Phantom Awakening

Niko Saga: Chapter 11

It had been weeks since that day in the village with Mira, and Kujo couldn't shake the feeling that his life was slowly changing in ways he hadn't expected. Things felt lighter, as if the weight of his past had softened, making room for something new. Part of that shift had to do with Mira, whose presence was now woven into his everyday life. But a larger part had to do with Niko, the boy he'd taken in and kept hidden in his dorm.

Despite the rules of the Academy, Niko had become a fixture in Kujo's life. The boy had settled in as though he belonged, helping with odd chores, studying quietly while Kujo trained, and even managing to evade most prying eyes with a skill that surprised Kujo. Their connection had deepened, and for the first time, Kujo felt like he was responsible for someone, like he had a family of his own.

But as time went on, Kujo found himself wanting to make things more... permanent. He wanted to give Niko more than just a place to hide, a roof over his head. He wanted to give Niko the security he'd never had himself.

One evening, he decided to speak to the head instructor, Sensei Jiro. He hadn't planned it in advance, but as he thought about Niko and the uncertainty of his situation, he knew he needed to try.

Jiro looked up as Kujo entered his office, his expression curious. "Kujo? Didn't expect to see you here after hours. What's on your mind?"

Kujo hesitated, trying to find the right words. "There's... something I need to talk to you about. It's about a kid named Niko."

Jiro raised an eyebrow, folding his hands on his desk. "Niko? He's not one of our students, is he?"

Kujo shook his head. "No. He's... he's a boy I found in the village. Homeless, alone. I took him in." He took a breath, bracing himself. "I want to adopt him."

Jiro's eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked both surprised and thoughtful. "That's a big responsibility, Kujo. And not exactly within Academy guidelines."

"I know," Kujo said, his tone calm but resolute. "But I've thought about it, and I can't just leave him out there. He has nowhere else to go. And honestly, neither did I—until I came here. Niko deserves the same chance."

Jiro studied him in silence, as if weighing Kujo's words carefully. Finally, he leaned back, crossing his arms. "You're serious about this?"

Kujo nodded. "I am. I know it's not technically allowed, but... I'll do whatever it takes. I'll keep him hidden if I have to, but he deserves a real home, even if it's just here with me."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Jiro's mouth. "You've come a long way, Kujo. I remember when you first arrived—you wouldn't let anyone in. Now you're here, asking to bring someone else into your life." He paused, nodding thoughtfully. "Alright. I'll pull some strings. It won't be official, but I'll make sure the Academy doesn't interfere. You can look after him as your... unofficial family."

Relief flooded Kujo's chest, and he managed a small smile. "Thank you, Sensei."

"Just remember," Jiro said, his tone softening, "family is more than a word. It's a commitment. Niko will look to you for everything now. You ready for that?"

"I am," Kujo replied without hesitation.

With Jiro's blessing, Kujo returned to his dorm, feeling a strange mixture of pride and nervousness. Niko was sitting at the small table, reading a book Mira had given him, his expression focused.

Kujo cleared his throat, and Niko looked up, smiling when he saw Kujo. "Hey, Kujo. Is everything alright?"

Kujo nodded, taking a seat across from him. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

Niko's face grew serious, setting his book aside. "Did I do something wrong?"

Kujo shook his head, a small smile breaking through his usually stoic expression. "No, nothing like that. Actually, it's... something good."

He took a deep breath, meeting Niko's gaze. "I talked to the Academy, to Sensei Jiro. I told him about you. And... he's agreed to let you stay here. Permanently. With me."

Niko's eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and hope flickering across his face. "You mean... like, as in... I'd be your family?"

Kujo nodded, his voice steady but soft. "Yeah. I'd be your family. It's not official, but you'll have a place here. Somewhere safe."

For a moment, Niko just stared at him, as if trying to process the words. Then, suddenly, he threw his arms around Kujo, clutching him tightly. Kujo froze for a second, caught off guard, but then he wrapped his arms around Niko, feeling the boy's quiet, trembling relief.

"Thank you," Niko whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I... I didn't think I'd ever have a family again."

Kujo swallowed, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through him, a quiet sense of fulfillment that went deeper than anything he'd felt before. "You do now," he said softly. "And I promise, I'm not going anywhere."

They sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of the unspoken words filling the room. In that moment, Kujo knew he'd made the right decision. He'd given Niko something he'd lost himself—a sense of belonging, a place to call home.

From that day on, Niko was more than just someone he'd taken in. He was his responsibility, his family, and Kujo felt a fierce determination to protect him, to give him the life he'd once dreamed of having himself.

As they sat together, a quiet understanding settling between them, Kujo felt something he hadn't felt in a long time—a sense of peace, of purpose. He'd finally found something worth fighting for, something he could hold onto. And he knew that no matter what came next, he wouldn't face it alone.