Hiro’s Hero Triumphs PT.25: Triumphs of New: After Mission: Day 2

"Are you awake now Master?"

I opened my eyes to see Anna's emotionless face peering into my own. Seeing her up close like this only reminds me how attractive she really is.

"Wait, that's not important. Why are you carrying me right now?"

"Master took too long napping, so Anna decided to fly Master back home."

And sure enough, we were hundreds of feet up in the air, flying past various neighborhoods that surrounded the outskirts of the city. Anna was carrying me like a princess as usual, and I could've sworn I saw a kid look up at me from his bedroom window.

"I was out that long?" I asked, seeing the kid start to freak out to himself.

"Master has been asleep for about 4 hours now. It is almost 9."

Ah shit, Lesty is gonna kill me when I get back. "Why didn't you take me back earlier?"

"Master was healing in the capsule for 3 hours and 45 minutes. Master overworked himself when fighting in a harsh environment, hence the long healing time."

"Did I worry you?"

"Anna does not worry; fret maybe, but not worry. After all, Anna has faith in Master, despite Master being careless with Master's wellbeing."

I looked away from her face and up towards the starry night sky. "Sorry about that then. I'll try to be more careful."

"Anna knows better than that. Rather than try, do be more careful."

I chuckled. "You got me there. But I can't promise anything any time soon; this is a pretty dangerous job."

We landed in our backyard, the living room light still on. Anna let go of me, dropping me on my ass, and I winced, feeling the pain in my butt.

"Did you really have to drop me like that?"

"If Master does better, then there is a slight chance Anna will not." I watched her jump up towards her window, opening it and vanishing inside her room.

"And I've gotta deal with the aftermath huh? Let's hope I don't get yelled out too badly."

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"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU OUT SO DAMN LATE, HUH!?"

I winced, flinching backwards as Lesty screamed in my face.

"In my defense, I didn't realize I was going to be home this late," I said, taking a step back.

Caelestis took a step forward, cornering me by the couch. "I get wanting to hang out with friends, but what the hell else could you be doing!? You're not creating another gang are you?"

"No! I already promised everyone who lives in this house I wouldn't do something that stupid ever again."

She pushed me onto the couch, slamming her foot next to my face. "Is that right then? Tell me one good reason I shouldn't break your nose."

"Domestic abuse?"

I appeared on the other side of the couch, watching the cushion retain the footmark as she glared at me. "You wanna run that by me again kid?"

I could feel my sweat run down my back. It's only the second time I've seen her this angry with me, and I only got out of it the first time because of my adorable lil sis.

Speaking of Luna, she was in the kitchen, reheating the food she had made earlier. I told her to make all of it since I was starving from taking out 100 enemies today.

"Well if you must know, I was helping a friend out. They're the reason why I've been going out a lot lately." I watched her raise her leg again and started to speak faster. "They asked me for their help, and I don't wanna disappoint them. I should've specified that I would've been gone for as long as I was, and it seems I might be gone for that long occasionally, but I swear it's all to help them. I really want to meet the expectations they have of me. It's pretty tough, but knowing I'm helping them out is more than enough of a reason for me."

Ah, maybe I said too much. I looked over at her, and watched as she sighed, lowering her foot. "Jeez, I really need to meet this friend of yours." I watched her scratch her head, thinking to herself.

"You know I'll have to tell your dad right?"

Ah, then I might really be dead then. "I, I understand."

"So long as you get home before 11 pm every night, you should be fine. But if you stay out even a second longer, you're getting kicked to an inch of your life, got it?"

I nodded, and she collapsed onto the couch, turning on the TV. "By the way, dear old pops wanted you to call him, I dunno what for. Do that before you eat, got it?"

I nodded, and exited the living room, smiling at Luna before going up the stairs two at a time.

That was way too close. If that was my dad, I might be dead for real.

I entered my room, closing the door behind me before sliding down onto the floor, sighing.

I pulled out my phone (and no, I don't bring it with me during missions, that would be a great way for it to get broken), reaching the first contact that started with D and called them. After two rings it answered with a click.

"Hey, kinda late to call me back, you know that?"

"Sorry, I was kinda preoccupied with some stuff. Lesty told me you wanted to tell me something?"

"Oh, it was nothing much, just to tell you that I'll be back next week, probably around Wednesday."

"That's rather soon. I thought you wouldn't be back until the week after next."

"Well when my son tells me that he wants to visit my dead wife's grave, it kinda lights a fire under a parents butt. So I'm managing to get done with stuff in record time. So tell Luna this time, alright? Caelestis told me what happened last time, so let's not do a repeat, okay?"

"I got it, I'll tell her after this."

"Oh, and I would appreciate it if you would keep it a secret from her, got it? I'd rather surprise her."

I nodded. "Don't worry, Lesty won't know. Is that everything?"

"Yep, unless you just to chum around with your dear old Dad."

I wrinkled my nose, looking at my phone. "No one says that. Plus, you're not even that old, so why are you even saying that?"

"So I can kick it with the cool kids of my generation, what else?"

"Bye Dad," I said, and I heard him laugh through the phone.

"Alright, see yah Wednesday."

I hung up, sighing as I leaned my head against the door. How the hell was I meant to do all this while both parents are here? I can see why writers make it so the protagonists are orphans, less of a headache.

I suddenly found myself staring up at the ceiling, and then towards the most adorable girl in the world (unbiased opinion).

"Um, are you okay?"

I grabbed her legs, pressing my face against them, "I will be once I get my Luna reserves filled up."

Luna knelt down, patting my head. "Will this help?"

I tackled her, hugging her tight. "Oh, you're too cute for the world to see! I need this all to myself!"

