Chapter Text
Ekko was six when Mr. Yuan delivered the devastating news that shattered his world. It was a quiet afternoon, and Ekko was home alone, engrossed in tinkering with the old, battered radio his father had cherished. The gentle hum of static filled the air as he adjusted the dials, his small hands steady despite the challenge. The room was dimly lit by the weak glow of a single bulb overhead, its flicker synchronized with the faint buzz of electricity coursing through the rundown apartment.
Then came the knock at the door.
Startled, Ekko froze, his heart skipping a beat. His grip on the screwdriver tightened. For a moment, he just stared at the door, the sound echoing in his ears. Slowly, cautiously, he crept towards it, his bare feet silent against the cool, cracked floor of their one-story home.
Peeking through the gap, relief washed over him when he saw Mr. Yuan. The older man had always been kind to him, bringing little trinkets or scraps that Ekko could tinker with. But today, something was different.
Just as Ekko started to fully open the door, he hesitated. The expression on Mr. Yuan's face made his chest tighten. The older man, usually lively, now wore a somber look. His eyes, usually gentle, were clouded with something Ekko couldn't yet understand.
"Mr. Yuan?" Ekko's voice was small.
The man crouched to his level, his knees cracking audibly. His weathered face, usually marked by a warm smile, was heavy with sorrow. He placed a large, calloused hand on Ekko's tiny shoulder, his grip steady but trembling faintly.
"Ekko," he began, his voice thick and uneven. He paused, searching for the words, though the look in his eyes betrayed what was coming.
"There's been an accident in the mines."
Ekko tilted his head, his brows furrowing. "Accident?" The word felt foreign to him, like something distant and unreal. "Papa works in the mines. And Mama sometimes helps..."
He couldn't understand what the old man was saying, but dread suddenly filled him which he couldn't understand. They're fine right? After all, they had just left earlier this morning.
Then, his memories flashed vividly, unbidden—
"..."
A tall man with the same hair color as Ekko gave him a hug while his mother with the same hazel eyes as him glistened with tears and pride. If Ekko hadn't blink twice, he thought his mother's eyes turned green in the light when she came closer to join in the embrace.
"We'll work hard for you, Ekko." said his mother as she gently carrased his face, "To have a better future, to enter the Academia due to your brilliant mind."
Then, it was his father's turned to smile. "We love you so much, Ekko. We want you to live, not just happily, but to live..."
"..."
His breath quickened, as he shook his head. Those are his parents! One of the toughest people he knows. Of course they will be fine and—"They died, Ekko..." said Mr. Yuan, looking straight at the boy's unfocused eyes. "The mine supports broke and everything collapsed onto them. They can't be recovered, I'm sorry."
Hearing that, everything suddenly Shattered as his mind breaks. Then, it was quiet... Only hearing the chime of the clock in the room.
There was no way his parents had died! It couldn't be! They said that they will leave work early to spend time with him after so long! They would eat dinner together! His father would ask him about his day while his mother would kiss his forehead!
His breathing became fast, as his chest felt heavy. The whole room around him became too close and everything starts to shake. He needs to get out of here....
He needs to find them!
With no thought or plan in his mind, he pulled himself away from Mr. Yuan's grasp. The man wasn't startled by the boy's action. He just gave Ekko space when the little boy starts to run out of the house and into the streets of the Undercity.
Ekko could only run with no direction in mind, but he had one goal and that was to find his parents. He almost crashed onto some people in the streets, yet that didn't stop his pace as he just weaved through them. Without him noticing, he finds himself on the upper level of the Undercity instead of the lower levels where the mines are.
Then, he felt something cold drop down onto his face. He ignored it at first, but then came another and another until it barraged on him. His vision was obscured by the rain and because of that he didn't see the puddle and slipped. His whole body crashing down towards the concrete floor.
He let out a painful cry as his body trembled from the impact. It turned to anguish when his mind had started to make sense again and there was no use in denying it...
His parents were dead and there was no way to bring them back. They are never gonna return back to him! Will never spend time with him again!
