Prenatal Arrangements (Family Line)

Eri was amused by his lame joke and reached out to smack him on the arm.

"It's not that exaggerated."

"A careful boat sails ten thousand years." Nakayama Takuya held his son and said, "Right, Kazuki?"

"Mm." Little Kazuki nodded along, seeming to half understand.

"Kazuki, this time next year, you won't be the only child in the family anymore."

The little guy turned his head, his eyes going round as saucers, clearly not understanding the change in family status hidden behind those words.

He held it in for a long while, then pointed at Eri's stomach and asked, "Then do I have to share my Pikachu with him?"

"That depends on your mood." Nakayama Takuya rubbed his son's hair into a bird's nest. "But if anyone bullies him, you'll be responsible for beating them back."

Before Kazuki could finish digesting this daunting mission, a rapid clatter of wooden clogs came from the end of the corridor.

Two figures walked over quickly.

The one in front was Nakayama Miyuki. She was still wearing a simple, elegant kimono and clearly hadn't had time to change, having obviously rushed over straight from a tea gathering.

Behind her was Eri's mother, Nakagawa Takako, carrying two insulated bags that looked at a glance as if they had just been swept up from a department store raid.

"Mother, Mother-in-law." Nakayama Takuya stood up with Kazuki in his arms.

The two ladies' gazes went straight past him, locking onto Eri like radar.

Nakayama Miyuki hurried forward a few steps, took Eri's hand, and looked her up and down, with an air that suggested she wished she could give her daughter-in-law a full-body CT scan on the spot.

Nakagawa Takako was even more direct. She set the insulated bags on the bench and reached out to check