Tuesday 1 February 1997 Night.
Tonight had already fallen, marking the end of yet another productive day at ZAGE. At this moment, Zaboru was in his private quarters on the 52nd floor—his personal sanctuary filled with all of his favorite belongings. He had just wrapped up his daily 40-minute weightlifting workout, a routine he never missed. Unlike an ordinary person, Zaboru's body was fundamentally different due to his Enlightenment ability. His physique had grown tremendously strong, and more impressively, his recovery speed bordered on the superhuman. Within just 10 hours, any muscle fatigue or damage from intense training would be completely healed.
However, this rapid regeneration came with a side effect—Zaboru became hungry very quickly and often. And now, as sweat still lingered on his skin and his muscles pulsed with post-workout energy, he eagerly awaited the arrival of his wife, Ayumi, who was bringing him food. The hunger gnawed at him, but he smiled at the thought of her entrance, knowing she'd soon arrive with something delicious.
These days, Ayumi had begun staying regularly on the 53rd floor of ZAGE Tower. This became her temporary home base before heading off each morning to work at her brother's company, Akaishidan, where she worked as a game developer. One of the main reasons she chose to live there was because her husband, Zaboru, also stayed in the tower. Though Zaboru occasionally returned to their house, it was currently undergoing renovations, making it impractical for consistent living. As a result, their family had been living across different locations, adjusting as needed.
When Ayumi wasn't staying on the 53rd floor, she and other members of the family often used the 48th floor of ZAGE Tower as a shared rest area. This particular floor was designated for Zaboru's father, Zanichi Renkonan, who also happened to be the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of ZAGE. Unlike the corporate offices, the 48th floor was designed to feel like a home, equipped with bedrooms, a dining area, and even a small space for light workouts. It served as a family lounge, and Ayumi, along with Zaboru's mother and sister, frequently visited.
An additional benefit of these specialized floors was the presence of executive elevators, which allowed the family to move between the upper levels quickly and privately, without needing to share lifts with regular employees. This setup made life easier, especially as the family navigated their busy routines across different floors and obligations.
In a way, ZAGE Tower had become more than just a company headquarters—it was now a hybrid of workplace, temporary home, and family hub. It reflected the unique life Zaboru had built, one where personal and professional worlds existed under the same roof.
Not long after, Zaboru emerged from a cold shower, still shirtless and radiating heat from his post-workout recovery. Ayumi entered the room and paused, giving him a playful look before smiling wide. "Woah, relax, husband, or the air conditioner's going to explode from how hot you are," she teased with a giggle, her arms full with food. She had brought him a hearty spread—steaming ramen, fluffy omurice, and a generous serving of fried chicken.
Zaboru's eyes lit up like a child seeing his favorite meal. "Well, I am hot, and you can't blame me for that—my wife's the one who married this body! Now hurry and bring that food over, I'm starving!"
Ayumi laughed, shaking her head. "Sure, sure, you glutton," she replied as she started plating the food. As usual, Zaboru's portion was massive—easily seven times the size of hers. He dove in without hesitation, eating like a man possessed.
Ayumi sat across from him, watching in amusement as he devoured the meal with unmatched enthusiasm. She sighed and grinned. "Watching you eat always spikes my appetite," she said with a soft chuckle. Reaching across the table, she pinched his cheek, now puffed out with food.
Zaboru gave her a thumbs-up with his free hand, still chewing, his eyes twinkling with affection and satisfaction.
After they finished eating, the couple settled in to relax. Zaboru planned to clean up the dishes a bit later, but before he could, Ayumi let out a sudden, weary sigh. Zaboru immediately picked up on it and turned toward her, concerned.
"Ayumi... why do you look so pale?" he asked.
She exhaled again and rubbed her forehead. "I don't know... I just feel really off today. It's like I'm dizzy and nauseous all the time. I even feel like I might throw up."
Just as she said it, she leaned forward with a sudden urge to vomit, but nothing came up. Her expression tightened as she tried to steady herself.
Zaboru's mind raced. What could be causing this? And then it hit him—there was one clear possibility.
"Hold on, honey! I'm going to get my mom—right now!" he said, already moving.
His mother and the rest of the family were currently on the 48th floor. Without hesitating, Zaboru burst out of the room. Taking the lift would waste precious time, so he opted for the emergency stairwell. He raced down the steps with parkour-like agility, leaping and vaulting between landings with urgency and focus. In just a few seconds, he arrived at the 48th floor.