"It's my fault! All my fault!" he cried out, as he continued to scream. "Why, why!"
They shouldn't have worked that hard for him! He was satisfied with his life here in the Undercity! He didn't need to go to a stupid fancy Piltie academy! They shouldn't have wasted their time on work just for him!
All he wanted was for them to spend more time with him...
He wants every second of his time with them. Not wasting any time, as the days get shorter.
Tears steamed down his face, as he let out a cry and he begins to slam his fist down onto the floor. He heard fast steps of people around him, but they didn't batted their eyes on the boy crying on the ground. They only cared about themselves. Not at the small figure on the ground, even as the boy's cries grew louder.
Well, that's the Undercity for you...
Ekko cried that day, even hoping that the rain would drown him. His throat after minutes became hoarse and just as he was about to wail again— Something heavy was dropped on him and this made him look up, but his tears and the coat, that is suddenly covering his whole body from head to toe could only see the brown shoes of the one in front of him.
"Hey," the stranger began, her voice soft but firm. "You're gonna get sick out here. The rain in the Undercity's full of poison, y'know?"
Hearing that, Ekko could let out a hollow chuckle, "What if I want to get sick and eventually die."
There was a pause and Ekko's eyes widened when he realized what he had said. It's true though, since if he died then he can see his parents again. Maybe he can—
Suddenly there was a loud gasp and this time, it made him pull the coat up to take a look at her. Standing before him was a figure no taller than himself–a young girl, her unruly blue hair plastered to her face by the rain.
The girl was silent for a moment, tilting her head. "That's dumb," she finally said, matter-of-factly. "Your parents wouldn't want that."
Her words hit him like a bolt. "You don't know anything about my parents!" he snapped, his voice trembling. "They—"
"They'd want you to live," she interrupted, crouching in front of him. Her wide, innocent eyes met his. "That's what parents do. They want their kids to be happy. To keep going."
The boy could only let out a bitter chuckle at those words. What does she know about his parents? She doesn't know anything, his parents wouldn't want him to be alone. They would want to— Then, his mind recalled his father's words,"We want you to live, not just happily, but to live..."
Tears once again filled his eyes and a cry escaped his mouth. Then, he found something soft gently brushing through his platinum blonde hair. Suddenly he hears a soft melody as the stranger starts to sing.
"Dear friend across the river. My hands are cold and bare~"
As they continue, his whole body begins to relax. His ears only listened to her soft lullaby, not even noticing that the rain had stopped.
"I'll take what you can spare. I ask of you a penny~"
Ekko closed his eyes as he let the music spread through out his body. As, they were about to near the end of her lullaby. Another voice break through the tranquility.
"Sis, come on!"
The hand brushing through his hair stopped and this made Ekko whine in response. There was a giggle, as he watches her stood up. "Don't stay in the rain next time, okay." is what she said; then, light footsteps soon followed.
Ekko held his breath, wanting the girl to be with him more and when he got the courage do that, it was too late. When he had fully pulled the large coat from his small body–the last thing he saw of her was her blue hair turning to a corner; then, she was gone.
He sat there, staring at the last place where he saw her...
It took him seconds to regain his bearing before shifting his whole body in a sitting position with the large greenish coat on his lap. Then, it took another second for him to finally stand up and walk away.
"..."
Ekko’s head pounded as he sat slumped against the rough brick wall, his small frame curled up near a pile of trash bins. The cold of the alley crept through his worn clothes, and the stale stench of rotting food made him feel even smaller. He tugged at his knees, wanting to fold into himself and disappear. He didn’t know how he ended up here, but he wished he wasn’t. More than anything, he wanted to crawl into his parents’ bed, bury himself in their warmth, and pretend none of this was real.
But Ekko knew it was. He knew their warmth was gone.
The young boy’s chest tightened as he stared down at the cracked pavement beneath him. A deep shadow loomed over him, swallowing the faint light of the alley. His breath hitched as his instincts screamed at him to run. He twisted his head slightly to peek over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of the massive figure behind him. His heart pounded.
