*A Little Reader’s Vision*
Max’s house was its usual cozy self, with the faint scent of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air. The living room had been transformed into an impromptu planning hub. A notebook lay open on the coffee table, and colorful pens were scattered everywhere. Noriko sat cross-legged on the floor, her face glowing with enthusiasm as she sketched out ideas for the upcoming book reading event.
Max leaned back on the couch, a cup of coffee in hand, while Kota sat on the floor nearby, surrounded by his toys. Though he pretended to be engrossed in his little plastic dinosaur, his watchful eyes followed every move his dad and Noriko made, clearly ready to insert himself into the discussion at any moment.
“This book reading event is going to be amazing,” Noriko said, her voice full of determination. “We need to make it as fun and engaging as possible. The kids will love it!”
Max nodded. “Agreed. But we also need to choose the right books. Something classic but not too heavy, you know? Something with pictures to keep them interested.”
Noriko tapped her chin thoughtfully. “True. Maybe something like *Where the Wild Things Are*? Or *The Very Hungry Caterpillar*?”
Max chuckled. “Those are great picks. What about *Goodnight Moon*? It’s a classic bedtime story.”
Kota, sensing an opportunity, crawled closer to the coffee table. He reached up and grabbed a pen with an air of authority, as if to say, *“Amateurs, let me handle this.”*
Max watched him with a raised eyebrow. “And what does the littlest member of the team think?”
Kota didn’t bother with pleasantries. He slapped the pen down on a random page of Noriko’s notebook and pointed at it decisively.
Noriko leaned over and examined the page. “Kota… this is just scribbles.”
Kota’s face remained resolute. His expression practically screamed, *“Your limited intellect cannot comprehend my vision.”*
Max laughed, reaching down to ruffle Kota’s hair. “Alright, kiddo. What book do you think we should include?”
Kota pointed to a colorful picture book lying on the shelf nearby—his personal favorite, *The Pout-Pout Fish*.
Noriko picked it up and grinned. “This one? I mean, it’s cute, but are we sure the other kids will like it?”
Kota crossed his arms and gave her a look that could only mean, *“Of course they will. It’s a masterpiece.”*
Max exchanged a glance with Noriko. “I think he’s serious about this one.”
Noriko sighed playfully. “Alright, fine. We’ll add it to the list. But only because you’re so adorable, Kota.”
At this, Kota smirked smugly. He was clearly pleased with himself, but as he looked up at Kyoshi and Noriko sharing a laugh, his expression softened. For all his toddler arrogance, he couldn’t help but enjoy seeing them happy together. *“I’ll let it slide this time,”* he seemed to say, leaning back with a contented sigh.
---
The conversation shifted to decorations. Noriko sketched out a rough idea: paper chains, fairy lights, and a large banner that read *“A Magical Day of Stories!”*
“What do you think, Kyoshi?” she asked, holding up her sketch.
Max leaned forward to study it. “It’s good. But maybe we could add a little more color? Like balloons, maybe?”
Noriko frowned thoughtfully. “Balloons could work. But we’d have to make sure they’re secured properly. The last thing we need is kids running around chasing them during the readings.”
Kota, who had been quietly observing, suddenly crawled over and grabbed Noriko’s sketchpad. He jabbed at it with his finger, then made a series of hand gestures that could only mean, *“More dinosaurs. Obviously.”*
Max smirked. “I think he’s saying we need a dinosaur theme.”
Noriko giggled. “Kota, not everything has to be about dinosaurs!”
Kota gave her a long, serious look. *“Yes, it does,”* his face seemed to say.
Max and Noriko burst out laughing. “Alright, alright,” Kyoshi said. “We’ll add a dinosaur corner. Maybe a little reading nook with dinosaur cushions?”
Kota gave a satisfied nod, clearly approving of this compromise.
---
As the planning continued, the trio gradually fell into an easy rhythm. Noriko would suggest an idea, Max would refine it, and Kota would occasionally interject with his silent but expressive critiques.
At one point, Noriko stretched her arms above her head and let out a contented sigh. “This is fun. It feels like… like we’re a real team.”
Max glanced at her, his expression softening. “We are a team. And a pretty good one at that.”
Kota, who had been lying on his back and staring at the ceiling, suddenly sat up and crawled over to them. He tugged at Noriko’s sleeve, then climbed into her lap without hesitation.
Noriko blinked in surprise but quickly adjusted to hold him securely. “Well, hello there, little boss.”
Kota looked up at her, then over at Max, and gave them both a rare, genuine smile. For all his toddler pride, he couldn’t deny how much he loved moments like these.
Max reached over and ruffled Kota’s hair. “What’s this? Are you getting soft on us, Kota?”
Kota scowled in mock indignation, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. *“Don’t push your luck,”* his expression seemed to say.
Noriko hugged him tightly. “I think he likes seeing us happy.”
Kota didn’t confirm or deny this, but he leaned into her embrace, letting out a contented little sigh.
---
As the evening wore on, the plans for the book reading event began to take shape. The list of books was finalized, the decorations were decided, and even Kota’s dinosaur corner was incorporated into the design.
Max leaned back with a satisfied smile. “I think we’ve got everything covered.”
Noriko nodded. “This is going to be amazing. The kids are going to love it.”
Kota, now snuggled up in Noriko’s lap, let out a tiny yawn. His eyes drooped closed, but not before he cast one last approving glance at the two of them, as if to say, *“Good job, team.”*
Noriko smiled down at him, her heart swelling with affection. “He’s such a little tyrant sometimes, but I love him.”
Max chuckled. “Same here. He’s the best tyrant I could ever ask for.”
Noriko glanced up at him, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. There was an unspoken understanding between them—a sense of unity that went beyond words.
As Kota drifted off to sleep, the two of them sat in companionable silence, their hearts full and their minds already anticipating the joy of the upcoming event.
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...
