Code 011 | Darling in the Franxx

Aftermath

Akio POV

"Was it nessacary to traumatize him? He's a kid."

After what had happened, Nana and Hachi wanted me to try to get an explanation out of Zero Two for what had happened. Mitsuru was fine physically, but his mental state wasn't as fortunate. All he did when he was awake was talk to himself, he became extremely jumpy and paranoid.

"I already told you it's not my fault, why do you even listen to those stuck-ups anyway?" I wanted to argue with her but she was right, even after I learned the truth about Papa and the outside world I still followed orders. I'm not sure why though.

"Can you at least promise me that if you ride with anyone from Plantation 13 again you'll be a little less rough?" She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and she was pouting like a little kid. "I don't see what the problem is..." She looked at me and I narrowed my eyes a bit before she quietly sighed. "But if that's what you want brother...then I guess I can try." I let a small smile form on my lips after I sighed in relief, I patted her on the head before I went to join the others, who went to check on Mitsuru.

When I arrived everyone was crowded around the door as they looked inside. Well, mostly everyone. 

"The worst part was her smile! She smiled the whole time!"

When I looked inside I saw Mitsuru had grabbed Hiro by the collar of his uniform. I pushed past the others and pulled him off Hiro. "How do you do it Akio?" The moment I pulled him off Hiro he shifted his attention to me. "How can you willingly bring yourself to ride with that girl." I wasn't sure what to think about the question, his head was hanging down and I couldn't see his expression. Futoshi came into the room and laid Mitsuru on the bed. The kid looked like he was about to faint.

When I walked into the dorms lounge I saw Emica sitting on one of the couches, she looked stressed. Once she heard my footsteps she looked at me, her eyes widened a bit before she stood up and rushed over to me. "How is he? Mitsuru? Is he ok?" I took a second to figure out how to phrase it before I responded. "Physically, he'll be ok. As for his mental state...I think she might have traumatized him. He kept rambling on about her being a demon." 

Her hands were clasped in front of her chest and she turned her gaze to the floor. I could tell she was having a hard time with this, this was the first time she's seen the damage Zero Two can do to a person firsthand.

She sighed before she lifted her head and placed one of her hands on the left side of my chest. "Do you think...it'll appear on Mitsuru too...?" I gave her a small smile. "No. This was his first time riding with her. Though...I won't be able to say the same for Hiro if he rides with her again." She pulled her hand away and we stood there in silence.

"Anyway, I think I'm gonna go for a walk to clear my head." She smiled and gave me a nod before I left. Eventually, I found myself back at the lake where me and Zero Two first met Hiro. I lifted up my hand and placed it in the same place that Emica did moments before, under the uniform was a scar, evidence of living after my third ride with Zero Two forever engraved on my chest.

"Code 016...Hiro." I couldn't help but worry for the guy, I could tell he was determined to ride with Zero Two again. If that happens then the infection will enter his system. I can't promise anyone that he'll be able to recover like Mitsuru did. Or that he'll recover at all.