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It’s been a year since the away mission that they had to Aftokrator. Tamakoma-2 was able to join after the selection exam and was able to accomplish the goal that they had decided the moment they decided on their team.
Chika was able to reunite with both her brother and her old friend. The latter was serving as a maid in, ironically, the house that Hyuse’s master was in. Speaking of the horned Aftokrator soldier, He was able to return to where his master is and was able to protect him from Hyrein and his other people when they tried to take his master as a sacrifice to which he revealed to the entire House of Erin. To say that it wasn’t taken well is an understatement.
Taking advantage of the chaos that came from the outrage that was born after hearing Hyrein’s plans, the Border agents had spread throughout the place to search for the kidnapped agents– or specific people for Ninomiya Squad and Tamakoma-2’s cases.
The kidnapped C-Ranks were underneath the headquarters of Hyrein and his people so they had to fight through multiple soldiers and skilled trigger users to get through. They got a clue as to where Hatohara, Rinji, and Chika’s friend– Aoba were. It seems like they were placed under a house that was under Hyrein’s rule after being captured. They weren’t killed since at that time, they had other things to focus on especially after the announcement that the god of their planet will soon reach their limits.
The agents that were scattered– Ema, Chika, Tsuji, Yuma, and Kageura were heading to the location that was marked on their radar but was cut off by the surrounding lamps and buildings suddenly being sliced down
“What the hell is it this time?!” Kageura yelled as he flicked debris with his scorpion and dodged the ones he couldn’t
“It has been a while, Meeden’s soldiers. This time,” Yuma looked at the front and saw a familiar black trigger user and shivered, slight smirk threatening to break out of his face, “May I have the pleasure of knowing the name of the opponent who managed to catch me off guard?”
“As much as I would like to fight you, We have places we need to be in.” Yuma narrowed his eyes, calming down as he stared at Viza who was holding Organon.
“Don’t get in our way.” He held an arm in front of the other agents to stop them from the possibility of being sliced in half by Viza’s blades.
“That’s a Black Trigger user. He was part of the 2nd Invasion and the one I fought with then.” Yuma told the rest of the agents with him through the comms
“What are we supposed to do then? We need to get to the place before everything else collapses.” Ema asked and looked at the objective in the distance
“This old man….I can’t sense anything from him with my side effect… He’s like Kuga and Azuma-san.”
“I’ll hold him off. If you all find a chance, go to the objective.”
“But Yuma-kun….”
“Don’t worry Chika,” Yuma gave a thumbs up behind his back, “I’ll be fine. I promise you.”
“Let’s trust in him, Amatori-san.” Chika slightly nodded in acceptance at Tsuji’s words
Viza stared at them before looking at Tsuji and Chika and suddenly started talking, “A few years back, a nation had tried to negotiate with Aftokrator to hold an alliance. They brought people to trade with–since they were a country that’s all brag but has no capabilities to back up the majority of it. The major houses had decided that they had no use for them but they needed to take the chance that the negotiating nation was giving.”
“Why is he suddenly–” /Yuzuru/
“Maybe he’s buying time?” /Tsuji/
“The major house that was in-charge of the negotiations was House Veltiston. I’m sure you are familiar with that name if you had gathered your information as I assume.” the Border agents gave no sign that they knew whose house that was– since that information wasn’t deemed necessary for other agents to know– except Yuma who looked at Viza in the eyes, especially since his side effect wasn’t activating, meaning that everything he’s saying is true.
“Tricking the nation, they decided to accept the people in Aftokrator but since they had no use for them, they placed them under House Ellin. The house that is on a revolt right now due to the information that you had leaked.”
“What are you actually after here?” Yuma questioned, not letting the male out of his sight and risking anything to happen right in the middle of this mission. Viza ignored his question and continued
“Amatori Rinji, Hatohara Mirai and her brother, and Harukawa Aoba,” this caught the attention of the agents who had connections to the people whose names were mentioned, “They were placed under House Ellin. You can go to them now before their compound collapses. The only one I have business with is that young man there. I’m afraid it’s a bit of a personal matter.” Viza pointed at Yuma
“Hatohara-senpai–!” “Nii-san!”
“What’s your decision, Kuga?”
“His business is with me…..I’ll catch up once we’re finished here. If anything happens then use the comms.”
“You better not croak here, shrimp!”
“Roger. Go!” At the albino’s signal, all four of them ran to the direction they were originally aiming for, Viza making no moves to stop them
“I’ll ask you again, What is your name?”
“Yuma. Kuga Yuma.” he relented and finally revealed his name
Yuma was surprised at the smile that appeared at the man’s face after hearing his name
“I was asked a favor to teach you if I managed to stumble upon you. But I did not expect that the person he was referring to at that time would be you…” Viza took out the sword version of Organon and faced Yuma
“Come at me. I’ll teach you what Yugo wasn’t able to do in time.” Yuma’s eye widened at the mention of his father, using his scorpion to create two blades.
“I happen to owe something to Yugo and you have caught my attention. Let’s see what that man managed to pass on to you before he died. I’ll return to you your partner if you manage to reach my standards.”
‘He’s not lying.’ was Yuma’s thoughts before they started the fight
—
No one knew what exactly happened between Yuma and the old man, they heard explosions from their direction but no one questioned the scratched up and beaten up teen since he was wearing a satisfied grin when he rejoined back with the other agents, hugging a repaired Replica close to his chest much to Chika’s surprise and joy.
“Replica-san!”
“It’s nice to see you again, Chika.”
‘I was able to take him and asked an old friend to repair him before Lord Hyrein managed to get their hands on him. Take care of each other. You two make a good pair.’ Yuma thought back to what Viza said before looking back down to his friend
“Welcome back, Replica”
“I’m back, Yuma. You’ve been up to a lot of things while I was gone.”
"You missed out on a lot of things while you were gone."
Well, they won’t ask him anything if it’ll keep that satisfied smile on the teen’s face a bit longer.
They finally managed to meet up with the missing people that they originally were looking for when they decided to join the away mission.
At first Rinji was surprised that his sister was part of Border. He asked if she was forced and glared at her team but was pacified when Chika told him that no, it was her decision and they were the one who helped her. Along with her brother was Ninomiya Squad’s missing sniper, Hatohara. Ema Yuzuru, Kageura Squad’s sniper who was assigned with Amatori and Kuga was looking at his mentor before tackling the said female who looked shocked that he was there and brought him close to her before apologizing.
“It’s been a while, Hatohara-senpai” Tsuji said from behind, looking at the female who had another boy that was hiding behind her. Her brother if they were right.