“Woah there,” came a soft, deep voice. The tone was gentle, an odd contrast to the sheer size of the man casting the shadow. “It’s alright, boy. No one’s gonna hurt you.”
Ekko froze. He couldn’t tell if he was trembling from fear or from the cold. The shadow shifted, and suddenly the figure crouched, bringing himself down to Ekko’s eye level. Even crouched, the man’s broad frame towered over him like a bear hunched over a cub. Ekko tightened his grip on his knees.
“It’s okay,” the man said again, his voice patient, steady. He adjusted the round glasses perched on his nose, his dark eyes softening as he observed the frightened child. “I’m Benzo. What’s your name?”
Ekko stayed silent. His throat felt too tight to form words. Benzo didn’t press him, instead letting the quiet stretch between them like a bridge waiting to be crossed. After what felt like hours, Ekko finally turned to face him. His gaze locked onto Benzo’s eyes—kind and unwavering, like he’d wait forever if he had to.
“Are you lost, little one?” Benzo asked after a moment.
Ekko hesitated, then nodded, his platinum blonde hair falling messily over his eyes.
Benzo smiled faintly. “Do you know where your home is?”
Ekko’s voice came out a hoarse whisper. “Lower floors… of the Undercity.”
“Ah, I know that place well,” Benzo said, nodding knowingly. “How about I walk you there? It’s not safe to wander alone.”
The boy hesitated again. He didn’t trust easily, but the man didn’t seem threatening. After a long pause, Ekko nodded again. Without a word, he pushed himself up from the cold ground and started walking beside Benzo, who kept his stride slow to match the boy’s small steps.
As they walked, Benzo’s sharp eyes noticed the oversized green coat Ekko clutched tightly to his chest. “Where’d you get that coat, lad?” he asked, his tone light but curious.
Ekko flinched slightly and turned the coat away from Benzo’s gaze. His fingers tightened around the fabric as a faint image of blue hair and a beautiful melody flitted through his mind.
“Dunno…” he mumbled, keeping his eyes on the ground.
Benzo furrowed his brow but didn’t push further. He adjusted the satchel slung over his shoulder, letting the silence fill the space between them again. After a while, he noticed Ekko stumbling slightly, his small body worn out from the walk. Without a word, Benzo bent down, scooped the boy up, and placed him on his broad shoulder.
Ekko stiffened, startled by the sudden lift. But as Benzo’s steady pace lulled him, he relaxed, his head resting lightly against the man’s neck.
“There, that’s better,” Benzo said softly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. With that, the two continued on their way.
When the familiar sight of his home came into view, Ekko tapped Benzo’s shoulder and pointed. “There.”
Benzo nodded and made his way to the small apartment. As they approached, Ekko grew restless. Benzo set him down gently and watched as the boy darted toward the door, his hands trembling as he fumbled with the handle. Inside, the quiet was deafening.
Benzo followed cautiously, his brows furrowing at the eerie stillness. “Where are your parents, lad?”
The question made Ekko freeze. His small frame trembled as he gripped the coat tighter. Tears welled up in his wide, frightened eyes, spilling down his cheeks despite his attempts to hold them back.
Benzo sighed softly, crouching down again to meet the boy’s gaze. “It’s alright, boy,” he said, brushing his large hand through Ekko’s messy blonde locks. “You don’t have to say anything.”
Ekko sniffled, his lip quivering as he looked up at the man. Benzo offered him a gentle smile. “Be strong, alright?” he said before rising to his full height. “I’ll check on you later.”
The large man gave a small wave before stepping out of the apartment, leaving Ekko alone with the coat still clutched tightly in his arms. As the door clicked shut, the boy’s shoulders shook with quiet sobs. He stumbled to his parents’ bed, crawled under the covers, and cried until sleep took him.
The days blurred together after that, each one dragging on yet somehow fleeting. The apartment, once quiet and suffocating, began to feel just a little less lonely. Benzo’s visits became a routine. He’d show up with bags of warm food from a place called Jericho’s, its savory aroma filling the room. Sometimes, he brought strange contraptions—bits of gears and wires—explaining how they might be “useful someday.”
