The Life and Times of an Average Coward

Chapter 06: Moving Forward

Warning: Timeskips Galore

Non-betaed

To clarify, Giyuu, Sabito and Urokodaki refer to Zen-chan with gender neutral pronouns when talking about her or to her at the first part. Don't mistake it as the boys calling her 'them' or 'they', its just in Nihonggo or Japanese, people sometimes refer to others in gender neutral pronouns like 'aitsu' or 'koitsu' which can both mean him/her. So for the time being the boys are switching from him/he to her/she but in the near future Zen-chan would be able to convince them to call her with male pronouns to solidify her guise and the boys would reluctantly agree to sooth her non-existing worries about her lack of convincingness when it comes to manliness and being seen through her disguise. Giyuu blames Sabito for that fact alone.

~1 year later~

"Zen, come with me." Yuu glared at the hand holding my other hand. Frustration, jealousy and irritation present in his heart.

A slight hum. "But I'm going to show Zen-chan something and he already agreed." The hand tightened its hold while Yuu tugged me to his direction.

"He's coming with me."

"No." Sabito—or Sachi for me at least—started pulling too and his kind smile somehow looked threatening in its pleasantness.

"Let go, Sabito-san."

"No can't do, I asked him first."

"Hn." Yuu's hold tightened painfully, his sapphire cut eyes drilling to lavender fox-like eyes. Somehow that action reminded me of that one anime guy with a duck's butt for hair, what was it again? Uchiwa? Uchiha?

Either way, it has to do with a fan of all things.

What's with these two?! I tried to wriggle my hands free but their grip won't relent and it's starting to become painful. I sighed in exasperation.

Here we go again.

"You should learn how to share you know, don't hog Zen-chan all to yourself Giyuu."

Yuu frowned. "I don't have to share him, he's my friend."

Sachi quirked a brow, the mellow rain starting to become violent, pulling me closer to him. "So what? He's my friend too."

"I was first."

"And that was last year, you've only met him a month before we've met, hence, you have already spent more time with him. That's why he's going with me right now." Sachi spoke calmly, his brows furrowing slightly.

Yuu just pulled, not bothering to reply, his eyes were cold and angry.

"OUCH!"

I am confused as hell by these two ridiculous boys, pulling at me like I'm some toy that they insisted being theirs. It had already been a year since our faithful meeting that involved a cliff and a possible pedo that turned out to be an old man who trains children to become slayers of the abominations called demons.

So much had happened, Yuu insisting to become Tengu-jiji's student was the very star of those changes. I was against it and still am to this day, because what kind of friend am I if I tolerate the thought of a friend battling with an honest to God monster? What type of dumbass would I be if I willingly let my friend, one of my precious people, go into a dangerous job that might lead to his earlier grave?

Hell fucking no but it's hard to convince the boy otherwise when he got it into his head that he's doing this to protect me better, to be a whole lot better friend when it's obvious that he doesn't have to do anything to become better because the stubborn brat was easily the greatest friend I could ask for. But that being said, once Yuu got it into his head to do something, he will do it even if you threatened him with bodily harm along with not cooking his favorite food and I'm telling you, not once did Giyuu refused to eat Kaa-san's special recipe of simmered salmon with daikon, that's just how bullheaded he is.

And right now, it is not the time for his inherent stubbornness.

(Sachi is no better in that regard either, I've tried convincing him but he ended up lecturing me about how to become a true man.)

Why won't they just get along?! I know that both boys are kind and all, with Sachi more on the side of obsession about manliness and Yuu being the human iceberg with a massive side of coolness, but it was already a year now since we've been here living together and yet the two still constantly butt heads against each other.

J-Just ow!

My eyes automatically teared up and I sniffled, imagining myself getting torn in half with their tug of war with me as the rope but that's not the only reason. "I-It hurts, stop it the both of you! What if I split in half?!" Tears stumbled in my face, as my hands were easily freed from both boys, using them to furiously rub at my eyes.

"I don't want to die with my body split in half! Are you guys trying to kill me?!" I glared at them through tears while I wiped incessantly on my cheeks. By the Sound God, why am I such a wimp?

Their eyes were wide with panic and I can tell from their sound that they're sorry, very worried and a tad bit alarmed.

"O-Of course not Zen-chan I would never—"

"I'm sorry does your hand hurt—"

"Shut up!"

