Nature Vs Nurture || Dr. Stone

Z=9 Main Story Quest Complete! Reward: A Rat +1 and Finding Civilization +1

"Sensei, thank you!"

"Tai? What do you mean? For what?"

"Thank you so much for taking care of us all this time! Until you recover, we'll take care of it! So you take a break!" Taiju performed a 90 degree bow as he yelled his heartfelt words.

"Don't worry about it, it's just what I have to do. Besides, how could I leave all that work to you kids-" Just as she tried to move, she winces and fell backwards onto the bed.

"Sensei! I'll go get some water for you! Just leave it to me!" Taiju ran out before Tomoe could stop him, and he swore he heard an exasperated sigh.

"They grow up so fast..."

It took Taiju approximately 30 seconds to bring the water, and once again, before Tomoe could say anything, Taiju choose to run.

Senku was right! Then again, when was Senku not right?

As long as they don't let her stop them, they could take care of her and make sure she heals properly!

Taiju did not see the flabbergasted expression on his teacher's face, for he just left her hanging twice.

"Simba?"

Tsukasa took one step into the room, and he already felt the urge to turn away. But he felt guilty, as if he needed to give her some form of response after all that has happened.

"Tomoe. I'm sorry." Tsukasa bowed slightly, and didn't dare to see her expression.

What made him anxious was the fact that Tomoe didn't respond immediately, so it was just a moment of silence for the both of them.

"Tsukasa, next time, let's just talk it out okay?" Gentle but firm, Tsukasa knew this must be what Tomoe sounded like as a teacher.

"I think especially now, survival as a group is a priority. I don't want this sort of thing to happen again." A shuffle of movement made him look up slightly.

She sat there with a tired smile on her face.

"You know, I thought for a bit, and I can understand just a little. Just like you, I love Senku, Yuzuriha and Taiju as much as you love Mirai, and I don't ever want to see those expressions on anyone's faces ever again."

Anxiety, fear, concern, and worthlessness.

"I understand." Tsukasa acknowledged with a fist above his heart.

It wasn't a figure of speech, or simply something he said to satisfice.

It was something he understood very well, from someone who became a parent figure at a young age, and loved someone so unconditionally that he could never wish harm upon them.

To see his sister so worried (and so strong), pains his heart as a care figure.

How could he make his little sister worry about him?

"But Tsukasa, it's not just you, but all of us. We have to learn from one another and learn to work together with our flaws and different backgrounds. So, it's also on my part, I should have paid more attention, and tried my best to see it from your perspective. And I'm sorry that I couldn't help you or did something more."

Tsukasa did not expect this.

Tomoe was genuinely concerned and reflected upon herself as she apologized.

"No, that's not true, I only focused on my own beliefs and chose not to consider yours." Tsukasa responded truthfully, but she only took a deep breath in response.