an extracurricular lesson [closed]

[perfectorder]

Characters: Death the Kid (perfectorder) and Yuuichi Tsurugi (itsalright)
Location: Park near training grounds thing
Rating: ...G?
Time: late morning, right after training
Description: After his snafu over how to properly address Yuuichi and realizing he is lacking in proper Japanese cultural customs, Kid decides to learn how to do it right. Or go crazy.

It had been a while since Kid had really tried to "learn" something that wasn't involved with Shibusen or anything pertaining to his duties as the current acting Shinigami. Then again, one could consider this unusual course as part of being a leader, but eh. Technicalities.

After finishing up with his usual help at training, Kid made his over at the arranged meeting spot with Yuuichi. After the day before, he was determined to learn whatever he could. He had even brought a notebook and a pen with him so that he could take notes to refer to later. Even back home he had procured numerous volumes of books to being his own self-study of his world's cultures, but he would have more a difficult time with those from completely different worlds that were not from some version of his Earth. He would have to address that later.

But for now he was quite eager to make this little step and had soon spotted Yuuichi, quickening his step as he raised a hand in greeting.

"Yuuichi? Sorry if I kept you waiting."

Comments

[itsalright]

Yuuichi smiles warmly at Kid and moves his wheelchair towards him a few feet.

"It's no problem at all, I just arrived here not too long ago myself."

[perfectorder]

Wait—wheelchair? Though he showed no falter in his step or any kind of expression other than recognition, there was one clear thought that sprang to his mind.

BREW, why do you keep bringing in people like this?

It was like his recent meeting with Nunnally all over again, which was probably why he was noticing this more than he may have had before.

But he just nodded and glanced over to a nearby picnic table. "I hope it wasn't too difficult. How about we move somewhere a little more practical?

[itsalright]

"Alright."

He had noticed Kid's glance and made his way over to the picnic table he was looking at a bit earlier. He stopped his chair at the end of the table and quickly ran through his head what he knew about Japanese culture, since that's what this meeting was for. He was pretty sure Kid mostly wanted to learn more about the different honorifics and how to properly address others but he was prepared for just about any question Kid might throw his way.

[perfectorder]

As Kid slid onto the bench closest to him, he set out his notebook, turning to a blank page and pen in his hand. He was not quite sure how to begin, so instead—

"I suppose we should start with the basics," he started as he looked over at Yuuichi. "But I'll let you take the lead. Just think of me as a beginning student." Since that really was what he was. But what he really wanted was for Yuuichi to think of him not as the city's leader but just another guy curious about another's culture.

[itsalright]

Well Kid sure was young enough to be thought of a student. And adorable enough.

"Alright. To start off, I want you to call me Tsurugi-sensei."

[perfectorder]

The most adorable.

"Tsurugi-sensei?"

He paused thoughtfully. "I've heard that used before—I'm assuming it means 'teacher'?"

[itsalright]

He nods.

"Yes, it does. You could also use it when addressing those with high academic expertise, like doctors or scientists, but the more common term for them is 'hakase'."

[perfectorder]

This was definitely new and interesting. He quickly noted these down.

"Yet they are used interchangeably?"

[itsalright]

"Well typically, 'sensei' is used more by children but yes, they are interchangeable."

[perfectorder]

"Hm...I see." Interesting. Very interesting.

"So...Tsurugi-sensei."

He had to admit he felt a little odd saying it, and it probably did come off awkward. But he would just have to get used to it. "What would you call the student?"

[itsalright]

"A lot of the time, teachers call students by their last name. They usually add on '-kun' or '-chan' to their names, as well. So instead of calling you Kid-san, I would call you Kid-kun."

Or Death-kun.

[perfectorder]

Kid had also heard these suffixes used a few times before.

"Hm, if I recall correctly, the suffixes usually denote some kind of symbol or sign of respect to the other person, right? What do they mean in this case?"

It also never occurred to Kid that his lack of a "formal" last name might be strange. It still did not.

[itsalright]

"'-kun' is used by people of senior status in referring to those of junior status or by anyone addressing to young males. A lot of the time, females use '-kun' to address males whom they have a strong attachment to or whom they've known for a long time. But '-kun' is also a unisex suffix, though it's used to address females mostly when they are a close friend or family member, and sometimes teachers may address their female students with '-kun' as well."

He waits for Kid to write that down before going on.

[perfectorder]

Oh one can bet Kid was writing that down, and in such a neat and precise manner.

"I see...so it's also another way to show the type of relationship or familiarity two people may have with one another?"

[itsalright]

"Yes, it is. There's another suffix that's used like '-kun' but it's used mostly with girls or children. That's '-chan'."

[perfectorder]

"So there's also gender defined ones..." He noted this down. "And it's used in the similar way?"

[itsalright]

"That is correct."

[perfectorder]

"Interesting..."

And he noted this down, making a few other notes as well. So in some respects, it was not too dissimilar from the English "Mr.", "Miss", and "Mrs." in terms of politeness and formality. There were of course others. But it was different for other use, such as for peers and those of similar age. That was something he would have to get a little used to.

"What else is there?"

I am the worst at late tags I'm so sorry

[itsalright]

"Well there is also '-senpai'. Senpai is used to address senior colleagues. If, oh say, Evans-san was a grade or two higher then you, you would then refer to him as Evans-senpai."

/patpat it's okaaay

[perfectorder]

Kid thought over this.

"Really? We don't have that sort of differentiation here." Though he does wonder how it would be like if they did. "I take it this is part of the culture?"

;u;

[itsalright]

"I'm not sure if any other countries differentiate like we do in Japan, but it is a part of our culture, yes."