Darling in the FranXX: Insurrection

Chapter 41- Ceremony

The mood in Haven had changed drastically over the last several days. At the beginning, everything was business as usual, with no particular atmosphere to make note of. Then, the marginally successful attack against the manufacturing facility when coupled with the revelation of the new Nines and VIRM had quickly sent public opinion into a terrible downward spiral. That all changed when Hiro entered your office, however.

As the door closed, Hiro was met by two sets of eyes looking over the monitors sitting on the desk. "Hey (Y/N), do you have a minute?"

"I think so," you reply. "What about you?" you ask the child seated in your lap.

Asada glances up from the book she was reading and looks over her shoulder. The silver-haired girl gives you a shrug and goes back to her book without a word. You grin and pat her on the head before motioning for Hiro to sit down.

Hiro makes himself comfortable, leaning against the head of the table. In the meantime, you disable the central holographic monitor with a flick of your wrist. "What is it you want to talk about?"

The young man shifts his weight. "Well... I was going to ask you for a favor."

"Whatever you need," you respond.

"But... I haven't asked yet," Hiro chuckles. He takes another deep breath before continuing. "Zero Two and I are going to get married."

"Oh? In that case, congratulations," you say with a smile. "I'm very happy for you both."

"Yeah," Hiro places a hand on the back of his neck. "Zero Two is really excited, and I'm sure it'll be great..."

"But?" you finish his thought.

Your dark-haired friend hops up so that he is now sitting on the table. "I just can't help but feel like I'm not good enough. I'm supposed to be able to protect her, but when we fought at the Garden she was injured while I held the controls. I can't get it out of my head."

You listen carefully as Hiro lays out a few additional details behind his fears. After he's finished, you take a moment to consider what he's said. Having finally decided how you want to approach this, you start your reply.

You tap Asada on the shoulder. "Hey, when you think about Zero Two, what comes to mind?"

"Zero Two is strong, stronger than you," she answers flatly, while also deflating your ego. That's what you get for asking a child though, they have no filter.

"Does she need anyone to protect her?" you continue.

Asada shakes her head.

"Well, there you have it," you tell Hiro.

With a look of confusion, he asks, "What do you mean?"

"You don't have to be able to protect Zero Two to marry her," you state. "I know I might not be the best person to say that given my track record with Ichigo, but there is so much more to your relationship than being partners, isn't there? The two of you always seem like you're having such a great time together. Laughing and having fun, horsing around, and all the other things that only the two of you do with one another."

Asada cocks her head. "What does marry mean?" she asks.

"It's when you promise to be with someone, forever," Hiro tells her.

The silver-haired twin twists herself to look directly up at you. "Can we get married too?"

You cough and Hiro laughs out loud.

"No, angel, I don't think we should do that," you say after clearing your throat.

"Why not?" Asada pouts.