"An exhibition battle between Franxx? With Hiro as the pilot?"

The one to voice the questions was Ichigo, but they were the questions squad 13 as a whole were thinking. Of course the reactions between the squad members were all different but the questions were the same.

Squad 13 was in the briefing room with Nana and Hachi. This was the first meeting of squad 13 and Hachi, plantation 13's defense commander. He was a stoic man who bordered on being robotic. Both in the way he moved and his lack of emotions even his voice had no emotion in it.

"Yes, HQ wants to see if his piloting has returned as we were unable to collect any data from when he emerged from Strelizia". Hachi was the one to explain "If the results are positive Code 016 will officially become a parasite."

The reactions again were varied between the squad. Ichigo smiled to herself in delight, maybe him regaining his piloting would bring back the old Hiro. The one who didnt look miserable all the time.

Hiro himself looked shocked and unable to speak, this was his chance to prove it wasnt a fluke! A chance to ride in a Franxx again, maybe they would even let him ride in Strelizia again.

He was knocked on the shoulder by Goro who gave him a thumbs up and some supportive words. "Looks like your luck is about to turn around eh?" Goro chuckled which prompted a laugh out of Hiro. He was about to reply when Zorome decided to ruin his mood again.

"Huuuuuuuh why does he get special treatment again? These double digits always getting the good stuff." He glared at Hiro as if everything was his fault.

He was lightly smacked on the side of the head by Miku "Aaaawww is someone mad that they are the lowest code number in the squad?"

"Come on even you can't deny Hiro is getting privileges! Why does he get to stay when Naomi had to leave?"

The words felt like a knife to Hiro's chest, he still felt guilty. But Naomi was the one who encouraged him to stay initially even if their parting was filled with bitterness.

"Oi knock it off, theres no need to get angry now we should be happy Hiro is getting a chance to prove himself." Goro again trying to calm the situation down as he always seemed to be doing. He glanced in Ichigo's direction and could see her clenching her teeth. She always did have a hard time reeling in her emotions when it came to Hiro. Something that Goro had known for a long time. What was new was how much it was starting to bother him, he always put the feeling to the back of his mind quickly enough. He didn't understand it fully so he wouldn't overthink the feeling just yet.

"Coming from the one who is also a double digit and is his best buddy!" Zorome shifted his complaints to Goro now. Seriously, every time Hiro would get criticized for something unfair Ichigo or Goro would always come to his defense. "Don't think I'm not talking to you to team leader you not going to defend him this time?"

Ichigo clenched her fists and was about to speak up before Kokoro intervened. "I agree with Goro, we should be glad Hiro can stay and is getting another shot. I'm sad Naomi had to leave but we can't blame Hiro for that." Her soft and gentle voice seemed to calm Ichigo down but Zorome still looked peeved.

"Th-Thats right Kokoro we should be happy about it!" An eager Futoshi hurriedly agreed with her trying to gain her favor. She smiled sweetly in thanks causing Futoshi to go red in the face.

"Huuuuh do you even think for yourself? Or are you just a mouthpiece for Kokoro?" Miku chuckled as she was amused by Futoshi's obvious infatuation for his partner. The attention had gone off Hiro who was ignoring the rest of the exchange and was staring at the floor. Goro had shifted beside him to distract him from the antics of the rest of the squad.

Nana and Hachi watched the exchange without interruption. They were under orders from Dr Franxx himself to only intervene if things got physically violent. This squad was under an expirimentation program so they were allowed more freedom than other squads. However the conversation had started to distract them from the purpose of this meeting.

Nana clapped her hands getting their attention again. "Alright, lets get back to the task at hand. Hiro you will need to pick a partner for this mock battle do you have anyone in mind?"

He looked up and as he opened his mouth to answer a voice cut through the room.

"I'll do it" All heads turned to the door which had just opened. There stood Zero Two with an easy grin on her face while twirling a lollipop in her hand. "I mean you are my darling after all" She proudly exclaimed while giving him a sweet look.

Hiro's heart started beating a little faster. He was going to ask if he could ride with Zero Two in the mock battle but here she was. Like she was reading his mind with the answer already in hand.

However his thoughts were abruptly stopped when Ichigo shot her hand up. "I would like to request to be Hiro's partner for the mock battle." Upon receiving questioning looks from everyone in the room she explained further. "That girl isn't a part of our squad and if you're looking to see if his piloting is back then I should be the best at drawing it out."

It was a convincing argument however Mitsuru was quick to poke holes in it "You already have Goro as a partner, so why does it have to be you? Anyone in the squad could be his partner for this."

