#24 love and hate
Calling It Quits
“Hey Ginta,” Hakaku began.
“What?”
“I was thinking, just how long are we supposed to keep this babysitting thing up for? How long has it been since we started? A year?”
“Almost two, actually. I guess we’re doing this until Kouga says we don’t need to anymore,” Ginta said.
“Well then, that means we’ll be doing this until were old a gray, doesn’t it? I really hate him sometimes!” Hakaku exclaimed.
“If you hate this job so much, why not tell him you don’t want to look after Tsuki anymore?” Ginta asked. “He’s getting big enough now that we don’t have to watch him nearly as much as we used to. I think I can take over your half if you want to stop.”
“Wait, you still want to look after that little brat?”
“Yeah. I like him. He’s a good boy. Besides, somebody’s still got to look after him while Kouga’s off doing his training with Grandpa.”
“You’re just a big softie, Ginta.”
“Yeah? Well you’re being selfish, Hakaku. Tsuki’s always liked you, and now you're talking like you’d just abandon him.”
“I don’t hate him. I just don’t like that Kouga keeps dumping him on us.”
“He can’t ask anyone else to look after Tsuki. It’s too dangerous, remember?”
“Remember what?” Hakaku asked.
Ginta’s mouth hung open. “Did you honestly forget?”
“Forget what?”
Ginta glanced around. The area was clear of anyone who could overhear him.
“Tsuki’s really a girl, you dolt!” he whispered.
“Oh right. I guess I got so used to the ruse that I forgot the truth.”
“Jeez, that’s pathetic, Hakaku. Do you understand, though? Kouga doesn’t want her to die just for being a girl, and I don’t either. I like her too much,” he hugged his knees. “That’s why, even though he gets really demanding sometimes, I want to help him look after her.”
“Great… now I feel like a jerk.”
“Hakaku!”
“Isn’t that Tsuki?” Ginta asked.
“Wasn’t sh-he… supposed to be playing with the other kids today?” Hakaku began.
“BIG LIZARD’S GONNA EAT ME!”
“Well?” Ginta asked. “Are you going to go save him or are you going to let the lizard eat him?”
Hakaku paced around for a moment. “Aurgh! Stupid kid!”
A few minutes later, Hakaku came back. He was covered in thorns, but the child was unharmed.
“You are so lucky that I like you, you know that, Tsuki?” Hakaku muttered.
The little child grinned.