Chapter 12
The morning light, filtering through the blinds of the hospital ward, softly spilled onto the clean white bedding.
Sakura Minamino slowly opened her eyes, first seeing the soft white ceiling, then the gradually brightening sky outside the window.
The ward was very quiet.
The nurses hadn't come to check on her yet, and Minamino Shuichi was still waiting outside for the doctor to come back for his second check-up. All she could hear was her own heartbeat and breathing.
She slowly sat up, leaning against the headboard, her slender fingertips gently resting on her lower abdomen—beneath the still-unseen curves, something was quietly growing that would change her life.
She stared blankly out the window.
"Actually..." she said softly, her voice almost melting in the morning light, "I did think... about not leaving you behind."
"It's not because I don't love you."
"But... I'm afraid."
“I’m afraid that if I keep you here, I won’t be able to choose my life as freely as I used to.”
She lowered her eyelashes and slowly grasped her stomach.
“I’m afraid that once I get married, once I become ‘someone’s mother,’ I will no longer be myself.”
"I can't go on international tours, I can't wear pretty clothes, I can't eat sweets freely, I can't play the violin on stage until late at night, and I can't decide on work or travel as I please."
She closed her eyes, but a smile played on her lips: "But... in the end, I still couldn't bear to."
"Because you are a life, and every life has the right to live."
"So even if your father isn't willing to take responsibility, I've already prepared myself to raise you alone... from birth to adulthood."
"At that time, I told myself..."
"Baby, Mommy loves you very much."
Her voice was enveloped in the morning light, carrying a kind of transparent gentleness.
She gently lifted the blanket, got out of bed, and walked barefoot onto the cold hospital floor tiles, step by step, to the window.
She opened the window, and the rising breeze gently blew in, carrying the scent of the city and the chirping of birds.
Sakura Minamino stood by the window, her hands gently pressed against her chest. She blinked, then slowly began to sing the song that had been hidden in her heart for so long:
风って鸟ってわたしよりfree かな
Wings of wings
できるよね
Going on!
A morning breeze ruffled her long golden hair; she tilted her head slightly and continued singing:
Imagination
It's perfect
The bottom of my heart is the spring of my heart
どんなに下ち込んでもまた
transparentなもので満たされていく
Her voice was soft, like the first snow falling or spring water flowing.
That wasn't a showy singing voice, but rather the voice of someone who, after facing vulnerability with composure, regained their courage.
これってこれってなんていう気取ちなの
It's hot and painful, it's hot and it hurts.
风って鸟ってわたしよりfree かな
Wings of wings
できるよね
Going on!
As she sang this, a tear glistened in the corner of her eye, but she was still smiling.
She walked to the chair, sat down, hugged the pillow, and gently swung her legs.
His son is a private person
わかってはいるけどつい比べちゃうよ
Answerえ合わせはもうしたくない
みんなと同じじゃなくてもprivateにできること见つけたいの
She recalled those nights backstage where she cried but gritted her teeth and went on stage; she recalled countless times when she smiled and thanked the judges after being eliminated from competitions.
I remember someone carrying a violin case through the streets of Tokyo late at night; I remember the reason I started playing the violin.
Remember who you are.
Her voice grew increasingly firm:
梦って爱って本道はよくknow らない
どんな色どんなshapedどこからやってくるの
pray for your wishes
Confidence in the beginning
できるよね
Going on!
She stood up, as if all her weariness had faded away with the singing.
She didn't stay passively; she actively embraced the present.
She is no longer just a gentle and beautiful idol, a principal violinist, or the wife of Shuichi Minamino; she is herself.
She is Minamino Sakura, a mother, someone who can walk on without relying on anyone.
水がここにあるのprivyをつかさどる元が
何があっても干れたりしない
谛めたつもりでもまたtransparentなもので満たされていく
A calm strength emerged in her eyes.
No matter how difficult it gets, I'll walk through it with a smile.
Even if there was unease, I chose to believe.
Even if you don't know where the destination is, you still take a step.
これってこれってなんていう気取ちなの
It's hot and painful, it's hot and it hurts.
风って鸟ってわたしよりfree かな
Wings of wings
できるよね
Going on!
At the end of the corridor, Shuichi Minamino stood quietly by the door.
He didn't disturb her.
Just leaning against the doorframe, listening to her sing the whole song, felt like I was truly getting to know this girl for the first time.
She wasn't the spoiled, smiling little fox he had pampered.
Rather, she is the woman who carries a spring in her heart and always moves forward.
He murmured softly:
"You don't need anyone to make you who you are, but I will always stand behind you."
"Because of you, you are the wind and light I want to protect most in my life."
The singing slowly faded into the air, while the wind outside the window continued to blow gently, rustling the edges of the curtains.
Sakura Minamino stood by the window, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath of fresh air.
She lowered her hand from her chest and gently stroked her still flat stomach, a warm smile spreading across her lips.
"Baby."
She spoke softly, as if talking to an old friend.
"Although Mom had... a little hesitation at one point."
"But now, Mommy is really looking forward to your birth."
Her eyes shone brightly, as if she had finally seen the way through the fog.
"So during this time, Mom will try her best not to get angry easily, not to secretly eat sweets, and not to make your dad worry."
Her voice was soft and tinged with laughter, like a murmur, or perhaps a vow:
"So you have to be a good boy and grow up healthy in Mommy's tummy."
As she spoke, she lowered her head and kissed her fingertips, then gently placed them on her stomach.
At that moment, she was whole, gentle, and resolute.
However, the next second—
"...May I join your conversation?"
She was startled and turned around, only to see that familiar figure leaning against the door frame.
Shuichi Minamino stood there, sunlight streaming down from behind him, as if bathing him in a soft glow.
He didn't say much, but quickly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.
“Sakura…”
His voice was lower than usual, with a slight tremor and a restrained emotion.
"sorry."
"I... am too stupid."
"I thought protecting you meant controlling you, and that not letting you do these things was for your own good."
"The result is just hurting you."
“You’re right—” He lowered his head, his voice bitter, “I was indeed too focused on the baby in my belly, but I neglected that you were the one who deserved to be loved first.”
“You are the baby’s mother, my wife, and... the person I care about most.”
He held her even tighter, as if afraid she would run away again.
Sakura Minamino didn't move. She simply leaned quietly against him, listening to his low voice and feeling his familiar and warm body temperature.
“It’s not that I don’t want to forgive you…” she said softly, “it’s just that I need you to know that I’m not someone who can only be protected.”
“I have feelings, insecurities, and pride too.” She looked up at him slightly. “What I need from you is trust, companionship… not to be treated like someone in a glass dome.”
“I understand.” He said solemnly, word by word, “I will learn to do better, not to control you, but to respect you and be there for you.”
She looked at him, and a hint of tenderness and a smile finally appeared in her blue eyes.
“Then…” she suddenly whispered, “you have to give me a kiss in return.”
Nan Ye Xiu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.
"Yes, ma'am."
He lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers.
This kiss was devoid of desire, aggression, or the forceful struggle between the two.
It happened slowly and quietly, like snow falling on the palm of your hand, like spring water flowing through your fingers.
His hand gently clasped behind her waist, and her fingers wrapped around the back of his neck.
On this morning, in the quiet hospital ward, the two finally embraced each other's unease and courage.
This kiss replaced all the arguments, tears, and tantrums, and it also replaced the unspoken words:
"I love you much."
Outside the window, birdsong was melodious. The wind continued to blow.
She gently pressed against his chest and whispered, "Let's go home."
He nodded: "Let's go home together."
She smiled, like a cherry blossom blooming in the morning light.
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