**STORIES AND NIGHTMARE**
The warm glow of the living room lamp cast a soft light over Max’s cozy home. Noriko sat cross-legged on the plush couch, flipping through a book she had pulled from the shelf earlier. Kota, sprawled on the carpet with his favorite dragon toy, babbled nonsensical sounds to himself, occasionally glancing at the adults as if silently judging them. Max stood by the bookshelf, scanning its rows with a critical eye.
“This one,” he finally said, pulling out a hardcover book with a whimsical illustration on the cover. He held it up like a prize. “The perfect bedtime story for our little critic over there.”
Noriko tilted her head to look at the title. “*The Adventures of Bunny Braveheart*,” she read aloud, her lips curving into a smile. “How appropriate. Kota, you hear that? A story about a brave bunny, just like you.”
Kota paused, his small hand gripping his toy dragon. He tilted his head and then babbled something unintelligible.*Bunny Braveheart? Is this a joke?*
Max smirked. “See? Even he’s skeptical.”
He plopped down beside Noriko on the couch, the cushions sinking slightly under his weight. He stretched his arm along the backrest, giving Noriko a playful look. “Alright, you handle the first half. If our little rebel isn’t asleep by then, I’ll step in with the big guns.”
Noriko raised an eyebrow. “Big guns? You mean your dramatic voice acting?”
Max gasped in mock offense. “Dramatic? It’s called *immersive storytelling*. You’ll see.”
---
Noriko opened the book, her voice softening as she began to read. Her tone was melodic, drawing Kota’s attention immediately. He lay on his stomach, his head propped up by his hands, as if reluctantly admitting he was interested.
As the story unfolded, Noriko’s expressions became more animated, and her voice carried a rhythm that even Kyoshi found soothing.
“Bunny Braveheart hopped through the dark forest, his little heart pounding in his chest…”
Kota’s eyes narrowed slightly. Translation: *Braveheart? More like Scaredy Bunny.*
When Noriko reached a particularly suspenseful moment, she glanced at Kyoshi, who was watching her with an amused expression.
“What?” she asked, pausing mid-sentence.
Max shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Nothing. Just didn’t know you were this good at storytelling.”
Noriko rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the faint blush creeping up her cheeks. “Flattery won’t get you out of your turn.” She handed him the book and gestured toward Kota. “Your move, storyteller.”
---
Max cleared his throat, holding up another book he had picked earlier. “Alright, Kota, prepare yourself. This one’s a classic: *The Little Dragon.*”
Kota rolled onto his back, clutching his bunny toy as if bracing himself. *This better be good.*
Max dived into the story with gusto, his voice shifting dramatically for each character. Noriko stifled a laugh as he imitated the high-pitched squeak of a frightened mouse and then transitioned into the deep, rumbling tone of a dragon.
“‘I’ll show them,’ said the Little Dragon, puffing out his chest. ‘I’ll breathe fire bigger than anyone else!’” Max declared, holding his hand to his heart like an actor delivering a monologue.
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...
