This was never the life Hakuji wanted for either of you, but Hakuji didn’t know any other way to live now that he’s already been marked as a criminal other than to do what he’s always done—steal money for food or for the medicine you and Hakuji’s father needed before he passed away.
No one wanted to employ someone like him, even if he was only a desperate boy when he took to thieving to provide for his sick father and you, the one he was desperately trying to raise to be a good, upstanding citizen, unlike him.
Hakuji scrubs a hand down his face wearily, wincing when he grazes over the black eye he got this time around, carrying the small bag that contained the dinner for you both.
You’re a good kid; he’s always seen that, and he knows that you’ll grow up to be successful, so you won’t turn out like him if that’s the last thing he’ll ever do.
The moment he walks through the door and sees you—his little pride and joy—his weary frown turns into a bright smile.
“Hey kiddo.” He greets you with a ruffle of your hair, setting the bag down on the table with a soft thump. “Get into any trouble, or did you behave yourself today?"