Chapter 14: Chiro's Girl

It had been an adjustment the last couple of months.

From that point onward, the Hanamura siblings were figuring out their new "normal" and what that looked like for their family.

Chiro had moved into the Hyper Force's base while continuing his training and finding he was thriving fully immersed in it. There wasn't a hard time limit, he had all the time he wanted to focus. His mind and body were challenged in ways it had never been before.

Mila could see the change in his confidence. While Chiro never lacked it, it only grew and the change was a welcomed one.

The light in his eyes, the way he carried himself… although, not to say everything had been perfect.

Mila found herself not sure what to do with herself a lot of the time. Refurbishing the store had been a massive project in and of itself.

It was up and running now but that had been an… experience to say the least.

"WHAT THE FU-"

Mila covered her mouth, bouncing in place anxiously as she looked at the damage to her store. She had managed to convince Gibson to let her leave the base just to stretch her legs, provided someone was with her.

And checking in on the store, she decided it was a massive mistake.

She groaned as she looked at the large bay glass window that made up her store front.

"Oh nooooo…" Already the numbers were tallying up in her head.

The broken pots, the display cases that kept flowers fresh, all of it had been so pricey when her parents had bought them. She had gotten good at keeping them running but broken beyond repair?

Her heart beat faster, as she whined a bit, bouncing even more anxiously.

"Holy Shuggazoom…"

How much was this going to cost to fix?

Otto popped up beside her, his hand turning into a wrench.

"Just leave it to me! I'll have you back up and running in no time!"

"Uh, let us actually help, Mila. All of us." Nova cringed. "We all kinda feel responsible that you got caught up in this."

"Do I have to chip in any money?"

"No!"

Mila gave a shaky thumbs up before her knees buckled under her anew as Chiro caught her arms.

"Okay, that's enough sticker shock. Back to base."

She looked back at the store, shaking her head.

"Hnnnn, this is gonna be normal, isn't it?" She mumbled.

Chiro grimaced, rubbing her shoulder.

"We'll try. Now, come on, let's get you back home."

"And you moved out… Oh gosh you are moving out…"

In retrospect, she was pretty sure she was freaking out more about Chiro moving out at thirteen, versus her store being decimated.

But yet again, this was all part of their new normal as a family…

It was a novel concept to have a big family again. It was just her and Chiro for the longest time.

She supposed she forgot what it was like. To have other people around, to have people she could rely on…

I hadn't had that in… a long time…

Mila had kept her promise of being there every day too. There wasn't a single day that went by that her day didn't start at the base like it did now.

It was nice to have other people to cook for again.

Just not when it seemed no one was getting up yet.

Mila checked her phone, noting all of her timers were going off in such a few minutes.

Oh… I'm gonna enjoy this.

She smiled wickedly.

There was an intercom with a button that she had learned would filter through to the individual rooms in the base. One for each room, though if she slammed her hand against all of them, she found it would open up the entire comm system.

She cleared her throat, doing a few vocal exercises.

In her mind's eye she saw it. She wasn't in the kitchen, she wasn't wearing an apron and her work clothes… She was on a stage before hundreds of people, the comm instead, her microphone as she took a deep breath.

"We were here, grieving the saddened faces…" She sang softly into the comm as it hummed to life under her fingertips, her voice carrying on through the speakers, creating a soft echo.

She grinned as her song turned into a loud guttural scream.

"CONQUERING THE DARKEST PLACES!"

Her note continued on as years of vocal training came back to her in that instant.

The reverb grew as she held onto it.

Followed by startled yelps, screeches and the sounds of sleeping pods or doors opening.

"MILA!" Chiro yelled through the comm. "WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?"

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Sparx screamed a moment later. "COME ON!"

"Ugh… Why?" Antauri muttered.

"You guys are late, the food is done. Get your butts down here or you starve." She said before taking her hand off the comm and starting to plate up the food she had made.

She was all too aware she was likely going to meet her end if she didn't make sure the offering was worth it.

The first to appear was Nova as she stormed into the room, growling under her breath, slamming her fist into her open palm.

"MILA!"

"Oh, hey, good morning!"

Mila's smile melted away as she realized, perhaps, her little plan had worked out too well.

