Tsubasa stood up and softly clapped, catching both Dama's and Giona's attention. "Well, now that we got that out of the way," she announced as she intertwined her fingers, then cracked them, "it's time for Giona's checkup!"

Both Dama and Giona adopted a confused look in response, with Dama voicing their confusion. "Eh? Checkup? You never said anything about that?"

Tsubasa raised an eyebrow before adopting a sassy expression and putting her hands on her hips. "Did ya really think I was just gonna say hi, then buzz off without making sure there wasn't anything wrong with her?" She said with a sarcastic tone and an even more sarcastic wave of her hand.

"Well…" Dama muttered, making Tsubasa sigh.

Looking to Giona, Tsubasa offered a small smile. "Not only that, but I also think she could use a proper bath as well, since I'm pretty sure you never gave her one. It'll help her feel refreshed."

Dama's brow furrowed slightly before shooting straight up. "Huh, it never crossed my mind…"

Tsubasa smirked as she pinched her nose. "And yet, you're the one who smells the worst here, what did I tell you about that, hm~?"

"Hey!" Dama shouted in embarrassed agitation.

Before he could say anything else though, Tsubasa got up in his face, her smirk growing in size. "Oh yeah? When's the last time you took a bath? Don't lie~!"

Stunned, Dama could only stutter as his face glowed redder, until he flicked his head to the side, avoiding his granny's gaze in defiant defeat. "...I skipped last night's bath, happy?"

Chuckling, Tsubasa patted Dama on the head as she said, "Happens to the cleanest of us, and don't take it to heart dear, it's only a faint tinge of sweat I smell. Sweat I imagine coming from you walking all the way from here to the village and back."

As Dama pouted, showing his embarrassment, Tsubasa chuckled again as she ruffled his hair. "Even then, boy, you're starting to get to that age where you'll be sweating a lot more, especially in certain places, so I'll need you to keep up with your hygiene." She said before turning to Mumu nearby. "Mumu, dear, I'm entrusting you to make sure he takes a bath everyday, alright?"

Mumu simply nodded as he pumped his arms in the air. Tsubasa could practically hear him say: "You can count on me!" causing her to smile.

She then turned back to Dama. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to use your bathroom for Giona. Would that be okay?"

Dama dropped the pout and shrugged, his tone warm. "Of course. You can use anything and everything here, you don't even have to ask, Granny Tsu."

"Thank you," Tsubasa's gaze softened as she added, "could you also heat up some water for the bath? While you do, I'll do the checkup."

"Gotcha!" Dama stood up from the bed, his one arm swinging slightly as he moved. "Come on Mumu! Help me with the spare cauldron!"

As Dama and Mumu went about preparing bath water, Tsubasa turned her full attention to Giona, who looked like she wanted to shrink into the bed. "Giona," Tsubasa said softly, "I'm just going to check on a few things. There's no need to be nervous."

Giona's fingers tightened on the sweater she wore. "Check…up?"

Tsubasa reached out, her hand resting lightly on Giona's. "It's important to make sure how healthy you are. I promise to be gentle, and if you're uncomfortable at any point, just tell me, alright?"

Giona hesitated, still a bit lost, then gave a small nod. "Al… Alwright…"

"Thank you, Giona." Tsubasa's voice was warm as she began.

She started with simple observations. "Alright, Giona, now I need you to open your mouth for me so I can take a quick look inside. Do you think you can do that?"

Giona blinked, tilting her head slightly, unsure of what Tsubasa meant. Tsubasa chuckled softly and demonstrated, opening her own mouth wide and saying, "Ahhhhhh" in an exaggerated but friendly tone.

Giona stared for a moment before her lips curved into a small smile. Mimicking Tsubasa's motion, she opened her mouth and let out a soft, tentative, "Ahhhh…"

"That's perfect~!" Tsubasa praised, leaning in closer to examine Giona's mouth. Her expression remained calm, though the sight within made her heart ache.

The inside of Giona's mouth showed the toll of her captivity. Her teeth, though intact, were discolored and coated with a layer of grime from a lack of proper care. Her gums looked pale and slightly recessed, a sign of malnutrition and neglect. The roof of her mouth had faint scars, possibly from injuries caused by improperly chewed food or other unknown causes.

