Light at the End of the Tunnel
shiningpunisher:
Yikes… You startled him, Tasuku.
Tasuku could almost feel Jack cringing at Kanata’s awkward greeting, and he wasn’t sure whether it was the environment or whether Kanata still hadn’t warmed up to him completely yet. Perhaps it was both.
Be nice, Jack. Come to think of it, I didn’t get to talk much to Kanata-kun the last time he was here. It’s understandable that he’s still a bit guarded around me.
He was a little sad that things seemed to have regressed, though.
“I’m here for a patrol. I work with the Hive City Police Department now.”
He walked past Kanata, standing at the entrance to the tunnel, as it to show Kanata that there was nothing to be afraid of, before flashing Kanata a reassuring smile.
“You’re not crazy, don’t worry. Those are the Pariah. When there’s nothing going on in the city, they’re usually docile. But they are kind of in the way of our way out, huh?”
“If we don’t provoke them, we should be able to get past them and to Sector oo1. Would you like to come with me? I was about to leave the district too.”
And just like that, all of the world’s problems that had arisen to suffocate Kanata under their stifling presence had vanished in one fell swoop--all thanks to Tasuku’s simple solutions, no less. At this point in time, he wasn’t sure if he had planned to look like an utter fool for the sake of masking his true nature, or if all of this pretending was actually making him incompetent.
“... Yes, please.”
--Either way, he gave a heavy sigh in relief as Tasuku safely lead them through exit and back out into the city. Hive was looking no different from his previous stay, and though he couldn’t exactly say he was thrilled to be here, it was better than camping out in a murky tunnel for the night.
“Ahhh, thank goodness! I’m so glad we ran into Tasuku-kun and Jack!”
“Yeah, I suppose I owe them our thanks then.”
Blinking as he realized they couldn’t exactly hear Athora at the moment, Kanata quickly bowed his head, hoping to avoid eye contact and the embarrassing sight of his spreading blush at all costs.
“W-well.. thanks for all of your help! You’re probably super busy now, right? With being a police officer and all, sooo...--”
“Running away already, Kanata....?
Athora, I love you, but right now I’d gladly serve you to the opposing team’s goal with a round house kick...~!
