Reason to Live
Chapter 5: A Little Peace and Quiet
(Triela's P.O.V)
'Why is he so foolish? So….reckless; why did he did that? What the hell's wrong with him? No…what's wrong with me?' It's a question I kept on thinking recently as I pull an all night-er, watching Frederick.
It has been a week since he's in the hospital; and a week since I pull an all night-er. I don't know why I've been doing this, but somehow, my mind and my body insist on staying close to him. Hillshire and Koch had been coming here, trying to talk me out on taking a rest while Koch takes my place. Truthfully, it'd be nice to go out and take a night's rest. But…..every time they ask the same question…I simply deny them; insisting on staying here.
'What's wrong with me?'
Sure, he helped me a lot and gives me encouragement during lousy practices. Sure, he's lazy, clumsy, careless, reckless, and rather intimidating at sometime. Sure he's kind, friendly, and supportive as the oldest one around here. Sure, he supported me a lot during those lousy training runs. Sure he saved me, and I owe him for that. Sure, he's cute….but not as cute as Hillshire….wait…..maybe even cuter...wait….the hell with it! The thing is; why do I have to go this far? Why? Why did I spend most of my time watching him?
"Triela?" I turn towards the figure standing near the door as my thought was interrupted and sighs
"Oh, it's you Claes. Come in." She walks slowly towards us while her eyes is diverted to Frederick
"Is he awake?" She asks
"No, he hasn't."
Then it was all silent. Claes grab herself a seat and sat on it, accompanying me. But no word was spoken
"…Have you heard?" She asks breaking the total silence in the room
"About….?"
"Frederick's medication." I lit my eyebrow as my attention is diverted to her. Took a deep breath and continue
"You know how ignorant he is to his Handler, right?" she continues
"Yes…." I answer
"Well, the truth is, Frederick hasn't been taking any medication."
"What?"
"He did take it on his first day, but never again."
"Where'd you get this from?"
"I overheard it; not to eavesdrop, but I happened to overheard Jean talking to Koch about this."
"Oh….." I take a deep breath, pausing for a second "Continue."
"But…behind that ignorant of his, Frederick trusts him. And his handler trusts him in return."
"But…..how?" I ask as I was getting more and more curious about it
"All the trust Koch earned from Frederick, and all the trust Frederick earned from Koch comes through their own effort to make it work." She pauses again and takes a deep breath
"In other words….."
"In other words, I don't need any medication to attain his trust. I trust him because I know I can trust him. It's nice to know that you guys enjoy gossiping about me." We turn our attention towards Frederick; grinning as he is while sitting up straight in bed
"F-Frederick!" we stood up from our chair immediately; happy to know he's back, but surprised at the same time
"Geez…how long has it been since I'm out? Anything I miss?" He asks, stretching as both of us struggle to answer
"Well, uhh……it has been a week….."
"And…..uhh….you got yourself a new upgraded Mechanical Body…." Interrupt Claes as this turns into something more of a fight on who-finish-first
After that, we started talking nonsense; trying to beat each other on what we think he misses. I tell him that he missed a couple of classes. And he goes: 'Whew…that's good.' Typical Frederick; just like how I know him. Claes tell him that her vegetable garden is growing fine thanks to his little help during free time. She already has some flowers and a couple of vegetable growing.
"Wow….this is a nice flower." Compliment Frederick as he picks one of them from the vase nearby
"…You like it?"
"Yeah! Is this from your garden? Danke Claes." Claes smiles, glad to know he likes it
"I'll be going back to the garden. Get well soon Frederick! Tschüs! " She leaves the room after that; skipping as her steps could be heard. It's something rare to see her like that. Wish I brought a camera…if I ever have one
We started talking to each other a minute later. It really feels great to be able to talk to him again after his absence. Somehow, the loneliness inside disappears into thin air. Frederick mentions and talk about his dreams during his sleep. They're weird, in my opinion, but it's funny to hear his dreams and all. I mostly talk about what happen to the rest of us during his absent. Henrietta has been improving constantly in the obstacle course, setting new time records every time they visit. This bugs Frederick. The other thing I tell him is the gifts we brought out to him during his rest. Claes' flowers are one of them.
"Uhh…..Frederick…?" I ask as a huge nervousness engulfs me
"Yeah?"
"Umm….about the time in the helicopter after that mission…"
"What is it?" He ask as his face expression changes
"Well….I don't think I'm supposed to say that…at that time. So….uhh….danke, ich für retten…(Thanks, for saving me)"
"Triela…." He pause, looking rather blank towards my face as my cheeks starts to burn
The whole room turns awkward afterwards. It's a surprise for him to hear something like that from me. Usually, I would say something else if he saves me or if he outruns my kills; playing tough, acting as the veteran, the senior around him despite that I'm younger to him by one. But this time; somehow, saying 'Thank You' to him, or thanks is like an urge for me to do right now. It does take a lot of courage; but the aftermath of it….brings peace into my heart and soul even though I myself don't get why I would do that. Frederick himself is surprised as he gaze my face as my cheeks starts burning up, turning red all over.
"Triela?" I turn towards the door as the call interrupts almost everything
"Guten mörgen Henrietta; you're here to see Frederick?" I ask
"Yes. Is he….." She pause as she notices him sitting straight in his bed
"Guten mörgen Henrietta. How's your wound?" Her smile widens after his reply. She smiles as she's approaches him "It's good. Thanks for asking Frederick."
"It's good to hear you're up, Frederick." Again, our attention is diverted to the door. This time, it's Koch
"Hello Koch."
"Feeling better?" He ask
"Yep. Good as new."
"That's good to hear."
