Both Kazuma and Kyo were in great moods as they made their way home from the dojo.
"Well, I am sure that the festival goers will have no complaints about the exhibition; if tonight was anything to go on, then the dojo is sure to impress. You've all worked very hard, Kyo, and the results are obvious."
Kazuma had felt extremely proud that night, watching Kyo spar. While he regretted not being able to take a turn himself, it had been enough to stand back and watch as Sensei Kenichi and his students had put each other through their paces. The group practicing tonight was entirely black belts, or dans; all of them were skilled, and it had shown. Kyo was one of the youngest, but you wouldn't have been able to tell from how well he held his own, winning most, though not all, of his matches.
Kazuma doubted he'd ever grow tired of watching Kyo in action. He had started training Kyo about karate as a way to redirect his energy and give him something to work towards; the fact that Kazuma himself was a karateka had made that choice an obvious one. But Kyo had loved the art, throwing himself into his training with a ferocity that had initially startled Kazuma. He hadn't had the natural gift of some of the other Sohmas, like Yuki. And he had struggled to keep his focus when upset, all the way up through his teenage years. But Kazuma had seen through to Kyo's core, the core that loved karate, that wanted to excel. And Kazuma had hoped that when Kyo learned to control himself, to fight without letting anger drive him, that his natural ability would finally shine.
He could still remember vividly the day Kyo first defeated Yuki in a fight. It was a year after they'd graduated, and both of them were back in Tokyo again for a visit. Yuki had arrived early, and taken Kazuma up on the offer to attend a karate class. In that year, Yuki had given up practicing entirely, while Kyo had been working every day at the dojo. Perhaps in that sense, it was inevitable that Yuki would lose, but Kazuma had wondered. Yuki had been one of the most naturally gifted students he'd ever taught; everything came to him effortlessly. But at the same time, Kazuma could tell that for Yuki, karate had been...nothing. He hadn't cared about it, not really. And skill, without passion, was ultimately doomed to fall behind.
Seeing Yuki go flying had been a surreal moment for everyone in the room, including Yuki himself. But Kazuma had been more amazed by Kyo. Not because the young man had crowed, or gloated, or even been all that excited. It was the absence of all that that most surprised Kazuma; given how Kyo responded, he could have beaten just about anyone. He had his normal post-victory expression of exhilarated delight, and he'd immediately walked over to offer Yuki a hand up. The two boys had laughed, briefly acknowledged the occasion, and that had been that.
In that moment, Kazuma knew that Kyo was going to do great things.
Kyo was feeling pretty good about this evening's practice, too. Knowing that Kazuma had been there and watching had pushed him even harder than usual, his desire to impress his father as ingrained as ever. He doubted he'd ever stop trying to prove himself to Kazuma, no matter how old or experienced he got.
"Thanks, Dad. I hope you're right; there's always such a crazy turnout for the exhibitions, we always want to make them glad they came. I'm feeling good about the demonstration, and the tourney! I just hope my class puts on a good showing," he said with a chuckle.
"What group are you leading this year?"
"9th Kyu, so it's been...wild, as you can guess. But I've been having fun," Kyo said as he smiled. His group of students were younger, and newer to karate. Some of them were still nervous, in spite of the fact they'd already earned one promotion. This group was only one of the several he actually taught at the dojo, but the only one he was specifically in charge of preparing for the current exhibition. While they maybe weren't the most impressive of the dojo's students, Kyo was proud of the work they'd put in and was looking forward to giving them the chance to shine.
Kazuma chuckled. He hadn't seen Kyo work with children in years, and back then, it had been hard for Kyo to remain patient. But Kenichi had mentioned Kyo's skill with the younger students, and he was very much looking forward to observing one of Kyo's classes.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. Working with younger students is one of the most rewarding and important parts of being a teacher; I look forward to seeing your 9th Kyus demonstrate."
