A Fluffy Easter Surprise
It was no secret that the Hamada boys wanted a pet. It was at the top of their Christmas list every year, and the only thing they wished for when they blew out their birthday candles. Their appeals started from the second they woke up, to the moment they went to bed. Dog, cat, snake, bird, they didn't care. They were relentless in their request, and every day, Aunt Cass heard the same arguments.
"But why can't we?" Hiro whined one morning between bites of cereal. "'S'not fair."
"Every other kid in school has a pet," he brought up as Cass tucked him into bed.
"Aunt Cass, a pet teaches responsibility. That's a really good trait for kids to learn," Tadashi pointed out.
"'Dashi and I will take care of it, Aunt Cass," Hiro promised. "You won't even know it's there."
Aunt Cass tried to be strong against their little pouts and puppy eyes. It's not that she didn't trust them, she just wasn't sure if they were ready quite yet. She grew up with pets and knew firsthand just how much work they could be. Feeding, walking, grooming... It was a lot, and they were still young. Resisting their pleas was hard, until one day when Tadashi pulled out all the stops. Then it was impossible. He prepared a full report. Spreadsheets, pie charts, line graphs and other data that made a compelling case for why they needed a pet. He also handed her numerous articles from psychologists and other medical professionals that touted the benefits of pet ownership. Hiro was right alongside him, using a yardstick to point at all the statistics that his brother had compiled. When they finished, Aunt Cass gave in. She told them she would think about it, but her mind was made up. When she sent them off to school the next day, she began researching. She checked online for the pet that would best suit their family and house, and then moved on to search for shelters in the area. There was a deadline she had to meet, and it was coming up fast.
Two days before Easter and the plan was in motion. Fitting enough, Aunt Cass had decided upon a cat for her nephews. The café needed a mascot, after all. She found him in the first shelter she visited. One look and she was in love. A sweet, nine-week-old Japanese Bobtail kitten with calico fur and inquisitive green eyes. She just had to keep her lips sealed for the next forty-eight hours.
On Sunday morning, the boys woke with a spring in their step. They bounded downstairs to where their baskets were sitting by the front door. After reading the note the Easter Bunny had left behind, they tore into their baskets, squealing at all the candy and other surprises that were hidden inside. They ate Aunt Cass' traditional carrot cake pancakes for breakfast, interspaced with dyed marshmallow chicks and miniature cream eggs.
Their bloodstream was nothing but sugar, which was useful for the egg hunt that Aunt Cass had set up. Over a hundred plastic eggs scattered around three levels, filled with small treats. Most were jellybeans, but some had pennies and foil-wrapped chocolates. They found them all in less than twenty minutes.
"This was the best Easter ever," Hiro proclaimed from the couch. His basket was on his lap, fake grass strewn everywhere.
"Mm-hm," Tadashi agreed. He had taken a bite out of his milk chocolate rabbit.
"Well, I have one last surprise for you guys," Aunt Cass said. She smiled.
Hiro's eyes grew wide. "Really? Where is it?" He put his basket to the side and jumped off the couch. He scanned the room, looking for anything that might stand out.
"It's coming," she said. "I just have to make a quick phone call. I want to wish Mrs. Matsuda a happy Easter. I'll be right back."
She rose from the armchair and slipped into the dining room.
Hiro turned to his brother. "Maybe it's the Easter Bunny again. Maybe he forgot to give us something."
Tadashi giggled. "Knucklehead."
Aunt Cass came back in the kitchen a moment later. "Tadashi, honey, can you get the door, please?" She gestured to the first floor.
He looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean? It didn't--"
The doorbell rang.
He exchanged a curious glance with Hiro. Did their aunt have psychic abilities that they didn't know about?
Tadashi slid off the couch and went downstairs. When he opened the door, his confusion returned. There was nothing - rather - nobody there. Only a small, wicker picnic basket.
"Aunt Cass?" he called up.
"It's okay, sweetie. Bring it in," she said, meeting him by the door. Hiro was on her heels.
"What is it, 'Dashi?"
"I don't know." Tadashi set it down on the carpet and shut the door. He glanced up at Aunt Cass. "Are we going on a picnic?"
She shook her head. "Nope. Look."
He reached down, but before he could, the basket meowed.
Tadashi gasped; Hiro screamed.
The older boy opened the basket. His jaw dropped. Using both hands, he lifted the tiny ball of fluff out and held him to his chest. It wasn't clear if the cat was shaking, or if it was him. His gaze shifted between the kitten and his aunt. "Is... is it ours?"
"Absolutely. You both proved to me that you were ready, and I know you'll take good care of him."
"We will, we will," he promised. He hugged her around the waist with one arm. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Thank you!" Hiro cheered, snuggling against her leg.
"You're welcome," she said, kissing the tops of their heads. "You'll have to think of a name for him now. Any ideas?"
"Jellybean!" Hiro said. It was obvious that he was inspired by the excess of sweets he had just consumed.
The kitten squirmed in Tadashi's arms. He scratched behind his ears with his index finger. "Mmm... what about... Mochi? You like mochi, right, Hiro?"
"I love mochi," Hiro confirmed. "Mochi sounds good. Do you like it, Aunt Cass?"
"I think it's the perfect name," she said.
Mochi rubbed his face against Tadashi's cheek. He kissed his nose.
"Welcome to the family, Mochi," he whispered. "You're going to love it here."