Chapter 31: Preparing for Ginza
"How are you feeling Aqua-Chan?" Ai asked as she finished putting on Aqua's shoes.
"I'm hurting mama." He said with a wince.
"Aqua-Chan, I know you don't want your medication, but you need it for the pain." Ai tried once again to convince him.
"But-" Aqua whined.
"Please Aqua-Chan, mama promises it will make you better." She said.
"...Ok." Aqua said quietly.
Ai quickly went over to her counter to get his medication and a small bottle of water. She struggled at first to open the bottle but finally did and took one pill, following the doctors instructions. Aqua just had breakfast so he will take it on a full stomach.
She found it a bit odd that he finally caved and decided to take one, but she assumed it was because the pain was worse than normal. She hoped he was doing alright, but he did seem to whine a bit more today.
However, it was part of Aqua's plan. Normally, medication comes with a list of side effects. This particular one is drowsiness, but there can also be unsuspected side effects that can occur depending on the individual person. While medication was very predictable and safe, sometimes people can react differently.
So, it wouldn't be odd if he got hyper and made a mess of things before crashing into exhaustion. It would explain his upcoming erratic behavior and hopefully lessen his punishment if he lied and said it was outside of his control. For a four-year-old, it was the perfect get out of jail free card.
Although he didn't want to take the medication, he did since he figured this was a good enough reason to risk a possible addiction. He trusted that his adult mind wouldn't be overpowered by his youthful body. At least, he hoped.
"There, easy." Ai smiled.
"I'm feeling better." He said, which was actually the truth.
"I love you." Ai said.
"Love you mama." Ruby replied.
"Me too." Aqua said.
"Aqua-Chan~" Ai glared at him.
"I do." He said.
"Say it." Ai said.
"I love you too." Aqua said.
"Good boy." Ai smiled and kissed him on the top of the head.
Due to the sensitive nature of Ai's identity, even though his particular doctor was aware of the circumstances with Ai and had to sign an NDA in order to keep Ai's identity a secret. That mixed with the disguise gave them a safe cover.
However, Miyako was there just in case she was recognized, and Ai could simply say she was escorting her boss's children.
The family, plus Miyako arrived at the parking lot in front of the hospital. The kids got out and Ai as well.
"Be good you two." Ai said. "And stay out of trouble."
"I will." Aqua lied.
"Me too mama." Ruby said truthfully.
"I love you." Ai said.
"Love you too mama." She said.
"You too Ai." Aqua said.
"Aqua-Chan~" She glared again.
That thing about showing more affection to Ai because he wanted her to feel loved, Aqua was starting to regret it. Ever since she said she loved them; she said it all the time now. Every day, maybe eight times a day. He counted once before.
And if she didn't get the words back, she would hound them until she did. Ruby was easy, she went along with it. But Aqua was getting annoyed at having to repeat it over and over again.
"Stop being stoic and tell your mama you love her." Ai said.
"I said it three times today." He grumbled.
"Say it a fourth time." Ai giggled.
"I love you too." He said.
"We're going Ai." Miyako shook her head.
Ai giggled. She now fully knew her son loved her. She had no doubts anymore on that. But she still loved watching him be all manly and complaining about showing affection. She loved that side of him. It was so cute to see her little baby boy try to act like a man.
Which he was, technically.
Despite the embarrassment, Aqua did smile at himself with the little interaction. It was annoying, but he was really glad that Ai was showing them so much affection. He recognized that it was still new for her and that she was finally getting over her emotional scars from her childhood.
After going into the waiting room, Aqua was getting ready to put his plan into action.
It was a simple plan. He intended to steal some drugs and a syringe that he would use on Hikaru. He had no real plan or ability to do it subtly, so he decided to do so in a way only a four-year-old child would. And that was to make a complete mess of everything around him.
He'd react hyper aggressively and run around, causing childlike mischief as much as possible in order to get a chance at getting the medicinal drugs. His best excuse was simply that he was a mischievous child who was getting into trouble.
Although, he'd have to hide the drugs since Ai would never let him keep those. Luckily, he had the perfect spot that wouldn't be disturbed. His sling. Once he had his checkup, he'd put his plan into action and hide the drugs and needle in his sling.
