Chapter 2: School Life

It was morning and Jiro has finished cooking breakfast and gotten ready for school. Jiro was only 14 years old and was in junior high but could easily most of the housework and cleaning all by himself, since Jin worked most of the day and Jiro lost his mother a long time ago, he had learned to have his own independence and could look out for himself. "Father, breakfast is ready!" Jiro called out to Jin, "I'll be out soon…." Jin said from the bathroom. Jiro went ahead and proceed to eat breakfast, at times Jiro has a tendency to eat really fast due to fear of running late since he is a well behaved student with good grades. Jin exit the bathroom wearing a business suit ready for work "Sorry I took so long Jiro, you know I have a hard time putting this tie on sometimes" Jin said while preparing his plate of food. "I understand father, not a prob-" Jiro had stopped because he had eaten so fast he didn't chew his food enough, he began to choke but soon was successful in swallowing, "Jiro you forgot your headband again" Jin said while eating calmly, "But father I don't like wearing that, it makes me look silly" Jiro complained. Jiro had black hair like his father but it was short and went down and was above his shoulders and Jin always had him wear a white headband in it, much to Jiro's displeasure as he felt made him look like a girl. "There is nothing against the school dress code about you wearing a headband" Jin argued, "But father….ok I'll wear it…" Jiro loved his father very much and will do anything for him, but the headband seemed to much for him, the school uniforms were a black jacket, matching pants, and white shoes. Jiro was fine with the uniform and wearing the headband in private, but Jin urges Jiro to always wear it, but he never specified why.

After the two ate breakfast, they proceeded to walk to Jiro's school. Jin always walked Jiro to school everyday, since Jin was always busy at work he didn't have to much time to spend with Jiro, this is the least he could do for his son. Jin looked down at Jiro and analyzed how he was dragging his feet and was moving a little wobbly. "Son, are you alright?" Jin asked, "Yes father I'm alright. Why?" Jiro was clearly trying to hide something but Jin wasn't buying it, "Jiro what is wrong, you don't act like this on any ordinary day. Did you have nightmares again?" Jiro froze after hearing the word "nightmare", Jiro had been having nightmares for the past 4 months and this was concerning Jin. "Father, I don't want to talk about it right now, I have a test today and I really need to focus", Jin nodded his head understanding his son's feelings, "We will talk about this later, Jiro, now have a good day" Jin said as the two approached the front of the school. "See you later father, I love you" Jin said with a smile, "I love to too, my child" the two shared a hug and departed.

As Jiro entered the school yard he was deep in thought wondering what he should say about his nightmare to his father. "Having all these nightmares are getting out of control, if I don't find a way to fix this, it's going to get worse", unfortunately Jiro's train of thought was interrupted by a mocking voice "I love you daddy, please hold my hand, and walk me to my class please?" it was Shinji Hanai, Jiro's arch rival who always looked for every opportunity to mock Jiro in anyway, "Wears your dress Kazama? Only a dress would make you look so cute along with that headband" Shinji proceeded, "Shut it rat face" Jiro replied "I don't have time for your foolishness. It's way to early to deal with you now" Jiro walked off with all other students in awe. This was a little different normally Jiro and Shinji would insult each other and a fight would break out between the two, since Jin had taught Jiro the Traditional Kazama Style Martial Arts, he could defend himself in a fight, while Shinji was somewhat of a street punk. Jiro continued the rest of his day and proceeded to go home, he was very tired and could hardly focus on his test because his nightmare problem. But before he could leave Shinji blocked his way, "Where do you think your going Kazama?", "Home where else loser? Plan on stalking me there?" Jiro replied with an annoyed look. "Don't think I like your tone bub, why don't we settle this outside, in front of everybody?" Shinji said with a cunning smirk, "I got better things to do than beat you up, now if you don't mind moving aside, I got dinner to cook" Jiro proceed to walk off, but Shinji wasn't taking no for an answer :Oh yeah sure cook some food in a pink apron with flowers and frills?" Shinji said mockingly, Jiro was getting frustrated now from all this "GET OUT OF MY DAMN FACE YOU DUMBASS" Jiro had enough and proceed to punch Shinji in the face with enough force to knock him out. "Now I'm going home and I don't want anymore of your bullshit" Jiro said with absolute anger and proceed to walk home.