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“Mamoru, question! How fast are you running?” Kensuke suddenly asked Mamoru.
“Running? Mm…I’m not as fast as Ryo-kun, but I can jog at a steady pace without losing breath!” Mamoru answered with enthusiasm.
Kensuke hummed. “Is that so? Hmm, then climb on my back!” Kensuke told Mamoru.
“Pardon? Whoa–Ken-kun?!” Mamoru was surprised.
Kensuke didn’t wait for an answer as he swiftly lifted Mamoru onto his back.
“Don’t look behind you,” Kensuke whispered to Mamoru before he started running.
Mamoru held on tightly so he wouldn’t fall off, but Kensuke’s arms kept him securely balanced on his back. Gokuzoku ran much faster than humans and Mamoru felt like he was being carried by a strong, fast wind.
Mamoru didn’t say a word as Kensuke carried him through the bamboo forest, but he felt a chill on the back of his neck that something was following them.
Kensuke kept running straight ahead, occasionally turning and weaving through the bamboo trees in order to throw off the trail.
They were almost to a clearing when suddenly two dark shadows jumped in front of their path.
“Ken-kun!” Mamoru warned.
The shadows leaped at them to attack. Mamoru shut his eyes, but Kensuke easily jumped high above the shadow figures and dropped hard kicks down on both of them. The shadow figures fell to the ground as Kensuke landed without dropping Mamoru.
Kensuke continued to run to the clearing. Once they pass through the clearing, they will almost be home back in town.
However, Kensuke halted to a stop in the middle of the clearing when several shadow gokuzoku appeared again and formed a wall in front of their path.
“Tch, you guys sure are persistent,” Kensuke said with an annoyed look.
Mamoru looked nervously behind them and saw more shadow gokuzoku appeared. They were surrounded.
“Ken-kun,” Mamoru was worried as Kensuke slowly set Mamoru on his feet, keeping his arms up protectively in front of Mamoru.
They made noises that were not words Mamoru understood.
“Too bad, I can’t let you guys have him as a snack. He may look soft, but he’s not tasty,” Kensuke teased lightly, but with a hidden warning.
The shadow gokuzoku all jumped forward to attack at once.
“Mamoru, get down!” Kensuke shouted.
Mamoru ducked down as Kensuke fought off the shadow gokuzoku around them, throwing kicks and punches while making sure Mamoru didn’t get hurt.
“They may outnumber us, but they’re pretty weak!” Kensuke laughed as he grabbed one of them and threw at the others to knock them down.
Kensuke kept fighting without breaking a sweat, but no matter how many times he knocked them down, the shadow gokuzoku kept getting back up.
“Ken-kun! Look out!” Mamoru saw one of them was about to attack Kensuke from behind while Kensuke was busy fighting off three others.
Mamoru’s body moved on its own as he stood protectively in between the attacking shadow gokuzoku and Kensuke.
The shadow gokuzoku swung its claw at Mamoru’s left arm, tearing the fabric of his sleeve and scratching against Mamoru’s skin.
“Mamoru!!” Kensuke shouted when he looked back and saw Mamoru got attacked.
“Ugh…I’m fine–” Mamoru’s balance wobbled as he held his injured arm.
Kensuke’s eyes filled with fury as he threw down three shadow gokuzoku at once and jumped at the one that hurt Mamoru. He wanted to rip it to shreds, but then someone else beat him to it.
“Even with your strength, you shouldn’t take on this many alone, Ken,” Koki said and took down the shadow gokuzoku.
“Kou!” Kensuke stopped for a moment and was surprised to see Koki found them.
“I’ll take care of this side, you take the other half,” Koki told Kensuke as he fought off the shadow gokuzoku.
“Ken! Mamoru!” Ryota came out right behind Koki.
“Ryo!” Kensuke exclaimed.
Ryota ran right to their side with an angry glare on his face. “You two are so late! Kou and I were worried, and it’s the night hours!” Ryota scolded.
“Ryo, please take care of Mamoru! He’s hurt!” Kensuke quickly told Ryota before he jumped right back in action to fight off the shadow gokuzoku with Koki.