"Maybe Zorome was right and you're playing favorites again?" Miku almost spat at her. If Zorome had issues with Hiro, then Miku had the same with Ichigo. However it wasn't jealousy of the code numbers. It was her obvious bias towards Hiro that irked her so much.

"It's ok I don't mind" Ichigo looked at Goro who gave her an encouraging smile. "If it means Hiro gets to pilot again I don't mind if he pilots with you." Ichigo gave him an appreciative nod but Hiro decided to speak up.

"But Zero Two has already offered? If I could pilot with her again wouldn't that be more beneficial? It would also prove that I did ride with her when that Klaxosaur attacked."

Zero Two grinned, she noticed all the looks of doubt on some of the squad, some even had worried looks. They must have heard the rumors about her stamens all dying after three rides. But for her this second ride would help accelerate the proof this 'Hiro' was her darling.

"Unfortunately HQ has forbidden Strelizia from being used in the mock Franxx battle." Nana spoke up and when Zero Two turned her annoyed gaze towards Nana she saw her staring right at her. "You can observe the battle seeing as you are staying here but you won't be able to pilot"

"Code 015 will be the one to pilot with code 016, seeing as she is the highest code number other than code 002 the results should be conclusive as to code 016's piloting abilities returning."

Ichigo breathed in relief, she would finally be able to pilot with Hiro and show everyone one he was able to pilot. Hiro looked disappointed and was about to voice his concerns again before Zero Two's voice again interrupted him.

"I guess it can't be helped my injuries haven't fully healed yet anyway" She walked down placed her hand on Ichigo's shoulder. She spoke in a low tone that she fully intended to be threatening. "I'll let you borrow him just this once, take care of my darling for me." Ichigo simply glared back before Zero Two turned around and sat next to Hiro. She would not let Zero Two intimidate her. Also she should stay away from Hiro, wait - was she giving him a lollipop?

Zero Two was in fact offering Hiro the aforementioned sweet, all while leaning into him causing Hiro to get flustered. Ichigo couldn't stop the sinking feeling in her chest as he accepted the lollipop. Their close proximity and how she had already laid claims to Hiro annoyed her. She swallowed and forced her attention back to Hachi as he continued.

"That just leaves their opponent to be decided, do we have any volunteers?"

Two hands shot up immediately and not surprisingly they belonged to Zorome and Miku.

"There's no way I'm going to miss this opportunity to prove that the double digits are better than us!" Zorome loudly exclaimed. Miku nodded in agreement, if she could beat Ichigo here maybe she would finally shut up every time Hiro got criticized.

"Then everything is ready. The battle will be held tonight at 20:30. Meet here in the briefing room at 20:00. Dismissed."

Ichigo went to get up and talk to Hiro in order to discuss how t prepare but Zero Two had already pulled him out of the room. She clenched her fists in order to reign in her spiraling emotions. It didn't help that Zorome was talking trash as he and the rest of the squad left the room.

It's okay, once we connect in Dephinium he will forget about her.

Goro observed her noticing her distress. He made his way over to her side and pinched her cheek eliciting a gasp and a light shove from her.

"Don't worry, if anyone can make him a parasite it'll be you. You've known him the longest it will be fine." He gave her a thumbs up in encouragement.

Ichigo sighed and smiled back "Hey, are you sure you;re fine with me piloting with him?"

"As I said before I want Hiro to be able to pilot. To fight alongside us. It won't be the same without him at our side." He placed her hand on her shoulder ignoring the feeling of his heart squeezing. "So I don't mind giving him to you for a bit, so long as us three remain together."

Ichigo breathed out and nodded, Goro was such a reliable partner. Always keeping her steady. But her thoughts quickly drited to Hiro, she would need to talk to him before the battle. She needed him to know she would always be there to help him move forward.

Yea, all she had to do was find him and assure him the battle would go fine.

Zero Two smirked as she watched Hiro enter the Franxx. She rested against a wall next to Nana and the rest of squad 13 as they awaited the Franxx to start up.

When the meeting had finished she had quickly dragged Hiro away. She wanted to remind him that he belonged to her. They ended up in the birdcage near the lake, the same spot they met to be precise. She hadn't displayed too much affection, she had maintained a certain distance. Making him press to get her attention, and press he did but not in the way she had hoped. He asked her questions about the time they piloted. It seemed all he was fixated on initially. So she gave him a few little nudges. A lick of her lips, a cock of her hip and and suddenly his attention went away from the Franxx battle and was all about her.

