A few days had passed since my day out shopping with Maki. We got a bunch of clothes and stuff for Maki to make clothes for Hachiko. I had been working everyday since then, trying to keep focused. I was excited by the fact that I could do something for Hachiko, even if we never ended up going out. 

 

For some strange reason I agreed to work a 10 hour shift. I guess it was because it was Hachiko day and instead of going home, if I got out at 6 I would go straight there. My shift was almost over so I started wiping down the counters.

 

“Another work day coming to an end. I believe it’s Hideki coming in to relieve me today. He really has been better about that since the day I was ready to knock his ass out.”

 

I looked up, while I was wiping down the counters, and in walked Sato. 

 

“What’s up Kazuhito? I see you're working hard.”

 

“As usual.”

 

“Can’t believe I bumped into you and your sister that day. Now I know why she always seemed to hang around you when she came in. I thought that was just some kid with a crush on you or something.”

 

“Nope. That’s my little brat sister.”

 

“Tell the little cutie I said hi.”

 

“What are you doing here on your day off anyway? I try to avoid this place like the plague.”

 

Sato grabbed a few Hi-Chews from the box on the counter.

 

“I just came in for a little sugar rush. I’m in the middle of my 3 mile weekly walk.”

 

“You seem pretty talkative lately. “

 

“Yeah. Sorry about being such an ass before. I thought this would be a job just to pass the time. I didn’t expect to make friends or talk to anyone. I just wanted to come in, work, go home.”

 

Hideki walked in the door as we were talking and he tried to join in the conversation but I still wasn’t ready to even consider that. We may not have been fighting at the time but I still consider Hideki more of an enemy than a friend or even a coworker.

 

“Hey guys. What’s up?”

 

It was time for me to leave so I took off my visor, walked around the counter and gave Hideki the keys as I left.

 

“Alright guys, I’m out.”

 

I just didn't want to talk to Hideki at all. So I left on that note. Sato stayed to talk to Hideki.

 

“Hey Hideki. I just came in to get some candy. Looks like you two still don’t get along.”

 

“Yeah…I guess not. You on it?”

 

“I’m on that mission right now, dude.”

 

Hideki gave him a thumbs up and Sato returned the thumbs up. He headed out the door in the same direction as me. He lived in that same direction so I paid him no mind. I had to make sure he went home or something or at least get him off my tail before I headed to the vault though.

 

Sato may have been mumbling to himself but I kind of heard him...“So Hideki was right. He’s not headed home. But doesn’t he have to head home to take care of his sister? She is kind of young. Where are you headed, Kazuhito? You did have a lot of packages when I saw you that day, looked like they were for someone else. Too big for the little one. Do you have a girlfriend that Hideki is really worried is leading you down the wrong path?”

 

To be sure that Sato wasn’t following me I ducked into a store, walked around a bit, then bought a few sodas for the trip. As I went to the counter, I saw Sato walking by the store. DId he stop somewhere? Or was this some kind of ploy to get me to think he wasn’t following? 

 

“I guess he wasn’t following me. Maybe….”

 

I watched as Sato walked past the alley which was next to the store and as soon as he did I left the store and ducked into the alley. I headed down the alley which led to a virtual dead end unless you climb over the 12 foot high chain link fence in the back. After that I climbed over the fence and headed through a second alley which led to a path towards the vault. I really wanted to make sure he wasn’t following since this could be the discovery of the century. Not that I’d reveal that I found her. 

 

“Don’t know why I felt like he was following me but that should get rid of him if he was.”

 

What I find out much much later, is that he was actually following me. Now, this is just a total guess on my part but I’d say Sato probably circled back after he noticed I never passed him. If it was me, I probably would have waited no more than 10 minutes and then circle back to that alley.

 

Then I’d probably mumble something to myself because of frustration. “He’s not in the store. He’s not out here anywhere. Did he go through the alley? Isn’t it a dead end?”

 

If it was me, I would have walked down the alley and noticed there’s no way out except for over the fence. Would I have hopped the fence? Depends how bad I want to find my target. It does look like there’s another path behind the fence. 

 

Here’s where I would probably think to myself. “Did he jump this fence? He doesn’t seem the type. Guess I have to find out.”

 

How good a tracker was Sato? Would he hop the fence and notice recent footsteps? Would he just hop over and not see anything, then go back because he didn’t think I’d go over a fence that high? Or would he think something like, ““I remember this place from when I was a kid. If he’s out here then I better not follow. He’ll see me for sure since there’s no buildings for cover. But why would he be out here? There’s nothing here. At least I have an idea of where he is but this is a weird place to be.”

 

I wish I knew he did try to follow because then I could have set a trap or something. But I never saw him come over the other fence, after the second alley so I assumed he never got that far. But I did keep looking over my shoulder every minute or two. After about 10 minutes, I started to relax because I was pretty sure that if he did follow, I would have lost him.

 

“There’s no way he would have followed me through there. Not that I’m sure he was following me. He was acting differently at the store though. Plus, he’s never been that talkative before.”

 

I put the pursuit behind me and continued to head to the vault to meet up with Hachiko. 

 

“This place really does look different with daylight though the sun is setting.”

 

I took a brief look around for any unsprung traps like I usually do when I come to the vault but again, I didn’t come across any. Knowing how humans can be and the fact that she hasn’t sprung many, there were probably more that weren’t sprung. But I didn’t find anything on my brief sweep, so I headed inside. When I opened the door, I wasn’t expecting her to be so close to the door. Usually she sleeps further away from the entrance, kind of in the back of the front room. But not this time, Hachiko was right there, sprawled out like a big sleeping cat.

 

“Hmmmmm...don’t know if I should wake her up. What if she gets startled.”

 

Hachiko started mumbling in her sleep but the only word I could make out was “Kazuuuuuuu…”

 

“Well that’s unexpected. But I swear I thought I heard her say my name in her sleep before.”

 

I kneeled down and leaned in as if I was going to whisper in her ear but before I could, Hachiko reached out and put her arms around me. I haven’t seen her show how strong she is but you could tell from the firmness of her body that she has a lot of muscle. She pulled me in and there was nothing I could do about it. If you were looking in on us, I probably looked like one of those big teddy bears. At least compared to her anyway. She is 8 feet tall and I’m only 6 feet. For a normal person I’m tall but to her I’m short.

 

“Holy crap, she’s strong!”

 

“Hachiko.”

 

“Kazuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…”

 

“Hachiko!”

 

“Kazuuuu. Kazuuuuuuuu.”

 

“Hachiko! Wake up!”

 

“Kazuuuu? Am I imagining that he’s here again? Must be one of those dream things he told me about...”

 

“Seriously?! How can I break her kung fu grip?”

