Tetsu no Sosuke showed Kanae the letter. After reading it, she nodded. "What's happening out there matters more. Countless lives are at stake. Go, and be careful."
Tetsu no Sosuke gathered her into his arms, truly reluctant to leave her at that moment.
His wife and child were both here. This was where Tetsu no Sosuke belonged.
Where a person belonged was never a matter of when or where, but of whom.
Wherever his wife and child were, that was where he belonged. Likewise, wherever Tetsu no Sosuke made his home was where Kanae and their child would make theirs.
Only when they were together were they a family!
But now, Tetsu no Sosuke had no choice but to leave his home. He looked at Kanae. "Then promise me you'll take good care of yourself for the next twenty days. Stay out of drafts, and don't rush things. Be careful, take things slowly, and look after yourself and the baby."
Kanae nodded. "Of course."
Tetsu no Sosuke also entrusted her care to Kiyo Terauchi. "I'm sorry for the trouble, but please look after her. Keep her meals on the same schedule I've been following. Until her postpartum recovery period is over, she mustn't do any strenuous exercise. Don't assume her body has recovered. There may be problems she can't see or feel that won't show themselves until she reaches middle age. Please make sure she doesn't get careless. I'm counting on you!"
He bowed solemnly to Kiyo Terauchi.
Kiyo Terauchi hurriedly waved both hands, unwilling to accept such a gesture.
But Tetsu no Sosuke insisted, making his determination clear, and Kiyo Terauchi solemnly agreed.
Finally, Tetsu no Sosuke sat beside Kanae with the baby in his arms. The little fellow loved to smile now. He smiled when he saw Tetsu