Chapter 3 – Isshouni (Together)
"Yuuta!" I start awake, unaware I had slipped into slumber as my eldest sister barges into my hospital room. I have been here for days, I have lost count of how many since I regained consciousness and soon I will be released.
"Azuki?" I sit up and attempt to stand, knees buckling from a weakness I cannot shake. "Is everything alright?" I worry, she has been here later than usual and there is no one to escort her home.
"Everything's fine, but you've got visitors," She smiles brightly, the worry that has aged her since my injuries seems to have lifted away in an instant.
"Where are they?" My voice turns raspy and my arms once more shake. I should not be this weak! Tears sting my eyes as I try once more to stand and find myself falling once more. This time I know have tried too hard, my arms give out and I begin to fall to the ground knowing that this will hurt. Only I don't land, I am lifted, strong arms on either side of me bringing me effortlessly to nearly useless legs. "What?"
My eyes land on to orderlies each dressed in pure white one on each side who serve as living crutches to help me stand.
"Officer Tomonaga, your visitors wish to speak with you now." One man spoke with a smile and mostly carried me to the window. For a second I tense with fear, they were going to throw me out the window! Then I saw them, bright optics glowing in the night and my fears vanish.
"Deckerd!" I cry out just as he says my name. Once his voice reaches my ears I feel as if I am home. I smile, words suddenly meaningless as I look at my team.
"We wanted to make sure your repairs were going well!" Drill boy finally spoke, the robots all grinning at the choice of words. The orderlies gape and scowl at the choice of words but I don't care. They, my team, know I do not like hospitals and I am afraid of needles although I will never admit it to anyone not of my team.
"They are taking very good care of me." I replied, then I felt my eyes fall with shame. "I'm sorry."
"Yuuta," Deckerd speaks gently, as he always has, "You saved many lives by luring the Nobunagas away. I am very proud to have you as our boss. Just, next time, let us know what you are planning."
I can only nod mutely wishing I was once more up on Deckerd's shoulder safe on that high perch and knowing nothing would ever touch me there. Instead I sigh, the days of me being a childish burden to my team are over.
"What did they do to you?" Duke asks bluntly, his words making my head snap up in surprise and suddenly I am staring at my team, all of them having the same knowing expression that tells me I cannot mislead them or fib my way out of this.
"I swore to my trainers that I would never cry out to be saved. I am an adult, I need to act like one." My voice hardens, and in my head I can hear them, repeatedly admonishing me for my behavior with the bots before becoming a police cadet. I had cried, whimpered, begged to be saved and pleaded to not be left behind. I was a burden to the Brave Police just as I had become a burden to my sisters.
"That was stupid." Dumpson grumbles, his snort bringing me out of my thoughts.
"What do you mean?" I look between them all confused.
"You may have asked for us to save you, but many times you saved us as well. You are not weak Yuuta, you never have been."
"Yuuta," I cringe at my sister's voice, she rarely sounds so serious and I find myself feeling like a little kid again. "You will be taking meals with Kashiwazaki and me, and that is final." I look over my shoulder and realize that my attempt to become less of a burden to others had somehow made me into a bigger one. I nod and smile gratefully then turn back to my team ready to once more become strong for them and be a better partner. Still, despite the newfound joy at knowing I will be with my team again soon, I fear. Who will take care of my team when I die? What will happen to eternal robots with the death of just one mortal?