he who said hello

flower 8

This might have been the first time Tenko or Touya have ever seen Jiro truly annoyed. Sure there were times where they'd make him roll his eyes playfully or even make him wish he could change the way vegetables taste just so they'd actually eat them, but nothing anything ever like this. Doc sitting in front of the couch on her knees with her hands held above her head. And Jiro? He was yelling at her with a spoon pointed at her head. Now you might be asking where Ida, Doc's partner, was during all of this, well they were currently being preoccupied with Tenko and his drawings that he has done. Not to mention reading about his currently hyper-fixation on moths. Very important work, Doc was on her own for this one. Touya couldn't help but hide his laugh like a little shit in the corner while he just watched, he was sure Doc was regretting ever saying Jiro wasn't scary.

"Let me get this straight, you woke up with this brilliant idea to storm into my house because you haven't seen me so you not only broke in but you woke up the children." Jiro made sure to add an emphasis on the fact they woke up Tenko and Touya. She had no clue how long it takes him to get them both to sleep at a respectable time and then himself with still time to wake up before them so he can have everything prepared for them to make breakfast together. Jiro  wasn't even sure why he was asking, he already knew the answer.

The thought of the two seemed to immediately snap him out of his lecture mood. Before either people in the room could blink, Jiro was across the room and coddling Touya close to him. "You were probably so scared, don't worry I'll make sure she never does it again. Are you okay?" L/n seemed to rush everything out in less than a second while inspecting Touya's face for anything remotely close to a traumatized reaction.

Touya couldn't pass up this chance. He's the oldest in both of his families, what do you expect? If there is any chance he can act spoiled and get someone else in trouble he'll take it. Not even trying to hide his devilish smirk he sent Doc, he began to act like a wounded deer. "I was so scared!" He fake sobbed while throwing his face in Jiro's shoulder. "I kept telling her to get out but she wouldn't listen! She just laughed at me and yelled saying she could do whatever she wanted! I tried to close the door but she forced her way!" It wasn't a complete lie, she did just let herself inside. He wasn't lying technically. Touya could practically feel the daggers going into his head from Doc's stare. Wasn't his issue though, he did warn her.

"She, yelled? At you?"

Jiro's tone was enough to make even Touya freeze. Yeah, she done fucked up. Barely having enough to cover his ears, Touya watched with the shrek meme face as Doc was whacked with the wooden spoon. The colorful language being used made Touya thankful Tenko was not currently in the room.

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Everything and everyone, aka Jiro, has finally settled down. While he prepared a quick brunch with the help of  Tenko, who was loudly explaining his conversations he had with Ida, Doc sat on the couch with a pout. Sure she knew Jiro wasn't fun to deal with when angered, but she doesn't remember it being THIS bad. She had a million stories for their school days about him being a little shit to people, especially in high school. But she never expected THAT. And to think! He's cooking like a housewife acting like nothing happened at all! But it was nice to see her friend acting livelier. It would be nearly impossible to see the change if you weren't close to him, she doubted Ida even noticed, but there was more prep in his step. She originally just showed up to do a kind of wellness-check on him. Especially since he hasn't been updating as frequently as usual.

Last time she was here she could tell L/n wasn't in a good mental place. The apartment was a mess. The cafe was rarely opened. Jiro was a mess. Every time she saw him she could tell he was being eaten alive by his work. Sure he loved being a writer, but she knew deep down some part of him hated it. Despised it even. It consumed him like a wave and drained all his strength as he tried to swim against the water. Yet he couldn't escape. It was all he had to escape the crippling reality he had to wake up to everyday. Doc wasn't sure when Jiro's depression got bad, perhaps it was after college or even before that, but she was glad he was feeling better. Even if she felt butt-hurt about being scolded by her best friend, she couldn't help but smile as she watched Jiro in the kitchen. The small laugh he'd let out as Tenko spoke with him was enough for her. As long as he was happy she guessed she could let the scolding go today.

Or maybe not. "I didn't know you were a father Jiji." She teased with the name she called him when they were kids.

The nickname enough was enough to make Jiro groan as he sent a playful glare to his friend, "Yeah and they're yours. Pay child support or get out." He barked back quickly while finishing the second egg omelet. Tenko didn't even bother to pause his little ramble about Ida as he mixed more eggs in the bowl in front of him. Ever since he first came here he has been more hands on with everything. Everything Jiro did, he'd want to help. Whether it be cooking or cleaning tables in the cafe, Tenko was there beside him. Because now, he finally could.

Ida stifled a laugh  as the two friends bickered. They knew there was nothing going on between the two so they calmly read their lips from beside Doc. Besides, this was quality entertainment!

Going along with the charade, Doc points an accusing finger at Jiro. "I did my best for these kids! You can't keep them from me! They're mine just as much as they are yours!" Yeah, she was proud of her friend for coming this far. It isn't everyday you get to watch the life return into your friend's eyes. She wasn't the only one who was feeling happy for Jiro. Touya could barely contain his smile either as he watched his guardian and little brother making food. His past self never could have imagined things going this way, but even if he was thrown into the past with no memories he'd find a way to make it back home, back to them. His only regret is not being here since day one.

Its been a good three or four months, my bad. I probably haven't moisturized my tattoo in that long either, ha.

Did I do some self-analyzing in this chapter? Yes I did, what are you going to do about it? That's what I thought. Every single character is basically another version of me, so ha.

I think we deserved some Jiro lore, we've only seen the happy side of him. But we also need to highlight the other side of him. Depression comes in waves and is not something easy to overcome, especially alone. I'm not saying Jiro is "healed" but even happy people can have depression. It isn't something to hide, so I don't think it should be ignored. Even if he is a fictional character.

This book will follow the canon birthdays and such, just not the ages. I kinda forgot how old they were here lol, I think I said 5 and 11 though. I'll figure it out by the next chapter.