Chapter 34
On a clear early summer morning, the Minamino residence was bathed in sunlight.
The roses outside the window are in full bloom, and a gentle breeze rustles the petals.
The pinkish-white light rippled in the air, like a dream.
The living room carpet was rolled up and replaced with a set of photography studio scenery.
White gauze curtains hung gently, against a backdrop of soft, pale gold tones.
The photography team is busy adjusting the lights and lenses.
Sakura Minamino leaned back on the sofa, watching as the camera and lighting fixtures were brought in.
He blinked, looking completely bewildered.
"So... this is the 'surprise' you were talking about?"
Minamino Shuichi stood behind her, smiling as he tidied her disheveled hair.
"Hmm. Maternity photoshoot."
"A photo album?" She was slightly taken aback.
"You're not going to ask me to wear some weird clothes for the photos, are you?"
"Of course not."
He smiled and took her hand. "I just wanted to leave a little memento."
"commemorate?"
"In memory of the days we spent welcoming Kouichi together."
He spoke gently, his eyes so tender they seemed to melt.
I want him to see this when he grows up, to know what happened before he was born.
"How beautiful Mom is."
"Shuichi——"
Her cheeks flushed slightly after hearing this, and she lowered her head and gently bit her lip.
"You're getting better and better at talking."
"Because I want to preserve every moment with you."
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek, his voice low and husky.
"Do you know, Sakura, right now you are the softest light in my heart."
The photographer walked forward with a smile.
"President, Madam, the lights are adjusted, we can begin."
Sakura was taken to the bedroom to change her clothes.
She put on a white chiffon dress.
The skirt was as light as mist, and a thin ribbon was tied at the waist.
It perfectly accentuated her slightly protruding belly.
As she walked out of the door,
The sunlight shone directly on her through the curtains.
In that instant,
Her blonde hair shimmered softly in the light.
His blue eyes were so clear they seemed to reflect the entire sky.
The photographer paused for a few seconds, then couldn't help but exclaim:
"Madam, you are so beautiful, this scene is just like a movie."
Shuichi was also stunned and stood there.
At that moment, he almost forgot to breathe.
She stood in the center of the light.
Her skirt swayed gently, her smile was soft.
Her hand rested gently on her abdomen—
That was a miracle they shared.
Don't look at me like that.
Sakura noticed his dazed expression and chuckled softly.
"If you keep looking at me like that, I'll get shy."
“I just feel,” he stepped forward.
"It feels like every second is worth capturing."
"You really are... getting sweeter and sweeter."
She muttered to herself, but her smile was impossible to hide.
The photographer reminded the couple, "Are you ready? Let's take individual photos first, then we'll take photos together."
Sakura nodded gently and smiled at the camera.
Sunlight shone on her as she stroked her lower abdomen.
That smile was so gentle it could soften anyone's heart.
"Excellent," the photographer exclaimed, pressing the shutter. "So natural, so beautiful—"
After taking individual photos,
Hideichi Minamino stepped forward and was invited into the frame by the photographer.
"Hold the lady close, gently from behind, and bring your head close to her."
He did as she said, gently wrapping his arms around her waist.
His chin rested on her shoulder.
"Okay." The photographer adjusted the focus.
"Now, please bow your head a little and look at Madam."
He did as instructed.
My gaze lingered on her profile.
At that moment, he said nothing.
She just smiled quietly.
Sakura felt that gaze and her heart skipped a beat.
"...Are you looking at me?"
"Mmm," he answered softly.
"Because I have never seen you more beautiful than you are now."
Her cheeks immediately flushed pink.
The shutter clicked.
This scene was forever captured in light and shadow—
A gentle woman, and a man who loves her deeply.
And the little lives they both protect.
After the shoot, the photographer handed them the camera to preview.
Sakura's smile in the picture is as bright as sunshine.
She leaned against Xiuyi's chest, her hand gently stroking her abdomen.