 

Can you believe that your hero Kazuhito got himself in this predicament? Okay, let me stop fooling around. Though I seriously didn’t know what to do. I started running through ideas in my head and came back to the forehead kiss. One day I might ask her about that trauma but I was hoping it would be my escape. At first, she did think I was tasting her or whatever, so I thought maybe it might work again. I kissed her on the forehead and luckily it worked. Hachiko went to cover her forehead with both hands so I slipped out of her grip and far enough away from her that she couldn’t trap me again.

 

She meekly said, “No. Don’t eat me Kazuuuu!”

 

“Kind of funny she still has that in her head.”

 

So I slowly moved close to her again, while trying to make sure she can’t grab me and I placed my hands on her cheeks and gave her face a squeeze.

 

“Hachiko! Wake up!”

 

Hachiko started to open her eyes and saw me in front of her.

 

“Kazuuuu?! Is it really youuuu?!?”

 

“Is it really me? Are you saying you have some other guy coming here to see you?”

 

“NO! No. No. No. NO! Only Kazuuuuu!”

 

And with that, she leaped forward and tackled me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and I was stuck. There’s no way I could move her.

 

“Hey Hachi, you’re squishing me, you know.”

 

“Hey! Am I really that heavy Kazuuuu?”

 

I wasn’t sure how to answer her, again. I mean, she is heavy. She has a lot of muscle under her softness. But it’s not like I was being crushed or something.

 

“It’s okay, Hachi. You’re fine.”

 

She giggled and said, “Good,” while still hugging me.

 

She continued hugging me until she realized how close her face was to me. So close our noses were touching. Then she got flustered and leapt back like a scared cat. A really large, scared cat.

 

“Sorry Kazuuuu. I didn’t mean… I… Are you okay?”

 

“Hachiko. I’m fine. Really.”

“Youuu sure? I didn’t crush you did I?”

 

“Hachiko. Do I look crushed?”

 

Hachiko put her head down like a pouting child.

 

“Noooo… So I didn’t hurt youuuu?”

 

Seems like I always have to reassure her. I guess that’s fine. Just going to assume it’s part of her conditioning from before. Can’t imagine what it’s like to remember stuff that happened like 2-300 years ago but for her, it’s not like she came across other people to create new memories to erase those or at least lessen the impact, until I came along.

 

“No Hachiko. I told you I’m fine, right?”

 

“When youuuu said I was squishing youuuu, I thought youuuu meant like when I tried to sit on that rice sack and…and...and it exploded. I don’t want to explode Kazuuuu.”

 

“Hachi...”

 

In an attempt to change the subject, I pulled my backpack out and placed it in front of me.

 

“Look, I have something for you.”

 

She sat up, indian style like she always does. I reached into my backpack and pulled out a towel which was not what I actually planned to pull out.

 

“Well that wasn’t what I was planning to pull out. Anyway, I do want to give you this too.”

 

“Looks like a piece of cloth. Youuu want to give me cloth? Is this what huuuumans do? Give others cloth?”

 

“Duh, you dumbass. A towel is probably not something she’s seen before. I need to remember to explain things first.”

 

“Hachiko, what do you do to dry off after cleaning yourself?”

 

“I… I don’t do anything.”

 

“You don't dry yourself?”

 

“Should I Kazuuuu?”

 

“When you lived with humans, didn’t you take baths?”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“I see now...”

 

We’ve been talking for a while so I checked my phone to see what time it was. Was hoping for darkness so I could take her outside and show her.

 

“Ok, it should be dark now. Hachiko, show me where that lake is and I’m going to show you what a bath is. Let me just check for a few things in my backpack first.”

 

“Youuuuu have youuur phone again!? Can we watch a movie again?”

 

“I do but no movies today. Let me show you what a bath is, okay?.”

 

She pouted for a second and then said “ooooooookay.”

 

I stood up and put my hand out to assist Hachiko. But I guess she realized she’s kind of heavy so she put one hand down on the ground to help boost herself up. Even after all the tie I spent with her, I could never truly get over her height. Imagine someone 2 feet taller than you, standing right next to you. Awkward right?

 

“First we take a bath.”

 

“We?!”

 

“Well, you, and I’m going to show you how.”

 

“She says she doesn’t clean often but she doesn’t smell or anything. Part of her physiology?”

 

I led her to the door and opened it, waiting for her to follow.

 

“Wait. Wait. Are we going outside?”

 

“Yeah. How do you think I’m going to show you? There’s no water here.”

 

“Youuuu want to go to the lake?”

 

“Yes Hachiko. Just point me to it.”

 

So I walked out the door, holding her hand but Hachiko was hesitant and stopped at the doorway. She had to look out herself to make sure it was dark.

 

“Hey. What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing Kazuuuu.”

 

“Come on Hachiko. Let’s go.” 

 

I pulled a little to get her moving again. Not sure why she was hesitating. Guess it’s something from her limited interactions with humans.

 

“Okay! Okay! I'm coming, Kazuuuu! Why are youuuu in a hurry?!”

 

I started walking straight since she wasn’t giving me any directions. So I assumed it was straight ahead. What I didn’t know was that Hachiko was lost in thought. This part of the story could have been ugly if she didn’t have amazing reflexes. One of those pits I would always look for was dead ahead and neither one of us knew. I guess she never came across it. I stepped into the pit with my right foot and luckily Hachiko snapped out of her daze and leapt forward. From my point of view she was tackling me but no, she leaped over the pit while grabbing me as she tried to get us to the other side. I would guess this pit was like 15 feet wide and she leapt over it. We landed on the other side with her over me. I kind of felt more like prey than someone she just saved, after seeing that amazing feat and now laying on my back with her over me.

 

“Kazuuuu! Kazuuuu! Are you okay!? I’m sorry! I was distracted by you holding my hand and I… I’m sorry!”

 

“Hey Hachiko.”

 

“Yes Kazuuuu?”

 

“Thanks for saving me.”

 

“I’m sorry Kazuuuu! I’m sorry!”

 

“It’s okay Hachi.”

 

Hachiko wrapped her arms around my neck again and just laid there, on top of me, with her head to the side so she wouldn't- get flustered by the closeness, or so I assumed.

 

“Hey Hachiko.”

 

“Yes Kazuuuu?”

 

“You know you’re kind of squishing me right?”

 

“I don’t care. Youuuu almost fell into the pit and it’s my fault. I almost lost my Kazuuuu!”

 

“I guess we can stay like this for a little while but just how deep is that pit?”

 

A few minutes later Hachiko started to lift herself off me. She put her hands down on the ground, right next to my shoulders, to push herself up. Now she was kind of straddling me while looking down at me. She looked like she was going to cry.

 

“Hachiko. I’m okay. Really.”