"St-stop it already big bro!" I released her, watching her face redden. "I've already told you to at least tell me so I can hug you back properly…"

I opened my arms, looking at her expectantly. She hesitated, causing me to frown.

"Something bothering you?"

"You didn't sleep at all last night, did you?" I lowered my arms, giving her a soft smile.

"What about it?"

"Y-you could've left in the middle of the night you know! At the very least, you could've slept on the floor! I don't need you passing out on me because of me. After all, you, you…"

I grabbed her and brought her close, stroking her head. "You told me not to go, so I didn't. I stayed awake because you told me not to let go, and I might've done that if I slept. It's as simple as that. Don't worry about it too much, I can afford to miss a night of sleep. Growing Luna's can't."

She squeezed me with her all her might, and I continued to stroke her head. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I already promised you that I would save you, and I intend to keep it. That doesn't mean I'm not going to keep taking care of you, got it?" I let her look up at me and grinned at her.

"After all, that's what big brothers do. Whenever you need me, I'll be there, no matter what."

She burrowed her face into my chest and felt her relax into me. "All I need in return is for you to not get taken away by some guy I disapprove of. Oh, and hugs. Lots of those, I quite like hugs."

She laughed, and I glanced over at Anna, who also seemed to want to talk to me.

"Later," I mouthed, and she nodded, closing her door without a sound.

"I don't think big brothers do these sorts of things," Luna murmured. "But, I quite like it a lot…"

Ah, did she fall asleep? I felt her breathing calm down as her body weight started to shift onto me. She really must've been stressed out for her to pass out as soon as I reassured her.

I picked her up, placing her on the bed before walking towards the doorway, glancing back at Luna.

"I also don't think little sisters do these sorts of things either, but it is the way it is." I closed the door behind me without a sound.

"And I too, quite like it a lot…"

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After I ate dinner, I glanced in the living room to find Lesty asleep on the couch, the news playing quietly from the TV.

Good, all that's left is to see what Anna wants and I'll be able to crash into my bed at long last.

I put my dishes into the sink before heading upstairs. Lately, it feels like I do so much stuff each day. I went to school, ate and made up with Pinkie over some manga and anime, saw a badass old man as a hero, fought Mrs. Rip Off a second time, and dealt with 100 enemies by myself, all before all these events at home occurred.

Strange as it is, but despite so many very different events happening, I would say I enjoy each of them. It kinda feels like I'm living a fulfilling life for once. Never thought I would see the day though.

I walked over to Anna's room, one of two guest bedrooms in the house, and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

I opened the door to find the room eerily similar to how it would normally look like. The only difference was a suitcase by the closet, and the bed, which was filled with floating holograms and one Anna, who was sorting through the many different files she had open.

"You needed me for something?" I asked, taking a seat on the bed as well, and Anna nodded.

"Master, about Model 38118121520205, Anna finds it strange that Master suddenly wishes to save her so bad. May Master tell Anna why?"

"Seriously? That's it? I wanted to save you that day right? Once I got an understanding of her situation like with you, that's really the only reason I need."

"That is the only reason?"

I hesitated, thinking back to the girl. I shook my head, leaving the thought to die off before ever being brought to the surface; it was that sort of worthless thought.

"No, nothing else." Anna's eyes focused on me as she frowned.

"Master, it is not okay to keep secrets."

"Pot, have you met kettle?" I retorted, and she tilted her head.

"But where is the pot or kettle in this room?"

Ah, forgot she doesn't know some of these. "It basically means you're a hypocrite."

"Ah, Anna guesses that Master brings up a fair point," she murmured, waving away all the files as she began to be lost in thought.

I scooted next to her and sighed. "Listen oh partner of mine, if we're going to keep this up, you're going to have to learn to open up some. I swear you know more about me than vice versa, which is rather strange for me I have to say. It goes both ways you know."

Anna bit her lip, which surprised me, since most of her facial expressions were either frowns or nothing at all. Her eyes seemed to be whirring around so fast I swear I could hear it, and she let out a sigh, which shocked me even more.

She turned to me, taking a deep breath before speaking.

"Anna is Anna. Anna is 15 years old, and Anna's birthday is on the 25th of December. Anna has spent most of Anna's life not being spoken too, since Anna's special friend died when Anna turned 6, which led to Anna being unable to communicate properly with others. Anna cannot, as much as it pains Anna, tell Master the reasons behind this. One day, Anna will tell Master everything, but it is simply not the right time. However, Anna wishes for Master to know that Master is a very important person to Anna. It is the first time Anna has had a friend of Anna's age, so Master must forgive Anna if Anna does not fully comprehend things such as relationships, since to Anna, they were useless. Even Anna can tell, however, that Master often gets frustrated with Anna, and for that, Anna is sorry."

She bowed her head slightly before looking back up at me.

"But, Master must know that Anna would never keep things from Master without a good reason. If Master wishes, Anna will tell Master more about Anna's past of living alone, but Anna would like it if Master did not. Anna does not like those days very much…"

Anna let out another sigh, falling backwards on the bed. "That is all Anna wished to talk to Master about. Anna and Master are both tired, so it would best for both of us to go to sleep."

I could only stare at her in disbelief before getting back up, heading towards the door.

"Master?"

I stopped at her words, looking back at her.

"Anna is truly sorry from the bottom of Anna's heart, about everything."

I exited the room, closing the door behind me, taking a shaky breath before rushing into my room, slamming the door.

I fell to my knees, clutching my shirt as I felt my heart beat erratically.

"You didn't have to apologize like that," I said, taking a shaky breath.

But, more importantly…

"Why, did it feel like you were apologizing for something else…?"