destined child

"I'll protect my only family!" Affiliated with Isola Radiale Housing: Townhouse 204 Ranking: Hypergiant (migrated) NOT indie friendly.

[shiningpunisher]

simple minds think alike

[shiningpunisher]

chroyes‌:

“Um, about that–”

However, before he’d try to come up with some sort of half-assed excuse, did Tasuku turn the conversation around completely, and much to his interest, actually.

“Oh… for the kids?”

That was certainly one way to hit a tender spot. 

“M.. me, too, actually.”

In his arms, he already held a few boxed items–a popular board game and an electronic racing car–but stuffed toys were certainly something long-lasting and sentimental for the younger ones; a soft and huggable friend to carry around for the difficult times he knew all too much about…

“Does that mean you’re gonna head over there and help with the arrangements, too?”

“Oh! You and I had the same idea, then.”

So that explained the boxes that Chrono was carrying. 

He’s going through all this trouble for the kids... In spite of his scary face, he’s actually a huge softie, huh?

With a small smile at the thought, Tasuku nodded in confirmation.

“Yeah. The director asked me to drop by if I had the time. I think he just wanted to invite me over for dinner, but I told him I’d help out instead. I’m gonna be heading over there pretty shortly once I pick something out.”

[shiningpunisher]

simple minds think alike

[shiningpunisher]

chroyes‌:

“Ogh..!”

–Shopping a few days too late before Christmas had already proven to be a huge headache, but now, smacking skulls with the customer beside him, had most literally given Chrono one as the icing on the cake. (Well, that was his fault for putting this off for so long…)

“You… –Tasuku.”

As he gave a long, heavy sigh, the redhead most certainly felt apart of his soul escaping out with it; the last time he had honestly spoke to his junior had been during the big zombie apocalypse episode…and what an embarrassment that had been.

“Sheesh,. what’re you doin here, anyway? Don’t you have cop duty?”

It had been convenient at least, to avoid his shame while Tasuku had been busy hustling about the city fighting crime or whatever, but now that they were together, Chrono was hoping for two things: 1.) Tasuku not bringing up that awkward moment they had at the safety zone, and 2.) Tasuku not calling him out for actually knowing close to nothing about dragons. The laundry list of anxieties were certainly piling up now…

“...Chrono-san! I wasn’t expecting to see you here! Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you around lately... Have you been busy?”

When he thought about it, Chrono had been rather scarce around the apartment lately, hadn’t he? Tasuku hadn’t spoken to him at length since the zombie apocalypse that shook the town two months ago.

When he really thought about it, living in the same apartment but not talking to each other for two months was kind of strange. Tasuku had been far too busy with his duties as a police officer, but wasn’t Chrono making an effort to avoid him? 

Well, it wasn’t as if either of them could do anything about it now that they literally bumped into each other.

“No, I’m off duty today. I thought I’d try to look for some last minute presents for the kids at the orphanage.”

[shiningpunisher]

simple minds think alike

“Hm... Maybe... No, he doesn’t like that at all...”

One winter day found Tasuku perusing the shelves of a nearby toy store for gift ideas. The orphanage Tasuku had become acquainted with had little money to spare for gifts for the children, and yet so many of the kids had come to Tasuku asking them if they were on Santa’s naughty or nice list. 

Tasuku remembered when he had believed in Santa. His parents had taught him to be good for the sake of being good, but like any child, he couldn’t deny that he had wanted a reward for his exemplary behaviour as well. 

But more than that... How long had it been since he had stopped believing? After his parents had died, probably, when he wished to Santa every night for his parents to come back to him and wondered why they hadn’t appeared under the cheap, plastic tree he had purchased with what little money he had. The sadness and loneliness from realizing that wish could never be granted... 

Tasuku wouldn’t wish that kind of sadness on any child.

“Oh...!”

A wide array of stuffed animals caught his eye on the bottom shelf, and he knelt down to inspect them.

“Hmm... Yeah, this could work... He mentioned he really wanted one of these...”

He shuffled to the left, looking for a particular stuffed animal...until his head collided into someone else’s.

“Ow...! Oh, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was--”

[shiningpunisher]

glorioustaiga‌:

“O-oh! I see.” He was still on duty regardless, and noting that caused Noboru to shrink away from his previous subject. Tasuku coming over and greeting him so casually as if there were nothing wrong ebbed away some of the fear, though what he had to say afterward was mind-boggling.

“You didn’t…know I was here?”