Ryota knelt down and examined Mamoru’s cut on his arm under his torn clothing. Ryota looked up at Mamoru’s face and even in the darkness, Ryota saw that Mamoru's face looked pale.
“Ryo-kun?” Mamoru breathed heavily when he noticed Ryota’s face looked even more unpleasant.
“Poison. I don’t have my medicinal herbs with me to treat it right now, so you’ll have to bear with just the bandage,” Ryota said as he took out a roll of cloth and bandaged up Mamoru’s arm. “Hang in there till we get home.”
Mamoru slowly nodded. He looked up to see Kensuke and Koki were still fighting the shadow gokuzoku, but with the two of their strengths combined that shadow gokuzoku numbers started to thin out until they were all taken out or ran away to disappear into the shadows.
Koki observed their surroundings until he gave a signal that everything was all clear.
“Mamoru!” Kensuke immediately ran back with Koki to Mamoru, who was sitting on the ground being supported by Ryota.
“Ken-kun, Ko-kun…are you two okay…not hurt?” Mamoru asked slowly, his breathing slightly unsteady.
Kensuke quickly shook his head. He looked at Ryota worried. “What’s wrong with Mamoru?”
“There’s poison in the cut,” Ryota told Kensuke and Koki. “It’s not strong, but if I don’t treat it soon, it will definitely affect Mamoru’s body.”
“What?! Then we gotta hurry back home right away!” Kensuke exclaimed. “Mamoru, get on my back, I’ll carry you–”
Koki placed his hand on Kensuke’s shoulder. “I can carry Mamoru. You two have already traveled for quite a while. Save your strength.”
Koki lifted up Mamoru on his back. Kensuke hovered worriedly as he looked at Mamoru.
Mamoru smiled to try to ease Kensuke’s worries. “I’ll be okay, Ken-kun…thank you for…protecting me.” Mamoru’s eyes closed.
“Mamoru?!” Kensuke panicked.
“Shush, he fell asleep,” Ryota told Kensuke. “He’s probably exhausted.”
“Let’s go home,” Koki said as the four of them quickly rushed back to town. Kensuke didn’t take his eyes off Mamoru as he kept guard behind them.
Kensuke anxiously paced around in the main room of Ryota’s house, unable to keep still. Ryota told Kensuke and Koki to wait in the main room with their four panda children so he could concentrate on the treatment.
Koki watched Kensuke for ten minutes before he spoke. “Ken, calm down,” Koki calmly said to Kensuke. “You’ll worry the children.”
“Sorry, but Mamoru–” Kensuke was still worried. “He’s human, he can’t heal fast like us.”
“Trust Ryo. He knows how to treat these kinds of injuries,” Koki reassured Kensuke.
Kensuke stared at Koki before he took a deep breath and relaxed a little.
Mamochi crawled over to Kensuke’s feet. “Kyu?”
“Ah, sorry Mamochi!” Kensuke said as he picked up Mamochi and patted his little head. “You’re right, let’s trust Ryo to take care of Papa Mamoru.”
Kensuke wasn’t tired or sleepy at all, but the night hours felt long as they waited for Ryota to finish. Kensuke continued to watch over and play with the panda children while Koki went outside to patrol.
It wasn’t until the sun rose at dawn when Ryota finally came out of the bedroom.
“Ryo! How’s Mamoru?” Kensuke asked.
“The cut will still need to heal, but I managed to take care of getting all the poison out. It’s lucky for Mamoru he was still sleeping so he wouldn’t squirm or scream like previous treatments,” Ryota reported.
“I see,” Kensuke finally let go of all his worries and tension. “Thank you, Ryo”
Ryota let out a yawn. “I’m going out to gather more herbs. Can you feed the children and keep an eye on Mamoru? He’s still sleeping, so don’t wake him up yet.”
“Don’t you need to sleep too?” Kensuke saw the dark circles under Ryota’s eyes. “You were up all night.”
“I’ll take a nap later after Mamoru wakes up,” Ryota said and grabbed his bag. He said goodbye to the children and headed out.
