Dr. Vegapunk froze, his father's harsh words striking deep into his heart. For the first time, Los Punk's voice carried no warmth, no encouragement—only cold finality.
Taking advantage of his son's hesitation, Los Punk swiftly snatched the firefly from Vegapunk's arms.
"Vegapunk, go home," Los Punk said firmly, his tone devoid of emotion.
Nearby, Julius addressed Caesar with a similarly sharp tone. "Take your friends and leave immediately. You know what will happen if you linger."
But Vegapunk stood his ground. "I won't leave until you give her back!" His small frame trembled, but his voice rang with defiance.
The tension between father and son was palpable as they locked eyes. Neither blinked. The laboratory remained silent, save for the muffled cries of the firefly.
---
"Oops! Did we interrupt your family meeting?"
The sudden voice broke the silence, drawing everyone's attention to the laboratory door. A group of masked agents in crisp white uniforms entered with purpose.
Julius's face went pale. "Cipher Pol 5… Why are you here so late?"
The leader of the group stepped forward, his voice cold and demanding. "We're here to inspect the results of your experiments. According to the schedule, you should've been finished by now."
"This… we're just one step away," Julius stammered, sweat forming on his brow.
"Then show us the progress now," the agent commanded, his impatience cutting through the room.
Julius's gaze darted to his son. "Caesar, get out of here. Take your friends and don't come back."
Caesar nodded, fear evident in his expression. "Vegapunk, let's go! Please, don't make things worse."
But Vegapunk stood rooted. "Not without her."
Snap!
The sound of the slap echoed through the lab. Los Punk's hand trembled as Vegapunk staggered and fell to the ground.
"Enough of your defiance," Los Punk said, his voice low and strained. "This is bigger than you or me. Don't make me regret calling you my son."
Tears streamed down Los Punk's face, though he kept his head bowed, his expression hidden.
Vegapunk didn't feel the sting of the slap. Instead, a hollow emptiness settled within him, as though his father's words had shattered his very soul.
---
Outside, the night air was cold and biting, waking Vegapunk from his stupor.
"Are you dead or just sulking? Say something, so I know whether to bury you," Caesar muttered, shaking Vegapunk lightly. His words carried a clumsy kindness meant to snap his friend out of his daze.
Vegapunk sat up, his eyes brimming with determination. "We have to get her back. She doesn't belong there."
"Don't be stupid," Caesar argued, gripping Vegapunk's arm. "She's in the lab with our fathers. She'll be fine! You'll only get in trouble if you go back."
"No! She's not just some experiment. She's my responsibility," Vegapunk said, his voice resolute. "I'll ask Kaizen-san for help. He'll know what to do!"
Breaking free from Caesar's grip, Vegapunk ran down the street, his small figure cutting through the shadows.
"Vegapunk, wait up!" Caesar called, running after him.
Caesar often found himself chasing after Vegapunk, a figure always just out of reach. This was a chase he knew would last a lifetime.
---
When they arrived at the stone pillar, they found Kaizen carrying a wooden bucket filled with milk.
"Where were you? I was waiting here," Kaizen said, his voice as warm as the sunrise after a storm. "I couldn't find a bottle, so I brought the whole bucket." He scratched his head, offering a sheepish smile.
But Vegapunk collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"I lost her…" Vegapunk's voice broke as he sobbed uncontrollably. "I failed to protect her."
Kaizen set the bucket down and approached him, his stern yet kind voice cutting through the sorrow. "Crying won't fix anything, Vegapunk. If you give up now, how will you face what lies ahead?"
"But she's gone!" Vegapunk cried, his fists pounding the ground. "They took her, and I couldn't stop them!"
Caesar sighed, finally stepping in. "It's just Vegapunk being dramatic. My dad won't hurt her—she's safe in the lab. You'll just make things worse by going back."
Kaizen listened quietly, then smiled. "Let's get her back together."
Vegapunk looked up, hope flickering in his tear-streaked eyes. "You mean it?"
"Of course," Kaizen replied confidently.
"Are you two insane?" Caesar shouted, incredulous. "Do you even realize what you're saying?"
Kaizen simply chuckled, his determination unwavering. "It's settled then. Let's go."
---
The three of them walked into the night, their bond growing stronger with each step. Though fear lingered in the back of their minds, hope burned brighter. Together, they would face whatever came next.
---
TO BE CONTINUED.