It Must Be a Cute Thing
I do not own any Hana-Kimi characters. Enjoy.
Honor
Kadoma was lightly panting when he finally reached the dojo. A teacher had kept him behind in his last period English class to work on pronunciation, and that forced little Kadoma to have to sprint to the dojo so as to keep from being late. Milling around the closed doors were several first year boys, a few of whom Kadoma recognized. Quickly glancing about, Kadoma grew steadily uneasy. Every single boy was huge. He felt himself shrinking against the crowd. It was just like being back with his brothers. Kadoma was considering quietly leaving when he spotted not far away, another boy. Just his size.
"Hello!" Kadoma tapped the smaller boy on the shoulder a wide grin of relief on his small face.
Startled, the boy spun around, alarm flashing across his face.
"I'm Kadoma, what's your name?" As Kadoma waited expectantly for an answer, he studied the boy before him. He was a bit scrawny and only a few inches taller than Kadoma was. Pale, with squinty eyes behind thick glasses, it looked like the boy had not see much sun. His arms were tightly crossed in an insecure position across his chest and it looked like he was pretty tense.
Once the boy was able to focus in on Kadoma he relaxed slightly, letting his arms fall to his sides. "Akira." He said quietly in a soft musical voice.
"Oh...are you in Dorm One too?" Kadoma asked curious.
"No." Kadoma watched him expectantly. Noticing this, his gaze shifted to the side, "Dorm Three." he said quietly again.
"Really? I thought they were the artsy dorm. Did you not get the dorm you wanted?" Kadoma asked curiously.
Akira's eyes flew as wide open as the little squinty buggers could, making them look almost like normal eyes for a moment. "No--I mean, I wanted dorm three, it's just, well," Akira paused for a moment as if thinking of a simple way to explain what he meant to the (who he suspected was a) simple Kadoma. "I fit in with those people there, but I want something more, and I thought Karate would give it to me." He began shifting uncomfortably again.
Akira had correctly deduced the fact that Kadoma was indeed very simple, as he looked for no further explanation on the matter.
Then in a loud BANG, the light wooded dojo doors were thrown open. Kadoma inhaled sharply as a magnificent sight unfolded before him. Slowly marching out of the dark dojo in perfect rhythm, were several seccond and third years in crisp white uniforms. A few were carrying red linen banners with words like 'honor' and 'dedication' inscribed upon them. As they marched out, the fanned out to line up against the wall of the dojo in front of the still first years. Finnally out of the dark emerged two figures. Tennouji and Kujou. Kadoma jumped because as soon as the two came into view, all of the other members of the club shouted in a deafening chorus: "Osu!" and made a quick move in sync to shift stances, now holding their hands behind their backs, feet shoulder-width apart in an attentive stance. The only ones not moving were those bearing banners.
All of the sudden, Kadoma felt a wave of unease pass through him once again. He glanced at Akira and could tell that he was feeling the same way. Seeing the club members all lined up threw into sharp relief the fact that Kadoma was at least a head and a half shorter than any of the guys in the club. He gulped almost audibly but had made his decision.
"Akira." He wispered. "Lets do this together. I won't quit if you won't." Kadoma said trying to keep his voice steady. Akira looked slightly pale, "I'll hold you to that."
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Kujou took only a moment more to silently scan the crowd. Recruitment had gone well this year. He was pleased to see quite a few people he had spoken to personally. Half hidden in the back he saw a pair of heads at least a foot shorter than the rest. The corners of his eyes crinkled. 'Little Kadoma...Somehow I'm not suprised you came.' His eyes glided to the left and narrowed. There was a group of boys he had observed rough housing in the dinning hall the other night. Being in the sport he was, Kujou was familiar with the type of boys those were. It would take a lot to beat some dignity and honor into those boys. They would definately have to be watched. As per usual, the crowd consisted of mainly dorm one residents and a small minority of dorm two and three boys. Kujou had high hopes for the group. 'Maybe even half of them will last the week.' His eyes crinkled again.
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As Kujou began talking, Kadoma was spellbound by his words. He spoke of diligence, responsibility, and honor. The mere fact that he was stringing so many words together at once was enough to make many of the boys around him pay attention. Kujou spoke with a fire in him, heating his voice, blazing in his eyes. It was--inspiring. Wordlessly, a connection was made that afternoon. Kadoma had found himself a hero.
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Sooo, shorter than the last i know, but please, Please, PLEASE review!! i won't post another chapter unless there's another review!!!! (selfish i know, but i need some self-esteem boosting thank-you very much!)