However, Ai would be very, very upset. But Aqua had the perfect plan for that. It won't be his fault he caused a bunch of chaos, he ensured he had a good excuse that a non-medical professional like Ai would believe.
After getting looked at by the doctor, who confirmed that he was beginning to heal and noted that his young age helped speed up the process, everyone was now being escorted away from the hospital room and back towards the waiting room. It was time to put his plan into action.
"Tag!" Aqua yelled as he pushed Ruby over.
"Ouch!" Ruby cried out as she fell over. "Why'd you do that!?" She yelled.
"Aqua-Chan!" Ai reprimanded him but it was too late.
Aqua sprinted down away from the exit, despite Ai and Miyako yelling at him to get back there. A few nurses and doctors saw what was going on and started to try and grab him or stop him. Luckily, he was small enough to fit around the doctors and they were too slow to react.
Aqua felt really bad about causing an issue, he did have to deal with similar things in his old hospital, but he needed those drugs to save Ai. He'd get over his guilty feeling, he just hoped Ai would go easy on him with her punishment.
Aqua wasn't fast though, his short legs were a huge issue in speed. So, he found a rolling cart that was carrying various doctor tools, got under the tray, and used his foot to start pushing it while he rode on it.
He had to remind himself that he was an adult, because this was actually kind of fun. He enjoyed the mischief he was causing a little bit, and the fun of rolling on a cart. It was an almost child like experience he missed after he got older.
However, he had no time for fun. He had to find the pharmacy.
When he did, he crashed the cart into the desk, causing tools and instruments to fly all over the place. He jumped off at the last second so as to avoid getting hurt.
"Well... that's lucky." He said to himself.
There was a syringe on the ground, which was on the top of the cart. It was empty luckily and had its safety cover over the needle still, showing that it hadn't been used. He reached over and put it in his sling before anyone would notice.
He ran around the counter, ducking under the swinging gate and went over to the shelves. A nurse behind the counter was about to grab him, but he reacted faster.
He felt really bad for whoever had to reorganize the medicine, but Ai's life trumped a worker's inconvenience.
He grabbed the shelf and was barely able to use all the strength in one hand to pull it down, missing the nurse but causing her to get out of the way as the shelf full of pills and drugs fell over.
Luckily, medicinal bottles are made primarily of plastic and very durable, so they'd be fine. They would just have to reorganize them.
Aqua shifted through the pile and found what he was looking for. A very powerful Anesthetic that was still a liquid, meant to be injected during surgery to put a person under in order to avoid them experiencing pain. Normally, it was delivered through an IV, but can be injected with a syringe.
He put that in his sling and ran back out of the counter area. He had what he needed to he could allow himself to get caught-
"Come here!" Ai yelled as she grabbed his non-injured arm.
"Mama, that hurts." He tried to gain some sympathy... though it did actually hurt with how she was squeezing his arm.
"What are you thinking!?" She was very mad again. "You made a complete mess of the nice doctors stuff!"
"I eto..." He pretended to be confused. "I don't know." He said.
"Are you ok ma'am?" A nurse asked.
"Please forgive my son, I don't know what happened." Ai said, hoping her disguise would keep her hidden.
"Is he normally like that?" The nurse asked.
"No, he never once did this before." She said.
"Mama, I feel tired." He said.
It actually wasn't a lie. The pain killers that he took cause drowsiness, and he was feeling tired after the sprint he just did. He actually felt exhausted and about to fall asleep.
"Did he take any medication recently?" The nurse asked.
"He had some pain killers." Ai said as she held up the bottle.
"That's weird, it shouldn't explain his outburst, but I think he may have had a bad reaction to it." She said.
"Is he ok!?" Ai asked in concern, all anger gone the instant she felt Aqua was in danger.
Aqua smiled to himself. Even though there were predictable side effects, sometimes people can react to medication in unpredictable ways. His behavior can be chalked up to a severe reaction to the medication, especially since as a child, he would have difficulty controlling the reaction.
"He should be fine; this is a very mild drug for his age." The nurse explained.