"Uh… Coffee?"

Antauri narrowed his eyes.

"Team, I believe it is time Mila experiences one of our most sacred traditions."

Sparx growled, his right hand transforming into a magnet.

"Yeah, me too."

Mila swallowed hard.

"What-What do you mean by that? Does this involve a straw?"

Nova grinned wickedly.

"You're gonna wish it involved a screaming forehead."

oooooo

She gulped as she was led to the elevators. Internally, she was running through a few different escape routes.

If looks could kill, the looks she was getting right after breakfast would've made her spontaneously combust into a thousand small explosions.

"I mean, I fed you guys. I got up when I didn't have to."

"And do not take this as discouragement. The food was quite delicious. However…" Gibson cleared his throat. "This needs to be done."

"Sis, that was the third time this week. You gotta pay for it." Chiro stifled a yawn, folding his arms behind his head. "I love ya, but this is gettin' old."

"Besides!" Otto chirped, "We haven't even shown you this section! And it's pretty important!"

If I grab Chiro and ru, we might make it to the car and across town… Then from there, we could get to the Space Port, I could buy a one way ticket, we could escape to Earth, change our names, I'll start a rice farm and no one will ever find us.

She shook her head.

No, no, knowing my luck, Antauri can read minds.

Man, why am I being punished!?

As she descended down the green elevator with Otto, her mind kept racing.

"You know, it's really a good thing you came over so early! We needed help with this but uh… It's kind of a big job and a lot of things need to be fixed up first."

Mila was startled out of her thoughts as she looked down at Otto. His tail was swishing happily as he talked, adjusting his scarf as he did so.

At least one of them wasn't thinking about throwing her to the formless.

The rest of the team soon joined them.

"So, where are we going? Where are we-Wait, this is the front door!" Mila gestured to the front opening as it hit her where they were. "Am I getting tossed out!?"

"Nope." Chiro grinned. "I've been wanting to show ya this for weeks but uh… Gibson kinda thought you might not be able to handle it."

Mila narrowed her eyes, turning towards Gibson.

"Oh… REALLY!?"

He held up a thermos filled with coffee, giving her a sour look.

"Right, right."

Off to the right, was a large set of doors that had a colorful number pad beside it.

Nova easily entered the code without even hesitating as the doors slid open.

A cold breeze blew through the lower level as they all followed her.

Chiro practically ran ahead, excitement already bubbling up.

He had seen it before, but now…

This was going to be different.

I'll finally get to PILOT IT!

As the team filed in, they waited as Mila hesitantly came up behind them.

A large shadow loomed over the woman, her heart racing as she realized it covered the entirety of the strange room.

It was a hanger of some kind, with tools and equipment littered all over, darkened by the shadow above her.

She slowly craned her neck up, her heart leaping into her throat.

Looming over her, its optics dim, its face serious, was a massive robot.

It had to be at least 35 stories tall, made up of an array of colorful metals. One arm was blue, the other was red. Its legs are gray, its 'boots' yellow and green. Its head was covered in black and green metal. In the center was its orange torso.

Mila's knees buckled as she sank to the floor, staring up at it, her jaw dropping open.

She thought that the quip Otto made all the way back then was just a nightmare.

"T-That's a… That's… That's…" She stammered, trying to put her racing thoughts into words.

This wasn't real.

She nodded to herself.

This was a horrible nightmare. One of Antauri's twisted mental projections.

Yes. That's what it had to be.

Nothing else made sense.

Chiro grinned.

"The Super Robot!" He cheered proudly. "Mashiaro!"

Mila took a deep breath, throwing her head back… letting out a guttural scream.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"And it can turn into six separate ships!" Otto grinned.

"Yes, all of us have our designated places." Gibson nodded.

Mila stammered, pointing up at it, then back at her brother, shaking her head.

"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! HE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE!"

Chiro grinned, trying to help Mila back to her feet.

"Remember all that talk about trusting me to take care of myself? Make good decisions? Entrusting that the team would NOT do anything stupid with me?"

MIila groaned, putting her head in her hands.

"I really said all that crap didn't I? OKAY, BUT WHY AM I DOWN HERE?!"