I wiped at my nose to clear the snot. This had gone long enough "You guys have been behaving like this for twelve months now! What's wrong?! I'm not a toy and my growing bones are really sensitive! What if you two break something? I don't want that," I shivered at the memory of my stupid ass self, trying to climb a bamboo tree unassisted, unconsciously rubbing my right arm. "to happen again! And if you both don't sort this out 'till tomorrow I'm gonna take Tengu-jiji's suggestion to live in his friend's house!" I immediately took off running towards the hut with my eyes closed after my outburst, partly it was because Tengu-jiji's idea of training for my ears—and that I don't mind it since it's useful in the long run— but it was mostly because I don't want to see their faces of abject horror. Just hearing their horrified heartbeats was enough.

It was true though, the former demon slayer did offer me to live with another old man named Kuwajima Jigoro, Tengu-jiji had told me that they were from the same generation and were good friends. He told me the reason for the invitation was that he was worried that I'd get bored by myself since the two were always training together, leaving me to my own devices and that the other old man was feeling lonely and wanted at least one brat with him to either teach or as company.

After a whole lot of maneuvering and clumsy tumbling, I managed to successfully get out of the bamboo forest without setting off the traps, my emotional state boosting my want to get out without a hitch. Sliding the shoji door with a slam, I immediately located my hiding place, ducking under Tengu-jiji's arm to open a cupboard that contains the pots and other cooking materials. When I was about to go inside my safe haven, large hands scooped me up to a firm chest, knowing who it was, I squirmed around to latch my arms to his neck. "Yuu and Sachi are being horrible again!"

A warm hand rubbed comforting circles on my back. "Were they arguing about you once again?" He asked carefully, making me huff in frustration about the ridiculous aggression the both have when I was placed in the picture.

The two could actually get along when I wasn't in the subject of their conversation, they're even friendly when I watched them secretly while they train. Not that I watch them secretly all the time. Not.

The two water boys could even joke around each other, with Yuu's blatant clueless indifference and dryness that made it hard to tell if he's kidding or insulting you and with Sachi's lighthearted jabs and his running obsession to becoming the truest manliest manly man to ever be truly manly.

He sounds like that one redhead guy on that one anime that I didn't manage to finish, with the one dude with green hair that I can relate to in terms of screechiness. Who was that guy again? Kiri-something or another.

For some reason I don't remember my last lifetime as well as I would have liked. Mama's face was becoming blurry and so was Tatay Ricky's and Granny's. When I try to remember the specifics, I felt like I was trying to catch soap bubbles, I know what they are, that they are there but when I finally grabbed them it would just pop.

I don't even remember my sperm donor's name anymore. It's freeing I guess, since he's the only person I've ever totally and really hated in my life, just forgetting about his real name is a big deal, it just says that he doesn't have a hold on me nor does he have a part in my world.

The only thing that was concerning since I don't want to truly forget about my family but I get the feeling that ROBi—as in Random Omnipotent Bitch—had something to do with it. She and ROA are the best of friends together with her brother ROB—stands for Random Omnipotent Bastard—in making my life more adventurous, dangerous and miserable.

Not being a Villager C sucks, I just had to land on a life of a possible MC in a possible different dimension and I'm not saying that I have the characteristics of an average MC of some random anime but my current backstory reeks of possible MC or major side character. But to be honest, I think Yuu fits the part of being an MC more than I do.

I mean, tragic backstory? Check. Calm and cool personality? Check. A warm heart despite looking cold? Check. A face that isn't easily forgettable and easy on the eyes? Check. Friends with either the coward type (me) and a headstrong one (Sachi) to balance his aloofness? Check. Being trained to become a great fighter by an eccentric old man in the middle of nowhere? Check. Had a righteous goal that is possibly dangerous and life threatening to achieve? A major check.

Yuu is an MC in the making and I'm his possible sidekick or childhood best friend that appears on his backstory or someone he's going to travel with in his adventures.

By the Music and Sound Gods, either way, it would still suck major balls.

And for the time being, Yuu is still going into character development of accepting others into his life and it sucks that it has been a year and he still haven't accepted Sachi into our trio.

(For some reason in anime there is almost always a trio, either a trifecta of villains or main characters or funny side characters.)

