The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 17

As Calie and Marie expressed nervousness about meeting one of Matsu's clones again, the last encounter being at the party after Matsu became Rank 1, Matsu reassured them, affirming that his clone was a good kid. The trio awaited the arrival of Matsu's clone, and soon enough, three figures approached.

Zephyr, the clone, and his adoptive parents walked over. Zephyr, with boundless energy, ran up to Matsu, wrapping him in a tight hug. "It's good to see my father again!" Zephyr exclaimed, and Matsu, smiling warmly, responded, "It's good to see you too, Zephyr." The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and familial warmth as they prepared for a day of bonding and creating cherished memories.

Zephyr, full of enthusiasm, noticed Calie and Marie and gasped. "Did you really bring them?" he asked Matsu in awe. Matsu chuckled and nodded, "Yes, Zephyr, they wanted to visit and see you and your siblings. They'll be spending the rest of the month here in Eclipse City." Zephyr's eyes widened with excitement as he approached Calie and Marie.

"Are you really going to be my new moms? That's so cool! My friends are going to be super jealous that my moms are 'Out of the Blue,'" Zephyr exclaimed, already envisioning the awe on his friends' faces. Calie and Marie shared amused glances before reassuring Zephyr, "We're happy to be here and get to know you, Zephyr. And as for marrying your father, well, we'll see about that." They chuckled, delighted by Zephyr's infectious enthusiasm.

As the day unfolded with laughter and play, Matsu, Calie, Marie, and Zephyr spent quality time together. The sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the park. Zephyr, nestled on Calie's lap, looked up with big, hopeful eyes.

"Calie, Marie, can you come visit us more often?" he asked, a tinge of longing in his voice. Calie hugged Zephyr gently and explained, "We'd love to, Zephyr, but you know, we're idols. Our schedules are unpredictable, and we can't always plan visits. But we'll try our best whenever we can."

Marie added, "Just know that even if we can't be here physically, we're always thinking about you and your siblings. And who knows, maybe one day we'll have a chance to visit again." Zephyr smiled, understanding the reality of their busy lives but cherishing the moments they shared that day.

Matsu smiled warmly at Zephyr, his heart swelling with paternal love. Ruffling Zephyr's hair, he announced, "Our visit is almost over, little buddy." Zephyr, with an adorable pout, wrapped his arms around Matsu, declaring, "I'm going to miss you."

Matsu, bending down to Zephyr's level, returned the hug and kissed his forehead. "I'll miss you too, Zephyr. But you know, no matter what, you'll always be my son." Zephyr, tears welling up in his eyes, tightened the hug and confessed, "I love you, Dad."

Matsu, Calie, and Marie all felt a surge of emotions. Matsu, known for his stoicism, rarely uttered those three precious words. With tears forming in his own eyes, Matsu whispered, "I love you too, Zephyr." The moment was a poignant reminder of the depth of the bonds they shared, transcending even the complexities of genetic origins.

As Zephyr walked away with his adoptive parents, waving goodbye, Matsu watched him with a tender smile. It was a mix of pride and melancholy, emotions that came with being a parent, even to clones. When Zephyr was out of sight, Matsu turned to Calie and Marie, his eyes still glistening with emotion. "It's time for us to head back to Ironhaven," he said, his voice holding a gentle warmth.

During the car ride back, Calie and Marie held onto Matsu's hands, expressing their admiration. "You're a great father, Matsu," Calie remarked, sincerity in her eyes. "The way you played and bonded with Zephyr shows how much love you have for your clones."

Marie nodded in agreement, adding, "It's a beautiful thing to witness, Matsu. You're making a real difference in their lives."

Touched by their words, Matsu felt a lump in his throat. He leaned on Marie, whispering a heartfelt "thank you." It was a rare moment for Matsu, who often shouldered heavy responsibilities. To have someone acknowledge and appreciate his role as a father meant more to him than words could convey.