“Ninomiya-san was gungho in getting into the expedition mission to find you. Find him after the mission please.” Inukai said from the mini radio that the Border agents had strapped onto their waist. Hatohara looked surprised at seeing her former team and looked down and nodded, tears falling to the ground. “Yeah. Okay. I can do that.”
The mission was hard. That they can all agree with. Kuga, Kageura, Chika, Ema, and Tsuji had to defend all the missing people that they found as they returned to the away ship. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Amatori Rinji and Hatohara were surprised when multiple Ilgar had appeared and the remaining 4 members of the current regrouped agents simultaneously yelled, “Shoot them down, Chika!” to which the mentioned agent nodded and kneeled on one knee, equipping her Ibis.
“We’ll gather them in one spot, after that it’s up to you and Ema.” Chika and Ema nodded before the young male added, “Sure. But I don’t think my Ibis can compare to Chika’s cannon.” much to the younger girl’s embarrassment and to the confusion of Rinji and Hatohara who were panicking since they were familiar with the bombing Trion Soldier.
“What are you doing? We need to run or we’ll be hit by its bombs. That’s a Trion Soldier used for bombing.” Hatohara hurriedly informed the agents while hiding her brother behind her.
“We know. They were used in the 2nd Invasion by Afto in Mikado City. That’s why we’re taking them out now before they destroy any paths we need to get through.” Kageura said
‘2nd Invasion?’
Before they could ask about the 2nd Invasion, 2 Ilgars were shot down by Lead Bullets (courtesy of Yuma’s seals), and were pulled in place by a thick orange chain while one was pushed near the chained 2 with a large trion shot from Ema’s Ibis.
“Chika! Do it.” Chika aimed her Ibis at the aligned Ilgars and poured a huge amount of Trion into her rifle and pulled the trigger.
As expected, the gigantic ball of trion bullet went straight through the Ilgars, effectively destroying them before they could’ve hit their self-destruct mode which were more durable.
“As always, Tamakoma-2’s signature trion monster cannon, you never fail to live up to expectation,” Inukai said from the radio, somehow they can tell he was grinning just from the tone of his voice “It ended up decimating half of the flying Trion Soldiers in our side too. Nice support, Amatori-chan!”
But the fruits of their labor bore fruit when they were able to retrieve the people that they lost during the 2nd Invasion and Ninomiya Squad was able to get back their agent that they all secretly missed, Ninomiya in particular no matter how much he tried to hide it.
—
They got back to Mikado City with their mission successfully completed, along with the letter that is asking for an alliance with Aftokrator with the new head that was part of the higher ups of the new Aftokrator. They had to adjust a bit to being back in Japan, families were reunited with each other, conferences were held to give the people the information they wanted and to inform them of the success that their agents achieved.
A few months after the mission and when they finally adjusted to Mikado City after reaching the new year, Yuma’s trion body started giving out in the middle of a Solo Rank match between Yuma and Kazama, causing him to bail out without Kazama inflicting any injury nor him calling for a bail out which then alarmed the black haired male.
“Kuga? Hey– what happened?!” Kazama spoke through the communications between his booth and Yuma’s.
“Tachikawa, go to Kuga’s booth right now!” he yelled through the line between his and Tachikawa while quickly running out of the booth to go to the same place
In Yuma’s booth, the teen was clutching his right arm, face twisted in pain as sweat dripped down his head, cracks were spreading from his right arm and his left torso and the left side of his face. Replica was hovering by him, most probably trying to stabilize Yuma’s trion body
The door suddenly opened and they were met by a panicked Tachikawa and Kazama who looked at the white haired Neighbor’s condition.
They didn’t know why Yuma's ‘real body’ was cracking as if it was a trion body but they weren’t about to stay there and question it when the boy was close to crying from the pain that they guessed he was feeling, judging from his appearance.
They quickly rushed him to the medical center, carried by Tachikawa while Kazama contacted Tamakoma Branch through Yuma’s phone. Tachikawa was waiting for his turn to fight against the white haired neighbor but it seemed like he wasn’t getting it anytime soon.
They were startled when the teen started slipping in and out of consciousness, unable to muster the strength to even open his eyes despite the urging from both Tachikawa and Kazama. They met up with Utagawa and Kikuchihara on the hallway to which Kazama told them to quickly inform the higher ups– making Shinoda, and Rindo, who were nearby– rush to where Yuma was being held. Jin entered right after them and shared a grim look with Rindo.
Shinoda noticed the look that the two shared and asked them to explain what exactly is going on. The higher ups then called a meeting with the captains of the A-Rank squads and a few of the B-Ranks where Rindo and Jin explained the situation.
Kido and the other higher ups sans Rindo were surprised, hard enough that Commander Kido lost his composure a bit when he asked Rindo and Jin to clarify the fact that his friend’s son was dying. He might’ve come off as cold-hearted to others when the neighbor came but it doesn’t change the fact that Yuma is his close friend’s son and someone that he himself came to treasure like a family. There is a reason that he removed the kill order and the fact that he left the decision of using his black trigger to Yuma who can decide if the situation is an emergency for him to use it.
“He didn’t want us to tell anyone else….but it didn’t mean we weren’t looking into it.” Rindo sighed
“From what Yuma had opened up to us, During a war that they were helping Yugo-san’s acquaintance in, their enemy had sent a Black Trigger assassin. Yugo-san had warned Yuma not to leave the fortress but…well.” Rindo trailed off
“Yuma coincidentally ended up in the place that the assassin was in who then nearly killed Yuma if it wasn’t for his father. He arrived just in time - he was probably informed by Replica - for him to reach Yuma who was still hanging on to the last of his consciousness despite his limbs and eye being ripped off and created a black trigger solely to seal his body into and create a separate trion body for his son to live in.” Jin picked up from where his boss trailed off
“Yuma’s Black Trigger has 2 purposes, to seal his body and seal the wounds shut with trion to protect him and his real body while giving him a trion body for everyday life, and Second is to act as his weapon to protect himself, hence the ability to copy triggers once it’s fully analyzed. His body is covered in an armor-like outfit which makes most attacks useless.” Jin said, remembering when Arashiyama told him that Chano’s bullets didn’t do a thing to Yuma
“Since then, he has been living in a trion body. Since the trigger is dedicating nearly its entire being to stabilizing his dying body half of the time, his personal trion body is unable to do most actions like crying or sleeping.”
The cold atmosphere that spread throughout the room was enough to make anyone shiver if they walked in. They got what Jin was implying at the end of his words. The knowledge that Yuma’s life is bound to that Black Trigger– the same Black Trigger that they tried to take once before– froze the agents, who were assigned to that mission, to their seats.
