"Jin-nii, dinner."
Elsa came to fetch Jin, who had been completely absorbed in his research.
"Ah, is it that time already?"
Before he knew it, twilight had set in. It was nearly six o'clock in the evening.
"You mustn't overdo it."
"Yeah, I'll be careful."
Jin apologized as Elsa chided him on the way back.
"I have been waiting for you, Jin-sama."
"Mine, you're here too?"
"Yes, I helped prepare the evening meal."
Dinner was a traditional Japanese menu: white rice, miso soup with aburaage and okara, grilled fish resembling horse mackerel, oshinko, and natto.
"Oh, miso soup with okara?"
"Mm."
It may vary by region, but adding okara to miso soup with aburaage allows the soy pulp to soak up the broth, making it surprisingly delicious. Because the ingredients were inexpensive, the Orphanage Director had often prepared it back at the Facility. Jin was also partial to the combination of satoimo and okara.
"Yeah, this is great."
His chopsticks moved briskly as he enjoyed his favorite dishes. However, he soon noticed that Elsa’s own chopsticks weren't moving at all.
"Is something wrong? Elsa, aren't you eating?"
"...Mm. I... I feel full, for some reason."
Jin knew Elsa wasn't the type to snack while cooking, so her answer felt off. Then, a possibility occurred to him.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
Even as he asked, it seemed unlikely; Elsa was an excellent healer, and it was rare for her to suffer from any ailment.
"...I don't think so."
Despite her answer, her complexion was pale.
"...I'm... sorry. The smell of the food... it's making me feel nauseous. I’m truly sorry."
With a hurried apology, Elsa stood up and rushed out of the dining room.
"Elsa..."
Jin swallowed his last bite and rose to follow her, but Mine stopped him.
"Jin-sama, it's alright."
"Huh?"
"What Elsa is experiencing isn't an illness."
"What do you mean?"
Mine watched him with a knowing smile as Jin tilted his head in confusion.
"I could explain it myself, but I believe Elsa would prefer to tell you."
"?"
Just then, Elsa returned. Her face looked even paler than before.
"Elsa, are you okay?"
This time, Jin rushed to her side.
"Mm. I'm... alright."
Elsa took Jin’s hand and squeezed it tightly.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. Um... you see..."
She trailed off, her face suddenly flushing as she looked down at the floor.
"Elsa? Are you sure you aren't sick?"
As Jin grew more concerned, Elsa finally lifted her gaze.
"...A baby."
"What?"
"...I'm... pregnant."
Having managed to say that much, her face turned a deep crimson, and she looked down again.
"..." "............" ".................."
A profound silence filled the room, shared by Elsa, Jin, and Mine. The one to break it was Reiko.
"Congratulations, Father."
The sound of her voice snapped both Jin and Elsa back to reality.
"Elsa."
"...Mm."
"Thank you."
Jin released her hand, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Mine and Reiko quietly slipped out of the room, leaving them alone.
"Jin-nii..."
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
Jin whispered the words over and over as he held her tenderly. Elsa leaned into him, hugging him back just as tightly.
＊ ＊ ＊
"So... when did you find out?"
"...Yesterday. I felt strangely sluggish, and when I talked to Mother, she mentioned that it might be this."
After holding each other for nearly fifteen minutes, the two sat side-by-side in their home, speaking privately. Jin kept his arm around Elsa's shoulder. Mine and Reiko were busy tidying up the dining room elsewhere.
"And then, when I used Diagnose on myself..."
"You found out the child was there."
"Mm."
"I see..."
"I wanted to tell you once you were less busy, Jin-nii. But Mother told me I should be the one to tell you directly."
"Yeah, I'm glad you did. Thank you for telling me."
Jin pulled her a little closer.
"Are you cold?"
"...I'm okay."
"You have to take care of yourself now, even more than before."
"Mm, I know."
"Oh, and what about your mother in the Shouro Empire?"
"...Not yet. I wanted to tell you first."
"Right. Well then, shall we go see her tomorrow?"
"...Is that okay? Aren't you busy?"
Jin smiled and shook his head.
"I'm not so overwhelmed that I can't make time for this."
The groundwork for his research was laid; the next phase was mostly testing and verification, which Laojun could handle.
"After that, let's break the news to the rest of the Jin Family."
"...Mm."
With a blush on her cheeks, Elsa nodded.