"The idiots are going at it again and they almost had me split in half again with all their pulling! So, I threatened them that I would go to Kuwajima-san's if they don't makeup by the end of the day and now, I feel terrible about it. Was it wrong of me to want my friends to both get along?" I wailed pitifully, the reassuring hand kept rubbing my back in circles, the flowing river trying to wash away my worries.

At the back of my mind, I can hear two others by the door, but I was too occupied with my stupid feelings.

"Maybe I should just go since I'm causing all the trouble for all of you. I'm just a useless cowardly clingy kid with major issues, but then again I wouldn't want to become a burden to Kuwajima-san too if I'm ever to move to him." I looked up to the tengu mask's eyeholes and pulled a teary self-depreciating smile. "I'm really no good, aren't I?"

Tengu-jiji started. "Now child that is,"

"Bullshit Zen-chan! That is non-sense!" The rice paper door slammed open revealing an incredulous Sachi and a blank faced but equally incredulous Yuu.

"Sabito, language!"

"Not now Urokodaki-san!" Sachi marched over to me, stormy lavender eyes that reflected his sound, stared at me with determination. Yuu followed him quietly.

Once he was close enough, he snatched me away from the old man's arms and into his own. "You have never caused trouble for us Zen-chan." He smiled a kind smile, softening his features, his painful looking scar notwithstanding.

A warm presence settled on my side, it was Yuu, and they were sandwiching me between them. "It was us causing all the trouble for you."

"Bu-But—"

"No buts Zen-chan, just listen to us."

"You," A pale hand pointed towards my nose making me cross-eyed when I tried to follow it. "Are never a burden to us." Blue eyes looked at me fiercely, an ocean trying to drown my troubles away. "And I've told you before hadn't I? That you are not useless and far from it."

"Giyuu's right, you're the one who gets our heads straight when we need a whole lot of yelling." Nimble fingers started scratching my scalp distractively, making my hunched shoulders relax and lean back to Sachi's warm chest. "Like right now, you always know the right words to say when we need it, we men don't really know how to do that, and we're glad to have someone like you with us."

Giyuu shuffled closer, leaning his forehead into mine, blue eyes closed as he inhaled deeply. "Don't be too hard on yourself okay?" He whispered once his eyes opened.

A chin hooked on my shoulder while Sachi nuzzled his face to my neck. "There's nothing wrong with you, you know. So what if you're always afraid and clingy towards us? There's nothing wrong with that in fact, Giyuu and I enjoy your attention and that's why… we may have been a little leery towards each other."

I snorted at his last statement, my cheeks starting to warm up from my giddiness. "A 'little' is such an understatement Sachi and we all know it."

"I know and… it's very unmanly."

"Yes," Somehow, I can picture the salmon haired boy blushing in admittance causing me to giggle a little. "It was very unmanly."

Placing both my hands in their respective unruly hair, I started stroking them lovingly, not unlike how I would pet my pet cat a lifetime ago. "So, you guys are not gonna fight anymore?"

"We'll try."

"Just don't leave us just yet Zen-chan."

Hearing their heartbeats, I wasn't able to withhold the smile that showed my missing tooth, the occasional happy tears falling from my eyes that both older boys are quick to wipe away.

"I won't!"

Out of nowhere, strong arms pulled us together to a firm chest and from my position I could here Tengu-jiji's fierce protectiveness and happiness as he hugged the three of us.

"You three sure are troublesome."

At his exasperated tone, we all started laughing even Giyuu was chuckling here and there.

Looking at it, things really had change.

But I could only dearly hope that it would always be for the better.

I stared at the crow and the crow stared back at me.

"So… want some more berries ahhh…" Come on, come on, an acceptable name for a damn crow.

"Kurotsuki-kun!" Yeah, good enough, could be better though. I've only ever called the black bird by 'Crow' all the time and can't be bothered before since I was still reeling that it can 'talk' part.

Talk and insult me to put it simply.

So yeah, we've been acquainted since I was one and yes, it was the same crow who creeped me out with its nodding when I nodded to it. Now that I thought of it, why the hell did I even bowed my head to the avian?

Must be the childish hormones kicking in that time. And it's not that I'm a bit off my rocker or anything.

No, I am not in denial, I am just a really respectful person in general that I even say goodbye to some of the very tame and not very dangerous (cuties!) animals I've met in both lives. I love animals when they don't try to bite, peck, scratch, chase or bark my ears off when I try to pet them.

