[ Central Hospital; A Few Hours Later]
Amano didn't know how long it had been since Mihara was wheeled into the delivery room. She had spent the time calculating how much grout was used between the hospital tiles, anything to distract herself from the worry gnawing at her chest.
The nurses had tried to admit her to one of the waiting rooms, but she refused to move. Her shoulder and hand throbbed with pain, yet she couldn't bring herself to leave. What if something went wrong and she wasn't there when Mihara needed her? The argument went back and forth until the staff and other patients began watching her warily.
Eventually, they decided to treat her right there. While some bones were broken, it was thankfully superficial and only took a few minutes for someone to rearrange her bones and mend them together using their quirk. Her frustration helped momentarily keep her mind off the woman suffering on the other side of those doors.
The distraction only lasted so long as Mihara's broken cries filled the hallway. Amano thought she could keep it together. She clasped her hands together, whispering prayers that barely kept her grounded.
When she heard things calm down, as well as footsteps that approached the other side of the door, she immediately straightened. Even as the doctor smiled at her, the tightness in her chest refused to ease.
"Congratulations! It's a girl. Everything went well. The mother and baby are doing wonderfully," Dr. Seishū announced, his smile widening.
Amano finally let out a breath, her tense shoulders slumping in relief. She winced when she accidentally overextended her injured arm, ignoring the doctor's concerned glance.
"When can I see them?" she asked.
"In a moment. We'll have them cleaned and transferred to a secure room where they'll be staying. A few nurses will oversee the three of you in case of anything unexpected. Over the next few days, we'll also monitor the baby's condition. I don't doubt that it would take a week with how healthy the little one was. Strong lungs too."
Amano bowed deeply. "Thank you so much for taking care of Mihara!"
"It's my job," he replied warmly.
A nurse stepped out of the room wearing the same cheerful expression. "They're ready to be transported. You must be the other mother?"
A bright blush spread across Amano's face as she waved her hands frantically. "W-what?! No, I'm just her friend! The father isn't around, so I've been helping her and the baby—b-but the baby's not mine!"
The nurse paled and bowed repeatedly. "I sincerely apologize! I didn't mean to assume! Technology has evolved so much these past decades that I thought you both—"
"Alright! I think we're done here," Dr. Seishū smoothly interrupted, gently moving the nurse aside. He handed Amano a handkerchief as she continued to sweat profusely. "You must want to see them yourself. Please, go in. The other nurses will arrive shortly to assist with transport."
Amano bowed again before entering the room.
The lights were dim, except for the soft glow surrounding the hospital bed where Mihara lay, a small bundle of blankets resting on her chest. The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, the air uncomfortably cold. Amano immediately worried that Mihara might be freezing in such an environment.
Mihara smiled weakly when she saw her, though concern quickly replaced the expression as her eyes fell on the bandages around Amano's shoulder and hand.
"Did I do that?" Her voice was hoarse, and tears began to well in her eyes as she pointed at Amano's injuries.
Amano sighed, wheeling a chair closer and holding Mihara's hand with her uninjured one. "Under all that stress, your quirk activated. It wasn't intentional, Mihara. I'm fine. The nurses patched me up pretty well. You should be worrying about yourself and your little one."
"I could say the same thing to you..." Mihara's tired eyes softened. "You look exhausted. Did I worry you again?"
"Nonsense. How are you feeling?" Amano asked, bringing Mihara's hand close to her chest. Her eyes traced over Mihara's features. The new mother looked frail—her bright red hair clung to her forehead, slick with sweat, and her eyes were sunken, clearly fighting to stay open.
Mihara groaned softly, stretching her back as much as the baby on her chest allowed. "Extremely exhausted. I feel like I could sleep for a month."
The dark-haired woman nodded, "That could be arranged. I have the means. Mom wouldn't mind taking care of the baby while I make sure you're alright," Amano replied with mock seriousness.
