The Great Birthday Heist
Max and Noriko were huddled in the kitchen, whispering like two secret agents planning a high-stakes mission. The mission? Kota's third birthday surprise.
"I've got the balloons," Noriko said, ticking an item off her checklist. "What about the cake?"
"It's in the fridge," Max replied. "Triple chocolate. I got the one with the dinosaur decorations. He loves dinosaurs."
Noriko smiled. "Good. Now we just have to keep him distracted until everything is set up."
Max nodded. "Yeah, easier said than done. That kid's sharper than a tack."
As if on cue, Kota waddled into the kitchen, squinting suspiciously at them. His tiny brows furrowed, and he pointed an accusing finger. "What are you hiding?"
Max immediately turned to the counter, pretending to study an empty mug. "Hiding? Us? Nothing! Just, uh, admiring the, uh, fine craftsmanship of this coffee cup."
Kota tilted his head. "You're a terrible liar."
Noriko stifled a laugh and crouched down to his level. "Oh, Kota, don't you have some important toddler business to take care of? Like building towers or drawing pictures?"
Kota crossed his arms. "I'll have you know I already finished my tower, and it's a masterpiece. What are you two up to?"
"Nothing!" Max said, a little too quickly.
Kota narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "If you're planning something, it better involve cake. And toys. Lots of toys."
"Oh, it involves cake," Noriko said sweetly. "But you'll have to wait and see."
---
The next morning, the preparations kicked into high gear. Max was blowing up balloons in the living room while Noriko worked on hanging streamers. The goal was to have everything done before Kota woke up.
"Pass me the tape," Noriko whispered.
Max handed it over, careful not to make a sound. "Why are we whispering? He's asleep."
"Have you met Kota? He probably sleeps with one eye open," Noriko replied.
Just as she finished taping a streamer to the wall, they heard tiny footsteps.
"Abort mission!" Max hissed.
They scrambled to hide the decorations, diving behind the couch just as Kota entered the room, rubbing his eyes.
"What's going on?" Kota asked, looking around suspiciously.
"Uh… we're, uh…" Max began, searching for an excuse.
"Cleaning!" Noriko said. "Just cleaning the living room. It was… messy."
Kota raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you two clean anything?"
Max forced a laugh. "Ha! Good one, buddy. But seriously, you should go play in your room for a bit. We'll call you when breakfast is ready."
Kota didn't budge. He pointed at the corner of the couch where a stray balloon string was poking out. "What's that?"
"Uh… a very fancy cleaning tool," Max said.
Kota smirked. "Nice try. I know you're up to something."
---
After successfully distracting Kota with a new coloring book (and a mild bribe involving cookies), Max and Noriko resumed their preparations.
By afternoon, the living room was fully decorated, complete with balloons, banners, and a table loaded with snacks. The centerpiece was the dinosaur cake, proudly displayed in the middle.
Kota was finally allowed into the room, and his eyes widened as he took in the scene.
"What's all this?" he asked, trying to act nonchalant but failing miserably.
"Happy Birthday, Kota!" Max and Noriko cheered.
Kota looked from the cake to the decorations, then back to Max and Noriko. "Well, it's about time you two recognized greatness."
Noriko laughed. "You're welcome, Your Highness."
Kota walked over to the cake, examining the dinosaurs. "Not bad. But next year, I expect dragons. Big ones."
Max ruffled his hair. "Next year? Let's focus on this party first, huh?"
The rest of the day was filled with laughter, games, and plenty of cake. Even though Kota insisted he saw through their "terrible disguises," he was clearly thrilled.
As the evening wound down, Kota sat on the couch with his new toys, happily munching on a cookie.
"You know," he said, looking up at Max and Noriko, "you guys did okay. For amateurs."
Max chuckled. "Glad we could meet your high standards, kid."
Kota grinned, his face smeared with chocolate. "Don't get used to it. I'm still in charge around here."
Noriko shook her head, smiling. "Happy Birthday, Kota."
