Today, I was scheduled to lecture at the Shino Academy.
...But, I blew it off.
I'm joking. I told them in advance, "It's impossible today," and I also notified the students.
That Hitsugaya might be frustrated that I'm not there today.
I've also had my duties at Squad 4 lightened for a while. Though this is my selfishness, so I plan to make up for it later.
Because today is—
"I'm sorry! I'm late!!"
"Ah, Yukawa-dono! We have been waiting!"
"How is Hisana-san!?"
"No, not yet..."
Byakuya is on edge, or rather, I should say he's worried sick.
He's fidgeting and won't settle down at all.
Well, it can't be helped. Because—
—It's Hisana-san's expected delivery date.
Since it's an expected date, it doesn't necessarily mean it's today.
It seems Byakuya has taken time off work for the past few days to stay by Hisana-san's side. I'm very worried about whether Squad 6 is running properly.
"Then I'll stay too. However, it's just an expected date. The child inside the womb won't consider our convenience, so be caref—"
"Sensei!!"
"How is Elder Sister!?"
"Rukia! And Renji too!?"
A little later than me, the two of them joined us.
"Why are you here!?"
"Today is the expected date, so we pushed through and left early!"
Hisana-san is loved, isn't she.
Since ancient times, childbirth has been a major event.
For example, "Only doctors and midwives are allowed to cross a Daimyo's procession." In short, it's that serious of a matter.
Even more so if it's a birth in one of the Five Great Noble Families; it's a huge, huge incident and huge, huge news.
...Huh? But when it was Ganju-kun's time, there wasn't much fuss at all.
Well, the Shiba family is a house with that kind of atmosphere. I wonder if the people of Rukongai celebrated modestly.
So, taking Rukia-san and the others, we headed to Hisana-san's place.
Since it's a birth this time, the large hall has been reserved and turned into a delivery room.
Entering inside, it's already wrapped in a tension that rivals a battlefield. There's a midwife, and assistants attending to her.
Byakuya and Rukia-san, who entered with me, were inadvertently swallowed by the atmosphere and froze.
...Ah, Renji-kun is on standby in a separate room.
Today! The only male allowed to enter here is the husband—in other words, only Byakuya!
It's a bit much to have him, who isn't even a relative yet, attend...
So, he is on standby in a separate room.
I peeked in a little on the way, but the waiting room was packed with people related to the Kuchiki family and servants (males only).
Especially since Ginrei-san was waiting with a tremendous expression, I think it must be incredibly uncomfortable for him having to wait there.
A light prayer.
Now then, I'll return my viewpoint to the large hall.
A futon is laid in the center of the room, and Hisana-san is sleeping there. Labor pains haven't started yet, but as expected, she is wrapped in tension.
...This might be a bit bad.
"Hisana-san."
"Ah, Yukawa-sensei..."
"Perhaps you are feeling pressured by this situation, but there is no need to be."
This person is mentally fragile too.
Seeing the current situation, she might convince herself, "I absolutely have to give birth today! I have to!!" and corner herself.
"For ten months, you have worked so hard to protect the child in your womb. So for these few days, it is natural for everyone around you to work hard for you. Staying over and preparing is also natural. You and the child in your womb deserve to be treated preferentially... please think about it lightly like that."
So first, I make her relax.
If she gets too worked up and it results in a stillbirth or danger to the mother's body, it won't be a laughing matter.
I absolutely refuse a bad ending after coming this far.
"Also, I think you can imagine, but from now on, it will be more painful and difficult than ever before. So, with the feeling that it is natural for these people to prepare with sleepless vigilance and suffer together with you, let's go for it."
"...My."
The people around are doing their jobs, and above all, they are receiving high, high wages from the Kuchiki family.
It's fine to think of using them up as a matter of course, just for now.
However, it seems the tension has loosened as intended.
Hearing my words, she started giggling.
"Fufufu... ugh! Auuuuuh!!"
"Hisana!!"
Just when I thought she was laughing, she suddenly started suffering.
"Hisana-san!? Did it come?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Um, what on earth is this..."
Byakuya is completely terrified.
"It's labor."
However, right on the expected date; this is a good child resembling their parents.
Now then, from here on is our job.
Using plenty of spiritual pressure to clean thoroughly. I also thoroughly disinfect Rukia-san, Byakuya, and the people inside the room.
Also, since I've had many detailed meetings with the midwives beforehand, our communication is perfect.
"Is the baby's bath ready!?"
"No problems anytime!"
"Clean cloths!?"
"We have prepared plenty!"
"Measure the intervals of the contractions!"
"Yes!!"
"You know this, but it's her first birth, so be careful!"
"Um, Yukawa-dono..."
"What!?"
"Um, what should we do..."
When I noticed, Byakuya and Rukia-san were flustered, looking out of place.
...Well, certainly. These two are useless in this situation.
But I can't say "Get out because you're in the way!", so.
