Work Text:
June 26, 1997
The muggy air of the summer atmosphere made sweat pour from his temple, and the humidness of the air made everything feel stuffy in his room. Opening his window he looked out and saw the busy streets of Kitsuki, even though the city was small, the streets were always busy. He could smell the scent of candied fruits and Takoyaki being prepared. The warm whiff of noodles being prepared in small restaurants, and the chatter of families engulfed his senses. This town felt like home, he couldn’t imagine moving out of this place.
Slipping lazily on the cold peach soda, a light cover of water droplets slid down the can. It was hard to get things like this in the orphanage, he had the share everything with the other kids. But, considering that the orphanage was small, only being able to house 25 children. He lived in a shared room with 4 other boys, the boys, and girls were spilt into different sections of the house. Meaning that Zensitsu could never beloved Hina-chan, a beautiful girl with flowing black hair and dark eyes. She was as lovely as the dark sky, with tan skin and soft hands. She was one of the few girls that were kind to him, treating him with kindness, instead of treating him like a lowly servant.
“Zenitsu it's time for lunch!” Okaasan yelled at him from downstairs. He gave a loud sigh, he couldn’t stand that woman. She was always yelling at him and punishing him for the smallest things. She wasn’t kind, or compassionate as a woman should be. Instead, she was loud and overbearing, not at all like his darling Hina-chan.
“Coming, Okaasan.” He mumbled quietly. Downing his soda, and walking out of his room.
He walked down the halls in a daze, loneliness plagued his mind. Ever since he's gotten here, the other kids mocked him. Whether it was his brushy brows, his buck teeth, or his freckled face. There was always something to mock him about, people were never satisfied with what he did. But, once he gets adopted, everything will change. He’ll have a loving family, his parents will tell him they love him. Tuck him into bed at night, and read him a bedtime story. Make his mom would make him his favorite food for dinner, then they’ll drink peach soda every day. He made his way to the dinner table, sitting at the end of the table. Isolated as the other children chatted on each side of him. He could spot his Hina-chan, and talk to one of her friends. Her lips spread into a sparkling smile, and all he could do was stare. He wished he could smile so freely, and talk so openly about his interest, without being mocked.
“You’re so funny, Hina!”
“Your hair is so shiny Hina, what shampoo do you use?”
“Did you try the new chip flavor, Hina?”
He wished he could ask Hina-chan questions like that, ask her what her favorite chip flavor is, her favorite animal. He looked down at his knuckles. Okaasan and the rest of her helpers began to pass out the bowls of rice and bowls of soba noodles. He looked up at the cold bowl of soba noodles, it was perfect was the summer heat. Okaasan began to hand out plates of seaweed salad, perfect to go with the noodles. His stomach growled in hunger, he picked up his chopsticks and began to slurp the cold noodles. The nutty and earthy taste of the noodles complimented the sweet and tangy flavor of the salad. It was all so delicious, but Zenitsu couldn’t help but feel self-conscious about how he was eating.
‘Am I slurping too loud?’
‘Am I eating too much?’
That quickly made his appetite dissolve, he started to pick at the food. The once comforting taste of the noodle began to taste bitter, he didn’t want to eat anymore. Children began to finish their food, leaving the table to go back to their rooms, to play outside. But, Zenitsu just stared at the meal.
“Zenitsu eat your food, I’m not staying here all day just to wait for you.” Okaasan complained, “You’re too skinny and short for a boy your age.” She poked at his rib harshly.
“I’m just not hungry anymore.” He shifted away from her touch, looking down at the food.
He wished he was Hina, she could eat anything she wanted and stayed silm. She always looked so happy eating the food prepared by the helpers. No matter what it was, or how much she was given.
“You’ve barely eaten anything, two bites at most.”
She was right, the bowls were still completely full of food. He looked up at Okaasan and gave her the best puppy dog eyes he could produce.
“Okay, fine Zenitsu, but you have to eat all your dinner and run this errand for me.” She said placing her hands on her hips. She fished a grocery list and coin purse out of her back pocket, she handed it to him.
He read the list idly:
3 Egg Cartons
Miso Soup Base
4 Gallons of milk
Chilli Oil
Soba Noodles
Ramen Noodles
Rice Vinegar
Kewpie
“It’s just some stuff to restock for the next few weeks. You must come home by dinner time, if not you’ll eat nothing.” Okaasan stated roughly. Zenitsu looked at the roughly stitched coin purse, he could buy a lot of peach sodas with this much money, and his mouth watered at the thought.
He walked up to the front door of the house, sliding his muddy green sandals, and put on his blue baseball cap. He secured the purse in his pocket with the list and opened the door. The light of the sun hit the front of his cap, he hummed as he walked through the crowded streets and watched the afternoon sun slowly go down. The wind blew on his bare arms, he shouldn’t have worn a tank top today, but it was so hot in the morning. The mixed aroma of different street foods blended together a delicious scent. Everything felt so simple as Zenitsu watched kids being held by their parents, and babies getting calmed down by their mothers and fathers. The boy looked with envy plaguing his mind. The world could be so cruel sometimes, even outside of the orphanage, he still felt like an outsider.
Zensitsu always wanted unconditional love, being able to be comfortable with someone and not being afraid. He looked at the arrays of chili oils that lined the shelves, there were so many brands. Why are there so many brands of things, don’t they all taste the same?
“Looking for the right brand, kid?” A rough voice from behind him said. He turned around and saw a small elderly man.
“Yeah I didn’t understand, don’t they all taste the same?” The boy asked, looking closely at the chili oils to see if their ingredients listed anything different.
“ Well, some of them are spicier than others, some are more bitter, and some use different oils than others, which can really affect the taste of the chili oil.”
Zenitsu looked up at the old man, he could see the wisdom that shined through his words. He looked back at the kid, giving a wide smile under his white bushy mustache. This man knew a lot about chili oil, maybe he was a chef or worked in a supermarket.
“Hey, how do you know so much about chili oils?” Zenitsu asked politely, his large brown eyes shined with admiration for the elder.
“Cooking was one of my hobbies when I was younger.” He replied, “But, now I run a dojo in town, been there since I was your age.”
Zenitsu has seen the dojo down the street. It looked pretty clean on the inside, hard to believe it’s been there for centuries.
“Uh, sir could you help me with the rest of my shopping?” Zenitsu looked down at the basket of items, ready to bare the rejection of the elder, but it never came.
“Of course kid! I’ve already gotten everything I needed.” He gave the boy a warm smile.
Zenitsu felt his cheeks flush, is this what it felt like to love someone? Yet it wasn’t the type of love he had for Hina-chan, he felt safe with the older man. Like he could talk about anything to him, and he wouldn’t feel annoyed. The same feeling he had when his mom was around, safe, loved and welcomed. He hadn’t felt that way in a long time, not being able to form any familial bonds with anyone in the orphanage.
“Thanks, gramps..”