Mihara laughed, knowing her friend was half-serious but choosing to take it lightly. She squeezed Amano's hand gently, careful not to trigger her quirk. Her blue eyes were full of emotion as she smiled. "I can't let you..."
"Oh, but you can," Amano teased, drawing another laugh from her. "With my job, I can stay home for a while and make sure you and her are comfortable. Hell, I could do that for three months if you needed it."
"Amano! That's too much!"
"I might be exaggerating," she said softly as if it was a confession, her gaze falling on the small bundle in Mihara's arms.
The baby's golden eyes were wide as she nursed. Her tiny fists moved restlessly against the blankets. Tufts of red hair, still damp, stuck to her head, and her flushed face turned toward Amano, as if studying her.
Amano chuckled at how noisy the infant was. Despite nursing, her babbling could be heard, although muffled.
"She's a chatterbox like her mom. Hasn't stopped talking since I got here!"
Mihara squeezed Amano's hand, making her wince. "You've got it backward, boo. She's been quiet until you came in. Not even an hour old and already corrupted by your bad influence!"
Amano rolled her eyes. "Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Oh wait—you won't be sleeping! You'll be too busy taking care of a newborn!"
"Shut up, you know that's not true. You'll be taking care of Eiko with me."
Amano paused at the name. She repeated it in her head several times before asking softly, "Eiko... is that her name?"
Mihara leaned against her friend. "Yeah. Eiko Otani."
"Otani!? But that's—"
"I've been thinking about it for a while, boo," Mihara interrupted. "You've done more for me than that bastard ever could. My family disowned me; I don't even have a last name anymore. Taking yours felt right." Her voice softened. "But if it makes you uncomfortable, I'll understand. Eiko doesn't need a last name."
Amano sighed. "I understand, Mihara. It's just... the thought of it makes everything feel so... intimate."
"It doesn't have to be. You're her family just as I am yours. That's all there is to it."
Amano stayed silent for a few moments, deep in thought. She didn't mind sharing her name with Mihara's daughter—her family already loved Mihara like one of their own, there was no doubt that they would accept the arrangement with open arms. Perhaps it was because of her own unrequited feelings that she thought she had buried away coming to surface. The absurdity made her chuckle.
There was no need to think about it too hard. Mihara was right.
Finally, she smiled and squeezed Mihara's hand. "Eiko Otani. I like the sound of that."
"I'm glad," Mihara whispered. Relief washed over her face as she drifted into sleep, baby Eiko following soon after.
Amano looked at the two most precious people in her world and silently vowed to protect and provide for them until the day she died.
***
[ Central Hospital; Five Days Later ]
"Mihara! She's going to say her first words!"
Eiko had taken a few days to adjust to her new world. The first nights of her life were an endless cycle of hunger and sleep. Moments of true wakefulness were rare as her tiny body exhausted easily.
The world around her felt strangely familiar, reminding her very much of her second reincarnation. If she remembered correctly, she was in an institution called a hospital. The clothes, the sterile scent, even the language were all something she recognized.
She was grateful that the reincarnation had gone smoothly. Her mother was healthy and recovering well, while her other mother seemed endlessly enthusiastic about caring for her. Eiko felt an unexpected sense of belonging with the two women who filled the room with laughter.
Eiko babbled constantly, her nonsense sounds echoing softly. Amano found her chatter adorable.
Leaning over the bassinet, Amano grinned widely. "She said Mama! Did you hear that!?"
"Boo, she's five days old," Mihara laughed, walking toward them. She looked far better than she had five days ago, dressed casually and moving with renowned energy. "She can't talk. And even if she could, it wouldn't make sense. She's a baby!"
Eiko's babbling stopped, drawing both women's attention.
Mihara chuckled and stood beside Amano, gently brushing Eiko's cheek. "Looks like she just pooped herself."
Before Mihara could even think about picking up her baby, Amano scooped the infant into her arms and walked toward the changing table. "I'll handle it. Go lay down and rest easily, baby mama."
"You seem too happy to be changing diapers."