"Well, the thing is… We need to clean it. And this platform goes all the way up there."

Sparx pointed above them.

Mila groaned.

"I'm gonna hate myself for this, aren't I?"

"Yep."

That was how she found herself clinging to Chiro for dear life, as the platform around them began to rise with a loud CREEEAAAAAK.

The monkeys were completely calm, like it was just another morning to them.

Chiro had a big grin on his face as he looked around, his heart soaring at the thought that soon this was going to be part of his everyday life too.

Who needs to drive a car? I'M GETTING TO DRIVE A ROBOT!

It wasn't long before they were standing atop the robot's head, the wind picking up around them, blowing their hair and clothes around them.

Mila looked around her nervously.

Where did she even start?

Was she supposed to do this solo?

How?

She looked over the side, shuddering as her stomach did a somersault.

Suddenly, she was wishing she hadn't gotten out of bed that morning.

"Is it too late to go back to bed!?"

"Way too late." Chiro grinned.

She sighed as she looked at him.

He was wearing his favorite shirt, jeans…

And the new jacket she had gotten him.

She smiled a little.

Glad it fits as well as I hoped…

It was a white bomber jacket with orange rectangles on either sleeve, mimicking military marks, with a large orange arrow like symbol that formed together when it was closed.

On the back, was a symbol in the shape of a monkey's head, in shades of blue, with a small antennae and lightning bolts. The Hyper Force emblem they all wore proudly.

"Here…"

Mila handed him another box as he packed up the last of his things.

Chiro was baffled,as he lifted the lid up slowly, his eyes widening.

He looked up at her stammering.

"I-Is this!?"

"It's not exact but…"

He quickly tried it on, turning left and right in the large mirror on the wall, an excited gasp escaping him.

"IT'S JUST LIKE STARBLAZERS!"

He nearly tackled her as he hugged her.

"SIS!"

It blew around in the wind as Chiro shivered, zipping it up fully.

Mila sighed, moving closer, ruffling his hair up.

"You are so lucky I love you."

"Eheh?" He chuckled, smiling sheepishly. "You know, you don't have to do this…"

"Nonsense, how hard could it be? I just gotta do this section right?" She asked, pointing to the head.

Part of her was screaming "Yes, yes, take me back down to the ground level!", the other half figured she did kind of have it coming to her.

And I'm still his legal guardian. Can't let him drive something messy…

Although, if he'll clean this up, I wonder how his room is going…

Click!

Mila looked down, seeing Nova had snapped a set of rings around Mila's ankles, attached to long cords.

"What the heck is this?"

"This is how we clean the robot." Nova grinned. "You gotta go at a certain angle."

"... I don't like this." She looked over at Antauri. "Is this how it's done?"

He nodded.

"Yes, it's a technique we've developed years ago. It's a part of our discipline as well - no rocket packs, merely relying on each other and building trust as well."

Mila looked away, swallowing hard.

She looked over the edge of the robot's chassis, her eyes widening, as her heart leapt into her throat. She thought for a second it might actually break free and run.

Yeah, I'm taking Chiro, running to the nearest Space Port, taking a one way ticket back to Earth and changing our names. Then I'll start a rice farm.

Yes.

That'll do.

I'll farm rice, Chiro can raise fancy goldfish or something SAFE.

Sparx hurried over, handing her some type of gun filled with cleaning solution and a pack that slipped over her shoulders containing more of it.

He cleared his throat.

"See, when you jump off the robot, you gotta turn and aim upwards so your gun fires at the grime and blasts it away. It's really easy actually."

Mila looked at him as if he was speaking another language completely.

"Yeah, what about you guys? What are you doing?"

"Someone's gotta hold onto the cord."

Mila looked over the edge.

"Okay…"

"Now… One last thing Mila…" Antauri cleared his throat.

"What?"

"... Hand your pack and gun to Chiro."

She was dumbfounded as everyone busted up laughing around her.

Her face burned red before she huffed, shrugging off the pack and gun, handing them to her brother.

"You all suck!"

She stormed away from the ledge, sitting cross legged under the head of the massive robot.

Chiro snickered, giving her an apologetic look.

"Awww, don't go away mad."

Mila grumbled before she sighed, laughing a bit.