Caught up in his thoughts, Noboru crossed his arms and lowered his head, it bobbing off to the side. It wasn’t particularly a good time for this, but the all-over weirdness of it was stealing his ability to mask whatever was on his mind.

More questions, no answers, which always lead to a frustrated kid. Frustration led to debuffing the want to take this situation slowly and be delicate about it, unfortunately…

“You saw me in Hive City…remember?”

“Huh?”

There it was again--the mention of that other city. Hive City. The one that so many others had brought up to Tasuku, and yet...he just couldn’t remember at all.

Though the expression on Noboru’s face was making him rethink being so honest about his apparent selective forgetfulness!

“Uh... May...be...?”

Just kidding. He had to be honest.

“Honestly, you’re not the first one to bring up ‘Hive City’ to me, but...I don’t remember anything about any hives in a city. I know you aren’t lying, though... Because other people have asked me the same thing.”

So it was either a collective prank, a mass hallucination, or...Tasuku had been to this “Hive City” in some way, shape or form. Honestly, the lattermost option was beginning to look most likely.

“Sorry... Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

[shiningpunisher]

glorioustaiga‌:

@shiningpunisher

With a couple of days to sit on it, Noboru decided that the next time he ran into Tasuku, he would pick his brain about a few things so long as he wasn’t busy. He hadn’t known he would get his chance so soon, seeing the other alongside Jack coming his way toward him and El Quixote. For a brief instant, he second-guessed his actions; but he had no choice in the matter when his senior took note of him and smiled.

Well, at least he didn’t stroll right on past him like he wasn’t there.

“Hey, uh… Tasuku-nii–” Should he even be calling him that? “–You’re probably busy with work right now, huh…?”

Now that was a familiar face. In the midst of his patrol, Tasuku caught a glimpse of a shock of yellow and his eyes fell upon a certain junior.

“Noboru-kun!” Tasuku jogged over to the younger teen. “I didn’t realize you were here too! Small world, huh?”

It certainly was the first time he had heard Noboru calling him “Tasuku-nii” instead of “Tasuku-senpai,” but he didn’t question it. It just felt...right, for some reason. 

“No, I’m just on patrol right now, but it’s pretty quiet. I guess even the bad guys wanna enjoy Christmas.” Not exactly true, as there were many grinches out there that wanted to ruin it for everybody, but Tasuku had resolved to take them all down before they could ruin the joyous occasion. “How’ve you been? It feels like forever since I last saw you.”

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

“….”

“Okay, and?”

“If I were Santa Claus, I’d give you a big lump of coal...and a big red flag.”

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

“Well, I’ve been a good girl this year~”

“You got arrested. By me.”

[shiningpunisher]

leopcrdeyes‌:

@shiningpunisher

Gaku was taking a stroll toward Archimedes Ward to check up on a certain pestering senior and junior; he had heard some things from his girlfriend, and wanted to make sure the two weren’t trying to choke each other to death. That was before he passed by one of your, oh, average narrow, dark, and sinister alleyways (seriously, Spirale? How typical.) with some alarming sounds traveling down the isle.

“Sounds like someone’s getting their ass kicked.”

He wondered if he should help. It wasn’t as if he was unaccustomed to getting himself into trouble; battered and bruised for the sake of others thanks to Hive City. His decision was made when he swore he heard a familiar voice shouting in the distance. Couldn’t be, could it?

Rushing down the way as fast as his legs could go, he clenched both fists, ready to strike. If someone was hurting him, by God would Gaku snap their neck with his bare hands–

“TASUKU!” Just as he was about to pounce on the one trying to sneak up behind him, the child prodigy already sensed their movement and gave them a swift roundhouse, stopping the idol in his tracks with a sigh of relief. It didn’t take long for him to take out the rest of the trash, leaving the elder shocked and amazed (and thoroughly starstruck) in his wake.

“I always ask you this, but is there really anything you can’t do?”

Tasuku was here, and he was safe. Not that he had any doubt the boy could take care of himself, but he had never felt a more powerful sense of relief in his entire life.

They always end up trying to fight their way out of it...

And always with the same result too. Maybe it was because Tasuku was a child, and quite a petite one at that, that criminals thought they’d be able to make a quick getaway by attacking the tiny police officer on their tails. What a rude awakening they would get when Tasuku inevitably turned the tables on them...

Still, it would’ve been nice if things were easy for once! Tasuku didn’t want to be seen as a brute within the police force! He genuinely fought in self-defense! 

Sigh.

“TASUKU!”