 

“I suuuuuurry Kazuuuu.”

 

“Please stop apologizing Hachiko. I didn’t fall in. You saved me.”

 

“I saved youuuu?”

 

“You did leap over the pit and catch me right? You saved me.”

 

Hachiko mumbled to herself “I saved Kazuuuu? Like he saved...me?”

 

“I saved her? I’ll have to ask her later. For now let’s do what we came to do.”

 

“Let me up, Hachi. We still have somewhere to go right?”

 

Hachiko got up and put her hand out to help me up.

 

“She’s learning.”

 

Hachiko pulled me up and then she pulled me into her and wrapped her arms around me. Sometimes I would wonder if she forgot she’s 8 feet tall or if she did it on purpose. Due to our height difference my face was buried in her chest. It sounded like she said, “I’m so glad youuuu’re safe,” but it’s kind of hard to hear when you’re being overwhelmed by her size. So I just wrapped my arms around her to reciprocate.

 

“Hey! Kazuuuuu! Where are youuuu touching?!”

 

“What!? I didn’t do anything!”

 

She looked down at me with a mischievous smile.

 

“You really think you’re funny don’t you?”

 

I was tempted to just grab a handful of flesh from wherever but I held back. 

 

She kept smiling at me but she released her grip so I did too. Then she grabbed my hand and started to lead the way to the river.

 

“She’s taking the lead? Never did that before. Wonder if that means she’s finally trying to let go of the fear that I'm going to leave. Though we did just have that pit issue.

 

I still wanted to investigate the pit so I pulled on her hand trying to get her to stop. I pulled in the direction of the pit but there was no way I could budge her.

“What’s wrong, Kazuuuu?”

 

“Before we go, I want to actually see inside this pit.”

 

Hachiko gave me this look like I was crazy before letting me know how scared she was of the pits. I completely forgot that could be a death sentence for her.

 

“Kazuuuu. I’m afraid of the pits. I don’t go anywhere near them. What if there’s one deep enough that I can’t get out and the sun comes up? Please don’t make me go near it again.”

 

“But you’re so amazing. Your agility is amazing. I guess I never thought about you getting trapped in one. Kind of figured you would be able to get out. 

 

“Amazing? Agility? Me?”

 

“Yeah! Did you see how you leaped over that pit? Well I guess you couldn’t see it since you were doing it… that was amazing!”

 

I gently grabbed her hand and started pulling her towards the pit but she was so flustered by what I said and kept mumbling “Kazuuuu thinks I’m amazing. Kazuuuu thinks I’m amazing. Kazuuuu thinks I’m amazing.”

 

“It really was amazing Hachiko.”

 

So we returned to the put but I stopped about 10 feet from it. I looked up at Hachiko because I could feel her hand shaking. She really was nervous about those pits so I had to do a sales job on this one.

 

“Okay Hachiko. I’ll be the one to go near the pit. I won’t put you in any danger.”

 

I could still feel her shaking. You would expect me to be afraid of the pit but her? She could scale the walls right? At least that’s what I thought anyway. I did clip her nails though...

 

“Ok Hachiko. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to lean into the pit and I want you to hold my legs so I don’t fall in. Okay?”

 

“O-o-o-o-o-kay…”

 

“Come on Hachi, you can do it. You’re amazing.”

 

“Kazuuuuuu…”

 

I laid on the ground, pointing towards the pit and asked Hachiko to hold my legs. She was going to be my anchor. She’s super strong and has some weight on her. Not like we could do this the other way. There’s no way I could hold her.

 

“Hachi. I just need you to hold my legs tight. You’re my anchor. Can you do that for me?”

 

You could tell she was hesitating but she agreed, “Okay Kazuuuu. Let's do it.”

 

So Hachiko sat down indian style about 5 feet from the hole and grabbed my ankles as I inched towards the pit. I just wanted to see how deep these pits are since she was so scared of them. I figured they would be like nothing for her. Once I was over the pit, I turned on my flashlight and looked in.

 

“That’s pretty deep. I’d say it’s like 30 feet. Pull me back up Hachiko.”

 

She pulled me back up and I sat in front of Hachiko, facing her. 

 

“They really tried to make sure you don’t leave here, didn’t they. I can’t make any promises but I’m going to see what I can do to try to fill those. Just not sure how yet.”

 

“Reawwy Kazuuuu?!”

 

“Of course. I don’t want you falling in one of those. What if there’s still one we haven’t found and it’s even deeper than this one? You might be amazingly agile but at some point there might be something you can’t get out of.”

 

“T-t-t-t-hat’s why those pits are so scary.”

 

“I didn’t realize it was so deep. Hey wait a minute… did you hold me the whole time while you were sitting?”

 

“Yes Kazuuuu. Was that bad?”

 

I couldn’t help it but I started laughing and said “I guess not. Your big ass makes a good anchor.”

 

“HEY! Is it really THAT big!?”

 

“I’m kidding, Hachi. Relax.”

 

I never thought I’d get used to seeing an 8 foot tall creature pouting but here there we were. Me sitting face to face with a pouting creature.

 

“Maybe next time I really should squish youuuu. Stuuuupid Kazuuuu.”

 

“Come on Hachiko, I was kidding. You’re fine the way you are.”

 

With that, I grabbed her hand and motioned to her that we should get going. 

 

“No more pouting. Let’s go see this lake. You lead the way.”

 

“Okay Kazuuuu! I’ll lead youuuu to the lake.”

 

Off we went, deeper into the woods to see this lake where Hachiko goes to rinse herself off. It was a small lake surrounded by fully matured trees. If someone was to look towards this lake from beyond the trees then they probably wouldn’t see it. 

 

“So this is it. Seems like a nice, secluded lake. Guess it’s time for me to take the soap and sponges out. But how do I show her without seeing her?”

 

“So you come here to rinse your body?”

 

“Yes Kazuuuu. No one can see me here. The water is kind of warm too so that feels great on my skin.”

 

“It’s a hot spring?”

 

“Why did you want to come here Kazuuuu?”

 

“I wanted to show you how humans stay clean. But it seems like your body doesn’t really get dirty. But if you ever do go to the human world you should do this.”

 

“So...if I...go to the….huuuuman world…? What do I have to do?”

 

“First you take your clothes off.”

 

Before I knew it, Hachiko started undressing in front of me. That’s when I realized I needed to stop her and explain a few things, like don’t just undress in front of a man. Though I guess it’s not like she’s going to be in front of other men...

 

“Wait! Wait! Hachiko. You’re female. I’m male. You don’t just undress in front of someone from the opposite sex unless you’re like married or dating a long time...or something.”

 

“But it’s just my body right?”

 

“That’s why you don’t do it!”