Most of those animals happened to be birds.

I really miss Granny's pet snowy owl now, just thinking about that intelligent magnificent beautiful bird brings tears to my eyes. And I miss Near (my cat) just as much.

I wiped it off when I noticed that the avian was staring at me cautiously. He probably thinks that I would throw a tantrum if he doesn't agree.

"Very well, if you insist."

I gave him the wild berries on my hand with justified apprehension.

Can I just say just how polite he is and very regal when it comes to his mannerism, which by the way is hella weird to see such a human gesture on an avian.

"But if I must say Zenitsu-kun, you're only a few kanjis off to my real name."

I perked up at that. "Really? You have a name?"

The crow stopped his pecking and stared at me, and for some reason, he managed to give the vibe of someone giving a raised eyebrow or just generally giving the 'Are you an idiot?' look. It was pretty amazing for someone who lacks the ideal features to give that look.

But the fact still remains, it felt even more downgrading when an animal gives you that look than it does from other fellow humans.

"Of course I do, if I have none then it would be hard to distinguish me from my fellows." Idiot.

Oh yeah, have I also mentioned that this particular crow can be both awfully polite and insulting at the same time? Well, if I hadn't then, there's that. The feathered animal does not insult people outright and does it in a polite roundabout way that makes it hard to show your insulted because he was being one polite son of a bitch.

I sniffed at him. "Yeah whatever, so what's your name?"

The crow somehow sighed and shrugged in a 'what can you do' manner. "My name is Kurotsuchi though introductions might be late, I would still say it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." And the newly renamed Kurotsuchi bowed more like bobbed his whole body.

It was kinda cute so I giggled.

(Man, I should learn how to withhold that if I'm posing as a boy and according to Sachi, "A true man does not giggle." But my experience with Daiki-ojiichan begs to differ.)

From my perch on the tree, I forgone the usual sixty-degree bow for a nod to avoid another falling incident. "It's nice to meet you Kurotsuchi-kun and it will also be my pleasure to be your acquaintance."

A breeze passed by and I inhaled the crisp smell of the forest. Mt. Sagiri is definitely a relaxing place to live in considering that it also serves as a training ground for the next Water Style users. If I focused enough, I could hear all the boys to where the waterfall is located, training away with vigor, swishing their practice swords in a slowly becoming familiar motion. Sometimes I would even join them if I'm up to it, so I know some of the basic movements in what I could only describe as a fluid dance, all grace and finesse that I still thoroughly lack with my uncooperative clumsy limbs. I guess suddenly shrinking down to midget size when I'm used to longer appendages does a big blow to my balance. But in no time, I would get that together with my old speed and stamina as a runner.

I would just need a whole lot of patience and… perseverance, the latter which I thoroughly lack together with my self-esteem.

I watched Kurotsuchi finish up the berries with an unsure smile. "Ahm… can I still call you Kurotsuki-kun though?" I asked cautiously, already making way for what I know was a rejection.

The crow tilted his head, mulling my words as his silvery eyes—the very reason for the 'tsuki' on the name that I gave him—stared at me unnervingly.

"I don't mind at all if you do, not one of my brethren have that name yet so I think the conditions will be fine."

My smile became wider. "Really?"

Kurotsuchi, or should I say Kurotsuki, sighed. "Yes, and I don't like repeating myself." He stretched his wings out and flapped it once then proceeded to bow. "If there's nothing else I would be taking my leave now, I still have a lot of messages to deliver."

"Okay, thanks for stopping bye. Visit again some other time, Kurotsuki-kun!"

With another nod, the dark bird took flight in the clear blue sky to the west with a fleeting 'caw!', leaving me alone on the thick branch.

I didn't stray my eyes from the tiny blot until it was completely gone from the distance. A pensive thought blooming in my mind as it finally came to me that this was the exact day that both Kaa-san and Daiki-ojiichan died. It still hurts when I think about them, but it wasn't as painful as it used to before and I know that in time it would all be an easy acceptance like how I came to fully acknowledge my reincarnation freakiness during my break down almost a year ago. Yuu's presence was really helpful in grounding me and so were the calming serene sounds that surround Sachi and Tengu-jiji. Water and tranquility do go hand in hand after all, and I have three of them surrounding me 24/7 so it was bound to have an effect.

