THE FIRST TIME DADDY

THE PLAYGROUND AT SUNSET

The Playground at Sunset

The final school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students rushed out of their classrooms, eager to return home, but Kota took his time, stretching his arms as he grabbed his bag. 

*"Man, I can't wait to get home and eat whatever Dad made today."* 

As he was about to leave, he noticed Ayumi still sitting at her desk. Her small hands rested on her lap, her head slightly bowed as if lost in thought. Kota frowned and walked toward her. 

"Ayumi, you’re not going home?" he asked, tilting his head. 

Ayumi didn’t respond at first. She just stared at her desk before looking up with a small smile. 

"Do you… wanna play in the playground before going home?" she asked softly. 

Kota blinked in surprise. "Uh… well, Dad’s picking me up there anyway, so…" He shrugged. "Sure! Let’s go!" 

Ayumi’s face lit up as she grabbed her bag and stood up. Together, they left the classroom, stepping into the warm afternoon air. 

--- 

The playground was bathed in golden sunlight. Kota wasted no time, dashing toward the jungle gym like it was a battlefield. 

"Alright, Ayumi! First challenge—whoever reaches the top of the slide first wins!" 

Ayumi giggled. "That’s unfair! You’re fast!" 

"Not my fault! Ready… set… GO!" 

They both sprinted. Kota climbed like a maniac, but Ayumi was surprisingly quick. She reached the top just a second after Kota and pouted. 

"You cheated!" she huffed. 

"Did not!" Kota grinned. "I’m just naturally amazing." 

Ayumi playfully pushed him, and they both burst into laughter. They spent the next few minutes swinging, climbing, and pretending to fight imaginary monsters. 

For a while, it was just fun, laughter, and childish imagination. 

--- 

Meanwhile, Max stood near the playground entrance, hands in his pockets, watching Kota play. 

*"So, the little guy finally made a friend, huh?"* 

Seeing Kota with someone made him happy. He always worried if Kota felt lonely, but right now, he looked like a normal, happy kid. 

Then, Kota finally noticed him and waved. "Dad! You’re early!" 

Max smirked. "Nope. I’m just *on time*." 

"Same thing!" Kota grinned. Then he turned back to Ayumi. "Let’s play a little more, okay? Dad can wait!" 

Max chuckled and leaned against the fence. "Sure, I got nowhere to be." 

Kota turned back to Ayumi, but her expression had changed. She wasn’t smiling anymore. She sat on the swing now, kicking the dirt lightly with her shoe. 

"Ayumi?" Kota asked. "Your parents aren't here yet?" 

The smile on Ayumi’s face faded completely. She lowered her gaze, gripping the chain of the swing tightly. 

"...My mom and dad won’t come," she said in a small voice. 

Kota tilted his head. "Huh? Why not?" 

Ayumi hesitated, her fingers clenching into fists. Then, she took a deep breath, her voice shaking. 

"They’re… gone," she whispered. "They died in an accident when I was little." 

Silence. 

The words felt heavy. Kota’s eyes widened slightly. He turned to Max, who looked equally taken aback. 

Max crouched beside her. "So… who's picking you up?" 

"My brother," Ayumi said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But he’s always working. I don’t wanna call him. I don’t wanna be a burden." 

Kota frowned. He didn’t fully understand what she meant, but he *felt* it. The sadness in her voice, the loneliness—it was something even he could recognize. 

Max sighed and placed a hand on her head. "Hey, kid… that’s not something you should be worrying about. You’re a kid. You shouldn’t feel like a burden." 

Ayumi's hands trembled in her lap. "I just… don’t want to bother him. He already does so much for me." 

Max pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped away her tears. 

"You’re not a bother," Max said softly. "You’re his little sister. If he didn't want to take care of you, he wouldn’t be doing it. He’s busy, sure, but that doesn’t mean he forgot about you." 

Ayumi sniffled but said nothing. 

Kota huffed and crossed his arms. "Listen here, Miss Sad Face." 

Ayumi blinked. "W-What?" 

"You think your brother *doesn’t* wanna see you?" Kota said. "I bet he’s at home right now, worried sick, waiting for you to call! And instead, you’re sitting here crying? That’s dumb!" 

Ayumi wiped her nose. "...You really suck at cheering people up." 

"Yeah, but I’m right, aren’t I?" Kota grinned. 

Ayumi stared at him for a moment before letting out a small giggle. "Maybe." 

Max ruffled Kota’s hair. "I can drive you home if you don’t want to call your brother." 

Ayumi hesitated. "I… I don’t want to go home alone." 

Kota pumped his fist. "Then we’ll go with you! Right, Dad?" 

Max smiled. "Of course." 

Ayumi looked at them, her eyes still watery, but she nodded. "Okay." 

--- 

As they drove through the city, Kota sat next to Ayumi, watching her closely. 

"You know, I decided something," Kota said suddenly. 

Ayumi looked at him. "What?" 

Kota smirked. "You’re officially my *second* loyal knight." 

Ayumi blinked. "...Who's the first?" 

"Me, obviously. I’m both the king *and* the strongest knight." 

Ayumi giggled. "You’re so weird." 

Max glanced at them through the rearview mirror, a small smile on his lips. 

*"Yeah… Kota’s gonna be just fine."*