A New Generation: A ZoroMiku Story

26: Good News

Miku

It had only been a week since the kids had left for Bird Nest again and Miku was already missing them. She'd enjoyed every moment spent around the youngsters and adored each and every one of them, though she and Zorome both agreed they'd need to do something to teach them how to have fun. He vowed he'd talk to Ichigo about setting something up for them at Bird Nest. Despite the fact they hadn't been under the influence of APE in some time, it was clear they'd been affected by it in some deep way. 

Zorome and Miku arrived at that day's meeting first. Zorome had been napping and had practically begged her to let him stay in bed, though she'd grabbed him by the ear and he'd immediately gotten up and begrudgingly left their little house. The two of them had been bickering about it ever since. 

"Ugh, Miku, but these meetings are so boring! I mean, what else is there to talk about now other than the curriculum?" Zorome asked as they entered the Meeting Centre and went to sit on a bench together. 

"Don't be such an idiot!" Miku scoffed, glaring at him. "These meetings are what's helping us get to the point where we can teach kids every day! You were the one who said that things were going as planned last week. You even took credit for it!"

"Well, yeah," Zorome muttered. "But I didn't think there'd be so much sitting around all the damn time involved. Other than practicing with the kids last week, what else have we done that's actually fun?" He was basically half-whining at this point. 

"Oh, don't be such a baby!" Miku snapped. "We need to do these for as long as it takes. It's not about fun!" But after a moment, she found herself sighing. "But, yeah, they get tiring. Maybe we should plan some sort of event to do with the group. I feel like we don't do anything with them other than these meetings and it would be nice to get to know them on a more personal level."

"Now you're gettin' it!" Zorome exclaimed. Then he frowned and scratched his head. "But, uh, I'm not sure what to do with them right now."

"We'll come up with something," Miku assured him. "Maybe we can just go for a walk tomorrow and talk about it? I dunno."

The doors flew open and Bani ran over to them with a huge smile across her face. Her partner, Sevy, was panting as he ran in after her. 

"Wow, you came running in fast!" Miku exclaimed, standing up.

"Yeah," Zorome commented. "Sup with you two?"

"We have, like, only the best news!" Bandi was cheerfully bouncing up and down. For the first time, Miku noticed that the smaller former parasite was holding a paper in her hand. 

"What's that?" Zorome asked, clearly noticing it at the exact same moment. He was eyeing it curiously. 

The others were now walking in, gathering around curiously. Other than Hyaku, who stayed at the back of the small crowd. 

"It's the location and updated blueprints!" Bandi cried happily. "The facility builders said they can start building this week!"

Zorome

"HELL YEAH!" Zorome shouted, his voice echoing around the massive main room. He pumped his fists up and down excitedly. "Woo! Hear that, Miku? Our school's gonna be starting to be built!"

"Uh, yeah, I'm right here," Miku said, grumpily sticking one of her fingers into her ear. "But thanks for yelling it in my ear again anyway."

"This is good news!" Excitement gleamed in Jasper's eyes. Zorome was happy to see that his friend seemed to be as glad about it as he was. He knew how much it meant to him, the school, due to how it had been important to Bella as well. He hoped she was watching from somewhere, just as he hoped Hiro and Zero Two were as well. He wanted them all to be proud. He also, admittedly, wanted Hiro and Zero Two to be envious and impressed. After all, he would never let them outshine him and Miku! 

"Yep!" Sevy looked happy. "We were pretty happy when we heard the news. A former squadmate of ours actually came and gave this to us on our way here. He's part of the group in charge of building things around here." 

"Y'know," A thought suddenly jumped into Zorome's mind. "I kinda think this calls for some sort of celebration." As everyone stopped and looked at him, their attention fully on him, he went on. "I mean, think about it: we haven't really had a celebration yet, have we? I think it'd be better, these drab meetings, if we did have some whenever something cool happens...something like this!" 

"You know, that's not a bad idea," Miku said, seemingly impressed with her partner for once. She had an excited look in her eyes. "He's right. I think we should have a special ceremony. Maybe invite some of our friends. I can see if Ichigo and the others can come! We can wear the former parasite uniforms that we wore whenever we had ceremonies back in the day!"

"Yeah!" Zorome was getting pretty hyped about this. "We should have it right here! We can, uh, have some sort of feast too!" 

"It sounds good to me," Jasper said with a thoughtful expression. "I'm sure Bella would want to do this if she were here." 

"Mm, a feast! Yep, this flies well with me." Pondo was grinning. 

Raven and Daitana, the two girls who hardly spoke up yet were often very good contributors, were nodding together. 

"Sounds fun," Raven said happily. "All of my former squad friends live in the housing area here and can come to the celebration!"

"Same here," Daitana said. "Well, what's left of my squad. So, like, two other people." Despite the morbidity of her statement, she seemed amused. She had an oddly dark taste of humour, something everyone had noticed as weeks went by. She was kinda badass too. 

The only one who didn't say anything, naturally, was Hyaku. Somehow he seemed even more off since the time Miku had confronted him. He still contributed but there was something weird about him. Zorome could sense it.

He did not like the vibe he got from the boy at all.