 

The only thing I could do was shake my head as she gave a head tilt like a confused puppy.

 

“So in all the years you’ve been alive, you never…. I think I understand now.”

 

“But Kazuuuu. It’s youuuu. I don’t mind if youuuu see me.”

 

“I… I…just wait a second...”

 

“I guess this would be good for research though it’s not like I’ll ever tell anyone about her. Her form through the dress does make it seem like she has the typical human body.”

 

“Listen Hachiko. This is not how it usually works, okay?”

 

“But but but...Kazuuuu. I don’t mind if it’s youuuu. I told youuuu many times, it’s not like I plan to ever...want another huuuuman to see me.”

 

“Ugh. Hachiko…. Okay. I’m going to turn around. You undress and sit in the lake, okay?”

 

She waited for me to turn around and then she started to take off her shredded dress. Good thing I was going to take care of that. Underneath she was wearing a slip which has also seen better days. I did peek since I wasn’t sure what she was doing since sometimes she’ll say it and THEN do it instead of do it first. I watched her carefully take them off since she has no other clothes. I guess she could just go naked but she likes to think of herself as more human than animal with somewhat of a sense of modesty. I guess I can see that but after all these years who would have expected her to come across another human who actually wants to be around. After she took her clothes off, she walked into the lake and stood at the edge.

 

“Kazuuuu! I’m ready!”

 

Of course, since she said she was ready, I turned around. Okay, she had her clothes off so TECHNICALLY she was ready but she was still standing there. I got a full, unblocked view of Hachiko’s naked body. The one thing I did notice was she does not have typical human orifices or reproductive organs. Do people still use that word? Orifices? Anyway, she had no nipples and no lower exterior orifices. Kind of like a completely smooth body but she did have a few scars. She started lightly kicking at the water before she looked like she was making a move to lower herself down into the lake.

 

“Hachiko. You were supposed to tell me after you got in, not before.”

 

In a very low voice she said, “Sorry Kazuuuu. No one has ever showed me how to…”

 

“Hey. It’s okay. I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to get upset with you.”

 

After that, I started to take off my sneakers and socks and then started rolling up my pants. I wasn’t planning to go all the way into the lake. Then I grabbed my bag to pull out some liquid soap, shampoo, a loofah and a regular bath sponge to bring to the lake where Hachiko was waiting for me. I made a pretty dumb error. I looked over at Hachiko and then looked at the sponge I was holding. Maybe I should have gone with one of those sponges they use to wash cars or something... 

 

“You’re not taking off your clothes, Kazuuuuuu?”

 

“No Hachiko. We’re here for you.”

 

“So you’re going to show me how humans do this bath thing but you’re not doing it?”

 

“Yes. You got it.”

 

Hachiko started kicking her legs up and down like she’s a big kid from her excitement about getting to do something seen as human to her. Which I guess is human.

 

“I’m excited, Kazuuuu! Youuu keep showing me how to do things like youuuu huuuumans. I don’t know how I could ever repay youuuu.”

 

“Why would you have to repay me. I don’t do this because I expect you to do anything in return. I do this because I want to. I enjoy spending time with you.”.

 

Hachiko started to blush but it’s almost like a full body blush for her. Her face turns red but her whole body also slightly changes color and gets warmer. I never really saw this before because she was always wearing clothes around me.

 

“Hmmmm...Have to figure out how to do this now.”

 

“Aren’t youuuu the huuuuman here? Aren’t youuuu supposed to know?”

 

“Ha ha. I do know. It’s just you’re so tall.”

 

“Guess I need her to stand up…”

 

“Ok Hachiko. Let’s do this. I need you to stand up.”

 

I waded into the shallow water around Hachiko while she stood up. I reassessed the situation and realized I was going to have to ask her to help me, to help her.

 

“See this bottle? This is called soap. This is what cleans the body and also gives it a nice scent for a few hours.”

 

“Oooooookay.”

 

“This is a sponge. This is what you use to rub the soap on you. This one is a loofah sponge. You usually use this more for rough skin, it kind of smooths it out. Some people prefer to solely use this one.”

 

“Ooookay.”

 

I figured out how to do it. I walked around her to her left side.

 

“Okay, now lift your left leg and hold it out in front of you.”

 

I squeezed the soap into the sponge and began to scrub her left calf then I moved down to her foot.

 

“You saw that right? You scrub your body with the sponge after you soap it up.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Let me show you what the loofah sponge feels like.”

 

“Okay Kazuuuu.”

 

“You can put your left leg down now and lift the right one.”

 

Hachiko put her left leg down and raised her right just like I asked her to. I prepped the loofah sponge and began to scrub her right calf and foot.

 

“Oooooh. I like that one. It feels nice.”

 

“You got it now? Think you can do the rest?”

 

“But I thought youuuu… I can do it Kazuuuu…”

 

“Hmmm...seems like she just wants me to do it. Is she relying on me to do it or does she just want me to do it?”

 

“How about this? You take care of your lower body and then sit in the lake again. I will help you take care of your upper body.”

 

“Okay! I can do it!”

 

“Sometimes she really is like a big kid. A really big kid. It’s kind of crazy, being here with her. Never would have thought that story was true or that she really exists.”

 

I sat at the edge of the lake while watching Hachiko scrub her lower half.

 

“Hey Hachiko.”

 

“Yes, Kazuuuu?”

 

“Let me not mess with her right now. She seems happy.”

 

“Nothing Hachiko.”

 

“Youuuu were going to say something sarcastic. I know it.”

 

“Ummmm… yeah. You got me.”

 

Hachiko picked up the soft sponge and threw it at me. She hit me on the side of my head.

 

“Hey! I didn’t even say it!”

 

She pointed her really long finger at me and said, “But youuuu were thinking it.”

 

“Fine, fine.”

 

“Kazuuuu. How am I supposed to get my back? Youuuu’re supposed to do this scrubbing thing all over right?”

 

“I’m going to help you. Don’t worry.”

 

“What about my front?”

 

“Well you can do that or I can help you with that too.”

 

“I want youuuu to do it.”

 

“Okay, okay. Sit down in the lake again.”

 

Hachiko lowered herself back into the lake and moved towards the edge. I walked over to her and sits on the ground behind her.

 

“Ready?”

 

“Yes Kazuuuu. Youuuu need this right?”

 

Hachiko handed me the loofah so I could get her back. I started to scrub her back and I noticed some of her scars. I wanted to ask but I was not sure how or if it might be something that triggers bad memories. So I started scrubbing her back and arms from left to right.

 

“Hey. There’s one more thing I forgot to mention. Humans also wash their hair too. I brought shampoo to take care of your hair.”

 

“So what should I do Kazuuuu?”

 

“You just need to sit here. I’ll take care of it for you.”