At first, Ekko kept his distance, watching Benzo with a guarded expression. The man talked a lot, his voice gruff yet warm, telling stories about the Lanes, about a guy name Vander, about a time when things weren’t so broken. Ekko listened silently, his hands gripping the edge of the couch, unsure of what to make of this stranger who seemed determined to stay.
One day, as Benzo fiddled with a small gadget that sparked faintly in his hands, Ekko finally spoke. His voice was soft, almost hesitant, as though testing the waters. “My name… it’s Ekko.”
Benzo looked up, his fingers freezing mid-twist. He gave a lopsided grin, his eyes crinkling at the edges. “Ekko, huh? Good to finally know your name, lad.”
For some reason, the way Benzo said it made Ekko feel lighter, as though his name mattered—like it meant something again.
"..."
Over time, the wary distance between them began to shrink. Benzo’s visits stretched longer, and soon, they weren’t just visits. The man started fixing things around the apartment—the broken lightbulb in the kitchen, the squeaky hinge on the door. He even brought blankets and pillows that didn’t smell like mildew.
One evening, as they sat in the dim glow of the single working lamp, Ekko found himself speaking again, though this time the words felt heavier. “They’re gone… my parents.”
The words hung in the air, raw and jagged, like an open wound. Benzo set down the gadget he was working on, his expression softening. He didn’t say anything right away, didn’t rush to fill the silence. Instead, he leaned over and wrapped the boy in a warm, protective hug.
Ekko froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. But then the dam broke. He buried his face in Benzo’s chest, his small frame shaking as sobs tore through him. It was the first time he had cried—really cried—since that day. And for the first time, he wasn’t alone.
Benzo didn’t let go. He held the boy tightly, his hand gently rubbing Ekko’s back as the minutes stretched on. When the sobs finally subsided, leaving behind a quiet sniffle, Benzo spoke softly. “You’re a strong kid, Ekko. But no one should have to go through this alone.”
Ekko wiped at his face, his eyes red and puffy. “I don’t… I don’t know what to do.”
Benzo tilted his head, his voice steady but kind. “Do you want to stay with me, lad?”
The question caught Ekko off guard. He blinked up at the man, his small hands still clutching at Benzo’s shirt. He thought about the cold, empty apartment that felt more like a tomb than a home. The memories that haunted every corner. Slowly, almost cautiously, he nodded.
The next morning, they packed up what little Ekko had. It didn’t take long—a small bundle of clothes, a few tools he’d scavenged, and a handful of trinkets he couldn’t bear to part with. Benzo carried most of it, leaving Ekko free to wander the space one last time.
As he stood in the center of the room, his eyes fell on a dark green coat lying on the couch. He hesitated, a flicker of blue crossing his mind. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed it, clutching the fabric tightly. The coat was too big for him, the sleeves hanging far past his hands, but it felt... safe. Comforting.
Benzo, noticing the gesture, chuckled softly. “That coat gonna be your new look, lad?” he teased, ruffling Ekko’s hair.
Ekko didn’t answer. He just hugged the coat closer, his fingers gripping the worn fabric as if it were a lifeline.
When they stepped outside, the air felt different—crisp and alive, despite the smog of the Lanes. Benzo walked ahead, his steady stride full of purpose, while Ekko trailed slightly behind, the oversized coat draped over his small frame.
As they turned the corner, Benzo glanced back, his grin reassuring. “Come on, lad. Let’s go.”
Ekko took a deep breath and stepped forward, leaving behind the ghosts of the past. He didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn’t afraid to find out.
With Benzo at his side, he was ready for whatever came next.
"..."
The attic of Benzo's shop became Ekko's new world—a small space filled with both fresh beginnings and lingering memories. The boy had carefully arranged his belongings, each item placed with intent. His tools sat neatly on a makeshift shelf, scavenged trinkets displayed on the window sill where sunlight could reach them. Yet, there was one box he couldn’t bring himself to touch—the one filled with his parents’ things.