Tsubasa's careful eyes scanned further, noting how dry her inner cheeks appeared, as if they hadn't been properly hydrated for a long time. Despite this, there were no infections or irreparable damage—something Tsubasa silently thanked the gods for.

Giona watched Tsubasa intently, her wide eyes tracking the older woman's movements, clearly trusting her despite the vulnerability of the moment.

Tsubasa sat back slightly and offered Giona a reassuring smile. "Thank you, Giona. You're doing so well. Your mouth needs some care, but don't worry, it's nothing we can't fix. A good diet, some water, and regular cleaning will make it much better in no time!"

Giona nodded slowly, her fingers absently tugging at the hem of her sweater as she processed Tsubasa's words.

Next on the list, Tsubasa wanted to see the extent of the damage that was being hidden under her bandages. "Giona, may I please have your left arm?" She said as she outstretched her hand.

Giona recognized the gesture, and immediately complied.

Now with Giona's arm in hand, Tsubasa found a loose bandage and used it to begin unwrapping her arm like a present—a present of sadness and sorrow. As Tsubasa examined Giona's exposed arm, she paused, her expression unreadable as she took in the faint scars and bruises that marred the girl's pale skin.

She didn't comment, only putting a hand over her scars and closing her eyes. There, Tsubasa stayed for a solid minute, confusing Giona. Right as Giona's lips parted to speak, she would be beaten by Tsubasa saying something rather cryptic: "All in your name, Goddess Helia…"

Tsubasa then took in a deep breath and opened her eyes with a warm smile. "Just saying a prayer, dear, that's all." she said in response to Giona's confused expression, her touch remaining kind, her voice never wavering. "You're stronger than you realize, dear, you know that?"

Leaving Giona to comprehend her words, Tsubasa finally checked Giona's skin and muscles. "The color of her skin isn't deathly pale, but it's still concerning. Her muscles are all atrophied too—however, all of this looks to be reversible at least…"

Tsubasa then placed one of her ears to Giona's chest, wrapping her arms around Giona's back to keep her steady—an action that elicited a high pitched yelp from the surprised girl.

Rhythmic beats like a drum snaked their way into Tsubasa's ears. "Hmmmm… Your heartbeat is there, but it's a bit too faint." She said aloud as she sat back up. "Nothing dangerous, and can be easily explained from lack of movement."

Curious as to what Tsubasa was talking about, Giona placed a hand on the same spot Tsubasa pressed her head against. "Hart…beat…?" Giona murmured to herself, a bit confused as to why she felt nothing when Tsubasa did.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Don't feel anything?" Tsubasa asked out of the blue, catching Giona's attention. Smiling, she then took Giona's hand and placed it on her own chest.

Giona's eyes widened as she felt the steady thrum of Tsubasa's heartbeat beneath her palm. It was warm, rhythmic, and alive—something entirely new to her. She stared in awe, her cheeks flushing with a soft pink hue as excitement and wonder filled her expression.

"That," Tsubasa said gently, using the moment to teach, "is a heartbeat. It's the sound and feeling of life. You have one too, Giona—it's inside you, just like mine."

Giona blinked, her gaze darting between her hand on Tsubasa's chest and her own. Slowly, she placed her free hand over her own chest again, mirroring the spot where Tsubasa had listened earlier.

At first, she felt nothing, but as her excitement grew, a faint rhythm began to emerge—light and fast, like a tiny drum racing to keep up with her emotions.

Her lips parted in surprise, then a smile bloomed across her face, her eyes sparkling with childlike wonder.

"Do you feel it now?" Tsubasa said, chuckling at Giona's obvious glee. "It's responding to your excitement."

"I…feel it…!" Giona whispered, almost as if speaking would make it disappear.

Tsubasa's heart softened at the sight, a warm smile spreading across her face. She placed a supportive hand on Giona's shoulder. "That's your heart and its beat, Giona. It's been there all along, quietly working to keep you alive."

