The season had changed.
The cold white coat that once wrapped the world in silence had slowly melted away.
And in its place... came Spring.
A shy little sun peeked over the rooftops,
Not bold yet — but brave enough to shine,
Warming the earth with gentle hands.
Nature was waking up.
The flowers were starting to bloom, stretching their petals like yawns.
The trees whispered in new green, shaking off their sleep.
And in this blooming world...
So did a new day come —
Hideki's birthday.
I stepped out into the garden, feeling the sun kiss my cheeks.
The air was still cool, but not biting.
More like a soft hug from the wind.
Tama-chan was already outside —
Curled up on a sunny patch of grass,
Her eyes half-closed, nose twitching with dreams.
She didn't move much.
Just followed the warmth like a little sleepy sunflower.
"Ohayou, Tama-chan..." I whispered, crouching beside her.
She didn't answer — but I knew she heard me.
"Tama-chaaaan..." I called softly, kneeling on the warm patch of grass.
She didn't move.
Not even a flinch.
Just lay there, eyes closed, soaking up the sun like a sleepy queen.
I leaned closer and tried again.
"Tama-chan... tabeteee~"
At that word...
Her ears twitched — once, twice.
Then slowly, her eyes fluttered open, heavy with dreams.
She blinked at me, stretched her body long like a noodle, and let out a quiet meow that sounded like a tiny song.
"Meewrr~"
Her tail curled high, dancing behind her as she began to walk toward me — each step lazy and light.
Another meow. A softer one.
Like she was singing good morning just for me.
I smiled.
Then I ran inside, barefoot on the wood floor, and crouched by the lower cabinet — the one Papa always used for treats.
I opened it carefully, found the little bag, and tiptoed back out to the garden.
Tama-chan was waiting.
I knelt down and poured a few of the treats into my palm.
"Here, Tama... birthday breakfast," I whispered.
She came close, sniffed my hand, and gently licked the treats up — one by one.
Her little tongue tickled my fingers, and I couldn't help but giggle.
"Hehehe..."
When the treats were all gone, she looked at me with half-lidded eyes, then leaned into my hand.
I reached out and pet her head gently, stroking between her ears.
She purred — soft and steady.
A sound like a tiny motor, or a secret song only cats know.
"Purrrrr..."
The sun rose a little higher, and Tama-chan curled up beside me, her tail wrapping around my leg.
It was the start of a perfect day.
And it had just begun.
I looked down at Tama-chan, still purring softly beside me, her fur catching the light like soft silver.
"Tama-chan," I said, kneeling close.
"In April... Hideki will turn four."
She blinked slowly.
"I will invite Yui to come. So we can play again — like last time at her birthday."
I smiled wider just thinking about it.
"And you must be there too, okay? Promise to me, Tama-chan."
She didn't speak.
She couldn't.
But she looked right at me with those quiet, understanding eyes.
Then...
She pushed herself up on her two front paws...
Leaned forward...
And gave my hand a little headbutt — soft and gentle, like a secret nod.
I giggled and hugged her tight.
"Yaaay!" I spun her gently in my arms, her paws dangling as she meowed softly in protest — but only a little.
"It will be the best day ever for Hideki!"
The wind passed lightly through the garden, carrying little petals that hadn't bloomed yet.
I looked up at the sky, then back down to Tama-chan.
"I already know what we'll do for fun with Yui... and..."
I paused, holding Tama-chan closer.
"I know what I want to wish for... when that day comes."
My voice dropped to a whisper, like I was telling the flowers and the wind.
"Hihihi..."
I giggled to myself, hugging Tama-chan even tighter.
Because some wishes...
You don't have to say out loud.
You just keep them close,
Right next to your heart.
April came faster than I thought.
Just yesterday felt like winter,
And now — it was the day I would turn four.
I jumped up from the floor and ran to Mama, my feet pattering like little drums.
"Mama! Mama! Call Yui! Hideki wants to speak to Yui!"
