Chapter Text
Karamatsu smiled at the sweet sound of a baby’s laughter. To be more specific, he took joy in his baby’s laughter coming from a brown bouncer seat resembling a monkey presently occupied by the three-month old Hanako. All he did was kneel next to her and coo, allowing her to playfully reach up for the dangling bird, palm tree, and banana mobile ornaments attached. When one of them so much as grazed her little fingertips, it sent Hanako into a fit of bubbly laughter and prompted her to keep repeating it as best as she could.
“Is somebody having fun with the funny shapes?” Karamatsu cooed, tickling his daughter’s cheek with one light finger. He placed a soft peck on the same area, making her giddily bounce more in her seat. “Heh, you’re definitely Papa’s silly little Karamatsu Girl. Yes, you are~!”
Hanako moved her focus point from the seat mobile to her father’s face, babbling as she started to reach up until Karamatsu caught on and picked the infant up into his arms. This made her especially pleased, cooing and looking the other Matsuno close enough into his eyes while keeping a hold on his offered pointer finger. He lightly bounced her up and down, unable to stop himself from smiling ear to ear at such an innocent child.
“At this rate, you’ll be as strong as me someday,” Karamatsu quipped, witnessing his finger be tugged into Hanako’s mouth by her will before she started suckling on it. “Oh! Non, non, my buttercup. As ravishing as I may appear, Daddy’s finger isn’t edible. If you’d like, I’d be more than happy to fetch you a pacifier for you to use as a proper substitute.”
Knowing the orange-coded Matsuno would be a long ways from talking, Karamatsu went over to one of the drawers in Hanako’s changing station dresser and took out a clean plum pacifier. Glancing at the current time on his watch to see the baby’s naptime was then, he slipped the dummy into her mouth and kept it steady until she was suckling on it properly. He carried Hanako over to the crib, carefully placing her on her back. She was still far too young for anything but the fitted mattress sheet to be allowed in the crib, so all he used to make sure she stayed warm was a pink zigzagged sleep sack fitted for her size.
Karamatsu went to the small mahogany bookshelf that stored all of Hanako’s baby books reserved mostly for storytime and parted two specific ones to reveal the bedtime CD given to him (and created) by Totoko previously. He opened up the old audio player and put the disc in so he could close it, hoping to get around to purchasing a less aged looking CD player for Hanako’s room sometime soon. Pressing play on the first lullaby of the soundtrack, Karamatsu turned off the crib mobile’s automatic tune before winding it up and letting Hanako watch various shapes circle around her.
Combined with the oddly soothing sound of Totoko’s singing voice alongside a soft instrumental music in the background of it and the slow spinning of the mobile above her, Hanako started to get drowsy. Yawning and taking more of her pacifier past her lips, she relaxed her head completely against the mattress as her eyes got heavy enough to shut closed. Karamatsu watched her doze off for a few moments to make sure she was fully asleep, planting a very soft kiss on her stringy patches of curly sooty hair exposing parts of her scalp and finally leaving the area near the crib.
“Have a wonderful nap, Pumpkin,” Karamatsu said softly. “It’ll be almost time for lunch when you awaken.”
Slowly pulling the door closed until it was open only a crack for easier access, Karamatsu went down the hallway to the living room, where he took a much-needed seat upon the sofa. In the middle of a tired yawn, he quickly stopped himself, not wanting to feel too tired despite resting his head against his supporting hand propped up by the respective elbow. Karamatsu lightly slapped himself in the cheeks a few times to stay awake, opening his eyes as a knee-jerk response whenever they dared to try and fall heavy.
Though a quick nap had always sounded heavenly, the forbidden fruit only got riper in days following Hanako being brought home from the hospital. To bite it and carelessly sleep when she needed his full attention at almost every second was unforgivable in his eyes. As a new father to a new baby, he couldn’t afford to slip up and potentially allow the worst to happen to his daughter. He had to be ready at any waking second to care for Hanako in spite of what anyone else could say.
To be more specific, what a certain boyfriend of his could say and did earlier that morning before he departed to prepare and set up his oden stand for his workday.
"Really, Chibita, I don’t mind taking over,” Karamatsu insisted at the time, watching the oden admirer undress Hanako from her pajamas while she was laid on her changing mat. “You need to get fresh ingredients for your cart anyways, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but that’s not until later,” Chibita retorted, continuing what he intended.
“I am aware of that, but wouldn’t you prefer to have less tasks? A-And besides, it’s unwise to dirty your beautiful hands before you touch food!”
