Chapter4 : struggle

The morning of the second day Ash rejuvenated― The sound of Ash's crying made Eiji wake up.

"Umm…Aslan's crying. No, He's Ash...Don't cry. What's wrong?"

Eiji looked Ash, rubbing his eyes slowly. Ash was crying hardly. Eiji guessed Ash is hungry.

"Do you want to drink some milk or baby food? Hold on a minute."

He was shirtless but stood up hurriedly and then went to make milk to the kitchen .

When Eiji returned to the bedroom and saw Ash, he was surprised. Ash is much taller than yesterday.

(Wow, Super! He's getting one year older each day. He'll be two years old by tonight.) He thought himself.

Ash closed to Eiji, crawling cheerful joyfully. Then he looked at Eiji.

"Aa...a..."

Ash smiled purely. Eiji looked his green eyes, soft blond hair and cute smiling face.

Ash looks like an angel. Eiji also smiled because of Ash's innoccent smile while holding him and carrying his milk bottle.

Eiji pulled out of his pacifier from his mouth. And Ash leaned his face into Eiji's chest.

"Are you sleepy? Hey A..Ash...you...Oh!！"

Eiji was surprised and stopped speaking because Ash who is so hungry sucked Eiji's chest.

"No...! My body isn't your pacifier！! Stop it!" Eiji shouted.

＊＊＊

Ash ate yogurt and vegetable soup, and he was full. Then he crawled towards a toy box on the floor because he knew it has many toys which the next door neighbor gave him.

Eiji looked at Ash carefully. Because Ash was moving around the room and grabbing the toys he was interested in.

Ash stared at the sofa and pulled himself up to stand. In addition, he started walking.

(Awesome...He stood up!)

"Ash, Hooray! You did it! I'm not sure the reason why you grow up quickly, though！ But amazing"

Eiji was impressed and held Ash, let him walk freely while watching him.

And Ash went near to the toy box and put his head into the box, then he pulled out toys with his hands from there. Some toys fell down on the floor. Ash picked up a picture book. He seemed to be interested in the book."Ah-!" "Bou-!" He said, pointing some characters of illustration.

Eiji thought Ash might have explained it to me, then that cute explanation made Eiji feel happy.

He explained to Ash the animal's name while opening the picture book.

"You know... This is a kitten and...that's a puppy. "

He cooed, and then pointed himself kiddingly and taught his name to Ash.

"And I'm Eiji! ...hahaha!"

Ash giggled and he was opening and closing his mouth, then he said and repeated, "E- E-".

At first, Eiji thought Ash might whimper, but he noticed Ash wants to say anything.

"What do you want to say?"

Eiji asked him and listened to Ash's words carefully.

"...E-ji-...Ei-ji-!"

Surprisingly, Ash said the name of Eiji.

"Ash, That's unbelievable!"

Eiji was stunned looking at Ash. He was pretty surprised because he mentioned his name just only one time but Ash said it.

"Eiji" Ash said his name clearly and giggled.

"Ash! You can say my name, right? You're an excellent baby！"

Eiji held Ash and bounced him up and down. Baby Ash was smiling. Eiji was glad and felt as if he became Ash's father.

＊＊＊

Afternoon of that day, Eiji went shopping at the supermarket with Ash. But , the next door neighbor, noticed Ash quickly and went near him.

"Hi, Eiji! Is he Aslan…？ No, this baby is older than Aslan. He is similar to Aslan, though. Who's he?"

Actually, Eiji was really upset because Ash grew. In addition, Ash started to weep when he saw her.

(Oh...I see... saw Ash yesterday was much younger.)

Eiji realized her misunderstanding and replied nervously.

"Exactly. Aslan is sleeping at home comfortably. He's "Allan", one year older than Aslan. I'm a having a hard time because these two babies are loud at home."

After he replied and laughed awkwardly, he hurriedly left the supermarket.

＊＊＊

They came home.

"Ash-"

Eiji called him, then he replied,"Yeah, what?".

(Oh...He already realize his name and able to reply.)

Eiji was impressed that Ash is growing once again, looking at his face.

"E-ji"

"No, my name is Eiji"

"Eiji"

"Right! What's up?"

"Eiji, Watch this!"

Ash showed Eiji a picture book. He seems to want Eiji to read it.

"All right. I'll read it but let's have our meal before this."

There were some boiled and soft vegetables together with the deep dish. Eiji lets Ash see the dish and spoon. Then Ash was interested in the dish and grabbed the spoon and brought the food into his mouth.

"Is it tasty?"

"Yeah-! delicious!" Ash replied cheerfully.

That vegetable was pumpkins Ash hate. If Ash were 18 years old, he never would have it.

(I can't believe you had it...hahaha) Eiji chuckled calmly.

＊＊＊

At night, Eiji wanted Ash to take a bath, and called him.

"Ash. Let's take a shower together! Come on."

"All right! I'll do it!" Ash smiled.

"Hey, I'll turn on the shower" Eiji said.

Eiji sprinkled Ash's head slowly. Ash is growing quickly and grew taller compared yesterday, Eiji noticed while giving him a shower. Because Ash is still a baby, he has a pooch belly which is common for most babies.

Eiji made Ash hold some toys with his hands because he was afraid Ash might get bored of taking a shower. He sang some baby songs while Ash was taking a shower. He shouted cheerfully.

After the shower, Eiji brought Ash to bed and made him sit, then showed him a picture book. Eiji wanted to sleep because he's not used to take care of baby and was really exhausted.

"I'm tired-It was hard because I need to keep looking him."

Eiji closed his eyes and felt asleep soon. Ash who was reading noticed Eiji slept.

"E―ji―?" Ash said so but he's never been to able to pronounce his name correctly yet.

Ash went near to Eiji and stared at his face, and then Eiji was talking while asleep.

"Ash...Nighty night"

"…Eiji, Nighty night"

Ash felt asleep calmly, snuggling with Eiji.

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