"So, he did that because of a bad reaction?" Ai asked.
Aqua could tell that the nurse was confused about this situation. She knew that even though bad reactions can be rare, they wouldn't fully explain a sudden outburst like his. However, she couldn't exactly discount that idea either.
"If this is the first time he displayed that behavior, it is possible it was the drug." The nurse said, finding no other reason why he would react that way.
"Does he need to be seen?" Ai asked.
"No, he should be fine." The nurse said. "But if he experiences any chest pains or unusual symptoms, please come back immediately."
"Of course." Ai bowed. "Please forgive his behavior."
"It's ok." The nurse smiled. "There was no trouble."
Aqua couldn't help but snicker. He remembered his old nurses complain. They had to be respectful to patients, but Aqua knew she was going to complain to the other nurses the moment they left. It made him miss working in a hospital.
"Come here baby." Ai said as she picked him up and walked to the hospital. "Are you ok? Do you feel funny?"
"I'm tired." Aqua put his head on her shoulder, feeling tired from the little episode.
"Don't worry, rest now. Mama his here and she'll take care of you." She rubbed his back.
Ai was so worried about him. Her anger immediately dropped because of the reaction. She knew that this was unusual behavior for Aqua, so it must have been the medicine. Plus, she didn't want to punish or frighten him since it could make problems worse.
She'd forgive him since it wasn't his fault. Though, she needed to call their doctor and get a different prescription.
Now that the episode was implied to have been caused by the medicine and outside of his control, Ai was no longer mad at him. At least, she was understanding that he had very little control of the situation.
"We'll get you different medication, so you won't have a bad reaction to it." She said. "Mama loves you Aqua-Chan." She said, using third person baby talk.
"Aqua loves Ai-Chan too." He said, imitating her talk.
"My little brat." She giggled as she rubbed his back.
The medicine was hitting him hard, Aqua was falling asl-
"Good to see you Miyuki." Eren said as Miyuki entered into the room.
"I can't say the same to be honest." He replied. "Especially him." He pointed to Sergei.
Sergei just shrugged, understanding but also not really caring.
"Sergei is going to start training you on how to act more like a criminal." Eren said.
"Why not you?" He asked.
"Like I said, I'm not a good criminal." Eren said.
"But you took down a lot of guys by yourself." Miyuki said.
"And because of that, I put Ai in more danger." Eren said. "Besides, A month ago I was more of a Soldier than anything else."
"Alright, so what do I need to learn?" Miyuki asked. "Do you want me to learn to fight or something?"
"No." Sergei said. "That won't be necessary."
"Ok, but don't all criminals use guns?" He asked.
"Some do, some don't. But anyone can use a gun." He said. "What you will learn is how to talk like criminal and act like criminal. First off, you need new clothes so I will get for you."
"Ok." Miyuki said. "What kind?"
"You won't be able to look like important Yakuza, but we'll make you look like newer kid from streets. Especially at your age." Sergei said.
"Should I spike my hair like an RPG character?" He asked.
Eren raised his eyebrow, wondering what Ar-PeeGee meant in this context since he could tell it had nothing to do with the weapon he used, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Do you think this is Final Fantasy?" Sergei asked.
"I'm surprised you know what that is." He said.
"I've lived here since the nineties, I am familiar." He glared at Miyuki. "Honestly, I would suggest we shave your head bald."
"W-what?" Miyuki asked.
"But we also don't want to ruin your life too, so your family may have questions as to why you did that. Just keep hair the way it is" He said. "We should also give you tattoos."
"But that would make me look like a delinquent." Miyuki said. "I'd also get kicked out of the Academy."
"You're about to pretend to be Yakuza, you get caught you could go to jail." Sergei said.
"Yea, but if I get kicked out, so does my sister and that would basically ruin her chances of getting a decent job." He said.
"I threatened to cut your sister to pieces... so why would you think I'd care about her future?" Sergei asked.
Like, Sergei was legitimately confused. He would never harm an innocent young girl in any way, nor would he intentionally put a child in danger unless in very specific circumstances, like this. But Miyuki didn't know that. As far as he is concerned, Sergei intended to either sell or torture his sister.
