COMFORT IN THE QUIET

**Chapter 29: Comfort in the Quiet** 

The night air carried a chill as Max trudged back to his apartment, his heart heavy with the weight of the day. He slipped inside quietly, not wanting to disturb Kota, who was likely asleep by now. 

As expected, Kota was in his crib, snuggled under his blanket with one arm thrown above his head. Max leaned on the crib's edge, watching his son's peaceful expression. 

"Wish I could sleep as easily as you, buddy," Max muttered, brushing Kota's soft hair. "You have no idea how lucky you are." 

He sighed and turned toward the couch, but his phone buzzing on the coffee table interrupted his thoughts. He glanced at the caller ID and felt a warmth spread through him. Noriko. 

"Hey," he answered, his voice soft. 

"Hi, Max," Noriko greeted, her tone carrying its usual warmth. "How are you holding up?" 

Max hesitated, not sure how to sum up his day without sounding pathetic. "Let's just say it's been... eventful." 

"Oh no," Noriko replied, her concern evident. "Want to talk about it?" 

"Do you have an hour or two?" he teased lightly, trying to deflect. 

"Max," Noriko said firmly, her voice tinged with playful scolding. "I wouldn't call if I didn't want to hear it." 

He smiled despite himself. "Fine. It was bad. I mean, *really* bad. My parents didn't hold back." 

"What happened?" 

Max ran a hand through his hair, sinking into the couch. "They spent most of the time gushing about how perfect my siblings are—Eleanor the genius lawyer, James the tech mogul—and then they looked at me like I'd crashed their party uninvited. When I told them I worked at the bookstore and had won 'Employee of the Month,' they just... deflated." 

There was a pause before Noriko spoke, her voice quieter this time. "And then?" 

"My mom slapped me," Max said, trying to laugh it off. "In front of everyone. So, yeah, not exactly a confidence boost." 

"Max..." Noriko's voice was a mix of anger and sadness. 

"It's fine," Max said quickly. "I've been through worse." 

"No, it's *not* fine," Noriko said sharply. "They have no right to treat you like that. You're an amazing person, Max. You work hard, you care about people, and you're raising Kota with so much love. If they can't see that, then that's on them, not you." 

Her words were like a balm to his battered heart. He let out a shaky laugh. "Thanks, Noriko. That... means a lot." 

"Anytime," she replied softly. 

There was a beat of silence before Noriko cleared her throat. "Hey, um... can I ask you something?" 

"Sure," Max said, leaning back against the couch. 

"I was wondering... if you wanted to go to the movies or something this weekend?" Noriko's voice wavered slightly, as if she was nervous. 

Max blinked in surprise. "Like a date?" 

"N-no!" Noriko stammered, clearly flustered. "I mean, unless you want it to be... but I just thought you might need some cheering up, that's all." 

Max chuckled. "Noriko, I'd love to go to the movies with you. Thank you for thinking of me." 

The relief in her voice was palpable. "Okay, great! Um, I'll text you the details?" 

"Sounds good," Max replied, smiling. 

They chatted a bit longer, the conversation light and easy until Noriko said she should let him rest. 

"Goodnight, Max," she said softly. 

"Goodnight, Noriko," Max replied, hanging up with a small smile. 

As he set his phone down, the doorbell rang. Frowning, Max stood and walked to the door. When he opened it, his breath hitched. 

Noriko stood there, still in her casual work clothes, her cheeks flushed from the cool night air. 

"Noriko?" Max said, startled. "What are you doing here?" 

Without a word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Max froze for a moment before relaxing into the hug, his hands settling on her back. 

"I couldn't just stay home after hearing all that," she murmured against his shoulder. "You sounded... I don't know, I just had to make sure you were okay." 

Max swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion. "Thanks, Noriko. That... that means a lot." 

She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on his arms. "Can I come in?" 

"Of course," Max said, stepping aside. 

Noriko walked in and headed straight for the kitchen. "Have you eaten?" 

"Not really," Max admitted. 

"Well, sit down," she ordered, already opening cabinets. 

Max chuckled, watching her move around his kitchen with practiced ease. "You're really something, you know that?" 

"Someone has to take care of you," she replied with a smirk, pulling out a pan. 

As she cooked, they talked. Noriko shared funny stories about customers at the bookstore, and Max found himself laughing despite the heaviness in his chest. 

When she finally placed a plate of food in front of him, Max looked up at her with a soft smile. "You didn't have to do this." 

"I wanted to," she said simply, sitting across from him. 

They ate together, the silence between bites comfortable and warm. 

After dinner, they moved to the couch, continuing their conversation. Noriko leaned against the armrest, her eyes fixed on Max as he talked about Kota's latest antics. 

"Max," she said softly, interrupting him. 

"Yeah?" 

"You're doing a great job," she said, her eyes shining with sincerity. "As a dad, as a person. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." 

Max swallowed hard, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, Noriko. That means more than you know." 

When it was time for her to leave, Max walked her to the door. 

"Noriko," he said, hesitating as she turned to face him. 

"Yes?" 

"I just... I don't know what I'd do without you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Noriko's cheeks flushed, and she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Max leaned in and kissed her cheek. 

Her eyes widened, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "I-I should go," she stammered, flustered. 

"Yeah," Max said, stepping back with an awkward smile. "Goodnight, Noriko." 

"Goodnight, Max," she replied, her voice soft as she turned and walked down the hall. 

Max closed the door, leaning against it with a small, dazed smile. 

"Gah-ga-woo," came a tiny voice from behind him. 

Max turned to see Kota crawling toward him, his little face scrunched in an expression of disapproval. 

"Kota?" Max said, startled. "How'd you get out of your crib?" 

Kota made another series of babbling noises, which Max translated in his head as, *'She wanted a real kiss, dummy. Even *I* know that.'* 

Max burst out laughing, scooping up his son. "Oh, so now you're an expert on romance?" 

Kota babbled indignantly, waving his tiny fists. 

"Alright, Mr. Matchmaker, back to bed," Max said, carrying him to the crib. 

Kota pretended to snore as soon as Max set him down, making Max chuckle. "Yeah, I'm onto you." 

As M

ax turned off the light and climbed into bed, he couldn't help but smile. For the first time in a long while, the world didn't seem so heavy.