Chapter 136: A Quiet Hello, A Loud Visit
Two weeks later, we were invited to visit Junpei and Ruka’s newborn. The baby had been born a bit premature, but thankfully, she was healthy and growing strong.
By “we,” I mean all of us.
A big, noisy, chaotic “us.”
Me. Keiko. Aki. Miko. And—of course—Suzuka.
It was already 8.30 PM when we arrived after work, practically marching into Junpei’s apartment like a parade unit. I hoped we weren’t disturbing them too much. I sighed as I imagined the noise level we were about to bring. Especially with the “trio of disaster” tagging along.
Junpei opened the door before we even rang the bell.
“Hi! Hi! Girls~ Welcome, thanks for coming today!” he beamed.
“Hi Junpei-san, thank you for inviting us!” Aki replied with her trademark grin.
“Hi bro. Thanks for having us.” I gave him a pat on the back.
“Ohh, it’s nothing, we’re the ones who should be thankful. Come in, come in!” he said, practically buzzing with energy. I could already see the sparkle in his eyes that only a new dad could have.
We followed him in, kicking off our shoes and crowding into the small living room.
The apartment felt even more compact than I remembered. I used to crash here last year—back when it was just Junpei—but now with Ruka, and a baby? This place had officially become... tight. Baby supplies were stacked in corners, and tiny blankets draped over the couch.
“Sorry, it’s messy. Still haven’t had time to organize things after the baby came,” Junpei said sheepishly, although he couldn’t stop smiling even if he tried.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Keiko said kindly. “It feels cozy.”
“How’s Ruka doing? And the baby?” she added.
“They’re good, really good. Ruka’s starting to move around more. I don’t let her lift anything heavier than the baby though.” Junpei puffed his chest with pride.
Miko gave him a mock salute. “You’re sounding like an actual responsible husband and father, sir!”
Junpei turned bright red and scratched the back of his head, laughing like an idiot. “Ahaha... I try.”
“Let me call Ruka,” he said, already heading down the hall. “She’s excited to see you guys.”
“He looks really happy,” I whispered to Keiko.
She nodded. “I hope Ruka’s okay too.”
Soon, Ruka appeared from the hallway, carrying a tiny bundle wrapped in a pink blanket. Her steps were slow, but steady.
“Oh... guys, thank you for coming,” she said shyly.
"WOAH! Ruka, your belly’s already gone!" Aki blurted out.
“Yeah, so fast! Amazing!” Miko added with wide eyes.
Ruka blinked, then laughed softly. “Well... she’s out now.”
“She” being the little bean in her arms.
“Omg, SO cute!” Suzuka squealed, somehow louder than both Aki and Miko combined. The three of them hovered like excited aunties.
“Ruka, are you doing okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. Thanks, Ryuko,” she replied warmly.
I grinned. “Let me know if Junpei ever bothers you.”
From the kitchen, Junpei yelled, “OI!!”
But Ruka chuckled and said sweetly, “He’s been amazing. Really. A great husband.”
I glanced at Junpei who was now smugly crossing his arms like he won a gold medal. I rolled my eyes at him. Fine, I’ll admit it. He’s... cool.
“Aaaah, she’s yawning! Look! LOOK!!” Aki squeaked.
“So cutee!! Her tiny mouth!” Suzuka clutched her own face.
“Her fingers! She has fingers!” Miko cried, as if that was the most shocking news in the room.
“She’s not a potato, Miko!” Keiko chuckled.
I stepped aside to let Keiko peek. “Switch, guys. Let us take a look too.”
Keiko and I leaned over, and for a moment, the world quieted around us.
“She’s so small,” I murmured.
“Jurina, right?” Keiko asked gently.
Ruka smiled and nodded. “Yes… Jurina.”
Keiko leaned in. “Nice to meet you, Jurina-chan.”
I bent down just a bit and said softly, “Welcome to the world, little one.”
That moment—just the sight of Jurina bundled up and blinking softly—triggered something in my chest.
I remembered another small face. Another tiny breath. The first time I held Rin in my arms. I had cried. I don’t even know why. Maybe because I was scared. Or because I loved her already. Or both.
Now here I was, watching someone else’s first chapter, and it brought a warm, quiet ache. Keiko met my eyes. She was thinking the same thing.
Keiko quietly reached over and took my hand. Not for long. Just a soft, hidden gesture.
“Hey, Ryuko,” Aki called suddenly. “Didn’t you say babies can’t see colors yet?”
“Yeah, until about 3 months old, I think.”
“So if we hold up red and green, she won’t care?” Suzuka said, already reaching into her tote for highlighters.
“Put the markers down,” Keiko deadpanned.
“But science!” Suzuka argued.
“She’s not a science project!” Miko added, now trying to swaddle herself in a blanket to feel “what babies feel.”
“You’re twenty!” I reminded her.
"Emotionally? Ten," Suzuka whispered.
We all burst out laughing. Even Ruka had to bite her lip to stop herself. Junpei was trying to hold the baby and laugh silently at the same time.
“This room is too small for three idiots,” Keiko sighed.
“You mean four?” I asked.
Keiko gave me a look. “You are not off the hook either.”
“Oh, come on!”
Ruka handed Jurina back to Junpei, then gently sat beside us.
“I miss this kind of noise,” she said softly.
Junpei gave her a smile. “You’ll be getting more of it when Jurina starts crying every three hours.”
“I mean... the good kind,” Ruka whispered.
Jurina let out a little whimper in Junpei’s arms. Everyone froze.
“She’s gonna cry.”
“Oh no!”
“She doesn’t like us!!”
“Abort! Abort!” Miko said, ducking behind the sofa like we were under attack.
Junpei chuckled and gently bounced her. “She’s okay. Just waking up.”
We all watched in silence for a moment.
Such a small cry. Such a small life.
I looked at Keiko again, and she gave me a tiny smile.
“Do you miss it?” I asked under my breath.
“Sometimes,” she answered.
We sat there, surrounded by noise, jokes, and the faint sound of baby breathing. And yet in that little corner of the couch, just me and her... we remembered our days.