"Oh, right..." Miyuki said, having at least the common sense to blush.
"You forgot...?" Sergei asked in disbelief.
"In my defense, I've never been around criminal before." He said.
"Rich girl is doomed." Sergei said facepalmed.
"She'll be fine." Eren said. "We'll get her to safety."
"Moving on." Sergei continued. "I don't intend to give you real tattoos. We'll use fake ones that can be peeled off. They won't look as convincing, but we'll put some wrap to imply it is brand new. You'll basically pose as a new guy."
"Ok, then I can peel them off." Miyuki said.
"Exactly, so we'll go over how you talk and act when working with gang members." Sergei said. "You'll need to convince them that you're moving the girl to another location, and to do that you can't be nervous."
"Ok, that should be easy." Miyuki said.
It was not easy, not at all for Miyuki. Every time he tried to imitate a situation that Sergei showed him, he'd either stutter or completely overact. Not only that, but he would keep forgetting what to say or was not able to easily retort any snips back at him.
He had to convince the guards around Kaguya that he was picking her up for transport, but he was completely unable to act with confidence or lie effectively. This made sense since his nerves were getting to him, and Sergei knew that it was going to get worse from here on out.
"He's hopeless." Sergei said.
"His main problem is he can't talk or come up with excuses." Eren said. "His confidence is a bit better though."
"If we want him to say right things, we'll need to give him a wire."
"A what?" Eren asked.
"I'll give him a little earpiece and he'll be able to listen to me over radio and I can hear around him. I'll talk for him and tell him what to say, that's our best bet."
"If you're sure." Eren said. "It'll at least only make him focus on his confidence."
"Honestly, I am normally very confident." Miyuki tried to say.
"You're bragging right now?" Sergei asked.
"I just never had to prepare for meeting criminals, ok?" He tried to defend.
"It doesn't matter." Eren said. "We'll go with that plan if we need to."
"Ok, seems easy I guess." Miyuki said optimistically. "So why will they let her go after this Saturday?" He asked.
"They're doing an attack on the Nakano-Kai in Ginza." Eren said. "I'll be taking part."
"Wait, are you attacking innocent people?" He asked.
"No." Eren said. "In fact, Yoshida is ordering us to avoid innocent people so we don't get the government involved."
"So why do they need Shinomiya?" He asked.
"Because she'll be used as a false decoy to keep the police away from Ginza." He said. "Then when she's returned, she'll be planted with the information that the Nakano-Kai took her-"
"Basically, ensuring they're wiped out." Miyuki finished.
"All of it hinges on the Nakano-Kai being wiped out in this attack." Eren said. "If they aren't, Kaguya will remain a pawn in this war."
"I don't like it." Miyuki said, once again debating going to the police.
"This'll be the best way to save her, is if we just play by the rules for now and hope Yoshida lets her go." Eren said. "If not, we get her our way."
"Speaking of that, you'll need new gun." Sergei said.
"Sure." Eren said.
Sergei handed Eren another Marleyan pistol, this one just as decorative and engraved as his previous one, to include the ivory handle. Eren took it and looked over it. He could tell it was older, very old, but still in good condition.
"That's an original engraved C-96 Mauser pistol, produced 1916 for a high-ranking German Officer in World War One." He said. "It's going rate on market can easily get in the tens of thousands."
"Why give it to me?" Eren asked.
"It's fitting, you already made name for yourself with old one. Plus, it has long history." He said. "I only ask that you give it back when you're done, I can sell it as the Akuma No Ko's pistol as a collectors item in the criminal underworld."
"Sure." Eren shrugged.
"You'll need new ammo though, 7.63 Mauser, so it'll be a little more expensive. But I'll foot the bill since you'll help triple that guns worth." He said.
"Sure." Eren shrugged.
"Also, Yoshida said he wants his lieutenant to be a bit more groomed for the attack." He said. "I have a few options for the battle, though I recommend this style."
Sergei told Miyuki to stay in the main room of the warehouse while Sergei took Eren to a back room that had a bunch of suits for most occasions. Eren only ever wore a suit when he visited Marley, so he was a bit unfamiliar with them. He decided to let Sergei pick.
