The surface.
The generational hope of monsterkind, bathed in sunlight, obtained at the death of 6 human children, nearly 7. However, through some strange miracle the barrier was shattered, and through the same defiant magic, Chujin and Clover alike were brought back to the realm of the living. The surface was before them all, and while Chujin expected humanity to throw them all back into the dark any day, that day never arrived.

Chujin settled into his surface workshop after dinner, pouring through components and memories in search of answers. He tolerated the human’s frequent presence, at both Kanako and Ceroba’s request, but the child’s behavior struck him as odd. He wanted to believe that at least this one human wasn’t a threat, was no danger to his family with the praise everyone heaped upon him, but something didn’t sit right with Chujin. The way Clover’s hands shook around monsters, the clear guilt he carried in his averted eyes; something didn’t add up with this human.

Or maybe Chujin had it wrong, there were good monsters and bad ones out there, Clover had proven himself to be unique from his kind through his sacrifice hadn’t he?
Clover’s sacrifice. A tale that was recounted through his wife's tears upon Chujin’s return. It was clearly just, wasn’t it? Recompense for all of monsterkind’s suffering at the hands of humanity? Wrongs righted after so very long… The idea settled poorly in Chujin’s gut. What kind of child willingly casts himself into oblivion for the sake of others?

Chujin's thoughts were interrupted by a crashing sound from the other side of the house, followed by Ceroba yelling Clover’s name in surprise. Chujin threw down his current project, dashing out of the workshop, steps crashing against the hardwood floor. Had he misjudged already? He was a fool to let his guard down, to let this human around his home so casually. He rounded the corner, heart racing as Ceroba cried out once more, pleading for Clover to stop, her voice laced with fear.

He ground to a halt in the dining room, as he spotted Ceroba with a look of fear? Hatred? Guilt? Kanako was hiding behind her mother, sharing Ceroba’s expression as she peeked out from behind her kimono. There was blood, not dust on the floor, a shattered plate with a thin red smear leading just out of his line of sight. Kanako called out to Chujin, tears streaking down her face.

“Daddy!” she ran across the room wrapping her arms around his leg, “Something w-wrong with Clover.” Chujin nodded, ready to reassure her, but with a hiccuping sob she continued, “He’s, he’s hurt daddy, and he won't let mommy get close.”

Chujin's eyes went wide, but he gripped his composure for Kanako, ushering her to stay back as he looked back up at Ceroba, suddenly recognizing her expression for what it was. Yes there was fear on her face, but not for herself. The lines of worry were etched clear as day, as her attention remained largely focused on the corner of the room obscured to Chujin.

He stepped forward, eyes tracing the crimson trail as fight or flight screamed in his veins. He took stock of the human as he came into view, huddled on the ground against the wall, blood oozing from a gash on his hand as he stared with unseeing… hatred? No, that wasn’t right. He tried piecing together what was was seeing clinically as he crouched lower to appear less threatening. Odd, shouldn’t he be standing tall to protect his family? Clover's fists were drawn into a white knuckle grip despite the injury, exacerbating the bleeding as it pooled around him soaking into his clothing. His eyes were dilated, but his jaw was clenched, stifling the sound of his rapid, staggered breathing.

Reality slammed into Chujin like a train as his gut twisted at the sight. The kid was terrified, out of his mind with fear. Did he even recognize where he was? Chujin crept closer, keeping his hands where Clover could see them as he spoke, “Uh… h-hey kid, are you ok?” Chujin didn’t really know what to say at a time like this. Could the kid even hear him? As Chujin got within reach, his soul was at war with itself. He knew how dangerous a scared human could be,

Clover’s voice hitched into his panicked breathing as he pleaded quietly, “P-please.” He shielded himself, pressing his injured fist against his face, blocking out the world as he sobbed, “Please. Please not again.”

Chujin closed the distance steadily, his own voice shaking as he tried to reassure him, “Listen kid- Listen Clover, I need you to look at me.” Chujin placed a hand on Clover’s arm, causing him to jolt, pleading once more as he tried to pull away. Chujin continued, grip steady to keep the kid from hurting himself any further as he continued, “I’m not going to hurt you kid. I- please just.” Chujin was out of his depth, how do you fix something like this? He looked down at the terrified child and thought back to Kanako, how she would come to Ceroba when she had nightmares.

“Let’s talk about it Clover, what did you see?”

It was a moment before he said anything, but eventually the dam broke. His face twisted in grief, as tears poured from his face. He tried to open his mouth to answer, to speak of the terrible things he’d seen, but all he could do was apologize for everything he’d ever done. For not being good enough. For not doing more, sooner. He begged for forgiveness until words failed him, and exhaustion took him.

-

Chujins hands shook as he finished bandaging Clovers hand.
What kind of child willingly casts himself into oblivion for the sake of others?
What kind of man lets a child suffer like this in front of him?