He was terrified of hurting him or accidentally injuring him.
Kiyo Terauchi gave him an amused look. "Relax. Here, let me explain. Your right hand—bring your right hand around the baby's neck and cradle his head on your arm. Support his bottom with your palm, then hold him with your other hand."
Tetsu no Sosuke fumbled through the motions, feeling that this was far harder than Swordsmanship or anything like that.
He finally managed to take the baby into his arms. The child, whose eyes had yet to open fully, barely glanced at Tetsu no Sosuke through the narrow slits before continuing to wail.
There was none of that cleverness where a baby would see his own father and immediately turn his tears into a smile.
Tetsu no Sosuke hurriedly rocked him and tried to soothe him, but it didn't do a damn thing.
A newborn knew nothing besides crying.
Shinobu Kocho came out just then. "You can come in now."
Tetsu no Sosuke hurried inside. The room still smelled of blood. Kanae lay pale-faced on the bed, gazing tenderly at him before looking at the child in his arms.
Suddenly, she burst into a soft laugh.
Tetsu no Sosuke laughed too. They looked at each other and laughed together, until tears began to fall.
Tetsu no Sosuke went to her side and laid the baby beside her. Kanae lowered her head and studied him for a moment before saying softly, "He looks so much like you."
Tetsu no Sosuke hurriedly took a closer look too. He really did.
His nose, mouth, face shape, and chin were all exactly like his own.
Tetsu no Sosuke's smile grew even wider. He simply took Kanae's hand. "Thank you for everything you've been through."
"That's not what I want to hear from you,"