Chapter Text
When the Boss had called everyone to the common room with news to share, Zanka didn’t know what he expected, but he knew it wasn’t this.
“So, lemme get this straight,” Enjin started, “Because of that whole…thing at the Doll Festival, the Hell Guard wants to have a slumber party with us?”
Needless to say, he was skeptical. Everyone was. After all, with the Hell Guard having their eyes on Rudo — now more than ever since his status as a Sphereite has been exposed to the public — no one wants to take the chance of him being taken away.
“That’s one way to describe it,” Semiu said, crossing her arms as she went deep into thought. “Raider activity is also at an all-time high with Zodyl at the helm,” — Rudo’s eyes narrowed at the thought of the man — “each member is a powerful giver and, according to the Hell Guard’s higher ups, the newest members are unequipped to handle them.”
“And watching us is supposed to show them how,” Riyo said, bore known through her tone.
“According to them, yes,” The Boss — Arkha Corvus — confirmed. “In addition to the fact that the Raiders are a shared enemy, which will possibly result in joint operations in the future. Observing how we work is, according to them, meant to better our synchronization.”
“Sounds like a load of shit.”
“Rudo!”
“What!?” Rudo exclaimed. “It does, Gris! They just want an excuse to keep an eye on us!”
Gris sighed while Corvus chuckled.
“Be that as it may, we have no choice but to go along with their request,” Corvus said, ignoring the eye rolls at the word: request. “Unless y’all want the Hell Guard to be more involved in our business as Cleaners. I’m sure they’ll love receiving your three-week late reports.” A pleasant smile graced his face while everyone in the room shuddered at the mere thought of that happening.
Murmurs of “fine,” and “whatever,” floated around the room. The Boss had won.
“Excellent!” The Boss said. “Now, let’s get into the details of what this will look like. Semiu?”
With her cue, Semiu began their debrief.
“Eight members of the Hell Guard’ll be staying here for exactly two months. Six newbies, along with the Captain and Vice-Captain of the Hell Guard’s Red Horn Squad One,” at that, Semiu paused as her gaze strayed to Zanka, who was trying, and failing, not to let his emotions show in his face. “One to two members will be joining you on your missions and be acting as observers. During that time, they will also be allowed to question your work as a Cleaner. If they cross a line, though, don’t answer. Report to me and we’ll deal with it. Any questions?”
“Do we know their names?” Follo asked.
Semiu hummed and picked up a file that had been resting on the coffee table since their arrival.
“Sengen Abemoto,” she began. “Kenta Nigaki, Ayaka Sagami, Rikako Yuuga, Shinnen Zuinen, and Mekuwa Yorino.”
Great, Zanka bitterly thought. Just great. Wonderful even.
Those were his old classmates.
A part of him couldn’t help but be thankful he didn’t hear a certain name on that list. That might’ve been too much for him to bear. In fact, it would’ve been, but the feeling of Lovely Assistaff pressed against his back kept him from hyperventilating.
“When will they be here?” Tomme asked.
“In two days.”
Two days. In two days, Zanka’s past and present will be living under one roof. For two months.
…
This couldn’t get any worse.
“Any more questions?” Semiu asked.
She was met with silence.
“Good,” she continues. “Now, all of you get out and back to work. Especially you, Enjin.”
The man raised his hands in mock defeat with a grin on his face as he began to walk out of the common room’s doors, everyone else following suit.
“Zanka,” Corvus called, his voice stopping the young man in his tracks, “I have a little bit more I wanna talk with you about.”
Zanka nodded and looked at Riyo, who had stopped and looked at him, a calculating look on her face.
She’s worried.
“It’s fine,” he told her, “I’ll meet you for dinner.”
She looked at him for a few more seconds before nodding and leaving, shutting the doors on her way out. Leaving him, the Boss, and Semiu in the room.
“Is there something ya need from me, Boss?” Zanka asked.
Corvus gave Zanka a gentle smile before saying, “First, I’d like to apologize.”
Zanka’s eyes widened in shock. “Apologize?”
Corvus nodded. “When they contacted me about their decision, I pushed back. Tried to get them to change their minds, but to no avail,” Corvus said, “for that, I’m sorry.”
Zanka has been with the cleaners for a while now, and he still isn’t used to having a superior like Corvus. It’s weird, but also comforting.
“It’s fine.” Was all he ended up saying in response.
Corvus’s eyes softened. “However, I was able to make things a little easier for you,” he said, “your siblings’ rooms will be far, far away from yours and, unless there is an unprecedented emergency, they won’t be allowed to observe you on the job without your permission.”
Zanka felt his shoulders sag in relief. He hadn’t even noticed how tense he was.
“Unfortunately, they will have full control over which of their members tags along on the missions they deem necessary for them to observe,” Corvus explained, “I’m sorry about that.”