“That’s why hand washing is a thing, Kara. If you’re just gonna talk my ear off and distract me, then go sit in the living room until I’m done.”
“I’m not intentionally distracting you, dear! All I’m saying is how much of an honor it would be for me to do this in your stead.”
“And I appreciate the offer, but I can change a diaper just fine on my own.” Chibita took one look at Karamatsu, sighing in defeat when his taller boyfriend was giving him pleading eyes none too different from a desperate puppy dog. “Oh, fine, ya idjit! If it’ll make you feel better, then hand me what I need when the right time comes up.”
Karamatsu’s face instantly lit up, smiling just as happily at the suggestion. “Really?! You’re still letting me make a commitment?!”
“The Hell?! You never stopped making one! Me doing my part as a parent isn’t gonna change that.”
“Non, but it will change our daughter,” Karamatsu laughed, pointing to a fussy Hanako still kicking her legs in a dirty diaper.
“Cheeky, babe, cheeky.” Chibita let out a laugh of his own, relieved that Karamatsu finally stopped bellyaching so he could turn his adoring attention to the three-month old in need. “Sorry, hon. I got a little sidetracked, but now we can get you into a fresh outfit before I have to head out. Hold still for your Pops, okay?”
Chibita was able to unstrap the formerly dry diaper and slip it out from underneath Hanako’s bottom. Wrapping the dirty diaper up, he tossed it into the trash bin next to the station and held an open hand out to Karamatsu for the wipes. He quickly caught on before Chibita said anything, fetching the container and sliding it over for the next important step.
“Okay, now we’re gonna clean you up first since that gross diaper’s finally gone,” Chibita crooned at Hanako, keeping her legs lifted high enough to start wiping. The damp paper cloth barely had time to do its job before the infant started trying to squirm and wriggle. “Oi! Cleaning you means you’ve gotta stay still, ya know. Easy now, Hana. Just let Daddy do his job.”
“I’ve an idea, one second,” Karamatsu said, going over to Hanako’s toy chest and pulling out a pink rabbit doll wearing a red bow tie, bringing it back to the changing area and stealing his daughter’s attention to it. “Look, honey! Usa-chan wants to pay his favorite girl a visit! Won’t you say hello? It’d make him super happy.”
Hanako started reaching one hand out to the bunny toy, babbling incoherent noises as an assumed greeting for her doll. Karamatsu made Usa-chan’s “paw” wave to Hanako, taking delight in seeing her smile happily in response and buying Chibita enough time to wipe up the mess and throw the dirty cleaning cloth in the garbage.
“See, Hanako? Even your little bunny friend wants you to start the day all nice and clean,” Chibita purred lovingly, holding his palm out to Karamatsu and directing the next command towards him. “Baby lotion.”
"Coming up!" Karamatsu obeyed, slipping Chibita the right bottle. “And you’re absolutely sure that you don’t want me taking over? I wouldn’t mind doing so in the slightest.”
“I know you wouldn’t. That’s why I’m doing it since you’re not the only parent around here.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that one person doesn’t just do all the work and leave the other without a break. It’s an even split, and it’s always gonna be one.”
“I don’t need that much of a break! Parenting is a 24/7 job, and I as a father must stick to that!”
“And this is me as your partner telling you not to drive yourself into the ground without letting in some time to breathe! Parents especially need a break every now and again, damn it!”
“But, Chibita—”
“—No ‘buts’ except the one I’m changing. I’ll talk to you about this when I’m done, got it?”
Karamatsu couldn’t keep arguing with that, reluctantly giving up on the debate as Chibita only asked him to pass him a clean diaper next once Hanako’s bottom was moisturized with baby lotion. He put Usa-chan away in the toy box, going right back to his child’s side as the new diaper was slipped underneath her and strapped on. Chibita went over to the wardrobe to fish through different hung up pieces of clothing, Karamatsu keeping a hand on Hanako so she couldn’t potentially fall off or over the changing station for the few seconds leading up to Chibita’s return.
“What do you think? Is this outfit okay enough for her to wear today?” Chibita asked, holding up a small orange tank top with a single daisy flower decorating the center and dark blue shorts.
“‘Okay’? Why, our dear child would look adorable in anything, especially your choice in her fashion of the day! If you wouldn’t mind, why not allow another with great taste in haute couture to dress her and bless them with such an honor?”
