Arc 2, Chapter 7

Shino is eventually given custody.

The thought itself is laughable - he, the growling angry looking kid, agreed to stay. Several opinions were flying around regarding what should happen with him, including a loud group of office workers who insisted on locking him up. The proposal was quickly removed from the table, partially because the only suitable facilities were prisons which already contained several people with questionable motives. The last thing anyone wants is for him to get similar ideas.

Though at the same time, the proposal that Kingu would live among the 'common folk' also rose some eyebrows.

Kingu did leave an impression. The traffickers may have been taken by surprise, in an intoxicated state but he still took them down. Entire base, just like that.

Shino herself was not sure about the idea, but she agreed eventually. Kingu did save those kids and Kota as well, she owes him at least that little. Not to mention that she should is probably the only place where he would be willing to stay for obvious reasons.

Maybe it was some form of optimism that eventually landed her the opportunity to look after the kid, though social workers (and some other groups) made it clear that Kingu must be on his best behavior or else. In other words, regular check-ups.

Kingu is not even home and she feels a headache.

Not that such things wouldn't be a normal occurrence after what had happened, she has already talked to someone about Kota and what she could do to help. To her surprise, the aging hero agreed to come herself some time. Shino can't hear anything at night from her cousin's room but she saw the dark circles under his eyes every morning before she left him with a babysitter to go to work.

He stopped asking about Kingu some days after the police took him away but she was certain that he is still waiting for him to come back.

Speaking about Kingu, right now he sits in one of the police facilities, countless interrogations finally over and a tracking device on his ankle. Though wearing it at this point is more of a sign that they can trust him rather than making sure that they know where he is.

Once again, Kingu left an impression.

Truth be told, it did raise a big question as to what kinds of fights Kingu participated in, and especially where. Nighteye pointed out several possible places, all of them abroad. And all of which have their multitude of issues, mostly related to years of conflicts in which nobody really trusts anyone else.

'He is still under evaluation' someone said.

And here she was looking forwards to a semi peaceful summer.

Maybe she will see Kota smile once again when she brings him home.


A back car drives into the driveway. Once it stops, one of the doors opens with a click. Shino and one other member of the Wild Wild Pussycats step out, no longer wearing their hero costumes. Ryuko looked to be her happy energetic self, to the dismay of the last person there. Probably.

It is still hard to guess what exactly is Kingu thinking when he is not being overly emotional at least.

"...well, there are many beautiful places in Japan! But there is this amazing chocolate, nice and fluffy cream and the chocolate is so smooth and delicious!"

Shino has to give him brownie points for at least trying to be polite, it must be taking a toll on him judging by the small twitching.

Before they can even properly unpack, the main door of Shino's house opens with a bang. "Let me go!" The younger woman eventually let go of the little boy, seeing who had arrived, though, by the looks of it, Kota was giving her a hard time even before they have arrived.

The five-year-old boy did not waste any time what so ever before he firmly attached himself to Kingu's side.

"Where were you?!"

Pause.

"Did you grow up again?"

"No, I am not taller." He came back with a reply. Kingu may look a little different since the last time - he was no longer wearing that glorified cloth bag that some idiot presented to him as if they were actual clothes, though getting him out of it and making him wear something normal was a challenge on its own.

"I have made you some food!"

"...food?" Shino said slowly while looking at the babysitter, who made a nervous smile before backing into the house.

"Go ahead, I'll handle things here." Ryuko nudged her friend forward who muttered a quiet thank you and disappeared inside as well.

"I don't eat."

"Pancakes with some chocolate and cream! You are going to love it!"

"First things first." The blond woman chipped in before patting the taller of the two kids. "Kingu is going to unpack."

The taller kid made a face, while the smaller one looked at him funny.

"Don't be worried, I'll show you the ropes around here."

"Kota?" At that moment, one upset looking Shino walks out of the house. "What is that in the kitchen?"

Kota swallows.

"Are you sure that you know the 'ropes' around here?" Cue the elbow.


Even though Kingu had his own room prepared, Shino (no longer upset) walks into Kota's room and finds an interesting sight. Her first thought is that they are both asleep. Kota is barely visible under the long greenish hair, Kingu lying next to him, hand over the smaller body. The only sound was the quiet breathing. It was... a relief to see that. She was not able to catch Kota sleeping since he came back. Truth to be told, she had her own number of worries - she still was not sure what to think of the kid.

Yes, she felt pity for him, not something ever allowed to admit in from of him, but that was the same for many others who read his file.

The tracking device was still firmly attached to him. Seeing both like this was a firm reminder that he is not a threat, to Kota at least. Ryuko called him earlier a mother hen, not to his face, only in front of Shino, and the blank face with which she said it made her choke on her drink - hot coffee. At that moment, she was not sure whether to cry or laugh, especially when the two kids looked around.

The mischievous part of hers wanted to see Kingu's reaction to that but the more rational part shot that down.