Sergei had Eren try on a black well-made suit with shiny black shoes. The jacket was a two-button type jacket and he recommended that Eren only button the top one. Under the jacket, instead of a dress shirt, Eren wore an expensive black turtle neck sweater that almost blended into the dark color of the suit.
"Looks fitting." Sergei said.
Eren looked at a few more things and saw a black flat brimmed hat with a feather sticking out from the side of the expensive looking band. It looked similar to the brimmed hats some of his comrades wore when they were in Marley. Eren tried it on.
"A fedora?" Sergei asked. "Now you look like western 1920s gangster." He laughed. "Though, it is fitting."
"I need some way to hide my identity." Eren said. "What about these as well?"
Eren took a pair of glasses that had a dark opaque lens. The rim was entirely round and would help to hide his identity.
"Now you look German." Sergei said.
"People kept calling me German." Eren smirked to himself. "So why not?"
"It's fine, it will keep identity hidden." Sergei said. "Though you will clearly be making a calling card with both the gun and that style."
"We both know I'm past that." Eren said. "Everyone knows that there's a foreigner called the Akuma No Ko." He said.
"I won't fault the style." Sergei laughed. "It is unique and fits. Especially with the gun. You look less like street kid and more like professional."
"This is only until Ai is safe from Mao." Eren said. "Once she is, Yoshida will leave her alone and I will leave."
"You think he will, after how much you've proven yourself?"
"He will, or he'll learn what kind of devil I can be." Eren said.
"I've doubted your abilities before and looked foolish." Sergei chuckled. "I think you don't understand though, you're in this game for life. No one leaves Yoshida if they've interested him."
"I'll do what I can to protect Ai." Eren said.
"You still intend to propose?" Sergei asked.
"Why not?" Eren asked. "We're already basically living together. I've been staying at her home longer than my own lately."
"I just mean, it is a bit rushed for your generation." He said.
"Rushed?" Eren asked.
"This generation moves slower than mine." He said. "I grew up in rural town outside of Vladivostok. The further from city, the more traditional it was. Especially so far from Moscow. While I didn't live in the time of Stalin, growing up in old Soviet Union was difficult. So many people married quick, if their parents didn't already arrange for it."
"I'm aware Sergei." Eren said. "My home is the same."
"I'm just saying, this country and generation can be different." Sergei said. "Western influence makes couples last longer before marriage. So don't get upset if maybe single mom is surprised. Though you know her better than I do, so I guess you know what you're doing."
Last longer? Eren figured his and Ai's relationship has already lasted a long time without marriage. She always insisted that he rest at her home, so he was sure she was wanting him to propose. Men and women didn't live under the same roof together.
The only exceptions of course, was either the military, blood related, or necessity born from desperation. However, Ai was none of those things. She constantly invited Eren to stay in her home and Eren was wondering if she was going to propose to him.
Courtship in the walls was simple. If a man and a woman were compatible, they married after getting parental permission. Obviously, the last part wouldn't happen for them. Love wasn't as much of a priority. It was less about how you felt about your spouse and more about what the two can do to raise and support children.
Love typically happened after marriage. Eren knew his own parents loved each other and fell in love fast. Eren also knew that he loved Mikasa, though his own pride and obsession prevented that.
Eren cared for Ai, though he couldn't say he fully loved her. Not yet. But he knew that she was a good woman who he wanted to be with. It's not like there was a way to be with a woman without marrying her. It was expected, even in Marley marriages were fast.
So, Japan should be the same. Marriage was just universal in how it was done.
"Thanks Sergei." Eren said. "But my mind is made up. I can't say I love Ai yet, but I know she is a good woman. I'll protect her and make sure she and her children are provided for."
"Very old way of thinking." Sergei chuckled. "Please record when you propose."
"Why?" Eren asked.
"I honestly want to see how funny it will be." He chuckled.
Eren shook his head and walked away, changing back into his regular clothes.
"Yes, I'm calling about changing the prescription for my sons pain medication." Ai said over the phone. "Yes, Hoshino Ai." She said, hoping she didn't recognize the name.