“Sure, who did you have in mind that fits that description?” Chibita’s quip made Karamatsu’s face fall unamused, already starting to put Hanako’s outfit on her starting with the shirt.
“I meant myself and you know that very well, dearest.”
“I had a feeling, but the answer’s no. What did I just get done saying about you not having to do everything at every little second?”
“Not to, but it’s just dressing her! Is that such a crime for me to want to put cute clothes on our baby?”
“Well, no, that’s not wrong. What’s wrong is everything before that that led up to it.” Chibita finally got the tank top over Hanako, slipping her arms through it as he sighed at his disappointed lover. “Look, Karaboy, this ain’t anything personal. All I’m asking you to do is not over-do things like you always do.”
“Darling, I’m alright. Tell me; does this look like the face of somebody who was anything in less than tip-top shape?” Karamatsu had Chibita look him in the eyes, which were visibly weary with a small bag each under his eyes. The yawn that slipped out right after didn’t help his case much either despite catching it too late.
“Yes. Go sit down and clear your head for a little bit, and I’ll be right out with Hana so she can have breakfast. Can you do that for me?”
Before he could try and plead otherwise, the second-born of the Matsuno sextuplets saw how sincere Chibita’s own eyes looked, almost secretly begging him to say yes. The thought of upsetting his partner bringing on a strong sense of guilt, Karamatsu smiled and nodded to agree. He kissed Hanako on the cheek as if actually leaving, going out to the living room and sitting down on the sofa to try and relax par the suggestion.
During the few minutes he was alone, Karamatsu felt fidgety and more anxious than one really should when trying to relax. He remembered looking back and forth between the dormant television in front of him and where Hanako’s door was waiting for her to come out with Chibita holding her. When it happened, then and only then did he find himself able to grow calm, even more after the baby was transferred from one pair of arms to his own. He wasn’t expecting Chibita to take a seat next to him, but he thought nothing of it as he took Hanako into his arms and started pushing down the collar of the short-sleeved version of his blue parka until one rosy nipple was clear in sight.
“I thought you already pumped a few bottles beforehand,” Chibita wondered, watching Karamatsu guide Hanako to where she needed to be so natural instincts could kick in.
“I did. I’d simply like to conserve them for her next feeding is all so I’m not constantly milking myself,” Karamatsu answered, easing up when his daughter had a steady, painless latch and suckled away at the nutrients.
“How is it that’s the one thing you give yourself a break from, but not everything else with the baby?”
“Whatever do you mean? This isn’t nearly the same thing; Hanako gets fed either way since I’m only changing up how I do it.”
“...It’s not bad to give yourself some you time, you know, ya idjit. If anything, it’s kinda given that letting your mind recharge is necessary when you have kids.”
“Not when the baby needs you more and you’re stuck on mandatory child leave anyways.”
“That’s an even bigger reason for you to take it easier! You’re supposed to take those things so you can help with her and have less stress in doing it, not more, damn it!”
Hanako let out a whine at her other father’s loud voice, causing her to suckle a tad too hard for Karamatsu. “Ah! Chibita, please, don’t startle Hana when I’m trying to feed her. Neither of us can concentrate.”
“But—!”
“—Please keep your voice down until she’s finished.”
Huffing, Chibita silenced himself and patiently waited for Hanako to take as much milk from Karamatsu as she needed. He watched on, seeing his daughter start to whimper and squirm until his boyfriend patted and rubbed her back very gently. His words were incoherent, but it was obvious they were soft encouragements for the result of every feeding. It finally happened, Hanako letting out a little burp and sighing in relief now that her chest didn’t hurt from gas pressure anymore. Even though three months of having her around made it a normal occurrence, Chibita always did seem to find it cute on how his baby tended to make such cute noises each time and had no trouble smiling at the sight.
“All better, Pumpkin,” Karamatsu cooed, lightly bouncing the babbling Hanako while cradling her close to his chest after his shirt slipped back into place to cover it. “Wasn’t that such a yummy breakfast?”
“Kara, can I tell you something?” Chibita asked rather softly.
“Hmm? And what would my beloved Karamatsu Boy like to say? I’m all ears.”
“...You’re still an amazing dad, you know. And considering it’s you, you always will be.”
“Eh? What brings this up?”
“I say this both because it’s true, and that taking a little ‘you’ time ain’t gonna make you a bad parent. That is, assuming that’s what you’ve been trying to dodge this whole time with overworking yourself with the kid.”