"Mom! I need your help!" Zaboru shouted, startling his mother, who had been watching a movie.
"What's wrong, Zaboru?" she asked, sitting up straight.
"There's a chance Ayumi might be pregnant! Please help!" Zaboru blurted out, panic clear in his voice. Despite having the wisdom of someone mentally in his seventies, moments like these still threw him completely off balance.
Keiko, his mother, chuckled warmly. "I knew this would come in handy," she said, pulling out a pregnancy test kit she had stored away for just such an occasion.
Without wasting any time, she joined Zaboru, and together they took the executive lift up to the 52rd floor. Moments later, Zanichi and Sanika, curious and concerned after hearing the commotion, followed after them.
Keiko then walked over to Ayumi and gently began asking her a series of questions—when her last period was, if she had been feeling tired, dizzy, or nauseous lately, and whether anything else felt off. With every answer Ayumi gave, Keiko's smile grew wider. Her instincts as a mother—and a woman—told her exactly what was happening.
Without waiting any longer, Keiko took Ayumi's hand and guided her to the bathroom. She handed her the pregnancy test kit and waited patiently as Ayumi went through the process. The silence in the room was thick with anticipation. Ayumi sat on the edge of the bathtub, watching the test like it was a live bomb. Keiko stayed close by, calm and supportive.
Minutes passed. Then the result appeared—positive.
Ayumi stared in disbelief. Her breath caught in her throat as emotion welled up inside her. Tears spilled down her cheeks, not from sadness but overwhelming joy. She slowly stood up, her hands trembling, and stepped out of the bathroom with the test in hand.
Zaboru, who had been pacing just outside, turned toward her. Ayumi didn't say a word at first—she just lunged forward and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered, her voice full of awe and happiness.
Zaboru froze. "I'm… I'm gonna be a dad?" he muttered, wide-eyed.
It sounded so unreal. Like he'd just stepped into someone else's dream. Even if someone told him Kratos had been drafted into the NBA right that second, it would've made more sense than this.
But as Ayumi's warmth pressed against him and the truth sank in, Zaboru felt the moment land—fully and deeply. His shocked expression slowly melted into the widest smile he'd ever worn.
He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her gently off the floor in a joyful spin. "We're having a baby," he whispered, grinning like an idiot. "We're actually having a baby."
Zanichi grinned from ear to ear. "Well, looks like I'm going to be a granddad now, huh?" he said with a mix of pride and disbelief in his voice.
Keiko couldn't contain her joy. Her hands flew to her mouth before she let out a delighted laugh. "I'm going to have grandchildren! I've been waiting for this day for so long—I can hardly wait!"
Zaboru's younger sister nearly jumped in place, her face glowing. "Hehehe, I'm going to be an aunt! Wait—does that make me sound old? I'm not that old, right?" she exclaimed, her voice full of mock horror, which only made everyone laugh even harder.
The room was filled with laughter, warmth, and celebration. It wasn't just good news—it was a moment that brought the whole family closer together. The joy was infectious, and even those who had been quiet now joined in, exchanging hugs, high-fives, and beaming smiles.
After the excitement settled a little, Keiko straightened up and turned to Zaboru. Her expression grew more serious, though still glowing with joy. "Zaboru, let's not waste time. You need to take Ayumi to the hospital. We need to make sure the baby is healthy and figure out how far along she is."
Zaboru didn't hesitate. "Yes, Mom. Let's go right now."
Moments later, the entire family mobilized like a small parade. They escorted Ayumi out of the tower and into a vehicle, heading straight to the nearest hospital. It was late, but thanks to Zaboru's name and reputation, they were seen almost immediately.
At the hospital, Ayumi underwent a series of checks while Zaboru and the rest of the family waited nearby, tension slowly building. It didn't take long before the doctor returned, smiling.
"Congratulations," the doctor said warmly. "As per now the baby appears to be healthy, and based on our tests, Ayumi is about thirteen days pregnant."
Zaboru's heart thumped. Even though it was still very early, the confirmation was like a thunderclap in his chest. He walked into the room where Ayumi rested and sat beside her, gently taking her hand. Their eyes met—both full of emotion, both still wrapping their heads around it.
He gave her a small smile. "So… it's real. We're going to be parents."
Ayumi nodded, and the joy in her eyes mirrored his. At that moment, nothing else in the world mattered.
To be continue
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