The sun was high over the erald-green hills that surrounded their countryside ho. A soft breeze drifted through the tall windows as Aoi stood in front of the mirror, gently brushing her now longer hair, her other hand resting over her rounded belly.
"Hmm... she’s definitely growing," she whispered to herself, smiling as she traced a small circle over her stomach.
From behind, Ren stepped in, his shirt only half-buttoned, a baby monitor clipped to his pocket. He grinned. "You’re glowing more than usual. Must be the future little queen inside you."
Aoi giggled. "You always say that."
"But it’s always true."
He leaned down and kissed her shoulder, then helped her sit. "Are you ready for the scan today? Lucia’s running the AI-assisted diagnostic this ti—it should be even clearer."
Aoi nodded, a spark of nervous excitent dancing in her eyes. "I wonder if Hikari will like having a sister."
"She already calls the baby her ’backup best friend,’" Ren said with a laugh.
In the dical Wing
Their ho had changed over the years—not just a peaceful haven but a technological fortress wrapped in love. Deep underground was a high-tech dical chamber, where Lucia’s AI linked seamlessly with Ren’s precision-built equipnt.
Aoi lay comfortably on a padded bed as holographic scanners orbited around her belly. Ren stood beside her, holding her hand, his thumb gently tracing hers.
Lucia’s voice was calm and soothing.
"Vitals are stable. Neural developnt progressing well. Initiating projection."
A soft shimr filled the room. Before them, floating in light, was a three-dinsional image of their unborn child—her small form curling and moving inside the womb.
Aoi’s breath caught.
"She’s... perfect."
The baby’s tiny hand stretched outward in the hologram, her fingers wriggling in response to Lucia’s simulated ambient music.
"Sex identified: Female."
Aoi’s eyes filled with tears. Ren didn’t say anything at first, just smiled. But his grip on Aoi’s hand tightened slightly, and he exhaled, as though releasing a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
"Another daughter," he whispered. "Another universe in our arms."
Later That Evening
The living room slled like baked apples and cinnamon. Aoi sat on the plush couch, her legs resting on Ren’s lap as Hikari sat cross-legged nearby, holding a cup of cocoa.
"So it’s a girl?" Hikari asked, eyes wide.
Ren nodded. "Yup. Your little sister’s on her way."
Hikari grinned, already planning. "Can I choose her na?"
"We’ll all choose it together," Aoi said. "Just like we chose yours."
"But mine ca from a star chart and Papa’s AI list," Hikari said proudly.
Ren laughed. "We’ll use a star chart again. That way, she’ll always know she ca from the sky."
A mont passed. The fire crackled softly. Then Hikari crawled forward and rested her head gently on Aoi’s belly.
"Hi, little star," she whispered. "I’m your sister. I’ll be here when you wake up."
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