RADIANT SWORD☼

@sunriseray

He was having a perfectly fine day! Whistling a tune as he picked up a box full of makeshift robotic parts, turning around to place it on the table next to him–

“Hi, Gara-san!”

“AAAAAH!”

HOLY FUCK!

The box went into the air and landed behind him. Upside down. There went all of his parts. Did he hear glass breaking??!

Standing right under him was that kid from the Vanguard world, smiling up all cutely at him. This kid was fucking dangerous, more so than Gao. God dammit.

“Oh greeeaaaaat, great. You’re back. What do you want? Who the fuck told you where my lab was?”

“Hi, Gara-san!”

The surprised cry and toss of the box didn’t disturb the sweet smile on Taiyou’s face. He stood up straight, hands still behind his back, ignoring the biting tone Gara spat at him upon realizing just who entered his lair.

“Tasuku told me! I asked about you, wondering if you were still here and decided to come visit. Wow, this is the coolest place I’ve ever seen... so this is a scientist’s lab...”

Taiyou ducked under Gara and of course began touching and poking at his odd experiments and whatever the heck... was in that glass vile. No, he’s not asking. No.

“Uh, ‘friends’ is a little bit of a strong word… He’s definitely been trying, though, so it’s a huge improvement from before! I’m sure he’ll open up a little more once he sees you too!”

Were those happy tears? Typical Taiyou, he was so pure and caring for his friends! Tasuku let go of him only to take both of his hands.

“Hey Taiyou, let’s go back home together! Your room in the house is still exactly as it was before… We kept it clean for you in case you ever came back! I have so much to tell you about too…”

In the midst of his excitement, Tasuku seemed to remember his place.

“Oh, if you don’t have plans, of course! Sorry, I got a little bit ahead of myself there…”

Taiyou didn’t want to feel like a burden. Just like all the other times he was ready to decline moving in, but hearing that Tasuku went through the trouble of keeping it clean just for him, how could he? He didn’t have the heart to belittle his friend’s good gesture.

“I just got here, silly! I haven’t made any plans, and I’d love to hear what’s been going on. Oh, can we make pot stew together again? I know it’s late Summer still but it was so much fun last time.”

Chrono getting heated over the semantics of stew? Now that’s always a good time!

By now, Tasuku had no doubt that he would be a resident of Hive City for a very long time. But with Taiyou there with him, Tasuku didn’t really care. In fact, if Taiyou was going to be here, then the scientists could keep Tasuku as long as they wanted. That’s what Tasuku felt as they shared their warm embrace.

“Heheh. I never want to be separated from you again either! And it looks like they don’t want to get rid of me just yet, so…”

“I’m all yours! If you need anything, just say the word, and I’ll come running! By the way, where did they assign you this time? Do you wanna come back to the house again? Chrono’s still there too, and Shouji-san moved in recently.”

“I’m not sure what’s worse for someone. Tossing them back and forth like a yo-yo or keeping them here for as long as you and Chrono.” Taiyou’s smile faltered for a bit. Hey, that feeling was mutual though. So long as Chrono and Tasuku were here, Taiyou didn’t mind his stay in Hive City.

Plus, he made a new amazing friend every time! It wasn’t so bad.

“Sector oo1, apartment P!”

“K-Kazuma-san...he... he--” Whoa there buddy, calm down! The idea of Kazuma making friends with everyone made him positively glow!

“I’m so happy...! I was so worried about him, but knowing he’s made friends with all of you... I...”

@sunriseray​

That small stature… That crown of chestnut… Not to mention, the huge, shining auburn eyes that had looked to Tasuku with recognition…!

“Taiyou!”

Unable to hold back his zeal, Tasuku ran towards Taiyou and hugged him tightly. This time, he could be sure that Taiyou had remembered him. He squeezed him tighter and tighter, just loving the way Taiyou radiated warmth.

“You’re back in the city! I missed you so much…!”

There was no time to yell out his name as happily as Tasuku had his own! He already closed the space and brought Taiyou into a warm welcoming embrace and he giggled while arms swung around him, a cheek nuzzling into his shoulder.

Tasuku was, despite being the same age, something of a big brother to him. He adored him just as much as he did Chrono!

… Right. He took it literal. Doctor Gara never felt more idiotic than right now, whereas he was faced with a child that had a mouth running five times faster than any other kid he’d met in this city. Not to mention he was disgustingly pure and sweet…

Gross.

“Absolutely none of that is going to happen. I’m not sorry for what I did, even if I’m not doing it anymore. Your view of the world is just as black and white as that irritating Ryuenji! No wonder the two of you get along.”

For crying out loud, he was still standing there, staring up at him with those burgundy puppy eyes. Gara wanted to vomit.

“… You want ice cream or something? If I buy you ice cream, will you screw off?”

“Wuh-- HEY! You asked me, I gave you an answer! What do you mean you’re not going to do any of that?” Taiyou’s cheeks puffed out in a pout as he folded his arms, glaring up at the doctor indignantly. He refused to let this go! He had a chance to make a difference, and he would force Gara to apologize even if it meant--

“… You want ice cream or something?”

“.......................................... Ice cream isn’t going to heal my friends.”

“But if you want me off of your back for now, yes. Buy me ice cream. Prove to me you can be a nice guy and I’ll leave you alone.”

“You’re dead wrong if you think I’m trying to make you believe it or that I care if you do or not! I really don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone’s opinions of me!”

That was the loudest, most profound lie he told himself.

All of this change, every ounce of venom leaving his body. It was due to one singular person… Someone he refused to ever see again.

“What do you want, kid? What’s it gonna take to get you to scram and get the hell off of my back?”

Taiyou confused himself for a good couple of minutes at Doctor Gara’s declaration of not caring.

Most villains who were trying to get closer to their enemies would lie and make a huge stink about becoming good for the benefit of the world, right? That’s what he saw in television shows. But what if Doctor Gara knew it and was lying about not caring? Or maybe he was telling the truth...

Ugh, my head hurts!