第９７６堀：彼女たちの今 (Part1)
Chapter 976: Their Present
Side: Samantha
*Tick, tock…*
The pleasant, rhythmic sound of the clock’s pendulum is the only thing echoing through the room.
Never since coming to Weed did I imagine a time would come when I could spend my days slowly losing myself in a book. No, perhaps that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Yuki-sama always makes sure to schedule proper downtime for us. But I never expected to be spending this time with the fruit of our love growing within me, reading at such a leisurely pace.
Yes, I, Samantha, am currently enjoying a long-term leave due to my pregnancy.
*Flip.*
The sound of a page turning. It was a mundane noise I heard every day back at the Lancer Magic Academy, but hearing it again now, it feels quite special. It’s entirely different from the sound of flipping through documents for diplomatic work. It is a sound that brings peace to the heart.
The content of the book isn’t difficult, either; it focuses on the mindset and preparations needed for the child I am about to bring into this world.
““Muu…””
That said, this relaxing time for reading doesn’t seem to be a happy time for everyone. Ria-san and Jessica-san, who discovered they were pregnant around the same time as me and are also on leave, have already tossed their books aside, voicing their frustrations.
Well, unlike Cleena-san and me, those two prefer moving their bodies over reading. I suppose sitting still is agonizing for them. However, intense physical activities like combat training are forbidden, as they could place a burden on the baby. Light practice swings would be fine, but these two claimed they were just “moving their bodies a little,” only for me to realize they were actually having a serious sparring match.
Yuki-sama was incredibly angry about that, and since then, all intense training, including sparring, has been strictly prohibited. Because of that, the most they are allowed is a bit of practice swinging. And even then, it’s not at full power—just enough to loosen their shoulders. Even with just practice swings, if these two were to swing their swords with full force, they would crack the ground.
As I was thinking about that…
““Muu…””
The sound of their dissatisfied groans echoed once more. They really are terrible at sitting still. Just as I was wondering if there was some way to cheer them up, Cleena-san suddenly spoke.
“…The two of you are noisy. Be quiet when I’m reading.”
““Ugh, sorry.””
It seems Cleena-san is in a bad mood because her reading was interrupted. Still, it wouldn’t do to make them suffer too much.
“Cleena-san. It seems the two of them are tired of reading. It might be fine for us, as we are accustomed to study, but since they are the type to move their bodies, why don’t we do something else?”
“…If I accompany their exercise, it will definitely have a bad influence on the babies.”
“No, they’ll grow up to be healthy! I’m sure of it!”
“Yes. That’s right. Being able to exercise isn’t a bad thing.”
“No, that kind of exercise is definitely not allowed. Do you want to be scolded by Yuki-sama again?”
““Ugh.””
As expected, the mere mention of Yuki-sama’s name makes them quiet down. But holding back too much isn’t good either. I wish there was something we could do…
Just then, the door to the room swung open with a bang.
“Ah! Found the mommies!”
“It’s true, it’s the mommies!”
It seems Sakura, Yuyu, and the others have returned from playing outside. However, they are covered in mud from head to toe, and I’m torn between wanting to hug them and needing to scold them.
“Sakura-neesan, Yuyu, don’t get close to the mommies. You haven’t washed your hands yet.”
“Yes. Sumire-oneesama is right. You haven’t washed your hands or gargled since you got back.”
Shael chimed in to support Sumire, who had been chasing after them. As expected, her upbringing is impeccable. And then, the others arrived as well…
“You’ll pass germs to the mommies and the babies, you know? Right, Eria-chan?”
“That is what the book says.”
It’s Schans and Eria. Since those two have books in their hands, they don’t look like they’ve been playing outside much, but these six are always together. And the one looking after these children is…
“Sakura, Yuyu. Your sisters have spoken. We keep our promises to me, Toto-sama, and Kaka-sama. Or are you bad children who don’t keep promises?”
““Au…””
“If you understand, go wash your hands and gargle. Then you can stay with Kaka-sama and the others. That’s fine, right, Kaka-sama and the others?”
Yes, it’s Shuten, the eldest of the children. I’ve heard that she was once feared as the Shuten-doji, but it is impossible to fear such a cute child. Above all, she is also…
“Nn. If you wash your hands and gargle, I will play with you.”
“Yes. That’s right. Let’s play once you’ve done what you need to do.”
“That’s right!”
“Yes. Let’s promise.”
““Understood!””
With that, Sakura and Yuyu ran off immediately, and the other sisters followed them with a flurry of footsteps. Shuten remained, looking at us.
“Are Kaka-sama and the others okay?”
“Nn. I’m okay. Shuten, you should go wash your hands and gargle too. I’ll pat your head.”
“Un!”
When Cleena-san said that, Shuten left the room with a happy smile.
“Shuten really is attached to Cleena-san, isn’t she?”
“Nn. It’s only natural. Shuten is undoubtedly my child.”
“Ahaha. Well, that’s true. But she’s our child, too.”
“Yes. Shuten is undoubtedly the child of all of us, and Yuki.”
That sentiment is unshakable among us. Shuten is our child. A precious child. We will never show mercy to anyone who tries to hurt her.
As I was thinking that, I heard the sound of running footsteps in the hallway again…
“““Mommies!”””
Our adorable children have returned. Now, as mothers and as people, let us keep our promise. And above all, let us spend time with our precious children.
“*Suu, suu*…”
“*Munya*, Mommies…”
We spent a short, delightful moment together, and before I knew it, the children had all fallen asleep on our laps, likely exhausted from their play. It wasn’t because of any intense exercise, but because they had been reading picture books to the babies in our bellies.
“They do their best every day, don’t they?”
“They are always working so hard.”
Yes, just as Ria-san and Jessica-san said, this has become our daily routine lately.