Give It, or Keep It?

In the sandbox, Sou ran his little blue car, vroom. The car he loved best in all the world. When he glanced up, a small girl was staring right at it. "…I wish I had one." In her hands was a broken yellow toy. Sou's chest went muddled and uneasy.

The girl edged closer, step by step. "Hey… that." She reached out a tiny hand. Sou caught his breath and hugged the little car close. Because this was his number-one treasure, the one he even slept beside. But — the girl's teary, hoping eyes. His chest went muddled and uneasy again.

He'd played so much with this car. Down the slope, vroom. Through the tunnel, whoosh. At night, right beside his pillow. Sou's treasure. — But. In the girl's hands, the broken toy. Mame nudged Sou's hand with a little paw. If I give it… will she smile? If I keep it… will she stay sad? His chest went muddled and uneasy.

"Hina! It's about time to go home!" Her mama's voice came from the park gate. "…Okay." The girl took one more glance at the blue car, then turned her little back to leave. Sou gripped the car tight. His heart thumped. It's now or never. The muddled, uneasy feeling in his chest swelled up big.

Two feelings collided inside Sou. If I give it — the girl bursts into a smile. I can hand her happiness. But the treasure won't be here anymore. If I keep it — the car is mine, always. But she goes home with a sad face. Both are Sou's true feelings.

Mame gazed steadily up at Sou. The little car in his hands was warm. The girl was already at the park gate. Just a little more and she'd be gone. The kindness of giving, and the wish to treasure it — neither one is wrong. Sou drew in a breath. His chest went muddled and uneasy. And now —.

The girl turned back once more. "…Bye-bye." Sou squeezed the little car tight. Give it? Hand this girl her happiness? Or keep it? Protect his number-one treasure? It's okay to give. It's okay to keep. …What will Sou do?