“Despite how great Yugo-san was, he wasn’t able to fully save Yuma. His life is limited right now. If his real body inside the trigger dies, his trion body disappears, unable to regenerate and his dead body will return to the real world, too late for any help.” Rindo finished with a grim look
“Yuma…..he still blames himself up to this day for his father’s death. The original reason he came to Mikado City was to get his father back even at the cost of his life. When he found out we weren't able to do that…Osamu had to give him a purpose in life or else he would’ve wandered around aimlessly in the Neighborhood until he died.” Jin looked down to his hands and clenched them around each other.
Tachikawa, Kazama, Arashiyama, and Miwa were the only available A-Rank squad captains that were able to join the meeting with the higher ups at the time. They are also the only ones who now know the full story behind the black trigger Kuga owns and the tragedy behind it.
Miwa gritted his teeth thinking that someone– a Neighbor like Kuga– wouldn’t have known what he had felt when his sister died in front of him, wouldn’t have experienced something tragic, not with that personality he seemed to portray.
After the meeting, everyone was asked not to spread what Jin and Rindo had told them, despite them having Replica’s permission to tell the story to those present in the meeting. The present captains helped in ways that they could, paying a visit to the sleeping neighbor in the medical center in the HQ.
Yuma was bedridden for the whole week, unable to maintain enough energy to stay awake. All the agents that Yuma was able to get close to and were involved in the away mission were stricken to hear the situation regarding their favorite albino male. In particular, Midorikawa, Kageura and Murakami. They kept visiting the younger male who was asleep for the majority of the days that he was bedridden along with the said male’s teammates who kept checking up on him, unable to talk to his friends who looked at his state in silence.
Some of Yuma’s teammates on the Away Mission Selection Exam also visited once or twice– Utagawa visited with his teammates when they were free.
Kinuta and the rest of the research team started looking into the matter the moment Yuma was brought in. Kinuta was especially gung-ho to start finding a way to help Yuma after hearing the story. As a father, he can sort of feel what Kuga Yugo might’ve felt when he decided that he’ll give his life for his son to live. He’ll be damned if he doesn’t try to help in any way he can – he and his team tried to find ways to restore Yuma’s original body with the tech that they had but they didn’t have enough information. Even the information that Replica held that Yuma and he had analyzed wasn’t enough.
Right when he was nearing his limits, Izukacha and Raymond came to Meeden, bringing information and necessary equipment that they had in order to save Yuma.
“I made a promise to that idiot and Replica. I haven’t been wasting all these years doing nothing to fulfill it.” Izukacha replied to Shinoda’s question of why they were doing this.
“I made a promise to Yugo that I would take care of his son if something were to happen. But it’s Yuma’s decision to accept it or not but I don’t think he has a choice in the matter right now.” Raymond said
As if fate decided to be on Yuma’s side for once, Aftokrator - Hyuse’s master - had shared the remaining trion technology that they needed since Aftokrator’s trion technology are levels higher than theirs. It was the last remaining piece that will save Yuma from his death.
“It’s the least I could do to help him. He was one of the people who took care of Hyuse while he was in Meeden and he’s a Black Trigger user. There’s another reason but you don’t need to know that now.” or so he said
‘I’m willing to bet Lambiris and my supply of snacks that Viza was one of the people who contributed to the information from Aftokrator. The question is, When did he and Yuma get close?’ Hyuse thought as he looked through the informations and equipments that were sent
Izukacha had looked into the probability of being able to use Trion to regenerate body parts temporarily until it integrates into their body and will be self-sustaining, along with being able to adjust to the growth of its owner. The problem is that if the person who had grave enough injuries to match the criteria of this medical procedure is already dead, then no amount of regeneration will bring the person back. Luckily, Yuma’s real body is preserved inside his trigger and he had been conscious when he was given the injuries, hanging on to the little consciousness he had as his life bled out of him.
Once the trion parts finally integrate to the body, it’ll function like a real body– in other words, it’ll bleed, all functions that make it a trion part will slowly disappear. Unless you know that it was originally made from trion, then you wouldn’t be able to notice a thing. It’s a miracle procedure but the amount of trion it needs is so big that no one else will probably attempt it.
Thankfully, Chika was more than happy to give some of her trion for it. Hyuse reluctantly gave some of his too since he and Chika were the ones who had enough Trion reserves to still be okay despite depleting nearly half of their trion.
Raymond nudged the sleeping Yuma to wake him up, Replica hovering by his side, watching as Yuma struggled to open his eyes and look at who woke him up. The cracks already spread through his entire right arm, creeping up to the left side of his face.
“Ra…ymo..nd…?” His hoarse voice was hard to hear for those who were in the operation room, “Why…a…re..you..here…?”
“Izukacha is here to fulfill her promise to you about saving you. There’s a chance that we can save your real body.”
“But, this will be a gamble, Yuma. Whether this succeeds will depend on your will to live and to stay conscious. It’ll be painful. But we can't give any pain killers or there are chances it’ll hinder the procedure. Are you sure you want to proceed?” Raymond asked the boy that was looking at him with tired yet intense and determined red eyes which gave him the answer he needed.
When they began the procedure, Rindo, Jin, Kido and Shinoda were there to watch, behind a glass window that separated them from the operation. The remaining members of Tamakoma and some of Yuma’s close friends were outside the treatment room, desperately hoping that it would succeed.
Yuma looked at his left hand where the ring laid, looking melancholic as he did so before he balled up his fists and uttered,
“Trigger off”
They watched as Yuma’s hair bled back to black, his clothes switched to the bloodied uniform he was wearing back then.
The sight of Yuma falling back to the bed, bleeding out as his missing eye, arm, leg and left torso left the space of the black trigger that was keeping them from bleeding out wasn’t a sight that they’ll forget anytime soon.
The blood that Yuma coughed out came out continuously from his mouth, his eye widened the moment the pain registered to him, the machine started the moment he had released his black trigger. They could distinctly hear Yuma scream in pain as the pain of his injuries came back to him at full force, tears pouring profusely from his remaining eye while blood dripped off the gaping hole on where his left eye should be.
The people that were inside the room with Yuma - Kinuta, Izukacha and Raymond were clenching their hands on their clothes, trying to keep their composure as Yuma continued screaming as the limbs that he was missing started to come back as trion, screams dying down as his voice turned hoarse but the tears still continued to spill out, eye wide in shock and pain which indicated that the boy is still alive but in pain. The blood that was all over him was evident from the darkness of his hair and the paleness that his body gained from both getting his natural skin color back and the blood that he lost.