 

“Ooooh. Okay.”

 

I poured shampoo into my hands and started to work it into her hair. While working it into her hair, I also started massaging her scalp. Again, that was kind of smooth too. I was expecting her skin to be pretty rough since she’s several hundred years old.

 

“This feels good Kazuuuu. It almost makes me wish I was a huuuuman…”

 

“Don’t start getting sad on me. When we’re done here I’m going to leave this stuff here for you. I could even bring you more if you really want to do this more often.”

 

“Yes please! More Kazuuuu!”

 

“You know. While I’m washing your hair, you could be washing your front.”

 

”...or I could ask Kazuuuu to do it.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Should I not ask you to do that?”

 

“Well… I guess not… But it’s usually something you do when…”

 

“That relationship thing you mentioned?”

 

“Well… yeah…kind of...”

 

“Oh… I sorry Kazuuuu… I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”

 

So I finished washing her hair, then I walked around to her front. I put my hand out for the loofah like I expected her to know what I wanted. I guess she did since she handed it to me without me asking.

 

“She seems to be okay with it so I guess it shouldn’t be an issue right?”

 

So I started to scrub Hachiko’s body from the waist up.

 

“Her front is even smoother than her back and not as many noticeable scars. Maybe I should ask her about them. But I have a feeling that it may be from hunters and other idiots who tried to hunt her.”

 

As I moved up to her chest I did notice there were some thicker scars directly under her breasts. If you were looking right at her, you wouldn’t see the scars since her breasts cover them. I guess I kind of stopped scrubbing when I noticed them and I started overthinking the situation.

 

“Why would there be such heavy scars there? Don’t tell me someone tried to cut them off or some crazy shit like that… You’ve really been treated poorly haven’t you Hachiko. Hopefully no one ever hurts you again.”

 

“Kazuuuu?”

 

“Sorry Hachiko. Was just thinking about something.”

 

“So nothing’s wrong? I know I asked youuuu something youuuu’re uncomfortable with and I kind of feel bad about that.”

 

“It’s fine Hachi. It had nothing to do with that.”

 

I continued to scrub her breasts but I did poke her a few times to see if she reacted like a human would. I guess I should say like I would expect a human to since I don't have the experience. Or maybe she would overreact like an anime girl.  She was just kind of staring at me. But you could feel a warmth in her glare. I did try lifting them a few times and lightly putting them down then picking them up and letting them freely fall, noticing the heft.

 

“They’re soft but at the same time kind of dense. Kind of like the rest of her but less muscle. Interesting.”

 

Hachiko took this as an opening to tease me a little. “Kazuuuu? Youuuu know those aren’t toys right?”

 

“Huh? What? Oh.. Sorry Hachiko. I guess I was curious… since you’re not human and all.”

 

Hachiko started laughing and I went back to scrubbing her chest. Then I moved up to her neck and shoulders to finish her bathing.

 

“Okay, let me go grab the bucket. I’ll be right back.”

 

I ran down to where I dumped stuff out and grabbed the bucket, then I raced back to where Hachiko was. I filled up the bucket and walked over to her. But I kind of froze up because I wasn't sure how to handle this. She’s not a small creature. I went with what I thought would be easier...I dumped it over her head.

 

“HEEEEEEY! KAZUUUUU!”

 

“Sorry Hachi. Was kind of getting ahead of myself. When you’re done, you rinse off the soap. I thought the bucket would be easier.”

 

“I think I understand but youuuu could be a little gentler youuuu know.”

 

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

 

I turned around to fill the bucket again but by the time I turned back around towards Hachiko, she dove into the lake. Imagine watching a woman that size dive into a lake. It was an amazing sight. That wasn’t the last amazing sight I would see that night either. She went underwater and popped back up like those pictures you see of women popping out of the water in some tropical location or whatever. Like that. I just witnessed a naked 8 foot tall woman pop out of a lake and throw her head back to get her hair out of her face. No one else can claim they ever saw that.

 

She walked over to me and leaned down close to my ear, to say “Ok. No more soap now.”

 

“Y-y-y-y-yeah… I can see that.”

 

“I like my way better. No mean Kazuuuu throwing water at me.”

 

“I said I was sorry Hachiko. I wasn’t trying to be mean.”

 

Hachiko grabbed me and gave me a big hug. There’s not much you can do once she has her arms around you. If only she wasn’t wet at the time.

 

“Hachiko.”

 

“Mmmmmm…”

 

”Hachiko!”

 

“Mmmmm…”

 

“HACHIKO!”

 

“What? What Kazuuuu? What did I do?”

 

“You were spacing out. I was trying to get you to let go.”

 

“I wasn’t spacing out. I just wanted to huuug youuuu. I can’t huuuug youuuu?”

 

“Wait. No. Of course you can. But I don’t have a change of clothes so now I’m all wet.”

 

Hachiko put her head down before muttering, “Looks like I just can’t get anything right today.”

 

“It’s okay Hachiko. Really. Sorry. It’s not like you would have known.”

 

I got out of the lake first and turned back to reach out to Hachiko to help her out of the water. She grabbed my hand as she climbed out of the lake, even though she probably didn’t need my help. As she got out of the lake, I got a full view of her body. I had an 8 foot amazonian creature standing right in front of me, naked. She really is an awe inspiring sight to see.

 

“There’s one last step to a bath. You have to dry yourself off.”

 

“Dry myself off? I’m not sure what you mean Kazuuu?”

 

And there was that confused head tilt again. I always have to stop myself from laughing when she does that. It really does make her look like a giant dog.  

 

“So after cleaning yourself, you don’t dry yourself off?”

 

“Am I supposed to?”

 

“Maybe your body doesn’t need to… Humans have to dry their bodies to avoid getting sick. I guess there are some people who don’t...”

 

“Is that why youuuu were mad at me before?”

 

“Mad at you? I wasn’t mad. Hachiko. Anyway, let’s dry you off.”

 

I picked up my bag and pulled out 2 bath sheets.

 

“Wonder if this will be enough for her… I guess it would be, though she is 8 feet tall. Did I need to bring more?”

 

“Could you bend down so I can reach your head.”

 

Hachiko started to giggle and said, “Okay, mister tall huuuuman.”

 

As I started to dry her hair, I realized that since her hair is kind of long, I may end up using one of the towels just for her hair. 

 

“Kazuuuu?”

 

“Yes Hachiko?”

 

“Can we do this again?”

 

“I showed you everything you would need to know.”

 

“Ummmm… I know that Kazuuuu. I just want to do this again… with youuuuuu.”

 

I have a feeling that I turned bright red before saying, “Ooooooooooh. I guess we probably could some day.”

 

“Promise?”

 

“Sure Hachiko. We can do this again one day.”