At the same time the voice rang out, Tasuku pivoted on his heel and slammed his foot into the thug’s jaw, sending him reeling to the ground. Aptly timed... That had been the last of them. But as he waited for back-up to arrive, Tasuku’s attention turned to the man who had just entered the scene. 

Actually, he found that it was impossible to look elsewhere. The man was handsome, like he had walked right out of a movie. He was practically sparkling in the dim alleyway! And he had just addressed Tasuku?!

Wait...

He had just addressed Tasuku, and in a familiar fashion at that. He was used to people knowing his name in his home world, but to call out to him like that implied a sort of intimacy that he was sure he didn’t have with this man.

“Huh?”

“Um... Sorry, sir... Do I know you?”

[chroyes]

Event: Zombie

[shiningpunisher]

chroyes‌:

As he landed under the scoop of Tasuku’s arms, Chrono gasped out as he could physically feel the both of them plummet with their combined weight in tow. It was like tying a rock to a feather in hopes it would still float when dropped–utterly impossible; giving Chrono a new fear of vertigo as his stomach performed somersaults, he grit his teeth as he prepared for the worst possible outcome–

Aaughhh, I knew it! Tasuku, what were you thinkinggg–! “Uh… h-hunh…?”

Luckily, that was all unnecessary, as Tasuku no sooner regained his leverage and began a higher ascent away from the straggling undead bodies in pursuit below. He wasn’t exactly sure how he managed to pull this off--magical bullshit, that was the only way!–but at least he could finally let out a sigh in relief… That is, only until he remembered the detached hand of the one zombie he had tried to fend off on his own was still clamped to his ankle, Chrono screaming again and thrashing violently, almost killing the both of them….

Once the ride was over–and admittedly, upgrading to a dragon had been a much more pleasant experience–Chrono was simply grateful to be in one piece. He was disheveled, exhausted, and starving on top of all of that, but even as he simply nodded half-attentively to Tasuku’s instruction, something strange set him off in the moment he turned his back to him. 

“A-ah, wait–!”

Why̢ a͡r̷é you goin͡g ̴of͜f ͟on͠ ýoùr ówn͞ ͏aga̷i҉n̕?! We̴ ņee͢d ͘to stay ̴to̷ge͏t͘h͡ér̡!̷

He took a desperate step forward and grabbed his wrist, effectively pulling the other back. But upon seeing Tasuku’s baffled expression in turn, he immediately released him, donning his own similar reaction as he found his bewildered gaze falling to his feet in shame.

Why the hell had he nabbed his wrist like that?! Clearly Tasuku had been in complete control of the situation, no less to be expected of someone who had experience as not only a protector, but a bonafide hero as well. All of those tall tale stories he had shared amongst the orphaned kids during their volunteer days weren’t anything to scoff at. He was the real deal. So why…?

“You… You better be careful. ” It was all he could say to cover for himself, too afraid to face Tasuku now that he had done something so foolishly impulsive. Just what was he going to think? 

Aughhh, idiot, idiot! What was that all about?!

As he turned to take off with Jack again, a sudden hold on his wrist pulled him back, and Tasuku turned to look at the culprit.

“Chrono-san?”

He was taken aback by the look on Chrono’s face before Chrono ultimately hid it. The split second he had seen it, though--an utterly torn look of fear, not of what was to come, but of simply being left alone... He felt his heart pang in sympathy.

Tasuku knew that look too well. 

After all...he had seen it countless times in the mirror.

And he knew that, had their positions been reversed, had Chrono been the protector and Tasuku the civilian, Tasuku would have felt the same way.

“Hehe... Are you worried about me?”

As Chrono with drew, Tasuku reached out, taking one of Chrono’s hands with both of his own smaller ones...and squeezing gently.

“Thank you, Chrono-san. That makes me happier than you think.”

“I promise I’ll be careful. I can’t protect anyone if I go and get myself killed, right? So I’ll definitely come back.”

[chroyes]

Event: Zombie

[shiningpunisher]

chroyes‌:

Reflexively coiling his limbs around the pole even tighter as Tasuku proceeded to summon a monstrous claw from the likes of a glowing trading card in his hand–Verbatim! No details exaggerated here!–he couldn’t help but mask his relief with a gag as a flurry of rotting body parts strewn every which way was beginning to make his stomach churn. 

This is literally crazy! How did I land myself in the middle of a fantasy RPG?!

“Rgh… There’s no time. Chrono-san, do you trust me? Then I need you to jump.”

… Huh? What?! What did he say!?

“Are you insane?! Can you even carry my weight?! What if you–?!”

