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sorakh28Title: hiraeth
Fandom: Super Robot Wars/Masou Kishin
Prompt: Abandonment Issues
Medium: Short Fic
Wordcount: 802
Warnings: Mentioned Death, Grief/Mourning
Summary: Among the many mysteries surrounding Masaki Andoh and the Cybuster are his actions after disappearing from Earth. A chance moment, however, paints a painful past for the youth.
Masaki Andoh was rather too secretive for their liking.
Although they managed to convince him to aid the Hagane instead of aimlessly chas ing Shu Shirakawa and the Granzon , he still kept a tight lip on how he went missing, where he ended up, and how he got the Cybuster . Even the talking cats with him confused a good portion of the personnel.
When he was told that a background check was being rung on him, just for safety and precaution, he looked a bit peeved and responded that nothing of worth would be found there.
Tetsuya Onodera, executive officer, would claim the opposite. Finding the lad’s family registry on the Federation’s database wasn’t a challenge, but what the registry revealed could help explain the youth’s hesitation of joining forces with them.
Itsuki and Nanami Andoh, deceased 177 SE (2192 AD), parents of Masaki Andoh, born April 1th 170 SE (2185 AD) in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
“Nine years ago was when he lost his parents,” he explained to the captain of the Hagane, Daitetsu Minase. “I’ve seen about eleven or twelve addresses connected to him, so I suspect he moved around a lot within Sakura. The last address was to a dorm for an all-boys’ high school… it was the school faculty who reported him missing.”
Daitetsu looked at the files before him on the computer. “With so many changes that makes for an unstable childhood, it would explain his aversion to authority and his dislike of large groups.” He fixed the pipe in his mouth. “Any updates on his discharge from the infirmary?”
Tetsuya clicked on another file. “Although his fatigue is still a concern and needs to be monitored, he is able to be discharged into a normal room. It has been suggested to be in a specific location where his sense of direction doesn’t impair him as much.”
“Perhaps putting him near the SRX team would help him-” the captain was interrupted by the door to the office opening, and Masaki himself entered the room with his cats at his feet, seeming disoriented as he looked around.
“Oh, uh… Sorry for interrupting, I just… I’m looking for a place to think,” he explained himself. “I can leave, if you want.”
“Is something wrong, Masaki?” Tetsuya asked the youth. “Perhaps we can help you with it.”
The youth pursed his lips. “Only if you’re any good with grief,” he answered, staring at his boots.
Tetsuya turned to the captain. “Grief counseling…? Should we talk to the ship’s psychiatrist about this?”
Daitetsu looked at the files in front of him, then to the youth. “Masaki, did you speak with the medical faculty about this? It could explain why you constantly feel tired.”
“It’s definitely a factor,” the black cat noted. “He’s been pretty antsy since…” She looked up to Masaki. “Well, I guess it’s up to Masaki to explain.”
He pursed his lips. “Where I got Cybuster…” he finally spoke, “a small family took me in. Treated me like one of their own. To the point I became one of their own.” He closed his eyes. “But then, I… the man who adopted me… he… he got killed.” He took a shaking breath. “And then... there was a man who was like an older brother to me… not long after…”
Oh. Daitetsu and Tetsuya looked at each other. Losing a third parent would definitely be hard on an orphan like Masaki, but adding a brother figure to that would be just as rough.
“Our condolences, Masaki,” Tetsuya told him. “Our offer for professional counseling still stands if you need someone else to talk to about it.”
The youth averted his eyes, nodding after a few seconds. “I’ll… I’ll think about it, thanks.” He pushed some hair away from his face. “I just… don’t usually have this kind of support because I moved a lot on Earth, so… sorry if I kinda sound hesitant.”
“It’s understandable if you are, Masaki. Take as much time as you need.” Tetsuya looked into the computer files as a sound alerted him to an update. “Your medical discharge is pending, by the way. We just need to find you a room you’d be comfortable in.”
“Would you prefer a room next to the SRX team?” Daitetsu offered. “Or somewhere else?”
Masaki pursed his lips. “I guess being next to the SRX team wouldn’t be bad…”
“Yeah, it’d help with his lack of direction if he sticks with them!” the white cat chirped.
“Would you knock that off, Shiro?!” the youth hissed.
Daitetsu tried not to smile. At the very least, Masaki would be surrounded by people who could help him with his grief… and perhaps slowly, the lad would open up about the mysteries surrounding Cybuster and himself as he grows comfortable with the crew.