Mama looked down with a warm smile and nodded.
She reached for her phone and started pressing the screen with her fingers.
"Tuut... tuut..."
The sound rang in the air as the call waited to be answered.
Then — click.
"Hello?"
It was Yui's mama.
Mama talked to her for a moment, her voice gentle.
Then she lowered the phone to me.
I grabbed it with both hands.
"Yuiii??" I asked softly, not sure if she was already there.
"Hidekiiiii!!"
Yui's voice suddenly shouted from the other side.
I gasped and nearly dropped Mama's phone.
"Yuiiii!!" I shouted back, and then we both laughed — little giggles dancing through the line.
"Hiii Yuiii," I said, smiling so wide my cheeks hurt.
"Hiii Hidekiii," she said back.
We giggled again like the sound itself was a birthday present.
Then I asked her — my heart thumping like party drums:
"Yui... will you come to Hideki's party? Hideki turns four today! Just like Yui did on New Year's!"
There was a soft pause, then her voice answered, full of light:
"Mmm... yes! Yui will come to Hideki's house to celebrate Hideki's four birthday!"
I jumped in place, my heart flying.
"I'm so happy! Tama-chan will be there too! And we can all play — you, me, Shiba, Bunny, and Tama!"
Yui clapped on her side of the phone.
"Yeees! We will play together — all of us! Full team! Yaaaay!"
We both giggled again, louder this time.
Then I said softly, "Okay, Yui... see you after lunch. I'll be waiting for you."
"Bye-bye Hideki! See you soooon!" she sang.
And then —
Beep.
The call ended.
But the joy stayed.
I hugged the phone to my chest and spun in place.
Because the best kind of birthday...
Is one you get to share.
The house was warm with quiet excitement.
After the call, I rushed to Mama's side.
"Mama," I said, tugging gently at her sleeve, "can we make cupcakes like before? A chocolate for me... and a strawberry one for Yui?"
She looked down with soft eyes, then nodded. "Of course, sweetheart."
I smiled wide, then ran outside into the garden —
The spring sun was peeking from behind the trees, and the air smelled like flowers waking up.
I looked around carefully...
"Tama-chaaaaan..." I called gently.
And there she was.
Still curled in the sunniest patch of grass, her body stretched like a little furry noodle.
I tiptoed closer and knelt down.
"Come on, Tama... today is special."
She opened her eyes slowly, gave a tiny meow, and let out a big cat stretch — her tail swaying like a ribbon.
I scooped her up gently and lifted her high into the air like she was the star of the show.
"Let's go," I whispered.
We went back inside, and I placed her softly on the rug in my room.
Then I grabbed my Shiba Inu plushie and sat him beside her.
They both looked at me quietly.
I knelt in front of them, my hands resting on my lap.
"Today... Yui will come to Hideki's birthday party," I said.
I looked at both of them, my heart already full.
And then...
I took a deep breath and whispered:
"I wanna make a birthday wish..."
I paused.
Then said it, softly:
"I wish I could live with Yui."
The room felt still.
"So we can play every day. Draw every day. Hug every day."
I closed my eyes for a moment — and saw it.
Me and Yui, running into each other's rooms in the morning.
Drawing side by side at our tiny tables.
Sharing snacks under our blanket fort.
Shiba and Bunny having their own little shelves.
Tama curled between our beds at night, purring softly.
No more waiting.
No more goodbyes.
Just Hideki and Yui.
Always.
I opened my eyes again, my voice still soft:
"If we live together... everything would feel like today."
I looked at Shiba's plushie eyes.
"Do you think it's a good wish?" I asked.
I gently nodded his head once.
Then looked at Tama.
"Meow," she answered quietly — just once.
I smiled and nodded.
"Okay," I whispered. "Then I'll keep it."
I closed my hands together, pressing them near my heart.
"I won't blow yet," I said with a smile.
"But the wish is ready."