The way he got flustered was so cute. Right before she left him by himself she leaned into him and stated the simple statement. "You are my darling, you belong to me now." She made sure to say it in a flirtatious tone. Considering his reaction of being stunned into stuttering his reaction was exactly as she hoped for.

She left him by himself afterwards, giving him too much would have the opposite effect she desired. She needed him to chase her, to want her more. All this was to see if he was truly of the same manner as her true darling. To see if he feared her, to see if she was someone who wasn't just a pistil he could pilot with. If he wanted her as Zero Two the person, that was just another box in the list to tick.

More importantly leaving him to that other girl, whose name she had already forgotten annoyed her. She would have preferred to be the one to pilot with him in this mock battle but she couldn't just ignore HQ when they said she would be withheld from participating. It was only due to the doctor she wasn't heading back to the front lines right now. She would follow their rules for now.

The other girl obviously had feelings for her darling, being so adamant about piloting with him. But if the way she had interacted with darling just now had the desired effect then there would be no issue. In fact it may work in her favor, she had just put herself in the forefront of his mind. The doctor had explained how most parasites needed to connect. With darlings mind focused on her and not the short blue haired girl then there would be no way they would be able to pilot for long.

Her smile grew as she felt satisfied with her thoughts. Yea, this fight would go exactly how she thought it would.

"Do you really think I'll be able to pilot with you? Ichigo?" Hiro was having doubts about this whole mock fight. His thoughts kept drifting back to Zero Two and how much he wanted to pilot with her. After she had left him to himself he could think nothing other than Zero Two. How she spoke, the color of her eyes. How soft her skin was, her alluring horns which dazzled him. He was brought out of his thoughts by Ichigo placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked down and saw her staring confidently at him.

"Of course, we've been together for so long now I'm sure we will be compatible" She smiled at him with a light blush which he didn't seem to notice. Noticing their close proximity Hiro shifted uncomfortable. It wasn't like with Zero Two. When Zero Two got close his heart started racing and he felt heat come to his cheeks and for some reason he didnt understand, he felt blood rush to his lower body.

With Ichigo in his face at this moment he wanted to put some space between them. "Yea we have haven't we, so lets get to it."

Ichigo was both pleased at his affirmation of their friendship but slightly miffed he didn't say something else. What that was she didn't know herself. She stepped back and got into her pistil controls. She will make him pilot, she will bring his potential out. Then they could finally pilot together. With that thought in mind she started the connection.

After a few seconds she felt his consciousness in the back of her mind. She followed it, as if she was swimming in her head and after some effort-

"I got you!" She was connected with Hiro! She could do it, they could finally pilot together. As Delphinium stood up she felt one with Hiro, the feeling was nothing like with Goro, it was as if-

Suddenly Delphinium collapsed and she lost the connection. What was going on? they were connected! Why did it suddenly fail?

"Hiro whats wrong?" No response, she left the Pistil controls and turned back to Hiro who seemed like the life had left his eyes. She got up and moved towards him grasping his arm with her hand. "Whats wrong it was working just now?"

He couldn't do it, as soon as the connection came to his thoughts were a mixture of emotions.

I'm piloting a Franxx I'm doing it! It's different from the feeling I felt with Zero Two somehow.

As soon as he thought of Zero Two Delphinium fell down and the connection was lost. Why was that? Zero Two said he was amazing when he piloted with her, so why couldn't he pilot with Ichigo? Was Zero Two lying? He looked at his hands and felt his chest rising with emotion. He must be cursed, to be unable to fulfill the reason for his existence. He was vaguely aware of Ichigo talking to him but his mind was an absolute mess.

They were suddenly knocked over but he could barely feel it. Ichigo landed against his chest and was shouting.

"Just give us a few minutes and we'll sort it out!"

He stared blankly in front of him when he felt a stinging sensation on his cheek. He blinked and looked at Ichigo who had her hand raised. He raised his hand to his cheek realising she had slapped him.

"Are you listening now?" She sounded desperate, begging him to answer her. "Okay focus, when you piloted with that girl, whats the last thing you remember?" She didnt want to bring her up but as soon as she did he suddenly looked like he remembered where he was.

He remembered, lips crashing against his. Warmth flooding his body as he felt absolutely at peace for a fraction of a second. Maybe that was it. Zero Two called it kissing, maybe that was the trigger he needed!

"We kissed"

"...what" Ichigo frowned, puzzled. "Whats a kiss?"

"We crashed our lips together" He couldn't describe it any other way. Though as soon as he said it Ichigo's expression became dark.