It was only a few seconds for the machine to do its work but it felt like years to the onlookers and most specially, Yuma himself. When the machine finally finished its job, it slowly returned to its original position and left the now black haired Yuma, limbs intact and barely conscious from the pain but alive. Realizing that it was over and that he’ll be fine, Yuma gave off a small strained smile and cried, this time tears of happiness.
“You did great, Yuma. Now rest and leave everything to us. You need all the time to recover.” Unable to muster up enough energy to stay awake as it is, Yuma trusted him and fell into the deepest slumber that he had, as if to compensate for the years that he wasn’t able to sleep due to his trion body.
Replica’s clone who acted as a communicator to the ones behind the glass windows - Rindo, Jin, Shinoda and Kido and the remaining people outside had informed them that Yuma will be fine but will be in a coma for two weeks and bedridden for another 2 weeks in order to recover. He’ll have to go through rehabilitation to be able to use his arm and leg properly again and help his left eye adjust.
This caused Jin to sag down the wall, Rindo holding him close to him. Jin shook as he cried, the fear of losing his precious junior and someone he had come to look at as a little brother had broken through the composure that the male normally wore.
“The future wasn’t clear…..It really was a gamble. Even if I knew that it was a 50-50, just knowing that I can’t do what I usually do to guarantee the best way–the future where he would live…..was terrifying” Jin whispered to Rindo who comforted him despite his own eyes tearing up
Shinoda and Kido looked worse for wear but you can see the relief that they had in their appearance.
Meanwhile outside the room, all members of Tamakoma looked like they had a huge weight lifted from their shoulders as they lost all their tension and the fears they had the moment Replica announced that Yuma will be okay. Kageura, for once, ignored the sensations he felt from the people around him as he was absorbed into the immense relief he felt when he heard that the chibi white haired male will be fine. Murakami sighed and sat on the floor, placing his face on his knees, closing his eyes as he relaxed from the news. Midorikawa was with Chika and Osamu. The latter was calming both Chika and Midorikawa as they sobbed in relief.
As stated previously, Yuma was deeply asleep for two week straight. He was placed in the medical room that was situated in the headquarters. His injured parts were bandaged as they will be sensitive for a certain amount of time, the left side of his face is also bandaged in order to let the eye adjust to its place and not overwhelm it with sudden light before Yuma adjusts to his recovered body. The A-Rank agents and the top B-Rank squad captains were told that Agent Kuga will not be on duty for an amount of time until he recovers.
Naturally, this caused a bit of an uproar but one of concern to the small agent. They were then told of the major injuries that the male received when he was 11 years old and the situation around his trion body in which he was in for the past 4 years. They only told them what they needed to know but did not pry too much into the story between Yuma and Yugo.
It took the whole agents by surprise. Not expecting that the small boy that acted so happy and serious during battles was in a situation like so.
Nasu in particular realized that that was the reason that Yuma was surprised to learn that she originally came to Border to collaborate with their research on trion bodies and health.
From time to time, agents who were informed visited the comatose male’s room, taking in the injuries that are visible due to the bandages and the new color of his hair.
Suzunari-1 left gifts and get well cards for Yuma to use when he recovers.
‘Rest well, Yuma. Everyone will be waiting for you to recover.’
Kageura Squad visited and left gifts in the same table that Suzunari-1 left theirs and prayed that Yuma recovers soon.
‘You better recover soon, shrimp. You owe me for the scare you gave me.’
Azuma Squad came as well, the two younger members of the team tearing up at the Yuma’s state while their operator placed down a gift on the table along with the others. Azuma patted Yuma’s head softly, carefully avoiding too much pressure on the head as he gave a soft smile.
‘Get well soon, Yuma. Everyone is worried about you.’
Kazama Squad entered right after Azuma Squad, holding their own share of gifts as the squad took a closer look at the patient on the bed.
‘He really looks peaceful like this.’
‘You wouldn’t expect that someone with his personality to have been in a situation that he was in. Knowing his situation now, it makes me a bit guilty trying to take his black trigger even if it was orders.’
‘We can’t change what already happened. Besides, we weren’t able to retrieve it anyways and I don’t think anyone else will be as compatible as Yuma for that black trigger. A father’s love will remain even after death. That also applies to the trigger he made solely for his son.’
‘They did say that Black Triggers are picky with their owners. Seems like Fujin is a bit of a special case.’
‘He better wake up soon. The official agents are so gloomy and quiet. It’s unnerving.’
‘Don’t be shy and just admit that you’re worried about him too. Normally you want peace and quiet.’
‘Shut up, Utagawa.’
‘Both of you, be quiet.’
Unexpectedly, Miwa Squad also came to visit the former white haired neighbor.
‘Woah. His hair isn’t white anymore. It’s pitch black.’
‘Is that your only take-away from this situation?’
‘Hey, I can’t help it. It was the first thing I noticed besides the amount of bandages he has.’
‘Miwa-senpai? Are you okay?’
‘I am.’
‘Shuji is just probably recovering from seeing the shrimp that always got on his nerves just by being a neighbor in this kind of state. He probably thought nothing could get to this stubborn lil dude.’
‘Shut up, Yosuke.’
Miwa looked at the boy who looked fragile on the white hospital bed, covered in bandages and still managed to look peaceful.
‘Both you and Jin…. Acting that way to hide what you really are thinking and feeling…you two really resemble each other in the worst ways.’ Miwa tsked and turned to look at the door to leave
‘Oh you’re leaving already?’
‘We still have defense duty if you didn’t remember’
‘Oh. He left a gift on the table.’
‘Tsundere– ack..!‘
‘S-Shuji…? You’re choking me….-”
‘So?’
Tamakoma-1 and 2 visited with Shiori and Yotaro
‘He really looks young like this….he’s so pale.’
‘He’s still asleep huh…? He does need all the rest he can get.’
‘He’s going to be amnesiac when he wakes up.’
‘Really?! That’s bad!’
‘That’s a lie, Konami.’
Konami decided to throttle Karasuma for making her worry like that which caused the remaining members to let out a quiet laugh.
