In comparison with easy Mitsu, who all through her youth was once thought of a section studying disabled, her cousin Kiku, who was once separated in age from Mitsu via just a yr, seemed to be a full of life, loquacious, smart lady, and it was once no coincidence that she used to be categorized a tomboy through her grandmother. the variations in character among the 2 women have been instantly obtrusive once they performed jointly. partially simply because she was once older, it used to be continuously Kiku who gave instructions to Mitsu, it doesn't matter what they have been doing. in the event that they have been going to sing a track, Kiku may first hum it after which order Mitsu, “Now you are attempting to sing it. ” Mitsu might cheerfully comply. Sooo chilly, it’s sooo very chilly! They’ve set fires on Mount Atago Hurry and are available! if you happen to come, you’ll be chilly! when you don’t come, you’ll be scorching! In her youth, Mitsu continually walked at the back of her cousin Kiku, performed the best way Kiku performed, and did every little thing Kiku instructed her to do. For her half, Kiku three 4 mi t su a nd ok ik u took at the position of Mitsu’s protector and regularly shielded her more youthful cousin from tough hooligans and wild canines. talking of hooligans, there has been a boy who lived now not faraway from Kiku and Mitsu who continually had rivulets of eco-friendly snot coursing down from his nostril. because it was once a trouble to blow his nostril on leaves, he continually wiped it with the sleeve of his kimono. for that reason, his sleeves continually glistened, as if slugs had left slithering trails on them. at any time when Kiku and Mitsu performed bounce rope with another ladies locally, he could stare at them from a distance after which finally race over to pester them. This hooligan had an associate whom all people referred to as Crybaby. He was once a weakling who may burst into tears if he have been by myself while Kiku scolded him, yet he’d begin to swagger while Snotnose was once with him. Snotnose and Crybaby—these have been the enemies of the entire ladies in the community. even if she was once up opposed to one of many boys, even though, Kiku could tear into him and not backtrack. “You’re a good-for-nothing! ” she’d taunt him, and Snotnose could reply, “You’re an fool, and Mitsu’s a moron! ” Then Crybaby could repeat precisely what he had acknowledged. “Thug! Clown! ” Kiku could snap correct again at them. This trade of insults could proceed for your time, with Snotnose jeering, “Mitsu’s a mattress wetter! I’ll wager you peed on your mattress final evening! ” “And you’re a rainy noodle! ” “Wet noodle? What does that mean?! ” “You don’t even understand what a rainy noodle is? It’s lengthy, yet it’s now not strong for something. That’s you—a rainy noodle! ” “You turd! ” “Snotty pug-nose!! ” Kiku’s string of desktop gun–like insults left either Snotnose and Crybaby speechless. at some point that spring— Kiku and Mitsu and a few in their girlfriends have been deciding on the lotus vegetation that lined the trails among the rice paddies. the massive night sunlight, orange as an apricot, had started to set, and Kiku propped a crown of lotus blossoms on her head and requested Mitsu, “What do you're thinking that? Aren’t I appealing? ” although nonetheless a baby, Kiku greatly desired to be a stunning lady. “Well!?