Chapter Text
The warm, somewhat stifling breeze blew dust across the courtyard of the Cleaners' headquarters. Fu stood next to one of the walls, holding the Hii doll to his chest as if it might fall at any moment. He stood almost motionless as he watched the other Cleaners train, specifically those on Team Akuta. Watching them train had become almost a routine. He greatly admired the Akuta team and, deep down, wished he could be one of them.
It had been two months since Fu had “joined” the Cleaners and begun his trial period to become a real cleaner.
Two months since he had tried to leave his past with the Raiders behind, even though he still missed the light of the Cthoni sewers and when Momoa insisted on painting his nails. Still, he couldn't forget how they had abandoned him to his fate inside the trash Beast.
He wasn't weak,But his every move depended on an order. He knew very well that this was the main reason why the Raiders had abandoned him, yet he still hoped that, despite this, the Cleaners would take him in and give him the orders he so desperately needed.
But, unfortunately for him, over the last few weeks he began to notice how others were looking at him... they weren't looks of hatred, but rather of discomfort or even pity. Although he still couldn't figure out what those looks meant, all he cared about was making a good impression, even though he honestly had no idea how to do so.
I only have one option left: ask Amo for advice. I mean, she's very well-liked here, so I guess she could help me... besides, she's the only one I talk to, he finally thought, as he walked straight to the dining room.
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—A-amo... what should I do? It's been two months now, and they still look at me as if I were... dangerous—he asked sadly as he sat down at the dining table.
—Amo thinks Fu should make more friends!— he said as he took another bite of his dinner. —It makes sense, doesn't it? If you win the Cleaners' hearts, they'll love you as much as they love Amo—
—Mmm... and... and... how do I make friends? I've never made friends on my own— he said quietly. —I'd like to be friends with Mr. Enjin, he's the one I admire the most...—
—Amo thinks Enjin is NOT the best choice, he's rude and I don't like him...— he exclaimed, interrupting Fu.
—Amo thinks you should start by talking to someone else. Hmm, Amo is thinking about someone who is Fu's age and could be an option, because Enjin is NOT an option. It could be... maybe Zanka?
—Z-Zanka? He's a little intimidating... What if he doesn't like me? He's close to Enjin. If I make a bad impression, maybe Enjin will hate me for—
—Amo's says you're overreacting, Just go and talk to him! I do that all the time and everyone likes me— he exclaimed, interrupting Fu again.
Fu took Amo's advice as an order. The truth was that the idea of making friends excited him greatly. He didn't have a very clear concept of what it was like to have friends or even loved ones, but since joining the Cleaners, he saw how everyone supported each other, and for the first time, he wanted to do something for himself: make friends.
Besides, Zanka was a good choice. He used to watch him train in secret and really admired him. His fighting style, the elegance with which he attacked, mesmerized him. He looked really good while training, always determined and focused on what he was doing, with almost perfect discipline.
Fu thought for a moment that his favorite people among the Cleaners would now definitely be Enjin and Zanka.
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Zanka was the last to fully recover after the battle against the trash Beasts. When everything was back to normal, he heard a rumor that two new members would be joining them. It wasn't hard to figure out who they were. One was Amo, which was to be expected, since she had a good relationship with most of the group and was welcomed almost immediately, but the one he didn't see coming was the Raider...
Zanka focused most of his attention on the ex-raider, because even though he didn't remember seeing him fight, many, including Riyo and Enjin, claimed that Fu was quite strong and powerful enough to defeat Jabber quickly, which caught Zanka's attention even more.
He had been secretly watching Fu under the pretext of making sure he wasn't a danger, although deep down he was just very curious about Fu and perhaps a little envious. At first, he thought Fu must be the same age as Rudo, or even younger, but when he discovered that the ex-raider was the same age as him, he was even more surprised.
Although he hadn't been able to see any dangerous patterns, he did notice that Fu was strange. He didn't usually talk to anyone, and if someone approached him, he always acted very nervous and almost stressed. Zanka noticed that every time someone spoke to him, Fu would hold tightly to a kind of doll, which was probably his jinki, since he always carried it with him. He also noticed how excited Fu would get when someone asked him for help or favors; his face would light up with happiness. It was strange to see him so happy, as it contrasted with his usual demeanor.
he was also very surprised one day when, by chance, they were on the same team on a small mission where they had to make sure that a group of trash Beasts did not enter a small village. This was the first time she saw Fu fight. Although the beasts were prey, she thought it would take a little longer, as he was a rookie.
