"I- I'm Kenshin, nice to meet you." Kenshin reached out his hand through the bars. Larry firmly grasped the extended hand. "Nice to meet you too." The smile on his face sent shivers down Kenshin's spine.
"Leave it to me, Kenshin." Makoto, took the wire contraption she had made and put it in the lock. "You're really impressive as always, Makoto." Makoto blushed. "Hehehee, yes I am." With a few minutes passing by, Makoto managed to open the lock. "Ta-daa, this is how it's done."
"Come on out, Larry." Kenshin looked at Larry with a smile. "You're finally free."
"Oh yes, I'm free." Larry stepped out with excitement in his steps. "I'M FREE." Larry jumped on Kenshin. "Thank you, Kenshin and Makoto."
"You're welcome." Makoto hugged Kenshin along with Larry. "I should hug my Kenshin-chan too and evaluate this situation." Kenshin reciprocated their embrace, wrapping his arm around both of them. This was the beginning of the friendship of these three little children.
"Why did they lock you up there, Larry?" Larry had come to the hut with Kenshin and Makoto. When Larry presented this request, Kenshin had initially had some thoughts, but he couldn't just leave Larry alone. After consulting with Makoto, they gave a positive response to the situation. "Those guys said they would be my friends. I had fun with them. They made me do some work, and in the end, they locked me up there. A friend should listen to his friend. I stayed there for a long time, they brought food sometimes..."
"Oh, this situation..."
"It's pitiful."
"Yes, it is."
Kenshin tried to think about what he could do for Larry. Was the best solution to involve Larry with Makoto as well? "There's no need to be upset. Look, true friends eventually find each other, don't they? That's what matters."
"Y- yes, that's what matters." Would they involve Larry in these matters? Was that the right thing to do? He couldn't allow Larry to dirty his hands. "Do you have a place to stay, Larry?" Larry started to think. "Hmm, I don't think so... um... can I stay with you?... friends..." What Kenshin feared had come true. How would they keep Larry with them? "Don't worry, Kenshin." Makoto wrapped her arms around Kenshin's neck. Kenshin began to relax with the feeling Makoto gave him. Makoto leaned in close to his ear. "Whatever you decide, I'll be there for you. Don't be afraid, Kenshin, we'll handle it." Makoto's words always restored Kenshin's confidence. "O- okay, Larry, you can stay with us, but there are some things you need to know..." He had to be honest with Larry.
"Of course, as long as I'm with my friends."
"W- we're considered criminals, but we're heroic ones. We only commit crimes against bad guys. We take care of them and steal from them. That's how we live." Kenshin eagerly awaited Larry's reaction.
"I understand, No problem."
"What?" Wasn't this too simple?
"So, I'll help you. After all, we're friends, hehehee."
"Are you sure, Larry? If you want, you can just wait here for us. We can handle things. You don't need to get your hands dirty."
Larry opened his hands and began to look at his palms. "Don't worry, my hands are already dirty." He closed his palms, his smile turning bitter. There were things that needed to be learned about Larry.
"I see... I understand, Larry, but if you want, you really don't have to--"
"I'll do it." Kenshin realized he couldn't keep Larry away from these tasks anymore.
"Alright then, Larry, let's get to know each other nicely until our next job." Makoto reached out her hand to Larry with a smile. Larry responded in kind. Despite Kenshin's reluctance to involve Larry in these matters, there was nothing more to be done.
"Where will I sleep?" It was time for sleep. The sky had darkened. Kenshin couldn't think of an answer to this question before Makoto jumped in with a response. "Can you sleep on the couch, Larry?"
"Of course." Larry replied with a smile.
"Then it's settled."
"B- but Makoto--"
"Shhh!" Makoto silenced Kenshin with her finger and leaned in close to his ear. "There's only enough space in that bed for two people. You and me, there's no room for anyone else." Kenshin felt ashamed for Larry, but Makoto was right. That bed was an important space for Makoto and himself. "Goodnight, Larry."
"Goodnight, Makoto."
"Goodnight, Larry."
"Goodnight, Kenshin."
Makoto and Kenshin hugged each other and fell asleep together. There was no place for Larry in that bed.
Makoto slowly began to open her eyes, feeling a sense of emptiness. Kenshin, who should have been in her arms, was missing. She tried to find Kenshin by opening and closing her arms, but he wasn't there. Her eyes fully opened. Where was Kenshin? She lifted her head and scanned the inside of the hut. She stopped scanning the surroundings with the shadow looming over Larry. What was Kenshin doing there?
"You're a danger. I need to eliminate you. Everyone is a danger, I need to eliminate everyone."
Makoto's eyes widened. It had shown itself again. After several years, the entity she couldn't name had reappeared. Kenshin raised his arm. The knife in his hand was aimed at Larry. Makoto quickly got up and grabbed Kenshin's arm. "I've got you, entity whose name I don't know."
"What?" Kenshin was bewildered. "N- no."
"Yes, it's time to learn everything now."
The twin had revealed himself again. There was no escape. "Makoto... how?"
"It didn't take me long to feel Kenshin's absence." Makoto smiled. The twin's teeth were chattering. He had hidden his presence for a long time to avoid being caught, and as soon as he revealed himself again, Makoto caught him. Should she kill him too? No, that would hurt Kenshin. He needed to lose his existence.
Makoto suddenly caught Kenshin as he fell on her. The twin had vanished. Makoto hadn't been able to learn anything more about him.