- Go away, thief boy, you drive away my clientele, shuu!
The woman hit the little boy's head hard, he just managed to cover himself with his arms. He couldn't see what I was hitting him with, but it was hard. It was probably some stick or a shoe. Suddenly, a younger voice interrupted that act and the old woman stopped
- Hey, hey, Grandma! He's my son! Why are you hitting him? I sent him to bring apples - Oh!! I didn't recognize him! I'm really really sorry! I'll give you some extra apples for the trouble!
With fear, the little guy looked up a little. The voice was of a very tall man, or maybe it was because I was seeing him from below. She leaned over to see the boy and he was able to look at him better: he was blond and gray-eyed. He didn't look Japanese, but he was dressed like one, with a blue vest and wide trousers, these had a wolf drawn on one leg, on the left. She was wearing a necklace that seemed like the only thing of value she had on her, her hair was tied into a half tail and she had a huge scar on her forehead. "she looks like an angel." The little boy thought, feeling saved by the older one.
The blond took the apples and said goodbye to the old woman. Then he held out his hand to the little one, who hesitated. He looked at the man's hand, big and firm, then looked at his face. I didn't know who he was or where he was going. For a moment he thought about running away, as he always did when someone came too close to him. But then he remembered the old woman's stroke, everything he had had to go through, the nights without eating and being cold. Her fingers closed around the man's hand, feeling a warmth that she had forgotten existed
- What's your name, buddy? Is your mom around? - I don't have a family. My name is Sousuke
The blonde opened his eyes a little wider, he was surprised. She bent down at the child's height to look at his face. He was small, thin, with big blue eyes and his expression was one of total confusion. He understood that he was lost, that he didn't even remember what he was doing in that place.
- Sousuke? Just like that? - Yes. - Don't you remember how you got here? - No, I've just been walking and I wanted to sit down to sleep there - said the boy, pointing to a pile of newspaper on the corner of the street, it wasn't visible because people really weren't paying attention
- Huh? How long have you been here? - I don't remember
Hearing all this, the blond man sighed. I was sad and worried about that child. He put a hand on her black hair and smiled at her to give her confidence, looking at her blue eyes.
- My name is Kris, Kris Kusanagi - he said, without erasing his smile - if you don't have a family, you can come with me. - Okay, okay.…
Kris started walking slowly, as if he knew the boy needed time to keep up with him. Sousuke watched him as they moved forward. He noticed how people around him looked at them, at him with displeasure and then at Kris with respect, even with a slight smile. That confused him. Who was that man? I wasn't sure at that moment, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel afraid. He walked a few more steps, until his legs began to shake.
-"Kris..." he murmured in a tired voice. Can you carry me? I can't walk anymore. The blond man smiled gently. - Of course I do. Come here.
He lifted him up in his arms with ease. From that height, Sousuke could see his face better: the scar on his forehead, the small tattoo near his eye and that calm expression that didn't seem to belong to someone dangerous.
- Sousuke Kusanagi. From today you are another one of my children.
The boy opened his eyes a little when he heard the name of the blond, who without ceasing to smile, added
- So you can call me "Dad.”
Kris took one of the fruits he was carrying and gave it to Sousuke.The little guy started eating it anxiously. He had already forgotten the last time something fell into his stomach. The two continued on their way until they reached a part of the forest, which seemed to be protected with traps and some ropes.
When they arrived at the place, Sousuke was very surprised. There were more kids in a somewhat neglected house. It could easily be about nine or ten of them, they all claimed to be Kusanagi, Kris's children. They were all children no older than thirteen.
Sousuke didn't fully understand what was going on there, but everyone loved Kris very much, Sousuke felt very good and for the first time in a long time he stopped worrying about surviving.
The house was spacious and completely made of wood. There wasn't much furniture inside, just the essentials and some old futons where the kids slept. Still, everyone had food, clothes, and a small space to store their things. They were happy in that place and Kris loved them very much. When Kris arrived with Sousuke all the children looked at the little one with curiosity. They saw how confused he looked and were surprised to see such a small child alone.
–His name is Sousuke," Kris said, as he put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "and from now on he's going to live with us." I want everyone to treat him well and show him the things that are done here, okay? - H-hello…
Sousuke raised one of his little hands with some shyness, trying to make a friendly greeting. But none of the guys responded to his greeting. Kris smiled with some awkwardness to relieve the tension and decided to take Sousuke to take a bath first. He had built a simple bathroom covered with wooden boards; to have done it by himself, it was not bad at all.
- Maybe now they are a little scared about seeing someone new, don't worry –. Kris was helping Sousuke dry his hair – Kids don't leave this place alone, it's not very safe and the only contact they have with the outside is me.
Then he gave her a change of clothes. It fit Sousuke a little big, but it was much better than the rags he was wearing. It was blue with black clothes, comfortable and clean.
- There's a lot I have to explain to you to make you calmer here. But first I will introduce you well with the other children.
A few hours later, everyone was sitting around the table. It was nothing more than a slightly uneven piece of wood, and the chairs were logs. There were ten places: five and five on each side, and one in front. Kris let Sousuke sit in that place while he distributed the day's food: apples, milk, a piece of bread and some ramen that he had left over from a restaurant. While everyone was eating, Kris talked
- I found Sousuke at the market today. The grandmother who sells fruit was hurting him and I decided to bring him. Sousuke has no parents and doesn't remember anything about his life. He doesn't even know how he got to that place. The children looked at him in silence. Then the eldest of them, a dark-eyed brown boy, interrupted. - But Kris... you said lately that it's been really hard to get food. How are we going to ration it if you bring someone else? - he frowned. Besides, he's a little kid. He needs more care than we do!.
Some of the guys nodded. But another immediately intervened. He was a boy with black hair and violet eyes, quite tall for his twelve years.
-Joe, we shouldn't be selfish. He is completely alone. Weren't we ever? If Kris doesn't mind bringing him, neither should we. After all, he is the one who takes risks for all of us. He brings the food and takes care of us. The last word is always yours. - But we have to be responsible, Haku! We must keep this place as it is. What will happen if the police find out that there are too many children here? What if this kid is the son of a yakuza and they're looking for him? - Hey, calm down.
Kris intervened in the small discussion
- The yakuza have no business here. This place has been my territory for a long time. Sousuke needs help and we will do our best to give it to him, I'm not going to put him back on the market to keep getting beaten up by an old woman. He deserves more than that.
The children were silent, looking at each other. Joe was still worried about the food. Haku was watching Sousuke with some compassion. Kris was waiting for a reaction. Then Sousuke himself spoke timidly.
- This... I don't know what a yakuza is, but I don't know any. If I can be useful around the house, I'll do anything. But please... don't bring me back to the market. - Sousuke…
All the children were silent. Everyone had arrived with Kris in different ways: some were orphans, others had been abandoned or had escaped from homes where they were abused. No one wanted to go back to that past, they preferred a thousand times to stay there, with Kris, whom they loved and respected like a father. Amidst the tension, Haku broke the silence. He looked at the frightened boy for a few seconds and smiled.
- Welcome home, little Sousuke.
Sousuke stood motionless. A warm feeling ran through his chest. For the first time in his life he felt accepted, he felt part of a family. He didn't know what to say, so he took one of his apples and offered it to the boy who had spoken, to his new brother. - Thank you very much, Haku.
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