Kensuke went to Ryota’s kitchen to get breakfast for the children. After making sure all the panda children had enough to eat, Kensuke quietly went into Ryota’s bedroom to check on Mamoru.
Mamoru was sound asleep in Ryota’s bed. He looked worn out from yesterday’s incident, but his face looked a lot better and more at peace. Kensuke sat down in a chair beside the bed and watched Mamoru sleep.
“Mamoru, I’m sorry you got hurt,” Kensuke whispered an apology. “I promise I’ll protect you better.”
Kensuke carefully reached out one of his hands to brush Mamoru’s bangs to the side, making sure his long nails didn’t scratch Mamoru’s forehead.
“Mm…Ken-kun…” Mamoru mumbled in his sleep. Kensuke immediately pulled his hand back, but Mamoru stayed asleep.
Kensuke couldn’t help but chuckle at how adorable Mamoru looked mumbling his name while sleeping.
After a short while, Mamoru opened his eyes.
“Huh..?” Mamoru blinked and looked around.
“Morning, Mamoru!” Kensuke greeted Mamoru with two of the panda children, Touki and Mamochi, in his lap.
“Ken-kun, good morning,” Mamoru smiled. He tried to sit up, but then he flinched when the physical pain from his bandaged arm caught up to him.
“Take it easy, Ryo finished treating the cut this morning. He got all the poison out, but he said you still need to rest,” Kensuke told Mamoru.
“I see,” Mamoru understood as he felt the bandage.
“How do you feel? Are you hungry?” Kensuke asked.
Mamoru’s stomach made a noise as an answer. Kensuke laughed as Mamoru hid his face with his good arm in embarrassment.
“I’ll see if I can find something in the kitchen for you to eat,” Kensuke said as he set down the two panda children on the bed. “Ryo isn’t back yet, but I’m sure he won’t mind. Be right back!”
Touki and Mamochi crawled on the bed into Mamoru’s lap. Mamoru felt comforted by the children’s warmth.
Mamoru was startled for a moment when he heard loud banging noises coming from the kitchen.
“Ken-kun? Is everything okay?” Mamoru called out to Kensuke.
“It’s fine! Everything’s fine!” Kensuke spoke from the kitchen. After a few more banging noises, Kensuke appeared back in the bedroom carrying a bowl in his hands.
“Did you make something?” Mamoru asked curiously.
Kensuke made a funny face. “I tried to! I couldn’t exactly remember the recipe that Ryota taught me before, so I just threw a bunch of rice and veggies and mixed them together in a pot with hot water! It’s um–what do you humans call it–pot rice?”
“Ahh, you mean rice porridge?” Mamoru wondered.
“Yes! That’s it!” Kensuke looked at Mamoru and noticed his good arm was full holding the panda children in his lap. “I’ll feed it to you, open wide Mamoru!”
“Eh? Ahh–” Mamoru opened his mouth and let Kensuke feed him a spoonful.
“How is it? Tasty?” Kensuke wanted to know.
Mamoru coughed as he quickly chewed and swallowed. There wasn’t any taste at all, and the texture was a bit lumpy. But Kensuke was smiling so bright, Mamoru didn’t have the heart to tell him. It was still edible after all.
“Mm! It’s very tasty, Ken-kun!” Mamoru smiled.
“That’s great! I’ll feed you more–maybe Touki and Mamochi would like to try it too?”
“Ahhh! Touki and Mamochi said they’re already full from breakfast! They loved the delicious bamboo and momo buns!” Mamoru covered.
Kensuke kept feeding Mamoru until he ate every spoonful from the bowl.
“Do you need help cleaning up?” Mamoru asked.
“I can clean! You shouldn’t push yourself to do too much, Mamoru,” Kensuke advised.
As Kensuke went back into the kitchen to clean up, Mamoru slowly stretched and got out of Ryota’s bed. He tried to neatly put back the sheets, but with one arm it was a bit difficult and Mamoru hoped that Ryota would forgive that his sheets were a bit wrinkled.
