Kazuscara • Alongside you

Chapter 2 • First friend, first crush

Context: this is basically chapter 1 but in Kuni's perspective. Kazuha is 14 Kuni is 16
Enjoy!!!

Kunikuzushi pov:
I was sitting alone looking at the quiet and calm scenery of Ritou as I was sitting on a tall maple tree all by myself. It felt nice not having mother nagging me to train alongside her so I could one day wield her gnosis. I just closed my eyes and thought to myself until I heard footsteps slowly approaching. I opened my eyes and looked up to be greeted with a handsome boy.

He had crimson red eyes as bright as rubies and shoulder-long platinum white hair that was a so elegantly accompanied by a red streak that was slightly tucked behind his hair.
He didn't look very tall but probably taller then me, which wasn't much surprise.

He started to sit down next to me and I was a bit shocked at first but then calmed back down.
He seemed rather distracted for some reason so I spoke"H-hello? Can you hear me?" I said.
"Yes, I'm so sorry! I got a bit distracted, my apologies. I'm Kaedehara Kazuha, but you can just call me Kazuha if you'd like." Said the boy claiming his name was Kazuha. I decided to introduce myself in exchange.
"Nice to meet you, Kazuha. My name's Kunikuzushi. Feel free to call me whatever you'd like" I added to make him feel comfortable. I barely knew Kazuha yet I felt like I had a longing for his presence, it was strange but nice. Kazuha spoke after a few seconds of just smiling to each other.
"So, Kuni, what are you doing here all by yourself? Not many people come around here so I usually use it to write my poems and haiku.. Is there any particular reason you're here? Do you want some company, perhaps?"

'Kuni.. what a cute nick name' I thought to myself.

It was true that not many people came to this spot as I had walked around it many times in the past with mother, it was a lonely peaceful place to relax all alone. Looks like I also learned something new about the boy, he wrote poems. What a nice pass-time to do. 'Maybe one day he'll write one about me' I thought feeling my empty chest somehow getting warmer."I'm currently here because me and my mother had a disagreement so I fled to free my mind from bad thoughts.." I had admitted to Kazuha. He seemed calm about it, like he lived with similar issues. It's like we understood each other's pain.
"So you like poetry it seems.. Would you mind if I took a look?" I asked simply to the majestic platinum blonde boy sitting right next to me.
His eyes were wide open and his ears seemed a bit red. Maybe he didn't wanna share it.
"It's fine if you don't want to, I won't push." I affirmed softly so I wouldn't make him feel guilt for not showing me, no matter how curious I was.
It had been a few tens of seconds with no response.
"Kazuha?" I called out his name so he could snap back to reality.
"I-I'm all good!! Sorry, hehe.. It took me a bit by surprise you wanted to read my poetry is all!! Most people and family members always tell me to focus on my swordsmanship and fighting strategies.." Kazuha said, now this made me very slightly infuriated as he was seemed to be pushed out of his likings so he could risk his life for other people while he never gave consent to this.
"Kazuha, you shouldn't let your family members manipulate what you do and deprive you from what you love doing." I stated with confidence towards him. His cheeks looking a bit pinker, like a early sunrise.
"If it keeps going like this you can come over here, I'll be here from now on just for you. I'll stay quiet if you wanna write your haiku and I'll be there to listen to you if you need an open ear." I said reassuringly as I slowly and gently took his left hand in mine. His hands were soft on the tips but his palm had marks, probably from training and holding his sword roughly.
I heard him whisper something but it was pretty muffled and his voice was very low so I didn't understand it and shrugged it off. His head was down for a solid three seconds and when he lifted it up he spoke a few words that may have started something extraordinary.

"Wanna come over to my place? The Kaedehara estate, if you're familiar with it."
"Sure thing, Kazuha"

773 words
A/N
AYO ANOTHER CHAPTER DONE :D
Hope you guys enjoyed this!! Again this is my first book so it may not be perfect but I hope you people here will appreciate it :).