Childhood Phase: The leader of the children.

-"Time has passed quickly. I spent my first Tsumiki (月見) getting to know my maternal grandmother."

-"She was the spitting image of my sister, only older."

-"She didn't show many expressions."

-"She's the only family that has come to visit us since I was born."

As I lifted another book, it fit snugly into the small red backpack.

-"My mother looked very happy when she decided to spend Shichi-Go-San (七五三) in her hometown. Now, my parents don't have many responsibilities, and they want to visit my grandmother more."

Closing my red backpack, I grabbed the hat on my bed, checking my surroundings to make sure I didn't forget anything.

-"I think for my 5th birthday, Kizuna will be 7, almost 8, so they like the idea of two of their children celebrating at the same time."

Looking at myself in the mirror, I see a boy with gray eyes and black hair, looking ordinary. I don't think I'm ugly, nor attractive.

-"This is my face."

-"This is me right now."

-"I'm going to kindergarten."

After finishing shaking the blue shirt I was wearing, the sound of the door was heard.

Someone was knocking.

-Kids, I'm coming in.

My mother, upon entering the room, looked for me on the futon next to my older sister.

-Kai-chan, wake up; it's your first day of school. Kizuna-chan, you must wake up too.

Turning her head, she looked at me standing in front of the mirror, holding my hat with both hands.

-Good morning, Mom.

-Good... morning... Kai-chan.

She seemed a bit confused to see that I was ready before she arrived and to see my sister still lying down.

-Wake up your sister; tell them they need to have breakfast.

-Yes.

My mother quickly regained composure. After blinking, she put on a smile and left the room.

-Well, Kizuna, you must wake up; you heard Mom.

Approaching my sister, she lifted her head with a look that seemed like a ghost emerging from its superficial crypt.

-I don't want to, Kai-chan...

-Come on, Kizuna, you shouldn't be late on your first day.

Pouting, I helped her get up to head to the dining room.

-Ohh, Kai, Kizuna-chan, as always, ready early.

-"Although I'm the only one dressed." Good morning, Dad.

-Good morning, Dad.

Sitting at the table, I could see my little sister Masaki in her chair with cushions on the other side with my father.

-Nii-nii, good morning.

-Masaki, good morning.

Kizuna took her chair to be next to me.

-Every day my children grow faster.

Yesterday, Kizuna-chan was in kindergarten, and now Kai is the one taking her place.

-Yes...

Hearing my father's words, my sister seemed a bit disheartened.

-Both will take the first step of going out alone, one on foot and the other by train. I can't be more excited.

-"Speak for yourself. If this were California, you wouldn't dream of sending kids to the street." I'm excited too, Dad.

-Are they going?

Masaki glanced in my direction, alternating her gaze between Kizuna and me.

-Yes, they have to go to school.

-No want to.

The girl next to my father started puffing her cheeks and pouting as her eyes began to fill with tears.

-Uh, Masaki-chan, your brothers have to go to school.

-No want to.

-But we have to go, Kizuna, please help me.

-I don't want to go either.

When she spoke the words that a girl her age should say, I was surprised to see that she was in the same condition as Masaki.

-Kizuna, why?.

-You won't be by my side.

-Nii-nii will leave me alone.

Turning to my father, he just started playing with a fork in his hand while whistling.

-"I think you leave me a lot of responsibility when it suits you." Sisters, could you listen to me?

Both inherited my mother's stern look, but I shouldn't be afraid in these situations.

-"Relax; everything has a solution." Masaki, in a year, you can accompany me to class to walk to school every day.

The girl next to my father stopped pouting, even with tears in her eyes.

-Kizuna, if you start taking the train every day, you can guide me to go to elementary school, and you can always hold my hand.

Masaki, with a cleaner face, jumped in her chair while Kizuna's eyes looked at me with more affection, showing a faint smile.

-It seems that you will depend on me, Kai-chan.

-I'll always be by your side, Nii-nii.

My father, wiping Masaki's face with a napkin, nodded his head, looking satisfied with the result.

 **********************

A classroom with many decorations of animals and fruits on the walls. We were a group of little ones sitting in front of a giant blackboard.

-"Even though I know I'm 4 years old, and the other kids are too, this reaction is exaggerated."

All the kids around me were crying, and the teacher was just watching how we behaved.

-"I think she's used to this reaction and just waits for us to listen so she can calm us down."

-...Yawn, Mom....

-...Where are they?...

-I don't like it here...

-I want to go home...

The teacher showed a smile to the kids who were rubbing their eyes with snot on their noses, sitting and yelling.

-They left... I'll never see them...

-"Well, although I've forgotten everything from my teaching career, it's time to improvise." It's not like that.

Leaning my hand on the shoulder of the kid in front of me, when he turned to look at me, his eyes could be seen filled with tears.

-*Sniff* What do you know?

Well, we're in the same situation, but tell me, what did you bring to school?

With the other hand, I pulled out a tissue to wipe his face.

-My dad left me his favorite book, and my mom gave me this handkerchief.

-*Sniff* My mommy gave me a spell to be brave.

-"Yes, kids understand with basic things the affection of their parents. I think I'll calm everyone down before I get sleepy." Wow! So, you're the son of a witch.

Note:

Tsumiki (月見): Moon-viewing festival.

Shichi-Go-San (七五三): Literally "seven, five, three." It's a rite of passage for children of 7, 5, and 3 years old, where prayers are made to Shinto gods for the future well-being of the children.