Hello, everyone! So, so sorry for the really late update. Here I present to you the last two installments to this story. It's been a wonderful ride to see this story come alive since I've had the idea sitting in my head for so long. Thanks to all who have put up with me and kept up with this story. I love you guys! Also, I'd really like to thank 9thave for translating this again as well as including my story on her 'Links' page! You're such a darling~!
NOTE: 'Memories' are events which have taken place before Report: Fifteen Years.
Don't own No. 6.
"And ruminants also carry out hindgut fermentation, which is more efficient than foregut fermentation carried out in animals such as horses. The food passes down to the rumen through the esophagus by peristalsis. In the rumen, fermentation is carried out by bacteria and protozoa which can digest cellulose. Then, the partially digested food is regurgitated back into the mouth as cud for chewing. The cud is swallowed back, this time into the reticulum, and after that the omasum and the abomasum respectively."
"What are the different types of walking? Describe them."
"Plantigrade, digitigrade and unguligrade. Plantigrades walk on the soles of their feet, the pressure mainly on the metatarsal bones and phalanges. Digitigrades…" The voice prattled on, occasionally pausing to choose the correct words and sort out the information.
"Give me three parasites and their taxonomic classification."
"Tapeworm, under Phylum Platyheltminthes, Class Cestoda…" The names, all of them hardly pronounceable, flew out of her mouth like rapid fire.
"Good job. Just make sure to remember the details in your head too. Don't think they're not important just because I said 'briefly describe'." Shion got up from his chair, patting his daughter on the head.
Yes, his daughter. His young, beautiful, exuberant daughter.
"Yes, Mama." Tsubaki sing-songed, swaying back and forth on her seat. "But at this rate, why even bother going to school?"
"You know why I ask you to go, Tsubaki." Shion said mildly, heading towards the stove in the kitchen. "And consider yourself lucky that you can skip Thursdays and Fridays."
"Yeah, just to make sure they don't do anything weird like they did to you, right?" She bounced up, hugging him tightly from behind. "It must've been really painful and hard to endure that sort of physical change. Though Papa and I absolutely love your white hair." She started to twine her fingers in his hair, stroking the silky tips.
"Mm…" Shion packed some egg sandwiches into a plastic container followed by hot cocoa in a thermos. "Tsubaki… I'm packing hot soup here. Stop that or I might spill it. On you, no less." Shion drew out the name, half-warning, half-exasperated. "Sometimes I wonder if you are actually my daughter."
"Mama!" Tsubaki whirled around, hurt. "How could you? After sixteen years of back-breaking parenting, you choose to discard me like an idea used too much? Oh, the pain!" Her shoulder-length hair flowed gracefully with the turn of her head in feigned anguish.
Shion smiled, even though his back was turned towards her. So much like Nezumi…
Just then, Karan came up from the shop, breathing a small sigh of satisfaction as she reached the top. Shion turned to look at his mother fondly, noting the strands of grey hair that had begun to appear, and the slight deepening of smile wrinkles on her face. Yet, her very countenance still held the same warmth that he remembered from his childhood. She walked towards the oven, the source of many fragrant, delicious smells that permeated their home and opened it, removing several trays laden with golden-brown treats.
"Oh, awesome! Can I—," Tsubaki bounded over, fingers poised over their prey.
"No."
"Mama!" She sulked, before turning to Karan. "Can I please have one, Grandma? Please?" She put her hands together in front of her face. "I'm starving!"
"You just ate a whole tray of those two hours ago." Shion sighed.
"High usage of the brain burns up ATP energy in the body, and since glucose is needed to synthesize ATP energy through respiration at the mitochondria…"
"I can't decide who she resembles more—you or Nezumi." Karan giggled, holding out a bun for the girl. "In fact, it's more like you two have become one in her, isn't it?"
"Mom!"
"Yes!" Tsubaki pumped her fist in the air, before moving to take the pastry. "It just means I've got the best of both worlds." She grinned.
"Are you sure you'll be able to eat lunch this afternoon?" Shion had his hands on his hips.
"Come now, Shion." Karan patted him soothingly on the back, balancing the large baking tray on the other. "I'm sure Tsubaki-chan is merely going through a growth spurt, right?" She winked at her accomplice, who replied with a thumbs up. "We'll just have to make more then."
Shion opted to sigh again, all the while shaking his head helplessly. He examined Tsubaki with the loving eyes of a parent. Mahogany eyes with long eyelashes decorating them. Hair which was thick and lustrous, of the same colour, that fell straight to her shoulder, curling slightly at the ends. The top of her head bobbed at his nose-level and herlithe body was steadily filling out. She looked more and more like a young woman, like an adult with each passing day.
"Whatever happened to that baby you brought back?" Karan removed another tray with practiced ease, placing it on the dining table.
