Moonlight Between Us - Chapter 1 – The Boy Who Sat Beside Me

Amara’s Diary – Entry #001 (Private Chat to Self) **They say pain makes you stronger. But I don’t want to be strong. I just don’t want to be alone anymore.**

📍 Scene: Village Martial Arts Dojo – Evening Training Class 👤 Only students: Amara (13), Hattori (15), background kids, and Sensei Ojiro

Sensei ojiro(senior)

Form your pairs. Practice the defensive block combo we learned yesterday. No excuses.

adult

Ewww. No one pair up with Amara, he smells like mud again 😷

villager 2

Why does he even come here? He’s an orphan and pathetic.

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

(quietly picks up his wooden sword and goes to the corner alone) 😔😖

kanzo hattori (age -13)

(Steps forward without hesitation) I’ll pair with Amara.✋😊

() means action “” means they are thinking

adult

What the hell, Hathori? You serious?

kanzo hattori (age -13)

Yes, offcourse... Atleast he is way better than you .

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

“is he serious, will he pair up with someone like me??"😖

villager 2

Tch... fine. Don’t come crying when he stabs your foot. 😒

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kanzo hattori (age -13)

You ready???😊

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

Why are you doing this?? 🧐

kanzo hattori (age -13)

Because I hate injustice. And I hate bullies more.

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

“So he is not doing this for me 😔"

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

That’s not a reason to talk to me.🤨

kanzo hattori (age -13)

No. But it’s a reason to stand beside you.😉

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

“badum-badum"😳

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[They begin the drill — Amara stumbles slightly]

kanzo hattori (age -13)

Your form’s good. But your stance is too tight. Relax your shoulders.

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

Nobody’s ever corrected me like that before…

kanzo hattori (age -13)

Then they’re not training you. They’re just passing time.

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

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Amara’s Diary – Entry #002 **He didn’t flinch when the others laughed. He didn’t hesitate to hold my arm and guide me. He didn’t see an orphan. He saw a partner.**

.......

After class – Walking back together

kanzo hattori (age -13)

How long have you been training?

kemumaki kemuzou (amara, age-11)

Since I was 9. I had to learn to defend myself.😔

kanzo hattori (age -13)

And now you’re going to learn how to win. With someone on your side.😉😁

That's all 😉