After Mamoru changed his arm bandage himself, Mamoru walked outside with Touki and Mamochi to get some fresh air. It was another warm and sunny day, and Mamoru felt his heart at peace. What happened last night almost seemed like a faded memory now, with Mamoru’s injured arm being the only reminder that what happened wasn’t a dream. Even though they were living in peaceful times now, there were still dangers outside of town during the night hours especially in the shadows of the forest.
“Kyu~!”
Mamoru knelt down as Sakura and Yae crawled over. “Good morning, Sakura, Yae!” Mamoru greeted the other two panda children with a smile. He petted the children softly on their heads. He hoped that the peaceful days could continue onwards, especially for the little children they’ve adopted thanks to their special contracts between the Jinzoku and Gokuzoku.
“Mamoru, good morning. I’m glad to see you’re awake,” Koki came back with Ryota.
“Ko-kun! Ryo-kun! Good morning!” Mamoru greeted them both cheerfully. “Thank you for taking care of my injury, Ryo-kun!”
“It’s no problem.” Ryota stared at his arm and noticed that Mamoru’s bandages looked loosely tied. “Did you try to change the bandage yourself? You didn’t tie it properly,” Ryota said as he handed Koki the basket of herbs for a moment to fix Mamoru’s bandages.
“Sorry, I thought I could wrap it myself,” Mamoru apologized.
“Where’s Ken?” Koki asked.
“In the kitchen! He’s cleaning up after he cooked me some pot rice–I mean rice porridge,” Mamoru announced.
“What?!” Ryota exclaimed as he rushed into the house.
Mamoru and Koki stood outside the house with the panda children before they heard Ryota’s voice shouting. “Ken! I told you not to make a mess in the kitchen!”
“I know! I was cleaning up!” Kensuke’s voice was heard in response.
“What did you–what’s in this pot?” Ryota questioned.
“Ah, that’s the dish I made for Mamoru–wait, Ryo, where are you going?”
Ryota came running back outside and grabbed Mamoru’s good arm.
“Mamoru, come with me. I need to check your health for food poisoning!” Ryota was serious.
“Ahh, I’m okay, Ryo-kun! Really!” Mamoru assured Ryota. “The food didn’t have any flavor and it was a bit lumpy to swallow, but I could stomach it!”
Ryota sighed with mixed relief and frustration as Kensuke came running outside.
“Was it that bad? Mamoru, why didn’t you tell me I messed up?” Kensuke looked guilty.
“Because Ken-kun looked so happy while he was feeding me,” Mamoru told him honestly. “Don’t worry, it’s not the worst I’ve tasted compared to Ryo-kun’s taste experiments for his remedies!”
Koki chuckled as he carried Touki and Sakura. “It’s nice to see everyone so lively this morning.”
While Ryota and Koki cleaned up the house and Ryota planned to prepare more medicine, Mamoru took Yae and Mamochi on a walk to the fields with Kensuke accompanying them.
“Wouldn’t you want to rest more, Mamoru? We could go to your home,” Kensuke mentioned, but Mamoru shook his head.
“Mm-mm, I’m alright now, Ken-kun! I would feel a bit restless if I were to stay in bed all day,” Mamoru said. “Besides, it’s safe to walk outside during the day.”
“That’s true, but…” Kensuke was still worried. Humans seemed more fragile than Gokuzoku.
“I want to at least see the flowers growing in the fields for a bit with Yae and Mamochi,” Mamoru said with a smile.
Kensuke saw Mamoru glowing with happiness in his eyes. He had to resist giving Mamoru his usual hugs otherwise he feared he would end up further injuring Mamoru’s arm.
Kensuke adjusted so that Yae and Mamochi rested in his right arm so he could hold Mamoru’s right hand.
“Then I’ll make sure we’ll get to the flowers safely, Mamoru!” Kensuke smiled.
They soon arrived at the field where wild herbs and flowers grew near the bamboo forest. It was the same place where Mamoru and Kensuke met for the first time.
Even though it was still the beginning of the new morning, Kensuke kept a guarded gaze at the forest as they sat down on the grass together with the children.
Mamoru delicately picked some flowers from the grass. He tried to weave them together like a flower crown, but since his injured arm restricted his movement, the flowers ended up slipping through his fingers.
