Chiro's training progressed well. He was a fast learner and a hard worker.
"You kind of have to be around here." He said when Antauri complimented him on it.
In exchange, the Monkey Team learned as much as possible about the new Shuggazoom.
They were horrified with every concept of it, from the ages to the type of learning to the cruelty of it all.
"Babies are separated from their parents at birth." Chiro explained. "Then, they'd be put into the care of kids who volunteer to do that instead of fighting in the army. Those volunteers teach them the basics of fighting. They don't get into the harder stuff unless they join the army." He sighed. "That's what happened to me. I never knew my parents, and the person who raised me was, like many others, very abusive."
"That's terrible!" Nova exclaimed. "All those poor people!"
"But not my kids!" Chiro added proudly. "No such abuse will ever exist as long as I'm in charge. I don't even accept arguing at my place. Although we have to go through the necessary training exercises, I don't allow anyone to get hurt. If they do, I make sure they get the proper treatment. I push only as hard as I have to and they understand that."
"They must really be grateful they were put with you, Chiro." Otto said. "You act as if you're the parent they lost because of Skeleton King."
Chiro smiled softly. "Unfortunately, they do have to be taught by someone else twice a week. They always come home crying from those sessions. That's how I know I'm different than the others. The kids always tell me I'm a thousand times nicer. I hope I'm not spoiling them."
"So that's why you only come for training twice a week. Because you don't want them to be alone." Antauri realized.
"The time I don't spend here goes to my kids." Chiro said. "To tell the truth, it was during one of those sessions that I found this place."
His cell phone rang. "Announcement: There is a surprise house inspection in five minutes."
Chiro's eyes widened. "Five minutes! I've got to get the kids!"
"I'll fly you to the edge of town. C'mon, Kid!" Sprx offered.
"Thanks Sprx! I owe you one!" Chiro breathed when they reached the edge of town. He took off towards the house the kids were at.
"You're late." The man who taught the kids on Chiro's free days snarled.
"I'm sorry! Won't happen again!" Chiro gasped. "Kids, we need to hurry!"
"What's going on, Chiro?" Annie asked.
"Surprise house inspection! If we're not there when they arriveā¦" Chiro shivered at the thought.
They got lucky and the formless were in the house next door when they raced inside their house and got in line for the inspection.
The formless came in seconds after, fortunately not noticing that the group was breathing hard from their run.
Their house was checked off as clear and they all gave sighs of relief when the formless left.
"Where were you, Chiro?" Harold questioned. "We nearly got into trouble."
"It's a long story. You'll find out eventually." Chiro responded. He fell to his knees in exhaustion. "For now, everyone take a break. That was a long run."
The kids swallowed their curiosity and went to their separate rooms.
There would be time for questions later.
