Standing in Shinigami-sama's "office" with all of his daughter's friends and teachers, Spirit wonders where the time has gone.
Naturally, she's the first in her class to have gathered the ninety-nine-and-one souls, and had Spirit ever expected anything less? But to be here now, as she makes her first death scythe…it all seems to have happened so quickly.
Maka looks so smart in her new Spartoi uniform. Not quite like a young woman—(thank god)—but no longer a little girl, even with the pigtails. And still so cute. Always so cute. Spirit can't say it doesn't hurt when she runs to embrace Stein instead of himself, but it wouldn't have been so bad if Soul hadn't met eyes with him over Maka's head. That damn kid…
He eyes her partner as he accepts the final soul from Shinigami-sama. Couldn't even be bothered to drag a comb through his hair for the occasion, or to stand straight, Spirit thinks grumpily. His head looks like a damn octopus. And when did he get taller than Maka?
For his daughter to have chosen a weapon like this one, it's kind of unforgiveable. He mentions as much to Stein.
The professor scoffs at him. "You're saying this on the day he becomes a death scythe? You should know best what kind of strength it takes to get here—unless you'd like to give me all the credit. Besides, you'd have been unhappy with whoever Maka chose."
"Not if it was a woman!" Spirit protests. "Like that Tsubaki—she has a nice body. Why does that punk BlackStar—"
"Huh!" Stein grinds out his cigarette as the children race forward to congratulate the new death scythe. "I think we're all grateful that didn't happen. She could have done worse than that boy."
He watches as the kids swarm around the white-haired boy, pressing forward to give him slaps on the back and fist bumps. Patti throws her arms around him, and Liz musses his hair. BlackStar is there, too, shoving everyone out the way and giving his buddy a punch on the arm so hard that Soul nearly falls over. The meister seems all but forgotten in the weapon's triumph. But then the scythe grabs his partner from the midst of the crowd and pulls her to his side. He thrusts her arm into the air.
Spirit watches as his daughter laughs and blushes. Smiling, he joins the crowd's clapping.
Yeah, she could have done worse.
AN: I wanted to show that, despite all the jokes, Spirit actually has a lot of gratitude towards Soul. I think this stems from the fact that Soul has a lot of respect for Maka…despite all of his jokes as well! XD
I'm sorry for the long hiatus! Did NaNoWriMo back in November and got out of the fanfic swing for a while...Still, I think this where I'll end this story. Short and sweet is always the best. Thank you to everyone who gave me encouragement along the way! You're all my heroes. Now go out and write something! :)