The walk went quickly as the two men talked karate, but as they got closer and closer to #23, Kyo started to feel the onset of nervous excitement. They'd made good time on their walk, so it wasn't even nine when the little brown house came into view. Hopefully this meant that Tohru wasn't too tired yet, or even passed out!
When Kazuma's visit was fully sorted out, Tohru and Kyo had put their heads together to figure out how and when to tell them. It was a little unfortunate, Kazuma coming in the middle of the week and it being the week leading up to the summer festival; there was no way Kyo could take any time off of work, and he had to be at the dojo even more than usual. The only times when both Tohru and Kyo would be home were before Tohru went to work, the forty-five-minute supper window, and after Kyo came home from his evening class or practices, which was nine pm at the absolute earliest. It wasn't ideal, but both of them had agreed that they wanted to tell Kazuma as soon as possible rather than try to wait until the following week, after the exhibition.
Tohru had sworn up and down that she would be fine staying up until nine, and Kyo had promised to be quick getting home that night after class.
And one of them had even managed to keep their word.
"Tohru, we're back!" Kyo called out as they walked into the entry hall, only to be greeted by silence. He wasn't completely surprised, but it was a little unfortunate.
Kazuma smiled as he took his shoes off. "Did she go to bed already? I hope she wasn't trying to change up her regular routine for my sake. I was thinking she looked tired today, but I chalked it up to the heat."
"I don't think so, she was really looking forward to seeing you some more tonight. I'm sure she's around somewhere," Kyo said, stepping up into the not-hall and glancing first into the kitchen, then the living room. That's where he saw her, sitting at the table with her head pillowed on her arms, fast asleep. It was a sweet sight, and for a moment he just stood in the doorway, watching her with a goofy smile on his face. If only he could be surprised about it...
Kazuma stepped up next to him, also smiling at the sight of Tohru, then said softly, "It feels like a shame to wake her."
"Yeah, it does. But she'd be pretty bummed if we didn't." Crossing the room, Kyo dropped down next to Tohru and put his hand on her back. "Hey, you."
Tohru was a heavy sleeper, and at first she didn't respond. But as Kyo rubbed her back, she shifted, then sat up and yawned. Then there was a sleepy smile at Kyo, the sort of smile he loved; she was always so adorable when she was just waking up, all tousled and dreamy-eyed. Then her eyes slid to Kazuma, and the dreamy look was jolted away, replaced by a guilty look.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep!" She started to uncoil herself from her cushion, putting a hand on the tabletop to push herself up, but Kyo stopped her.
"It's fine, Tohru, we only just got back. Just sit, ok? It's no big deal."
"I was going to make some tea for Master Kazuma, though-"
"That's most kind of you, Tohru, but I'm fine, I assure you. Please, don't get up on my account. I know you work long days, and I really don't want you to inconvenience yourself at all for me."
Tohru glanced from Kazuma to Kyo, at Kazuma's kind concern and Kyo's more steely-eyed resolve, and she admitted defeat with a smile. "Fine, as long as you're sure. But how was practice? Did you two have a nice time?"
Kazuma took the cushion Kyo offered and sat down opposite Tohru. "It was very enjoyable! I wish I'd had time to bring my own gi and participate, but I still had a good time observing. Sensei Kenichi should be very proud of the group he has right now."
Tohru shot Kyo a proud smile, and Kyo grinned sheepishly. But he was proud, too, and he hoped Kazuma still felt the same way by the end of his week.
Tonight wasn't about karate, though, not any more.
Kyo brought Tohru a glass of water and set it down on the table in front of her, meeting her eyes as he did so. She smiled; Kyo's building excitement was obvious, and she couldn't wait to see both Kazuma and Kyo's reactions when they told him.
"Kyo, did you want to go get the gift for Master Kazuma? It's on my dresser upstairs."
Kyo gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and took off so rapidly that it was like he'd vanished. Kazuma looked after him with a chuckle, then back at Tohru.