Zanka sighed. The Boss was too kind. “It wouldn’t have changed anything,” he assured. “None of them have ever been my biggest fans. It’s fine.”
A sympathetic look crossed the Boss’s face before he spoke again, “Semiu wants to hear your input on these old classmates of yours. Get a grasp on who they are so we know how to handle any potential conflict that may occur. That alright with you?”
Zanka nodded.
“Excellent,” Corvus said as he began walking towards the door, “I’ll leave y'all to it.”
The door shut, signifying Corvus’s exit.
“Alright,” Semiu said, dropping down on the couch and crossing her legs, “sit down won’t you? This is probably gonna take a minute.”
Zanka sat down on the couch across from her, not before perching Lovely Assistaff nearby so she doesn’t get bent.
“So,” she began, “what can you tell me about Sengen Abemoto?”
“Eugh.”
Even in the mess hall, as everyone ate, it was all people were talking about. The Hell Guard.
“Is it my fault?” Rudo asked, his voice barely above a whisper, “It has to be.”
“Rudo?” Amo said from her seat next to him, worry plain as day on her face.
“And why would this be your fault?” Enjin asked from his seat across from him.
“Because I’m a Sphereite,” Rudo answered, his voice getting a little louder, “because of what happened at the Doll Festival!”
Gris had a pitiful look on his face as he looked at Rudo. The kid has been overrun with guilt over the events that occurred at the Festival. Gris wished he could comfort him and, judging by Follo’s expression, he did too, but there was only so much they could say because they weren’t there.
“If I recall,” Enjin said, “what had happened is you saved everyone, and the Ground, from that piece of shit reporter. Right?” Enjin looked to Riyo, Amo, and Fu.
“Y-yes!” Fu said.
Riyo nodded, “it was super awesome too. I mean, that transformation you did? Sick.”
“You beat that monster Rudo,” Amo said, her hand moving to hold his, “if it weren’t for you, Amo and everyone wouldn’t be here right now.”
“But-“ Rudo tried to protest, “I’m a Sphereite-“
“Who went out of his way to save The Ground,” Enjin said, his voice firm.
Rudo looked at him for a moment before giving them a slight nod.
Silence stretched on for a moment before Rudo spoke again, “Is Zanka gonna be okay?”
Riyo looked at the empty seat next to her, a seat she saved for Zanka.
“Zanka’s tough,” Enjin said, a reassuring smile on his face, “he’s gonna be just fine. Plus, we’ll be there for him if he ever needs help.”
As if on cue, the mess hall doors opened with Zanka walking through. All eyes were on him but Zanka paid it no mind. He grabbed his food and sat down next to Riyo.
“Thanks for saving me a spot,” Zanka said.
“No problem,” Riyo said with a smile.
Enjin smiled at his kids. Yeah, he thought, he’s gonna be fine.
“There a reason why yer in here right now?” Zanka asked Riyo, who was lounging on his couch.
“Don’t act like you don’t enjoy my company,” she said, grinning up at him.
Zanka rolled his eyes and proceeded to begin his maintenance routine with Lovely Assistaff. A comfortable silence settled before Riyo broke it.
“If you need me, call me.”
“What?”
“If something happens, and you need me, call me.”
Zanka set his vital instrument inside a cushioned case he had requested from August and shut it, sliding it under his bed, before he responded to her.
“I can handle things myself,” is what he told her.
“I know you can,” she said, not an ounce of doubt in her voice, “but you don’t have to.”
Zanka looked at her and she looked back.
“You’re my best friend, Zanka,” Riyo said with a smile, “I’m gonna be there for you whether you like it or not.”
Zanka huffed, getting up to sit on the couch next to her. Once seated, Riyo moved to rest her head on his shoulder and link their arms together. If it were anyone else, Zanka thinks he would’ve been too uptight to reciprocate the affection, but it was Riyo. So he rested his head on top of hers, letting any remnants of tension ease out of his body.
“Same goes for you, by the way,” he told her.
She snorted, “I know.”
They stayed quiet for a moment, the only sound being Riyo rubbing her feet against the floor.
“Why do you keep doing that?” Zanka asked.
“Dude, I don’t get how you installed these onto your floor. They feel so nice!” Riyo said, humor sinking into her voice, “what are they called again?”
“Tatami mats.”
“Yes! That!” She laughed, “How the hell did you get these on your floor?”
“August,” he smirked.
“Yep, that checks.”
Time flies when you’re busy.
The following day, everyone was doing everything they could to take their mind off of their upcoming guests tomorrow.
Jobs, training, bars, partying.
Anything but filling out a report, much to Semiu’s displeasure.
Now, they wait. And wait. And wait.
It came to an end as two cars pulled in.
The Hell Guard were here.