Benzo noticed the untouched box almost immediately. He didn’t press Ekko about it. Instead, one evening, after the boy had gone to bed, Benzo quietly worked in his workshop. By morning, he had built a small shrine in the corner of the attic—a simple wooden structure with a place to set the box, surrounded by delicate carvings of flames and stars. When Ekko saw it, his eyes widened. His small hands traced the carvings as he whispered a soft “thank you,” his voice trembling with gratitude.
As Ekko settled into his new life, there was one thing he refused to let go of—the oversized dark green coat. It had been with him through the worst days, and now it seemed like a part of him. He carried it everywhere, draping it over his shoulders or clutching it tightly when he slept. The coat, far too big for his small frame, enveloped him like a protective cocoon.
At first, Benzo tried to reason with him. “Lad, you don’t need to keep carrying that thing around. Why not hang it up, eh? It’ll stay safe.”
The boy shook his head firmly. “No,” he said, his voice quiet but resolute.
Benzo sighed, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s still too big for you, you know,” he teased, laughing as he held the coat up. It practically dwarfed the boy, the sleeves dragging far past his arms. “You’re gonna trip over it one day.”
Ekko huffed, crossing his arms. “I won’t.”
The man chuckled at the boy’s stubbornness but decided not to push. Still, the sight of Ekko trying to navigate the attic while wrapped in the coat was enough to make Benzo try again.
“Listen, lad,” he began one evening, his tone softer this time. “That coat… it’s important to you, I can see that. But you can’t wear it all the time. How about this—you use it as a blanket? That way, it’s still with you, but you won’t trip over yourself.”
Ekko hesitated, his fingers gripping the coat tightly. The idea wasn’t terrible, and Benzo’s tone made it clear he wasn’t mocking him. After a moment, he gave a small nod. “Okay… but only as a blanket.”
Benzo grinned, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Good lad. And hey, you’ll grow into it one day.”
That night, Ekko draped the coat over himself as he lay in bed. The fabric was heavy, warm, and familiar, comforting him as he drifted off to sleep. For the first time in a long while, the nightmares didn’t come.
A week had passed since Ekko had moved into Benzo’s shop, and in that short time, he had quickly become a part of its rhythm. Though still grieving, the boy couldn’t shake his determination to contribute. He wanted to show his gratitude to the bear of a man who had taken him in. So, one morning, he picked up a broom and started sweeping the shop’s floors, moving with a quiet purpose.
Ekko didn’t stop there. Soon, he was wiping the glass windows until they shone and even ventured into the basement, where he stumbled upon an old, dusty grandfather clock. The gears were stiff, the hands frozen in time, but to Ekko, it was a puzzle waiting to be solved.
At first, Benzo chuckled at the boy’s boundless energy, trying to rein him in. “Slow down, lad,” he said more than once. But Ekko wasn’t one to sit idle. Then came the day when, in his eagerness, the boy accidentally knocked over a bucket of water. The spill sent a pair of unsuspecting customers sliding across the floor, much to their dismay.
Benzo had erupted into a deep, booming laugh that filled the shop. “Well, that’s one way to keep them on their toes!” he joked as he helped the embarrassed boy clean up.
Later that evening, Benzo sat Ekko down for what he called a “man-to-man” talk. The large man’s voice was calm, but there was a seriousness to it. “Look, lad. I appreciate your help, I really do. But you don’t have to do everything all at once. You’re just a kid. Take it slow, eh?”
Ekko, his head slightly bowed, nodded. “I just... don’t want to feel useless,” he admitted softly.
Benzo’s expression softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You’re far from useless, Ekko. You’ve got a fire in you, and that’s good. But let’s make a deal: you help out, but no pushing yourself too hard. And I’ll guide you when you need it. Fair?”
Ekko looked up, his face resolute. “Deal.”
They sealed it with a handshake, Benzo’s massive hand engulfing the boy’s smaller one.
"..."
With their agreement in place, a new routine emerged. Mornings were spent tidying the shop, Benzo guiding Ekko through the ins and outs of running the place. Afternoons were for tinkering. Benzo often brought home scraps and odd bits of machinery for Ekko to experiment with, watching in quiet amazement as the boy’s small hands worked with focused precision.