A yelp leaked out of Karamatsu where a gasp would be equally appropriate. He nervously bit his lip, the look on Chibita’s face telling him he’d been read like a book. It wasn’t as though he hated getting a little more rest, or some time to himself. Not at all! He didn’t know a single person so staunchly against being healthy or sound of mind. Looking at Hanako and knowing how much attention a baby needed from their parents is what gave remorse the strength to kick the thought right out of his head and encourage him to focus less on himself and more on someone who depended on him so much.
Because even though Chibita had been right the whole time considering how many times Karamatsu had been warned by others when Hanako was born to not drive himself crazy obsessing over the baby, it proved to be easier said than done in recent times. She needed him the most, and selfishly thinking of his own needs over hers didn’t sound like an acceptable option. What kind of father would do that to his own flesh and blood?
Not him, that was for sure. But even despite that, Chibita’s persistence wasn’t going to take any obvious lies as an answer. That wouldn’t work now, nor did it ever in the past as much as the blue-coded Matsuno hated to remind himself. All the possible routes around it, and he knew his boyfriend would wheedle the truth out of him one way or another.
“...Yes, and?” was all he could think to respond with, finally coming back to reality from his staunch thoughts.
“‘And’, letting yourself rest for a little while someone looks after Hana isn’t a bad thing. Sacrificing all your health as a way to feel like a good parent isn’t good. Even I take as much time as I can to clear my head while she’s taking a nap or with you! Does that make me a bad parent?”
“Non, non! Of course not! You’re a wonderful father, darling.”
“So, why would you be any different from doing the same thing?”
“Heh. Obviously, because I strive for excellence in executing my own paternal instincts! They’re simply too strong for me to refuse, so I am but a powerless mortal to their every whim.”
“Ah. So, it’s because you think it’s selfish of you to rest up. I get it now.”
“Huh?! Chibita, that’s not what I—”
“—Subtext, Karaboy. Subtext. But, if you wanna tell me I’m wrong without lying to me, go ahead. I won’t get mad at ya.”
Karamatsu lost count of how many times he opened his mouth to say something, only to close it just as fast when no excuse or explanation came to mind. Chibita just HAD to say “without lying”, didn’t he? The man couldn’t seem to go one moment where he didn’t see through Karamatsu like glass, and that itself was a huge disadvantage. Sighing, the proverbial white flag was waved when Karamatsu looked on with sullen eyes that had yet to catch a nap themselves.
“I just want to keep being a good father,” Karamatsu whimpered, tired in more ways than one. “After everything, I can’t afford to slip up too badly. Our baby needs me, Chibita.”
“You are a good father, and you’d be an even better one with your head on straight. I’m sure Hanako would understand if she could! Besides, babies need a little space themselves. You can only hover over them at every second for so long, Kara.”
“I get that. Then how come I feel so guilty every time the thought crosses my mind? I feel like I’m letting her down by thinking of myself instead of my child.”
“That’s understandable, but she’s been in good hands from the first time you held her. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the baby. If you don’t, then you won’t be able to think right and something worse might happen for real.”
“W-Worse?! Is that possible?!”
Chibita nodded. “Besides that, I’m worried about you more than usual. I don’t think anyone likes seeing their boyfriend drive himself into the ground and way past his limit so much.”
“Have I really gotten that bad? I figured I was just being concerned.”
“Karamatsu, there’s a huge line between normal worry about your kids, and going as far as trying to tape the baby monitor to your chest so you know Hana’s every action.”
“I would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for some people…” Karamatsu pouted and muttered under his breath, folding his arms stubbornly.
“You’re welcome for that. In fact, how many times did I hear you get out of bed last night to check on the baby? I’m only counting then right now or else we’d be here forever and I wind up late for work.”
“I withheld any guesses.” It was about eight or nine times on that night alone, but there was no way he’d give Chibita the satisfaction.
“Point being, you need to take it easier and not let yourself fall apart just so you can feel better. I don’t mind taking care of her, and babysitters are things too! It’s perfectly fine to get a break when you can.”
Karamatsu had no desire (or energy from how tired he’d been nowadays) to keep arguing with Chibita, especially on account of how tough it was to win against him and his tenacity. Not only that, but the clock told both that it was almost time for the oden vendor to leave and prepare for work anyways. He got up, but didn’t quite leave Karamatsu and Hanako alone yet.
“If at least for my sake and somehow not your sanity, take a break,” Chibita pleaded. “I’ll be home later on, but I don’t wanna come back to an undead version of you.”