All I can do right now is move forward as what Sachi always say about being a true man. I hope you both approve of that for now, Kaa-san, Daiki-ojiichan.

"Everything stays

But it still changes~

Ever so slightly,

Daily and nightly~

In little ways

When everything stays…"

~3 years later~

Zenitsu age seven

"Are you really sure about this Zen/Zen-chan?"

For the nth time that day, I sighed once again, giving them a dry stare.

"Yes, I'm quite sure about this." I lifted the crudely knitted bag that contains my meager belongings over my shoulder, pulling at the straps at the same time to make sure that it would hold for the long travel.

Good enough.

A warm pale hand grabbed one of my shoulder. "If it's because we're paying less attention to you these days, we could make time for you." Yuu said seriously, mouth settled in a small frown.

"Un, we could always ask Urokodaki-san to just―"

"No."

"But, but Zen-chan." Sachi looked at me imploringly, lavender eyes confused. "I thought you wouldn't leave us?" If the salmon haired boy was one to pout, he probably would have by now.

The clear question of 'why?' was in them, his sound was troubled both of them actually, Yuu just doesn't express it outwardly like Sachi does. In Sachi's words, "Giyuu is a man of few words." And I couldn't agree more with that sentiment, Yuu's action speaks louder than he could say in words, words that can be misunderstood by most people.

What can I say, I'm very proficient when it comes to Giyuunese, Sachi and Tengu-jiji were close seconds. The fact that my hearing was far keener than a normal human that I was even able to decipher cryptic general thoughts and emotions helped me a lot when I was still getting around Yuu's even shorter word quota and frozen frowny face when the day everything went demon in a hellbasket.

I cupped his face with both hands. "I'm not leaving you guys, I'll be just in a different place from now on."

Tanned hands took hold of my own, they were warm, callused and so much bigger than mine, he threaded our fingers together and a smile unbiddenly appeared on my face when he squeezed them. I returned the reassuring gesture with my own.

"Yes, a different place where it's a week travel away on foot."

"Don't worry, I'll be traveling with a caravan of merchants; I won't be alone."

"That's not the point here Zen-chan! You're away from us and that's the problem."

Yuu grunted, supporting his fellow trainee.

I sighed once again.

"No." I started calmly, trying really hard to blink away the tears. You've already rehearsed this Sen, you wouldn't cry when you leave. Crying will just encourage them to not let you go.

"The point here is that I am always with you guys. I need to leave for a bit so you guys would be able to focus more with your training."

"You are not a distraction Zen."

I turned around to meet Yuu in the eyes. "I know, and I know that you guys are doing your very best with what you and Sachi do, it's just that…" I stopped to take a deep breath, maybe if I inhaled deep enough my tears would be sucked back in to stop them from spilling, but I'm thankful that my voice still held on and didn't betray me.

"I want to stand up for myself too, and I wouldn't be able to do that with you two hovering over my shoulders everytime I want to do something. I just want to grow up, become useful, help my brothers for the future they hope to achieve."

I didn't let up when Yuu's brows furrowed and when I knew that Sachi was about to put his two cents from what I just said.

"Don't get me wrong, I know that it is dangerous, why do you both think I keep insisting that you two should reconsider a new job career? Why do you guys think I'm more fretful than usual when training is involved? It's because I'm scared for both of you. I'm scared that you would get hurt or more than get hurt. I'm scared that… both of you would one day disappear like Kaa-san and Daiki-ojiichan."

I wiped the tears that was threatening to fall from my cheeks. Their sound was unsettled and a bit guilty to what I'm implying. "That's why I'm doing this, I just want,"

Tears tumbled down my face and I felt a little betrayed that up until now I still can't control my crybaby tendencies, but through it all I gave a wobbly smile that conveyed my overall conviction and determination to go through with this. Grabbing each of their hand, I squeezed them tightly.

"I just want to protect the ones precious to me."

…

"You know, that's the manliest thing I've ever heard coming from you."

"You know what Sachi?"

"What is it Zen-chan?"

"Just shut up and hug us, you're clearly ruining the moment, remember, the moment? Here I thought, Yuu is the socially retarded one."

"Hn."

"…Shut up"

I really love these two dorks.

