#shxjinko

[atatakami]

---⊰☼⊱ ;; " .. don't bother trying.                           That vending machine eats every cent you put in it. "

[mmamagician]

〆

〆 for a childhood story

"—Okaa-san! Okaa-saaan!" The seven-year-old child’s voice teetered on annoyance as her urging didn’t seem to reach her mother. The woman only flashed a momentary "wait" gesture, while returning to her all-important conversation on her cell phone. This left the young child to pout in defiance. About to march toward her parent, the dojo’s teacher called her by last name, and she left her mother to her meandering.

The little Igarashi joined the class, or more closely, her opponent. Yes, it was her first official sparring match with a classmate, and she couldn’t be more thrilled. In fact, the one thing that could make her happier would be for her mother to watch her accomplishment. However, it didn’t seem as though that would fall through.

Even so, the coach called “go”, and the two tiny children were at it. Furious punches and kicks were thrown toward the other, and it would often either be avoided, caught, or dealt with. Finally, with a harsh cry, Karin landed a punch to the face of her adversary, and as quick as the punch was drawn, the child was down for the count.

With a gasp, Karin retreated, taking cautionary steps back. Fearful, she glanced toward her mother, of whom was still speaking on the phone. The sweet smiles she noted on her face hadn’t made the young one feel any better, as they weren’t pointed toward her. Instead, the young fighter whimpered as she carefully approached the situation once more. Peering over ever so gently, she noted a thin line of blood running down the child’s chin.

That’s what made her crack.

She whimpered and squeaked, until she let out a sort of wail, tears streaming down her face. The teacher approached her after checking on the student who was now raising to his feet.

"Igarashi, what’s going on? Why are you crying?"

"I-I-I— I hit him a-a-and he s-started bleeding— a-and I di-didn’t mean to hit him that h-hard!” Her shaky breath could barely be filtered.

"Karin… That’s just what happens in this industry." He attempted to calm the crying child. "He’ll be fine, and it’s okay. You have to realize, people are going to get hurt. But it’s part of the sport." He grinned upon seeing her hands release from her face. "Besides, it was an accident, right? You didn’t mean to hit him that hard. It’s okay, you’ll learn how to avoid that, alright?"

"…" With a sniffle, and a nod, Karin was finally calming herself. She nodded once more, wiping away the stray tears. "I-I get it." The teacher only smiles, ruffling her curled bangs, coaxing a laugh from her. As the class disperses to prepare for the next sparring match, Karin quickly hops toward the seats set up for parents to watch. Yet, she only met with an empty seat, and a small note given to her that read, 

               Mommy will be right back. Good luck, sweetheart! Hit ‘em out of the park here, because I’m tired of you breaking things at home.                                    See you after your lesson!

[bittersweetvengeance]

Crimson.

...Blood.