A Silent Voice: My First Kiss Was with Nishimiya Shouko

Shouko raised her head sharply and said seriously, "How about calling him Chubby?"

"Awoo~" The puppy didn't seem to like the name very much. It let out a low sound in protest, and even the wagging of its tail slowed down.

Miyamura Daiki thought the name wasn't ideal, but he didn't want to hurt the child's confidence, so he offered gently, "Shouko, you can take your time deciding. There's no rush. Talk it over with Akira too."

Shizuka Miyamura looked at Shouko in astonishment. She hadn't expected her adorable daughter to come up with such a name after thinking about it for so long. Recovering quickly, she chimed in to help, "That's right. When your uncle was thinking of Akira's name, he didn't decide until after I was pregnant and he was born."

Akira found it cute that Shouko would suggest a name like that. He was about to say something when Shizuka suddenly stood up from the tatami, brushing off her skirt and interrupting him.

Everyone looked up at her as she smiled and waved a hand. "Don't mind me. You all can keep talking. I'll go make lunch—it's already noon. Aren't you hungry?" With that, she turned and walked toward the corridor.

When Daiki Miyamura saw Shizuka leave, he got up, picked up the puppy, sat on the sofa, and began petting it while watching TV. Only Akira and Shouko remained on the tatami, still discussing the puppy's name.

"Honey, have you had lunch yet?" Shizuka called out from the kitchen entrance, looking toward Daiki, who was still petting the puppy.

Daiki shifted his gaze from the comedy show and replied, "No need to prepare mine. My lunch box is on the table—just needs heating."

Shizuka nodded and headed off to the dining room.

Knock knock knock…! There was a knock on the front door. Akira stood up from the tatami to answer it.

Standing at the door was Yaeko Nishimiya. Akira greeted her politely, "Good afternoon." Yaeko smiled warmly, reached out to pat his head, and asked, "Akira, have you eaten lunch yet? Want to come eat at Auntie's place?"

Akira shook his head quickly, politely declining. He knew Yaeko was probably there for Shouko, so he asked her to wait while he called her.

Shouko told Akira she'd come back to play after her nap and then left with Yaeko. Meanwhile, Shizuka finished preparing lunch—including a small meal for the puppy.

After eating, Daiki had to return to the office due to an urgent matter. Shizuka placed the puppy in its cage and laid down a pee pad. Then both children went to their rooms for an afternoon nap.

Later that afternoon, Shouko returned with Yaeko, carrying little Yuzuru. Yaeko finally saw the puppy her daughter had been excitedly talking about all lunch and found it surprisingly well-behaved, though she still didn't dare approach with Yuzuru in her arms.

The afternoon passed with Shizuka and Yaeko chatting, while Shouko cuddled the puppy and brainstormed names. Akira played with baby Yuzuru. Eventually, the puppy was officially named—Hachiko.

That evening, Daiki Miyamura unlocked the front door with his key and stepped inside. The moment he opened it, he saw everyone neatly dressed in the hallway, ready to go.

He looked at Shizuka in surprise. "Heading out?"

Shizuka nodded. "Don't tell me you forgot? I told you last night—Akira and Shouko start school tomorrow. We're celebrating with dinner out."

Daiki rubbed his temples—he'd been too sleepy to take it in last night. "Right, right… I remember now."

Akira looked around and asked, "Is Aunt Yaeko not coming?"

Yaeko, who was by the door putting on her shoes, answered softly, "Grandma said she'll skip the fun and has dinner ready at home."

Daiki nodded, then went to the garage to get the car ready. "Share the location with me," he said to Shizuka.

The next morning — 8:30 a.m.

"Akira! It's time to wake up and get ready for kindergarten!" Shouko stood on his bed, gently rocking him while calling out in a soft, childish voice.

But Akira didn't budge. He turned over lazily in the covers.

Shizuka came up from the first floor and, seeing this, told Shouko to wait downstairs.

Once Shouko had gone, Shizuka's tone immediately shifted. She pulled off the blanket, raised her hand, and gave Akira a firm but controlled slap on the butt.

"Wake up!"

Akira groggily opened his eyes to see her leaning over him. She cupped his chubby cheeks and started rubbing them, muttering something unintelligible.

He batted her hands away and rubbed his own eyes. Shizuka told him to come down quickly for breakfast and then headed downstairs.

Akira got up, changed into his kindergarten uniform (which he hadn't worn in over a month), grabbed the little yellow hat from the bedside table, and went downstairs.

At the kindergarten parking lot, Shizuka parked the car. Akira stepped out holding Shouko's hand, the two of them each carrying their lunch boxes and water bottles.

Ms. Ueo, waiting at the school gate, spotted them immediately.

As they approached, she smiled warmly. "Did you two enjoy your winter break?"

Shouko beamed. "Yes, it was really fun!"

Akira muttered, "Not really… School's starting again."

Ms. Ueo chuckled. "I get it. I'm not thrilled either—I have to work again too."

Shizuka gently patted Akira's head, then waved them off. "Go on to class. I'll see you later."

They said goodbye and walked into the building, hand in hand.

In the Sakura class, Akira and Shouko sat in the middle row. Akira placed his lunch box and Shouko's water bottle into the cubby hole in front of them.

Soon, the classroom buzzed with chatter as classmates gathered to share what they did over winter break.

Shouko proudly announced that she and Akira had adopted a cute, well-behaved puppy named Hachiko, which made everyone jealous.

After a dozen children arrived, Ms. Ueo stepped into the room, closed the wooden door behind her, and walked up to the front.

"Everyone, listen up!" she called out. "Whoever sits the straightest and behaves the best today will get a red envelope and a red flower!"

The room went quiet. They didn't care much for the red envelope, but a red flower from Ms. Ueo? That was a badge of honor. Those red stickers on their cheeks were something to be proudly shown off as they walked home from school, basking in the envy of others.

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