just a few moments ago. I felt uncomfortable about my beloved child, who had been born so hard and was still trying so hard to live. I smiled awkwardly and smiled at him, and perhaps he felt it, but he fell asleep in my arms. It was at this time that I made up my mind. Even if this world denied him, I would continue to protect him. As a mother, I will never let my child be sad.



　She sang a song as she hugged him as he slept. It's a lullaby with tender lyrics that I learned in desperation for my child. Gongju's breathing in my arms changed.......apparently he woke up. Was his voice too loud?　So I looked into his face.


Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak.

　Like, more singing!　It was as if he laughed, even though it was impossible for him to understand the German words to a newborn baby... and I sang with all my heart and soul.