Soon after though, as quickly as Giona's smile had appeared, her expression shifted. Her brow furrowed slightly, and confusion flickered across her face.

Concerned, Tsubasa tilted her head. "What's wrong, dear?"

The girl didn't answer. Her eyes were focused, yet she was lost in thought, and her hand began to move absently over Tsubasa's chest.

Tsubasa's concern deepened as she watched, trying to decipher Giona's intent. Then, realization dawned when she noticed Giona's hand drifting to unfamiliar territory—Giona's hand had found Tsubasa's breast.

To Giona, the discovery was entirely new and strange. She poked at the soft mound curiously, tilting her head as if trying to understand what it was.

Her fascination only grew when she realized how bouncy it was, and then even more so when she found there were two. Without hesitation, her other hand reached up to cup the other one.

Tsubasa froze, her breath catching in her throat. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was completely at a loss for words—or actions. The situation was so unexpected, so absurd, that her mind raced to process what was happening.

"She…must not know what breasts are…" Tsubasa thought to herself, her cheeks heating slightly as she let out a nervous laugh. The image of Giona's innocent, captivated expression was both endearing and bewildering.

Giona, oblivious to Tsubasa's reaction, continued her exploration with wide-eyed curiosity.

Tsubasa finally managed to clear her throat and gently, but firmly, removed Giona's hands. "Giona," she said, her voice kind but flustered, "those are…well, those are called breasts. They're a part of my body."

Giona blinked, tilting her head as she processed the explanation. "Bwe…asts?" she repeated, her innocent confusion evident.

"Y-Yes." Tsubasa said, offering a reassuring smile despite her lingering awkwardness. "They're normal for us girls to have. It's not polite to touch them without asking, though."

Giona nodded slowly, her curiosity sated for now, though she did look down at her own chest. "Sowwy…"

Tsubasa chuckled softly, patting Giona's head. "It's alright, you didn't know." She said with a warm tone before getting closer to Giona. "And either way, let this be a lesson to not let anyone do that to you in the future, okay? If anyone does, you come to me. I'll handle the rest!"

Giona nodded, but her gaze still fell upon her own chest, cupping the areas breasts should be.

Seeing this, Tsubasa took Giona's hands into her own. "Don't worry dear, you seem to be around the same age as Dama, they'll come in the near future. Once they do, I'll make sure to tell you all about their purpose and much more! I promise."

Hearing those words, specifically the kindness behind them rather than the words themselves, Giona's lips curled into a faint, yet hopeful smile. "P… Pwo… Pr—Promise…"

"That's right," Tsubasa whispered warmly as she took Giona into a soothing embrace, "just like what Dama taught you, a promise. Promises are made to be kept and are a symbol of one's care for another. I care for you, Mumu and Nini care for you, and I have no doubt Dama cares for you too."

"Care…?" Giona repeated.

Tsubasa pulled back on the hug and took Giona's hands into her own once more, her entire body radiating a distinct feeling of safety to the girl. "Mhm, or in other words, love. Caring and loving one another is how we bring out the best in everyone around us and grow together—that's what most people call a 'family'. And someday, there will be someone in your life that you'll love more than anything else in the world." Tsubasa said before abruptly chuckling and closing her eyes. "Gosh, I can already see it now…"

Tsubasa's aura was unlike anything Giona had ever encountered. It was soft, yet firm—like a sturdy tree that offered shade from the sun and shelter from the rain.

There was a certain warmth to it, not the kind that came from a fire like the one in the fireplace, but a different kind of warmth that made Giona's chest feel light and calm. It was like the warmth she felt from Dama, but not at the same time.

Just like Dama's warmth, it wasn't something she could touch or see, but it wrapped around her all the same like a soothing blanket, making her feel safe.

However, since it was the first time she experienced such a thing, Giona's head began to swirl with questions and uncertainty—mainly why did being near Tsubasa make her feel like this?

It was strange and confusing, a part of her naturally reacting to the unknown aspect with fear. Yet, she didn't want to let go. The way Tsubasa spoke, the way she smiled, the way she laughed—Giona couldn't describe it, but it made her want to lean in closer, to hold onto her, to her words, like a treasure.

