"Hey Izuru why are you so weird?"
"Huh?"
"You're weird, why are you weird? You don't ever talk to anyone except Hanako, and you never want to play with us. How come?"
"U-um…"
"You don't ever talk about things you like either. Whenever we talk about things we like you never say anything. Do you even like things?"
"O-of course I do! I just…"
"You're really weird Izuru…"
"I'm sorry…"
"Are you crying? Why are you crying? You're so weird! We're just asking questions! Don't be such a crybaby!"
"I… I…"
"Leave him alone! He's not weird!" A small girl stomped up to the group of children and stood by her brother, hands on her hips. "My brother is not weird!"
"Then why doesn't he talk a lot? Or want to play with us?"
"Maybe it's because you guys are a bunch of poopy heads and he doesn't wanna talk to you! Go away you butts!" The girl yelled, stompping her foot. The other children grumbled and walked off.
"Hanako…"
"It's OK Zuzu. I'm sorry they were being mean."
"It's my fault… You didn't have to stand up for me."
"Yes I did! They were being mean and making you upset! I'm your sister I'm supposed to help you! I'm not gonna stand by and let kids make fun of you!"
"'S my fault for being weird."
"You're not weird. You're Izuru! I mean, they're right in that you don't talk much, but that's not bad! 'Cause when you do talk you have good stuff to say. And you do like things. You really like that one video game that has the fighting in it, even though mom and dad don't like it that much… and you like Scooby-Doo! And that scary story show! You like lotsa things!" Izuru looked up at his sister's smiling face. He smiled back, looking a bit silly with a tooth missing, but he looked happier.
"C'mon, you have the dessert mom packed for me today." She said, grabbing his hand.
"Really?"
"Yeah!"