"That is what you two were up to? While a Klaxosaur was attacking?" She felt a weird emotion flood her entire body when he told her what they were doing. She didn't even know the significance of a kiss, all she knew was that she didn't like that he had done it with that girl. She clenched her fist.

"If that's what you need to pilot a Franxx then lets do it."

Hiro looked up at her, she would do that for him? A part of him was touched but a very small part of him. A much, much larger part of him told him not to do it. That it would be wrong. He remembered the feel of Zero Two against him. Sweet, soft. He realized at that moment he didn't want to kiss Ichigo. Not even to pilot the Franxx.

"No I don't think that would help, I mean why would it."

"It worked with her didn't it? Why wouldn't it work if we did it?"

He didnt have a reasonable answer for her. There is nothing to say that it wouldn't work, the only reason he didn't want to do it was because of the feeling in his chest telling him it would be wrong. His thoughts drifted to Zero Two wondering what she would say if she found out he and Ichigo kissed. He shuddered thinking about what might happen.

Unfortunately Ichigo saw his shudder and felt anger. She smacked his arm with a grimace, "Why, does the thought of kissing me feel that bad?" She saw him look up at her in confusion and realized she was being unreasonable. But she couldn't help the feeling of anger and bitterness at having the kiss being rejected. She didn't understand his significance, but if he was willing to do it with that girl why not her?

She hated this feeling "Fine then, we won't do it". In her turmoil of emotions she opens the communications channel. "We forfeit, it's not working" They could very well try connecting without kissing but at this point she knew she was too worked up for that to become reality. She struggled to look back at Hiro whose head was in his hands. She wanted to console him, tell him that they could try at a later date. But she couldn't even handle her own thoughts right now.

"Are you sure code 016?" Hachi's voice came on the communications channel. She confirmed and the mock battle was over.

"HAHA see I told you I Zorome the great is the best pilot ever!" Zorome would of course take the chance to gloat about the victory he had.

"Would you shut up, there wasn't even a fight they couldn't even manage that much. So you didn't even end up doing anything special!" Miku quickly started an argument with Zorome who didn't seem to care.

As for caring Ichigo couldn't care at all right now. She was hurting all over, not physically but emotionally. She couldn't understand why she was in such turmoil. Dejected she stood up and made her way to the exit.

Hiro heard her get up to exit Delphinium but he didn't look up. How could he do anything other than bury his face in his hands. This was his chance and he blew it. He couldn't connect with Ichigo, he wasn't willing to see if kissing would help him connect, if it was the trigger. He wiped his eyes of the tears that were starting to fall.

Why was he such a failiure? Zero two said he piloted with her, the sensations he had felt were real, he knew it. Maybe Mitsuru was right and that he was only along for the ride. It made sense. But then why would Zero Two lie about him piloting with her. Nothing made sense to him at this moment. This test proved he couldn't pilot. But Zero Two said they did. Whatever the case he needed to talk to Zero Two again. She seemed to know more than she let on. With that thought in mind he got up and headed for the exit of Delphinium. The answers to his questions, he felt that Zero Two had those answers.

As he exited the cockpit he saw only Mitsuru and Goro still standing there. Everyone else had already left. How long had he been moping in the cockpit? Mitsuru gave him a little smirk and walked off. Goro gave him an apologetic smile and waited for him to reach him. Head down as he made his way to Goro he felt shame build up inside him. At this moment his future seemed to rely on Zero Two. He felt helpless having to depend on someone he just met, but if that was the path he had to take then he would. Straightening his back a bit he raised his head and walked towards Goro who had a sympathetic smile seemingly glued to his face.

Unbeknownst to the, the one who was occupying Hiros every thought was watching from afar. Legs hanging off the railing, twirling a lollipop in her mouth. She smirked, she was very interested in seeing what happened next. Maybe now they would let him pilot with her now that it was proven the so called 'leader couldn't pilot with him.

She hopped off the railing and started humming to herself, watching her darling and the blonde boy walk towards what seemed to be a training area. This should be amusing she thought, maybe she should watch him for a bit.

With that thought in mind she followed him from a distance she knew he would not be able to detect her.

AN: Sorry this update took so long, work has been super busy these past few months. With the time I did have to myself I watched Your Lie in April and well that Anime has occupied my thoughts heavily so trying to find the inspiration to write for a different anime has been very hard. I've managed to get this done though, its shorter than i would have liked but it's what I've managed to do. As for the ship it's strictly Hiro x Zero Two as the main pairing, I don't want to make characters OOC. Again sorry for how long this took. I don't know when I'll be updating again as real life is taking much of my time as well as my Anime fixation being on Your Lie in April for the moment. Anyways thanks for reading :)