Pressure Control - Part 1

Two years ago — before Timothy's and his companions' journey resumed; Craftsman Island.

The PTS arrived at the harbor as Kou stood on the deck and waited for other passengers to leave the ship. He waited patiently with a popsicle in his mouth.

"Looks like the mansion got fixed..." he pointed out and gazed aside, "can't say the same for the city hall..." He observed construction as the craftspeople prepared to overhaul it.

He didn't keep his focus on the surroundings and suddenly heard a familiar voice, "Kou! Hi!!" Kou's mouth broadened instantly, "It's Koume... and Leandre." he claimed and waved at them, "Hey, Koume! Hey Leandre!"

Leandre waved back as Koume hurried forward. She waited for Kou to set foot onto the ground and happily hugged him after the reunion.

"It's been a while!" she called and beamed, backing away from Kou. "How have you been, young Kou?" inquired Leandre after nearing them.

Kou traded eyes with them, "I've been just fine." He raised his hand and gazed at his knuckles, "A bit hurt, but I'll be fine." His injured knuckles eased the pain since before, but before the discomfort could entirely disappear, it would take some time for him to recover.

"What happened? I really hope it's nothing major." Koume asked, worried and perceptive. Kou flapped his hand with a smile, "I hit something I couldn't break a bit too hard and wounded my hand, but it'll heal eventually."

Leandre grasped Kou's hand and caused him to whine, "Ow." Kou called, closing one of his eyes from the pain, "A few broken knuckles." Leandre confirmed, lowering Kou's arm, "It should be fine in a few weeks, as long as you rest."

Kou became nonchalant, befuddled, and curious about someone, "Leandre, where's Nicole? Usually, she's by your side." Leandre rubbed his beard, brushing it with his hand like a horse's tail, "She had to do a few errands I ordered, but she'll be back shortly. And you, I've heard about the crew's diffusion. Why have you come here? I'm assuming you didn't separate for good."

Kou denied it with a head shake and tipped his hand forward when providing an explanation, "It's for two years. We separated to train and grow stronger. We struggled when facing the world government at the Forbidden Chain." He answered, "We managed to get off the island, but not without injuries. That's where I broke my hand."

Koume and Leandre listened, hoping there weren't any other losses. Their worries mostly seemed concentrated on deaths, hoping none had been fulfilled, "Everyone chose to seek different people to help, but being unfamiliar with the world, Luca recommended me to return to Craftsman Island and ask Bruno's friends to train me. He and Kira are both skilled in martial arts and know a lot about forbidden techniques. I consented and came here."

Koume decided not to interrupt their conversation and looked behind Leandre while he responded, "Does only Luca know about this, or do Kira and Bruno know that too?" Kou breathed in a couple of seconds, "I don't think so. I'm pretty sure Luca informed them about me. Luca *did* say he would teach me, but he's a professional in swordsmanship, not hand-to-hand combat."

Leandre nodded, "Indeed. He became an adept swordsman under my training until Weindorf fixed himself onto raiding our town and enslaving him as well as Bruno and Kira."

"Thank you for admitting..." Luca's voice reached Leandre's ears, causing the others to look at him. "I'm glad you came, kiddo. I thought you'd back up on the offer at first."

"Look, it's the smoke boy," Koume added, providing entertainment, "hopefully he's not too difficult." She folded her arms, yawning when tilting her head to the side with a cheeky grin. "You came here to take Kou, correct, Luca?" Luca stood calmly and denied, "Well, yes. But I also came here to invite you to our house. Bruno is preparing a feast while Kyora's cleaning her bedroom for our guest."

Kou's face heated up, steaming from the strange thoughts, "Y-You're talking about me? W-Why am I sleeping in Kira's room? S-Shouldn't I be in the boys' room?" Luca kept his arms crossed, "The boys' room is occupied. We don't have a third bed, and with Bruno, we need a room to sleep in. Kira's the only one with a second bed, that's why."

Luca seemed a bit bewildered by Kou's inquiry, "Why? Kira doesn't bite. Well, as long as she's not in her 'awkward' mood. She's pretty stupid sometimes. I'm sure you know that already." Kou rapidly shivered in his shoes, trying not to stutter when speaking, "Y-Yeah... t-thanks for the heads-up. Makes my life a whole better." Koume noticed the irony in Kou's words, and the unimpressed expression revealed it all together.

"I don't think it's smart for a 14-year-old to be in the same bedroom as a 20-year-old. If he's uncomfortable doing it... maybe I could... let him sleep at my home?" Luca instantly denied Koume's offer, "Don't get your hopes up, sweetheart. You shouldn't drag boys into your room unprepared." Luca stated, holding a grave expression.

Koume immediately became heated in the face, sweating while complaining, "That's not what I meant! I just wanted to return the favor for when he saved me from 'your' men! You nasty freak!" Kou and Leandre had sweat trickling down their brow, unable to find the right words to intervene. "It doesn't matter. I'll-" Luca's voice became cut off, "It's alright, Luca. Let the boy spend some time with his friend. I'm certain these two can catch up on what happened."

Luca sighed, grabbing his forehead, "A valid point, Leandre. Fine, Koume, I'll inform Kira that Kou will stay at your house. But I would still like you to attend the feast Bruno prepared." In an abrupt, silent, and passionate joy, Koume illuminated, "Yes!" drawing others' attention.

"Let's head to your home then. I'm sure our boy's hungry." Leandre chuckled, following Luca to his home while Kou and Koume chatted on their way there. It felt like a never-ending loop of repetitive, yet exciting words that Kou and Koume both relished.

To be continued...