After Zaboru and Ayumi held their newborn son Zenshin, the nurse quickly stepped in to gently take him for cleaning. She moved with care and experience, wiping him down, checking his breathing, and wrapping him snugly in a soft, clean blanket to keep him warm. Zenshin's tiny eyes blinked against the light, and his little hands waved weakly in the air before being bundled up. The nurse spoke kindly, explaining each step, making sure the parents understood everything was going well.

Zaboru, though clearly torn, focused his attention on Ayumi, who was still recovering from the intense labor. He held her hand and helped her adjust into a more comfortable position. Ayumi looked tired but deeply at peace, her eyes never straying far from Zenshin even as he was being tended to. She squeezed Zaboru's hand, silently thanking him for being there through everything.

Meanwhile, Zaboru's mother, Keiko, had volunteered to accompany the nurse and Zenshin to the newborn care unit for the immediate post-birth checkups. Keiko moved with quiet pride, her expression filled with emotion as she followed the nurse. She couldn't help but glance down at her grandson repeatedly, overwhelmed by the fact that her son was now a father. As she walked beside them, she wiped the corners of her eyes discreetly, her heart full.

Zaboru gently caressed Ayumi's hair, brushing it aside with tender fingers. "Thank you, Ayumi… thank you for everything," he whispered, the emotion catching in his throat. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. Ayumi gave him a weak but content smile, clearly exhausted yet filled with happiness.

Zaboru whispered again, "Go on and rest, Ayumi. When you wake up, Zenshin will be here with you." She nodded slowly, her eyes fluttering closed, and even as she drifted off, she wore a soft, peaceful smile. Her face radiated quiet joy, the weight of everything finally starting to ease.

Meanwhile, just down the hall, Zenshin had finished his checkup. The nurse, skilled and reassuring, carefully cleaned him, recorded his vitals, and smiled as she announced, "Four kilograms, strong and healthy." She wrapped him in a clean, warm blanket and gently placed him in a small crib in the ward. He was calm now, his little chest rising and falling, cheeks rosy, lips slightly parted as if still remembering the warmth of Ayumi's arms.

Keiko stood watch over him like a silent guardian. She was overwhelmed—not just by the beauty of her grandson, but by the pride she felt for Zaboru and Ayumi. Soon, Zanichi and Sanika entered, peering into the crib.

Sanika gasped, eyes wide with wonder. "Whoa! He's so cute! Hello, Zenshin!" she said with a huge smile, practically bouncing with excitement. Her voice was hushed, but the joy behind it couldn't be contained.

Zanichi smirked proudly, standing with his arms crossed. "So this is my grandson, huh? Guess that makes me officially old. Like… Grandfather-old." Zanichi grinned and tell his wife "Right Grandmother?"

Before he could say another word, Keiko turned and smacked him lightly on the shoulder with practiced precision.

"You are not allowed to call me 'Grandmother.' Got that? Only Zenshin gets to call me that," she said sternly, but her eyes betrayed the playful glint beneath the surface.

Zanichi blinked and chuckled nervously. "Heh, sorry, love. I can't help myself sometimes…" Then, under his breath, he added, "Every woman's scary when it comes to age."

Sanika giggled uncontrollably at that, and even Keiko rolled her eyes with a reluctant smile. The little family stood together, sharing quiet laughter as Zenshin slept peacefully, completely unaware of the joy he had already brought into the world.

Not long after, Ayumi was transferred to a private ward—a quiet, special room just for her and Zenshin. The space was warm and softly lit, with pastel-colored curtains, a small crib beside the bed, and a wide window that let the soft morning light spill in. Being with her son in this peaceful setting filled Ayumi with joy. Every few seconds she looked at Zenshin and smiled, unable to stop watching his every tiny movement. His breaths, his little fingers twitching, even the way he wrinkled his nose—it was all magical to her.

