The Happiness Thief (TEGSA)

→04. I want,I take←

Maxwell slowly opens his eyes,as the first sunray falls on him. He peeks out of his blanket,and looks around to see if Happiness is here.As he searches the room, his eyes scan every corner, every nook and cranny, but there's no sign of Happiness. He lets out a sigh of relief, thinking maybe it was all just a dream.
Out of excitement he jumps out of his bed and runs straight to the bathroom to brush his teeth. As the door behind him closes,a delicate flower petal is seen falling on the ground,it's a yellow ochre one,the same shade as Happiness's hair.

Maxwell is oblivious to the flower petal, too caught up in his morning routine. He brushes his teeth, washes his face, and prepares for another day at school.
As he exits the bathroom, he's greeted by the sound of his mom calling him from downstairs. "Max, breakfast is ready."she says, her voice cheerful but
still filled with slight disappointment. Maxwell's stomach growls in response, and he hurries downstairs to see what his mom has prepared for him.

As Maxwell sits down for breakfast, his mind is still preoccupied with the thoughts of Happiness. He wonders if she really was in his room the previous night or was he dreaming? His gaze drifts off, lost in the haze of his own thoughts.

"Maxwell," his mother's voice pierces through his reverie, and he almost jerks the plate, his spoon and fork hovering in mid-air. He stares at his mother with wide eyes, his voice stuttering as he speaks, "Y-yes mother?" The brief exchange is met with a silent understanding between his parents, their glances flicking towards each other for a split second.

"Hurry up with your breakfast and slide in the backseat," his mother instructs, her tone gentle but firm. "Your father is busy, hence I will be dropping you to school today." Maxwell nods mechanically, his mind still lingering on the enigmatic figure of Happiness. He forces himself to focus on the present, taking a bite of his breakfast as his mother gathers her things to leave.

As Maxwell walks out of the house, he seems lost in his thoughts, his footsteps mechanical. Memories of the small accident caused by his carelessness flood his mind, and he feels a pang of guilt wash over him. He can't shake off the feeling that he's hurt his aunt, and the weight of his actions settles heavy on his conscience. This is a new sensation for him, one he's not familiar with, and it makes him uncomfortable.

His mother slips into the driver's seat, and Maxwell's gaze drifts towards the back seat. He reaches out to open the door, his hand closing around the handle. As the door swings open, he's met with a sight that makes his heart skip a beat. Happiness sits in the corner, a bright smile on her face, her yellow ochre hair gleaming in the morning light.

Maxwell's scream echoes through the car, his eyes wide with shock. He stares at Happiness, his mind reeling with questions. How did she get here? What does she want from him? He's frozen in place, his heart racing with excitement and a hint of anger.

Happiness simply waves at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She seems to be enjoying his reaction, and Maxwell feels a shiver run down his spine. What does she have planned for him?

"What in the world are you doing here?" Maxwell asks, his breathing heavy. Happiness smiles and answers, "I am going to accompany you to your school, Max!"

Maxwell cuts her off, his voice shaking with excitement. "You don't have to!" But before Happiness can respond, Maxwell's mother turns from her seat, her eyes fixed on her son. "Maxwell, who are you talking to? Stop acting so weird and get inside the car!" Her irritation is palpable, her tone laced with disappointment and frustration.

Sweat begins to accumulate on Maxwell's forehead as he rushes to his mother, trying to explain. "Mother, I swear, I'm not lying! A girl named Happiness is sitting on the backseat! She's in charge of the happiness of all the people around the globe - she came to my room last night - and now she's here!"