Mikumo turned towards their comatose teammate with worried eyes
‘You really worried us didn’t you? You better wake up and tell us that you’re alright. It gets quiet at Tamakoma when you’re not there to terrorize Konami-senpai with Karasuma-senpai’ he grinned much to Reiji, Chika and Karasuma’s amusement. Hyuse snorted at the aghast expression on Konami which led to her swiping her fist at him in irritation
‘I’m sure he’ll be fine. He promised us after all.’ Chika said
‘Did you hear that, Yuma? Tamakoma is waiting for you. We’ll cook all your favorites when you recover so wake up soon.’ Reiji turned around to the remaining people in the room, ‘It’s time to go back. We still have things to do.’ which earned groans from them until he glared at them and looked towards the door. They reluctantly left, not wanting to be dragged out the doorway by Reiji.
None of them noticed the twitch of Yuma’s finger when they left.
— — —
It’s dark…
‘Where am I…?’
Oh right…The treatment..it was a success…
His missing limbs and eye were back. His hair was black again although his limbs that returned still feel weak.
Yuma smiled to himself knowing that he won’t die now and leave his friends behind
‘Is it really okay…..?’
But he still can’t help to have thoughts like this. He’s been living with the guilt of being the cause his father had to create the Black Trigger he now owns, he can’t help but be guilty of even being able to live. It’s not the easy to ease something like this.
‘It was my fault that Dad….’
‘He’s the one who should be alive right now…’
‘If only I listened to him…..’
Yuma looked down at his ring, red eyes dimming down as he fell into his depression and his intrusive thoughts.
As if to respond to his spiraling thoughts, his ring shone brightly to the point where he had to use his new right arm, weak but movable, to cover his eyes.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a bigger version of his ring around his body, circling him as it moved around with the sound of a clock.
“What’s this….?” he whispered. He froze when he saw something–no, someone, materialize in front of him, limbs frozen as his mouth slightly opened in shock.
“D..ad..?” Kuga Yugo looked at his son with a teary smile and moved forward to hug him, the ring extending its size to encompass both Yugo and Yuma. Yuma froze in the embrace, still trying to process what was happening.
‘Dad?What’s happening– why–’
“Yuma.” With just the sound of his father calling out his name, all control Yuma held over himself broke away, revealing a child who was seeing his father again. His lips quivered as he moved to clutch the mantle that his dad is wearing and wailed uncontrollably, not finding any other way to show what he feels and let out all the suppressed emotions he had ever since the day his dad died.
“Shh….Cry it all out. You did great, Yuma. I’m proud of you.” Yugo whispered, rubbing the back of his son who was shaking as he cried on him. And cried it all out he did. All the things that Yuma hid from everyone, everyone who didn’t notice what he was bottling up, everyone but Replica. When he arrived in Japan, Rindo-san, Jin-san and Osamu were added to the list of people who noticed what he was hiding. He was still 11 years old when his father died, but he couldn’t express himself since people expected something else from him.
All the years he tried to cry, to cry for the father he lost, to cry in apology, to cry because he missed his father’s warmth and laugh, to cry as he accepted the reality that his father was gone, giving up his life for his foolish son who couldn’t follow a single order. And yet, as if to punish him for it, his trion body was unable to cry. He was confused. Other trion bodies can reproduce crying, why can’t he?
Replica said that it might be because his everyday trion body was unique since it was made with a black trigger in that it doesn’t reproduce some things like how he didn’t need to sleep in order to maintain itself. The fact that his black trigger can generate a separate trion body for combat must take a toll on the amount of trion the black trigger itself produces and the trion gland that his real body has.
‘You might not be crying in your current body but your real body might be. After all, they are connected.’ Replica told him but he didn’t dwell on it, too lost in his thoughts.
All he knew is that he had no choice but to bottle it up inside him, wearing a false image of calmness, one that broke down everytime he returned to a cold room - cold because his father was gone - with no one but Replica who was inside the ring. He tore down the pillows in frustrations and yet,
He was still unable to cry
It was hard.
He was suffocating.
He wanted to end it all.
Replica stopped him.
Why whywhywhywhy–
It was his fault– he’s a monster who can’t even cry.
‘They don’t know your situation’ Replica said
He knows that
He knows that but it still doesn’t get rid of the pain in his chest
He was in a trion body that couldn’t feel pain, right?
Then why does his chest hurt ?
Why does it feel like someone grabbed his heart and was slowly squeezing it?
Why?
He just wants his father back
He will listen to him this time…
He won’t be cocky this time
He’ll listen….
Just bring his father back to him…
…..
Why was he smiling?
Why was his father smiling when he was making that black trigger?
He wanted to ask him that
Why was he smiling as he slowly killed himself to create this ring?
So when Replica suggested that they go to his father’s homeland, he agreed
Maybe they can bring him back
He doesn’t care if his dying body is brought back and kills him.
He just wants to ask his father why.
Maybe his father’s friends will be happy his father is back
He knew Replica said that they’ll go there to find a way to bring back his real body
He doesn’t care about that.
He was supposed to die anyways
It’s fine.
But when he arrived there, it was different from what he heard
Agents hated Neighbors and they wanted to kill him
Maybe he would’ve let them kill him if they can bring his father back. It was an exchange he’d gladly do.
They couldn’t.
Then what was the purpose of coming all the way here?
He’s not giving them the last thing his father left him, the thing he died creating for his stupid son.
He has no reason to live for now.
Osamu gave him a reason
He accepted it.
He’ll protect Osamu and Chika
He’ll teach them but not coddle them
He’s worried about Osamu’s sacrificial tendencies but placed it at the back of his head
He’ll protect them
No matter how reckless he needs to be– even at the cost of his own life
Replica said they sent agents after him and that Jin-san repelled them off
He owes Jin-san for multiple reasons now.
The Black Trigger on Jin-san’s waist was gone the next day and there were no agents after him
Someone gave up something again for him.
He wanted to apologize but he couldn’t find the words
So he bottled it in, along with the other words he wanted to say years ago.
…..
There was an invasion
He lost Replica.
He wanted Replica back.
He seemed calm but he knew that Jin-san knew that he was anything but calm
He wanted to just cry, cry and stop moving
He was so, so tired
He just wants to rest.
He doesn’t want to do anything anymore.
Why was everything being taken away from him?
He’s fine
He can handle this
He was the one who sent Replica away
Jin-san apologized to him
He doesn’t understand why he’s apologizing when it was his fault
It was Yuma’s decision that caused Replica to leave his side
Replica protected Osamu and Chika on his orders
He won’t get mad for him following his orders
He tried to find ways to confirm Replica’s condition with Shiori-chan– to give him hope and reassurance to Osamu that it wasn’t his fault.
She said he’s still alive since the clone from him was still there
No one knows—maybe Jin— how hard he clutched his hands around the small piece of Replica that night, afraid to lose the only thing that’s left of him
He’s happy that his friends are safe– despite him needing to sacrifice his precious partner
He’ll get Replica back with Osamu and Chika
He stayed in Border, he had fun, he found rivals that he can fight with, he worked hard with his teammates to reach their goal.
