Chapter Text
There were a lot of things Karakuri Benkei had seen in his days. Some are forgotten easily, while others stick with him no matter how long it's been since he'd seen it.
There is a particularly peculiar Youkai that Karakuri Benkei dwells on, though, instead of sorting it into an arbitrary category like usual.
Robonyan. The self-proclaimed Youkai of the future. The one that nearly self-destructed after he…
Karakuri Benkei glanced around. This area is fairly secluded, being uninhabited to both humans and youkai. The concrete architectures have long been abandoned, gradually being smothered by the shrubbery growing despite its presence. He tends to hang out here when he must think about what to do next, and the silent sanctity of the area is something he subtly holds dear.
These buildings have been lost to time. In the past, surely things would be more lively. Surely they must have been dear to many, but in the present, it is dear to only him. What will happen in the future?
Would…. Would Robonyan know that?
He glances down at his hands.
There are a lot of things that he still doesn't know. Things that he doesn't quite understand yet. He should be able to wrap his head around it by now, but…
Jolt. His hand twitches, and his fingers curl.
He should understand what makes a machine tick by now; what with being a machine himself and all, but these sorts of things are never easy. Mechanical Youkai aren't like the appliances used by humans. There isn't just one single key to their existence; they're more or less just as alive as the world around them. Karakuri Benkei, despite being a mechanical youkai, is just as alive as the shrubbery surrounding him.
He isn't sure how to feel about that. He isn't sure how to go about how he's feeling at all.
What is it that is so special about him? Why won't Robonyan leave his mind?
Is it the expertly crafted metals of his body? The way he's always shining, his gorgeous exterior never taking damage from even the strongest of attacks? For Robonyan to be so well-optimized, someone must have spent a long time ensuring that his circuits and programming are optimal. Someone must have cared about him very deeply.
Or maybe it's his personality? Karakuri Benkei always did admire those who were strong and determined. From all of their encounters, as few as they may seem to him, Robonyan was quite the admirable gentleman. Still, though… nobody else seemed quite as cute as Robonyan. Cute. Whenever he messed up a little. Whenever he'd get a bit flustered. It wasn't anything to worry about. Cute. Whenever he'd become confident in himself. Whenever he had fun. Was that the word? Cute. The way he felt in his hands. The little noises and squirms he'd make. Cute. Cute.
…
The sounds of insects in their natural habits rung through the otherwise deceased area. Karakuri Benkei steadied his breathing.
Eventually, someone will want it back. Sooner or later, someone will want to construct something new here, and his little hiding spot away from the world would be gone.
It isn't right to feel that lonely here. The bugs are chirping, and the sunlight shines through the holes in the trees. It isn't right to want to run from all of that, into a world where not even the smallest things can reach you even further. You cannot reject the embrace of this world because you want the embrace of someone else.
What time was it? The distant chirping of birds was almost like a lullaby to Karakuri Benkei, calling him back from his thoughts and into the close cradle of the earth yet again.
It's impractical, sure, but he couldn't help but yawn. Even he gets tired, from time to time. The quiet scenery certainly did not aid in keeping him awake.
It's not the future right now. The time will come when it is right.
Right now, it is time for rest.