Giving birth… it’s really just a few weeks away now.
As time goes by, the baby inside me gets increasingly active, kicking my belly with impressive gusto.
I did mention to the little one to grow strong, but maybe it’s a bit too strong?
Thanks to that, I’m quite uncomfortable every single day from these little belly punches.
Honestly, it hurts more than just feeling bloated from pregnancy.
Then again, maybe it’s because my belly has been getting really big lately, my appetite has been all over the place.
Both the Commander and I have been having a tough time these days.
“…Ah.”
“Again?”
“…Yes.”
Seriously… I’m so worried about how life will be after the baby is born, with how loudly my little one has been making its presence known inside me.
I could just call it by its birth name from now on!
“…Strong One is too strong.”
“…Seems like it.”
I picked that name hoping it would grow well…
Anyway, we’ve had a lot of things happening between the Commander and me lately.
We met each other’s parents, and my parents came over to our house, making tons of side dishes.
There were various other happenings as well.
“…Just a little bit more wait.”
“I’m excited.”
“Yeah, same here.”
Despite everything going on, today I was finally able to relax.
The Commander and I.
“Hehe…”
I was lying on the bed while the Commander was behind me, hugging me and gently rubbing my belly.
Just a peaceful holiday like that.
Our parents had been around, making the house quite noisy, but in a way, it felt oddly refreshing to have this quiet moment.
Sure, both the Commander and I were fine with our parents visiting, but honestly, it had been exhausting.
Since they’re our elders, it couldn’t help but be a bit tiring.
Of course, that didn’t mean the time spent together wasn’t enjoyable.
“I have one concern, Commander.”
“What is it?”
“I have no idea how to get rid of this big belly later on.”
That was a genuine concern.
Among the worries I was carrying lately, it was the most pressing one.
Of course, the baby was my top priority, but I knew for a fact that it was very healthy.
But this much of a protruding belly was worrying!
To be honest, I was quite… worried.
I mostly considered my looks as my best trait.
Of course, the Commander had many other great qualities, but I at least thought so.
“Well, maybe it will shrink naturally?”
“…Is that so?”
“I don’t know either…? I’ve never been pregnant.”
“Well, at least my belly wasn’t this big before. I might not have a super-defined six-pack…”
Aside from the face, my body was… well, if we exclude the chest and hips, it was kind of in the grey area.
I wasn’t one to eat a lot, so I never looked overly chubby, but still, it was a bit soft in some areas.
I truly had no idea what to expect now that my belly had grown so much.
Of course, this was a sign the baby was thriving, but honestly, it was making me quite anxious.
…I figured my main advantage was mostly in looks.
Though I thought the Commander had many other strengths, that was how I saw it.
“Well, if you work out with me, I’m sure it will be fine?”
“That’s a bit of a hassle.”
“…Lindera.”
The Commander glanced at me like I was a fool.
It felt like ages ago… like, a really long time ago when we had a conversation like this.
And it made me chuckle.
Just a little giggle.
“Maybe I shouldn’t worry too much…”
“Why not? Are you saying that because my chest has gotten bigger, a bit of a belly is no big deal?”
“…Honestly, yeah.”
“…….”
Should I be thankful for your honesty?
Or should I be glad that you’re getting even more direct than before…?
“Hah…”
“Are you mad?”
“No.”
It was just funny in many ways.
The Commander still felt like the Commander.
Truly… yes.
“More importantly, Commander, shouldn’t we start considering baby name options? We can’t keep calling it by the birth name after it’s born.”
“Well, that… but…”
The Commander and I had discussed this many times before.
Even though I still had symptoms where I couldn’t hear or see names, it wasn’t like I couldn’t recognize nouns.
Plus, recently… I had recovered enough to figure out that names had a few letters and what shapes they used.
Of course, reading them was still off-limits for me.
“Are you still not gonna choose one?”
“Ahem…”
In any case, during the choosing process, the Commander kept deliberately avoiding giving me an answer.
Not that there was any specific reason for that…
“Do you really want to see the baby’s appearance before deciding on a name?”
“…Honestly, it is important, right?”
“…….”
“I’m sorry.”
That was such a ridiculous reason.
I almost laughed out loud.
Like seriously, not being able to comment on baby names just because I hadn’t seen the baby’s appearance is such a Commander thing.
“Just say something; it’s totally fine.”
“No, the name is hugely important. I want to make sure it fits the baby.”
“I see.”
I understood, no matter how funny the reason was.
