Cruel Clocks

Chapter 1

"Good morning."

The world spun for a while, everything blurred and dim before his eyes slowly managed to focus on the figure in front of him-- a tall man in a white cloak and an expressionless face calmly observing him with detached interest. Two other persons stood behind him, one as old as the first and one still very young with large grey eyes and a radiant smile. The only source of illumination came from the open doorway behind them, the soft white light making silhouettes out of the three.

He felt something hard from under him--the floor looks so far down. Was he on a table?

"Wow..." the boy sighed. "Endou-san..."

"I know..." Endou responded, just as amazed. "That's the android, isn't it?"

Kidou provided no hint of emotion as he reached out his arm towards his creation's general direction, coaxing it to approach.

"Come, Tsurugi."

"Tsurugi?!" Endou exclaimed, taking a few steps back in surprise and lifting a hand to his mouth, gripping Tenma's hand in his own. "Kidou... no, you didn't."

Slowly, 'Tsurugi' shifted and propped himself up on his elbows, looking around him, confused but obviously intrigued at the shadowy machines hiding behind the shadows around him, but more so by the humans standing in front of him. He gazed at Kidou's  extended hand and attempted to reach it without having to get up, stretching his own arm to try and make contact but suddenly everything spun again,  a high-pitched squeal of shock ringing in his ears. 

"Is he okay?" Tenma asked. 

"He fell off the table, silly thing," Endou's said, slightly laughing as he walked over to Tsurugi, who was still sprawled on the ground, eyes dazed and mind still whirring from the sudden change in position. "Here, let me help you."

Kidou murmured something about checking the program for bugs and glitches as he watched his friend support Tsurugi, making sure he could stand properly before slowly inching away. Blinking, Tsurugi began glancing alarmingly at Endou's face, then at Kidou's, then finally to Tenma's and his confused countenance softened a little when he saw him. Tenma smiled in response.

"Hello, Tsurugi," he greeted, giving him a small wave. 

"Why don't you say hi back?" Kidou suggested, reaching for a clipboard on the worktable. 

"H-Hi."

"Oh, hi!"

Tsurugi stood there, frozen to his spot. Taking a small step forward, his feet gave way from under him and Endou had to step forward again and catch him before he hit the ground. Then, as if nothing happened he stood back up again, carefully taking step after step, eyes glued to the ground, afraid of tripping again for the third time.

To see how far he got the android looked up to see Tenma with his arms outstretched towards him, patiently waiting for him to arrive, a riant smile on his face. It seemed to light up the room even more than the lights behind him and he felt quite safe, hardly even noticing how he'd easily grasped the manner of walking within seconds, reaching Tenma's side with perfect poise and balance. 

"Hey."

"Hi," Tsurugi responded.

"I'm Tenma Matsukaze. Nice to meet you."

"...Temma?"

Kidou looked up from writing, raising an eyebrow at the wrong pronunciation. "It's Ten-ma," he corrected in a matter-of-fact voice, tapping his ballpen on his clipboard.

"Temma," the android insisted. "Nice to meet you too."

"It's all right," Tenma quickly said upon seeing Kidou about to protest again, taking Tsurugi's hand in his own. "May I...?"