Chapter 1: Who's that kid?
It was a sad day in the Hamada household. Today was the 11th anniversary of the day Tadashi lost his parents and little brother. Normally he would take a day off from school, but he need to leave it behind. Aunt Cass still closes her café like she does everyday.
Tadashi can't handle her sadness and tries not to cry when he sees her. "Aunt Cass?" He says when he enters the café. She is sobbing in the corner of the café, looking at a photo of his parents and brother. She still misses her sister everyday. Tadashi walks over to her to give her a hug. "A-are you going to college?" She asks.
Tadashi nods and hands her a tissue. "I think it's time to start moving on with my life."
Aunt Cass nods and gives Tadashi a hug back. "You're a grown man now, have fun sweetie" She says.
Tadashi walks over to the door and waves at his aunt before leaving for college. He starts his moped and drives through the streets of his home town. Avoiding the place where the accident happened, like he does everyday.
He feels the cold winter wind and wished he put on a ticker coat.
When he finally arrives at school he noticed a stranger at the gate of the campus. A young boy, black uncombed hair and a blue hoodie. Tadashi couldn't look to long, but what he remember stays with him. Why did he notice that boy of all people on the campus. What did that boy have?
He parks his moped close to the gate and enters the campus. The big campus with green grass and different buildings makes him always happy. School is stressful, but he loves it here.
On a bench close to the building where the theoretic classes are, sits his friends.
"Good morning guys" Tadashi says when he sees them. The gang is rather surprised to see him. It is that day of the year, normally he stays home. They decide to keep quiet and greet them as usual.
"Yo! Tadashi man, are you ready for the class?" Fred says. Tadashi gives him a fistbump and laughs. "You're not even on this school" Gogo says and she pushes Fred aside.
He laughs together with his friend and enters the building. The hallways are a little empty, but still there is this vibe which makes it cosy and relaxed. At the end of the hallway is the classroom.
The gang enter the room and Tadashi takes a notice of a stranger in their class.
There he is, that same boy from this morning, that kid. He must be around 14 year, what is he doing here? Tadashi thinks.
He walks to his usual spot and keep looking at the kid. The boy is talking to the teacher and Tadashi can hear some of the words the boy says.
"Yeah, I am new"
Well I noticed that. Tadashi thinks.
"Hiro is my name, I must be on the list"
Hiro? That's a familiar name. Tadashi feels his eyes getting wet.
That's right, his name was Hiro. Tadashi thinks back at his lost brother. The brother he never really knew. He can only remember the times he played with his little brother.
Tadashi wipes the tears away and tries to stay calm. He can finally see the face of the boy, when Hiro turns around and walks over to Tadashi.
"Mind if I sit here?"