Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094088809262/episodes/16818093094595205291
◇Day 6
I sink down on the sofa, my nose drawn to the aroma of coffee rising from the rim of the mug.
It’s April 14th.
Now that I know that Yua chan’s birthday is tomorrow, April 15, my mind is buzzing with faint anticipation.
“I’m sorry, Yua chan. I’m going out for a little while today, maybe two hours…is that okay?”
Yua chan, who had been holding her knees in the corner of the living room, slowly looks up.
Her eyes are emotionless and quiet. But she silently moved her head in a small motion.
My shoulders relax lightly at her small response.
“I’ll be right back. If you feel like doing something, just watch TV. You don’t have to do anything.”
She nodded again, and I stood up.
I slip on my sneakers at the front door and open it, letting the spring breeze rush in.
I open the car door and sit down in the seat, the vibrations of the engine vibrating in my palms.
The purpose of today comes to mind. To give Yua chan a smartphone.
It is a small present for her birthday.
Why did I choose a smartphone?
I had several thoughts.
It would be nice to have something to distract her during the time she spends alone. Some of those thoughts are there.
But most of all, I wanted to connect with her.
Yua chan still has difficulty making eye contact with me and exchanging words. It may be even more difficult for her to put her feelings into her voice.
But with text…behind a screen, there may be a moment when her heart opens a little.
Such a faint hope drives me to the city.
As I drive, the outlines of the city approach.
When I roll down the window a little, the wind ruffles my hair and the distant bustle reaches my ears.
Every time I stop at a traffic light, I see people passing by on the sidewalk. Children holding hands with their mothers, young people laughing with their friends.
Their casual moments overlap with the future I want to give to Yua chan.
I want her to have days of laughing with her friends. I want her to be able to talk about her dreams at school and draw a picture of her future.
Such natural joys.
A cell phone may be the first step toward that goal.
When I arrived at the cell phone store, I was struck by the glass-walled interior of the store.
The models are lined up in an orderly fashion, dazzling in the reflection of the white lighting. I walk among the shelves, a little nervous.
Which one would suit Yua chan?
What kind of design would a girl like?
Is it something in soft pink or with sparkling decorations?
Children’s phones are brightly colored and round, but I don’t think they fit her calm air.
Something a little more mature for her quiet appearance.
“Size matters too…”
I mutter, picking it up and putting it back on the shelf.
I came here alone because I wanted to surprise her, but to be honest, my hesitation is growing.
It would have been easier if I had talked to someone about it.
But the thought of Yua chan’s surprised face outweighs that feeling.
I want something that will fit in her tiny hands.
I looked at the shelves for 20 minutes and chose a mint green compact phone.
I felt that the shade resonated somewhat with her calmness.
We complete the contract and receive the phone in a bag.
As we leave the store, I feel the spring sunlight sweating my skin.
Next, I head to the cake shop.
As I drive away, the breeze coming in through the open window caresses my cheeks.
When I arrive at the store, cakes lined up in glass cases fill my vision.
I choose a large birthday cake covered in fruit and ask for a plate that says “Yua chan” on it.
The sweet aroma wafts through the air as the waiter carefully packs the cake into a box.
As I hold the cake in my hand, I picture Yua chan’s face. I wondered if she would be pleased.
In my dream she was smiling so brightly, but now she still doesn’t show her emotions.
Still, if her heart could be shaken even a little…. My steps are buoyed by such anticipation.
I returned to my car and hurried home.
When I opened the door, silence greeted me. Yua chan was not in the living room.
“Yua chan?”
I called out to her, but there was no answer.
I approach her room, knock and peek in quietly. The bed is empty.
I look around the bathroom, the bathroom, and my bedroom, but she is nowhere to be found.
“Where did she go…?”
I sit down on the sofa and hold my head in my hands.
Anxiety fills my throat and my hands grow cold.
Did she run away?
Did something happen while I was gone?
Bad thoughts fill my head and my breathing becomes shallow. Was it a mistake to go out without her? Regret tightens my chest.
At that moment, the glass door to the balcony opened with a light thud.
I turned to see Yua chan standing there.
A spring breeze shook her hair, and her expressionless face stared at me.
The sight of her made my shoulders relax.
“Yua chan…there you are on the balcony…don’t startle me.”
I lean back and exhale heavily.
She bows her small head and quietly approaches me.
I call her over and take the phone out of the bag and offer it to her.
“….Is…this…a gift?”
She asks in a small voice, her eyes blinking.
[Illustration.]
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/tanakamatao01/news/16818093094617943146
I flinch for a moment at the look in her eyes.
If it wasn’t her birthday…. But I break it off and ask calmly, thinking that we can celebrate it early or late.
“…Your birthday….is it? Today.”
She gives a small nod.
“….Why…even Father…wouldn’t remember…it…”
“You know, this uncle has psychic powers.” I said, laughing lightly to brush it off.
Relief spreads through me that her birthday was correct, and I realize that that dream is connected to reality.
She stares at the box and glances at me.
“You can open it. I’ll show you how to use it.”
Her eyes sparkle for a moment, and she peels off the film and pulls out her phone.
She holds the mint green phone in her hand like a child receiving a gift for the first time.
I start setting up the phone, connecting with her on social media and installing simple apps.
“Now it’ll be easier to talk to me. I can communicate with you in writing without having to say it aloud.”
I say this, and soon I get a message.
[Thank you. I’m happy.]
Those words make my cheeks relax.
A normal child would probably keep touching it all day, but Yua chan puts her phone on the table and murmurs, “…T…thank you…for your kindness.”
Her honesty made me reach out and stroke her head. For a moment she stiffened, but she didn’t run away and lowered her eyes.
“Wait here for a minute.”
I take out a cake from the refrigerator.
I had planned to wait until the evening, but her reaction made me lose patience.
I place the fruit-colored cake on the table and show her the plate.
“It’s a birthday cake. You’re turning eleven this year, right?”
“….Yes.”
“Then let’s eat.”
I cut the cake into plates and prepared juice for her and beer for me.
She takes the shortcake and quickly puts it in her mouth.
I smile at how delicious it looks. She looks full and her cheeks relax, and I tell her.
“It’s your 11th birthday…why don’t you set a goal? Of course you don’t have to, and it’s fine if you can’t. But maybe having a goal will change something.”
She tilts her head and holds the phone in her hand.
She types with unfamiliar fingers and eventually receives a message.
[I want to have a friendly chat with Mister.]
The purity of the message brings a smile to my face.
“It’s a nice goal. I hope it’ll come true.”
She nodded her head and I thought I saw a glimmer of hope in her future.
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