Jay Kidman's Card story – The Hero's Job

[kozvme]

(... It's such a beautiful morning. The perfect weather for patrolling.
I'm going with Gray today... He is a kindhearted kid, so I think he can become a fine "hero", but as an adult I feel that he has little to no confidence. Well, he's just been admitted, so I'll keep an eye on his future growth.)

Jacqueline: ♪~♪~♪

Jay: ... Hm?

Jacqueline: Drawing, drawing is fun~♪ I'm drawing round and round, here!  I'm done-nano~♪

Jay: It's you, Jacqueline. Here to play?

Jacqueline: Jay-chama~! Good morning-nano~!

Jay: Morning. You seem to be in a very good mood, but what are you doing?

Jacqueline: You know, Jacqueline was drawing~! Here, take a look-nano~!

Jay: This is...

(A rabbit? No, it also looks like a cat... From a different angle, it kind of looks like a bear, too...)

Jacqueline: Ufufu, I drew it very well~!

Jay: T- That's right. I think it's a drawing that suits you.

Gray: ... Huh? Jay-san and, Jacqueline-san...?

Jay: Oh, Gray. Morning.

Gray: G- Good morning......

Jacqueline: I'll show it to you, too, Gray-chama~!

Gray: This is... a picture you drew, Jacqueline-san...? ... Uhm, is this a, rabbit...?

Jacqueline: Wrong! This is Jack-nano~!

Gray: Eh-, Jack-san...?

Jacqueline: Is it that unrecognizable...?

Gray: I'm s- so sorry, Jacqueline-san...! Well, Jack-san's ears and eyes are a bit more round... and, his paws are probably smaller.

Jacqueline: Is that so-nano~? Jacqueline wants Gray-chama to show her how to do it~! Draw them for me~!

Gray: M- me...?

Jacqueline: Yes, have a crayon-nano~!

Gray: U- Understood...... Jack-san's face should be like this... and his paws...
How, is it...?

Jacqueline: Amazing~! It looks exactly like Jack-san-nano~! Gray-chama, you are reaaaally good at drawing-nano!

Jay: Now that you mention it, he sure is. I didn't know you were good at drawing, Gray.

Gray: ... No, I- I'm, not at all...

Jay: Nah, this much is good, so I think you should be more proud.

Gray: T- That's... well... uuugh~, I am sorry......

(Oh my, I shouldn't have said that maybe? )

Jacqueline: Jacqueline is going to show this picture to papa~!

Jay: Haha, that Jacqueline is as lively as always.
By the way, Gray, we're patrolling together today. Let's do our best.

Gray: Ye- Yes...... I will be, in your care...

Jay: Perfect, there's nothing unusual here. Time to head to the next place.

Gray: ... O- Okay.

Kid A: Ah! It's Jay!  Can I get your autograph?

Kid B: Jay, I want it too~!



Jay: Ooh, you're all full of energy, aren't you? Fine, I'll give my autograph in order, so hold on.

Kid A: Woah...! Thank you very much!

Kid B: I'm so happy, I'll treasure this!

Jay: I'm glad you like it.
If you're up to it, Gray, how about we...

(... Huh, Gray is nowhere to be seen. Where on earth did he...)

Gray: ......

(He broke away from the crowd. And just when everyone is gathering together. I want to use this opportunity to introduce Gray as our rookie, but...)

Kid C: Hey, hey, Jay.  Can I get your autograph, too?

Jay: Of course you can.

Kid C: Yay, thanks! Uhm, can I ask you one more thing...? I want you to draw a picture next to your autograph.

Jay: A picture?

Kid C: Yeah. I'd like a dog!

Jay: A dog, huh? I'm not that good at drawing... Ah, that's it. I have an idea.
Ooooi, Gray! Come here for a second!

Gray: ... Uhm, Jay-san? How may I help you...?

Jay: Could you draw a dog for this kid?

Gray: A dog...? M- Me...?

Jay: You're good at drawing, so I think he'll like it.

Kid C: Are you a "hero", too, Onii-chan?

Gray: Well... I'm, uhm...

Jay: Oh, he's Gray. He is my junior "hero".

Kid C: I see! Hey, Gray onii-chan, the dog! Draw it here~!

Gray: S- Sure.....

Kid C: Amazing......! You're very good at drawing, Gray onii-chan.

Gray: I- I'm not good at all, but... but, thank you for saying that...

Kid C: Hey, hey, I want your autograph, too, Gray onii-chan. Write it next to Jay's!

Gray: M- My autograph...?

Jay: Ooh, that's a great idea.

Lady: Oh my, is he a "hero", too, Jay?

Jay: Yeah, that's right. His name is Gray Reverse, our sector rookie. He is a promising "hero", so I also look forward to his growth. Please support him, too, everyone.

Lady: Nice to meet you, Gray. I would love your autograph...

Man: Me too, by all means.

Gray: Ehh!? I- I'm not promising​...! Be- Besides... my autograph...

Jay: Gray, you did really great with the kid earlier. Keep it up.

Gray: Jay-san... U- Understood......!

(Good, his expression is brighter than this morning.
It doesn't matter if it's little by little. I hope he'll gain self-confidence and become a splendid "hero". )