April 2nd
"Akira! Time to wake up—it's your first official day of kindergarten!"
Miyamura Shizuka stood by the bed, gently shaking the still-sleeping Akira with one hand while pinching his soft, chubby cheek with the other.
Akira slowly cracked open his eyes, raised a hand to rub them, and let out a long yawn.
Click!
A white flash lit up the room.
Still half-asleep, Akira instantly snapped awake. He turned to the woman holding a smartphone and asked in a groggy, slightly annoyed tone, "Shizuka-chin… what are you doing?"
Completely ignoring his question, Shizuka continued to snap photos from different angles before finally answering:
"Obviously, I'm documenting the first day of my precious Akira's kindergarten journey. You might not appreciate it now, but one day, these will be priceless memories."
Akira, for once, had no comeback. He simply sighed.
"Alright, alright, how long are you going to lie there? Shouko's been waiting downstairs for over ten minutes."
Finishing her little photo shoot, Shizuka started urging him to get up, even raising her hand in a playful, threatening gesture like she was about to drag him out of bed.
The moment he heard that Shouko was waiting, Akira bolted upright, grabbed the kindergarten uniform Shizuka had set out the night before—a simple blue top with white shorts and a yellow sun hat—and began changing.
He stripped off his pajamas down to his white briefs, but just as he was about to put on the uniform...
Click!
Another photo.
Quickly dressing and slapping the hat on his head, Akira threw open the door and dashed out, ignoring Shizuka and her ever-clicking camera.
Watching him run, Shizuka chuckled and called out from behind, "Akira, slow down! Don't trip!"
When Akira turned the corner into the living room, he spotted Shouko lying fast asleep on the tatami mat, still in her uniform but missing her hat, which had been tossed aside. She looked like a chubby little meat bun, her round cheeks rising and falling gently with each breath.
Akira must've run too fast, because the wind he created ruffled Shouko's bangs. She sleepily raised her hand to scratch her cheek.
Click.
Akira didn't even need to turn around to know Shizuka had followed him again with the camera.
Afraid Shouko might catch a cold lying there, he walked over and gently shook her shoulder. She groaned and half-heartedly smacked his arm in protest.
"Alright, Akira, go wash your face first. Let Shouko sleep a bit longer—I'll get a blanket," Shizuka said, putting away her phone at last. She turned to head upstairs.
Akira gave up on trying to wake Shouko properly. He took off his hat and placed it gently on her head, then quietly made his way to the bathroom.
By the time he returned, Shouko was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. A soft pink blanket now covered her legs.
Noticing Akira, Shouko waved her little hand and mumbled groggily, "Mornin'… Akira."
He didn't quite catch what she said, but the sight of her sleepy expression made him feel like he'd just taken a critical emotional hit.
"I'm gonna die of cuteness…!" (he thought)
"Okay, Miyamura Akira! Here's your lunchbox, and these are sandwiches for the car ride," Shizuka called out as she returned from the kitchen. In one hand, she held a lunchbox wrapped in black cloth; in the other, a sandwich and milk.
Akira accepted them silently.
Shizuka headed for the entryway, kicked off her house slippers, and called back, "I'm going to pull the car out. Come out when you hear the horn!"
She slipped on her shoes, opened the front door, and stepped out, closing it behind her.
Akira set the food on the coffee table and walked over to Shouko. He held out his hand, helping the still-drowsy girl to her feet. Only when she was standing steadily did he let go, asking gently:
"Shouko, did you eat breakfast?"
She blinked, confused. Then she reached into the pocket of her white shorts, pulled out a small black pouch, and took out a red children's hearing aid. After placing it in her right ear, she looked at him and asked, "Huh? Say that again."
Only then did Akira realize she hadn't had her hearing aid in all morning. He repeated, more slowly, "Did you eat breakfast?"
Shouko perked up. "Mhm mhm! I had steamed buns, dumplings, and half an ear of corn."
She began ticking off each item with her tiny fingers, then added, "Oh! And milk!"
Akira chuckled. Her words were still a little unclear, but he could understand her—and that alone made him feel strangely proud.
Just then, the car horn sounded.
Akira bent down, picked up both yellow hats from the tatami, and gently placed one on Shouko's head and one on his own. Then he grabbed her hand, picked up their lunch and breakfast, and led her to the entryway.
After changing shoes, they opened the door to find a bright red car idling in front of the house. Shizuka was in the driver's seat, waving at them through the open window.
Akira opened the back door and let Shouko climb in first, then followed after her.
"Seatbelts," Shizuka reminded them as she started the engine and pulled out onto the road.
In the back seat, Akira unwrapped his sandwich, took a bite from one end, and chewed thoughtfully. Shouko stared at him curiously.
On a whim, Akira held the sandwich out toward her. Before he could change his mind, she leaned in and took a bite.
Without a second thought, he went back to eating from the other end.
Feeling thirsty, he held the milk between his knees, opened the straw, and took a sip—then held it out to Shouko.
She swallowed her food, took the milk, and started sipping quietly.
Watching them in the rearview mirror, Shizuka smiled to herself. If she weren't driving, she would've already taken another dozen photos.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the kindergarten. After parking, Shizuka stepped out and opened the back door for the kids.
They got out and looked around. Near the school gate stood Teacher Yoshinaga, Ms. Ue'o, and several other unfamiliar teachers, welcoming the arriving children.
Holding both their hands, Shizuka walked up to the entrance and greeted the teachers politely. "Good morning, Teacher Yoshinaga, Ms. Ue'o."
The two teachers greeted her in return. Ms. Ue'o looked around, then asked curiously, "Akira's mom? I don't see Shouko's mother today."
Shizuka smiled, already prepared for the question. "Shouko's mom had to rush off to work. And besides," she said, squeezing Shouko's hand gently, "Shouko is like my own daughter. We're all family."
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