Surprise?

Chapter Two

Shota was exhausted. His final exams for his college courses was coming up. His graduation would be coming but that also meant Hitoshi's birthday was drawing closer and closer. Last years birthday, was not celebrated well. Shota hadn't even realized it was Hitoshi's birthday until the day before and now he was turning five. Shota couldn't even believe his son had been in his life for a year, that also meant Shota was turning 21 this year. Nemuri had already been raving about it and talking about it.
Shota looked in the mirror as he brushed his teeth, he looked a wreck. He was running off of just coffee. Hitoshi came running into his room, "Daddy, kitty place?"
Shota spit out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth, "Sure, go start a bath and then we'll get going."
Hitoshi hummed in excitement as he ran out of the room. Shota let out a deep breath, it was going to be a long day.

Shota towel dried Hitoshi's hair, helped him get dressed, and studied while Hitoshi ate, "Daddy?" Hitoshi called from the table.
Shota looked up from his computer, "Yes?"
"Is school scary?" Hitoshi put his plate in the sink and went to sit next to Shota.
Shota's school experience wasn't great to say the least, he wanted his son to know that but he didn't want him to be scared. Shota put his computer and put Hitoshi in his lap, "Hm, it can be but I know my little hero is brave and will find the good side, right?"
Hitoshi smiled, "Right!"
"Good, now how 'bout we get going?" Shota combed his fingers through his hair, "We have to do some school shopping and then kitty place, okay?"
Hitoshi nodded excitedly and went to the entrance and put his shoes on and grab the house keys. Shota laughed and grabbed his wallet before putting his shoes on, "Let me know if it gets too loud for you, okay? The stores can get loud sometimes, remember?"
Hitoshi gripped Okashi and nodded, "I'm brave and Okashi is brave too!"
      Shota smiled and ruffled his hair, "Of course you're brave."

Shota and Hitoshi got a ride to the mall and already Shota was overwhelmed. The mall was a place he had always dreaded going to. Shota probably looked odd wearing a large scarf in the warm spring, but the pressure was grounding. He grabbed Hitoshi's hand and went inside. He knew which stores he needed to go to and that's where they went. Shota fumbled with the scarf as they waited in line to check out Hitoshi's uniform clothing. Hitoshi didn't seem bothered with the line or the people. That was good, he was being braver than Shota was.
   "I can help you over here!"
    Shota gave the cashier everything to be checked out. He knew the lady was just trying to be nice but when she asked Hitoshi questions he hid behind Shota, "Thank you, he doesn't talk very much."
    "It's okay, everyone gets shy sometimes, have a good day!"
    Hitoshi tugged on Shota's shirt. Shota picked him up, "You doing okay, Toshi?"
     Hitoshi nodded and laid his head on Shota's shoulder. Luckily this was the last store they had to go to, but it would be long, "Can you hold your bag for me?"
     Hitoshi grabbed it and wrapped his arms around Shota's neck again. Shota took his phone out for the list and quietly shopped. Hitoshi would occasionally point out some supplies he liked and then go back to people watching.
     Shota checked out and they were done, until he heard Hitoshi's stomach rumble. He couldn't be mad at his son, Shota was hungry too but he just wanted to leave. But the drive to the cat cafe was too long to wait, "Let's get something for a snack before we go to kitty place." Shota headed the way of the food court, he could feel heat rising simultaneously with his anxiety, "Hey toshi, I'm gonna put you down."
      Hitoshi pouted but nodded. Shota put him down and grabbed his hand. Hitoshi pointed to where he wanted to go, so they went.
      Shota ordered hot soba while Hitoshi ordered cold soba. Shota grimaced, he couldn't understand why Hitoshi liked it cold but whatever his son liked he usually got it for him.
     Shota watched his son eat quietly, holding Okashi to his side. Shota had finished quickly and laid his head on the table, closing his eyes while feeling Hitoshi's leg brushing against his.