"She's growing up." Shion began transferring the pastries to smaller trays, standing opposite his mother. "And no. We don't have the time to bake another batch just like this morning."
All at once, the girl's shoulders slumped.
"I'm sorry. I really felt bad about that. And I really didn't want to cause you two trouble. I offered to help bake but…" She was meek.
If there was one time when Tsubaki never acted, it would be when she was apologizing. It didn't matter if she had said something out of line or squashed an ant by mistake. Her 'sorry' did not hold back on guilt, sincerity and compassion. Nezumi often teases her for this… He said that her conscience worked overtime, 365 days a year. Shion pulled her into a hug. But truthfully, he's always trying to make sure Tsubaki doesn't beat herself up over it.
"Don't be silly." Shion tapped her nose with one finger. "Now go deliver Nezumi's lunch. And be safe."
"OK." Tsubaki's smile was back on her face, like sunshine.
She gave a quick kiss to both adults' cheeks and went off, dashing out of the bakery. Her nostrils flared as the wind carried the scent of rain and smoked meats from the west. She jogged her way down a route she knew by heart, the bag of food swaying in time with the rhythm. She started to sing a melody she had been learning, her voice clear and musical, receiving replies from warbling robins and chirping sparrows. Passing by residential areas that were similar to Lost Town's, she tried to imagine what it had been like with a wall barricading her from reaching West Block.
Soon, an old, well preserved building came into view. Slowly, majestically, it towered over her. It had big, heavy double doors, pillars and banisters, all made from polished oak. The windows were made of stained glass. Outside, a wooden sign read 'State Hall Theatre'. It stood out amidst a backdrop of a lively flea market, weathered and gothic.
A rustle, faint, to her immediate left. She tensed, knuckles going white as she clenched her hand over the handle of the basket. Her heartbeat was loud and frantic, pounding in her ears. The footsteps were now audible, and they showed no signs of slowing down. She drew a trembling breath. And then… they paused just for that moment.
In that split second, she whirled around, dropping the bag of food on the ground. A knife slid out of her right sleeve with practiced familiarity. Her back was arched and her posture was strong, with her free hand raised to block any oncoming retaliation.
"Tsu-Tsubaki-chan…"
"Uncle Rikiga!" Tsubaki withdrew her knife instantly, tucking it back into her sleeve. "Geez, what were you thinking?! Approaching me from behind like that…"
"I just wanted to give you a surprise hug, that's all." Rikiga tugged at his collar and fanned himself vigorously, breathing out in relief.
The tip of the knife had been just two centimeters away from his jugular.
"Tsubaki! That hand was too low. What were you trying to block, his pot-belly?" Nezumi corrected, emerging from behind the double doors.
"Oops. Sorry, Papa." Tsubaki grinned, lunging towards Nezumi for a hug.
Nezumi's features softened ever so slightly as he enveloped the growing teen in his arms.
"Eve! Just what are you thinking? Teaching your daughter such unladylike things." Rikiga wiped his round face with a red handkerchief.
"It's legitimate self-defense." Tsubaki retorted just as Nezumi opened his mouth. "I need to know how to protect myself, Uncle Rikiga."
"The crime rates may have dropped to below two percent thanks to Shion continuously overseeing the development and rebuilding of No. 6, but that doesn't mean the world isn't dangerous, old geezer." Nezumi smirked at him. "Or have you gotten soft now, Rikiga?"
"As always, you have a horrible personality, Nezumi."
Tsubaki bent down to pick up the rattan bag she dropped, "Coming to watch our show tonight, Uncle Rikiga?"
"Actually, no. I've come with an offer." He answered, locking gazes with Nezumi.
"Is that so?" He narrowed his eyes before jerking his chin towards the theatre hall. "We've got rehearsals now. Can it wait?"
"I'll drop by tonight." He nodded and left.
"Wonder what sort of offer is it?" Tsubaki cocked her head to one side, a finger on her chin.
"Knowing him, a crate of good wine and porn magazines."
"Papa!" Tsubaki was aghast. "Don't be mean."
"Look, whatever it is, there are another twenty people in there waiting for the two of us. We need to make the final preparations. Ah~ Costumes are such a pain."
"And make-up too." Tsubaki followed him right into the backstage area, exchanging greetings with the rest of the crew. "Say, Papa?"
"Mm?"
"Is it true you wore dresses to play the parts of women last time?"
"And where did you hear that from?" Nezumi flipped through a script booklet, nonchalant. "It's not uncommon for people to play the opposite sex in theatre, so long as you've got the talent to pull it off. You yourself played Hamlet last season."
"Mama told me." Tsubaki waved a dismissive hand. "But wow~! You must've been soooo pretty! Papa, papa, can you do it sometime? I really want to see it!" She exclaimed, jumping up and down excitedly.