Kensuke looked at Mamoru’s hands and noticed what he was trying to do. Without saying anything, Kensuke picked up the flowers that Mamoru dropped and despite his long nails, Kensuke managed to weave the flowers together into a crown.
“Ken-kun, you’re really good at making the flower crown!” Mamoru complimented.
Kensuke laughed. “Ryo showed me how to make them without them falling apart. It took me several tries to get it right since my nails ended up cutting the stems,” Kensuke said.
Kensuke placed the completed flower crown on top of Mamoru’s head.
“Haha, it really suits you, Mamoru!” Kensuke smiled.
“Really?” Mamoru wondered what he looked like right now in Kensuke’s eyes as he lifted his good arm and felt the flower crown on the top of his head with his fingertips.
“Kyu~!” Mamochi and Yae made noises.
“Mamochi and Yae agree!” Kensuke translated.
Mamoru blushed a little as Kensuke picked some more flowers and made smaller flower crowns for the panda children.
As the two of them watched Mamochi and Yae roll around playing together, Kensuke got unusually quiet.
“Ken-kun, is something wrong?” Mamoru asked when he noticed the serious look on Kensuke’s face.
“Mamoru, can I ask why you jumped in between me and that attacking gokuzoku when you got hurt?” Kensuke asked seriously.
Mamoru paused as he looked at Kensuke.
“Well, that’s because–” Mamoru hesitated a bit to answer.
“Even if I were to get hurt, we Gokuzoku heal faster than humans and can withstand injuries,” Kensuke mentioned.
Mamoru’s face became serious, almost like he was pouting. “I know you’re really strong, Ken-kun, and an injury like this would probably seem like nothing but a scratch to you but–if I were to stand idly and allow you to get hurt, I would be mad at myself.”
“Mamoru…”
“I’m not very strong like you in terms of fighting, but I have a family dear to me that I want to protect,” Mamoru admitted as he looked at Mamochi and Yae. “When I lost my parents at a young age, I thought I wouldn’t be able to be around a family again and tried my best to grow up sooner to be able to support myself alone.”
Mamoru played with some loose flower petals as he thought back upon those past years.
“After I became an apothecary pharmacist, I met Ryo-kun and we started to work together. Then, we met you and Kou-kun!” Mamoru reminisced. “I was so surprised when you dropped from the sky so fast right in front of me in this same field!”
Mamoru picked up a flower and tucked it behind one of Kensuke’s ears.
“You’re precious to me, Ken-kun, so I want to be able to grow strong so I can protect you too,” Mamoru expressed.
If Gokuzoku could blush like humans do, Kensuke’s face would probably be as pink as a momo bun.
Kensuke lifted one of his hands and carefully placed it on Mamoru’s cheek, which felt warm.
“Mamoru–”
“Kyu~!” Mamochi and Yae called their attention.
“Ah, is it almost time for lunch already?” Mamoru’s attention was diverted as he turned to look at the children.
Kensuke quickly pulled back his hand and smiled like his usual self. “After all the breakfast I fed them this morning? Mamochi and Yae are going to grow big with how much they eat!”
“It’s good they can eat lots so they will grow up healthy!” Mamoru said. “But I do hope they can stay small for a little while longer. It’s a little bittersweet to watch children grow up so fast.”
“Mamoru, you sound like an elder papa!” Kensuke laughed behind his long sleeves.
“Eh? Even though I’m an adult, I’m still pretty young I would think! I’m only 25 years old!” Mamoru stated.
As Kensuke stood up so they could head back, he had an idea.
“Ah, Mamoru! Want to ride on my back on the way home?” Kensuke asked. “I won’t run too fast. It’ll save you from tiring out your legs.”
Mamoru frowned and pouted for a moment. “Ken-kun, are you implying something? My arm may be recovering, but I can still run!”
“Then do you want to race?” Kensuke smiled teasingly. “I’ll even give you a headstart as a handicap!”
“You’re on!” Mamoru was determined with a fire in his eyes.
“Welcome back, Ken, Mamoru,” Koki said and smiled at Kensuke and Mamoru when they arrived home.
