Holding close to his mother's hand as they walked into the supermarket together, young Kaito Tenjo bubbled excitedly over at the giant stands that surrounded them.
But there was only one aisle he was interested in.
Hopping up and down, Kaito began dragging his mother towards the cereal aisle,
"Mama we need to get Cheerios!" Kaito grinned up at her, wanting to get there as quick as possible.
"The box is pretty heavy, cutie, how's bout' we get it at the end?" She tried to reason, knowing fully well Kaito was going to refuse. They went through a similar routine every shopping trip, and he just had to get the biggets box of Cheerios he could find.
No matter how many boxes they had in the house, Kaito needed to get more.
Having seen a commercial with a baby eating them with his father, Kaito buzzed in excitement wanting to be able to feed his mother and father as well.
"No, no, no! Mama come on!" Letting go of her fingers to bounce over to the cereal displays, Kaito ignored every sugary brand in sight, searching for the yellow box with a giant heart on it.
It had a heart, so it had to be made with love!
Stepping over to grab the biggest box he could find, Kaito felt the box smoosh against his nose as he heaved it up. The boy was still quite tiny, and the box nearly covered his entire body.
His mother giggled into her hand as only the top point of the young boy's hair peaked out from behind the box. His little legs hopping from side to side trying to make his way throughout the aile without being able to see.
"Mama?" Kaito started, looking around, still holding the box tight to his face, "Mama!"
"Dear, I'm right-"
"Mama! Where did you go?!" Kaito was now crying, dropping the box as he searched around frantically for his mother.
"Oh dear-" Kaito's mother started, going over to pick him up,
"Miss, miss! Have you seen my mama? She's really beautiful and sparkly, that's what daddy says, but shh! Shh, she calls him a dork when he says that stuff! Daddy's not a dork! He's a doctor!" Kaito was trying to explain to another woman who happened to be passing by.
"Oh Kaito, come here you little duck," She grinned, scooping up her child and smiling to the woman who was laughing at the boys comedic actions.
"Mama, I found you!" Kaito cheered, squeezing her around the neck and nuzzling their cheeks together. "Don't go running away! It's dangerous!" He scolded her, earning him nothing more than an affectionate kiss on his nose.
"Silly me, silly me." She cooed, swinging him around playfully.
Kaito hugged her again before wiggling out of her grip to retrieve the Cheerios.
"I'll help you carry the groceries!" Smooshing the box against his body again, Kaito blinked in confusion, "Mama!" He began wailing. Where had she gone again?
Used to having her baby acting so silly, Mrs. Tenjo took Kaito's hand and held the cereal box from above to help her tiny son out.
"Okay. You can hold my hand so you don't get lost again!" Kaito agreed, kissing his mama's hand affectionately. They still needed to get grapes and apple juice for daddy.
He could help carry those too.