Chapter 118 Parents.
Xia Yu.
Tsukino and Chiya had heard of this name from Hidden God Drummer Yachi.
This child is a new employee at the Hidden God Detective Agency, and seems to be a hybrid of human and ghoul. In short, another unfortunate child with a rather pitiful background.
That said, how many is this?
Tsukino and Chiya's gazes swept over several people they knew.
Xia Yu, Jing, Zhi... and Wang Ma Xiaoji, who, although older than these boys, was only slightly taller than the newcomer Xia Yu, blended in perfectly.
If they didn't know that the detective agency's original employees were three reliable adults, including Kagami Kouya, Tsukino and Chiya would have been tempted to suspect that Kagami-san's Monster House was a place specifically for troubled children.
Mr. Hidden God, you are truly an extraordinary person... uh, inhuman?
This child named Xia Yu was obviously straightforward and honest. Tsukino and Chiya had heard a little about this child from the Hidden God. He had lived in the countryside with his aunt since he was a child, and because he was a half-monster and half-human, he had been treated unfairly.
...However, those things are in the past. Now that the Hidden God, a truly reliable adult non-human, has accepted him, Xia Yu should be able to integrate into human society successfully as a monster, just like Jing and Jie, and grow into a powerful and outstanding "human".
Besides that...
Tsukino and Chiya's gazes lingered for a moment on the strangely shaped stone hanging on Xia Yu's chest.
Is this something so simply and carelessly hung around the neck of a thirteen-year-old boy... a life-saving stone that's so extraordinary in this monster society?
Tsukino and Chiya didn't know much about these stones, only that they were considered important items in the monster world. They had heard that there were more than one such stone, but the number was definitely not large, and each one contained special power, making them extremely precious.
...With something like this around, Xia Yu's future might not be so easy.
However, this is ultimately a matter between monsters. As things stand, it has nothing to do with me.
Moreover, I'm currently in a state where I'm practically overwhelmed with my own problems.
Although he had a premonition that the events in the monster world would eventually involve human society... but that was a matter for later.
In short, for the time being, he has no intention of getting too deeply involved in the affairs between the monsters.
Including the present...
"So, is the 'Okihori' in Yokohama that's been circulating lately the work of a monster?"
With Wangma Xiaoji's teasing voice, "You guys really like pizza~", as background noise, Tsukino and Chiya watched the boys sharing pizza and briefly asked them about the incident.
"Ah, this, that's right."
When faced with a question from someone she trusted, Zhi and Jing readily explained the situation.
The truth behind the recent antics at Okihori in Yokohama was that it was actually the work of a lone snake monster. The matter has now been successfully resolved, and there's no need to worry about any unlucky fishing enthusiasts being harmed.
“However, it’s quite rare.” Tsukino and Chiya were a little surprised. “Mr. Hikami actually allowed you to go on a mission alone… and even across cities to a place like Yokohama.”
Teenagers eager to prove their abilities and growth naturally see nothing wrong with this.
"Of course, we've been through quite a few missions. Even without Mr. Hidden God, it's no problem. We're not children, and there are three of us."
"I will protect Jing and Zhi."
"...You rascal."
Even in their past interactions, Jing, who was relatively weak and timid, showed an attitude completely different from her previous "Oh no, this is so scary" and "That kind of mission is definitely not suitable for me".
With her long hair and exquisitely beautiful features that made it hard to tell if she was male or female, Yukio Akira gave a slightly embarrassed smile: "Xia Yu and Jie are both very talented... so I also want to work hard and help everyone."
This is what's called healthy competition.
Tsukino and Chiya nodded, a strange sense of relief rising within them, like seeing their own child grow up. They encouraged her, "Keep it up, I believe in you."
Then, turning his head, he saw the boy's face, which he had only just officially met, with a very stiff, even eerie and terrifying smile that had an inhuman mechanical quality.
Tsukino and Qianye: "..."
Tsukino and Chiya were silent for a second, then whispered to Yui, who was practically covered in black lines, "What's wrong with this child?"
“Ah… this.” Jie’s lips twitched. “Xia Yu has a habit of giving a very weird fake smile whenever he lies.”
Got it, Wang Ma Xiao Ji has found a fun "toy".
Tsukino and Chiya hesitated briefly, but ultimately decided that it was best for Ohma Shokichi to be happy, and then decisively chose not to help.
Jie, being very loyal, tried to rescue Xia Yu, who was unaware that he was being teased, although the consequence was that he was also teased along with her.
Wang Ma Xiao Ji: Something that happens by chance.
However, this scene did not last long.
They had come to verify Edogawa Ranpo's claims and, incidentally, to learn about Okihori. Now that the truth was clear, the children, having just finished their work, were planning to treat themselves to a pizza for lunch. Tsukino, Chiya, and Ohma Kokichi, who had just enjoyed some snacks at the coffee shop, decided not to join in.
