“Masanori, we have some news for you.” Hairu watches their child stuff his face with a “ginormous” ice-cream sundae. Topped with his – and her – favorite strawberries. Ui prefers hot fudge.
“Hmm? What?” He looks up, sticky pink smeared across his cheeks to match his hair.
Ui squeezes her hand. “You’re going to be a big brother.”
They hold their breaths. This could go either way.
Masanori squeals with glee. “REALLY?!” He tilts his head back to smile at the ceiling. “Me, a big bro! I’ll get to teach him all the things.”
“Could be a she,” Hairu jokes.
Masanori makes a face. “I don’t care. I want my little person.”
Someone else to play with! To spy on the adults! To help him sneak cookies from the cabinet! This is awesome!
He quivers with excitement. “When?”
“In a few months. It’s growing in my tummy.” Hairu pats herself.
“Oh.” Masanori frowns, and then he asks the dreaded question. “How?”
Mercy and Magic 