Shino stepped forward, hoping to get a closer look at the sleeping kids, only to stop when one purple eye cracked open. Kindu did not look surprised what so ever to see her.

Right. Presence Detection and no sleeping habits - but that is an issue to be handled at some other time, today is his first day here.

After a second or two, Kingu moved, moved Kota closer before somehow finding a cover and pulling it over them.


He did not really know what to think of this place. In a way, it was an upgrade from his roaming around aimlessly around the streets. Like, he is sitting there. What now?

Kota already woke up and left to the bathroom, morning hygiene or something. Strange things.

"Kingu... shower?" Asked Shino, trying to be nice. It is not like his body sweats so unless he would end up dragging his body through some mud, there was no need for that. Even then, he can just dissolve everything away. Zap it as Kota would say. Kingu shook his head and remained seated on the window frame in those weird clothes.

He is fine with just waiting for Kota to get back.

"Not even a little?"

He shook his head again. Then she pointed at his hair, it was the same as it always was - loosely falling to the ground. "Do you want a hairband?"

Kingu did not even have to say no before Shino smiled nervously and backed out.

There is nothing wrong with his hair.

...with his... with Enkidu's hair.

What would Enkidu do?

What was it like for Enkidu to abandon those thick dark forests for the sake of that King?


Shino took on herself to work from home as much as she could, this meant no babysitting for the next week or so. No strange lady slowing up and telling him to do things, it still meant that Shino spends a good portion of her time on a phone or a laptop, organizing.

This meant that Kingu and Kota were left more or less alone as long as they made little sound and pretended that everything is fine. Well, everything is fine. Kota got into the home assignments that he missed out on, Kingu looming over him, or just being somewhere close in general.

"I don't get it."

"..."

"I don't get it."

Kota shrugged.

"Why do you have to read these things?"

"School, don't like it either."

A long deep growl drew from Kingu's throat. "It is boring."

"You are going to get into it sooner or later as well."

"Yeah, right." He snorted.

"Shino-san said so. Besides, everyone goes to school!"

"Guess I am going to be an exception." He replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And you would leave me to suffer on my own?" Kota replied, attempting to copy his tone. Kingu lost his expression right away. Then he pinched the boy. "Ouch! What gives?"

"...nothing really."

"Huh?"

"Don't try to copy me."

Kota looked at him half confused, half upset. "Weirdo."


Not even a week after Kingu moves in, something happens. Perhaps happens is a bad way to describe things - they got a visit.

None of the kids really knew what to think of their new visitor. She was small, wearing something very pink on her head, a white cloak, and a cane that looked suspiciously like a syringe. Then Kingu remembered that he has already met her. Once. And he barely paid her any attention back then - the older woman who gave him the 'medical exam', meaning that she poked around at his body before deeming him alright in her eyes.

"Do you need something?"

Kota looked around worried before he started flailing his arms around. "She is a hero, you idiot! Recovery Girl!" For a girl, she looked rather old.

Recovery Girl seemed unbothered at least. Kota tried to apologize for his friend's behavior, scratching the back of his head while smiling nervously.

Kingu would have never guessed that he is a hero either. She is just so... unimpressive.

Where is Shino anyway?

"I'll be looking after you for a little bit, I hope you won't mind."

"Wait, for real?!"

Kingu's expression was the opposite of Kota's enthusiasm.

"We are playing monopoly! Found it in the attic, looks really old but all the pieces are there! Kingu still doesn't get the rules though."

"They are boring."

"See, he doesn't get them at all!"

Recovery Girl gains the smallest of smiles. "Mind if I join you?"

Kota finally pauses, makes the imitation of a fish but agrees eventually. "Yeah, sure."

Kingu is the first one to go bankrupt.


Days become warmer, summer is in full swing and Shino must prepare for the summer camp. The little that she could be stuffed into the short few week-long period was stuffed there and now the camp is around the corner, there is also the added stress of an extra member and the worry of certain someone getting lost again. Though from the looks of it, Kingu won't let Kota go anywhere.

Mother Hen is now the only way Ryuko refers to the kid and the more she looks at the two, the more she has to agree - they are never too far apart.

Kingu listens to everything she had to say and obeys, but that is it, he obeys.

Kota seems to be doing better, no longer going around with dark circles under his eyes, and Recovery Girl confirmed what she already knew.


I feel like I am writing the first chapter of this story all over again. Now that Arc 1 is over and the fights died down, chapters are back to setting up for future chapters. Summer camp is around the corner and I will be introducing someone else, no, not the A1, this is happening 2 years before the A1 class students we are familiar with are accepted. Though guess who was a firstie at this time?

There isn't much I can put into this chapter without making it feel forced, Kingu is settling in, it is a huge change and I hope I executed it well enough to make it believable.

I am still trying to make plans for arc 2 so I know exactly what I want and while I am certain about some things, I don't know if it is going to be enough to fill the 2-year window I have here.

I hate school.

Please leave me a review, love reading them, and really encourage me to keep writing.

Good night and stay safe.