After a while of driving, Kazuki pulled up to a house that seemed to be slightly older than the others. It was as if the owners didn't care to take care of simple things like the lawn and whatnot, which had left the property with an eerie atmosphere. Kazuki queued for Kazuo and Tsukasa to step out from the vehicle and approach the front gate with her. "Kazuo, since you're the first marksman that was human, you're going to have to be taught differently," she sighed. "I've never actually taught someone how to be a marksman." Kazuo looked to her. "Why not?" he asked. She sighed in return.
"I've never had to train one because only Giftias are allowed to be marksmen." Kazuo could notice that Kazuki felt as if training him would be a hard task to tackle. "Giftias that work here are specifically programmed to be able to do this type of stuff by default. Because of it, I've never had to teach anyone about how to be a marksman." Kazuo was silent for a while before an idea formed in his head.
"Maybe I can try by myself," he finally spoke his mind. Kazuki and Tsukasa looked to each other, then to Kazuo. "But you don't have any experience," Kazuki confronted him. "I've seen how Terminal Service employees are supposed to work," he replied. "I have a good idea of what to do. I just might be a little nervous," he admitted. Kazuki silently examined Kazuo for a while. She seemed to be thinking of how to reply. After a while, she simply shrugged her shoulders. "I guess you can try," she finally said. Suddenly, Kazuo found his uniform collar in the grips of Kazuki's hands. "But if you mess up..," she left the threat empty for Kazuo to fill in. He broke a nervous sweat. "Y-yes ma'am," he replied. She nodded and let loose her grip on his collar. With a small ounce of hesitation, he rang the bell to the owner's house. After doing so, he examined the retrieval file.
Retrieval Target: Aiko Kyu
Giftia Owner(s): Kaede/Yumei Kyu
Date of Retrieval: July 17th
Location Adress of Andriod/Giftia: {CLASSIFIED}
Owner Signature of Retrieval:_
By the time Kazuo had fully looked over the file, the owners of the to-be-retrieved Giftia had arrived to the front gate of the property. They were a small, brittle couple, both seniors by the looks of it. The man of the couple spoke first. "You must be here for Aiko," he said, a small smile was on his face as if to greet the Terminal Service employees. Beyond the couple lay their house's doorway. Past that was a timid looking girl that looked as if she were around the age of eight or nine. She was peeking her head into the doorway so that she couldn't miss out on the conversation. Must be Aiko, Kazuo thought to himselft. He waved to her. In response, her cheeks grew into a firey red as she drew her head slightly back into the house. The grandparents of Aiko must have noticed her presence and queued her to join them. Kazuo noticed that she was reluctant to abide at first, but eventually waddled to join the others. Her hand embraced her grandmother's as she hid behind her. Her grandparents laughed at her shyness. "She's a very sweet girl if you get to know her," Aiko's grandfather said. Kazuo smiled and waved at her. He kneeled so that he was at the same height as she was. "Hello, Aiko. My name is Kazuo Haru and I'm your retriever. It's very nice to meet you!" he spoke in a very soft and warm tone. Aiko seemed to loosen up as Kazuo spoke. Kazuki's eyes were widened as she watch Kazuo work. "It's like this isn't his first time..," she muttured. Aiko slowly stepped from behind her grandmother and revealed herself. "You are a very pretty young lady. I can tell that your grandparents loved you dearly," he said to her. This caused her to slightly blush as she hid a small smile. "T-thank you..," she replied timidly.
Kazuo stood up and showed Aiko's grandparent's the file. He pointed out all of the vital information of the retrieval, as well as where to apply their signature. It was a very smooth process. Upon completion, Kazuo looked back down to Aiko. "You still have time, y'know," he kneeled again. "Would you like to have a play date?" he asked her. A smile seemed to boom on her face as she softly shook her head. He silently looked to her grandparents for silent consent. They both agreed without hesitation, which made Kazuo smile. He turned to Kazuki and Tsukasa and queued them inside. Aiko lead Kazuo into her room. It was a small room. Toy dolls and stuffed animals of various types aligned the dressers and her bed. "You have a very nice room!" he commented, which made her seem to grow happier. The two played with dolls and had make believe tea parties for the remainder of Aiko's time. They even played Truth or Dare upon Aiko's request for a short while. Eventually, Kazuo stood up. "It's time for the retrieval," he said to Aiko. She nodded softly and stood up alongside him. He guided her out towards the Terminal Service vehicle, her hand in his. Everyone else had already been their, communicating.
Kazuo looked to Aiko's grandparents. They had begun to tear up. It hurt to see them so emotional, but he knew that they were only crying because they had happy memories to reflect on. Aiko ungripped from Kazuo's hand and rushed into her owners' arms for the last time. "We love you so, so much, Aiko..," they spoke to her. Her grandmother stroked her hair as she spoke in the sweetest of tones. One last time. Kazuo felt his heart wanting to pop. I'll get used to this, he thought. Aiko stepped back from her grandparent's and smiled.
One last time.
She was put onto the retrieval cot and given a deactivation ring. Her owners' were given the other link. Kazuo looked to Aiko, then to her owners. "I hope that, one day, you will be reunited," he spoke in a soft tone. Then, all in less than ten seconds, Aiko turned from a lively, sweet, little girl to a piece of lifeless metal, worth no more than the option of being recycled. It hurt that this was how Giftia's lives ended, but the nine years that they have with their owners are what truly matters. Kazuo smiled and rebuilt his confidence. Aiko was loaded into the back of the Terminal Services vehicle and driven away from the property. Her grandparents wouldn't see her again.
This was the last time.