Zaboru was with her as always, attentive and warm. But at the moment, he had gone out to bring some food for Ayumi. She had barely eaten since the delivery, and he wanted to make sure she had something warm and good. While he was away, Zenshin suddenly started crying, a sharp little wail that instantly pulled Ayumi's attention. She didn't panic—she knew that sound. He was hungry.

Without hesitation, she gently lifted him from the crib and cradled him close. Settling into the bed, she began to breastfeed him, and Zenshin instinctively latched on, drinking slowly and gently. As he fed, Ayumi felt a powerful wave of love and calm wash over her. It was a moment she would never forget—just her and her son, quiet and close, connected in a way she never knew was possible. Her heart was full.

A few minutes later, Zaboru returned, holding a tray with warm soup, rice, and her favorite tea. He paused at the door when he saw them and smiled. "Well, looks like the little guy was hungry before you were."

Ayumi laughed softly. "Heh, this guy's gonna have a humongous appetite just like his dad."

Zaboru grinned and walked over, placing the tray on the side table before sitting beside them. He leaned in and looked at his son, still feeding calmly, and then at Ayumi's content face. He didn't say anything more—he didn't need to. Everything he felt was written in his eyes.

Eventually, Zenshin finished drinking, his tiny body relaxing in Ayumi's arms. She smiled and gently kissed his forehead before laying him back in the crib. He squirmed a little, then let out a tiny yawn before falling into another peaceful sleep.

Zaboru then said gently, "The doctor said you need to stay two more days at the hospital to monitor your condition—and Zenshin's too, Ayumi."

Ayumi nodded, understanding. "Okay, Zabo. By the way, isn't my brother here?"

Zaboru sighed. "He is, Ayumi. In fact, he's right outside the ward. But… he doesn't want to come in. He said he doesn't deserve to see an innocent soul like Zenshin."

Ayumi narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed. She pulled the blanket aside and carefully got out of bed, still moving slowly but determined. Zaboru tried to stop her, but she waved him off with a stern look. She walked across the room, opened the door, and saw him—Akechi Hamazou, her older brother—standing stiffly in the hallway. His eyes were fixed on the ceiling, arms crossed, the usual stone-faced expression unmoved. He looked like a soldier waiting for a command, or a man lost in thought too deep to escape.

"Nii-sama," she said quietly.

Akechi flinched, immediately dropping into a defensive stance out of instinct. His body tensed, ready to fight. But then his eyes locked on Ayumi and realization dawned. He relaxed slowly, mentally cursing himself. My mind's a mess… I didn't even sense her approaching.

"Ayumi… are you okay?" he asked, his voice lower than usual, cautious.

She nodded and took a step forward. "Come see your nephew, brother."

Akechi froze. His face, always unreadable, cracked ever so slightly. A shadow crossed his expression—an emotion so rare it made Ayumi blink. Fear. Not fear of danger, not fear of death. This was different. Vulnerable. Real. Even when gun are latch to his forehead he don't ever feel this way.

He looked at his hands and spoke in a hoarse whisper. "Ayumi… I—I'm not worthy of it. I've done too much… I'm not a good person. I don't deserve to see something that pure."

Ayumi sighed, walked right up to him, and without hesitation, flicked his forehead. Hard.

"Ow—hey!"

"Shut up," she said firmly. "Come with me. Or I'll be mad. Really mad."

Akechi blinked, stunned. Her voice hadn't changed since they were kids. He hesitated for another second, then finally nodded and followed her back into the room.

When he saw Zenshin—tiny, bundled in white, fast asleep—Akechi stopped in his tracks. His eyes locked on the baby, and the silence around him seemed to stretch forever. He said nothing. He just stood there, staring, unsure what to feel, unsure what to do, but completely and absolutely moved.

Ayumi smiled warmly and said, "Zenshin… Uncle Akechi is here."

Akechi's eyes widened. Uncle? The word echoed in his head, unfamiliar and heavy with meaning. He hadn't expected it—hadn't imagined himself in that role. He didn't know what to say. All he could do was stand still, eyes fixed on Zenshin, then glance up at Ayumi in quiet disbelief.