"You two didn't need to get me anything! I'm the one who's supposed to be giving you a gift, since you've both been so kind as to let me stay with you this week."
Tohru couldn't help but grin. "It's our pleasure to have you here, Master Kazuma, really. We've been wanting to have a proper visit with you for so long, this is long overdue and very welcome. And we really, really wanted to mark the occasion with something special. Kyo actually picked it out," she said with a fond smile at her husband as he reappeared with a red-wrapped package in hand, "So hopefully that means you like it."
"I'm sure it will be very nice, whatever it is." Kazuma accepted the box with a smile, and Kyo sat down at the table beside Tohru. Under the edge of the table his hand found hers and they interlaced their fingers, each of their hands trembling slightly.
Kazuma glanced from the package to Tohru and Kyo. "Should I take this home with me to open then, or would you prefer I open it now?"
Tohru didn't trust Kyo's voice to sound normal; she barely trusted her own, but definitely not his, not now. So she was quick to answer, "Now, please. We want to make sure it meets your approval, so there's time to make an exchange before you go if we need to."
"Well, as I said I'm sure it's fine regardless, but since you're so insistent." Kazuma smiled and set to work unwrapping the white ribbon, then the red paper. He was so deliberate that it was almost maddening, but Kyo forced himself to sit and wait. Naturally. Because it was natural, waiting politely for someone to open a present however they wanted. Even if Kyo was practically vibrating from suppressed excitement.
Kazuma wasn't stupid, and he had noticed the shift in Kyo's energy when they got back from practice. He had been curious at first, and that curiosity had made him watch Kyo even more closely. There was a definite nervous energy that hadn't been there before, and a solicitousness about Tohru. Him insisting she would be ok to be there, but not wanting her to get up or do anything. And now this present, this present that they were very insistent he open now, in front of them...
Three years ago, Kazuma had seen Kyo in a state of high emotion and nervous excitement. At that time, he'd had a suspicion, which at that time had happily proved false. But that suspicion was back now, no longer tinged with unease and concern. This time, it was not so much a suspicion as a hope. A very, very eager hope.
Kazuma could feel both Tohru and Kyo's eyes on him as he removed the last of the paper, revealing a flat white box. He didn't look up, not yet; he doubted he'd be able to look natural if he met Kyo's gaze right now. Not with so much obvious excitement hanging in the air, and so much expectation.
He lifted the lid to the box, revealing some white tissue paper. And underneath, an impossibly small gi, tied with a plain white belt.
Kazuma stared at the gi for a moment, a broad, beaming smile rapidly stretching across his face. It was small enough that he could have slipped the jacket onto his hand; it was the perfect size for a doll.
Or a baby.
He looked up, taking in the happy, eager expressions on both of their faces. Tohru had tears in her eyes, and Kyo did too, both of them looking radiantly happy as Kyo held her against him. All three of them sat for a moment in tense, excited silence, no one sure at first what to say or how to move forward.
Kazuma carefully set the box with the tiny gi down the table and took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly as he tried to lock every part of this moment in his memory. This moment he'd been waiting for, for so very, very long. Then he opened them, and his eyes had tears in them, too.
"You two are expecting a baby?" It was barely a question, more of a statement. But it was a statement filled with excitement, with happiness, with almost overwhelming joy. And that was all Tohru and Kyo needed.
Everyone stood up at once, Kazuma rapidly rounding the table to pull Kyo into a big, back-pounding hug. They buried their heads in each other's shoulders, neither of them caring in the slightest that they were crying.
"We're having a baby! I'm gonna be a dad, Dad!" Kyo's voice was shaking, there was so much emotion in it. And Kazuma was equally overwhelmed, trying to figure out the last time he'd been this happy.
