When I woke up, my room was bright.
Like, really bright. The kind of bright where everything looks shiny, even the walls. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, blinking a bunch.
Then I remembered.
"Snow!" I shouted, hopping out of bed.
I ran to the window and pressed my face to the cold glass. Everything was white! The trees, the roof, the ground—it all looked like a big, fluffy blanket. And this time, there was no scary wind. No loud howling.
Just soft snowflakes floating down.
I spun around and yelled, "Mama! Papa! It's snow day!"
I ran out of my room, my feet cold against the floor. Mama was in the kitchen already, pouring something into a bowl. She had her hair tied up all weird with a cloth.
"Good morning, Koi," she said with a smile. "You're excited today."
I nodded so hard my head felt wobbly. "Can we go now? You said yesterday! You said we could play!"
She laughed. "I did say that, didn't I?"
Papa came in from the hallway, stretching and yawning. His hair was all messy and he wasn't wearing his coat yet.
Koi ran to him and jumped into his arms.
"Papa, the storm's gone! The snow is ready!"
He gave me a sleepy grin. "You're more awake than me. Alright, give me five minutes to get dressed and we'll go out."
"Yayyyy!"
We all bundled up in warm stuff—scarves, coats, mittens, even hats that made my ears feel squished.
When Papa opened the front door, cold air rushed in, but I didn't care. The snow was perfect. It made crunchy sounds under our boots, and I kept sticking my tongue out to catch the flakes.
We walked to the middle of the yard, and Papa said, "Let's build something."
"A snow ninja!" I yelled.
Mama raised her eyebrow. "A snow ninja?"
"Yeah! He'll protect the house!" I said with a big grin.
So we started rolling snow. I helped roll the bottom part—it was HUGE. Papa did the middle, and Mama helped me shape the head. I gave him stick arms and used stones for his eyes and mouth. Papa tied one of his old red cloths around its head like a ninja band.
"He looks cool!" I said, jumping up and down. "Let's name him… Snowruto!"
Mama giggled. "Snowruto?"
I nodded. "Like the story!"
Papa gave a little chuckle too. "Snowruto it is."
After that, Papa bent down and whispered, "Think fast!" and THREW a snowball at me!
It hit my chest—soft but cold.
"Ahhh!" I squeaked, then grabbed a big handful of snow and chucked it back.
It missed by a lot.
Papa laughed, dodging easily. Mama joined in too, hiding behind Snowruto and throwing tiny snowballs from there.
We played forever. I mean, maybe not forever, but it felt like it. We made snowballs, snow angels, and even chased each other around the trees. My cheeks hurt from laughing.
By the time the sun started getting lower, my hands were freezing and my nose was runny.
Mama said, "Alright, time to head inside before someone turns into a popsicle."
"I'm not a popsicle," I mumbled, sniffling.
"Then let's warm you up, little snow monkey," Papa said, picking me up.
He carried me back into the house while Mama brushed the snow off her coat.
Inside felt super warm. The fire was still going strong, and I sat right in front of it on my knees, holding my hands out like a little toaster.
"Hot chocolate coming right up," Mama said, heading to the kitchen.
Papa ruffled my hair. "I'll go run the bath. It'll be ready in a few minutes."
I nodded and leaned closer to the fire. My gloves were off now, and I wiggled my fingers. They looked kinda red but not too bad. I liked the way the heat made them feel tingly.
Papa came back and sat beside me on the floor, stretching out his legs.
"Bath's warming up. Just a bit longer," he said.
I leaned against his arm. "Today was fun."
He smiled. "Yeah. I think Snowruto's doing a good job guarding the yard."
Just then Mama walked in, holding three steaming cups.
"Hot chocolate delivery," she said.
I reached out with both hands. "Me first!"
She handed me the small cup with both hands, careful so I didn't spill.
"Blow on it first," she said.
I nodded and huffed at the drink a few times. Then I took a small sip.
"Ahhh. So good."
We all sat close together by the fire. Mama sipped her drink with both hands. Papa had his arm around her, and I leaned against both of them. Everything felt super warm and cozy.
"This is the best day ever," I whispered.
They didn't say anything, but they smiled.
The bath was super warm, like swimming in a giant cup of tea.
I splashed a little, but not too much. Papa warned me if I made a big mess, I'd be the one to mop it.
Mama soaked in one corner while Papa relaxed in the other. I sat between them, eyes half-closed, just floating.
"Snow days are better than birthdays," I said.
Mama giggled. "That's a bold claim."
I didn't know what "bold" meant, but I nodded anyway.
After the bath, Mama helped me get into my soft pajamas and dried my hair with a towel.
"Can you tuck me in?" I asked.
"Of course," she said, smiling.
I climbed into my bed, still warm from the bath. My wooden fox toy was waiting for me. Mama tucked the blanket under my arms just right, then kissed my forehead.
"I'll get your father," she said.
A minute later, Papa walked in with the orange book.
"You ready for more?" he asked.
"Uh-huh."
He sat beside me and opened it up.
"The ninja never gave up, even when the odds were against him…"
His voice was soft. The firelight flickered on the walls. I listened, eyes getting heavier with each word.
I didn't understand all the stuff in the story, but I liked how the ninja never quit. Even when it was hard.
I looked at Papa's face. He looked tired, but he was smiling.
Mama sat on the edge of the bed, watching us quietly.
"The ninja smiled, not because things were easy—but because he believed in himself…"
I yawned, long and slow.
My eyes felt heavy.
"And even if he fell, he'd stand up again… because that's what a real hero does."
"…I like him," I mumbled.
Papa closed the book gently.
"I know you do," he said, leaning in to kiss my forehead.
"Goodnight, little one," Mama whispered.
"Night night," I whispered back.
I closed my eyes.
The fire crackled.
And just like that… I fell asleep.