**Chapter 30: The Little Matchmaker**
The bookstore was quiet, as usual, a peaceful haven nestled in the bustling city. Max leaned against the counter, flipping through a book half-heartedly while Noriko sipped her tea beside him. Kota, perched on the counter in his baby seat, was clearly bored out of his mind. His tiny legs kicked the air, and he let out a dramatic sigh, resting his chubby face on his hand.
Max chuckled. "What’s wrong, buddy? Bored of Daddy’s workplace?"
Kota babbled incoherently, but in his mind—translated for the reader—he thought, *Yes, bored out of my tiny mind, Father. You call this a place of interest? I call it a snoozefest.*
Just then, the bell above the door jingled, and a lanky teenager walked in. He had round glasses perched on his nose, his hair slightly disheveled, and he carried an awkward air about him. He looked around the store nervously, clutching the straps of his backpack.
Kota’s eyes lit up. He pointed at the boy and babbled again. Translation: *Ah, fresh prey. Look at this guy. Walking in here like he’s the king of awkwardness. What’s that? A 10-centimeter gap between his socks and his pants? Outstanding fashion choice, my guy.*
Max raised an eyebrow at Kota. "What are you saying now, buddy?"
Noriko chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "He probably thinks that boy looks funny. Kota has... strong opinions about fashion."
The boy—let’s call him Hiroshi—wandered over to the fantasy section, his eyes scanning the shelves as if searching for something very specific. After a moment, he picked a book titled *The Dragon’s Curse* and hesitantly made his way to one of the reading chairs near the window.
As Hiroshi sat down and started reading, the bell jingled again. This time, a young girl stepped inside. She was everything Hiroshi wasn’t—vibrant, stylish, and energetic. Her hair was tied into a messy bun, and she wore a trendy jacket that screamed confidence. But her behavior told a different story. She hesitated at the entrance, her eyes darting around the store nervously until they landed on Hiroshi.
Kota, ever the observant little troublemaker, smirked. Translation: *Oh, this is getting good. She’s here for him, isn’t she? Look at her pretending to browse the romance section. Girl, we all see you.*
Max noticed Kota’s mischievous grin and followed his gaze. Noriko did the same. The two adults exchanged a knowing look.
"You think what I’m thinking?" Max asked, grinning.
Noriko nodded. "Absolutely. This is like a live rom-com playing out in our store. We can’t just sit here and do nothing."
Max leaned closer to Kota. "Alright, buddy. Operation Matchmaking is a go."
Kota clapped his hands. Translation: *Finally, some action around here.*
The plan was simple—help the girl, who was clearly too shy to approach Hiroshi, sit near him and let fate (and awkwardness) do the rest.
Noriko approached the girl first. "Hi there! Can I help you find something?" she asked warmly.
The girl, whose name turned out to be Hina, stammered, "Oh, uh, no, I’m just... browsing."
Noriko leaned in slightly, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "You wouldn’t happen to be here for someone, would you?"
Hina’s face turned beet red. "What? No! I mean, I just... Uh... books. I like books."
Meanwhile, Max tried distracting Hiroshi by pretending to rearrange books near his chair. "Hey, man, that’s a great book you’ve got there. Looking for anything else?"
Hiroshi looked up, startled. "Uh, no, no, this is fine. Just, uh, reading. Books are... good."
Kota, watching this unfold, muttered in his baby language: *Amateurs. Both of them. Daddy, you’re being too obvious.*
With Noriko guiding Hina toward the reading section and Max still fumbling with his small talk near Hiroshi, it seemed like their plan was going nowhere. But then, Kota decided to take matters into his own tiny hands—or rather, his tiny voice.
He pointed at Hina and babbled loudly. Translation: *Lady! Over there! Go sit by your man before he runs off to Narnia!*
Hina looked startled. "Oh, is he... trying to say something?"
Max laughed nervously. "Yeah, he, uh, really likes people sitting by the window. Great lighting, you know."
Noriko quickly chimed in. "Why don’t you take that seat over there?" She gestured to the chair directly across from Hiroshi.
Hina hesitated, but then, with an encouraging smile from Noriko, she finally made her way over and sat down.
Hiroshi froze. His book slipped from his hands, landing on the floor with a thud. He turned beet red and stammered, "I-I, uh... th-th-that’s, uh..."
Hina giggled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Hi. I’m Hina."
Hiroshi’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "I... uh... b-b-book... reading... uh... I’m Hiroshi."
Kota burst into a fit of giggles. Translation: *This guy. Absolutely speechless. You’re killing me, bro.*
Max and Noriko watched from the counter, barely containing their laughter. "I think we did good," Max said.
Noriko smiled. "Definitely. Though I think Kota deserves most of the credit."
Kota clapped his hands triumphantly. Translation: *Of course I do. The adults are useless without me.*
As the two teens continued their awkward yet adorable conversation, Max and Noriko shared a look of satisfaction. Another successful day at the bookstore, thanks to their little matchmaker.
YOU ARE READING
THE FIRST TIME DADDY
RomanceMax never imagined his life would turn out like this: a single father raising a lively two-year-old while working at a quiet bookstore. Far from the successful man his wealthy parents hoped he'd become, Max is still finding his footing after years o...