…..
They did it
They finally reached their goal!
But he finally reached his limits,
His real body can’t hold on anymore
He’ll die.
He already knew this but why did he suddenly feel afraid
Suddenly, the thought of dying now scared him
He wanted to die
But now that he will, he doesn't want to.
He asked this to Replica
‘It’s because you found people who are important to you.’ he replied back
Ah… so that’s why…
He feels sleepy….
He slept.
He slept for quite a bit until he was woken up
Raymond was there. So was Izukacha. Kinuta-san too.
They can save him, they said but it’ll be painful
He doesn’t care.
He’ll endure it. It isn’t as painful as the pain he has been feeling all these years
He can endure the pain
But it doesn’t mean that he can’t feel it
He can feel the sudden loss of his limbs, the sudden change in sight as he brought his body back from the trigger.
He screamed and screamed until he felt his throat go hoarse
He can feel his tears slide down his cheek
It hurts
The pain that he felt back then returned–
He can’t feel his arm and leg
His whole body hurts
He can’t see from his left eye— it hurts–
His head hurts– the pain is spreading through his whole body
It hurts really really bad.
When will this end?
He wants the pain to stop–
Maybe it’ll stop if he closes his eye–
No. He told Raymond that he’ll be fine.
He can handle it–
No, that’s wrong–
He will handle it. No matter what.
It’s finished
He’ll live.
He won’t leave his friends and family.
He let out a small satisfied smile and fell back to sleep, now knowing that he’ll be fine.
—
It took awhile for Yuma to compose himself, but he never let go of his father. Yugo understood that and waited for him.
He was watching all the time from the ring. He saw what his son went through. He wanted to comfort him but all he could do was watch. He watched over his son live -wasitreallyliving?- his son was willing to give up his life to bring him back. He wanted to protest but he couldn’t.
So he just continued watching over his son’s real boy in the form of a ring, circling around him, protecting him. He was able to watch his son go back to Japan. He was glad that he was having fun and was able to find people he can connect to.
He was a bit sad when he learned that Mogami died and became a Black Trigger. How ironic that both of them left Black Triggers behind. He can feel his rival from the black trigger. Maybe he was watching over his student from it too like he was to his son.
He was mad when Kido sent his agents to get his ring. He made it for his son. He won’t let anyone use it but him. Mogami’s student– Jin, he later learned – protected his son and for that he was grateful although it was with the price of giving up his black trigger. He could feel the hurt that Jin felt but he couldn’t comfort him. Both Jin and his son were in pain– but neither Mogami or he could do anything about it.
They were just kids, why did they have to go through all these?
He knew Jin must have seen Mogami dying with his Side Effect. He also had a guess that he blamed himself for not being able to change that future. Mogami doesn’t blame him. He wouldn’t. Yugo himself knew that. Mogami himself told him that.
Just like how Mogami and Yugo share some similarities, Jin and Yuma share the same self-deprecating personality and the ability to mask their emotions. Of all things for them to share–
He knew Yuma thought he couldn’t cry. He was. Not outwardly but he was. Replica was right. His real body was reacting to his emotions.
He cried when Yugo died. He cried when he came back to a cold room and clutched his ring. He cried when he lost Replica.
‘You’re not a monster.’ he wanted to say, hating those people that he helped in Calvaria for trying to deceive his son. He was happy that he was able to pass his side effect to his son. It’ll protect him from anyone trying to lie to him.
Yuma blames himself but Yugo doesn’t. Yugo chose that for himself and he would’ve done it anyways if his son was dying. He won’t let him die like he did to his wife. This time, he’ll protect him. His son is his treasure and for him, he would gladly give up his life for him to live longer. It’s more of Yugo blaming himself for suddenly leaving his son and for the suffering he caused to him when he died.
When his son’s body started giving out, he wanted to cry. There’s still so much more that Yuma needed to experience. It can’t end now. Not when his son is just starting to recover. Not when he finally pieced himself back together to give a genuine smile with people he found.
If he could’ve let out a teary sigh, he would’ve when his friend, Raymond and his daughter, Izukacha came with the news that they can save Yuma.
Aftokrator even lent their technology. Yugo was proud of his son. He was so proud even if Yuma couldn’t see it. He wished good luck to his son, prayed to whatever god was out there when Yuma’s real body went back to the real world.
He was surprised when his son was able to come to the space inside the ring. But he was finally given a chance to talk to his son right now and he wasn’t going to waste that chance.
“Yuma? Are you okay?” He asked
Yuma looked up from his father’s chest with red rimmed eyes, “Yeah…” he rasped out, separating himself from his father but not letting go of his hold on his father’s mantle.
“Yuma look at me.” Yugo placed his hands on his son’s shoulders “I don’t blame you for my decision.” Yuma was startled at his words, mouth slightly opening to talk but was cut off by Yugo continuing, “It was my decision and even if you hadn’t been attacked, and it was a different situation where you were still dying, I still would’ve done the same thing.”
“But why….It was my fault for not following–”
“I knew you weren’t going to follow.” Yugo interjected in before Yuma could continue
“Replica told me through his clone. I was so afraid that my heart was practically jumping out of my chest when I ran to where you were. I didn’t want to lose you too. So when I arrived I thought I had lost you when I saw how injured you were. But you held on. That was one of the reasons I smiled because I knew that this time, I wasn’t too late.” Yuma bit his lip as he listened to his father, tears threatening to leak down again.
It felt like a burden was being lifted up from his shoulders. His chest feels light …he wondered why…
“I was smiling because I wouldn’t lose you yet. That I was still capable of doing something to protect you. That was why I smiled despite you breaking my order. You held on long enough for me to interfere. That’s why I’m proud of you.” Yugo placed his hand on his son’s head and ruffled through it
Yuma felt weak. But he was happy. Happier than he ever thought he could be. His father answered his unasked question. He doesn’t blame him. It isn’t his fault…–
“I was watching you from the ring. I saw all your adventures and the new friends you made. I was able to see the people who I thought I wouldn’t see again. I don’t regret making this Black Trigger, Yuma. Neither do I blame you for it. That’s why,” he wiped away the tears on his son’s eyes with his thumb, “I want you to live your life the way you want, with the people you found, without blaming yourself. You need to talk to someone about what you feel. You can probably talk to Jin.”
Yugo placed Yuma in a tight hug that Yuma returned and buried his face on his son’s fluffy black hair.