"Okay, you guys had me going there. How long were you gonna let it go on for?"

Antauri smirked.

"Oh, that was just about long enough."

"... W-Wait did you just pull a prank?"

"I would call it a… lesson in reading your opponents."

Mila rolled her eyes.

"Whatever you say, Obi-Wan."

Antauri blinked, before making his way over to Chiro.

The boy looked down at him with a curious look.

"Is calling me Obi-wan a good sign?"

Chiro grimaced.

"Hate to break it to you Antauri but she hates Star Wars."

"... What's Star Wars?"

Chiro gasped loudly, bringing a hand over his heart.

"Oh man, you really do know how to hurt a guy!" He sputtered. "You don't know that either!?"

"Kid, we like, get no Earth broadcasts and we didn't get a TV until you moved in." Sparx pointed out.

"Point taken. So… wanna make this a little more fun?" Chiro asked, making his way to the ledge.

All around them, the team were ready, holding tightly onto the bungee cords.

Mila swallowed hard.

I don't like this…

"Oh? What's the plan?" Sparx smirked.

"Last one to finish his side does the other's chores?"

"Oh, you are on. To make it worse, it's chores here and-" He pointed at Mila. "Loser has to work a shift during her next wedding gig!"

"You are ON!"

Mila rolled her eyes, smirking.

"Don't do anything stupid, Maverick!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

Gibson snickered, clearing his throat to hide it.

"You gonna talk all day or do this?" Nova laughed. "You're just stalling cause you're gonna lose!"

"Ooooh!" Otto and Chiro mock-gasped.

"Call the burn ward!" Mila laughed.

Gibson rolled his eyes, chuckling.

"Please, even I couldn't treat that."

Sparx's jaw dropped open.

"Hey, HEY!" He pointed at Chiro, growling, letting out a small screech. "You are going DOWN kid! That is it!"

Chiro shrugged, looking over the edge one last time.

Over the last two months, they had worked to get the area the Tree Base was in cleaned up. Now, it was a proper city park like it had been so long ago. No more overgrown brush, the trees trimmed back to a healthy state, lush and green.

Mila had made it her passion project to keep herself busy and it was her greatest pride at this point. Lush and green plants, manicured grass.

Flowers in colorful hues that represented each member of the team.

It was like the base had always been in view. Even now, he could see people walking along the path, past the stream, where kids now were fishing.

It was like it had changed overnight.

"I'll protect this place."

Right…

Chiro and Sparx walked to the edge, their cleaning guns in hand.

The wind blew their clothes and hair around before they lunged forward propelling downwards.

"AH!"

Chiro tried very hard not to laugh at the noise his sister let out during his descent.

Rapidly, he and Sparx started firing, knocking grime off of the robot's surface, revealing shining metal underneath.

As he fell, he took a look around for a moment… just a moment.

"HYAH!"

A girl was playing a game using some kind of long stick and a net, hurling a ball at her teammates as they ran across the park's field. Her long pink hair blew in the wind as she lunged upwards, her green eyes narrowed in determination.

Whoa…

Chiro had never seen someone like that around here before.

"KID!"

Chiro shook his head, firing anew, motivated as he was propelled upwards again by the bungee…

He flailed momentarily midair before falling downwards again.

SPRAAANAG!

"WHOOOAAA!"

Mila and Gibson cringed as they watched.

"You know… this is a really inefficient way of doing that…" Gibson remarked.

"It's to get all that energy out." Antauri chuckled. "He'll be fine."

Chiro growled, noting Sparx's side was steadily getting cleaner.

He adjusted the settings on his gun, firing upwards.

He was distracted however yet again by the team playing below them. The same girl kept catching his eye, the sun shining off of hair as she lunged upwards.

Whooaaa….

PEW!

He misfired, twice, as the tether was cut with the pressure from the water.

Sparx's eyes widened in horror, as he bounced back upwards.

"CHIRO!"

"AAAAHHH!"

It was like slow motion. He was falling…

The monkeys rushed forward, Mila picking up the pace as she lunged forward, grabbing tightly onto the cord. It stung as she tried to grab onto it for dear life.

She slid off the edge as Nova grabbed hold of her legs. The shift in weight nearly knocked her off the robot as Chiro yelped, dangling more.