The old man with a pegged leg and a bushy mustache stared at me with wide dark eyes, for some reason that alludes me this old man seriously looked equally adorable and stern at the same time. It's an odd mix, yes, but if Daiki-ojiichan could be both bear-like and still as giggly as a schoolgirl I wouldn't put it pass that the clearly serious scarred former Pillar to be eccentric in his own way.

Men I've interacted with so far in this life are all in the different sides of strange.

Tatay Ricky and his likes for dangerous life scarring amusement park rides.

Daiki-ojiichan and his schoolgirl side.

Yuu and his propensity for imitating an ice cube.

Sachi and his quest to being the manliest man to ever be the realest manliest manly man.

Tengu-jiji well… with his tengu masked self. So far that I've–me and the boys–ever seen from his face was his mouth and his complete pearly teeth. The only reason we were able to see that was because he slightly lifts up his mask when he's eating. Other attempts of unmasking him on someway were all utter flops.

(My own biological half-life donor was a whole other thing, a whole new being from the kingdom of assholes. I wouldn't be surprised if he's somehow related to ROA in some way.)

And this old man, one Kuwajima Jigoro to be exact, that sounded like the open skies with light thunderstorms, he also has the distinct sound of gentleness, the note that I had often heard from Kaa-san as well. He's a good man, that I can confirm, with Tengu-jiji's nodding approval to boot and that he could smell emotions and intent is an affirmation to this.

I can now proudly say that I have mastered the different ranges and frequencies of emotions, I'm currently working on the intent of other people, Yuu also suggested that it would be even better if I were able to hear other people's thoughts clearer. Not that I want to become an intrusive mind reader, but I think that ability is useful in the long run if I really want to help my stubborn brothers with their goal. The sensing and recognizing apart animals and people from one another were a skill that I had always been able to do naturally and with Tengu-jiji's help, I am now able to walk even without my vision.

Now, the stuff that I have to work on for me to avoid damage whenever I'm pretending to be blind is my balance and coordination.

It's not clumsiness I swear! It's just that everything was a great deal shorter than my old reach, but seeing that I'm taller than the average girl my age, the fear of not growing anywhere near my old height is out of the question. I was taller than most girls back then, pretty slim, with hands that were perfect for playing the piano, dark haired like your typical Asian girl with even darker wide eyes. I pretty much resembled Mama, except for the higher cheekbones and sharper jawline.

"It's nice to meet you Sir, thank you for agreeing in taking me in." I smiled to Kuwajima-san, who gave a grandfatherly smile in return.

My guess was right, he is cute.

He chuckled and waved away his free hand not holding his cane. "What a polite young one you are, Sakonji have told me many great things about you." Then he patted my head, ruffling my precious skull cap a tiny bit to the left. "But he surely didn't mention you being such a cute one."

I felt my face heat up all the way down to my neck and to the tips of my ears, but that heat doesn't compare the warmth in my chest and the one that was gradually building up behind my watering eyes.

Tengu-jiji! Sachi! Yuu! I miss them all already.

I inhaled through my nose and held it in after giving a meek stuttering thank you from me.

As if sensing my turmoil, the old man moved in for a hug that I didn't bother to dodge, stopping my attempt to keep it all in.

"Let it all out."

And I did as I was told.

"I miss them already."

"I know." He started rubbing my back in circles making me remember Tengu-jiji when he was consoling me, making me cry harder.

"I-I want, I want to go back."

"I know."

"But I won't because I-I have to s-stay strong, f-for those lovely d-dorks. My l-lovely dorks."

A rough hand lifted my chin up, making me looking at Kuwajima-san's dark warm eyes filled with understanding. A rumbling thunder made for calming echoed in my ears.

"You child," He smiled that grandfatherly smile once again. "have one of the kindest hearts, so strong and brave for someone so young."

I sniffed pathetically. "T-that's not true! I-I'm weak, selfish and a coward. Whatever gave you that idea Jii-chan!"

Kuwajima-san, or Jii-chan, seemed slightly surprised by my new address to him but he only blinked and took it in stride.

"Sakonji was right." Then he proceeded to flick my forehead.

"Ow!"

"Don't think of yourself as that because that's none of what I see right now. Are you calling me a liar?!" The old man lifted his cane in the air and I could only shake my head furiously because I was still in his hold.