"Do you want to hold him?" she asked gently, her voice filled with tenderness.

Akechi shook his head quickly. "No, Ayumi… I can't. Let me just look at him. That's enough for me."

Ayumi chuckled softly and nodded, her eyes kind. Zaboru, standing nearby, smiled quietly. To see Akechi—the hardened, ever-composed Akechi—so visibly shaken and unsure was something neither of them had ever witnessed before. It was like watching stone begin to melt in the warmth of something real.

Akechi stepped closer to the crib, his movements slow and cautious, like he was approaching something sacred. He watched Zenshin's tiny chest rise and fall, the slow rhythm of newborn sleep. He studied the little face, the tiny fingers twitching against the blanket. A strange feeling rose in his chest—something fragile and foreign.

Then, without thinking, Akechi whispered under his breath, barely audible but sharp with resolve:

"'As long as I still breathe, you will never be harmed, my nephew. That's my vow."

Ayumi sighed. "Nii-sama, you just need to love Zenshin. There's no need for such a vow, you know?"

Zaboru chuckled quietly, watching them with a warm smile.

Then, after a while, many visitors began arriving at the hospital. A steady stream of ZAGE employees from the Japan branch came to show their respect and admiration, offering flowers, gifts, and kind words. Some of them had worked with Zaboru for years and couldn't hide their joy seeing him step into fatherhood. Their presence filled the hallway with quiet congratulations and warm energy, all handled carefully so as not to disturb the ward.

Later that evening, Ayumi's family arrived—despite it being outside normal visiting hours. Normally, hospital staff would never allow such a large group, but when Zaboru was involved, with his influence, status, and generosity, arrangements could always be made. The hospital staff, understanding the importance of the visit, welcomed them with respect.

Though the Hamazou family had begun to distance themselves from their Yakuza past, their reputation still lingered. The aura of power and respect surrounding them hadn't faded, even if they were trying to turn over a new leaf. Yet that night, none of that weight mattered. They weren't the infamous Hamazou syndicate. They were just a family—coming to see their daughter, and the newest, most innocent addition to their lives.

Ayumi was glowing with happiness as her relatives filtered in quietly, gazing at Zenshin with awe. Her father, Akira Hamazou—the same man once feared by many—stood by the crib and wiped away tears. He didn't speak for a long time. He just looked down at his grandson, eyes filled with emotion. When he finally spoke, it was a whisper, barely more than breath: "He's perfect."

For all his strength, for all his history, in that moment, Akira Hamazou was just a grandfather—completely and utterly in love with the little life before him.

Zaboru's family was overflowing with happiness. Sanika, in particular, couldn't stop grinning. She hovered near the crib constantly, whispering sweet nonsense to her nephew and giggling every time he stretched or yawned. Her joy was contagious, lighting up the entire room.

Zanichi, Zaboru's father, took great pleasure in teasing his son. "So you're a father now, huh? You've officially entered the dad club," he said with a dramatic nod, clearly enjoying himself. He nudged Zaboru in the ribs every chance he got, repeating the word "dad" just to see him squirm.

Zaboru sighed and said, "Fine, Granddad." But instead of getting annoyed, Zanichi beamed with pride, clearly honored to be called a grandfather.

Not to be outdone, Zaboru joked back, turning to his mother with a sly grin. "Well then, that makes you a grandmother now, right?"

Keiko's response was swift and predictable—a light but well-placed smack on his shoulder. "You better watch your mouth," she said, although her laughter gave her away. She tried to stay stern, but she couldn't resist smiling.

Ayumi and Sanika burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the ward like music. It was a rare kind of happiness—honest, loud, and shared by everyone in the room.

And with that, surrounded by family, laughter, and love, Zaboru and Ayumi had truly become parents. The reality of it settled around them like sunlight—warm, bright, and undeniable.

To be continue

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