Young Kodama: The Fugitive

It's a dark and stormy night at the Kodamas house and Kodama is completely bored. He wants to play baseball outside but a soaking Pablo arrives and tells him he can't go out. Kodama shuffles off to his room, wishing something exciting would happen. He gets his wish when Fletcher shows up unannounced in his room, dripping wet and urging him to keep quiet because the police is after him.

Kodama asks his soaking friend what happened and learns that Fletcher blew up the mailbox in front of the grocery store where Kodama's dad works. Fletcher is afraid to go home so he pleads to hide out in Kodama's room for a few days until he figures out what to do. Kodama is glad for some excitement and, after promising not to tell anyone, he goes downstairs to not-so-subtly sneak Fletcher some dinner. His attempt at acting normal immediately has everyone suspicious but Kodama quickly grabs his dinner, claiming he needs to eat in his room because he has a lot of homework. Once upstairs, he finds Fletcher has changed into some of Cry's drier, but smaller clothes before he can eat the meatloaf Kodama brought, Obama waltzes in and believes that Kodama is hiding a puppy. He goes along with it, distracting Obama long enough for Fletcher to hide in the bathroom. Unfortunately, his mom needs to use Kodama's bathroom and Fletcher manages to sneak out the bathroom window and back in through the bedroom window. Obama catches him and simply demands they do his household chores in exchange for his silence.

The next day at school, everyone is discussing the cherry bomb incident. Fletcher isn't in class and never went home so Mr. Pablo asks anyone with information to speak up. When Kodama blurts out some details of the event, Zendaya accuses him of covering up for Fletcher. Mr. Pablo moves it along and starts his lesson on The Tell-Tale Heart. As he reads a passage about the protagonist's guilt, Kodama feels his own heart beat in fear and worry. Kodama rushes home and almost gets caught by Amy but, though she seems to know Fletcher is hiding under the bed, she doesn't say anything about it. Kodama frets about being caught and his dad, who also seems to know about Fletcher hiding under the bed, tells Kodama that he knows about Fletcher blowing up the mailbox. He relates a story about a kid in his neighborhood whose behavior escalated, just like Fletcher. Then he sternly tells Kodama that no matter what, Kodama should always tell him the truth and if he ever does something like Fletcher did, don't be afraid to come home.

After his dad leaves, Kodama finally decides it's time to confess to his parents and thinks they might help explain the situation it to Fletcher's parents. However, Fletcher rushes out the window before Kodama can bring his dad back upstairs. Kodama confesses to both his parents about hiding Fletcher and they merely say that they knew all along. Pablo elaborates on the story about his friend and reveals it was him. He stole stole and vandalized property as a kid but he had a friend like Kodama who led him down the right path. Mr. Pablo finds Fletcher sleeping in his classroom. At first, Fletcher thinks Kodama told but is quickly told otherwise. Mr. Pablo thinks Fletcher is causing harm to his friendship with Kodama by lying and making Kodama lie. He uses some canvas as a prop to show how even the smallest rip can tear something very strong apart. When Fletcher asks if Mr. Pablo will turn him in, Mr. Pablo simply replies that he won't have to and leaves.

That's the moment when Kodama arrives with a backpack. Fletcher had contacted him earlier for some supplies but Kodama didn't bring anything; except for Fletcher's parents waiting outside. Fletcher wants to run away again but Kodama pleads with him to come back to his "side of the line". Ultimately, Fletcher agrees and leaves with Kodama to face his punishment. In the end-credits tag, Kodama and Fletcher excitedly reunite after a month (and do a little dance). Pablo is watching a game going into last minute, Amy is finishing up an important spreadsheet, and Obama is just about to score a date with a girl on the phone. Suddenly the power goes out and everyone is upset and confused until Pablo realized the electric bill he paid was put into the mailbox outside his store. Fletcher bids a hasty retreat, leaving the Kodamas family in the dark.