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"I think my parents hurt me," Dashi said to her teacher. She was just thirteen at the time, and while she didn't want to report her parents, she had a baby sister to protect. "They… they always hit me and Koshi, and scream at us, too…"
The teacher didn't say anything for a few moments. Dashi expected a response like "oh my god I'm so sorry" or "we should call the police".
Instead, she responded: "Oh, Dashi, how would your poor parents feel if they knew you were lying about them?"
Oh. She wasn't angry at Dashi's parents. She was angry at Dashi.
"B-but I'm not lying! I— I really remember!"
Her teacher crossed her arms. "Well, maybe you were just dreaming. Kids like you have quite the vivid imagination."
"But it wasn't a dream! They really hurt me!"
"Did they hurt you? Or were they just disciplining you? There's a difference, Dashi." Her teacher stood up. "Run along now, you have places to be, you know. And don't go lying about your parents again, okay? They're good people."
Dashi nodded, head hung low.
"Go on," the teacher gestured to the door.
Dashi turned and left the classroom, tail between her legs. Of course, the one person she'd trusted enough to tell had not believed her.
Was it really all just her imagination?
"…And that's why I never reported it," Dashi finished. "I didn't think anyone else would believe me."
Captain Barnacles shifted in his chair, crossing her arms. He didn't say anything, not for a long while, and Dashi almost thought he was mad at her, too.
"I… I suppose it really wasn't that bad… It's not like they ever beat me. Just… hit us once in a while. I could have imagined the rest…"
The Captain uncrossed his arms, and put his heavy paw on her shoulder.
"Dashi. Look at me," he said sternly. The Captain rarely spoke like that.
Dashi looked up, internally bracing herself for a scolding, though she knew he'd never do such a thing. His jaw was firm, but his eyes were gentle.
"Don't ever say that, alright?" He patted her shoulder. "You didn't imagine anything. And even if it could have been worse, that doesn't mean you didn't have a rough childhood."
Dashi shrugged. "I mean… Hm."
"Even if nobody else believes you, I believe you."
Dashi smiled. "Thanks… Captain."
"And I'm sure the rest of the crew will, too. As long as you're an Octonaut, you'll be safe."
Dashi hugged him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, squeezing tightly as her eyes began to water.
"Oh, c'mere." Captain Barnacles wrapped his arms around her in return, gently patting her back.
Dashi didn't release him for a long while, and Captain Barnacles didn't let go of her at all. Only when she finally lifted her head from his shoulder did he slowly lower his arms.
"Feel any better?" he asked.
Dashi sniffled, wiping her eyes. "Yeah. Much better. Thanks for… for listening."
"I'll always be here to listen." The Captain stood up. "Come on, let's go to the kitchen and get some dinner. I heard the Vegimals made some strawberry kelp cakes!"
Dashi smiled. "My favorite."
"Come on. Let's go before Kwazii eats them all again."
Dashi laughed. For the first time that day, she genuinely laughed. Even if her parents weren't safe, the Octonauts certainly were.
And the feeling of finally being believed was one she knew she'd never forget.