Chapter 7 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!

1535 (Tenbun era, year 4)

TL: Yuina

Editor: Yuina

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Chapter 7: The Birth of Nohime! A Life Crisis

　Inabayama Castle, Mino Province

　Early in the 4th year of the Tenbun era (1535), Omi no Kata began to feel the signs of childbirth.

　As a midwife was assisting with Omiki no Kata's delivery, men were not allowed to be present.

　So I had only shared the Lamaze method for coping with pain during childbirth, along with emphasizing the importance of the baby's first bath and practicing thorough handwashing.

　It's fortunate that they mostly believed me when I mentioned that it was written in Ming Dynasty books. However, when they asked for the book's title, I blurted out "Kaitai Shinsho" [1] off the top of my head, so I'll have to make a handwritten copy later once I learn the kanji. What a hassle.

　After waiting for about three "koku" (approximately six hours) with the whole family, a woman attending to Omi no Kata entered the room.

"The baby is born. It's a healthy baby girl. The lady is also doing well."

　As soon as he heard that, my father, Sakon no daibu Norihide, rushed out of the room. My uncle chuckled and said,

"Seems like brother hasn't changed at all. He also behaved the same when Toyotamaru and our sisters were born."

　He then left the room. I felt relieved, but it's somewhat delicate for me to go and meet them considering my position.

　As I was pondering what to do, the attending woman approached me with a smile and said,

"Toyotamaru-sama, the Lady would like you to meet the child as well."

"Oh? Is that okay?"

"Yes, please follow me."

　Perhaps it was due to good fortune or Omi no Kata's generosity, I was about to meet my little sister for the first time. After washing my hands and gargling just to be safe, I walked to the front of the room with a light and fluttery feeling, only to be greeted by a loud cry.

"Hmm, she started crying as soon as she saw my face."

"Brother, that's the same as when Toyotamaru was born!"

　I could hear laughter coming from inside. It seemed that Father had made the baby cry. Well, it's understandable, considering how intimidating he can be.

"So, you've come, Toyotamaru. You may enter. Show your face to her."

"Yes. Excuse me."

　Upon entering, I saw a baby girl dressed in white crying beside Omi no Kata. It evoked an indescribable sensation within me.

　When Father touched her, the baby's cries escalated to the point where it was unbearable to stay in the room without covering my ears.

　Father quickly withdrew his hand.

"Ah! Why does this child cry even louder? It was the same with my sisters."

　Father seemed slightly shocked, but considering all the misdeeds he had done before, the reason should be apparent to him.

"Toyotamaru-sama, could you also try to hold her hand?"

　Upon Omi no Kata's request, I sat in the space designated by Father as he stepped back. He whispered in my ear, "You'll make her cry, too." How petty of him.

　I gently held her hand, as I would hold a gastrointestinal tract during a gastric lavage surgery. In that moment, the crying ceased, and the baby looked up at me with her big, dark eyes, gazing intently.

　At that moment, I felt something warm, completely different from nausea, welling up in my chest.

"What's the matter, Toyotamaru? You're crying too? You can't cry, or it won't look good for you as the older brother."

"My lord, Toyotamaru-dono is moved by seeing my child. Isn't that wonderful? I'm sure this child and Toyotamaru-sama will get along well."

　Crying? Who's crying? Me?

"Since that illness, his face was always similar to a Noh mask, but now he's finally showing a more human-like expression."

　Come to think of it, when was the last time I genuinely cried in my previous life? I think it was when I couldn't save a junior high school student who drowned in a river during my fourth year at the emergency department. After that incident, I stopped crying altogether.

　So, I can cry again, huh?

　During my previous life, I didn't have much contact with obstetrics and gynecology. Even in the emergency room, patients of that nature rarely came. Perhaps that's why, although I believed I understood the greatness and preciousness of human life, I was once again reminded of its magnificence.

　I will be extra kind to this child. I will cherish her, who has brought back something precious to me. I will live in a way that allows me to become an honorable older brother.

"Now, what should we name this child?"

"Well, our eldest sister was named Tsukihime [2], as she was born on a full moon night."

"I see. Then, since this child was born at the hour of the Horse [3]​, she'll be called Umahime (princess horse)."

"Brother, that's too straightforward!"

　Oh, the name. Names are important, aren't they? And I've realized that Father's naming sense is utterly disastrous. What is that? Even in the Sengoku period, it's unimaginable to give a girl a name like Uma-hime. Doesn't he understand that it's a girl we're talking about, or is this Viper utterly clueless?

"My lord, this child will surely be loved by everyone. She'll be raised as a butterfly, like a beautiful flower. How about the name 'Chou' (Butterfly)"

"Brother, isn't that a good idea?"

　My uncle, quite amused by Omi no Kata's suggestion, readily agreed. It seems he also thinks Father's naming skills are terrible. I see. This person may be an incredible individual, but naming is definitely not their strong suit.

"Yes, yes. If you both say so, let's go with that... And Toyotamaru, make sure you teach me your secret to not making the baby cry later."

　My father nodded under the pressure. I wanted to tell him to go to Zenko-ji Temple and repent for all his misdeeds. But I'm too scared to say it.

　I see, so this will be named Chiyoki [4].

　What? Chiyo...... Kichou?

　Oh! So that's Nohime!

Author's Note:

I based the initial lack of emotional fluctuations in the protagonist on the symptoms experienced by an acquaintance who collapsed due to overwork.

It turns out that the person's emotional recovery began with "crying after meeting a relative's newborn baby (two days old)."

I believe that from here on, the protagonist will gradually show more human-like emotions.

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[1] Kaitai Shinsho is a medical text translated into Japanese during the Edo period. It is based on the Dutch-language translation Ontleedkundige Tafelen, often known in Japan as Tafel Anatomie, of Kulmus’ German Anatomische Tabellen. As a full-blown translation from a Western language, it was the first of its kind in Japan. It was written by Sugita Genpaku, and was published by Suharaya Ichibee (須原屋市兵衛) in 1774, the third year of An'ei. The body comprises four volumes, the illustrations, one. The contents are written kanbun-style.

[2] Tsukihime (月姫) - 月 "tsuki" means moon, and 姫 "hime" means princess.

[3] Hour of the horse - around noon, 11am-1pm, or 12 noon-2pm.

[4] Chiyoki (蝶姫) is made of two characters, in which 蝶 "chiyo/chou" means butterfly, and 姫 "ki/hime" means princess. The Butterfly Princess, so poetic. Her most common name is Nohime (濃姫) but she was also called Kichou (帰蝶). Also, she's Oda Nobunaga's future wife.