"I'm bonding," Amano said with exaggerated pride. "With this, I'll be able to emotionally blackmail Eiko later in life. I'm calling dibs for an early investment."
Mihara sat on the hospital bed and gave her a blank stare, trying not to laugh. "You're being ridiculous."
"I'm being strategic!" Amano countered dramatically.
That did it—Mihara burst into laughter, her laughter filling the room. It was one of Amano's gifts: to find the joy in multiple situations. It was one of Amano's traits that Mihara loved, allowing her to move through life's obstacles with an easy heart knowing that Amano would always be there for her.
As her laughter echoed, Eiko started babbling again, giggling and waving her tiny hands toward Amano, as if to tell her that she wanted in on the fun.
Amano smiled softly, finishing the diaper change with practiced care.
Watching them, Eiko realized she really did love her family. It reminded her of her wife from her previous life. The nostalgia hit her hard, but she was grateful to experience warmth again, even if in a new form.
A nurse politely interrupted them to hand them their with discharge papers and give them a last reminder of the newborn care lessons she briefed over the past few days that they were admitted. Amano carefully tucked the papers in her bag slinging the duffel bag with newborn equipment over her shoulders and taking Eiko from the bassinet.
As they walked through the Hospital corridor, anyone that Mihara recognized, she thanked them deeply for their kindness and skill.
Just like that, their stay at the hospital came to an end.
Eiko was wrapped snugly in a blue blanket embroidered with water dragons. Amano had picked it out months ago, during Mihara's second trimester. Though Eiko fussed at the pattern, Amano proudly insisted it was good luck. Mihara was far too distracted by how adorable Eiko and Amano looked to defend her daughter's tastes.
Amano's father was waiting for them at the parking lot. He greeted Mihara with a warm hug before turning to his daughter and little Eiko.
He was a large, muscular man—clearly where Amano got her impressive build. He greeted the baby with a soft voice and went on to take her from Amano. Despite his size, he handled the baby with gentle precision as he secured her car seat.
Mihara sat in the passenger seat while Amano sat on the back, making sure that Eiko was secure in her seat. On the way home, Amano's father kept the car filled with conversation, recounting the chaos of Mihara's labor and Amano's frantic phone call afterward.
Mihara laughed when he described his daughter's pathetic state that it was a miracle he understood half of what she wanted to tell him. Amano, mortified, protested from the back seat. The father and daughter's playful argument filled the car, making Mihara laugh until she begged them to stop before she would die from laughter.
They reached Amano's apartment soon after. Mihara carried Eiko while Amano and her father brought in the Mihara's luggage and baby supplies.
They had already decided that Mihara and Eiko would move in with Amano so they could raise the child together without having to travel between homes. It wasn't much of a move as Mihara was technically living with Amano for a few months since the start of her pregnancy. There were only a few personal trinkets left in her old apartment that was to be sold off. The profit was going to be used for Eiko's growth.
Inside, Amano's mother and little brother were waiting.
As soon as they entered the apartment, they immediately crowded around Mihara and the baby, excitement radiating from them.
"Oh my god! Mihara-chan, she looks exactly like you!" Kamuki Otani squealed, gently holding Eiko's tiny fist and shaking, successfully making the baby giggle.
Ahito, Amano's baby brother, nodded in awe. "Are you sure she isn't a clone or something?"
Mihara chuckled, though her voice softened with a trace of sadness. "She has his eyes, though."
Ahito immediately looked apologetic. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
"I'm sure they'll come up eventually," Mihara said quietly. "But I don't plan to dwell on them. I just want this little one to grow into an outstanding person—just like her Auntie Amano."
Amano, across the room unpacking Mihara's things, flushed bright red and pretended not to hear. She was desperately avoiding eye contact with her father who was helping her unpack. She just knew that he was looking smug.
Eiko, was hit with lightning shock. `She's not my mother?!` were her last thought before she was pulled into a deep slumber. Curse this fragile body of hers.