 

After I finished drying her hair, I tapped her on the shoulder and motioned for her to stand up.

 

“Here, take this other towel.”

 

I stepped forward, towards her and bent down to start drying her leg.

 

“This is how you do this Hachi. Then once you’re done, move to the other leg and up your body.”

 

I looked up at her to make sure she got what I was saying but Hachiko gave me a wry smile and said, “Kazuuuu, youuuuuu could do it for me, youuuu know.”

 

“As much as I’d love to assist you, I should pack everything back up so we can get back to the vault.”

 

Hachiko in a very dejected tone said, “Ooookay Kazuuuu…”

 

“When I first stumbled across Hachiko she was talking about eating me and now this? When we started talking, she seemed more serious and rigid. Now it seems like she’s a big playful creature who just wants attention.”

 

Hachiko took the other towel and started to dry herself off while I started repacking my bag. I kept peeking over at her to make sure she got it and I guess maybe I wanted to also. Since the water doesn’t seem to bother her, I guess I don’t have to really worry about her drying herself off. 

 

“You done drying yourself yet?”

 

“Don’t rush me Kazuuuu!”

 

Hachiko made sure I was looking at her and stuck her tongue out at me.

 

“You really are a big kid.”

 

I picked up my bag and walked over to Hachiko. I grabbed her hand and started moving back towards the vault.

 

“Come on, let’s go.”

 

Now that I knew where the pit was, I could follow the same path back to the vault.

 

“Kazuuuu.”

 

“Yes Hachiko?”

 

“Is this normal for huuuumans to hold hands like this.”

 

I didn’t realize I had been holding her hand the whole time we were walking back. 

 

“No… I usually hold my sister’s hand so she doesn’t wander off. I guess some humans do it because they want to. Some might do it if they care about someone. I guess there’s several reasons why someone would hold someone’s hand.”

 

“...and?”

 

“...and what?”

 

“Youuuu’ve been holding my hand since we left the lake.”

 

“Ummmm… it’s getting dark. I don’t want to get separated.”

 

A dejected Hachiko drops her head, “Oh…”

 

“...and maybe I just wanted to.”

 

I turned to look back at Hachiko and she was in a full body blush.I wonder if she knows her whole body turns red when she blushes.

 

“She really is more human than I gave her credit for.”

 

As we got closer to the vault, I stopped several feet in front of the vault to make sure no one saw us. I guess that Sato thing was more in my head than I thought back then.

 

“Ok Hachiko. Let’s go.”

 

“Kazuuuu there’s no one here.”

 

“You never know Hachiko. You just never know.”

 

I kept thinking of the potential issue with Sato. What if he did see where I was going? What if he came to the vault one day? What would happen? But I had to shake it off. I opened the vault door and let Hachiko go in first. Again I took a look around to make sure no one was there and then followed her in. Hachiko was already inside, sitting on one of the crates.

 

“Hachiko, you didn’t put your clothes back on.”

 

“No. I didn’t. Is that a problem Kazuuuu?”

 

I did the only thing I could do at the time. A facepalm followed by shaking my head.

 

“You really should have clothes on around humans.”

 

“But Kazuuuu, I’m okay if it’s youuuu.”

 

I walked up to Hachiko and cupped my hands around her face.

 

“Hachiko. Listen to me. If you're inside this vault, it’s fine. If you’re taking a bath, it’s fine. You wore those clothes until they were falling apart and NOW you choose to be naked?”

 

“I was taking a bath and YOUUUU said that was okay if I was taking a bath.”

 

“...and you’re out of the bath.”

 

“...and now I’m in the vault where YOUUUUUU said it was okay.”

 

I was left not knowing what to say and Hachiko was looking at me like she was being scolded but she didn’t know why..

 

“I suuuury Kazuuuu. Please don’t be mad at me anymore.”

 

“I’m not mad Hachiko. Just trying to figure out how to explain this to you and it’s frustrating me that I can’t seem to get it right.”

 

“Then can youuuu put away the scary face?”

 

Scary face? Was I looking at her like I was mad? I was just frustrated with not knowing what to say to herbut not her. SoI took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.

 

“You’re calling me scary? You’re the one with all the teeth you know.”

 

Hachiko just sat there smiling at me.

 

“What's up Hachiko?”

 

“Youuuu stopped making the scary face.”

 

“I’m sorry Hachiko. I wasn’t mad that you did it. I was more mad at myself for not being able to explain to you. You keep saying you want to learn human things and the ways they act but sometimes I feel like I fail at telling you some things.”

 

“I got it. Don’t be naked around Kazuuuu because it’s wrong.”

 

“Ugh!”

 

I walked over to her and tugged on her cheek.

 

“HEY! What was that for?!”

 

“Wait. You were being serious!? I’m sorry Hachiko. Look I’ll figure out a better way to say what I’m saying but for now I have something else for you.”

 

Hachiko put her head down and started pouting, “I still don’t see what the big deal is...I don’t mind being naked around Kazuuuu.”

 

“I think I understand now, Hachiko. Sorry I was so hardheaded.”

 

So all this time she was saying it was okay to be naked around me and that’s exactly what she meant. She didn’t care if she was naked if it was me. How did I miss that…

 

So I started pulling clothes out of my bag for Hachiko. It wasn’t much but it was enough to get by for a while. Well...hopefully. Not that she really wears clothes except that tattered dress.

 

“Well I guess it’s a good thing you’re already naked. This is for you.”

 

I handed her boy shorts and she examined them from every angle, trying to figure it out.

 

“They’re called boy shorts Hachiko. Kind of like panties and shorts combined. I thought it might look good on you.” 

 

“I know the word panties… How would you see it to know if it looks good on me, unless I wasn’t wearing my dre....”

 

Hachiko started to blush and put them on.

 

“It fits!”

 

“Of course. I did measure you, remember?”

 

“Youuuu’re right Kazuuuu. I should have expected the guy who grabbed my ass to get that part right.”

 

“Oh ha ha.”

 

“But how am I suuuupposed to see what it looks if I don’t show up in those glass things.”

 

“I forgot. Take them back off.”

 

Hachiko clutched her chest like she was protecting herself from me looking at her.

 

“Are youuuu just trying to get another look at me Kazuuuu!”

 

“She really is like a big playful kitten. I should play along.” 

 

I played along. I looked at her from the right, then moved to the left and looked at her from head to toe.

 

“Kazuuuuuuuuuu!”

 

“Okay. Okay. I was going to help you to see yourself in a mirror again.”

 

“Are you playing a trick on me again?”

 

”No, I promise.”

 

Hachiko took off the boy shorts and now she was standing in front of me with nothing on. I kept digging in my bag for the sunscreen spray I brought just for this occasion.