Well, I wasn’t exactly in the mood to just throw out name options either.
Even if they were options, it’s a name I’d give to my child, specifically with the Commander, so it makes sense to think it over and be careful about it.
As the Commander said, names are… really important.
“Commander, do you still wish for a daughter?”
“Of course.”
Well, in this one aspect, he was quite firm.
I just accepted that.
“I hope the baby arrives soon.”
“But not too soon, right?”
That was… obvious.
*
“Oh, Lindera!”
“How have you been?”
It had really been a while since I last visited the office.
It wasn’t that I had any particular reason, just that my boredom out of inconvenience was stronger than any slight discomfort.
I missed the Commander, and sitting at home alone was starting to feel dreary.
“I’ve been well! How’s the baby? How much longer to go? Huh?”
“Midori, if you push so hard, you might jinx it.”
“Oops!”
Well… just like always, everyone was bright and cheerful, which was nice to see.
It was better than the alternative.
Walking into the office after quite some time, it was still noisy, thanks to one person.
Ever since I half-threatened the Boss to cut down on how much work they were piling on me, this had become the norm.
“Did you take care of yourself, older sister?”
“I’ve been just fine. The Boss has been working quietly, so I haven’t been getting any calls from headquarters…”
“Glad to hear that.”
“Honestly, if you had done this well from the start, I would have preferred it.”
“Hehe, your carefree nature is part of the Boss’s charm.”
“True.”
Honestly, we hadn’t known each other for long, but it felt like we hit it off.
Was it because we shared a similar vibe in many ways?
Of course, our hair colors were different, and I definitely had her beat in the chest department.
People were just genuinely kind, and it didn’t feel awkward to engage.
Despite her stiff speech style, her personality was quite pleasant.
“…Why do I feel like I’m a toy to you kids?”
“Hehe, just kidding. We’d never tease you, Boss.”
“Lindera, seeing how you tease the Commander, I think that’s a definite possibility.”
“…Hmm.”
That was a pretty believable accusation.
I didn’t even bother to refute it.
Honestly, I had to admit I treated the Commander a bit… lightly.
But, you know, the Commander and I were close, so things were fine.
“More importantly, if you’re feeling unwell, just rest at home. Why’d you come here?”
“Umm… because I missed the Boss?”
“Nice words. Just talk to your husband; he’s been staring at you for a while now.”
I knew that already.
But I didn’t expect the boss would be the one to point that out.
Anyway, after exchanging some casual greetings, I turned toward the Commander, who had been fixated on me.
We had already locked eyes and greeted upon my entrance.
But waiting for a formal greeting was adorably awkward.
As if he were so much taller than me.
“What are you doing?”
“Working, obviously…”
“I see.”
When I tried to chat, the Commander pretended to get back to work.
Seriously… it was so obvious.
He was way too transparent to try to act like he wasn’t staring at me.
Honestly, I thought I would be a better actor than him.
In fact, in the bedroom, when it’s about to become intimate… I usually do better at playing roles, too.
“Heh…”
“What?”
“Nothing. Just found it funny.”
“…Ahem.”
In any case, visiting the office after quite some time was definitely enjoyable.
I got to see the Commander and others as well.
“I could just keep working as is. I’ll gladly stay on vacation while you take care of the work for me.”
“…That might be too much.”
“Why not? After the Commander finishes work, I’ll be there waiting for him, ready with dinner.”
“…I am tempted, but that seems a bit off.”
“Is that so?”
I thought it would be quite fun.
Truth be told, it did sound amusing.
“…You won’t see him until he finishes work.”
“Is that the reason?”
“…Is it not allowed?”
“Heh…”
Seriously… how cute.
Never expected I’d develop feelings like this for a guy.
I wonder who to blame for all this.
Honestly, it was making me giggle uncontrollably.
Well, the main reason was obviously the Commander’s reaction.
“Commander, you should keep working. Your hands have stopped moving.”
“…Alright.”
I took a seat next to the Commander, leaning in comfortably.
Although there hadn’t originally been a chair beside him, I requested one for my convenience.
Hey… I came to visit, and it’d be way easier to relax with the Commander around.
“This is not a place for your little dates… Lindera, take your husband out on the town.”
“Really?”
“…Yeah. Everyone else can’t focus on their work with you two in view.”
Hearing the Boss say this, I looked around…
It really did seem like everyone was more focused on us than their tasks.
Hmm.
A bit embarrassing.
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