“Would me making the effort to do so make you feel better, love?” Karamatsu asked, guilty.
“Yeah, but you’d definitely be the one feeling happier if you do. Just hearing you tried would be music to my ears too.”
“Okay then, I won’t fail you! I can’t guarantee anything, but when you come home, I’ll have a satisfactory verdict to the issue at hand.”
“That’s my guy.” Chibita knelt down slightly to be leveled with Hanako enough to kiss her on the head, scratching her cheek with his thumb as she giggled in a trilling manner. “Don’t drive Dad too crazy while I’m gone, okay, cutie? And if he doesn’t dial things back a little, feel free to squeal.”
He was completely joking about that last part considering babies couldn’t talk, but he knew he’d still found out one way or another. Karamatsu leaned down and gave Chibita a goodbye kiss on the lips, turning to watch him leave with Hanako in his arms. Chibita waved back at them, even more enthralled by Karamatsu pretending the baby was waving by herself despite using his fingers to have her hand do the motion.
“Kekekeh! I’ll see you both tonight,” Chibita chuckled, going out the door at last and shutting the entrance to his apartment behind him to leave Karamatsu and Hanako alone for the day.
The rest from there, as Karamatsu remembered, followed as normal up to the present where Hanako was still taking her nap. And even though she was sound asleep and he had yet to hear any signs of her waking up for whatever reason, he had to stay on his toes no matter what. He remained on the sofa, rather cumbersome against the cozy cushions and his elbow-supported hand still propping his cheek up. His eyes started to feel like they were dropping, but in no way would he consciously let them fall closed! Hanako was his priority. She needed him, and now wasn’t the time to carelessly doze off too!
Karamatsu’s more conscious half of his mind was chanting that over and over, telling him to make sure Hanako was safe at all times and costs. Despite it, the half he wasn’t fully aware of pulled his eyelids down further until a comforting darkness overtook him. His body started relaxing on his own, a tiny mellow smile tugging the corners of his mouth apart a little until his breathing became more shallow. More calm, more in touch with healing his nerves, more…
“GUH!” Karamatsu sputtered, snapping himself awake when he realized he nearly fell asleep. Panting slightly, he glanced over at where Hanako’s nursery is and relieved to find his outburst failed to wake her up too early. “That was close. I’d better go check on her just once. It never hurt… anybody…”
Standing up from the sofa would be a simple task to anybody without children to raise, but when Karamatsu attempted it, his legs felt like ten-ton jelly. He just barely caught himself using the chair arm he was formerly resting against to support his body, propping upwards to the point where his legs wobbled as if he were a newborn fawn. Odd, he was doing such a good job at running from fatigue and weariness, so how come it felt like he couldn’t run period? There was no way he was that tired! He was a father, by gum! A mortal guardian angel towards his offspring! Karamatsu just had to keep going, he had to check on his baby to see if she was still well!
“I’m … no STRESS!” Karamatsu insisted to himself, taking the first step forward. Alright, this was finally it. His body was going to cooperate. His eyes were going to stay open! He was going to keep being the amazing father he’d been already so far! He…!
Was going to fall right on his stomach and fail to get anywhere. Panting, all Karamatsu could do was glance up at Hanako’s door, no sounds coming from it except for the bizarre sound combining bubbles and fish-like gargling courtesy of Totoko’s recorded vocals. He didn’t care too much about that; his childhood friend was always as quirky with her things as she was cute. And whatever kept the baby asleep was okay in his book.
No, what he did start to think about was his current condition, both mental and physical. To start, his body made him feel even heavier than he ever did when he was pregnant with Hanako. That was all because of his mind, which felt dizzy with exhaustion the less he started ignoring it. He also began to stop denying how lately, he’d been cutting sleep to practically encompass his daughter, whether she needed it or not. Put them all together, and the result is one dead tired father who’d been trying to hard to fight reality.
Good thing Chibita was at work with his oden stand. Karamatsu really didn’t wanna hear him give him an unwanted lecture on how he’d been saying it the whole time towards previously deaf ears. The problem was, would the solution actually be the right answer? Even if he caught a break, that meant somebody else took the fall for him and looked after Hanako for a short while so he could get himself back in order. He didn’t want to entrust just any old sitter with his pride and joy; the brightest light of his life that was his beloved baby girl.
