Chapter Text
Kunikida Doppo POV:
There was a family who recently moved in. The Tsushima family. A father, a mother, and three kids. One of them came outside. He is next to a bush in between our houses. He is very dainty and small. Almost like I can push him down. He was wearing a light blue kimono with a white floral print with geta on. His hair is to his shoulders and is curly. My hair is short and straight. Meanwhile, I am wearing light blue jean overall shorts with a yellow shirt on. Wearing medium high socks and tennis shoes. He seems to be sketching. Maybe I should go say hi. My mom said I need to make friends. And he looks around the same age as me. I go up to him and tap on his shoulder. He jumps.
“Hi! I’m Doppo Kunikida, want to be friends?”
He looks up at me. His bangs are at the crease of his eye and he has wide eyes, a small nose and looks slightly afraid. He looks like a doll. He doesn’t talk but he nods after a few minutes. He stands up.
“What’s your name?”
“S-Shuji, Shuji Tsushima.”
He says in a whisper like tone.
“And how old are you?”
He looks at me slightly frightened.
“No not like that!! I just want to know if we are the same age.”
He nods and holds up 8 fingers.
“Me too! And are you going to the academy that’s nearby?”
He nods. Okay this is getting boring..he barely says a word. It’s almost concerning. Maybe he is just shy. Or scared of me.
“Doppo! It’s time to come inside. You need to wash up for dinner.”
“Oh well I need to go. It was nice meeting you Shuji. See you tomorrow!”
I walk away. I go inside, I take off my shoes, and wash my hands. Then I sit at the table. We are having Bibimbap. My mother must have worked hard. I’ll help her clean up after dinner. My Dad sits down and then my mom. We all start to eat.
“Hey Mom and Dad! I made a friend. His name is Shuji. He’s the son of the neighbors that moved in a few weeks ago.”
“That’s good sweetie. But you need to eat.”
Shuji POV:
I made a friend today. Who would have thought. I walk in my house and take off my shoes. My Dad is not home. Per usual. But at least we don’t have to deal with Mom and Dad arguing. My mother’s name is Tane and my Dads name is Gen’emon. They married for political reasons. They don’t love each other. I have two older siblings. Sota and Ren. Sota is the oldest and he moved out a few months ago. I don’t think he’s coming back. My mother is sick. They said that she had a cancer. Ren and I barely talk. I also don’t talk to my Dad much either. No dinner is made so I suppose I won’t eat. But I should probably make my mother dinner.
*After he finishing making dinner*
Perfect I made simply dumplings. I grab a tray, and put the bowl with 5 dumplings in them, soy sauce, chopsticks, and a cup of green tea on the tray. I carry them towards my mother’s room. I knock on the door.
“Come in!”
She shouts. I walk in holding the tray. I set it down on the floor next to the futon she’s was laying in. Now siting up.
“Aww, you made me dinner. How sweet! But did you make any for yourself?”
I shake my head.
“Shuji..come here, get on the futon.”
I get onto the futon. She grabs the chopsticks and pick up a dumpling. She puts it in front of my mouth. I open my mouth and take a bite. I chew. And she pats my head. After a while we finish eating.
“Remember you are still growing, you need to eat to grow big and strong.”
I nod.
“Hey mother, guess what?”
“Yeah?”
“I made a friend today. His name is Doppo Kunikida. He is my age and we are going to the same school. He lives next to us.”
She gently smiles. Looking at me with a gentle, soft, fond look in her eyes.
“That’s good. Now you need to go bathe and get to bed sweetie it’s getting late.”
I nod. I get up out of the futon, pick up the tray, and then open the door.
“Goodnight Shuji, I love you.”
“Goodnight Mom, I love you too.”
I close the door. Little did I know that was the last time I ever spoke to her peacefully.