When she got home, she immediately wanted to get the prescription changed since Aqua reacted negatively to it. Since this was a medical thing, she had to give her real information to the pharmacy as his real mother and had to get it herself. Miyako couldn't cover for them since this was official documentation.
While she was doing that, Ruby and Aqua were in her room talking.
"So, want to explain what that was all about?" Ruby asked.
"Sorry, it was the medication." He lied.
"Look, you've been acting weird lately." Ruby said.
"Have I?" He asked.
"Yea." Ruby said as she crossed her little arms to look more threatening. "First you run away, then you fight some Yakuza guy. Now, you make a mess of the hospital? What's going on Aqua?"
"Nothing." He said. "I just wanted to experience being a kid again." He lied.
"Liar!" She said. "Seriously, what is going one!"
"Keep your voice down." He tried to shush her.
"Why won't you tell me or mama what's going on?" She asked.
Why? Because they're both so young. Ruby died when she was young, he knew that. He refused to involve her or Ai in this because of how much he cared for both of them. Ai was sixteen when he treated her, and he fell in love with her then. No as a romantic partner, but more as a daughter.
He had to keep her safe. Even though Ruby was reborn, at least she could act like the child Ai deserved. She was young enough where it was easy for her to act like a toddler. He always despised being reborn and robbing Ai of a child.
So, he couldn't involve Ruby or Ai. He loved them both and always swore he'd protect them.
"I just can't." Aqua said.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because."
"That's a dumb reason."
"It's a good enough reason for an adult." He said.
"But you're not an adult. You're four, like me."
"I wasn't always Ruby." He said. "And I won't say anything to you because I don't want to."
"So, you'll keep getting hurt? Is that it?" Ruby asked.
"If it keeps you and Ai safe, sure." He said. "Besides, that was one time on stage. He was going to kill her, and the hospital was just a bad reaction. I'm not doing anything on purpose."
"You're talking in circles." Ruby said.
Was he? He didn't realize. He was starting to get emotional and had to calm himself.
"Look Ruby, I'm sorry." He said honestly. "Besides, it's more important that Ai stays safe-Ow!"
Ruby lightly hit him in his bad arm, on the upper arm, away from the stab wound. There was no risk of hurting him, though it did sting.
"You're stupid!" She said. "What about you staying safe? What about you being ok? Do you think mama and I would be happy if you got hurt again? What if next time you lose an arm? Or you don't get helped fast enough and die? Do you think we'll be ok?"
"And then you do stupid stuff, like run away or make a mess of the hospital. Don't you think I was worried too? Don't you think I was upset when I found out my brother was missing?"
She was right. Ruby only ever showed affection for Ai, so he sometimes forgets that, technically, they were brother and sister. They were supposed to care for each other. Even if they were reborn, they were still family. At least, as much of a family as they could be.
At least if there is one thing they could share with each other, it was being reborn.
"I'm sorry." Aqua looked down.
"Huh?" Ruby asked.
"You're right." Aqua said. "I'm being selfish and being reckless. I'm sorry."
"W-well-" She stuttered.
"I promise Ruby, I will try to be safer and won't be stupid." His heart actually hurt when he said that lie. "I'll be careful, I promise."
He would be careful, after he dealt with Hikaru. After Hikaru was gone, and Ai and Ruby were safe, he'll promise to never even do a sport in order to stay safe. He'll honor that promise later.
After they were safe.
"O-ok." Ruby turned around. "Just stop doing stupid things. I don't care, but mama will." She crossed her arms again and hmphed.
"Really?" He asked. "Do you have to act like a Tsundere?"
"I am not." She said. "Don't go start overthinking it and developing a sister complex."
The only one developing a complex is you, he thought to himself.
"I'm going to mama." She ran out the room and over to Ai, who was done on the phone.
"Kids, dinner is rea-Ruby-Chan, why the sudden hug?" She asked as she knelt down to hug her daughter.
"Aqua's being a jerk." She tattled on him.
"Aqua-Chan." Ai glared at him.
"She's lying." He lied.
"Get along you two, before I have to get angry." She made a mad face at them, though broke it and giggled.
"Right." He raised his eyebrow.