Their gazes met, forming a silent vow.
"I'm going to print this out and put it in my bedroom."
Shuichi said softly, "Every time I see it, I remember this day."
"You..."
Sakura smiled helplessly and shook her head.
"If you keep being this mushy, I'm moving to the guest room."
“Then I’ll move there too.”
He answered as a matter of course.
"You little fox—"
She smiled and gave him a push, but he grabbed her and hugged her back.
He whispered in her ear:
"Thank you, Sakura, for giving me a home."
Sakura's eyes softened.
She leaned against his chest and closed her eyes slightly.
"Then... remember this happiness in the future."
"I will never forget."
The evening sunlight slanted into the room.
The two people in the photo are smiling brightly and confidently.
Hideichi Minamino reached out and picked up the sample photo.
He whispered:
"When Hui sees this photo in the future, he will definitely know—"
His parents loved him deeply even before he was born.
Sakura smiled.
Tears welled in her eyes despite her smile.
It contains gentleness, and also hope for the future.
The bedroom in the Minamino residence was bathed in soft light.
Sakura stood in front of the wardrobe, her brows slightly furrowed.
She was wearing a loose white shirt, with the buttons undone.
A breeze blew in from the window, stirring the hem of the shirt.
She looked down at her chest, her expression somewhat dazed.
The subtle, throbbing pain left her somewhat bewildered.
She reached out and touched it lightly, her fingertips trembling.
She murmured softly, "...Is it because of the pregnancy...?"
A slight warmth rose in her chest, and she quickly lowered her hand.
But her cheeks were still burning red.
She sighed, looking at the beautiful clothes in the closet—
Dresses, shirts, bodycon skirts...
She suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness.
"Seriously, I can't wear any of them now."
Just then, the door was gently pushed open.
"cherry?"
It's Hideichi Minamino.
He changed out of his suit and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
She walked in with her usual gentle smile.
But the next second, he paused slightly.
Her blonde hair was tinged with a soft, honey-like color by the sunlight.
The white shirt was faintly visible in the light.
She bit her lip, her head bowed in a daze, looking quiet yet alluring.
"...Shuichi?"
Sakura looked up and met his green eyes.
He paused for a few seconds before smiling and approaching.
Her tone was gentle, yet tinged with worry.
"What's wrong? Your face is so red, are you feeling unwell?"
"No...no."
She lowered her head slightly, her fingertips pinching the hem of her clothes.
"It's just a strange feeling... a tightness in my chest."
After listening, his expression instantly turned serious.
"It's because the body is preparing to secrete milk."
He explained softly
"The doctor said that some mothers will have early reactions during this stage, so there is no need to be too nervous."
"I see..."
Sakura nodded slightly, looking a little embarrassed.
But the next second...
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a subtle shyness.
"But don't look at me like that."
"What kind of look am I giving you?" he chuckled.
But his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
"It's that kind of thing—"
She gently bit her lip.
"The look in your eyes that makes me feel like you're secretly laughing inside."
Xiuyi smiled.
He reached out and gently tidied her disheveled hair.
"I wasn't laughing, I just thought...you're cute right now."
"That's a lie."
"real."
He lowered his head and gently pressed his forehead against hers.
"You don't know, all the changes in you are incredibly precious to me."
The air was still for a few seconds.
The only sound was the wind rustling the curtains.
Sakura leaned against him, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
"...Sometimes, I'm afraid of becoming ugly."
"No," he replied immediately, his tone firm.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
He paused, his tone lowering.
"And it's the kind of beauty that I want to protect for the rest of my life."
Sakura looked up at his earnest yet gentle eyes.
The tension in my heart gradually dissipated.
She chuckled and said, "You... you're getting better and better at talking."
"That's also because there are people worth talking about."
He reached out and gently stroked her head.
The two embraced in the soft afternoon light.
The only sound in the air was the beating of a heart.
One big and one small, bouncing together.
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