"There you are, Kiko." He walked over and sat by her side, keeping his eyes away from her curled up figure. "The others are waiting on the other side of the grove."
"Shuten..." Her voice was quiet and muffled, so he had to strain his ears a little.
"Yes?"
"You've met my father too, right?"
"We all have."
"... What did you think of him?"
...? "I didn't talk to him much. All I know is that he cares about you and Zanark quite a lot. In fact, during our visit that time, after you fall asleep and before he leaves for work, he'd come to the clearing and talk to him about you every night. About your mother too."
"Did he... have any expectations for me or anything? Like something he wants me to achieve, or the type of person he hoped I'll grow up to be...?"
"I promised to keep her safe no matter what."
"She just wants to play."
"Take her with you... far away from here... to somewhere she can grow... and learn... and make plenty of friends... like any other child..."
"... All he's ever wanted was for you to grow up safe and happy." After all, that is how all parents should be. "And now that he's gone, he's entrusted you to our care. We weren't able to do much for you this past year because we had to avoid El Dorado's notice while Zanark was in MUGEN, but from now on, you truly are one of us."
"I see..." She let out a long sigh.
?
"And what if... theoretically... I say that I don't want to be one of you?"
"... Then, you're free to leave whenever you'd like."
Her head snapped up at him with wide eyes. Looks like she wasn't expecting that answer. But it made sense as she grew up in quite a strict household. One that cherished her in all the wrong ways.
He knew better than most what that felt like.
"Every single member in this team is here by their own choice because following Zanark doesn't only give us purpose, but also joy. If our team doesn't bring that to you, then no one will force you to stay. We will continue to watch over you from afar, but we will not interfere with your life if that is what you wish."
"... Thank you, Shuten."
He smiled, gently placing a hand on her head. "Of course."
~~~~~
"Gouzu!"
"Over here, Kiko!"
The girl immediately made her way over to his position by the edge of the water. "So this is where you've been!"
"You were looking for me?"
"Of course! Zanark said we'll be leaving soon, and you were the only one that didn't show up!"
That got a chuckle out of him.
"What's so funny?"
"No, nothing... It's just funny to think that, a month ago, you were so scared of our team. Now, you're the one trying to keep everyone together."
"That's because you guys were threatening me! Saying stuff like you want to rip me apart from Kyou and the others!"
"And yet, in the end, you chose to leave them yourself."
"T-T-That's... I..." She frowned, sighing. "I did... I felt like I didn't have a choice."
"But you did."
YOU ARE READING
On The Side Of The Pitch With You
Fanfiction"You are my happiness." All she wanted was to keep him safe. All he wanted was for her to be happy. A lot of things happened in the span of a single year. They joined a revolution, time travelled, and even went to space together. "Just how stupid ar...