“You said you couldn’t cry. But Yuma, your real body was crying the whole time. Even if you couldn’t express it outwardly, your real body had felt it and responded in return. I was watching you grow from the ring and I’m really, really, proud of you.” Yugo started tearing up, voice shaking as he continued
“You became strong, you learned so many things…I admit, I was sad when I thought that I couldn’t be there when you grow up. I couldn’t comfort you from here. All I could do was watch you and hope that what I had left behind and Replica would be able to help you, to protect you, and to provide you comfort that I can’t provide…”
“When you found a friend in Mikumo Osamu, I was happy. Because then I know that you won’t be alone. And then you found Jin who was wearing my dear friend’s favorite pair of sunglasses. You had some trouble with a few Border agents but you were able to get through it just fine. You met with Rindo. You lost your purpose to live but your friend was able to rekindle that…You were able to find people you can call rivals in Border. That's why I’m happy. Because from those things I witnessed, I can be reassured that I didn’t leave you for a life of loneliness.” He looked at Yuma in the eyes
“And that you can live without me with no worries.” Yuma frowned at his words but stayed silent. He had a hunch on where his father was leading it to but hearing it directly still…
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime situation, Yuma. It’ll never happen again. We’ll never see eachother again.” Yugo said, tears streaking down his cheeks.
“ I’m sorry… .for leaving you alone all those years ago….with those snakes in Calvaria…fighting in a war… you should’ve at least had a semi-peaceful childhood but–” Yugo’s rambling was cut off by Yuma who placed his hand onto his mouth to forcefully stop him.
“It was painful, not having you around anymore. I had Replica with me but he can’t replace you, Dad. I thought I was going to break down from loneliness. But I held on . I held on because I didn’t want to waste the life you gave me. Because I wanted to live for you and Replica .” Yuma gripped his right arm, feeling the phantom pain of it being ripped off despite it being fine right now
“Sometimes I couldn’t feel my right arm or left leg, as if they weren’t there. Seeing my white hair reminded me that I’m stuck in a Trion Body….I probably broke down in front of Replica multiple times the past few years before I went to Japan…” Yugo looked down in regret, hearing how his son had been when he had been left alone without his father to comfort him and be by his side
“ But ,” he caught his father’s attention, “I was able to meet so many people in Japan– in Mikado City. I was able to find new friends that I can live for, I was able to meet your old friends and learn some things about you. I was able to grow and find rivals in Border….they taught me a lot of things. It made the past years bearable…I won’t be alone….You’ll be watching me from the trigger aren’t you? Even if I can’t talk to you anymore, I’ll be fine…That’s why… Thank you .” Yuma looked up with a smile and bright red eyes
“Thank you, for giving me the chance to meet all these people and letting me experience all these things. Thank you for not letting me die all those years ago, Thank you for protecting me…,” he tackled down Yugo to the not visible floor, planting his face onto his father’s clothes and hugging him tight and continued thanking him, “Thank you for watching over me all these times….” his tears soaked his father’s clothes again as he continued on, “Thank you for raising me…..Thank you for teaching me all those things…. Thank you for being my father. ” He cried, hugging him tighter.
They stayed in each other’s embrace for a little while longer, letting all the tears that they kept inside all these years. Enjoying the last few moments that they will get with each other. Yuma enjoys the feeling of embracing his father again. Yugo soaking in the warmth of his son’s healthy body– not the nearly cold one that he had arrived to all those years ago.
A bright green light appeared on the side, a small green ball of light twinkled and approached the father and son. Yuma looked at the lump curiously, squinting at the faint shape that looks like…. glasses ? Yugo looked to the side and saw a familiar blob.
“Seems like your student is visiting my son right now, Soichi .” he grinned at the awestruck look on his son’s face.
“Looks like you were finally able to meet your son. I thought I was going to go deaf every time you talked my ears off.” a male voice came from the ball
“ Soichi ? Mogami Soichi? Jin-san’s mentor?” Yuma asked
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Yuma-kun. I am Mogami Soichi, Jin’s mentor and the one who left Fujin behind.” If a ball of light could bow then it probably just did
“What ears? A blob of trion like you has no ears, you dumbass.” Yugo snarked which earned him a bright light to the eyes, courtesy of Mogami who snickered at Yugo’s glare.
“Fuck you.”
“Serves you right, asshole.”
“Anyways. We don’t have much time left.” Yugo said after glaring at the ball, he looked at the Ring around them that was slowly shrinking indicating that they don’t have much time left, “Do you have any message that you want to pass on, Soichi?”
“...” Mogami turned to look at his rival’s son, “Yuma-kun….Can you pass on a message for me to Jin?”
Yuma nodded, “What is it?”
“ Can you tell that I don’t blame him for not being able to shift my future that day? I know that he’s been having nightmares from time to time which he wakes up crying from…Can you hit him over the head for me, Yuma-kun? Tell him that it’s for being too guilty about something that wasn’t his fault.”
Yuma blinked at the request in the end before grinning, “Yeah. I will. I’ll pass on your message to him too, Mogami-san.” Mogami thanked him
“I guess it’s time to go..” Yuma’s ring was shining again. He looked at his father with a longing look.
Yugo placed his hand on Yuma’s hair, “Go back to your family. We won’t see each other again. But we’ll always watch over you two.” Mogami agreed with him on the side
“Enjoy your life, Yuma.”
—
Yuma slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by a dark room, only lit up by the moonlight by the window. He couldn’t see anything from his left eye.
‘It’s probably bandaged. I can barely move my right arm and left leg…’ He could feel something wrapped around his head and the left side of his face.
He turned as much as he could to the left and saw Jin passed out on the chair, leaning on the bed by Yuma’s left arm. He slightly moved his left arm to give more space to Jin but the slightest bit of movement woke the male up.
“ Y-Yuma…? ” Jin’s sleepy voice whispered out
He let out a weak grin, “I-I’m back….Jin-san..” He replied with a hoarse voice, unused from being asleep for a week. Jin hurriedly took a glass of water and helped Yuma up the bed.
Jin let Yuma drink a few sips from the glass before setting it down and pulling him into a hug, careful not to jostle his bandaged left eye and right arm,
“You worried me so much….I knew you would wake up but I didn’t know exactly when….” he whispered, tears shining in his eyes
“I’m sorry. Seems like I caused some trouble.” Jin shushed him before he could continue
“Nope. No problem at all. I’ve just been a bit emotional for the past few weeks.” Jin appraised his junior’s new appearance and smiled
“Black hair suits you. Do you still have your father’s side effect now that you aren’t using the separate trion body?” Jin asked since he couldn’t properly see Yuma’s eyes from the barely lit room
“Try it?”
