There was nothing wrong with childish annoyance, but it was Hotarumaruâs smile that the Saniwa was really after. Catching sight of it was enough to make him break into one of his own, surrendering the diminutive sword to his own devices. He was here, Hotarumaru was here. There was more to it than that, a lot more to worry about, but â they were here.
He reached out his hand to smooth over the oodachiâs hair, an unhesitant apology for the damage done before.
âItâs good to see you, Hotarumaru. I missed you,â he said. It wasnât him alone that the sentiment was meant for, but something about Hotarumaruâs personality made it easier, saying those things.Â
âIâd like to say that you seem fine, butâŚâ
The Saniwaâs hand stilled suddenly, almost as if in worry. It was a tense moment that he invited on the two of them, glancing down with a strange look â
âHave you gotten shorter?â
â and coming back with another smile, this one even keener.
He really couldnât help it.
âIf you donât take care of yourself, youâll really shrink,â rang his ominous warning, far too ridiculous to actually be a threat. He resumed his gentle motions, merciless. âAnd then what will you do?â
âThis isnât home, so you canât let your guard down.â
âMe, too... I missed you, too!â After leaning into the otherâs palm, soaking in as much of that gentle touch as he could, Hotarumaru was no quicker to cling to the Saniwaâs front, tiny fingers curled tightly onto his robes. Being in the semblance of a child, this was no foreign action at all, plushy cheeks nuzzling and brimming with a bright pink hue. In the end, he really loved getting attention like this... Of course, until he was being teased again. (And this time so convincingly!)
âHunh..?! Y-youâre kidding..â Looking troubled, tiny brows furrowed as he assessed the situation, he couldnât take it lightly. If it was so serious that it would begin to effect his performance, then..! --No, no. That just wasnât anyway to think! If there was a problem, then Hotarumaru had to put in twice, or even thrice, the effort!
âNo matter how small I become, Iâll still work hard. Especially now that youâre here; I have to protect you, no matter what! Ah, unless.. you think I should be replaced..? If Iâm too small, will I be of not use to you, Master?â There was always two sides to a coin, and if the Saniwa thought he could get away with such a cruel joke without some heart-wrenching repercussions, well.. he had another thing coming.













