A wife running away from home who would actually bring her own child with her?
This situation is extremely rare throughout history.
Tragic women like Kotoha who chose to flee their husband's family due to domestic violence, even if they didn't hate the child they had with their husband, would view them as a burden.
In the vast majority of cases, they wouldn't possibly bring their child with them when escaping.
Someone like Kotoha is truly very rare.
Running away and still not forgetting to bring her infant child—this only shows that Kotoha truly loves this child of hers very much...
This also indicates that this child is the best breakthrough point!
An excellent breakthrough point to help Doma open Kotoha's heart!
"So, the two of you suddenly called me over just to have me help you... take care of this kid?"
On an ordinary day, Akaza, who had been preparing lessons at Tokyo University, was inexplicably grabbed by Mitsuba and Doma.
He looked down at the brat named Inosuke in Kotoha's arms, the corner of his eye twitching uncontrollably.
He, a Doctor of Literature from Tokyo University, was now supposed to enlighten a milk-smelling little brat?
What kind of joke is this?!
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, under the puzzled gazes of Kotoha and Doma, Akaza grabbed Mitsuba's hand, pulled her to the corridor outside, and said without courtesy:
"I won't do it!"
"Eh? Even considering that child will be Doma's future son?"
"Even if that brat were your son, I won't do it!"
Facing Mitsuba's persuasion, Akaza refused to relent in the slightest.
"I'm a Doctor of Literature from Tokyo University! Do you know what that represents, you stinking woman?!
I'm currently the youngest! The most outstanding! The top scholar! At the best school in this country!
The students attending my classes now, which one of them isn't a one-in-ten-thousand genius?!
And now you want me to waste my precious time teaching a brat who doesn't even recognize a few characters how to read and write?
Let me tell you! Don't even think about it! I absolutely will not..."
"But what if I told you that this is actually for your own good, little Hakuji?"
Facing Akaza's expected refusal, Mitsuba dissolved it with just one sentence.
She leaned forward, placed her hand on Akaza's shoulder, and whispered in his ear:
"Doma seems quite interested in that girl, and that girl loves her child so much.
Hakuji, think about it—if you spend a bit more time at once, teach that brat well, make that girl happy, and successfully matchmake the two of them.
By then, will that fellow Doma still have time to come bother you?"
[Strange... what's happening, why do I suddenly feel so motivated?]
[That is to say, as long as I properly teach that brat for a while, find a way to matchmake Doma and that woman, then in the future, I won't be harassed by that fellow Doma anymore?]
Deeply struck by Mitsuba's words to the core of his heart, Akaza fell silent, his heart seemingly already decided.
Without waiting for Mitsuba to say anything more, he quickly returned to the living room, walked straight up to Kotoha, extended both hands, and tightly grasped one of her palms.
"Miss Kotoha!"
"Y-yes! I'm here!"
Seemingly frightened by Akaza's extremely serious expression, Kotoha, holding Inosuke, instantly straightened her back.
"From this day forward! Your child is entrusted to me!"
Akaza shouted loudly.
"Eh?"
Looking at the righteous and solemn Akaza before her, Kotoha was completely baffled.
"I guarantee, I will definitely cultivate him into a talent as outstanding as myself!"
"Th-thank you, Mr. Hakuji..."
"At the same time, I also wish you and Doma a happy and beautiful ending!
As the saying goes, a hundred years of cultivation to share the same boat, a thousand years of cultivation to share the same pillow—those with love will become family!
I, Hakuji, from this moment and place, sincerely bless you both!
Do it for my sake! Miss Kotoha, you must... you absolutely must do your best!!"
"Mr. Hakuji, please wait, what do you mean by 'for your sake'? Also, Mr. Doma and I aren't...
Huh? Mr. Hakuji, why are you crying? Q-quick, take a handkerchief and wipe it!"
"No need to worry! These are... tears of excitement!"
Thus, from this day forward, Mitsuba successfully secured the best teacher on this small island nation for Kotoha's little one.
Regarding the matter of educating Inosuke, Akaza was exceptionally dedicated.
Not only did he specifically emphasize each time he came that Doma had sent him, but he would also occasionally say a few good words about Doma before Kotoha.
That's right, Akaza was saying good things about Doma.
In order to ensure Doma would have absolutely no time to bother him in the future, he could actually work this hard—it moved even Mitsuba somewhat...
"..."
Time began to flow once again.
It must be admitted that Doctor Akaza truly had quite a knack for education.
Unlike Mitsuba's past "violent education" of beating him at the slightest disagreement, Akaza was exceptionally patient when teaching children.
Not only did he strictly limit any corporal punishment, prohibit excessive indulgence, refrain from losing his temper, and always communicate patiently when encountering problems, but he also always led by example, doing what he said...
It somehow felt like this child was using this to make up for the tragedy of his own family of origin from over three hundred years ago.
Mm, it must be an illusion...
Under Akaza's discipline, the originally constantly rowdy Inosuke became well-behaved in just a few months.
Not only did he greet people politely and have good manners, but he could occasionally spout a few classical phrases, becoming cultured and refined—clearly a second Akaza.
When he grows up, he'll probably be doctorate material too. That child Akaza would perhaps feel happy about this...
With Inosuke this "drag" out of the way, Kotoha and Doma's alone time naturally increased.
And with more time together, more naturally, they should find other things to do...
First was occasionally strolling the streets after dinner, then occasionally going to the cinema or dance hall together to relax.
Then came the monthly tourist destination sightseeing plans, and finally a seven-day cruise vacation around the island nation...
The time these two spent alone together grew more and more, and the number of times they went out together increased more and more...
By now, not being home for several days in a row had become the norm.
At the very beginning, these two would always call Mitsuba, the middle person, to join them, taking her wherever they went.
Of course, this wasn't a very good experience.
On the contrary, whenever this happened, Mitsuba would feel that she was very superfluous.
___
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