"Hold Hisana-san's hand and encourage her. This is something only a husband or family can do."
""Yes!""
Even though they are brother and sister-in-law, they replied in perfect sync.
...Ah, come to think of it. Let's do it while we're at it.
"Someone prepare a simple screen with cloth! Hide it so Hisana-san is not visible from the waist down!!"
Well, just in case.
I hear there are cases where husbands who attended the birth saw the moment of birth up close and became impotent. Byakuya is still young so he'll probably be fine, but just in case.
But seeing it as a child would be slightly traumatic, that.
"Hisana-san. As I told you before, this is the real thing. I think it will be a long battle, so please stay strong."
"Y... Yes!"
Well now, how long will it take?
Only God knows about this.
"Agu!! It hurts!! It hurts!!"
"Not yet, not yet!"
"You can't give birth yet like this! Endure a little more!!"
"Hisana! Hisana!!"
"Elder Sister!! Elder Sister!!"
"Is it... not yet...?"
"Not yet! Don't push! I taught you before, right! It's hee-hee-hoo! Endure for now!! Disperse the pain!!"
"Hisana!!"
"Ah, it's coming! It's coming!! With this—"
"Hisana-san, it is coming! Match your breathing!!"
"Aah!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
...It was a big job taking several hours.
However, when all was said and done, it was an easy delivery.
I hear it can take a whole day when it's bad, so compared to that, it went smoothly.
A good child who came out head first properly and didn't burden the mother.
"This child is... my..."
And now, Hisana-san is gently hugging the newborn baby.
It's crying waa-waa, but this is proof of health. Crying is a baby's job.
"That is right... our child..."
Byakuya was directing an indescribably gentle gaze at Hisana-san holding the baby.
"Hisana... thank you. For bearing my child... for making me a father..."
"Byakuya-sama... Hisana too, being able to become Byakuya-sama's wife, becoming a mother, I have no words of gratitude... Hisana is a lucky person..."
Oh-ho, lovey-dovey.
Forgetting about the people around them, they've completely entered their own world.
"And Yukawa-dono too, thank you for everything. Without you, my wife... and this child too..."
Just when I thought that, this time he thanked me.
Good, I wasn't treated like air.
"Well, various things happened... but both of you have had bitter experiences. So, please don't repeat the same mistakes in front of that child. As parents, take responsibility for that child's life and bless their life with all your might."
When I said that, everyone present looked at me with eyes of respect.
Especially Rukia-san, she's looking at me with eyes like she's looking at a teacher.
'You are a teacher, are you not!? Do not forget!!'
Come to think of it, that was true.
But I'm tired...
...Ah, right, right. No good, no good, I almost forgot the lot outside.
"It is okay to enter now. However, please be quiet."
Opening the door of the large hall, sticking just my face out. I tell the people waiting in the hallway.
Lined up here are all the people who were originally waiting in separate rooms.
Though Hisana-san's screams and the baby's cries were all completely audible.
The moment they heard the baby's voice, they couldn't sit still and came to the front of the room. Because there were thumping footsteps.
"Byakuya! And Hisana-san too! Congratulations! You did well!!"
"Grandfather!!"
"Ginrei-sama!!"
"Ooh, ooh!! As Sensei said, it is a boy!! No, a girl would have been fine too, but as expected..."
"Congratulations! Ginrei-sama! Byakuya-sama! Hisana-sama!"
The moment I gave permission to enter, they rushed in like an avalanche.
Just when I thought that, Ginrei-san looks happy.
It's a great-grandchild, and since it's a boy, the heir is confirmed.
The servants who were with him are also in an uproar.
It's an unpleasant way to say it, but Hisana-san did the best job as a wife.
With this, the second one can be a girl and it's OK. It's an unpleasant way to say it, though.
"Alright! Everyone, today is a free-for-all!! Prepare a feast!! Forget about work!! We will drink until tomorrow night!!"
""""Oooooh!!""""
However, even though I said don't make noise.
Breaking it instantly and treating everyone generously, Ginrei-san.
Well, it can't be helped today.
"H-Hey Rukia... what was it like...?"
"Umu... it was amazing..."
"No, I don't get it at all..."
"How should I put it, I was made to strongly realize that Elder Sister has become a mother... Until the birth, she looked in so much pain, but after the birth, she looked so happy... I was envious... I-I wonder if I will be blessed with a child someday too...?"
"Hmm, ah, well, you know... when that happens, I'll be next to you too..."
"? What are you saying...?"
My, my, Rukia-san and Renji-kun are heartwarming whenever I see them.
Ideally, you should become able to say "I will be the father!", Renji-kun.
However.
Hisana-san became a mother, so with this, she has completely gone ahead of me as a woman.
If I were to fall in love with a man or give birth, would a warning note like "Mentally homo" be necessary?
'Is that what you are worried about!?'
...No, in a sense, I have given birth too?
You know, when learning Bankai.
...
No, no, that doesn't count!! Brand new! I am still brand new!!