The Family Next Door
The drive home was anything but quiet. Despite everything that had happened earlier, Kota and Ayumi still found a way to turn the car ride into a game.
"Okay, new rule!" Kota announced, leaning forward in his seat. "Whoever touches the car window last loses!"
Ayumi's eyes widened. "That's not fair! You didn't even count down—"
Kota slammed his hand against the window. "Too late! I win!"
Ayumi pouted. "That doesn't count! Cheater!"
Max sighed but smiled as he focused on the road. *Kids really do bounce back fast...*
A few minutes later, they arrived at Ayumi's house, only for both kids to gape in shock.
"Wait... WHAT?!" Kota exclaimed. "You live HERE?!"
Ayumi's house was directly across from Max and Kota's home.
"How did we never notice?!" Kota yelled dramatically.
Ayumi blinked. "I... I don't know?"
Max chuckled as he parked the car. "Well, this makes things a lot easier."
The three of them got out, and Kota immediately ran to Ayumi's door, pressing the doorbell repeatedly like a child discovering a new toy.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong-ding-dong—
"Kota, *stop*," Max scolded, pulling him back.
A moment later, the door swung open, revealing a tall young man with messy hair and dark circles under his eyes. He looked exhausted, like someone who hadn't slept in days.
Keito, Ayumi's older brother, blinked at them groggily before his eyes widened in horror.
"A-Ayumi?! Oh crap—!"
Ayumi frowned. "You forgot me, didn't you?"
Keito rubbed the back of his neck, looking guilty. "I... I set an alarm, I swear! I must've slept through it—" His phone, still in his hand, started ringing with his alarm. He quickly silenced it with a sheepish chuckle.
Max raised an eyebrow. "Guess it's a little late for that."
Keito sighed deeply, then looked at Max and Kota. "Thanks for bringing her home. I really owe you guys."
"Well, next time, don't forget your sister," Max said, though his tone was light.
Keito scratched his head. "Yeah... Come inside. At least let me treat you to dinner as thanks."
Max considered it for a moment before nodding. "Sure, why not?"
---
Inside, the place was cozy but a bit messy, with empty coffee cups and papers scattered on the table. Keito hurried to clean up as Ayumi led Kota to her room. The two immediately started playing, as if they had known each other forever.
Meanwhile, Max and Keito sat in the small living room, the weight of the conversation that needed to happen settling between them.
Max glanced toward Ayumi, who was happily chatting with Kota. Then, he turned back to Keito. "She told me about your parents."
Keito tensed slightly but nodded. "...Yeah."
There was a moment of silence before Max spoke again. "She also told me why she didn't want to call you. She thinks she's a burden."
Keito flinched. His fingers clenched on his lap. "I... I didn't mean for her to feel that way."
Max leaned back. "Then what happened?"
Keito let out a heavy sigh. "A few days ago, she wanted to play. But I was so tired from work—I just wanted to rest for a bit. I told her I didn't have time, and then..." He hesitated. "...I slipped up. I told her not to be a bother."
Max closed his eyes, exhaling through his nose.
Keito clenched his fists. "I didn't mean it. But I guess... she took it to heart."
Max looked at him seriously. "Kids don't always understand what we mean, but they sure as hell remember what we say."
Keito covered his face with one hand. "I feel like the worst brother in the world."
Max shook his head. "You're not. You're just tired. But you need to talk to her. Make her understand that she's not a burden."
Keito looked toward Ayumi, watching as she laughed at something Kota said. His eyes softened.
"...Yeah. I will."
---
After dinner, Max stretched and glanced at Kota. "Alright, kiddo, we should head home."
Kota pouted. "Awww, but we were having fun!"
Ayumi smiled. "You'll see me tomorrow at school, silly."
Kota thought about it and grinned. "Oh yeah! That's right!"
Before they left, Max turned to Keito. "If you want, I can drive Ayumi to and from school. Since we're neighbors, it won't be a hassle."
Keito's eyes widened. "You'd do that?"
Max shrugged. "Yeah. I work from home, so my schedule's flexible. Plus, I already pick up Kota, so it's no trouble."
Keito looked genuinely touched. "...Thank you. Really."
Max smirked. "Just don't forget her again, alright?"
Keito chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I got it."
As Max and Kota stepped outside, Ayumi and Keito stood at the door, waving.
"Bye, Kota!" Ayumi called out.
"See ya, Ayumi!" Kota grinned. Then, he looked up at Max. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Can Ayumi be my *third* knight?"
Max chuckled. "Sure, why not?"
Kota beamed.
As they walked home, Max glanced up at the night sky.
*"Looks like our family just got a little bigger."*
After returning home, Kota ran inside excitedly, but he suddenly stopped in front of the easel where Max's unfinished painting stood. His eyes widened as he took in the details—the soft strokes, the blending of colors, the way it already told a story even without being finished.
"Dad!" Kota called, his voice full of admiration. "This is amazing!"
Max, who was setting his keys on the counter, chuckled. "It's not even done yet."
"But it's still amazing!" Kota said, stepping closer. "You should totally sell this, Dad! I bet someone would buy it in a second!"
Max scratched the back of his head, looking at the painting. "I don't know... I've never really thought about selling my work."
Kota turned to him with big, determined eyes. "But why not? You're really good! You always tell me to try new things, right? Maybe you should too!"
Max hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want to—it was more that painting had always been personal, something he did for himself. Selling it felt... different.
Seeing his dad lost in thought, Kota grinned mischievously. "Oh! I know! If you're not sure, then paint *me* next! Make me a brave knight holding a sword and slaying a dragon! Oh, and make sure I look super cool!"
Max chuckled. "A knight, huh?"
Kota puffed out his chest proudly. "Yeah! A legendary hero! The great Sir Kota, slayer of dragons!"
Max ruffled Kota's hair. "Alright, alright. I'll think about it."
Kota grinned triumphantly.
—
Later that night, Kota lay in bed, wrapped in his blankets. Max sat at the edge, checking his phone one last time before setting it on the nightstand.
"Goodnight, Kota," he said softly, patting his son's head.
Kota yawned and mumbled, "Goodnight, Dad..."
As Max turned off the light and left the room, Kota slowly drifted into sleep.
—
In his dream, he was much smaller, standing in a warm, sunlit room. There was laughter—gentle, sweet laughter—and when he turned, he saw her.
Noriko.
She was smiling as she helped him tie his shoelaces, her movements patient and caring. She always smelled nice, like fresh flowers and something comforting. She had always been there, taking care of him, making sure he was happy.
And she had loved his dad too.
Kota watched as dream-Noriko turned toward Max, her eyes full of something Kota didn't quite understand, but he knew it was special.
She was perfect for them.
—
Kota's eyes fluttered open, the dream still fresh in his mind. The room was dark, but he could hear the soft hum of the night outside.
Suddenly, without thinking, he got out of bed and walked into Max's room.
Max was asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Kota quietly climbed into bed beside him, wrapping his small arms around his father's waist.
"Dad..." Kota whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
Max stirred slightly but didn't wake up.
Kota tightened his hug. He knew his dad had been through a lot. He had lost so much, yet he still smiled for him every day. He still tried so hard.
Kota closed his eyes, resting his forehead against Max's side.
*I hope you heal too, Dad.*
CHAPTER END 🫠