THE FIRST TIME DADDY

Noriko's Farewell

*Noriko’s Farewell* 

The morning sun painted a pale orange hue across the quiet street as Noriko stood before the familiar house, her fingers trembling slightly against her bag's worn handle. A sleek black car idled at the curb behind her, its engine purring softly, a silent reminder of the reality she was running toward. 

The door to the house opened, and her uncle appeared, his expression morphing from surprise to concern when he saw her. 

"Noriko," he said, his voice warm and familiar, tinged with worry. "What are you doing here so early? And… what’s with the car?" 

She hesitated, glancing back at the vehicle where she knew her mother sat, waiting. Her hands gripped the strap of her bag tighter, as though grounding herself. "I… I just wanted to say goodbye." 

His eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, his voice lowering. "Goodbye? What do you mean?" 

Noriko swallowed hard, her throat tightening. "I’m leaving, Uncle. For good." 

He studied her for a long moment, then shook his head. "Come inside. We need to talk." 

She followed him in, her heart pounding. The house smelled like coffee and toast, the ordinary comfort of mornings in a home she hadn’t been inside for years. She wished she could feel solace in it, but all she felt was a growing ache. 

They sat in the living room, the tension heavy in the air. He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his voice firm but kind. "Noriko, why are you doing this? You were finally happy. I saw it in you—the way you smiled when you talked about Max and Kota. Why would you throw that away?" 

Her gaze dropped to the floor, tears blurring her vision. "I have to. If I stay, Mom won’t leave them alone. She’ll keep interfering, and I can’t let her ruin their lives." 

"Your mother doesn’t control you," he said, his voice rising slightly. "You’re an adult now, Noriko. You’ve built a life for yourself. Don’t let her destroy it." 

She looked up, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "It’s not just about me, Uncle. It’s about them. Max has already lost so much. He lost his wife, and now… I can’t be another source of pain for him. And Kota… he’s just a child. He doesn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of my family’s mess." 

Her uncle sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Noriko, love isn’t always easy. It’s messy, and it hurts sometimes. But it’s worth fighting for. Max and Kota need you, whether you see it or not." 

Her voice broke as she whispered, "I can’t fight this time, Uncle. I’m not strong enough." 

He reached out and took her hand, his grip firm. "You are strong, Noriko. Stronger than you think. You’ve come so far, and now you’re going to walk away? Don’t you think Max and Kota deserve the chance to fight for you, too?" 

Tears spilled over her cheeks as she shook her head. "They deserve peace. They deserve a life without my mother hanging over them like a storm cloud." 

Her uncle’s expression softened, and he sighed again, squeezing her hand. "If you leave, you’ll regret it. And so will they." 

She stood abruptly, pulling her hand away. "I’ve made up my mind, Uncle. This is the only way to protect them." 

He followed her to the door, his voice heavy with sadness. "You’re making a mistake, Noriko. But if this is what you think is best… I won’t stop you." 

She paused at the threshold, her back to him, her shoulders shaking. "Thank you for understanding." 

The sound of the car door opening and closing behind her broke the silence, and she walked toward it, her steps unsteady.