📖 Chapter 4: The Road Ahead 🏍️

🌸 THE BOY WHO BROUGHT SMILES 🌸

📖 Chapter 4: The Road Ahead 🏍️

Summer had arrived.

The days felt longer. The air felt warmer. And somehow, life had started moving again.

Not perfectly. Not completely. But it was moving.

🌤️

For the first time in months, Kaito could honestly say he was doing better. The pain from the breakup hadn't disappeared, but it no longer controlled every thought.

Every day felt a little easier. A little lighter.

✨

One morning, Kaito woke up to the sound of his phone ringing.

📱

"Happy Birthday!"

His mother practically shouted through the phone.

Kaito quickly pulled the phone away from his ear.

"Good morning to you too."

His father laughed in the background.

😂

"Happy birthday, son."

"Thanks."

"Got any plans?"

"Work."

"Of course you do."

"Someone has to pay for lunch."

His father sighed dramatically.

"He's definitely our son."

🤣

☕ BIRTHDAY AT THE CAFÉ 🎂

When Kaito arrived at work, he immediately knew something was wrong.

Everyone was smiling.

Too much.

😐

The customers smiled. The staff smiled. Even Mika smiled, which was the most suspicious thing of all.

🚨

"What's going on?"

"No idea."

Mika looked away.

Very obviously.

"You're a terrible liar."

"Thank you."

😂

The moment his shift ended—

SURPRISE!

🎉🎉🎉

The café erupted.

A birthday cake appeared. Party hats appeared. Even customers joined in somehow.

Kaito wasn't sure when they became involved.

🎂

For a moment, he simply stared.

Speechless.

Then he smiled.

A real smile.

One that reached his eyes.

❤️

Yuna smiled from beside the table.

"Happy Birthday, Kaito."

For some reason, that greeting stayed with him the most.

🌸

🌇 THAT EVENING

After work, Kaito headed home.

His parents had come to visit for the weekend, something they rarely managed to do together.

The apartment felt warmer because of it.

🏠

His mother hugged him immediately.

His father handed him a box.

A very large box.

📦

Kaito stared.

"...What is this?"

His father grinned.

"Open it."

"That answer concerns me."

😂

Outside the apartment building, a motorcycle stood waiting.

🏍️

Brand new.

Shining under the evening sun.

Absolutely beautiful.

✨