𝐍𝐄𝐙𝐔𝐌𝐈

III

Chapter Three:
Revisions of the past

For as long as Nezumi could remember he had been a clingy child, very touchy feely and always one to show his affections through touch. Growing up he realized it was from being so touch starved.

Gambling was a family trait, it's what his father did. His father was the only family he had, the only person who taught him anything.

But his father wasn't there for most of his childhood.

Well at least for the parts he was supposed to.

Katashi Suzuki was a very greedy man. One who had even sold out his son multiple times for money until he was 16.

He was a horrible father and an even worse role model.

Someone who taught his son to be as quiet and sneaky as a mouse and never get caught.

Katashi was a man who rewarded his son with a new deck of cards and a pat on the back.

"Good job dormouse." He'd always say, and although it had been the bare minimum Nezumi had taken those words to heart.

Although touch was his love language and the way he expressed himself he never got it.

And the last time he even tried didn't end very well.

"Father?" Nezumi whispered quietly.

Hearing his words Katashi looked up from his desk to see his abnormally short son. An eyebrow raise and a clearing of the throat coerced Nezumi forward.

The poor boy was shaking like a leaf, looking down at the floor he spoke in his usual soft voice.

"I have a question."

By now Katashi was over the entire conversation, waving his hand with a sigh he put his pen down and leaned back in his chair.

"I know I don't usually get these, but I was wondering if I could have a hug father?" There was a sliver of hope hidden deep inside of him. Face still pointed to the floor he heard his father stand.

The hope in his chest grew bit by bit.

Maybe just maybe he'd finally get to hug his father? Maybe instead of the usual pat on the back and short sentences he might be able to form a bond.

Then all hope faded. Katashi had smacked him upside the head with a harsh laugh.

"A hug? What does a 10 year old need a fucking hug for?" Nezumi was tempted to tell his father he was 14 but he didn't want to make matters worse. "You're a man! Act like one dammit. Now get out of my face I have things to do."

Needless to say Nezumi stopped looking for physical comfort from his father.

With no one to cling to or love the boy had grown lonely, the lone games he played no longer satisfied him.

Walking around the town he had resided in since he was a tot had become boring.

No fun, no nothing actually.

No friends, no pets, no parents, no siblings.

Only Nezumi and his cards.

And he had preferred it that way for a long time, such a long time. He grew used to the feeling of being utterly alone, grew resentment towards other humans. Grew into a hidden character.

Truly a dormouse.

That was until he met her.

Mira Kanō.

At first he was very weary of her, no matter her advances of friendship the now 16 year old boy hadn't wanted to be abandoned.

They had met while Mira was on her way to school, the two of them had been around the same age.

Soon Mira had managed to wiggle her way into the mouse's heart. She became someone Nezumi was constantly around.

The Queen of his Heart. That's what she was, not romantically of course but even so over the years the boy found he might even die for the girl.

Plans to grow up together and get married for the hell of it.

Plans to escape harsh reality and live however they damn well pleased with all the money in the world.

Nezumi Suzuki a quiet observant dormouse who kept his head down and played the helpless man who didn't know better, and Mira Kanō the outspoken and manipulative queen always protective of her dormouse.

Thick as thieves and inseparable.

Well until Mira set off for college.

"Please don't leave me." Nezumi had tears in his eyes, he was on his knees staring up at his best friend. Tugging at her leg he started to sob. "Please! At least take me with you! Please I don't want to be alone again. I can't be alone again."

The desperation in the now 19 year olds voice was clear. His hair that usually swooped to the side with a colorful clip was messy and unkept.

Mira sighed crouching down making eye contact with her long-time friend, cupping his face wiping away his tears.

"My darling Nezumi, I love you I really do but you know I have to go. I've already taken one year off of going to stay with you." She kissed the top of his head a sad smile on her face. "Besides I'll be back before you know it."

All Nezumi could do was shake his head furiously.

"What if you find someone better than me! What if you get a new best friend, a new forever."

Before he could talk more he was brought into a bone crushing hug.

"My sweet dormouse, you know I don't care for anyone other than you. I told you this already. You Nezumi Suzuki are the only friend I will ever genuinely care for." She pulled back standing them both up wiping more of the boys tears. "You have no need to worry, just focus on your card games and getting famous for when I come back got it?"

All the dormouse could do was nod, soft almost silent sniffles coming out of him.

"I've got it Mira."

Now imagine how that same boy would react years later when a bag is pulled off his head, face to face with the one person who gave him the light of day. The one person who wanted him for him, not his money.