But Benzo couldn’t help noticing something: Ekko rarely ventured outside. The boy seemed content to stay in the shop, his world shrinking to the confines of its walls. When asked about it, Ekko merely shrugged. “The streets are dangerous,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’m fine here. Besides, I can see everything I need from the roof.”
It was true—Ekko often climbed up to the shop’s roof in the evenings, sitting cross-legged as he watched the bustle of the streets below. But to Benzo, it wasn’t enough. The boy needed more than solitude and a bird’s-eye view of the world.
One evening, as they closed up shop, Benzo leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “Alright, lad,” he said, his tone casual but firm. “We’re going out tomorrow. To the Last Drop. Got some friends I want you to meet.”
Ekko blinked, caught off guard. “The Last Drop?”
“That’s right,” Benzo replied with a grin. “You’ll like it. Trust me.”
Ekko hesitated, but the look in Benzo’s eyes told him there was no arguing. With a resigned sigh, he nodded. “Okay... but only for a little while.”
Benzo chuckled, clapping a hand on the boy’s back. “That’s the spirit. You’ll see, lad—it’s good to have people around.”
And so, with plans set, they prepared for what would be Ekko’s first step back into the wider world.
The Last Drop wasn’t something Ekko had expected.
The moment they stepped inside, the air hit him like a wave—loud, heavy, and chaotic. Voices overlapped, laughter echoed, and the clink of glasses rang out as people shared stories over drinks. The warm glow of lights illuminated the room, but the shadows it cast made it feel oddly cozy, like stepping into a place alive with its own heartbeat. It wasn’t anything like the quiet corner of Benzo’s shop where he’d been staying.
And then there was the man behind the bar.
Ekko’s breath hitched. If Benzo was a bear, this guy was something else. A mountain, maybe. A massive figure with broad shoulders, a commanding presence, and a voice that could probably shake the walls if he wanted it to. Ekko stared, feeling incredibly small.
Before he could get his bearings, the man’s eyes landed on him. Ekko froze, his grip on Benzo’s pants tightening as he ducked behind the larger man’s legs.
A booming laugh filled the room, warm and teasing. “Who’s this hiding behind your legs, Benzo?” the man called out, his sharp eyes crinkling at the corners.
The noise around them didn’t stop, but it felt like the entire room was suddenly aware of their presence. Two other people turned their attention to them—a striking woman with purple hair and a thin, sharp-faced man with slicked-back hair. Both looked at Ekko with curiosity, and he squirmed uncomfortably under their gazes.
Benzo let out a laugh of his own, patting Ekko on the shoulder to encourage him. “This little fella right here?” he asked playfully, looking down at the boy. “This is my new assistant at the shop.”
Ekko’s chest swelled with pride at the introduction, even if his knees felt like jelly. Gathering every ounce of courage he had, he stepped out from behind Benzo and stood as tall as he could. “Hello… my name is Ekko,” he said, his voice small but steady.
The man behind the bar raised an eyebrow, his expression softening. Without a word, he reached for a glass, poured a golden liquid into it, and slid it toward the boy. “Here. Try this,” he said.
Ekko eyed the drink suspiciously, glancing up at Benzo for reassurance. The older man nodded, his grin encouraging. Slowly, Ekko reached for the glass and took a tentative sip.
His eyes widened. The sweetness of the apple juice burst on his tongue, and he couldn’t help but let out a surprised, “This… this is really good!”
The big man chuckled. “Apple juice. Thought you might like it.”
Just as Ekko took another sip, Benzo suddenly hoisted him up and plopped him onto a tall barstool. The boy yelped, glaring at the older man, who just laughed in return.
“All right, lad,” Benzo said, settling beside him. “Time for introductions.”
The purple-haired woman was the first to speak. She gave Ekko a friendly wave and a warm smile. “Felicia,” she said simply.
The thin man with sharp features nodded curtly. “Silco,” he said, his voice cool and detached.
