It Can't Be You

Childhood Memory

(Ryouta's POV - 8 years old)

We now moved in to our new house, and I gotta say. Not too bad, not too good, but just balanced enough for it to be called a true house. I'm Ryouta, I live in Tokyo. Currently, eight years of old and is planning on an extraordinary adventure that's starting in my life. Eight years of boredom? How could that be extraordinary? I thought to myself for a while. I might start living by myself when I'm done with my parents.

No offense, I love them with all my heart. But some weird voices keep whispering in my ear that I was born for this. To run away when fully grown, matured, and well.... have a girlfriend at the least.

Dad was carrying all the boxes from the truck we were in. First things first, we moved because of some problems we had in our former neighborhood. I wasn't really the person who would mind such intolerable things. Like those naughty kids throwing eggs at our roof, they even built an organization called "Unstable Squirrels". And the quarrels at night are always nonstop from the neighbors. Even dad needed to use his shotgun to shut the neighbors' loud yaps all day and all night. Wasted bullets.

The new neighborhood we are in wasn't that half bad. My mom took a deep breath and stepped outside of the truck's shotgun seat. How happy she is to be away from endless screams of arguments. Aside from that, I have to help dad with the boxes full of our stuff to be a good boy in our future for now. 

"Son, its fine. Your old man can handle this." He proudly said while tapping his elbow that showed sweat filled with determination. I don't know how, but I think I inherited dad's full cockiness and that perseverance he's showing. 

"Dad, I'm not just gonna stand there in the sidewalk and admire the scenery." I said, lifting up a big box.

"Son be careful that's..!" 

Due to the extreme weight this box has. It could've killed me.... Or even my arms. If I didn't get alerted by dad. My arms might have been dislocated right now, and just when moving to another neighborhood was nice. From the very start, my family knew I was a showoff. Hell, I don't care as long dad has that. I'm quite thankful I inherited it.

"I told you so. Why don't you support me by lifting up the few small boxes in the back of the truck that are good enough for you to handle." My dad laughed at me. It wasn't a sort of mocking type, but a warm and sincere one. I just pouted as a reply and turned my back to face the white truck.

"Oh Ryouta, let mommy help too!" My mom was very cheerful. I guess that's how I maintain a fun side with my friends back at elementary. This cat face mom has, how could I not resist it? So I just let her be and we both contributed our energy into this simple chore. 

Dad took a rusty old key from his right pocket and unlocked the antique-looking door. Then it's cleaning time!

After like 30 to 40 minutes, everything got settled in. We even took a picture as a memento. Once that was done, I explored the house with every last inch. This could be enough for us, even though it only has two floors. Back at my old house we had like four floors. We didn't care how our house looked like as long as it provided comfort and warmth. Good boy much? I stormed right away upstairs. For some reason, every kid is curious of whatever is up on a 2nd floor. (Some kids do it you know.)

"Ryouta, there's a few boxes here in the living room. Is this yours son?" My dad asked with a loud voice, arranging all the canned foods in the cupboards. The kitchen was near the living room so its audible also up above. 

"Yeah, I'll be right down to get it, hold on a sec!" 

I was on the second floor and my room is what I dreamt it would be. Classic and tidy. All I have to do is just arrange some of these old stuff in the drawers. If there is some in the bed maybe I'll keep it....

I opened the closet and a small TV is present in my field of vision. What the...

What kind of person would put it here? Probably someone who doesn't want to get disturbed to watch his favorite children TV show or something.

"Son, here." Dad was carrying like five small boxes. Either way, he's more tougher than I am since I'm just a kid. I even have difficulty carrying one box. He planted it down on the ground and he laid down on my bed.

"So? How do you like the new house?" He started the conversation.

"Its fine. I don't really care if we move from one place to another."

"And son, I'll give you this.." Dad gave me some kind of a necklace with a small statue that resembled a dragon with majestic angel wings. This was odd. Dad wasn't the Santa type to do this kind of thing. 

"Um... Mind telling me what it is?"

"Of course, its a dragon necklace. Your grandfather gave me that when I was your age."

"So is it kind of a ritual to give it to my son when I'm a father?" My dad laughed. I still don't get it.

"Son, all my life I had regrets and some hard decisions to make. I really struggled throughout my entire life. When my dad gave me that, things began to turn around and poof! Look at where I am now. I have a future, a job, a great wife, and a really incredible son!" Patting me in the head made me smile? 

"Now son, I know this necklace doesn't bring you good fortune. But keep it with you at all times. Whenever you feel like giving up, you can hug on that." Feeling like a gratified son, I just nodded and gave my thanks.

"So clean up your room then you can go outside. I heard there's a nearby park here. Why don't you go to the playground?" 

"Sure dad. And thanks again."

Dad smiled warmly and closed my door gently. I can still hear his footsteps becoming void to sound.

Why don't we give this a shot? I'll just go to the park later. Right now I'm gonna check if that TV is still alive.

How'd you like the first one? This isn't a first chapter! This is just a memory of Ryouta. Anyways, the next one might come. So I hope you enjoyed this first woo hoo!