Albatross Sky_Season 2 ~JSDF Love Story~ [Part 7] How foolish I was not to marry. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen was an old couple walking arm in arm. ②

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[Part 7] How foolish I was not to marry. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen was an old couple walking arm in arm. Hollywood Actress Greta Garbo ②

"Oh, thank you. This chicken nanban is delicious!"
"This stamina set meal is great too. Want to try some?"
"Yeah! Then you should try this chicken nanban."

They swapped plates.

"My, my, you two are getting along well. Are you newlyweds?"
"Oh, yes. We've been married for a little less than three months. How many years have you two been together?"

Toshio asked with great interest.

"I suppose it's been forty years since we married within the force."
"That long!? That's amazing! I respect you."

Yuhi was surprised and clasped her hands in front of her chest. It was a length of time unimaginable to them right now.

"You two should do your best, too. I'm sure there will be all sorts of things ahead, but life is long and yet passes in the blink of an eye. Even after you retire, and after your children are independent, life goes on. This shop was his dream since we first met."
"If we run a shop together, we can be together all the time even while we work. Haha."

The proprietress laughed as if embarrassed.

"How wonderful..."

Yuhi realized once again that there are many forms of marriage. Come to think of it, the time one can actively fly as a pilot is indeed limited. If nothing else happens, life is likely longer after one rests their wings.

Until now, she had taken it for granted that they would keep flying together, but now, Toshio was her irreplaceable partner in life before being a pilot or a superior officer.

Within Yuhi, the priorities had changed long ago, but she was very happy to feel as though the two of them had pushed her forward, confirming that it was the right path.

＊

"That was such a great shop. The owner and his wife were wonderful, too."
"Yeah, I'm glad we came. I feel like I'm going to be a regular now."
"Me too!"

She cast her gaze down at their hands, fingers intertwined as usual.

"Hey... what is your dream right now, Toshio?"
"My dream right now? It hasn't changed. To spend my life with Yuhi."
"Is that... a dream?"
"If you call a goal you want to achieve in the future a dream, then I can't think of anything else."
"...I'm happy. We'll be together forever, right?"
"Of course. And what is your dream, Yuhi?"
"Hehe, the same. To build a happy family with Toshio."

He showed a slightly surprised expression. Was it unexpected that it wasn't related to work?

"...I'm very happy."

My heart was full at his murmur, so I let go of his hand and clung tightly to his arm. On the way back, we stopped by our favorite cake shop near the station to pick up the cheesecake we had reserved, then headed home.

When we got back home, I immediately prepared some tea. We lined up the coffee and cake on the low table, and dessert time began.

“Mmm, so delicious!”

At the sheer deliciousness, I looked up and shook my head, and the corners of Toshio's eyes crinkled.

“This cheesecake is truly delicious no matter when you eat it.”
“Yeah, I'm so happy!”
“The meal at Kadoya Cafeteria was also amazing, we got to know the owner and his wife, and now this dessert is the best. It really is a wonderful day off, isn't it?”

I nodded deeply at his heartfelt words.

“Yeah! Happiness is... this, isn't it?”
“Hmm?”
“Waking up in the morning with the person I love beside me, training together, coming home to eat breakfast together, finishing our chores and then cuddling, and after that, going for a walk together, eating delicious food and dessert, and being moved by it all together.”

Once again, my heart felt full.

“...Yuhi?”

Tears began to spill down my cheeks.

“I'm sorry... When I realized that this is my happiness, my heart just felt so full.”

He held me gently as if to comfort me.

“I'm scared... Toshio. I'm so happy that it's scary...”

I was bewildered by an emotion I had never felt before—being so happy that it was scary.

“It's okay. It's okay, Yuhi.”

Being wrapped in his scent was so comforting that I finally calmed down.

“I'm sorry... I got a bit overwhelmed.”
“It's fine. Even I sometimes get unbearably anxious because I'm too happy. Thinking that maybe this whole situation is just a dream.”
“You too, Toshio?”

When I looked up, he smiled and wiped away my tears.

“Yeah. That's why I've decided to always think positively. It's only natural that we're happy right now. Because we're living each day, working desperately hard together, to make that happen.”

That's right. This happiness isn't something to be taken for granted. It's precisely because we work hard every day that we can feel this happy.

My husband is truly amazing.

Even after getting married, I feel like my love for him grows stronger every day. That is because he faces each day with me, Yuuhi, so earnestly. That is why I, too, want to give him more and more of everything.

I love you, Toshio. I will keep doing my best so that you will always love me too.
Thank you. Let's do our best together. Let's become even closer tomorrow.
Yes!
Okay, now, say ahh.

While being held in his arms, he holds a spoonful of cheesecake up to my lips.

This is yours, Toshio. Are you sure?
It's fine. Here.

As I am urged, I take the spoon into my mouth, and he kisses my forehead.

