Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 102 - 97: “First Outing”

Chapter 102: Chapter 97: “First Outing”

A soft breeze drifted through the open car windows as Ren adjusted the rearview mirror. Behind him, a tiny car seat—safely secured with enough padding to survive an apocalypse—held Hikari, dressed in a pastel pink onesie with little bunny ears on her hood. She blinked up at the sky with wide, curious eyes, making gentle gurgling sounds.

"Okay, all set," Ren said, glancing over to Aoi in the passenger seat.

She was tying her hair back into a neat ponytail, the light makeup and flowy dress making her glow despite a hint of exhaustion still visible in her eyes. A new mother’s tiredness, softened by love.

"I still feel like we’re forgetting something," she said, checking the bag on her lap again.

"You packed three bottles, two sets of clothes, wipes, a thermometer, five diapers, her favorite plush rabbit, and... baby sunscreen." Ren chuckled. "We’re ready for the wilderness."

Aoi pouted. "This is her first trip out, okay?! What if she gets cold? Or hungry? Or—"

Ren leaned over and kissed her cheek. "She’s got the two best parents in the world. She’ll be fine."

A Gentle Escape to the Hills

They’d picked a quiet, green meadow just outside the countryside town. It was a private patch of nature Ren had purchased long ago—no tourists, no cameras, just space and silence. A soft brook trickled nearby, birds sang above, and the sun peeked between drifting clouds.

Ren laid out a blanket under a tree while Aoi gently rocked Hikari in her arms.

Hikari sneezed.

Both parents froze.

Then she smiled.

Aoi gasped. "Did you see that?! That was her first real smile!"

Ren’s heart melted. "I did. And I think it just healed half my soul."

They spent the afternoon like that—talking, watching clouds, feeding Hikari, and even snapping their first family selfie together. It was a scene that looked stolen from a dream.

Ren looked down at Aoi napping lightly beside him, their daughter curled safely between them.

He whispered to himself, "I didn’t know life could feel like this..."

Back at the Car – Sunset

As Ren packed up the stroller and supplies, Lucia’s voice whispered softly through his earpiece.

"Sir. A signal has returned. Same frequency as before. Brief ping detected near a hillside 1.2 km north of your location."

Ren’s jaw tightened slightly.

He turned and looked over the horizon, the sky bathed in fading golden light. Saki was out there. Somewhere. Watching.

But today wasn’t about fear. It was about family.

He slipped back into the car, smiled at Aoi, who was humming softly to Hikari, and kissed his daughter’s forehead.

"We’ll protect you," he whispered. "No matter what."