 

“Ok. Here we go. Close your eyes and stand with your arms out to the side.”

 

“Okay….”

 

So I started spraying Hachiko from head to toe with the sunscreen which will give her the ability to see herself in the mirror. I knew I would need several cans and I came prepared.

 

“Kazuuuuuuu? What are you spraying on me?”

 

“This is called sunscreen. It’s what people put on so they don’t get burned by the sun.”

 

“Do you think it might help me be outside during the day?”

 

“Maybe. But ummmmmm…”

 

“What Kazuuuuu?”

 

I did still have thoughts on taking her out and what it could mean. I didn’t realize it but I put my head down and stopped spraying her. I was trying to come up with a way to say what I was thinking without upsetting Hachiko. She noticed that I was spacing out again so she leaned down so she’s right by my ear.

 

“Kazuuuuuu?”

 

“Have to figure out what to say to her. I don’t know if she’ll ever be able to go out. Even one time is a huge risk.”

 

Hachiko kneeled down in front of me and stared at me.

 

“Hey! Not even a joke about how it would be a lot of sunscreen?”

 

“Sorry Hachiko. I guess I zoned out again. Even though I know I promised to take you out, I still have reservations about it just like you do.”

 

“I understand Kazuuuu. Youuuu don’t have to take me out if youuuuu don’t want to. I’m scared to be out there anyway. I’m just glad youuuu come here to see me.”

 

Hachiko put her head down defeatedly. I wish I was smooth and knew what to say at the right time. I put my hand on top of her head and started rubbing back and forth.

 

“Hachiko, it’s not that I don’t want to take you out. I told you that I want to show you the world and how it changed right? We’re going. Me and you are going out and we’re going to have fun.”

 

“I’m still scared Kazuuuu, will youuuu protect me?”

 

“Of course I will! I will do whatever I can to make sure you’re okay.”

 

“I still can’t believe I’m talking to a huuuuman who wants to take me outside. So uuuused to stuuupid huuumans who just wanted to hunt me.”

 

“Hopefully you won’t have to worry about that again. Now, get back up and let me finish spraying you down. I have more for you.”

 

“Really!?!?!! You’re the best Kazuuuu.”

 

I went back to spraying Hachiko but since she was so excited, she was bouncing while I was trying to spray her.

 

“Hachiko, I wish you were human. Though I doubt you would have ever picked me to go out with. You probably would have had your choice of any guy out there.”

 

After I finished spraying Hachiko, I pulled a sports bra out of my bag and handed it to her.

 

Hachiko examined it like she never saw one before. If she’s as old as she says she is, maybe it was before bras? Maybe they didn’t show her what one was? Maybe she was just too big for whatever bras they had at that time. 

 

“Kazuuuu, what’s this? It’s kind of stretchy. Looks like a big slingshot.”

 

I couldn’t contain my laughter. I just couldn’t. I burst out laughing over that comment.

 

“What!? Why is that funny?!”

 

“Sorry Hachiko. Sorry. It’s called a bra. Sports bra to be precise. So I assume you never had one…”

 

“A bra? I don’t think so...What’s that?”

 

“You really don’t know? It’s to ummm… Hold your breasts in place? I don’t know how else to explain it. Let me show you.”

 

I showed her the bra and explained what it does and how to put it on. Once she started doing it herself, she realized how it worked and started walking around the vault.

 

“Kazuuuu! Kazuuuuuuuu! This thing is amazing. It holds my chest in place and I can walk without my chest bouncing.”

 

“It’s kind of fun watching her experience these things for the first time with a childlike joy.”

 

“Hachiko, when you’re done with that, I have more for you.”

 

“More!?!?!!!! I can’t believe youuuu’re doing all this for me.”

 

 “Were you planning to wear that ripped up dress forever?”

 

Hachiko put her head down and tried to play it off.

 

“No. I was going to go do that shopping thing youuuu mentioned.”

 

“Really? By yourself?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And you think you would know where to go?”

 

Hachiko nodded frantically.

 

“Do you have money to go shopping?”

 

“Money? What’s that?”

 

“So you were going to go shopping with no money?”

 

“Youuuuu don’t barter for items? I thought youuuu huuuumans give livestock in exchange for goods.”

 

“Ha! Are you from the 1700s or something?”

 

“I think so.”

 

Duh. What a dumbass I was. That joke was actually more real than I meant it to be.

She really is like that old, if not older.

 

“Sorry Hachiko. Yes in your time they did that but over time humans made this thing called money that is used for most exchanges of goods. But where do you think you’re finding clothes for an 8 foot tall woman?”

 

“Right. Youuuu’re supposedlye tall for a huuuuuuman but youuuu’re not really that tall/

 

“Hey!”. 

 

Hachiko sat with her arms crossed, looking like she was deep in thought and started muttering her thoughts.

 

“Huuuumans made this thing called money? They uuuuuse it for goods? So I need to get this money to get clothes and show Kazuuuu I can do it myself. But I’m taller than the tall huuuuuuuman so how does that work? And I only have my ripped dress so I can't really go out shopping like those dignified ladies I uuuused to see. But that’s like 200 years ago. The shopping district must be different now. Wait I’m a monster, can I even go shopping? But I want to show Kazuuu I can do it. Then when I do it, he’ll have to say I did good and pat me on the head like before. Maybe even twice.”

 

Hachiko turned beet red as I started walking over to her. I probably could have been nicer but I ended up flicking her on the forehead.

 

“KAZUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!”

 

“You were lost in thought and I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”

 

“Dummy!”

 

“Ha! That’s the first time you talked back like that.”

 

“Well youuuuu’re a dummy!”

 

Hachiko stuck her tongue out at me.

 

“That’s one long tongue. Now I see why you drag your U when you speak.”

 

I guess she was surprised by the comment, she covered her mouth with both hands. I started laughing at her and she swatted at me.

 

She still had her hands over her mouth but it sounded like she was trying to say, “Youuuu’re mean Kazuuuuu.”

 

“Not like you can hide it now. I already saw it.”

Hachiko crossed her arms and started pouting. I’ll never get over the sight of an 8 foot tall creature pouting like a kid. She can be pretty temperamental.

 

I turned around and grabbed my bag to pull out the tracksuit that I picked out on the shopping trip with Maki. I have a feeling it’ll be short on her though. Even the tallest basketball player isn’t 8 feet tall. And they definitely aren’t built like her.

 

“So how long are you going to keep pouting?”

 

“How long are youuuu going to be mean?”

“I wasn’t trying to be mean Hachi.”

“I know.”

After saying that she stuck her tongue at me again. I did the only thing I could. I laughed.

So I handed her the tracksuit and she looked awkwardly at it like it’s something she never could have imagined being made. Of course I had to explain it to her.

