Haji-Weight Gain- Part 1

Hajime does stand out from other tanuki- too bad his kinfolk think he should embrace tradition in a big way. Enjoy!

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Hajime hated going home for reunions. Out of all the tanuki clans in Japan, his was the rowdiest, the most loutish, and, to his great dismay, easily the fattest. He had trained himself hard into a warrior of great renown— he had studied at prestigious samurai schools, taken in lessons from wise old masters, and become a stoic, redoubtable fighter with a reputation for his discipline and unimpeachable honor. The tanuki had honed his body into a mighty weapon, his body girded with lean and chiseled brawn that cut a heroic figure.

Oh, how his cousins couldn't stop teasing him over it, however.

"Is that a mochi ball, Haji? I thought you could only eat one of those each year!"

"Oh, be careful with those dango! Leave it near Hajime, he might get a sugar rush from the smell!"

Hajime took a deep sigh, centering himself as some of his cousins continued to cajole him. The muscular tanuki looked down at the others, all of them plush, round, and pot-bellied. "I'm not going to let any of you get to me. Perhaps you all are simply jealous that I can do what you cannot— keep control of my urges. I can afford one cheat meal for the reunion, but I assure you, I will not have any issue returning to my routine after this."

Hajime had been away from home too long; had he spent enough time back in Tokyo, his clan's hometown, he would have probably been much more wary about what he said, exactly. Because as soon as his small high-handed lecture was done, his cousins slowly began to concoct an idea.

"Return to his routine…?" One pudgy tanuki stroked his chin.

"Keep control of his urges?" Another mused, patting his thick middle.

"You know who has great control and discipline? Sumo wrestlers." The first tanuki grinned to his conspirator, winking.

"Oh yeah, you know, we better help out cousin Haji, then. I bet a sumo routine would go great for him. He's practically made for it."

"You know what, cuz? I think you might be right."