Chapter 21 - Your Kaiju Are Too Small:-Chapter 21: Father and Son

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"You don't need to blame yourself."

"You did everything you could. I'm sure that boy doesn't hold it against you." Raleigh's tone was gentle, reassuring.

Caring for a child whose parents weren't around—that alone was something.

"Yeah." Natsuki nodded.

Truth was, the boy had never blamed him. Opposite, really. He'd been grateful someone was there during the loneliness.

"It was a long time ago."

"Seeing Chuck act the same way just made me nostalgic."

Natsuki waved it off, slipping back into his usual lazy slouch.

...

Outside the cafeteria.

Brown steel pipes lined the corridor.

"Let go!"

Chuck had recovered. He shouted at his father and wrenched free from the hand gripping his shirt.

Then he stared at Herc, eyes full of incomprehension. "Why?"

"Why do you only apologize to that alien?"

"Those monsters they control killed your wife!"

"My mother!"

Chuck's hatred wasn't baseless. Most people who hated aliens shared the same reason.

Kaiju had taken their loved ones.

"Because of love." Herc looked at his furious son, expression heavy. "I can't lose you."

Stacker had been clear. No conflicts with Mr. Xia. He was their guest.

They needed his power.

If they provoked him here, forced him to turn that power against humanity—everything would collapse.

He couldn't watch his son make that mistake.

"Love?"

"You think you have any love that reaches me?" Chuck jabbed a finger at his own chest, voice rising.

"When I was a kid, Jaeger parts spent more time with me than you did."

"Now you talk about love?"

"I've never felt it!"

His eyes reddened.

"You abandoned me. Just like you abandoned Mom."

"If it weren't for Striker Eureka, we wouldn't even be standing here...!"

Before he lost control completely, Chuck stopped himself. Refused to show weakness in front of this man.

His throat worked. More words seemed ready.

But sensing his voice would crack, he turned away like a petulant child, leaving Herc behind and heading for the rest area alone.

"Son..."

Herc watched him go, tilted his head back, and exhaled deeply.

The reliable old veteran looked exhausted.

Years ago, when the Kaiju attacked, he'd been a pilot. In that critical moment, two choices.

Get his wife, or get his son.

Time allowed one route. Otherwise the nuke would leave them all behind.

His choice was obvious.

His wife—Chuck's mother—stayed forever in that city's rubble.

After, he joined the Jaeger Academy. Oldest cadet. Most trainees were teenagers. He was the only father. Even the instructor was five years younger.

But years flying jets, plus the rage in his chest, made him top of his class. He became a Jaeger pilot, defending humanity.

It also meant no time for his son.

A boy who'd lost his mother, left alone—that debt would never clear. That's why he'd been so indulgent.

Chuck asked why he'd bend his spine for an alien.

A man shouldn't bend easily.

But a father bends for his son.

...

...

In the cafeteria.

"Kid was clearly wrong, so how do I look like the villain?" Natsuki crossed his arms, floral shirt and shorts making him stick out like a sore thumb.

With his hearing, the Hansens' conversation had been easy to catch.

Complicated father-son relationship, sure. But why did I sound like the bad guy?

Whose fault was that?

"Kid definitely needed a lesson." Raleigh grinned.

"Turns out Herc's parenting doesn't work."

"You did them a favor."

Natsuki smiled at that.

"Easier talking to adults."

"Anytime, buddy."

After the brief drama, they'd finished eating.

5:45.

Mako Mori approached in black work pants and a loose black shirt, tablet in hand.

"Mr. Becket, selection's about to start. Please come with me." Polite, professional.

"Time flies." Raleigh checked the clock—nearly six—and stood.

"Let's go, Xia. With me."

Mako nodded. Not surprised.

Besides Natsuki, plenty would observe this selection. Other Jaeger pilots included.

This was about their future teammates. They needed to see for themselves.

"That kid said you've been doing construction for five years. You really not rusty?" Natsuki stood, walking behind, teasing.

"Hey, just watch."

"I'll show you what a working man can do." Raleigh turned back, confident grin in place.

Mako covered her mouth, laughing softly.

Walking behind them, Natsuki watched the two side by side, steps oddly synchronized, and suddenly understood.

Whatever the test results, these two would end up partners.

Soul-level chemistry. Easy to spot.

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