Childhood Period: First hurdle and opening

Early April

-"Things can always get better, that's what I believe."

Running after my father, dressed in a sweater and a cap, I felt my breath becoming rapid.

-Come on, Kai, only three more laps to go.

My father was completely sweaty, wearing clothes similar to mine.

-Ugh, I'm coming.

-You can do it, Kai-chan, besides...

My mother, running beside my father, was starting to show signs of fatigue.

-You have to cheer someone else on.

My mother pointed to the girl with white hair wearing a bear-shaped hairpin. It was Saeko, sitting on a bench. My mother displayed a devilish smile.

-"After the festival, we returned home. It was strange, to be honest. If you ask me, there were too many children for just one village, and the monk himself ended up drunk at the end of the event."

-"My grandmother has been with us since November, and she seems happy, sleeping in the same room as the children. But I'm thinking about the future."

-"I started this training with my father; it was the condition my mother imposed if I wanted to practice a martial art. Although we ended up scolded, my father and I managed to convince her because I'm not asking for something just for myself."

-Come on, Kirijima-Sama, you can do it!

Hearing the voice, my mother and father pointed at the same time when they turned to look at Saeko.

-I meant Ka...k...k...

-"This scenario is becoming a habit whenever we're together."

-"After returning to school, the three classes began to form a better bond of camaraderie. I must thank my mother and the teachers for creating a bond for everyone. I just had to play with the children."

-"I must say, maybe it's my frustrated desire to start raising children before, but I'm doing quite well now. There's no child who doesn't follow me."

-"But Saeko started to get more involved in my activities when she knew I wanted to improve my physical condition. She started running with us, but she can't keep up with this pace."

Stopping in front of a white line, I lean my hands on my knees to catch my breath.

-Ugh, this was nothing.

-That's the spirit, son. Now take a moment to catch your breath.

My father gently pushed me from behind to start walking.

-(Speaking in English) For now, I see that you're not pushing yourself too hard.

-(Speaking in Japanese) Of course not, Dad.

Hearing me, my father nodded very slightly, patting me on the back.

-"This is another thing I had as a condition: to start understanding another language. I must thank that it's the language of my past life."

-"Although I may seem like a man of just muscles, my father fluently speaks five languages. I still don't understand how it's possible, but maybe it's this body or my past memories, but I learn quickly."

-Mr. Kirijima, your son is doing his best!

-Oh, do you hear that, Saeko-chan?

-Yes...

Lowering her head, Saeko crossed her fingers, lowering her head.

-"I just discovered that Saeko is of Polish descent. Her mother wanted to visit the birthplace of her ancestors, so she can understand other languages better."

-You're amazing, Saeko. I really like your singing voice.

-Kirijima-Sama, you're more amazing than me.

My father pointed at himself again, putting on a poker face while looking at Saeko.

-I meant k...ka...tha...

-"This is becoming a habit for her. My parents and her mother believe she should start gaining more confidence in things she can do."

-Just tell him honey, Saeko-chan. You have my permission as a future father-in-law.

Nervously, Saeko seemed more unsettled than usual.

-That's very disrespectful according to Japanese standards, Mr. Kirijima. We must adhere to the rules.

-"Yes, she must focus more on her own merits before adhering to what the rules dictate."

-"Although it's strange to think that, with the maturity of an adult, she thinks about going out with a girl. That's unacceptable." Calm down Dad; she's just kind, you know?

-Well, it's time to go back.

My mother, with a tired face and a towel around her neck, stretched out her hand to reach my father.

-Come on, dear, before putting conditions, it's better that you teach him how it's done.

-You're right.

My father, in front of us, gave my mother a kiss on the lips, grazing their lips continuously. Saeko got behind me when she saw this happening and spoke quietly, hiding her face behind my back.

- Husbands shouldn't do that...

-"I don't know what concept you have of a husband, Saeko, but it's normal for them to show affection, you know?" Relax.

Using my fingertips I stroked the long white tresses untying her hair and she began to look less anxious.

-Today you have another busy schedule don't you Kai?

-Of course I have to go back to play with my sisters and practice what you wrote in my notebook plus I have to start learning how to write with my grandmother and tomorrow I have to go to school with my younger sister.

-Hehehehehehehe I like your attitude son it shows that Kai is a man who does what he sets out to do.

-As big as the surname Kirijima?

My father hugged my mother's waist while walking and stroked my hair playing with the strands that were starting to grow longer.

-Uhm that depends on who you mean?

-You, Dad

-*Sigh* Well son it's ok to set goals ok?

-Yes

.........

Mid October

Using a short brush I began to make lazy strokes on the whiskers of a painting of a cat in front of me turning the face a brown color just giving it a minimalist shape with its body.

[Turning from one side to the other the boy will be confused and will not know that this is how it all started].

Stopping my hand with my brush strokes I turn towards Saeko who was doing a similar action with her brush coloring fruit.

-Did you say something Saeko?

Stopping her movements as she turned to look at me I could see her smile even though it was painted on her face she was enjoying the activity.

-Not yet Kirijima-Sama, but I see you are doing a better job in class as usual.

Saeko's smile and her tone of voice revealed that she wasn't lying.

-I thought I heard someone...

~*Din don dun* Kirijima Kaito Report to the teacher's lounge at this time please *Don din don*~.

Hearing the megaphone, a boy with blue hair raised his hand.

-Teacher, if Kai-kai did something wrong, it's not true, he always covers for me.

-It's not true it was me

-Don't lie everyone, I'm the one to blame.

-ENOUGH-

At the sound of Saeko's voice, everyone turned their heads and saw a girl with an angry look on her face.

-The only one to blame for any of Kirijima-sama's incidents is me.

Clapping her hands the attention was focused on me

-Well everybody calm down ok? I'll see what it's all about there's no need for it to be bad to call me.

The children sighed with relief when they heard me.

-Well, teacher, I'm leaving with your permission.

-Go ahead Kirijima-kun 

As I left the classroom towards the teacher's room, I heard murmurs from other classes.

-I think I've been a bad example, that's why I'm going to get noticed, so many kids try to imitate me.

Sighing, I arrived at the teacher's lounge.

-Excuse me.

Waiting for me were several teachers at a table.

-Kirijima-kun first of all can you please take a seat?

It was Saeko's previous teacher who spoke to me. 

-Of course

-Well, you're a kid who can find out things so I'll be direct, okay?

As I took a seat two teachers came up behind me and touched my shoulders.

-Something happened?

-Yes, your father died in a car accident.

-Uhm?