But after Tomme told him what to do, Fu seemed like a totally different person: loud and explosive, defeating the vast majority of beasts almost immediately. Zanka simply finished off the remaining beasts while watching the ex-raider with a mixture of envy and fascination.
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—Enjin, I don't mean to be paranoid... but don't you think that new guy... Raider... is acting weird?— he said, glancing occasionally at the table where Fu and Amo were sitting.
—Do you think he's hiding something? I think he's dumb enough not to be a threat— he joked as he chewed loudly.
—Don't call him dumb, he's not. I've seen him in battle and I understand why he was a Raider... he's strong— he explained, now staring at Amo and Fu's table.
—So what if he's strong? He's just another kid. Yes, he's a little strange... but nothing out of this world— he pointed out as he continued eating. —If you're so worried that he's plotting something, go and investigate for yourself—
Deep down, Zanka knew that what was really going on with Fu was that he couldn't understand how such a fragile and nervous boy could be a fighting machine. Although Fu's behavior didn't help either, the fact that no one knew about his past further increased suspicion towards him, and if Enjin wasn't willing to make sure he wasn't a danger, he would do it himself.
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—Amo!! Fu! Is it okay if I sit with you? To be honest, Rudo is driving me crazy and I'd like to have dinner in peace... only if it doesn't bother you, of course— she asked in a gentle voice.
Fu felt his chest tighten,Now? So soon?
He wasn't even ready to talk to him
—This is your chance, Fu! Amo will let you talk in peace!— she whispered to him.
—Sure, Zanka! Although I'm already leaving... Fu will keep you company!— she added loudly as she picked up her tray and slowly walked away from the table.
Fu looked at Amo in horror before he left, terrified of ruining this opportunity to talk to Zanka.
—E-eh! No problem, if you want more peace and quiet, no problem, I'll leave too— he exclaimed quickly, trying to leave before Zanka noticed.
—No, stay. I wouldn't want to have dinner alone... besides, I want to talk to you. How has your trial period been?—
Zanka... Zanka wants to talk to me? What should I do? I don't want to give him a bad impression. he's being so kind.
And what does he want to talk to me about? He felt a lump forming in his throat, not knowing what to say.
—I-is that... an order?— he finally asked in a fragile voice, trying to hide his noticeable nervousness.
—Excuse me? Uh, no? I mean, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine. If you don't want to talk to me, that's fine too— he replied, somewhat confused.
An order? That's weird, it's the first time he's talked to Fu and it couldn't be weirder, he thought, trying to figure out what was going on with Fu.
—No! Of course I want to talk to you, I-I just...— he replied anxiously as he held the Hii doll closer to his chest. —These last two months have been good. Everyone is very nice, and to be honest, it's better than being with the Raiders—
—Hmm, I see... Why do you think it's better to be here than with the Raiders? Didn't you like working for them?—he asked with genuine curiosity.
—To be honest, the Raiders' base was uncomfortable. Most of the time we slept underground on dirty mattresses or blankets. Here I even have my own room. Besides... Zodyl never gave me orders... I had to do everything thinking about what would please him most, and I used to make a lot of mistakes—
—Was your job so hard? I mean, we're always working here, but we also rest and have days off, and of course, we would never be forced to do anything we're not willing to do—he pointed out as he began to observe Fu's expressions more closely.
—Ohh... it was hard... but we had no choice. I hate making difficult decisions, and they always forced me to make them. Then, the consequences were entirely my fault...— he said quietly, staring at the Hii doll.
Zanka looked at him intently. This made the former raider nervous and caused his cheeks to redden slightly.
—A-anyway, I'm not there anymore, um... well...—
Idiot!
—Master Hi? Is that you? P-please help me... what should I do?— he thought, trying to get an answer.
—Stop talking about yourself and ask him about himself. You're going to bore him by telling him your whole life story— he replied coldly.
—What should I ask him?—
—I don't know, you moron! Maybe... what does he like? Get creative or he'll get bored—
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—W-well, putting the Raiders aside... t-tell me about yourself. What things do you like?— he asked, trying to look up at Zanka.
Is he trying to change the subject? What is he hiding now...? Zanka wondered.
—Mmm... what do I like? Well, I love Lovely Assistaff, I wouldn't know what to do without her. I meditate from time to time and I also really like foods with broth— he said casually.
—Ahh, and another thing I like: I love to train often. That way I improve my combat techniques, although I think you already knew that... I've seen you secretly watching me while I train— he said at the end with suffocating calm, still maintaining eye contact.
—Or do you think I saw wrong, Fu?—