#maybe i should make a tag for kazuaki and hitori at this point

[kazushuu]

19 and 27 for Kazuaki

19. A memory of someone they don’t see anymore27. A memory of something they’re proud of

…writing again! thank you for sending these! sorry that it took a. a month or two or three.

                                                           ——

    “Please sit still, Fluffy…”

    Despite that, I continued to cry. Pressing hands into my scalp I whined, “But you’re hurting me!! You probably pulled half of my hair out noow!!”

    My mother held her breath and looked down at me helplessly. One hand resting lightly on my little head, and the other holding a starry-patterned hairbrush. “I’m sorry… But, I’m almost done.” She tried to reassure me gently, “Your hair was all tangled up because you roll around in bed so much… I need to brush it till you’re nice and silky…!”

    “Ow ow ow…” My voice hitched. At some point when I’d bawl like this, I’d only get more annoyed for no reason. Now, the wetness of my own cheeks made me cry even harder. “W-What if I don’t wanna get brushed…?!”

    “Well, then…” my mom pet my head lightly, I heard a smile in her voice, “Then you won’t be my cute prince, but a scruffy forest troll instead!”

    I crossed my arms and mumbled, pouty. “…What if I wanna be a scruffy forest troll.”

    She chuckled at me and tilted over my shoulder to see my face. “No, you don’t~ You wanna be a prince, I know that! Besides, scruffy forest trolls aren’t allowed to wear their dinosaur pajamas around the house when it’s noon already.”

    “Eeehhh??” I stopped crying and gripped the sleeves of my dinosaur pajamas defensively. “Nooo! I wanna be a prince then!”

    My mom had a somewhat exhausted look in her eyes, but shared my enthusiasm as an 8 year old so genuinely, that I often just thought she’s my friend, and not really authority. She smiled, “You see? Just let me brush your bangs, and we’re done.”

    “…Y-Yeah, okay.” I hiccuped, and turned around. My mom crouched down on one knee and gently, as gently as possible, got the tangles out of my hair. I had my eyes screwed shut so hard that it hurt instead, but before I knew it, she tapped me on the shoulder and sang. “All done!”

    She lifted a finger and curled a lock of my hair around it. When she let go, the longer lock bounced back, now in a curly shape. “Ahh, so sweet! You’re so brave, Kazuaki-kun. Now the little prince can hop around wherever he wants with his dinosaur pajamas.”

    I was so relieved. I gave her a big grin and hugged her, which she returned immediately. “Am I really really brave?” I said while sneakily wiping my face against her blouse. “Really really~ the bravest in the world!”

    …

    She said those things so confidently, celebrated small accomplishments with me. My biggest regret is growing up a coward… And selfishly wishing for her unconditional support once more.

                                                          ——

    “And? How’d it go?” Hitori headed towards me with a tinge of curiosity in his eyes. I was stunned, having to blink myself back into reality again. “U-Um. It went okay, I guess?” I cleared my throat, “Well, it went good, but… That was the strangest job interview I ever imagined!”

    Hitori smiled like he totally expected that answer. “Yeah. But what do you think?”

    “Well, apparently… Apparently I got the job.”

    “What! Really!? Immediately?”

   “Ahhh!”

   “That’s mildly surprising indeed! Mister Ichijou actually called me back a few hours after my interview to let me know I got it.” Hitori grumbled thoughtfully, “Hm, I feel like employment at a school should be a way more extended process. We’ve only visited the classes once, I mean… But this school is known for its focus on ‘skill and passion’ over procedure, and everything seems legit, so it can’t be that suspicious, eh?”

   Hitori grinned, “Well, congrats, Kazu!”

   But I couldn’t choke a word out of me. He leant in closer, “…You okay?”

   “I-I’m… I’m so shocked, but- but happy.” I bit myself at my own stuttering. I didn’t realize the tears in my eyes until they rolled down my face, “Mister Ichijou was so nice to me. He had this impressed look on his eyes when he saw my- my grades back from prep school and accomplishments. And I mean, I guess he does know me a bit, ‘cause he saw my writing and we talked on that Doors Open Day, but still…

   This is… This is the first time I have a job that I look forward to…”

   Hitori put a hand on my shoulder, and continued to speak with such genuinity that it made me melt. “You are impressive. I’m not much of an artist, but you do put your best into those things and it shows. You should be proud of yourself.” he winked, “I sure am.”

   I tried to wipe the annoying wetness from my face. “Waah Hitori~! D-Do you think I’m actually getting somewhere? I’m so nervous- what if he has a wrong image of me and will be disappointed once my teaching starts?! What if the students will hate me? What if I- Mnmn!”

   Hitori pinched my lips shut with his fingers and sighed, “Don’t worry yourself needlessly. You’re clearly exceptional and good enough if you got accepted into this prestigious academy. And even if you will struggle, you know I’m here with you. I’ll show you around. I’ve been working here for a while.”

   “Mnmm?” I sniffled.

   Hitori let go and gave me a quick kiss instead. “I believe in you.”

   I guess he was right. I tried my best to believe in myself as much as he insisted. It was difficult not to trust someone as honest and kind as Hitori. Any compliment that was said directly by him landed in my heart and never came out. So then I, pulled him into a hug that forced a grunt out of him.

   “Thank you so muuuch… I’m sorry for being a nuisance again… Thank you for the patience…”

   He lightly hugged me back. “But of course. Let’s continue to do our best, you delicate giant.”