Yuuhi, you're so cute.
Hehe. It's delicious, my husband.

When I whisper in a spoiled voice, he seals my lips and devours them.

Hehe. Yuuhi's lips taste like sweet cheesecake.
Oh... I love you.

We share kisses while feeding each other.

It is our sweet, melting routine. After one of our kisses, I gently place my hands on his cheeks.

...So, my husband. Is there anything you are hiding from me?
Huh?

A surprise attack. As expected, I did not miss his eyes darting away for a split second. He seemed to give up and gently pressed his forehead against mine.

...You're amazing, Yuuhi. How did you know?
Because, just as you are always looking out for me, I want to be able to notice if something is wrong with you, Toshio.

At those words, he makes a face as if he is about to cry.

It's not so much that I'm hiding it... but there is something I want to discuss with you, and I was worried about when to bring it up.
Discuss? Is it that hard to say?

He had previously said that our discussions were already long finished. There should be nothing left to discuss now. If that is the case, he was called out by Katsuno after work the other day; could it be, by some sudden turn of events, an announcement of a transfer?

It's not that it's hard to say, but...

He seems to steel himself and places his hands on my shoulders.

Well, about us... what should we do about children?

Contrary to him looking at me anxiously after finishing his sentence, I inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.

“Oh... you startled me. I really thought you’d received notice of a transfer, Toshio.”

She placed a hand over her heart, laughed, and tilted her head as she gazed at him.

“So, what do you want to do, Toshio?”
“I... I want to respect your thoughts, Yuuhi. You’re the one who would have to carry the child and deal with the physical toll, and as a pilot, you’d have to interrupt your career just as you’re hitting your stride.”
“Toshio.”

She glared at him sharply.

“That’s not good enough. I want to hear your feelings. In the life we have ahead of us, I don’t want to be out of sync with you even a little bit. When making life choices, I want us to align our feelings thoroughly.”

She gently squeezed his hand. She wanted to know his true heart. And, if possible, she hoped he felt the same way she did.

“I... I want one. I want a child with you, Yuuhi... I want our child.”

As he answered as if squeezing the words out, Yuuhi threw herself into his arms.

“I’m so glad. I feel the same way. I want to give birth to the child of the person I love most. I want to leave your legacy behind.”

She was so happy. Happy that he, too, had wanted a child with her.

“Honestly. Did you think I would say I didn’t want children?”

When she pouted, he looked uncomfortable and scratched his temple.

“I knew you loved children, but you’re at a point where your career as a pilot is really flourishing...”

She understood well what he was trying to say. But this was by no means a half-hearted feeling.

“Thank you for putting me first. But I told you on the way home earlier, didn’t I? My dream is to build a happy home with you, Toshio. My priorities have long since been set on a future with you.”
“What about... your career as a pilot?”
“Of course I’ll continue. I’ll bear your child, and I’ll keep flying right beside you. I made up my mind to do that a long time ago.”

His eyes widened. He stared at Yuuhi for a while, but eventually, tears spilled from his eyes.

“I’m sorry. It was me who lacked the resolve...”

Yuuhi placed her hands on his cheeks and wiped away his tears with her thumbs, just as he always did for her. She loved him so much for caring about her so deeply.

“I’ll give it my all, with everything I have. Both in raising our child and in supporting your return to the cockpit.”

He was always sincere. He had never once spoken empty words. That was why she could believe in him. Yuuhi chuckled and stroked his hair.

"My husband. Before that, we need to make a baby, right? It's not guaranteed to happen right away, so should I stop taking my medication starting today?"

Because of her profession as a fighter pilot, she had been using medication to manage her menstrual cycle ever since being deployed for active duty. However, he never relied on that and always took proper precautions.

"That's for after the wedding. We went to the trouble of picking out a beautiful dress, after all."

He smiled and gently pinched Yuuhi's cheeks.

"Hehe, that's right. So, shall we practice?"
"Rather than practice, shall we call it dessert after the meal?"

His hand slid smoothly around her back, and she was laid down on the floor. A melting kiss followed.

"...But we just had dessert, didn't we?"

When she looked up at him with a teasing gaze, he suddenly pinned her down completely.

"For a girl who says such mean things, this is what happens."
"Ah, I'm sorry, wait, bwahahaha!"

The time for the couple's play began once more. She was simply happy that her future with him was taking shape, little by little.

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Next Story Albatross Sky_Season 2 ~JSDF Love Story~ [Part 8] Marriage is something you do when two people who could live alone still decide they want to be together. ① | Kyo

Previous Story Albatross Sky_Season 2 ~JSDF Love Story~ [Part 7] How foolish I was to say I wouldn't marry. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen was an elderly couple walking arm in arm. ① | Kyo

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Albatross Sky_Season 2 ~JSDF Love Story~ [Part 1] Love is an action. We were born with the power to love. Even so, we have to train it like a muscle. ① | Kyo