Karamatsu took a breath, able to prop himself up and get the blood flowing back to his legs as he left Hanako be. Instead, he went to the apartment’s landline and took a breath before dialing in a number he knew all too well. He prayed to Akatsuka and any other God available that whoever he intended to call would pick up and nobody else. With that in mind regardless, he hoped for the best answer possible when the other line finally answered.
“Matsuno residence. Matsuno Matsuyo speaking.” Karamatsu let a breathy sigh leave his lungs, the sweet sound of his mother’s voice calming his nerves a tad.
“Salutations, Mommy,” Karamatsu yawned. “How has my lovely life-bringer been doing in recent days?”
“I’m hanging in there as I’ve always been, but can I say the same for you? You sound exhausted. Of course, that’s given considering the new baby, but are you still doing okay, hon?”
“That’s sort of why I called you, madam. Now, I am in no way confirming that I’ve been doing this, but say a father has been so worried about his bundle of joy that perhaps he hasn’t quite been giving himself time to rest. And because of that, he’s been putting off taking advice to rest up without having to worry about the baby since such a thought was previously unacceptable and he was scared of feeling selfish. What would you think the best option for him would be?”
“Do you mind saying that again, but this time not in a secret code?”
“I’ve been wearing myself out with the baby and Chibita wants me to take a break and I haven’t because I don’t wanna feel like a bad father. I call you now wondering if it’d be alright if you watched her until sometime this evening.”
Karamatsu couldn’t see it, but Matsuyo was giving a blank aside glance from such a request. He was worried during the brief silence until his mother spoke into the phone again. “...Son, riddle me this. Say someone, not necessarily me; heavens no! Just say somebody has been waiting for the day she becomes a grandmother since her children graduated from high school. Now, not only has that day finally come by an absolute miracle, but the son who actually became a parent is just choosing now after three whole months to officially ask his mother to watch her beloved granddaughter while he takes a well-earned break. Not just stopping by for a lovely little visit with her in hand, then leaving to take her home too, but an official babysitting request. How do you think the new grandmother would respond?”
“S-So, is today not a good day after all?”
“Bring her over as soon as possible. I wanna watch my granddaughter for once.” Matsuyo’s tone was flat, expecting such an oblivious answer but nonetheless displeased by it.
“Oh! Err, alright, Mommy. If you say that’s alright, then give me time to pack a few things.”
“That’s no trouble. I’ll see you two later, Karamatsu. Love you!”
His mother hung up first, prompting the son to put the phone back on the receiver. As he went to prepare a diaper bag and other supplies, Karamatsu reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. He found Chibita’s contact and texted him the important message of him taking his advice and deciding to drop Hanako off at her grandparents’ house for the afternoon, sending it and shutting off his phone without waiting for an immediate response until he was deemed ready to hear it.
Karamatsu began gathering plenty of diapers, wipes and baby lotion, the bottles already containing pre-prepared milk, enough of Hanako’s toys to prevent her from getting bored, and anything else she’d need during the visit to Grandma, maybe Grandpa unless he was still at work, and…
Her uncles.
Oh, dear Lord, how could he forget all about his brothers still being there?! Not that he didn’t trust them as much and genuinely as he’d always love them, that wasn’t the case at all. In fact, they were the ones he had faith in to do a good job with keeping Hanako happy when he thought giving birth to her was going to kill him as Dekapan incorrectly said once. But now that he was alive and well, there was no telling what would happen with them around Hanako. Doubting them all the way didn’t seem fair, but neither did carelessly entrusting them to be alone with her.
“So long as everybody who needs to be supervised is, things should go okay—” His text tone went off, forcing Karamatsu to check the message from Chibita. “‘Thanks for seeing reason for once. I prefer my boyfriends well-rested and more relaxed’.” Karamatsu only typed out his response after he read that, in short laughing it off and telling Chibita to save any sort of complacency for later.
Once the message was sent, Karamatsu went back to preparing the baby bag and some other important supplies for her. He waited at the stiff kitchen table chairs for Hanako to wake up on her own so the sofa wouldn’t tempt him into falling asleep for real when it wasn’t yet appropriate. When she did, that would be it, he thought. The first time since becoming a father that he takes a little bit to rest from the baby’s needs, and another first overall that he was being begged to.
He may have been confiding in people he trusted, but there was just no telling of what could happen to Hanako. His mother was nobody he was too worried about, if at all. But, anyone else related to him beyond his parents (meaning, his four younger brothers and sole older one) instilled a worry in him like no other. All in all, Karamatsu silently prayed for the best and only the best to happen until the future evening that was to come.