"...Alright then, what's your wish ? I'll grant it in exchange of someth-"

"Pock.. please don't ask me like that, you're not Hanako kun of the toilet..."

Porco exhales as he rests his hands on his hips. His best friend only looks at him softly, "my wish is.. for you to not hate Mr. Ackerman."

The blonde releases a sigh for the second time.

"No. You can hate me if you want."

Both Porco and (Y/n)'s eyes darted to Levi in shock and confusion as the man said so, Levi then continued, "but please, keep watching over us."

(Y/n) squeals internally, holding back the blood to rush into her cheeks. She grabs a hold of Levi's wrist, "come on. Let's get you some tea to drink, as well as some proper medicine. I bet you have indigestion from eating all that pork belly." The secretary trotted off, dragging her boss away from Porco and Falco.

The one who has been silent almost all the time, Falco, finally speaks up, "I guess it's from eating too much to win points and gain trust from you, huh ?"

"Well, no one told that rich boy to eat that much."

"To be honest, I'm a bit surprised." The younger boy admitted, "he looked so full of himself on the news, even Gabi said so, but.. Here he is, trying so hard even putting up with your bullying. He really must be serious about Auntie (Y/n). Don't you think so too ?"

Porco purses his lips, hating the fact that Falco is showing a point, "it's just the sexual dysfunction part that bothers me. But overall, I think he's not that.. bad." The blonde murmured.

"I guess you're ready to be Mr. Ackerman's brother in law then." Falco grins.

"His what ??!! Hell no, not so soon !"

"Come on, I like Mr. Ackerman ! I think he's destined to be with auntie. He seems like a gentleman. Don't you agree with me ?"

With that, Porco stomps his foot to the mudflat, creating a messy splatter of mud to every direction.

------------------------------------

"What do you think ? Are these clam dishes delicious ? I hope it suits your liking, sir !" Falco chirped.

Accompanied by the calming breeze of the sea, the four enjoy some dishes they made out of the clams that they collected earlier. Sitting together on the patio that's part of the inn (Y/n)'s staying at.

"Yes," Levi nods, "I'll make sure to join you next year as well."

The blonde rolls his eyes, "ha. We'll see about that, rich boy."

"Do you brats always spend your holiday here, digging up clams ? "

"Yes, usually dad's always here with us, too. But he can't come since he has a concert coming up." (Y/n) replied.

The vice president goes silent for a while, "I must say, this is a unique family tradition." The man himself never had this kind of family gathering before. He has so many important things to do, "when did this tradition start ?"

As if on cue, Porco puts down his utensils right after Levi asks about that, "(Y/n), do you mind getting my chili pepper from my bag ? It's stuffed in my backpack, right at the corner of my room. I can't eat without that damn pepper."

"Sure thing !"

(Y/n) ditches her plate as she makes her way inside to get what Porco asked her.

After a few seconds of making sure that she's no longer in sight, Porco faces the CEO, "I promised her mom."

"Promise ?" Levi raises an eyebrow.

The blonde shuts his eyes before opening them again, ready to reveal a little bit of his best friend's past, "it was when (Y/n) was 4 years old. Her dad wanted to try out for the beach music festival, they even borrowed their neighbor's car. It was her mom's birthday too. I was invited, since they think of me as their second child, almost like a brother to (Y/n). We then dropped by the beach to play around. I gotta admit, it was fun and unforgettable. It was the day (Y/n) laughed and smiled so much."

"While (Y/n) and her dad were busy looking for clams, her mom came to me. She looked straight through my soul, asking for a favor that'll have to last for my whole lifetime."

----

"Porco, dear, I'd do everything to make her happiness last. And I want you to take part in it too. So please.. watch over my little (Y/n). Make sure she has all the happiness in this world, protect her from all the bad things in this world. Be it a grey sky or sunny day, be there for her, okay ?"

----

He releases a shaky breath, "but then several days after we visited the beach, her mom passed away in a way that.. seemed to plant a trauma in (Y/n). Thus I kept that promise, to always make (Y/n) happy. That's why I take her to this beach every year."

"Hold on.." Levi slowly connected the dots, "then today is.."

"Yes. It's her mom's birthday."

Porco locks gaze with the CEO, "Her mom's death becomes the source of the trauma. It hurts me to know about that. I wish I could do something to prevent it, that's why I always take (Y/n) here, to refresh her happiest memories. And.. I'm sorry if I hurt you today. I could see that you're truly a good person, and that you love (Y/n) very much."