The people in the park had stopped to watch the spectacle of the Hyper Force's leader, hanging by a literal thread.

"I GOT YOU!" Mila's heart leaped into her throat, racing a mile a minute. Her hands hurt as she tried desperately to hold onto the cord, wrapping it around her wrist twice for good measure.

Come on, come on!

"We all do!"

Antauri grunted, using his claws to hang onto the robot's edge.

"Just hang in there… Sparx, Otto-!"

"We're on it!"

Chiro looked up at Mila's face, his blood freezing with fear.

"Sis-!"

The cord frayed more as it tugged her forward, before…

She cried out as the cord slipped from her wrist.

NO!

"ICHI!" She screamed.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Chiro reached out for her as he fell the rest of the way down, bracing himself for impact…

One second he was falling…

"OH NO YOU DON'T!" A voice cried out as someone darted right under him.

Chiro yelped as he landed in the arms of another person. They stumbled a bit but kept steady.

"Hey… Hey, you okay?"

Chiro's heart was racing, the blood had rushed to his head as he tried to catch his breath.

He looked up, dazed… before the blood rushed right to his cheeks.

The girl from before was holding him now. She was looking down at him, concerned.

The sun was bouncing off of her hair, illuminating her from his perspective…

He was sure she was talking but all he could focus on was her eyes.

Oh… Oh wow…

She's strong AND cute…

"-You okay? Hey!"

He shook his head, breaking out of his reverie.

"A-Ah yeah, I'm fine." He squeaked out, crossing his arms, trying to play it cool. "I totally meant to do that."

He was trying SO very hard not to focus on the fact that he fell roughly twenty feet…

The girl smiled, giggling a little.

"Oh, really?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, grinning a little.

"Yeah, I noticed you playing um…"

"Lacrosse?"

"Yeah, that!"

The girl's giggle turned into a full blown laugh as she stumbled back leaning against the foot of the robot so she didn't lose her grip on Chiro.

"You… You shot your bungee cord on purpose!?"

Chiro's eyes widened, furrowing his brow.

How had she noticed THAT?

He looked over at where the rest of the team she had been playing with was… They were all looking at them with either grins or looks of concern.

How'd she get here so fast? That was like twenty feet away…

He brushed it off.

"Totally~" He grinned. "After all, how else was I supposed to meet you? Um…"

"Jinmay." She giggled. "My name is Jinmay."

"Pretty-I-I mean that's a pretty name!"

"And yours?" She tilted his head, her gaze softening.

It was hitting him now that a girl had him in a bridal carry, his head was VERY close to hers… the gentle scent of cherry blossoms wafting off of her hair.

His heart skipped a beat.

"It's…"

"ICHIRO HANAMURA!"

Crap.

Antauri let go of Mila's arms as she hit the ground running.

"Are you okay-" She stopped,short, her hand coming to rest over her mouth.

All of her instincts were screaming at her to run over, to fuss, but…

She couldn't.

Chiro's eyes weren't on her at all. He was focused on Jinmay, his face dusted a bright pink.

She was smiling down at him, her gaze warm.

"Ichiro huh?"

"Y-Yeah.. That's me…"

Oh my gosh…

"Chiro!"

"Are you-"

"Guys, guys…" Mila whirled around, holding her hands up. "Give him a second."

Antauri narrowed his eyes, looking behind her at what was happening, raising an eyebrow.

Oh, I've seen that look before… He eyed Sparx out of the corner of his eye. Only it was directed at Nova.

"Who is that?" Otto murmured.

"She moved like lightning. I caught a glimpse when I was trying to get untethered." Sparx remarked, crossing his arms.

It was still baffling as he looked over from where the girl had come from to where she was now.

"She was way over there then suddenly - BOOM! Saved the day!"

Nova sighed in relief.

"Just glad he's okay…"

Otto looked from Chiro to Jinmay and then back at Sparx and Nova, a wicked smile coming to his face.

"Well… at least we know one thing about him now."

Sparx narrowed his eyes.

"What?"

"He's better at this than you are Sparx." He patted his shoulder.

"WHY YOU-!"

