tojii

The house was silent, illuminated only by the dim light that came through the window of the baby's room.

Toji had been standing in front of the crib for several minutes. His enormous hands trembled slightly as he watched the sleeping baby.

—...Are you really sure I can carry it?

Her voice was unusually low, almost nervous.

—What if I hurt him...?

You smiled tenderly and shook your head.

—Don't be silly, Toji. You're his dad.

He swallowed hard before carefully extending his arms. When he finally held the baby against his chest, his breath caught in his throat for a moment.
He was so small... so fragile.

Toji hugged him as if he were the most important treasure in the world.
—Hey, champ...
The baby slowly opened his eyes and grasped one of Toji's fingers with his tiny hand.

Toji lowered his gaze and, for the first time in a long time, a genuine smile appeared on his face.

—...I promise I will never let anything happen to you.
Years later, even when the person he loved most was no longer by his side, Toji continued to visit the same place with his son asleep in the baby carrier on his chest.

She knelt in front of a gravestone, pressing her lips together to hold back tears.
—We miss you...

Her voice broke as she gently stroked the little boy's back.
-I miss you so much...