–But there was no more time to complain; for every zombie Tasuku had already taken out, many more were beginning to take their place, not to mention the ones that hadn’t been properly disposed of were already squirming and inching their way back towards him..

“Aughh! Don’t drop me!”

And with that, Chrono took a leap of faith, closing his eyes shut for good measure.

“I’m stronger than I look! You have to trust me! We don’t have time!”

Luckily, Chrono saw the urgency in the situation and jumped, flailing into Tasuku’s waiting arms. The sudden weight knocked him off balance for a split second, but he was able to steady himself within a few moments. With Chrono clinging to his neck, Tasuku rose into the air again, towards the giant Armordragon keeping the Spectres at bay and away from the zombies clawing at his ankles.

“Jack, let’s go! Chrono-san, we’re gonna go to a shelter. I’ll have you ride Jack, alright? Please hold on tightly.”

Having had to dispose of several more hostile spirits on the way, Tasuku and Jack finally reached a relatively safe area where many citizens had already taken shelter. Landing just outside, Jack allowed Chrono off his back before retreating back into his card. The last thing they needed was citizens panicking at the sight of a giant dragon in addition to all the monsters ambling about.

“Here we are. This is a pretty safe place. There are lots of people here--and lots more who know how to fight. Don’t leave this area until it’s all over, okay?”

With that, Tasuku turned back towards the city, ready to head off again...

[shiningpunisher]

requiemcount‌:

“I’m sure, as I do the same. But he can take care of himself – it’s simply easier not to worry if one takes the time to watch over.”

In any case, something seemed… off. Before Tasuku had even brought it up, Gaito tensed – on guard already, stressed. Unlikely that it would be someone with the intention of returning it – or perhaps he simply lacked any trust, but Gaito wasn’t about to risk himself for something like this. And besides, if someone intended to return a phone to its owner, wouldn’t they answer a call to said device?

At least, that was his thought process.

“Be careful yourself, Tasuku-san.” Following after, a little behind, with a furrowed brow – definitely, he felt a pit in his stomach. This wasn’t going to be easy, was it?

“They could be violent. We don’t know what to expect, so don’t leave any openings for yourself. Be polite at first, but if they seem to have any objections…”

Balled fists – he might’ve been a bit harsh, but he didn’t want his… friend to get hurt.

“Thanks, Gaito-kun. I’ll be careful. But you don’t have to worry so much about me. I’m used to this kind of thing.”

The phone was still ringing... The thief must not have been very smart if they hadn’t bothered silencing it. Gently pushing his way through the throng of people and murmuring polite apologies when necessary, Tasuku tailed the source of the noise to a more secluded area. The ringtone was, without a doubt, emanating from the pocket of the hooded man. 

“Gaito-kun, could I get you to stay here and watch him for now? If he tries to bolt, I’ll need you to block his escape route.”

With that out of the way, Tasuku put on his best performance, running up to and in front of the man with childlike steps.

“Excuse me, mister!”

“Ha?”

The man responded with a thuggish response, par for the course for someone who would just pick up a phone and make off with it.

“Whaddya want, kid?”

Undeterred, Tasuku continued to speak, keeping his voice light and innocent.

“I dropped my phone earlier, and I’ve been looking all over for it! But I think you have it in your hands right now. Can you give it back to me, please? I’ll be really happy if you do!”

“Wha? You’re screwin’ with me. ‘sides, haven’t you heard of finders keepers? You’d best buzz off while I’m still in a good mood...”

“You know,” Tasuku said, his voice dropping a pitch. The sweet, childish tone had near-vanished completely. “Finding something that isn’t yours but giving it back to its rightful owner is fine. But stealing is against the law... You could get punished for it. You could even go to jail. You don’t want that now, do you, mister? Jail cells are pretty uncomfortable...”

“Oh, now you’re pissing me off... Where d’ya get off talkin’ like that to an adult, huh?! Stupid kid! Get lost!”

Here it comes.

The man threw a punch at Tasuku, but Tasuku easily deflected it, retaliating with a hard kick of his own. Reeling, the man tried again and again, but to no avail; Tasuku was too fast. 

“We can keep going if you want. I have enough in me for another round or twenty.”

“The hell...!? You shitty brat...!”

And as expected, the man turned tail and ran in the opposite direction...towards Gaito.

“Gaito-kun, he’s coming your way!”

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

“You can’t be serious…”

Except that he was serious, and Zal really didn’t have the heart to attempt resisting arrest today. So pulled along she was!

“Oh come on, it’s not like I was actively encouraging you to join me or anything.” She can tell he’s taking some secret jabs, and it only adds salt to the fresh wounds on her pride. “You need to learn to loosen up and have some fun, Tasuku. Maybe go stop some robberies instead of humiliating me.”

