That evening, the four people staying at home went together to bring Shen Qing dinner. After two weeks apart, Kōshū finally saw his mother again. At first, he barely recognized her. Shen Qing had swollen up like dough with baking powder mixed into it, and her knuckles were puffed up like carrots.
"Mom—" Lang Zhi rushed in as well, then froze at the sight before him. "Mom?"
"This is what it's like in the late stages of pregnancy." Grandma, who had followed them in, deftly pushed the tray table in front of Shen Qing and opened the lunch boxes. "I made Dumplings, two different fillings."
"Thank you—these next two months, we'll have to trouble Grandpa and Grandma."
Grandpa sat down beside her and started on his usual topic again. "I've gone through all the materials these past few days over the child's name. For a boy, Zhi Yong really is the best name..."
He had barely begun when Mr. Sasaki stopped him. "It's been a long time since we had a chat alone. Let's talk outside and let Shen Qing eat first." Half dragging and half coaxing, he pulled Grandpa away, finally bringing some peace to the room.
With the room suddenly emptied out, Kōshū, standing alone against the wall, became rather conspicuous. Three people were gathered together in one spot while the other stood leaning by himself off to the side. No matter how one looked at it, it felt strange.
Kōshū's heart ached. Those five people had just been gathered together so warmly and noisily, with no place for him to squeeze in. He had once scared Lang Zhi by saying middle children were the least favored, but in truth, he had no right to say that. He was the only outsider in this family.
That night when