Kota gave her a rare, genuine smile. "Thanks. You're not so bad."
Max raised an eyebrow. "And me?"
Kota took a dramatic pause before shrugging. "You'll do."
---
The party had ended hours ago, but the warmth of the celebration lingered in the air. Kota, with his dinosaur-themed pajamas and his favorite stuffed toy clutched tightly in his hand, climbed into the bed he now shared with Max and Noriko.
"Your bed is too small," Kota grumbled as he pushed Max's arm aside and sprawled in the middle.
"Or maybe you're just growing too big," Max teased. "A real tyrannosaurus in the making."
Kota smirked and wiggled deeper into the blankets. "I'll need a bigger bed soon. Maybe one with a ladder. And a castle on top."
Noriko chuckled softly, pulling the blanket up to Kota's chin. "You've got some big dreams, little one."
"I'm the King," Kota declared with a sleepy grin. "I can have whatever I want."
Max laughed quietly, reaching over to ruffle Kota's hair. "Alright, King Kota. Time to sleep before you start ordering us around."
"Fine," Kota said, his voice fading as he drifted off.
As the room settled into silence, Max and Noriko exchanged a glance. The dim light from the bedside lamp softened her features, making her look more serene than ever.
"You're amazing with him," Max whispered.
Noriko's lips curled into a faint smile. "He's easy to love."
Max leaned closer, his hand reaching for hers. "You're easy to love, too."
Noriko's smile faltered, her eyes flickering with an emotion Max couldn't place. "Max…" she began, her voice trailing off.
"Don't," Max said softly. "Let me have this moment."
Noriko nodded, and in the stillness of the night, Max leaned in, pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle, lingering, filled with unspoken emotions that neither dared to voice.
When they pulled apart, Noriko whispered, "Goodnight, Max."
"Goodnight," Max replied, his voice tinged with hope he didn't realize would soon be crushed.
---
Hours later, Max stirred awake to find the bed colder than it should have been. Reaching out, he realized Noriko was gone. His heart sank as he turned on the lamp and found a folded piece of paper resting on the nightstand.
He grabbed it with trembling hands, unfolding it to reveal her delicate handwriting.
---
**Dear Max,**
I never thought I'd find myself here, writing this letter, knowing I'd leave behind something so beautiful.
You've given me a piece of happiness I thought I'd lost forever, but that's why I have to go. These memories—the laughter, the love, the moments we shared—they're treasures I'll carry with me. But I can't stay.
You deserve someone who can stay, who can build a future with you, not someone like me who's still haunted by her past. Don't wait for me, Max. Live your life, love Kota, and let yourself be loved again.
I'll always cherish the time we had. You made me believe in happiness again, even if only for a little while.
Take care of yourself and Kota. And thank you, Max—for everything.
Love,
Noriko
---
Max stared at the letter, his mind refusing to accept the words before him. The lump in his throat grew as his vision blurred with tears.
"Why?" he whispered, his voice cracking.
He clenched the paper in his fists, his breathing shaky. "Why does this keep happening?"
His knees buckled, and he sank onto the edge of the bed, his hands covering his face as the tears came. The memories of his ex-wife leaving him flooded back, the hollow emptiness she'd left behind now echoing louder with Noriko's departure.
"Why again?" Max murmured, his voice breaking.
He took a deep, shuddering breath and looked over at Kota, who was still peacefully asleep, his tiny hands clutching his stuffed dinosaur. Forcing himself to stand, Max wiped his face and crawled back into bed.
He pulled Kota close, cradling him protectively. Kota stirred slightly but didn't wake, simply nestling into Max's chest.
Max kissed the top of his son's head and whispered, "It's just us again, buddy. But I'll make sure you never feel like this. I promise."
His tears fell silently as he stared at the ceiling, clutching Kota as if his life depended on it. The pain was raw, but the warmth of his son's presence gave him the tiniest glimmer of strength to face another day.
And so, Max held on, even as the weight of the night threatened to crush him.
CHAPTER END 🫠