“Zal-san, what makes you think I can’t stop a robbery while I’m in the middle of apprehending you?”

Definitely a jab in there somewhere. That wasn’t to say he was placing more emphasis on a relatively minor offense as opposed to stopping petty crimes, but it didn’t sit well with him to let such rebellious behaviour slide.

“Come along quietly now, Zal-san. Let’s have you think about what you’ve done.”

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

“…Eh? You’re welcome I guess– HEY!!”

Zal goes from confused, to shocked, to annoyed in almost no time at all. She cannot believe the absolute nerve Ryuenji Tasuku had to put handcuffs on her!

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?! Get these shitty things off me right now, Tasuku! This isn’t even an arrestable offense! I know my rights!”

No she doesn’t.

“Oh, I definitely can’t put you in jail for something like this. But I can arrest you. It’s the quickest way of removing a hazard from the streets for a few hours, you know?”

He gave a small tug on the handcuffs and began pulling her along.

“Besides, you’re at least 18, aren’t you? Maybe having some quiet time to think about what you’ve done is just what you need to get you on your way to being a better influence on those around you.”

There was definitely a hidden jab in there somewhere. Several, in fact.

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

Zal opened her mouth to say something only to close it again, stunned into silence by his question. His age?! Tasuku was just barely a teenager, wasn’t he? Oh, that’s a blow to her pride.

It’s because we’re the same height, isn’t it….?!

Gently, she placed her hands on Tasuku’s shoulder, looking him directly in the eye.

“I’m older than you are, Tasuku. By at least five years.”

“By five y--?!”

But...she was staring him right in the eye. They were at eye level, She was the exact same height as him! 

...

“...So you’re an adult, then? Thank you for being honest with me.”

He gently removed her hands from his shoulders...and then slapped a pair of handcuffs over her wrists.

“It makes my job a lot easier.”

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

“Wha– Seriously? They hired you again?! Wow, the assholes running this city really just don’t care do they?”

That was the most outlandish thing in this situation and not the fact she was being lectured by a child. Who kept letting these kids become sworn officers of the law–

“I may just be a– Hold on, what did you just say?” Any annoyance or sass was gone in the blink of an eye, replaced with genuine confusion. Zal stared at Tasuku openly, brows furrowed slightly.

“J-just how old do you think I am…?”

“...They hired me because I have experience, Zal-san.”

And because having a dragon as a companion was very useful when it came to law enforcement, but that was besides the point.

“? You’re my age, aren’t you?”

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

Zal fully expected Tasuku to at least hand her the board back, but given the look on his face it was possible that she might not see it ever again after this. Or at least, not for a long while…

“Eh? It wasn’t that crowded earlier…” Hence why she had been going as fast as she was. “Come on, you know I’m not out to hurt anyone! I nearly ran you over because I got distracted for a moment. It won’t happen again. Promise.”

She held her hand out for the board.

“I’ll be extra super careful this time, officer.”

He pulled the board away from her outstretched hand, still stern.

“You know that I’m a police officer. So you must know that I’m on duty right now, right? And that this area doesn’t allow cyclists on the sidewalk--or skateboards.”

“You may be just a kid, but that doesn’t mean I can just let you off with a slap on the wrist. It doesn’t matter how careful you are--the rules exist for a reason.” 

[shiningpunisher]

oneeyedpsychic‌:

@shiningpunisher

If one were to listen closely, they could hear the sound of someone being a delinquent. Which sounded an awful lot like someone skateboarding down the sidewalk without a care in the world.

At least until she almost ran into everyone’s favorite Buddy cop.

Stumbling off the board, Zal managed to stop herself right before slamming into Tasuku, quickly straightening up and leaning against the nearest sign pole, ignoring when the skateboard bumped into the younger’s feet a moment later.

Smooth af.

“Ah… Sorry, Tasuku. didn’t mean to give you a heart attack if I did. You alright?”

“Wha--!”

There was no better way to start the day than to nearly get run over by a skateboarded hurtling down the street at illegal speeds. He had been all but ready to throw himself out of the way before Zal put a stop to her shenanigans herself, leaning against the signpost as if nothing had happened.

Shock morphed into a terse expression, Tasuku placing his foot on the edge of the skateboard that had rolled to his feet and stepping down so that the board flipped into a waiting hand. It was his hostage now.

“...Zal-san, what were you thinking? This street is crowded with people. You could’ve hurt someone.”