“We’re back!” Kensuke responded enthusiastically, carrying the panda children in his arms.
“Why are you out of breath, Mamoru?” Ryota questioned.
“We’re back…hahhh, gokuzoku are truly fast…” Mamoru was out of breath as he sat on the ground.
Koki chuckled. “Did you and Ken have another race, Mamoru?”
“I lost completely!” Mamoru groaned. “I can’t win against Ken-kun.”
“I even cut my speed back in half!” Kensuke laughed.
“Hmmm,” Ryota hummed.
Mamoru felt something odd and looked at Ryota nervously. “Ryo-kun, is there something wrong?”
“Kou will watch the children. Ken, bring Mamoru inside for me, and don’t let him go,” Ryota instructed as Kouki picked up Yae and Mamochi from Kensuke’s arms.
“Sure!” Kensuke agreed immediately.
“Guh–” Mamoru tried to make a run for it, but Kensuke already had a hold on his good arm and against a gokuzoku Mamoru had no chance to break free.
“It’s time for your medicine treatment, Mamoru,” Ryota said.
Mamoru shifted his feet nervously. “Do we really have to do it now? Couldn’t we wait till a bit later?” Mamoru asked.
“It’s best to apply it sooner so it has time to take effect,” Ryota said as he guided them into his bedroom. “Now sit.”
“Please go easy on me, Ryo-sama!” Mamoru pleaded.
“Ken, put these in your ears. Also, don’t let go of Mamoru, okay?” Ryota handed Kensuke two small pieces of something soft and squishy.
“What are these, Ryo?” Kensuke wondered as he put them in his ears.
“You’ll need them, trust me,” Ryota stated as he rolled up his sleeves.
Kensuke watched as Ryota took off Mamoru’s bandage and brought out his medicine jar.
“Ready?” Ryota started the treatment.
“Actually, give me five more minutes—GAAAAHHHH!!” Mamoru screamed. Kensuke flinched but he kept his hold securely on Mamoru as Mamoru struggled to keep still while Ryota applied the medicine.
“Just a little more!” Ryota tried to speak over Mamoru’s screams.
After two minutes, Ryota finished the treatment and Mamoru’s screams quieted down to soft whimpering.
“Ryo-kun is mean…” Mamoru pouted.
“It’s for your recovery, Mamoru,” Ryota said as he cleaned up. “Ken, you can let go of Mamoru’s arm now. He won’t run away.”
“Ah, mm.” Kensuke let go of Mamoru’s arm, but he held Mamoru’s hand. “Mamoru, are you okay?”
“Haah, I’m alive, haha,” Mamoru laughed weakly.
Ryota took out the ear plugs from Kensuke’s ears. “Since gokuzoku’s hearing is more sensitive compared to humans, I had Ken put plugs in to protect his ears since Mamoru always screams whenever I treat him.”
“Does the medicine hurt that bad?” Kensuke tilted his head confused. He thought medicine for humans didn’t hurt.
“Ryo-kun’s medicine is strong and effective, but it also stings or tastes bitter if I have to drink it,” Mamoru described.
“The medicine will make you feel a bit drowsy soon, so take a rest,” Ryota mentioned. “Kou and I will start on lunch.”
“Mm.” Mamoru nodded as his eyelids felt heavy.
Ryota headed to the kitchen. Kensuke looked at Mamoru and noticed he started to doze off.
“Do you want to lie down, Mamoru?” Kensuke asked, but then Mamoru leaned towards Kensuke and rested his head on Kensuke’s shoulder.
“Mmm, can you stay with me for a bit, Ken-kun?” Mamoru asked.
“Of course! Lean on me all you want!” Kensuke offered.
Mamoru fell asleep right away on Kensuke’s shoulder. Even though Mamoru was an adult, he looked like a child sleeping peacefully.
Kensuke lifted his hand up, being mindful of his long nails, and softly pat Mamoru on the head.
“I want to be able to protect my family. You’re precious to me too, Mamoru,” Kensuke said before he leaned against Mamoru and fell asleep with him, dreaming of a warm future.