Zanka has such little brother energy when it comes to him and Riyo, or maybe its just that Riyo gives older sister vibes, but i like to imagine Riyo calls him her little brother.
Its a little weird for Zanka, because he already has a red-haired older sister, he doesnt need another one, or for Riyo to take Kyoka's place.
Also, hes literally a year older! Riyo should show some respect! But then she ruffles his hair out of place, causing him to grumble and try to pat it back down.
"You may be a year older, but im still the first born, lil bro!" She tells him, because thats how she sees it. Enjin took her under his wing first, "adopted her" as they both like to claim. Zanka was "adopted" second, so hes the second child. It doesnt help that hes used to being the youngest, not that his own siblings ever gave special treatment or coddling because of it.
Its still annoying though, to be treated like hes younger than her. It frustrates him, even, because he wants Enjin to like him, to trust him, to see that he is capable! Hes no natural talent, sure, but hes here because he wants to prove that an average man can be equal, can be just as strong! And it stings when Enjin passes him over for missions in favor of sending Riyo out instead.
Zanka asks him why, through anger, and angry tears, and pouting faces, and discouraged eyes, and once through a stone face worn smooth and cold from disappointment.
And Enjin tells him, he says that Zanka is so skilled with Aibo. That hes incredibly competent with hand-to-hand combat, that theres no one he trusts more to understand jinki. And Enjin explains calmly, that despite that, despite his year on Riyo, Zanka still has so much more room to grow. Zanka has a shorter fuse, and is a little ungrounded, has some maturing to do emotionally for Enjin to feel safe letting him out alone.
And then Enjin tells him that he is worried about Riyo. That Zanka may need to grow emotionally, but that Riyo is kinda the opposite. Shes too adult, and thats the last thing Enjin wants for a thirteen year old. Shes still a kid, and Zanka is still a kid. The cleaners are short staffed, and Enjin knows Riyo can handle some of the easy-mid-level trash beasts because shes been with him longer; if Enjin had a choice, neither of them would be going out alone! But he doesnt, and Riyo is a little more rebellious than Zanka anyway, more likely to escape on her own to do reckless things, and at least this way Enjin can kinda control that habit, that need in her.
Its still hard to hear, because a little part in Zanka feels like Enjin just doesnt trust him, even though he explicitly said otherwise. The praise had made him blush, but the flush depends from embarrassment and insecurity as Enjin goes on. He only kind of understands, but he cant help but compare it to the Hell Guard way of things. He wonders about Riyo's backstory, wonders how she was picked up, why shes "too adult", why Enjin always asks to see her scissors whenever she comes back, why she always pouts first before flashing them alongside a bright grin, showing off how clean and shiny they are. Why Enjin always glances at her clothes afterwards, then the clothes of the supporters, eyebrow raised and searching for something Zanka never knows, before Enjin would nod approvingly and tell her hes proud of her.
What would it take to make Enjin proud of him, too?
As they get older, Zanka grunts and groans when Riyo teases him and messes with him. He complains and whines to Enjin about it, who proceeds to ruffle his hair the same way Riyo does. He bickers with Riyo, until Enjin calls, "Hey, kids, knock it off!" Over his shoulder while driving, or through a mouthful of burger when theyre eating.
Riyo tells him hes "like a grumpy baby, Zanka!" And Enjin chimes in with "Yeah! With that disgruntled face he gets?" And the two of them giggle and cackle. It feels like theyre making fun of him when they do this, but it also doesnt. Hes knows they arent trying to bully him or actually make him feel bad, though it still kinda hurts anyway, but maybe that logical thinking of it is the "emotional maturity" Enjin keeps telling him about.