As expected, he's strong for an old man.

"Good. Now listen to what I'm about to say. Sakonji warned me about the way how you look at yourself and how him and your brothers have already tried to stomp on it but just won't die for some reason."

Jii-chan grabbed at my shoulders, his face was serious but lacked any anger that I thought would be present.

"Zenitsu, no, Senritsu. You are not weak, because if you are, then you wouldn't be willing to be here, with me and out of your comfort. And so what if you're selfish! I, myself am selfish for asking you to become my student when you've already got Sakonji to teach you. There's nothing wrong for wanting something for yourself even though I see your decision as something selfless, making the decision to go away to learn how to protect the ones you love, that sounds selfless to me."

My tears kept falling without my permission, though thankfully I managed to keep the snot and the gross stuff at bay.

"Even if you don't see it yourself, you girl, are very brave. Being brave does not mean that you do not fear anything. Being brave is about facing that fear, admitting that you are weak and overcoming it." A warm hand shuffled my skull cap once again, messing it up and letting some of the longer strands free. I stared at the old man; his eyes closed as he smiled from ear to ear.

"And what you are doing now is nothing short of bravery."

I hiccupped, feeling completely warm and comfortable in the embrace of a person that without a doubt would become someone precious to me. I've always feared the thunder, came to dislike thunderstorm as a person who does not like being surprised with sudden loud sounds. But hearing it closely right now, with my cheek pressed to the former pillar's chest, I could all but melt at the calming buzz that occasionally comes with the loud rumble.

This man is too sweet and genuine for words, now my tears won't stop and soon my snot would follow.

I'm starting to think of him as someone important already, with only 10 minutes of meeting each other, another grandfather figure. Maybe my life from the other world is making up the lack of male influence in my life (the only male influence I had was Tatay Ricky) by bombarding me with cuddly old men in this life.

Not that I'm complaining.

"Jii-chan, I think we're gonna get along just fine."

He laughed, roaring and impossibly cute. "Of course we will." He said between chuckles.

After a few seconds, he sobered up. Looking as serious as the first time I saw him, gaze firm, gray bushy brows drawn together. "I promise you; I will never give up on you even if you've given up on yourself. We will make your plan to help your brothers a reality, so I expect great results from my newest disciple. Understood?"

The wind decided to pick up at this moment and the grass blades danced alongside it, the sun was slowly coming down in the horizon, painting the sky with multitudes of color, the red meeting the darkening sky in a very picturesque way that a photographer would deem magnificent to capture. The small village at the foot of the hill was quiet, devoid of the chatter that it had earlier when I first came here and because of my sharp ears, I could make out the families dining together in the comfort of their home, lively and warm.

Home. A word that made me think of cabin in a mountain, surrounded by a forest of bamboos. An old man with a red mask and two boys with opposing personalities. Calm waters, tranquil ocean and blessed rain. My home that is currently a week away. My home that I won't be in for a long time.

I miss them.

It was a dramatic scene straight out of a movie film and right now and I'm supposed to be the MC who's all about agreeing to their mentor and get a move on to the training montage to get stronger to fulfill their goal.

Some other time I would have cared to the clichéness of the setup but right now, I could care less because this feels like a monumental moment of my life. Another life changing event that would completely change my way of living from now on. It was a dangerous one, sure to be filled with grief and horror.

A hard life.

(But since when did I had an easy one?)

A difficult life that could even end in my early demise.

(Not that it would be the first. I already died at 15.)

I cleaned up my face as much as I can with the tears now only present in my eyes. After the thorough snot removal, I gave him a firm nod, hoping that it could show how determined I am. With a voice that did not waver and a near perfect ninety-degree bow, I told him my answer.

"I understand, I'll do my best as your disciple Jii-chan!"

The wind howled and I shivered.

A/N: I know that it has been a while, but here it is. Finished at long last. Don't expect fast updates from me because college is being a meanie butt to me. The exams just ended and I'm supposed to be sleeping right now.

Expect further timeskips and thank you for those who have reviewed, my stress levels had gone down slightly because of you.

Hope you guys like this one even though it's a bit shorter than the others. It's a good 6k though.

~Taisho Secret~

This fic was first posted two days before my birthday (September 23) as a birthday gift for myself. Me and Zenitsu are September babies! Sorry to those who misunderstood.