"Oh! Koch, you got something for Frederick right?" interrupt Henrietta
"Yes I do. It's in his room; he can take a look at it later."
"You're going to like this one, Frederick! Come, Triela! I'll show you first! Take care, Frederick!" with that, she drags me out of Frederick's room. Thank God…I was getting quite uneasy around him after that…
(Frederick's P.O.V)
I watch as both of my 'sisters' exits my room; heading to my room probably. It's nice to be able to open my eyes and see my surroundings once again. Everything hasn't change I guess…it's still the same. Henrietta is still sweet as ever with her innocent face, Claes and her 'know-it-all' attitude, and Triela….no….something different in her…she's acting…..weird…
"Frederick." My thoughts were interrupted as Koch calls me
"Yeah?" I answer
"Feeling better?"
"C'mon Koch! You've asked me that question earlier! Yes, I'm feeling better and I hope to be able to get back on my feet today!" he smile as he takes a deep breath
"Alright. Did the girls tell you about your new Mechanical Body?" I nod in response "That's great because what I'm about to tell you is related to that."
"What is it then?"
"The agency is currently developing a 'Generation 2' of assassin cyborgs; a much more advanced version than your female friends."
"…Advance? 'Generation 2'? What are you talking about Koch?" I ask as he takes a seat
"The new Mechanical Body the agency's given to you, is the prototype version, designated later for the 'Generation 2' cyborgs."
"So you're saying I'm the guinea pig, right?" He chuckles and shook his head "Yes, you can say you're the 'Guinea Pig'. But to conclude it, you're the first of the 'Generation 2' cyborgs." I lit my eyebrow after Koch finished his explanation. Somehow, I don't know whether I should be happy for it, or go berserk to the agency for using my body as something like this
"Well, I still got work to do." Koch stood up and heads for the door as I take a deep breath, tired, and somewhat wishing I could walk "Relax, Frederick. You'll be out of the bed at noon."
"Thanks Koch. I'll keep that in mind."
"Oh, Frederick." He turns around before he exits the room
"What is it?"
"Don't forget to thank Triela later. She's been in an all night-er for five days watching over you. We did ask her to switch with me, but she insisted on staying. So don't forget to thank her."
"Triela…..did?"
Koch leaves the room after that. Questions invades my mind soon after about it. Triela's spent her time watching me? Waiting for me to open my eyes? I started to wonder as time passes by. But nothing can get into my mind. She did, act weird today by saying sorry. It's really isn't her thing since she usually plays the 'Senior' around here despite she's younger than me, 14 years old.
'Does she have affections for me?'
That thought follows soon after as I notice her face turned red when she says sorry a few minutes earlier; before the whole room turned awkwardly quiet. For the first time, I spend my time thinking about this. But I can't seem to find the answer. Remembering a few events where Triela actually laughed at me and pointed out all my mistakes in classes, as well as kicking me out of her room after I played and teased her with her teddies somehow rips out the possibility. All in all, guess I never did grasp the female psyche…nor understands them.
(Claes' P.O.V)
The air's beautiful today. The sun's not too hot, the breeze's cool…it's just perfect. Everything is topped off with Frederick's return. After the mission, Frederick had been seriously wounded and was sent to repairs immediately. What we all could do back then is watch and hope for our brother's recovery. Did I mention our brother? Yeah….he's been close to us; like a real brother. During regular free days, he's almost like a brother to us. Watching over us, keeping us away from harm, assisting us, giving advices, and all that kind of stuff. After his arrival, things change. I'm used to not having anyone to be dependant on; unlike the other girls to their handler. His arrival changes it all. Frederick has been nice to me. I started to rely on Frederick more and more these days, even on the simplest things. His compliment, his assistances, his jokes keeps me alive. The vegetable garden wouldn't go with flowers, or wouldn't go this far if he didn't help me.
"Hello Claes. Working on the Vegetable Garden again?"
"Frederick!" I stood up from my position, dropping everything I was doing before I approach him
"I see you're back on you're feet. Allest OK? " I ask him as he straightens himself
"Ja, allest gut! Sehr gut! Und einen? (Yes, everything's good. Very good! And you?)"
"Auch gut, danke. (As good as you, thanks)" We manage to laugh after the German conversation we rack up. It's been a while since we talk; and I missed him
We talk and talk for awhile after that. Frederick explains almost everything what happened to him in the mission, and why did he get himself wounded. I understand why he had covered Triela recklessly, not minding his own safety or his status. In reward, he got himself a new experimental Mk.2 Mechanical Body. I call it 'Mk.2 since it's an upgrade version of ours; don't know what's the difference between them though. I tell him about the progress of my Vegetable Garden; as well as suggesting him good books to read.
"Well, see you later Claes. Need to go to the range again for refreshment. Tschüs! " he left after our conversation and heads for the range. I watch him and smiles as I fix my glasses
Frederick is like a brother. A real brother; unlike the handlers which is more like partners. He supports us, help us, tease us, and joke around with us. He could be a pain in the rear sometimes with his reckless attitude; just like when he bust into Triela and my room when we're changing after bath. We kick him out and called him 'pervert' for a couple of days. But that's just like Frederick. He's reckless, annoying, a pain-in-the-rear, and a 'pervert' cause of some situations. But he's our brother. And that's why I love him.
Author's Note:
OK…Chapter 5 is done….just a little more. Anyways, haven't finish revising the chapters (Prologue, 1, 2, 3, and 4), so there are still grammar mistakes. Prologue has been re-written. Chapter 1, 2, 3 will be revised soon. Anyways, enjoy. Leave ur review, comments, flames, and whatever you're free to comment on. Commenting on grammar…..is fine as well. Flames…..will be considered. But please not to harsh on me….