"I mean…" Antauri cleared his throat. "How long did it take for you to finally confess to Nova?"

Sparx rolled up his jacket sleeves.

"Antauri… I just want FIVE minutes."

oooooo

"So, you sure it's okay to ignore them?" Jinmay asked as she looked up at where the monkeys were.

She had to admit, it was incredible seeing them closer. She couldn't understand a thing they were saying but it wasn't every day the town heroes suddenly were nearby.

"Trust me, Mila's got 'em covered." Chiro chuckled. "Though uh… C-Could you put me down now. please?"

Jinmay's eyes widened as she stammered.

She hadn't even realized she was still talking to him like this.

"O-Oh gosh!" She quickly set Chiro back on his feet, dusting off his shoulder, letting out a small squeak. "I-I'm so sorry!"

"It's cool, it's cool!" He rubbed the back of his neck, blushing. "I… Wow, that was still an awesome save. Thanks again."

"A-Anytime…"

"JINNY!" A girl called over. "Come on!"

Jinmay sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Right, I still have things to do today… You deal with this stuff?"

Chiro looked over his shoulder at the monkeys with a small grin.

He shrugged.

"Yeah, all the time. Practice right?"

"Right. I suppose if I wanna find you.." She looked around them, a playful smile coming to her face.

She wants to find me again!?

Oh…

Oh I need to fall off the robot more often.

Every day if this is what happens.

Chiro nodded quickly.

"I, yeah I…" He cleared his throat, trying to compose himself. "I'm always here or at my sister's store, Hanamura Botanicals… but… I also got a phone…?"

Jinmay's eyes lit up.

"Number exchange?"

"Sure thing! I-I mean if you're cool with that."

She giggled.

"I think so."

Chiro nodded, fumbling for his phone, before holding it up so she could copy the number down into her own phone.

"So… where are you from? Sector 10? 12?"

"I'm still figuring out what all that means." She explained. "I moved here last month."

Chiro smiled, giving a small bow.

"Allow me to welcome you properly then to Shuggazoom City."

"Well, you certainly made an impression." Jinmay smiled, waving over her shoulder. "I'll see you around… Ichiro?"

"Chiro!" He blurted out quickly.

"Chiro then." She smiled. "I'll call you."

"Y-Yeah… you too."

Jinmay giggled before hurrying back over to her teammates as they ran off, picking up their equipment anew.

He stood there for a few moments, shell shocked, at the whole exchange.

Chiro shook his head before looking at the number now in his contacts.

"Yes…. YES!" He cheered, pumping a fist in the air.

I GOT A CUTE GIRLS NUMBER!

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING!

Mila waited until Jinmay was far enough away before bolting over, squealing.

"Oh my gosh, Ichi!" She hugged him tightly. "Look at you!"

"M-Mila c'mon…." He chuckled, smiling sheepishly. "It wasn't that huge of a deal."

"Yeah it is!" She looked him over. "Now… You okay?" She tilted his chin up. "Didn't hit your head on the way down?"

"I'm fine! Surprised you managed to hold back-"

"CHIRO!"

"UWAH!"

THUD!

Chiro sighed as he sat up slowly.

"So, you wanna explain what that was all about?" Sparx asked, ruffling up his hair.

"UWAH! SPAAAARX!"

"What happened, Chiro?" Antauri asked, concerned. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Chiro shrugged.

"I mean, I feel okay? Kinda in shock but… Yeah! I'm fine!"

Nova sighed, shaking her head, smiling.

"Good because that's not happening again."

Otto grimaced.

"Yeah, we'll be… figuring out a different way to clean the robot."

Sparx scoffed, pointing upwards, revealing his side was all shiny…

While Chiro's had a spot still dirty.

"Nah, it works out great. The kid missed a spot-"

Mila leaned over him, her eyes wide, a wicked sneer forming across her lips.

"I know where you sleep."

Sparx yelped, getting out of her way.

"Note to self, stop making you mad."

"Good!" She crossed her arms. "Alright, considering THAT went OH so well, what's going to happen next?"

Chiro sighed as he got up, stretching.

He knew exactly what was on the schedule.

"I think we had meditation?"

Antauri nodded.

"Good, cause I think I'm gonna need it."