A/N: Here's the first chapter of my submissions for Naegiri Week 2021! This chapter is for Day One, Night, and it takes place after "Class 78th Celebrates! Junko Banned?" Please read, review, and enjoy!
The Ultimate Detective and The Ultimate Hope Gaiden: Naegiri Week 2021
Day One: Night!
"Waaaahhhhhh!"
Kyoko and Makoto groaned as they tiredly sat up, roused by their newborn daughter's cries. They let out a synchronized yawn as they swung their legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Being the closest to the crib, Kyoko tiredly stumbled over to the crib and wrapped her arms around the crying baby girl.
"Shh…Kiki don't cry…shh…" Kyoko shushed as Makoto at last made it to her side. She lifted Kiki out of the crib and began to bounce her in her arms in a desperate attempt to silence her cries. "Kiki, it's okay, it's o…whoa!" Kyoko lost her grip on the baby girl, causing her to fall as the former detective's eyes widened in horror. "No, Kiki!"
"Gotcha!" Makoto and Kyoko sighed in relief as Makoto caught her in his arms. He stood up and gently rocked Kiki, cooing "Hey, why are you crying, pumpkin? It's one in the morning, don't you know it's too early to be waking up Mama and Dada like this?" Kiki only cried louder in response, forcing him to focus his energies in soothing the wailing girl. "It's okay, it's okay. Dada's got you, Dada's got you."
Makoto began to hum a tune, digging deep into his memories from when he was a little kid and Hana sung him to sleep. Kyoko watched with jealous awe as Kiki's cries lessened with each note of Makoto's tune. When at last the humming trailed off, Kiki yawned, closing her eyes as she fell into peaceful slumber once more. Kyoko sighed in relief as Makoto smiled wearily and handed Kiki to her.
"Thanks for catching her, Makoto…" Kyoko looked down at her baby girl as she cradled her in her arms. "If you hadn't caught her…I don't know what…"
"Honey, worst case scenario, she would have just cried a little more." Makoto assured her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, Kyoko, don't look so guilty, alright? We're still new at this…"
Kyoko sighed as she muttered dreadfully "…Makoto…what if we're not ready to be parents?"
"What are you talking about, honey? You're gonna be a great mom, I just know it…"
"I almost dropped her, Makoto!" Tears trickled down her cheeks as she stared down at Kiki. "I couldn't even go one night without hurting her!"
"So you almost dropped her, it's not the end of the world. You said it yourself, Kyoko, it was just the first night."
"I just…I want to be the parent she deserves, Makoto. I don't…I don't want to mess this up. But I already feel like I'm failing her, Makoto. How can I look her in the eye and say that I won't let her fall if this happened already?"
"Hey, Kiri, listen!" Makoto stood behind her as he wrapped his arms around her, his breath tickling her ear. "Kiri, you're being too hard on yourself. I know for a fact that you're gonna be an amazing mom! This is just a learning process, okay? You're gonna make mistakes, I'm gonna make mistakes. I'm sure both of my parents made mistakes raising me and Komaru, but we both turned out fine."
Kyoko hummed, taking in Makoto's soothing argument.
"And besides, we're not gonna be doing this alone. Mom and Dad will be there for us at a moment's notice, so if it ever becomes too much to handle, we can always call on them for help." Makoto kissed her cheek, causing her cheeks to heat up as she smiled softly. "So don't worry about your mistakes. Let's just focus on the fact that we get the chance to raise such a beautiful baby girl."
"…Okay." Kyoko sighed as she nodded. "I'll do that. Thanks for cheering me up, Makoto."
"Hey, no worries, Kyoko." He smiled at the baby in her arms before he suggested "Why don't you try and sing to her once you put her back in her crib? I'll lie on the bed and wait for you."
Kyoko nodded as Makoto yawned and stumbled back to bed. Once he was lying on his back, Kyoko gently placed Kiki back in her crib. She knelt and peered over the edge, seeing her daughter slumber peacefully. She took a deep breath before she began to sing.
"Now it's time to say good night,
Good night, sleep tight.
Now the sun turns out his light,
Good night, sleep tight.
Dream sweet dreams for me,
Dream sweet dreams for you.
Close your eyes and I'll close mine,
Good night, sleep tight.
Now the moon begins to shine,
Good night, sleep tight.
Dream sweet dreams for me,
Dream sweet dreams for you.
Close your eyes and I'll close mine,
Good night, sleep tight.
Now the sun turns out his light,
Good night, sleep tight.
Dream sweet dreams for me,
Dream sweet dreams for you.
Good night,
Good night, everybody,
Everybody, everywhere,
Good night."
Makoto smiled, feeling his heavy eyelids close as the lullaby took him into slumber.
Kyoko…I knew you'd be a good mom…your lullaby even put me to sleep…
Meanwhile, Kyoko beamed happily at her slumbering daughter. She glanced over her shoulder at her sleeping husband, smiling lovingly at him.
Makoto…thanks for reminding me that I'm not a screw-up mom. I won't let my mistakes tonight stop me from being the parent Kiki deserves!
She turned back to her daughter and began to sing once more. The apartment echoed with the tranquility of peaceful lullabies until Kyoko's eyes began to feel heavy. Once her song trailed off, Kyoko leaned her head into the crib. She pressed her lips to Kiki's cheek in a gentle, loving kiss before she stood back up, tears of joy trickling down her cheeks.
"Good night, Kiki…Mama loves you…Mama loves you so much!"
With one last yawn, she stumbled back to bed and collapsed on top of her husband. Makoto reflexively rested a hand on her back, stroking her spine as his fingers threaded her unkempt hair in comfort and reassurance.