"But I.." he proceeds, "I want (Y/n) to have a loving family because she lost her mother so early. That's why I was worried when I heard she's seeing someone who's far from average."

Levi straightens his posture, "I won't make you worry. It's also my wish, as much as yours, to see Ms. (L/n) happy."

Just in time, (Y/n) returns with a quite pissed off face, holding a small pepper bottle in her hand, waving it angrily at Porco. The blonde himself only smiles in relief, knowing that he managed to keep (Y/n) away for quite a long time. Long enough to tell Levi important things.

"BLOODY HELL POCK ! YOU COULD'VE TOLD ME WHERE EXACTLY YOU PUT THE DAMN PEPPER ! WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT YOU PUT IT AMONG YOUR STACKS OF UNDERWEAR ?!! I WASTED A LOT OF TIME ! YOU OWE ME A WHOLE NEW SET OF JUJUTSU KAISEN MANGA, ASSHOLE !"

----------------------------

Soon after (Y/n) had cooled down a bit, Levi took her to the coast, just the two of them.

"Looks like I've managed to get some points from your bro- Oh wait I just noticed that he isn't your real or blood related brother."

She giggled, "Yeah."

"This makes me happier than when I received a full set of cleaning products from Kenny on Christmas."

"But there's just one thing.." Levi proceeds, "if I'd known it was your late mother's birthday, I wouldn't have followed you here. Because this day should be spent just with your family."

The woman shook her head, "Nope, you came all the way here and doing that all for me made me really happy. And I'm sure it's the same for Porco too now that he knows what a good person you are. I usually spend the saddest day on mom's late anniversary, and the happiest on her birthday."

"I'm sure everyone in your family are all good people. I bet it was the same for your mother too." After saying this, Levi's words reminded himself of his mother, Kuchel, who is nothing but always kind to him. No matter how blunt or cold he is.

She nods, "you're right, she was a great person. A few days after we came to this beach. Mom.. was killed. She was shot when I waited outside the house, waiting for her to come home that night. Mom was just a few meters away when.. it happened," (Y/n) shudders, "that was the dreadful night in my life, to witness a part of the family I love passed away like that."

"It was in the middle of the storm, a downpour.. I can still feel the coldness from that night and hear the thunde- nevermind.. Mr. Ackerman ?" She called out to him.

"Hm ?"

"If you also have a painful past of your own, I hope I'll be able to hear it from you someday and give you the same comfort. Whenever that day is, I'll be waiting..."

"...because from now on, I'll be forever by your side."

Seeing the secretary smile up to him like he's everything to her, Levi's heart fluttered. He then pulls (Y/n) into his arms, giving her a warm and inviting embrace that she needs. In an instant, (Y/n) melts in his arms. She then presses the side of her face to his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

Thankful that he's alive, and came to her life..

-------------- A few hours later --------------

"Sirr... You should stay longer, since you came all the way here."

Falco whines as he sees (Y/n) and Levi getting ready to leave, the vice president himself is turning on the car engine.

The woman sends the boy an apologetic smile, "we told you already. Mr. Ackerman has a showcase to attend to."

"I'll visit you officially next time, well then excuse us." Levi opens the door for (Y/n) as she enters the car. He then closes the door and is about to head to the other side of the car when suddenly Porco grasps the vice president's sleeve.

"Take a good care of (Y/n) for me."

Porco's eyes widened when Levi bows at him, "I will. You have my word, Galliard."

---------------------- Meanwhile ----------- Trost - Same day --------------------

A doctor that goes by the name of Grisha Jaeger glares at his son intensely as they sit across from each other in silence.

"Son..."

Grisha softens his voice, trying to not startle the blonde in front of him that came from his flesh and blood. Grisha's wrinkly hand gently caresses a photo frame that rests on his lap, "I need to tell you something, so listen to what I say."

That pair of eyes behind his old round glasses trailed down to look at the photo.

"That day, 24 years ago......"

Zeke's breath hitches in anticipation, he rarely sees his father being like this.

The doctor reaches into his pocket, he pulls out something that seems like an old, dusty paper. Grisha unfolds the wrinkly paper in his hands, revealing a black and white photo of a young boy. You could tell that the boy was only a few inches away from death, since he was all bones. By the look of it, the boy didn't realize that someone took a photo of his horrible state. His tattered clothes and knife were the only things that he owned.

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"It wasn't you who was stuck at the bus stop that night , Zeke."