kuma-san and shika-kun, two critters that handle their autism differently! these two were my own interpretation of my journey through self-diagnosing my asd!

social cues can be really hard to interpret sometimes, and shika is the embodiment of that. the social conventions in japan make me terrified to try and go there, i've built a support system to not worry so much about my awkwardness or my percieved rudeness, but kuma-san wasn't so lucky. to make it in his company he had to work hard to put on a mask and just follow the social rules, like a computer following orders and commands. for a while, he didn't even know he was WEARING a mask! fear of oztracization kept him in his place.

shika here is always chastized by kuma for stuff he didn't even know was wrong, or worse, given a side eye or disappointed stare. but it's not like kuma doesn't mean well, it's him simply acting on instinct. he's getting better at expressing those emotions to shika, once you have a partner who gets your struggle, it's a good chance to step back and work out your anger.