010 :: opportunities.

Featuring: Kiryū, Nico, West
Rating: K
Genre(s): Family, Friendship
Spoilers: Crashtown arc


"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves."
William Shakespeare


Far from Neo Domino City, in sandy Satisfaction Town, all was calm in a small but cozy tavern. A young woman was hanging up the glasses for the day when an adolescent boy suddenly burst through the door, waving a piece of paper in the air. "Nico! Look at this!" He hurried up to the counter and slid the paper across, still grinning ear-to-ear.

Nico only took one glance at the paper before looking up at the boy again. The subsequent squeal could probably be heard from miles around. "Oh my goodness! West, you did it! You really did it!" The two of them bounced up and down in excitement.

"What's this all about?" A man with long silver hair asked as he emerged from the doorway leading to the back room.

"Kiryū-san!" West ran to leap into the arms of his surrogate guardian. "I got accepted into the Neo Domino's D-Wheel Institution! The entire tuition, the uniform costs, all covered by the school! You'll let me go, won't you?"

Nico read over the paper again. "A perfect score on the entrance exam… amazing." Yet it wasn't such a big surprise; West had always been an exceptionally intelligent boy. He was also a diligent and determined worker, never giving up… just like their late father.

Kiryū dipped his chin in consent and ruffled the younger boy's hair. "This is what you've always wanted to do. If your father could see you now, he would be proud."

"But Father is proud! He is always watching over us!" Nico pulled her brother into a bear hug, much to West's dismay. He squirmed under his sister's monster grip.

"Ahhh-! Nico, stop that!"

Kiryū smiled as he watched the teenage girl proceed to tackle her brother. "You'll do great, West. That's a given."

But as beautiful as it sounds, I never thought this day would come. Nico thought as she turned to face the sunset horizon. The day my brother will be moving on and leaving my side…

"Now, behave yourself and remember what I told you. And do write home often!"

"I will, Nico. Now push me in!" West yelled back, just as the last chime sounded. The train doors closed and railways creaked as the large Iron Horse began to propel away from the onlooking crowd. After one final glance, Nico and Kiryū turned to walk out of the railway station. After all, it was not a formal farewell, for West would return on a day only time would tell.

The sun's rays, shining brighter than ever, stretched across the cloudless sky. West watched the landscape blur past in rapid motion. Despite the tears prickling at his eyes, he maintained his proud posture. He was no longer a young boy, but a young man about to walk right into the greatest dream.

Next stop was the road to new opportunities.


It's been a million years since my last update, I'm sorry. I actually wrote this and the ones up to 12 (inclusive) two years ago, so I'll be posting them first.

Hopefully I'll be able to post on a consistent basis from now on. Thanks for reading!

- Winter