“Hmm….Kido-san bawled at the operation room–” Somehow he could feel the blank look that Yuma’s giving him from the bed.
“ Jin-san…you …. yes , I still have it. But did you have to say that type of lie…..? I imagined Kido-san crying like a baby and now I can’t get it out of my head.” he groaned much to Jin’s amusement from how he bursted out laughing
“You were crying in your sleep.” Jin said after he calmed down
“Oh..That– Huh…?” Yuma looked at the ring on his left finger. Jin followed his gaze to the ring, “As soon as your operation ended and you were placed in this room, Kido-san asked Kinuta-san to place it back on your finger. At first they were going to store it somewhere safe until you woke up but Kido-san insisted on placing it back on you.”
“I see….I thought he would’ve taken it….I guess I have to thank him..” Yuma caressed the ring with his right arm which took his energy to move
“If not, then I wouldn’t have met Dad for the last time…”
“Eh?”
“Jin-san I….met Dad…in the ring…He…..told me it wasn’t my fault ….that it was his decision to create the black trigger for me.” he clenched the blankets, feeling tears creeping up his eyes again
“You….met Kuga-san….? ” Jin whispered in shock, blue eyes wide open. Yuma nodded
“It’s a one-time thing….maybe because of the special nature of this black trigger that it was possible. I couldn't even process it then. But he really was there…” Jin continued to listen to Yuma on how they talked in the ring, that Yugo was watching Yuma from the ring and that he was proud of him.
In the middle of his rambling, Yuma started crying. He tried wiping the tears away but they kept coming. “Sorry– they just–” Jin pulled Yuma to himself and embraced him. “Let it all out, Yuma. It’s been due for years. Don’t bottle them up. I’ll listen to you.”
Yuma cried onto him, letting out soft sobs, thinking that he really won’t see his father anymore. But remembered what his father told him about living his life out. He started to calm down but stayed leaning onto Jin who transferred from the seat and onto the bed beside him so that Yuma could lean down on his shoulder.
“Thank you, Jin-san.” Jin grinned at him, “No problem! If you need a shoulder to cry on, I’ll be here for you.”
“I have a message for you.” Jin raised a brow, a message for him? From who?
“First is from Dad, he said “Thank you for protecting my son from Kido. If possible, Can you continue being his older brother?” ” Yuma looked away at the last part, ears flushing red, not noticing the sparkling eyes that Jin had who smushed his cheeks onto Yuma in happiness.
‘Why would you make me say this, Dad?!’ If the slight lighting up from the ring is a response from his dad then he was probably laughing
“Of course, otouto-kun~” Yuma flushed harder at the address but cleared his throat.
“The other one is from Mogami Soichi-san.” At this Jin froze in place, blue eyes wide open at the mention of his mentor, his hand unconsciously moving to the black trigger on his waist.
“He said that it wasn’t your fault for being unable to change his future on that day and that he doesn’t blame you for it. He knew that you were having nightmares over it from time to time. And,” Yuma raised his left hand and hit Jin in the head which brought him out from whatever trance he was in with a yelp
"Ow-!"
“He told me to hit you in the head for being guilty and crying over something that isn’t your fault.”
Jin stayed silent, wincing as his hand moved up to where Yuma struck him. He bit his lips hard enough that it looks like it’ll bleed.
He let out a shaky laugh while pressing his palm onto his eyes, “It’s just like him to give me a pep talk and ask you to hit me…. Damn it, Mogami-san…my head hurts…” he grinned, trying to wipe away the tears that fell down his cheeks– whether it’s from the hit to the head or the emotions he was feeling
/"You just recovered....how you managed to hit that hard is confusing me here, Yuma...."
"Pure willpower."
"Is that so.."/
“Mogami-san seemed really unique.” Yuma said.
Jin looked up with red-rimmed eyes before letting out a chuckle, “He is. He would be polite then later on would cuss you out.” Yuma and Jin continued sharing tales to one another, laughing here and there as they compared how Mogami and Yugo’s personalities are compatible and yet not at the same time. Jin pointed to the table nearby where Yuma squinted at the wrapped gifts he could see.
“Gifts? There’s so many of them.” His mouth gaped open in shock as his eyes twinkled before he turned to look at Jin.
“Who are they from?” he asked
“From the people who visited you. From what I heard some of them were from Suzunari-1, Kageura Squad, Azuma Squad, Miwa Squad, all of us from Tamakoma, Shinoda-san, Kido-san, Kinuta-san and so many more.” Jin let out a small laugh at the flabbergasted look on Yuma’s face
“You connected with a lot more people than you thought, Yuma. They were all wishing for you to recover soon.” Jin walked over to the table and took a specific giant white bunny with red eyes which had an eyepatch on where its left eye is supposed to be and placed it by Yuma who grabbed it in awe and cuddled with it.
“It’s so soft! It’s dulling the slight ache on my left side…I could fall asleep hugging this.” Yuma hugged the bunny with a relaxed expression much to Jin's amusement
“You know,” Jin smirked, “Kido-san was the one who brought that. Miwa Squad also brought plushies, but I think Shuji bought you a hoodie. I brought you some clothes that you can wear when you’re discharged.” he grinned
Yuma looked surprised that the absolutely comfortable and adorable plushie that he was hugging right now was from someone like Kido-san.
“It’s not a lie.” he stared blankly at the stuffed toy for a bit which caused another round of laughter to erupt from Jin
“Unexpected. Kido-san has good tastes.” he grinned while holding the toy closer
“Right? He said that Shinoda-san made him buy it but I saw differently.” he snickered
“I was going to bring a Replica plushie but I was stopped. I’ll just bring it next time.”
“Yuma can hug me anytime. That plushie can be for emergencies.” Replica came out of the ring and landed on top of Yuma’s head
“Replica!”
“Welcome back, Yuma.” Yuma smiled at his partner
“I’m back.”
Jin let out a small yawn and looked at the time, “Crap it’s so late already. I have to head back soon.” Yuma pouted but reluctantly agreed. Jin smiled at his junior’s unexpected side and ruffled his hair.
“I’ll come back tomorrow. Besides, you have Replica-sensei with you. You need to rest for a bit since visitors will come by again later.”
“Goodnight, Jin/Jin-san” Replica and Yuma chorused
“Goodnight, Yuma. Rest well because you will have a fun future ahead of you.” he laughed, thinking of what he saw with his side effect with a fond look.
‘It’ll be a fun-filled future for a while. I can’t wait!’