Prologue:
Grandpa Mutou sighed as he leaned his elbow against the glass surface of the counter, watching the raindrops trail down the store window. It had been raining for three days straight in Domino, driving business away from the small game shop. During days like these, Grandpa felt like he spent most of his time counting the clock until his grandson, Yami Mutou, came home from school. Usually Yami would bring with him a flurry of activity and noise in the form of his group of friends. Unfortunately, it was still early in the day and his grandson wouldn't be back for hours. He sighed, picking up the well-worn deck of playing cards he kept near the register and began to shuffle them absently.
Grandpa looked up at the sound of the bells jingling above the store door. His happy greeting got stuck in his throat before he could utter a syllable. A boy who looked no older than middle school age stood, soaking wet in his doorway. He wore a dirty and torn school blazer that Grandpa didn't recognize over a thin jumper, the fraying cuffs of which covered his hands. He looked cold, wet, and had a distrustful expression on his face. He stared at Grandpa warily, as though he expected to be chased out, clutching a messenger bag to his side.
After an awkward beat, Grandpa composed himself. "Welcome to Kame game shop…." Slowly some of the distrust left the boy's face and he offered a quick smile in return before wandering to a nearby shelf.
Grandpa watched him for a few minutes, his heart clenching in his chest. It wasn't hard to figure out that the boy didn't have a home or at least not a proper one; his worn out and dirty clothing served as a strong indicator. As well as the fact that he wasn't in school although he was clearly school age. The boy lifted his pale hand to brush rainwater out of his wildly spiky hair as he looked at the merchandise on the shelves. He was shivering and sniffling occasionally.
"Do you need help finding anything?" Grandpa asked, coming around the counter. The boy jumped slightly.
"N-No thank you…" came the quiet response. He didn't back away from Grandpa, as the man half-expected but his small shoulders did develop more of a hunch. He picked up a board game from the shelf to avoid looking directly at the man, feigning interest as he read the box, but Grandpa Mutou could sense that the sniffling boy was acutely aware of the elders' every move.
"That's one of my Grandson's favourites…" Grandpa said after another awkward silence.
The boy acknowledged Grandpa's attempt with brief eye contact and a polite smile before quickly returning the game to the shelf and heading to the exit. Grandpa watched him go, feeling like he should stop him, but not knowing how. This small boy could very well have a home and a family that was worried about him; somewhere safe and warm to return to, however doubtful.
Grandpa was surprised when the doors jingled open again, but the boy did not immediately walk out. He paused, looking over his shoulder. He seemed unsure. Finally, he gave another small smile and nodded. "Thank you."
Then he walked back into the rain.
Thank you for reading. This is my first story! nervous!