“And this big guy here,” Benzo added, gesturing to the man behind the bar, “is Vander. I’ve told you about him, haven’t I?”
Vander gave Ekko a small nod, his large hand resting on the counter. “Good to meet you, kid.”
Ekko nodded back, his nerves easing just a bit. He liked Vander’s calm energy, even if the man was huge.
The adults fell into conversation, their voices blending into the lively atmosphere of the tavern. Ekko, left to his thoughts, sipped his juice and let his mind wander. He started daydreaming about building something—a robot, maybe, or a gadget to fix that old grandfather clock back at the shop.
Then he heard Felicia’s voice, brighter than before. “Hey, honey!” she called out, her tone warm and affectionate.
Ekko turned his head, curious. A tall man with a kind smile was walking toward them, his hand lifting in greeting. He had a sturdy build, not as towering as Vander but still carrying a presence that made people notice. His face softened as he approached Felicia, and he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“And hey, girls!” Felicia added, her voice turning playful as two younger figures emerged from behind him.
Ekko’s breath caught. The first girl had short, choppy pink hair and a confident stride, her sharp eyes scanning the room like she owned it. But it was the second girl who made his heart skip a beat.
Blue hair. Blue eyes.
It was her. The girl from the rain.
His heart started pounding as memories of that day flashed through his mind. She looked different now, more relaxed, her small frame almost blending into the lively chaos of the tavern. But those eyes… they were the same.
Felicia grinned as the girls approached. “Guys, this is Ekko, Benzo’s new assistant.”
Ekko felt all three of their gazes on him, but it was the blue-haired girl’s stare that made him squirm the most.
Benzo nudged him gently. “Come on, lad. Introduce yourself,” he said, his voice light but firm.
“I…” Ekko’s voice caught in his throat. He forced himself to speak. “I’m Ekko.”
The older girl crossed her arms, her eyes sharp. “Name’s Vi,” she said flatly before walking off toward Vander, clearly uninterested.
The blue-haired girl, however, stayed. She tilted her head slightly, her expression soft but curious. Ekko hesitated before awkwardly sticking out his hand.
For a moment, she just stared at it, and he felt his cheeks heat up. He was about to pull it back when she reached out and grabbed it with both hands.
“Hi,” she said softly, her voice quiet but steady. “My name is Powder.”
'Powder,' Ekko repeated the name in his head, savoring the sound.
There was an awkward pause, and Ekko, desperate to fill the silence, blurted out, “Uh… do you like monkeys?”
The entire room seemed to freeze. Ekko’s ears turned bright red as he felt every adult’s gaze shift toward him. Even Vi, who had been ignoring him, shot him an incredulous look.
Ekko wanted to smack himself, 'Monkeys!?' he screamed in his head. 'Why did that come out of my mouth!?'
Powder blinked, then burst out laughing. Her giggles were light and infectious, echoing through the tavern like tiny bells.
“Yes!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
Ekko stared at her, stunned. “Really?”
Powder nodded eagerly. “Monkeys are funny! Do you have one?”
“Not… not yet,” Ekko admitted, his mind already racing with ideas for a monkey-themed gadget.
Before he could say anything else, Powder grabbed his hand again. “Come on!” she said, dragging him toward a jukebox in the corner. She wound it up, and a cheerful tune began to play.
“Dance with me!” she said, her eyes lighting up.
“I… I don’t know how to dance,” Ekko stammered, his feet rooted to the spot.
Powder just laughed. “It’s easy! Just move your feet!”
She twirled around him, her laughter bright and carefree. Ekko tried to mimic her movements but kept stumbling. Powder laughed even harder. “You’ve got two left feet!”
Ekko huffed but couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face. He watched her spin and twirl, completely mesmerized. When she grabbed his hands to guide him, he felt a strange warmth spread through him.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Ekko felt like he belonged.
What he didn’t know was that this moment—her laughter, her warmth, her hand in his—was the start of something bigger. He didn’t realize that day, when the red string of fate had connected them, intertwining their two souls until the very end.