The breeze of air spread over the city streets, signifying that it was too late for Nobu to play outside anymore. He jumped down from the abandoned playground, grunting as he landed in the woodchips. The boy scrambled up, heading towards home.
Though it wasn't much warmer when he stepped inside, he was still happy that it felt more comfortable. He removed his shoes and ran to the old kitchen where his grandmother made his favorite dinner, yakitori.
"Hi, Grandma Ikue!" He said respectfully, bowing quickly to her before he ran over and peered at the food. Ikue was humming softly, seasoning the chicken. Though Nobu's grandmother didn't speak much, she was a wise and honorable lady.
Once the dinner was finished, Nobu and his grandmother sat on the floor, waiting for his dad, Isamu, to come home from the coal mines. Once he came home and greeted them with a fatigued smile, they all started eating after they prayed.
Nobu cleared his throat, excited to ask his dad quite a serious question. "Father, I heard a friend of one of my friends moved out of Yoshi. Can we do that someday?"
The first reactions from his grandmother and dad were confusing. She was laughing hysterically, and he was shaking his head disapprovingly. What was so bad about asking?
"No, Nobu. We can't afford it. And besides, shouldn't we wait until it's just... you and me to move?" His dad said. Nobu found that insulting. Move without his grandmother? How was he supposed to live without her!?
But his grandma kept laughing, even through dinner. When they got ready for bed, while Nobu was picking out clothes to wear the next day, his grandmother came in with a smile.
"You love your Father, I know you do, and he can be irritating sometimes. But if you go and try to find the woods outside of our city for us, I'll be sure to tell your Father it was the right thing to do. He'll fully understand. I raised him well."
Nobu considered it for a moment before looking back up at his grandmother.
"Sure. If I want to see out of this large city, I will."
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