"As punishment, you get to put the plates on the table." She said, giving him a small task that he can do with one arm.
"Sure." He shrugged.
After setting the plates down, Ai brought out their meals. It was boiled pork ramen that she made from scratch from ingredients she bought at the store. She preferred homemade ramen over microwaved ones, since she read somewhere that microwavable food gives you cancer. She didn't know if it was true but wanted them to be healthy.
"Hey mama, is Eren-San coming over?" Ruby asked.
"He said he will after work." Ai said.
"I can't wait, can we practice English together?" Ruby asked.
"Sure, we will." Ai said.
"Hey mama, when are you going on a date with him?" Ruby asked innocently.
Ai almost chocked on her food as it went down the wrong pipe, completely taken by surprise that her daughter suggested that they date.
"D-date?" Ai asked. "What makes you think that?"
"Yea, you two spend a lot of time together." Aqua said.
"Well, we're neighbors." Ai said, not wanting to admit her feelings outload to her children, especially since Ruby can't keep her mouth shut.
"Are you and Eren-San going to get married?" Ruby asked innocently.
"No!" Ai denied.
"Yea, seriously?" Aqua asked Ruby. "They haven't even dated yet, what makes you think they'll get married after knowing each other for a few weeks?"
"Well, if they love each other, it shouldn't matter how long they dated." Ruby said.
Ai squealed on the inside. Her baby girl was so cute and innocent. She had no idea how real relationships worked.
"Sweety, Ren-San and I aren't getting married." She giggled. "But next week, I am going to tell him something very special."
"Really?" Ruby got excited. "What?"
"It's a secret for now." Ai held up her finger to her lips and winked at Ruby. "So don't tell anyone, ok?"
"I can't wait to hear it mama." She smiled.
"You too Aqua, no leaking top secret information." Ai joked.
Top secret? Really? Aqua knew she was going to confess her feelings to Eren and ask him on a real date. Aqua had no doubt Eren would at least try to date her, whether or not it lasted was up to them. He could imagine them loving each other, but he's been in enough relationships to know that they don't always last.
Still, he hoped that they would find happiness. Eren was a good man, and he could imagine them getting married in a year or two.
"Sure Ai." He shrugged.
"What if he tries to marry you mama?" Ruby asked.
Ai giggled, knowing that would never happen. That would be way to sudden and way too soon. Though, she did decide to placate Ruby's innocent childhood fantasy.
"Then of course I'd say yes." Ai joked.
Could Ai see herself marrying Eren? Maybe one day. She'd say, maybe a year of dating. Six months at the absolute earliest, though that would still be a bit fast.
But first hurdle was admitting she had feelings for him and moving on from there. She wanted to take things slow so they can truly fall in love one day.
Yea, everyone commenting that Eren is going too fast, that's kind of the idea lol. I'm glad everyone agreed it was too fast. I'd be worried if you guys got excited for it to move that fast lol.
AoT never showed what dating was actually like. If it's similar to renaissance styled society, dating wasn't a thing and marriages happened fast. Marriage was less about being in love and more about what people can do for each other and for their eventual kids. It was more business than love. So, as with everything else, that'll be a huge culture shock for Eren.
Even Sergei was from an older time. Rural areas half a century ago were very old fashioned. Even in places like South Korea in the 1970s, people usually married after their first kiss.
Dating is still a relatively modern thing and in places like Japan, it's newer than the west. Even in Japan in the 1970s people got married faster than today. Though now, Japan basically caught up in western dating culture, though maintaining some traditional things.
So, yea, as with everything else so far, Eren is in for another culture shock lol.
Also, I promise that Eren's new look is not based off of John Wick. I promise I had this idea before I saw the movies lol.
I'll admit, I was a little disappointed with how I wrote Ruby and Aqua talking, but I wanted to just try it. I was getting a bit into a writer's block with that but needed to start getting Ruby more screen time. She has been pushed a bit to the back, but it's to be expected since she is just a side character. Eren and Aqua are the main characters here, so they obviously get the most screen time lol. So, hope it doesn't come off as an out of nowhere scene.
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Next will be the Ginza attack.