A Silent Voice: My First Kiss Was with Nishimiya Shouko

Shizuka Miyamura drove the two kids and the puppy to a well-known pet hospital nearby to get the puppy checked out.

The veterinarian thoroughly examined the puppy using various instruments and confirmed that it had already received three rounds of vaccinations and both internal and external deworming treatments. The puppy behaved well throughout the entire process.

After the checkup, Shizuka Miyamura purchased a large dog cage with thick stainless steel bars—planning ahead, since the little one would grow into a big dog. She also bought dog food, goat milk powder, a leash, toys, teething sticks, and more.

Once all the items were packed into the trunk, Shizuka drove them to the mall to buy adult diaper pads, knowing the puppy wouldn't yet know how to use a designated bathroom spot in its new home.

She had initially planned to buy pet-specific pads from the hospital, but a new intern advised her that adult diapers worked just as well and were cheaper. So they headed to the mall for the more budget-friendly option.

By the time everything was done, it was already noon. Shizuka pulled the car into the garage. Shouko happily got out of the back seat, hugging the puppy, while Akira stepped out from the other side.

Akira turned to Shouko and said softly, "Shouko, go wait at the door with the puppy. Mom and I will move everything inside."

Shizuka, stepping out from the driver's seat, overheard this and chuckled. She reached out to ruffle Akira's hair while covering her mouth with her other hand, teasing, "You and Shouko go ahead. With those tiny arms of yours, you'd barely manage to carry even a chew toy."

Before Akira could respond, she added, "Your mom's not as fragile as you think." Left with no choice, Akira nodded and jogged to catch up with Shouko.

At the entrance, Akira opened the door and guided Shouko to sit on the step. He knelt down and helped her untie her shoelaces and take off her shoes.

Shouko gently placed the puppy on the wooden corridor. "Woof woof woof!" The puppy barked cheerfully, wagging its tail as it watched its two new owners.

"Where's all that barking coming from?" a voice called out from the living room.

Akira looked toward the voice and soon saw his father, Daiki Miyamura, walking out into the hallway. "Dad, why are you home so early today?" he asked, surprised.

Daiki bent down to scoop up the wagging puppy and answered, "There wasn't much going on at the office today. I thought I'd come home early to surprise you. Happy?"

Akira pulled out Shouko's slippers from the shoe cabinet and handed them to her without looking back. "Wow, I'm so happy that you came home early just to see me," he said, exaggerating his tone.

Daiki immediately picked up on the sarcasm, petted the puppy's head, and chuckled, "Alright, alright, tone it down. You sound so fake."

Akira then remembered his mom still in the garage. "Mom's moving all the stuff in by herself. Dad, maybe go give her a hand?"

Daiki blinked, his attention diverted from the puppy. "Why didn't you say so earlier?" he muttered, hurrying off.

After changing his shoes, Akira entered the living room with Shouko. She placed the puppy on the tatami mat and began playing with it while Akira turned on the TV to a comedy show. The puppy was well-behaved, and Shouko seemed content with her new playmate, leaving Akira in peace.

He let out a soft sigh and reached for an orange on the coffee table to peel. Though she couldn't hear the sigh, Shouko noticed his expression and softly said, "Akira! My mom says sighing too much makes all your luck disappear… and makes you miss out on beauty!"

Akira smiled, broke the orange in half, and gave her some. "It's happiness and luck, not beauty and luck, Shouko."

"Oh~ I want more!" Shouko replied, stroking the puppy and looking over at him expectantly.

Akira didn't say anything and handed her two more pieces.

Click! A flash came from the living room entrance. Akira turned to see Shizuka Miyamura standing there with only her phone in hand.

"Huh? Weren't you and Dad carrying in the dog cage?" he asked, confused.

Shizuka put her phone away and strolled in with a grin. "Your dad insisted I not lift anything, afraid I'd get hurt. So I figured I might as well come in first." She walked over to Akira and tapped his head, pretending to scold him, "You're so rude, calling your mom by name again."

Soon after, Daiki Miyamura entered, hauling the dog cage and the rest of the supplies. He set everything down and turned to Shizuka, who was enjoying the orange Akira peeled.

"Where should I put all this?" he asked.

Shizuka swallowed and looked around the room, then pointed to an empty corner. "Over there. That's the puppy's new home."

Daiki nodded, carried the cage over, and placed it down. Shizuka joined him, unpacking the items. She handed the dog food, leash, and toys to Daiki and told him to store them in the dining room and living room cupboards. She set the bed inside the cage and placed the food and water bowls nearby.

Once everything was set up, the four of them gathered on the tatami around the puppy. Daiki already knew how the puppy had come into their lives.

As the voices from the comedy show filled the background, Shizuka looked at the kids with a playful smile and asked, "So… have you named it yet?"

Daiki, still watching TV, chuckled but didn't answer.

Akira looked at Shouko and said gently, "Let Shouko choose. I'm fine with anything she likes."

Shouko lowered her head thoughtfully.

Shizuka raised an eyebrow and smiled. "No way! This is your and Shouko's child—we're leaving the naming to the new 'parents'!"

Since Shouko often played house with Akira and took on the role of a parent, she didn't think much of Shizuka's teasing. Akira didn't mind either—his mom's logic even made a bit of sense.

When Shizuka saw that her teasing wasn't getting any reaction, she got bored. Glancing sideways, she noticed Daiki stifling laughter at the TV and suddenly felt irritated. She raised her hand and gave him a playful slap on the back.

Daiki turned with a puzzled look. "What was that for?"

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Just a little bit and thanks for waiting 😁