Before Giona knew it, she was hugging Tsubasa, her body clinging tightly onto her new mother figure of its own accord. Realizing what she did, she attempted to pull back just like Dama did with her earlier, but mainly out of confusion instead of Dama and his embarrassment.

But, Tsubasa simply placed a hand on the back of Giona's head and rubbed her back with the other, stopping Giona from pulling away. "I love you too, dear. I want you to remember this. We may not know what or where your birth family is, but you can think of me, Dama, Mumu, and Nini as your family now."

Giona's eyes widened, tears starting to form as the warmth she felt from Tsubasa magnified after hearing those words. Her head drooped to the side as she could feel her body practically melt within Tsubasa's embrace. It felt like something she had been missing without ever knowing it—and now that she had it, she tightened her grip on Tsubasa, hoping she would never lose such a thing.

"Pfft, at this rate, you'll become her familiar Granny, hehehee~!" Dama teasingly exclaimed from behind, excited to throw Tsubasa's remark back at her for once.

Still rubbing the back of Giona's head, Tsubasa turned to Dama. "Ah shut it, boy. Is it ready?"

Stepping aside to reveal Mumu behind him, a proud Dama put a hand on Mumu's belly before answering, "Yes ma'am! The water was boiled to cleanse, then we filled the bath area! I suggest letting it simmer down though, might still be a bit too hot, especially at her state."

"You're right," Tsubasa looked up, her smile grateful, "thank you, Dama. I'll take care of everything from here."

Tsubasa's gaze fell back on Giona, who had looked up at Dama's voice, as she carefully considered her next move. Seeing how frail Giona's body was, she wondered if it was even safe to lift her from the bed.

A flicker of doubt crossed her face, but then her ears perked up and tail wagged, an idea sparking in her mind. She turned back to Dama and Mumu, tilted her head cutely and called softly, "Mumu? Can you come here for a moment?"

Mumu's little ears twitched at the sound of her voice and waddled over. Tsubasa could tell from his slow movements that Mumu was carefully assessing the situation.

"I need you to help me move Giona," Tsubasa explained, gesturing toward the bed, "can you carry her to the bathroom for me?"

Mumu paused, studying Giona and Tsubasa with a discerning gaze. He seemed to be calculating the best way to accomplish the task without causing Giona any discomfort.

After a few moments, Mumu extended both of his arms onto the bed, laying them flat like a makeshift stretcher. He looked at Giona and gave a soft, encouraging gesture, beckoning her to climb on.

Giona instinctively backed up, her eyes wide. It wasn't fear of Mumu—she knew he posed no danger—but the uncertainty of the situation made her hesitate. She didn't know what to expect, and the unknown was frightening.

Noticing Giona's reluctance, Tsubasa began rubbing the back of her head again. The soft, comforting gesture seemed to ease some of Giona's tension. "It's alright, Giona," Tsubasa murmured, her voice soothing, "I'm right here. You don't have to be afraid."

With care, Tsubasa scooped Giona up into her arms, holding her in a secure bridal position while still seated on the bed. She then gently placed her onto Mumu's outstretched arms.

Mumu adjusted his hold, cradling Giona in a similar bridal style. The care in his movements was evident and mirrored Tsubasa's as he began to waddle toward the bathroom situated at the back of the house, carrying Giona with diligence. Dama helped by making his way to the door and opening it for Mumu.

Tsubasa watched them go, a soft smile on her lips. "Giona's going to be just alright here." She thought as she stood and followed them.

Upon entering the bathroom, she paused and peeked out into the main room, catching sight of Dama heading towards his bed. "Just want you to know I'm so proud of you, boy. This won't take long." She commented, causing Dama to look back with a beaming smile. Before he could say anything though, Tsubasa switched from a grateful tone to a mischievous one, her facial expression shifting along with it. "And don't you dare peek~!" She teased before closing the door.

Dama's cheeks flushed as he stood, stuttering. "H-Hey!" was all he could get out, his embarrassment surging even more when he heard Tsubasa's cackle from inside the bathroom.

-

Next: (Chapter 10.5) All In the Mind

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