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Kazutora was 3 years old when he started living with Takemichi.
The 20-year-old at the time and his childhood friend, Takuya, had visited an old high school friend in an apartment building. While the three were catching up, they heard screaming and loud crying coming from next door and rushed over to investigate.
When they got into the apartment, they saw a woman, covered in cuts and bruises, trying to protect a toddler in her arms from a man that Takemichi presumed was her husband.
The three friends managed to restrain the man after a brief scuffle and called the police.
It was after the abuser got arrested and everyone else was at the hospital that the old friend told Takemichi and Takuya about what usually went on next door.
"I moved in about three months ago," he said, "and I've lost count on the number of times that man hits his wife. I called the cops on him a couple of times, but they either showed up after he already left or he'd get arrested and come out again after a few days. I heard he used to be a cop, so I guess he still has buddies in there who look out for him."
To say that Takemichi was angry about what he heard would be an understatement.
He visited the woman, Honoka, and her child Kazutora every day while the man was still locked up, and on his fourth visit, the woman asked him a favor.
"I know we haven't known each other for long and that this is a lot to ask, but can you please adopt Kazutora? I'm afraid of what will continue to happen to us when that man gets out again, and I don't think that I'm fit to take care of him right now. Plus, I don't have any friends or relatives I'm still in contact with, and orphanages are out of the question since I have my own bad experiences with them."
Takemichi was silent for a moment. "...What about you? Are you going to stay here?"
"I..." Honoka poked at her food with her spoon. "I want to disappear for a while, go somewhere and clear my head and get some help. I've been wanting to leave for a very long time, but it's been hard, especially since there was no one else to watch out for Kazutora and little to no money of my own."
She blinked rapidly to withhold her tears. "And that kid...he deserves so much better. Sometimes it's hard for me to even get out of bed to take care of him. I'm really sorry for pushing all of this on you, Takemichi, but you seem like a really reliable person and I can tell that you already adore Kazutora which is why I'm asking for this favor. It's like...an opportunity for Kazutora to experience a healthier life and for me to find some peace of mind. I hope you can understand."
Takemichi understood, so after a long silence he said, "Okay, I'll adopt Kazutora and care for him. Also...I want to give you some money to help keep you on your feet for a while. Please don't refuse."
Honoka bursted into tears. "Thank you so much, Takemichi! I owe you!"
"Don't mention it."
Takemichi remembers how skittish and reserved Kazutora was when he took him in. His heart was torn to shreds when the child would flinch away in fear that he would be yelled at or hit whenever Takemichi opened his mouth or tried to reach out to him.
Fortunately, things got better with time, and Kazutora is now a happy, outgoing and healthy child who just turned six and is starting first grade elementary soon.
Takemichi smiles fondly and quickens his pace to Takuya's house. He and his girlfriend Hinata usually walk together to their friends' houses to pick up Kazutora after work, but Hinata went home early due to falling sick, so Takemichi is alone.
He reaches Takuya's home and uses the spare key to get in. "Takuya! Kazutora! I'm here!"
The rushed pattering of small feet is immediately heard, and Takemichi squats down with open arms for the embrace that awaits.
"Michi-nii!" Kazutora happily shouts as he crashes into his guardian, almost knocking him over.
"Hey there, little tiger." The man wraps his arms around the child's small body and nuzzles his head. "How was your day?"
Kazutora pulls away from the hug to look at him. "It was great! Taku-nii took me to the zoo today!" he chirps.
Takemichi smiles warmly at him. "Really? What animals did you see?"
"I saw lions and the little birdies and mister tiger!"
"Oh? That's nice. Did my little cub find them scary?"
"Nuh-uh!" Kazutora shakes his head. "They were pretty and cool!" He bounces happily on his tiny feet as he remembers the wondrous sights of the majestic creatures.
Takemichi chuckles fondly at his adorableness. 'Cute.'
Takuya walks over to the genkan wiping his wet hands with a towel, most likely from doing the dishes. "Hey," he greets. "How was work?"
"Ah, you know, the usual. I brought you some castella cake."
"Man, you're a life-saver! I'm already out of midnight snacks, can you believe it?"
Takemichi rolls his eyes and shakes his head at his friend. They catch up on their day and then the small family of two heads home.
_______
"Michi-nii?"
"Hmm?"
"How come Hina-nee didn't come with you today?"
Takemichi adjusts his hold of Kazutora in his arms as he walks on the sidewalk. "Hina-chan got sick at work, so she went home early."
Kazutora frowns. "Sick?" he repeats. "Can we make her some soup to get better, then?"
"Of course, we can."
"Can it be chicken soup?"
Takemichi looks at him and taps his nose. "Yes, but are you sure that you just don't want to drink it yourself?"
The kid, caught red-handed, pouts adorably and hides his face in the man's neck.
Takemichi chuckles and decides to tease him. "You know, with all the chicken you love eating, you might just end up turning into one some day."
"No, I won't!" Kazutora argues, raising his head up again.
"Yes, you will!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
Kazutora looks thoughtful for a moment, then says, "Well, if I'll turn into a chicken, Michi-nii will be a worm!"
Takemichi scrunches up his nose. "A worm?" he asks incredulously. "Why a worm?"
"Because, um, because birds eat worms!"
The older male gasps dramatically and gives him a betrayed look. "You'd hurt your Michi-nii?"
The little tiger shakes his head furiously and hugs him. "Never!" he yells. "I love you too much to ever do that, Michi-nii!"
"Aww." Takemichi kisses his forehead. "I love you too, cub."