The hospital was buzzing with excitement.
Yuri was in the delivery room, and the rest of the family waited outside, anxious and hopeful. Yuke, Astra, Aoi, Mickey—everyone was there. They sat, stood, paced. Time ticked by slowly, thick with anticipation.
Except for one.
Akira wasn't there.
He was far away, handling critical matters in the underworld—bloody, brutal, and dark… the weight of his world holding him back from witnessing the moment he had longed for.
Hours later…
The sound of tiny cries filled the hospital corridors.
The babies were born—three healthy, beautiful little buns.
Everyone gathered around the crib, their faces glowing with joy and awe. They looked down at the newborns, eyes soft, smiles wide.
Yuri lay on the hospital bed, weak but smiling peacefully as he looked at his babies.
He glanced around at the happy faces, then looked at Yuke.
"Honey… where is brother-in-law?" he asked gently. "He was the one desperately waiting to meet them… and now he's not here?"
Yuke hesitated.
"Uhh… actually, honey… brother is busy with a very important work. But he promised—he'll come as fast as he can."
Yuri sighed with a small smile.
"Oh… I guess we'll wait, then."
Suddenly—
Thud—thud—
The door burst open.
Akira stumbled in, panting, his shirt slightly disheveled, sweat on his forehead, and a faint smear of blood on his cheek.
"Brother!" Yuke exclaimed, eyes lighting up. He ran toward him, noticing the blood. "You're finally here… uh—wait, you have a little blood on your cheek."
He quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped it gently.
Akira caught his breath and looked around.
"So… where are they?"
Yuke pointed with a proud grin.
"Here, brother."
Akira stepped closer to the crib, his eyes widening.
Inside lay three tiny newborns, wrapped softly in warm blankets, their cheeks pink and round, their eyelids fluttering as they slept peacefully.
Akira's lips parted slightly.
"Awww… they're so tiny… and cute. All three of them."
He slowly reached down and touched one of the babies' cheeks—
The baby's tiny fingers instinctively curled around Akira's finger.
Everyone laughed.
Even Akira let out a soft laugh, his heart melting at the unexpected grip.
Astra chuckled, nudging Mickey.
"That's a strong one…"
The room filled with laughter, warmth, and the beginning of a new chapter.