Diamond lowered her gaze, thoughtful, but immediately raised it again, with a determination that made her voice sound firm.
"I want to become strong."
Hitsuji smiled more softly and gently; the determination in Diamond's eyes reminded her of herself
in the past, when she was still nobody.
"Of course... you can do it. Then... I'll help you," she agreed calmly.
Diamond smiled, happy to be accepted.
"Although you won't be going on explorations right away," Hitsuji continued. "First I'll train you, and then I'll
integrate you into a group."
Diamond nodded, accepting the plan without hesitation. Then Change intervened, her dry, firm voice breaking the moment.
"I want her to be my partner," she said, trying to appear serious and downplay the matter
"Oh... I see," Hitsuji replied, covering his mouth with one hand as a mischievous smile spread across his face. He soon let out a small, flirtatious giggle that gave Change a bad feeling and an uncomfortable shiver.
"What's so funny?" Diamond asked curiously.
"Ah... Change always goes on his missions alone," Hitsuji explained patiently, that playful smile still on his face. "It doesn't matter if it's something simple, like picking flowers, or a dangerous and risky task. He's very solitary."
As he spoke, he wasn't looking at Diamond, but at Change, who looked away to avoid his gaze.
"I imagine it must be really special, don't you think, Change?" Hitsuji asked with a hint of mischief.
Change didn't answer.
"I'm glad to be able to be with Change," Diamond said with genuine joy. He didn't seem ashamed of his feelings
"Hmm... looks like you'll have to learn a few things from your new partner about expressing emotions, huh, Change?" Hitsuji remarked with a teasing tone, deliberately emphasizing the words "new partner."
Then he left him alone, giving him a breather, and turned his attention back to Diamond.
"Today I'll give you specific training clothes and a list of exercises," he explained in a more professional tone. "I want you to stretch and warm up your body properly; tomorrow we'll start the real training, and I don't want you to be like a rusty engine, understood?"
Diamond nodded immediately, energetically. Hitsuji stood up and went to her small storage room. While she looked for what she needed, Change approached and took the empty spot next to Diamond, putting an arm around her shoulders.
"Thank you for always protecting me," Diamond said, looking at him with an affectionate smile.
Change looked at her with his usual calm expression, but those words ignited something warm in his old, dark ceramic heart.
"You're welcome..." he whispered, barely audible.
When Hitsuji returned, she frowned to see that Change had taken her place, holding some black and brown garments.
"He who goes to Seville loses his seat," Change commented, noticing her expression. In the background, Diamond's chuckle escaped lightly.
Hitsuji put the clothes aside to grab Change's hands and try to pull him away, but he didn't budge an inch.
"Out..." she insisted, pulling harder, to no avail
"You're acting like a child," he grumbled.
Undeterred, Hitsuji ended up climbing on top of him, sitting on his left leg and brazenly slouching down, crossing her arms. This time, Diamond watched them and crawled over across the sofa to settle onto his other leg, hugging him from the side.
"What did I do to deserve two women sitting on my lap?" Change complained.
Hitsuji gave him a light tap on the forehead.
"Shut up. Let's see when you have two women like this next," he scolded, before handing the uniform to Diamond.
"Thank you," Diamond said, taking the clothes.
"Then we can go," Change announced.
She stood up easily, letting Hitsuji fall back onto the sofa, but kept Diamond in her arms.
"Goodbye..." the shorter doll called out. Hitsuji, barely 1.20 meters tall, a little taller than Diamond, waved as she watched them walk away
"Take good care of her," she asked playfully as Change reached the door, making him stop for a second. He tensed for an instant, but didn't reply. He simply opened the door and stepped outside.
Change walked the long way back without stopping, advancing with firm steps. Meanwhile, Diamond curiously observed the new uniform she carried in her hands. It wasn't her style, at least not because of the colors, but she could still admit that it was nice. Objectively, it was.
"I liked Hitsuji," Diamond commented during the walk. "She's a very kind woman."
"Yes..." Change acknowledged, keeping pace without turning around.
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