"Such wonderful news, Kyo! I'm so very, very happy for you." Kazuma smiled, letting go of Kyo and stepping back. How thrilled he was, and how very excited! Kyo looked back at him with a shining face, and Kazuma saw in that expression of eager joy a tiny flash of an excited little boy, one who had come running full tilt up to him to share a piece of good news. But it was just a hint; this was a grown man, now more than ever.
His son was going to be a father. A !
Kazuma turned to Tohru, who had been standing to the side and watching them with tears pouring down her cheeks. She'd always been emotional, but throwing pregnancy hormones into the mix had meant she had no chance in the face of a moment this exciting. She'd been looking forward to telling Kazuma, largely because of how much she knew it meant to Kyo; their reactions hadn't disappointed her.
But Kazuma hadn't forgotten her, either, and he pulled her into a big hug next. "Tohru, Tohru, my dear girl. Congratulations to you, this is such wonderful, joyful news!" He kissed her temple, then looked at her with beaming eyes. "But you mustn't keep standing, not on my account. I want to hear everything you two have to tell me!"
The three of them sat back down, much closer this time. Kyo pulled Tohru against him, his arms wrapped around her, and rested his hands lightly on her stomach. The sight was enough to bring Kazuma back to tears, and he let out a happy sigh. He was going to be a grandfather!
Tohru and Kyo glanced at each other, then Tohru nodded to Kyo. This was his moment, and she wanted him to enjoy it as much as he could. He smiled, hugging her close, then looked back over at Kazuma.
"The baby is due the end of February, and Tohru's just finished up with her first trimester. We wanted to keep it to ourselves until now...and we mostly have. There's a few who already know, but we wanted to tell you first, properly. We're really, really happy you came to visit, Dad, really." Kyo's voice was still choked with emotion, and Kazuma smiled as he reached out to squeeze Kyo's shoulder.
"Not nearly as happy as I am, Kyo. I've been looking forward to this day for so long, I can't believe it's finally here. And I'm honored that out of everyone in your lives, you wanted to share this with me!"
Kyo and Tohru both laughed at that, and Tohru shook her head.
"Is it such a surprise, Master Kazuma? This baby is going to be your grandchild!"
Kazuma sighed happily, loving the sound of that word. Grandchild. He was going to have a grandchild. He'd get to see his son, holding a baby. Kazuma's own grandchild.
He was still teary, just picturing it.
"I know, Tohru, and I'm so very, very happy about it. You two are going to be wonderful parents," as he looked from Tohru to Kyo. "This child is going to be surrounded by so much love. It already is, before it's even born." He glanced at where Kyo's hands rested on Tohru's stomach, smiling. He couldn't tell there was a baby in there, not yet. But he knew it, and that was enough.
"How have you been feeling, Tohru?" Kazuma thought back to the heat of the train station that afternoon, and felt guilty for making her wait. Was this what Kyo felt all the time now? He could only imagine, with how solicitous Kyo was of Tohru in general!
Tohru smiled, relaxing back against Kyo. "I've been ok, mostly. I had some very severe fatigue in the earliest weeks, so bad that all I could do was sleep."
"That's actually how we ended up figuring it out," Kyo cut in. "Or rather, how Tohru's boss figured it out."
"Oh?" Now Kazuma was curious.
"Not my boss, Kyo," Tohru corrected with a smile. Turning to Kazuma, she explained, "You might remember I work at an OB/GYN clinic, Master Kazuma? Well, I'd spent the whole week dragging around, barely able to move. I thought I was just dealing with trip fatigue from Yuki's wedding-"
"-And I was sure she was sick, but she wouldn't listen to me."
"Well, I wasn't sick, was I?" She grinned at Kyo, then continued. "After four days of that, one of the doctors at the practice, who happened to be my own doctor, called me into her office and asked me if I might be pregnant. Neither one of us had even realized it was a possibility, so I said of course not, but then I took a test-"
"And that's how we found out." The two of them smiled at each other, snuggling together in a way that made Kazuma smile.
"But your fatigue has gone away, Tohru? You seemed largely 'normal' to me today," Kazuma said with a smile.
