Ponyo-ponyo jumps on Hinata because this is the guy that takes care of his friend, Nata. it is the kweh of thank you ~
It was supposed to be a short visit. Attend some classes about medical procedures for a couple of days, say hello to the people in the area, and then return home to Keziah. No detours, no prolonged pauses, stay busy and try to stay kind despite how the areas around Akademeia caused him to remember everything he didn't want to. How strange it was, that despite it all, the chocobo farm remained so peaceful. The rest of Akademeia was also bustling with energy, hope and prayers for the future even now when the war had been over for some years, but still so different from where he was now standing. Maybe the reason was simply the chocobos running around, but it never failed to surprise each and every time he came there.
Still, he didn't mean to stay for long, and yet, it's where he found himself returning to. Helping out when necessary, even though he brought a book to study, receiving small gifts for the baby chocobos running around the streets of his hometown and sheepishly reporting on the well-being of the one who once followed him home. He'd bring him next time, when he wasn't visiting for business, regardless of how hard it was to return for any other reason than that. Machina would like to see how Nata was doing, wouldn't he? There was some things Hinata needed to ask too.
It's not a new experience to feel the tiny chocobo's legs on his hand, a small distraction from the book on his lap, but Hinata doesn't mind. All he understands is the bird's happiness, reciprocated in a gentle smile as he moves his free hand to briefly pet it. How strange that something so small would one day grow up into something much bigger, and still remain so cute. The attention to the book is half-hearted at most, even as Hinata lets the chocobo do as he pleases without Hinata's hands bothering him, and that was fine. Guess he could understand why Machina loved this place.
Yeah, this place was a sanctuary.