“Hachiko. Look, this one here is the top and this one is pants.”

“Wait a minute Kazuuuu. I’m a woman. I can’t wear pants?! That would be improper.”

“I keep forgetting you’re like 800 years old.”

“HEY!!”

“Look Hachiko. Women of this era wear all different types of clothing including pants. Just try it on for me. Okay?.”

Hachiko got up and tried to get the pants on but as I thought, it would be a bit tight at the hip. She whipped her head around so fast to look at me. Never seen such an intense glare from her before.

“Kazuuuuu, if you say anything I’m going to eat you.”

“But I didn----”

“No laughing either!”

“It’s not my fault you can’t... get it past... your hips.”

Hachiko snarled at me. I guess I deserved that one.

“Okay, okay. Let me try to help you.” 

I tried to get enough room for me to get my hand inside the waistband. I was thinking that maybe she didn’t loosen the string that makes them tighter and I was right. So I pulled the string to loosen it and she tried again to get it over her hips.

“That string I pulled was to loosen the waistband. But my sister may have been right. Your height exceeds anything common for a human. We had to go to a specialty shop to find something that might fit you and even that is tight in the hips. Though that’s okay since it’s just me and you in here.”

“But aren’t women suuuupposed to be more modest? Not show their figuuure to a man?”

“Says the woman who was naked…”

She bashfully put her head down and said “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hachiko. You’d be surprised at what women wear these days. I guess some women still believe that though. But usually it’s women who believe they have something to hide or lack confidence in most cases as opposed to not showing a man their figure.”

“Hmmm… Even though it’s ummmm…  kind of snug at the hips.”

 

I knew it wouldn’t really fit her but at least it’s close. Kind of looks like very snug capri pants on her..

 

“Here, put this on.”

 

Hachiko got the concept of the jacket quick. She put it on and stuck her hand out.

 

“Where’s that glass thingie youuuu have? Mirror right?”

 

 I held up the mirror so she could see herself in her new outfit.

 

“Hmmmm… I don’t know about this tracksuit thing?”

 

“Not comfortable?”

 

“I guess so.”

 

“It was traditionally made as a warm up suit for people who run track.”

 

“Run track?”

 

“Right, you’re 1000 years old. You wouldn’t know that.”

 

“HEY!”

 

“I’ll explain all that at a later date, okay?”

 

“Isn’t this kind of short Kazuuuu?”

 

“Well it’s just something for you to wear around here. Not like it’s easy shopping for someone so tall. Humans don’t usually get that tall. The clothes you’ll be wearing when we go out will be custom made to fit.”

 

“Kazuuuuuuuuuuu.”

 

Hachiko started walking over to me and puts her hands under my arms and picked me up. 

 

“What the hell?!”

 

There was nowhere I could go since I was now like a foot off the floor. She pressed me against the wall so that we were face to face.

 

“Hachiko!?!!?”

 

“I’m happy Kazuuuu! Really happy you would do this for me! I don’t know what to do!”

 

“So you pinned me against the wall!?”

 

“What do huuuuumans do?! Tell me! Tell me!”

 

“Why does this remind me of the snu snu episode of Futurama…”

 

“Crap did I say that out loud?”

 

“Snuuuuu Snuuuuuuu?! What’s that?!”

 

“I will add it to the playlist I have for you. I’m going to leave you my old phone so you can play videos and see what it’s like in the outer world now. This way you’ll know what to do when we go out. I’ll also add in stuff for entertainment like Futurama.”

 

Hachiko already had me pinned to the wall and then she leaned in closer, so close our noses were touching.

 

“What do I do Kazuuuu? What do I do!?!? I want to show my appreciation. Express my strong feeling of admiration. Thank you for caring so much about me. What do I do?"

 

"How about a kiss?"

 

"That thing youuuu did to my forehead?!"

 

"Something like that but this time. Mouth to mouth."

 

"Show me. Show me."

 

"There are many ways to kiss."

 

Hachiko nodded frantically.

 

"Usually a kiss on the mouth would imply some type of stronger feeling than on the forehead."

 

Hachiko kept nodding to show her understanding.

 

"You know you have sharp teeth right? So close your lips."

 

Hachiko complied and closed her mouth. 

 

"Close your eyes and loosen your grip a little so I can move."

 

Hachiko closed her eyes and loosened her grip somewhat but she's trembling with excitement.

 

I leaned in and gave her a quick peck.

 

"That's it?! No more!?"

 

Kazuhito leans in and kisses her again but this time longer. About 5 seconds longer.

 

"I think I like this. We'll have to do this more."

 

"Hey! You know I have to agree right?"

 

"So youuuu don't want to kiss me again?"

 

Hachiko slowly put her head down. 

 

"Stupid Kazuhito. Stupid. Why can't I ever say things right."

 

"Look Hachiko, that came out wrong. Forget I said it."

 

"I wouuuuldn’t blame youuuu if youuuu didn't want to Kazuuuuu. I'm a monster. I'm probably very scary to youuuu even if youuuu do all this for me."

 

Hachiko slowly put me back down on the ground.

 

"I think I'm getting sleepy Kazuuuu."

 

I sat on the ground and motioned for Hachiko to come over.

 

"Come lay next to me."

 

"Okay Kazuuu."

 

Hachiko was moving slowly to come lay next to me. She was still somewhat upset from earlier since I bungled my words.

 

"Look, I didn't mean I wouldn't want to kiss you again but you were being kind of demanding. It wasn't like you."

 

"I just feel so strongly about my feelings towards youuuu Kazuuuu. I hope youuuu never leave me."

 

“Wow.”

 

I didn’t know what to say after that. She finally laid next to me and I started stroking her hair as she tried to get comfortable, resting her head on my lap. She was clearly about to go to sleep.

 

"Kazuuuuuuu?"

 

"What is it Hachiko?"

 

"Do youuu...think...a huuuuman can ever...fall in love with a monster like me?"

 

And before you could even blink, she fell asleep. She really does just crash when it comes to sleep.

 

"One may have fallen for you already, Hachiko."

 

I slowly tried to slide away without disturbing her. I found the rice sack pillow I made for her, I grabbed it and slid it under her head. 

 

"Sleep well Hachiko. Next time I come, I'll have an amazing outfit for you so we can go out together."

 

And with that, I left the vault and headed home.

 

Thank you for reading to this point so far, wasn't even sure I'd post this much of the story. But for now this is where I will be taking a bit of a break from posting. I'm tightening up the final chapters and doing more edits. I do plan to have a Kickstarter in January for this story but things may change. Also working on new art for the story too so it's the complete experience. If you have comments, thoughts or reviews, feel free to leave them. I do read every one and sometimes reply too. Some of those comments are what helped craft the story.