"Yes, fortunately! I've been very lucky that I haven't had many symptoms so far. I'm a little more tired than normal right now, but not really fatigued for several weeks. My sense of smell is pretty impressive," she continued,
"-that's why I'm showering and changing at the dojo, even when I have my evening classes," Kyo interjected. "She hadn't had many problems with nausea or anything, but my gi was pretty hard for her to deal with."
Kazuma laughed at that; it certainly made sense, when presented from that angle. "Yes, I can understand that. Even for a regular nose, a martial artist can quickly become rank."
"And I'm a lot more emotional, too."
"Really? How could you tell?" Kyo was teasing now, and Tohru stuck her tongue out at him. So she'd always been a crier, big deal.
"But otherwise I've felt fine. No stomach issues, thank goodness, though I have had some serious cravings for fish recently."
"Fish, eh?" Kazuma was amused, looking over at Kyo. "So no doubts it's your child, then."
"You laugh, but our grocery budget has had to expand a lot lately to keep ahead of this kid's appetite!"
Tohru gave him an innocent look. "Well, we wouldn't have to, if you were just willing to give up your portion."
Both Kazuma and Tohru cracked up at the disgusted look Kyo made in response to that suggestion, and the way he continued as though she'd never made it. "So, yeah, extra fish budget."
"Well, it sounds like things are going well for you so far, then! I'm very happy to hear it, Tohru."
"Yes," Tohru said with a smile. "And Kyo has been wonderful, of course, this whole time. He stepped up to take over so much around the house, he's been bringing me to work every morning, he's been reading even more than me about pregnancy and babies!" She shot Kyo a loving look, and he once again smiled that sheepish smile. "And he's just generally been so sweet to me. Almost too sweet, sometimes," she said with a tiny hint of sternness.
Kyo immediately protested. "Hey, it's not my fault you like to push yourself too hard. I'm just trying to make sure you're taking proper care of yourself, that's all."
"I can manage the laundry just fine right now, Kyo, you know that."
"I know you have limited amounts of energy and need more sleep than you used to, and I know you are capable of tripping on level ground. It's no big deal for me to do the laundry, either." They stared at each other for a long moment in an obvious battle of wills, then they both broke off with a chuckle.
"So you can see, Master Kazuma, that things are going well."
"Clearly," Kazuma said with a smile. He still couldn't believe the good fortune that had brought Tohru into their lives; she and Kyo were like two halves to the same whole, with her bringing out the best in him. And in making Kyo whole, she had made Kazuma whole, too.
"When so you plan to start telling others? I'll keep this to myself until you tell me otherwise, so you have no worries I'll spoil anything for you," Kazuma added with a smile.
"We're planning to start telling people soon, probably starting next week or so. After the summer festival is over, and Kyo isn't working quite so many hours. I'm thinking next weekend, when we'll actually have time to properly talk to people. But we couldn't resist the chance to tell you right away," Tohru added with a smile. "You're the grandfather, after all!"
Her eyes flicked sideways, and for a moment they rested on the three shrines at the side of the room. She had no idea what kind of grandfather her own father would have been; she barely remembered what he'd been like as a father. But she could imagine how thrilled Kyoko would have been to be a grandmother, and she could feel her eyes filling with tears.
That had been the hardest part of the pregnancy so far, knowing that she didn't have her mom around to share it with. Kazuma had been so excited and happy; how excited would Kyoko have been? How shrill would her excited screech have been, how hard her hug?
From where he was sitting, Kazuma has seen Tohru's look, and he could understand her tears. Reaching out, he took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I know, and I'm very proud of that, Tohru. But just remember; I might be the grandparent able to tell you, but I'm not the only one who is happy, or the only one who is proud."
Tohru let out a shaky breath and gave Kazuma a smile. He was so kind; he had always been so kind.
He was going to be a wonderful grandfather.