𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝟑𝟖𝟏 [𝘛𝘰𝘫𝘪 𝘍𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘳𝘰]

𝐌𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐢'𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲

Being with Megumi as his fourth birthday approaches is an exciting experience. Megumi knows that his birthday is coming up, his father reminds him daily, and he tells you about it excitedly. The little boy has so many plans, telling you that when he grows a year older he'll be much more mature than he is now; he won't be scared to try new things and he'll behave better. Apparently he'll be able to stay up longer and he won't cry over such miniscule things, he'll eat more veggies and he'll make more friends.

For his fourth year of life, Megumi has so many plans and you're beyond excited to be a part of them. Toji sent you the details of the small birthday party that he's hosting for Megumi. Nothing too extravagant, he's just taking the kid to his favorite restaurant inviting a couple of Megumi's daycare friends, and after they'll go to an arcade, which is perfect since Megumi is finally getting a hang of the games offered. There's only a couple of games that he actually knows how to play, and he can't wait to play them with his friends. A party at the park would've been a better idea, but it's extremely cold outside so it wouldn't be smart.

You're not sure if you want to join Toji, feeling that you'll be too old amongst the other kids, but Toji insists that you must go because he doesn't want to be stuck with three kids. So you're going. By noon you're outside your door and knocking on Toji's since you agreed to meet at the time. When he opens the door, you hear Megumi's cries and you furrow your brows. Toji sighs.

"He refuses to put on his pants." Toji is quick to share, and you chuckle. Toji notices the blue shopping bag in your hand, and when he offers to take it from your hand, you shake your head. You smile at him before asking,

"May I come in, Toji? I think I have the perfect way to help you." You respond, and he moves aside to let you come into the apartment. You walk in, walking straight to Megumi. You crouch down and smile at the teary-eyed boy. You wipe his tears and pout before asking, "What's up baby? Why don't you want to put on your pants?"

He doesn't have an actual valid response, the young boy just doesn't want to wear pants. You hold back on chuckling before offering, "I have a very special gift for my birthday boy, but I can only give it to you if you wear your pants."

"But–" Megumi begins, his tears streaming down his face again. It takes everything in you not to laugh.

"See what I've been dealing with?" Toji says, and it makes Megumi's crying worse. You shush the man before turning your full attention to Megumi again.

"I promise that you'll love what I got you, Megumi. All you have to do is put on your pants. And after we'll go have lunch at your favorite place– We're going to do so much fun stuff, Megumi." You tell him, and after a minute, he ends up putting the pants on without a problem. Toji rolls his eyes, an exasperated sigh leaving his lips. How come when he bribes Megumi it doesn't work?

"I'm ready." Megumi answers. However, you can't just leave yet because Toji isn't ready yet. He struggled getting Megumi ready, and now the man isn't changed to leave. He begins to get undressed, taking off his shirt and pants to put on the outfit he had picked out for today. Meanwhile, Megumi opens the gift you got him, and he wastes no time in playing with it.

"Do you like it, Megumi?" You ask him, and he nods in response. He smiles at you and you smile back at him. He continues playing until Toji is ready to go.

"Alright, let's go." Toji orders, and you're out the door within a minute. Megumi holds your hand while you walk to Toji's car. You end up picking him up while you walk down the stairs.

"Did I forget to wish you a happy birthday?" You ask Megumi, and you stick your bottom lip out when he nods in response. You kiss his temple before telling him, "Happy birthday, Megumi. I love you."