After saying goodbye, they pushed open the door of the pizzeria. But they hadn't gone far when their eyes were drawn to a furry little figure—it was a raccoon dog.
The adorable animals attracted the attention of more than one person.
"Huh? What? This child is so cute~"
"Let me touch it~"
"Oh, it ran away. What a cautious child."
"It's so chubby, could it be someone raising it? Can wild ones get this round and plump?"
"I have a feeling that it understands."
"Haha, don't scare me."
"..."
The girls, who had been walking together, left chatting and laughing. Tsukino and Chiya stared at the chubby but lifeless-eyed tanuki for a few seconds.
Mr. Yin Shen seems to be the kind of old father who is completely worried about his children, so he still came along.
—Then, he muttered to himself.
The tanuki, which had been nimbly dodging the petting of other passersby, stood still for a few seconds, then trotted towards where Qianye was. But before the black-haired boy could bend down to pick it up, someone else was already a step ahead.
"Okay, I've got you."
Wang Ma Xiaoji smiled and grabbed the raccoon cat, then stretched out his arm and lifted the "victim" little animal high in the air.
"It's quite heavy than I expected!"
"Oh, right, Kozuki no Kazu."
Perhaps because of the considerable weight, Wangma Xiaoji's arms started to ache after lifting it for a while, so he quickly changed from lifting it high to holding the raccoon in his arms.
The poor tanuki was completely manipulated. Tsukino and Chiya thought about it, but ultimately decided not to remind him that this tanuki was probably Hidden God Drummer Yachi—after all, with Ohma Kokichi's intelligence, he definitely knew that too.
"That matter has already been resolved ahead of time, and it's unrelated to our objective. So now—shouldn't we go back?"
"Thinking about it now, I'm a little disappointed. I thought something fun would happen, but it seems like nothing exciting actually went on..."
The suspected paranormal event was confirmed to be the work of a monster, but since they had successfully met Ayatsuji Yukito, the trip to Yokohama was not in vain.
Are we going to leave now with all our gains?
"Um...actually."
The tanuki, finally unable to bear it any longer, struggled and managed to escape with a level of agility that belied its seemingly overweight body. Tsukino and Chiya watched the little animal disappear into the distance and gently shook their heads.
"Next, I have one last thing to do."
*******
parents.
guardian.
Because of their own age, and because most of the friends they know are the same age or even younger than them, it means that many of Tsukino and Chiya's friends are still of legal age and need a guardian... no matter how independent they are.
After all, it's a rule.
He himself was no exception.
Humans are always connected to other people. And the people we connect with from the very beginning of life, or even before we are born, are our mothers who nurture us, and then our fathers, who are equally indispensable in creating life.
However, Tsukino and Chiya were not born naturally.
His birth was purely accidental; his biological parents originally had no intention of having a child... right? They probably didn't... right?
In fact, neither Tsukino nor Chiya were entirely certain of this. However, based on what he knew, he speculated that his parents were originally in a state of "I really can't imagine what it would be like to raise a child."
Tsukino and Chiya are products of some kind of calamity.
Calamities... Humanity's current understanding of calamities is still too limited. But since some calamities can even truly bring the dead back to life, then creating a life form is certainly not impossible.
However, aside from the fact that they were born due to a calamity rather than through natural gestation, Tsukino and Chiya are no different from other children. They too have grown from the innocent infants they were born into to the ordinary people they are today, without any calamities or misfortunes.
That being said, the fact that he was born from a calamity would attract the attention of some people. However, his parents were well aware of this and kept it well hidden. Even the few who knew about it were not the type to speak of it casually.
Parents...
Why did I suddenly think of this?
In Yokohama at night, Tsukino and Chiya sat at a family-run restaurant, lost in thought.
Perhaps it's because of the child named Xia Yu I met for the first time today.
That child, who had never experienced normal blood ties since birth, still grew up to be a good child and held expectations for his biological parents, believing that he might be loved. He hoped to find out the truth about his parents by using the life stone he carried with him.
The child's emotions and expectations were pure and sincere, which touched Tsukino and Chiya.
Or perhaps...
Tsukino and Chiya's train of thought was interrupted.
The black-haired boy slightly raised his head, his slightly disheveled hair obscuring part of his vision, but this did not prevent him from watching the man he had met twice in just two days sit down in the empty seat opposite him with a rather natural attitude.
This time, the man didn't politely but distantly ask Tsukino and Chiya if he could sit down, as if he was certain he wouldn't be refused.
Although Tsukino and Chiya didn't say anything.
Their eyes met, and after a mysterious silence, it was the man who had met them in the two different coffee shops who broke the silence first.
Man: "Don't you have anything to say?"
Tsukino and Qianye: "Yes."
Tsukino and Chiya: "Where's my mom?"
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Author's Note: After some consideration, taking into account factors such as being busy with real life, losing my writing touch towards the end, needing to carefully consider adding some romance elements, and needing to maintain stability as we approach the finale, I will likely update every other day for the time being to ensure a reasonably good quality story.
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