Book of Noodle

Chapter 16

A few days have passed and already she's become a little blessing in this house. The boys, although refusing to admit it have become quite obsessed with her.

She doesn't say much but that's alright. We've been trying to know her name though. Instead of just calling her "kid"
I noticed she was playing with a football by herself. Just rolling it by herself against a wall and letting it roll back to her.

"Hey, Akachan."
I stated sitting next to her.
"Having fun?"

She nods a bit holding the ball in her tiny hands.
"You know, I don't think I ever got to properly know you yet. How about we change that né? Do you want ice cream?"

"Yeh."
She turned her head with a soft smile and a nod, getting up with her I see her raise her arms up to me. What's this?
"Uppy?"

My heart practically melted. She was asking to be held!? With a smile I lifted her up into my arms.

"I'm going out!"
I shout as we both leave the Studio. It was a lovely day outside. A bit cloudy but it was always like that.
Taking my usual path through the woods she finally decided to say a few words.

"I like you."
She said as i carried her. I wasn't sure if i heard her right so I asked her again.
"I like you. Noo-Nootals."

She pronounced it so strangely. I couldn't help but laugh at this.

"Say it again? What's my name?"

"Nootals!"
She shouted with an excited smile. I laughed at this again.

"No, no, akachan. Its Noodle. Nu-do-ru."
I carefully pronounced to her.
"Or, you can call me Noodle-chan."

"Nu-Tan!"
She squeaked back. My heart exploded. This was more than adorable. Her pronunciation, everything about her just lit up my world.

"Yes. Yes. Very good. I am Noodle-chan."
I then point to her.
"Now what's your name?"

"Hmmmmm...."
She furrowed her eyebrows in focus.
"Pincess!"

"Princess?"
I giggled. That can't really be her name. I mean, in Japan we have Hime which translates to princess but Princess can't be a real name could it? Not in the English language.

"Mh!"
She nods
"I rule all dragons!"

"Dragon Princess?"
I asked playfully. I'll get her name eventually but for now I'll just let her have fun.
"You like dragons?"

She nods as we reach the street.

"They go raaaaaaaa! And spit fire. An' they-they-they fly!"
She was too much! I was happy that she was comfortable to talk to me. Setting her down due to her getting heavy I guide her to the ice cream shops. Well, it was more like a cafe but they make the best Sundays.
Some things i could pick up and others she was quite chatty now that I was with her.

Once we finished we went straight to the playground across the road. Watching her play with the other kids.

"Babysitting?"
A young woman with a baby in the sling stated.

"Something like that. She's my baby sister."

"Wow. Big responsibility there love."
She states feeding her swaddled bundle.
"How old is she?"

I had to think. I wasn't really sure how old she was. She was quite small and non talkative than the other kids in the track. Yet she couldn't of been any older than 2 or 3.

"She will be three in a few months. What about you?"

"We'll, the baby is about 3 months. Then the girl is 3 and my oldest just turned 5."