I'm going to make him scream tonight. Nezumi decided.
"Papa…!"
Nezumi heaved a long, tired sigh and did his best to glare at her.
"No."
"But—!"
"Everyone, we're doing the final touches now! Get your asses moving, people! I want this theatre is to be open by half-past five tonight!" A large, burly man with a moustache strutted onto the stage and bellowed.
"And there goes our manager." Nezumi grinned at Tsubaki.
An air of comforting busyness filled the area, making a strange mixture of joy and nostalgia seep into his blood.
"Aw…" The girl pouted, making her way over to where the main actors were gathered.
Definitely inherited that pout from Shion. Nezumi rubbed the back of his head before joining the aforementioned group, which had Tsubaki in the middle, laughing without restraint.
"What are you thinking?" Nezumi questioned mildly, one eye on Shion's back.
Shion was facing the window, gazing up at the moon. Tsubaki was in her own room, presumably reading another novel. It was past midnight, yet the night was still very much alive.
"It's been a while since you last left, hasn't it?" Shion placed a hand on the glass, the corners of his mouth tilted up ever so slightly. "Though your trips are usually at most three weeks long now."
"Yeah, I suppose." Nezumi said from behind his book. "I am a wanderer after all, despite my age."
"True to your words." Shion chuckled. "But the things you're able to do for a 32-year-old are amazing!" He walked over to the bed they shared, sitting by the edge. "Tsubaki's grown up so much. I still remember that time when we cleared out that old storage room so that she could have her own bedroom."
"Mm…" Nezumi left his book by the pillows, coming up from behind to rest his chin on Shion's shoulder. "She seemed interested."
He nuzzled the crook of Shion's neck, breathing in the scent that was Shion as much as he could. Draping his arms over the other man, he caught sight of the ring on Shion's left hand, fourth finger.
"She's only sixteen." Shion was doubtful, biting his lip.
"Yeah, and what did we go through when we were her age?" Nezumi snorted sardonically, twirling a lock of Shion's hair.
The latter turned around and shot him a look, somewhere between exasperated and annoyed. Then, just as quickly, Shion was gazing at him rather thoughtfully. He pressed his thumbs to the corners of Nezumi's eyes, and grinned.
"You've got crows' feet."
Nezumi shook his head gently, away from the appendages and glared back.
"The tree's growth will stunt if you don't remove the netting. She's reached a stage where she has to make her own way. And I personally know the manager and director of this travelling theatre company—travelled with them for a time. They're renowned for their top-class performances and excellent courtesy."
Shion let out a small sigh, "It's not like I don't want to let her go. I definitely know that you have to get out there to learn, live and grow up. But… I don't want her to go through what we did. Rikiga-san said the contract is five years, Nezumi. Anything could happen. There could be another Correctional Facility by another city, or they could stumble upon something similar to The Hunt."
"Shion, if I knew that things like that were still out there, do you think I would've agreed without one of us being by her side? She is mine as much as she is yours." Nezumi's tone turned soft, but deadly serious as he searched the red orbs before him. "She isn't as naïve and hopeless as you were when you escaped to West Town sixteen years ago. She knows how to fight properly, she's got your brainpower, my realism and your soft-headedness. She's practically the embodiment of the 'wall destroyed'." A laugh worked its way up from his belly.
"She did say she has the best of both worlds this morning." Shion laughed with him.
"When we walked past beggars for the first time, she cried. And I told her, there was no way poverty and suffering could be completely eradicated." Nezumi recounted a memory. "And she turned to me, with the nerve of a child of twelve, and said, '…but that doesn't mean we can't minimize it'. Hah! Would you believe that?"
Shion shook his head in amusement.
He pulled Shion down, before settling on top of the other's belly, "And?"
"And what?"
"Your verdict, Your Majesty. As promised to Tsubaki by the end of three days. The troupe leaves next week."
Shion crossed his arms, "Then she'll have to start packing tomorrow. With your help."
"What?"
"Besides, you're a frequent traveler, Nezumi. I'm sure you have countless experience in packing."
"But Shion, the manager—,"
"He won't mind if you don't go at all for the next three days. It's off season and you're sending your only daughter off for five years."
"Well, true but—,"
"Please. With Mom, you and me, we can pack for five years in three days. We'll prepare some food for her to bring, and of course, toiletries. You sort the clothes out with her. Undergarments as well, don't forget that. This offer was on short notice anyways."
"She can sort out her own undergarments—she's not a baby! And there's no need to pack for five years! Geez, of all the things that I have to do…"
"Please."
"Oh, for God's sake! Didn't you say we'll start tomorrow? We'll bloody well start tomorrow then!"