24. Emotions
The car door swung open. Wait, don't open it. An angry pit bull terrier is scary enough as it is... And this one wasn't just any ordinary pit bull. She had a touch of menhera vibes.
"You."
The menhera
with panda-like dark circles under her eyes stood right in front of me.
"Doesn't it make you sad?"
Thank goodness. A simple choice here. With my maxed-out social skills, I fully empathized with Rira's sorrow.
"Yes, it feels utterly heartbreaking and regrettable."
"Liar."
Rira shot down my words flat. No, why won't she recognize my sincerity...?
"You've shot him so many times. Over and over, like his screams didn't even register..."
What? That's the reasoning behind her judgment?
"If I hadn't fired, there would have been more victims."
I had my reasons.
"That's not what I mean...!"
Whoa, she's got some lungs on her. I thought a guy had been born for a second there. More importantly, I'd forgotten she was in full menhera mode. Total immunity to logic—I've never faced an opponent this tough.
"...I heard."
Heard what?
"That you saved him over and over, even vomiting blood... So how could you kill him so mercilessly?"
Same question again. This feels just like getting scolded by Mom. Look down, and it's 'Why are you avoiding my eyes!' Look up, and it's 'Why are you staring like that!' No escape! I'm cornered on all sides! Nera was totally trapped!
Emphasizing how sad I was would just sound sarcastic. Even I'd think that. Stress my cool professionalism like before, and she'd hit back with 'Do you even have a heart?' No right answer. Only landmines everywhere. Any ideas?
"The situation was already critical. You saw it with your own eyes, didn't you?"
Nera Style One! My legs felt like they might buckle any second, but I had to stand tall!
"Yeah... I see. Got it."
Surprisingly, Rira didn't push further. No, I think questioning me at all was the weird part! But still, something felt off. She wasn't fully unhinged yet, but that expression... classic PTSD flare-up. She always made that face before team-killing. She'd go completely feral, unable to tell if she was hitting a cadaver or Nova.
Ugh... Where's our workaholic squad leader when I need some mental health support?
After the menhera assault passed, somehow I ended up sitting in front of Carmen. How did this happen? Have I really become everyone's idol? With so many people seeking me out like this, even Lily up in the heavens would be bawling her eyes out.
"I'm sorry to Inspector... for what I did. Forgive me."
Hmm...?
She's the one apologizing this time?
"Nothing like that happened."
"No, Dillan's transformation, failing to notice it until the end, leaving his final moments to you... It was all my failure."
"Pure coincidence. I just happened to be within reach and checked."
Don't blame yourself, Carmen. Truth is, I used my Linker cheat! But explaining that would be a hassle, so coincidence it is!
"Coincidence... But when it repeats like that, it becomes fate. You were the one protecting the recruits every time they were in danger. That means you were paying close attention. That's not coincidence. And we dumped Lieutenant Dillan's end on you."
Ah... I sense a vibe. This is a different kind of misunderstanding from the menhera pit bull. If that's revenge, hatred, corruption arc territory, this is straight-up fluffy harem material? What do I even say? I don't want this kind of misunderstanding!
"You're saying something strange. I just handled a cadaver."
Carmen stared at me wide-eyed. She didn't even notice her mouth hanging open, lips just trembling.
Uh...?
Her reaction's a bit off. Like, shocked to the core. Was what I said that weird?
Oh crap! No, that's not what I meant!
"...I see."
Too late to correct—her response came first. Hmm? Better reaction than expected. I figured she'd charge yelling 'What color is your blood?!'
For now, relief?
Carmen gazed into the girl's eyes. No flicker of emotion in them. She agonized. Was she hiding it, or had she never cared? Regrettably, Carmen's judgment leaned toward the latter.
The little miss had no emotions.
Admitting it now was laughable. Everyone who'd seen Nera shoot Dillan had reached the same conclusion.
Still, Carmen wanted to confirm what kind of person Nera was. She'd thought Nera's sector antics were an act—rookie freshness peeking through despite her competence.
But she'd fired. Without hesitation, without a tremor.
The act itself wasn't the issue. It was doing it without showing any humanity.
Trembling pupils and hands, quivering throats, twisted faces. Even if those killing mutated comrades acted decisively, turmoil seeped through.
Nera's execution was pure ruthlessness. The flailing hands were just extra work. The more they struggled, the harder she pinned. The tougher they clung to life, the shorter the intervals between shots.
No margin for error, precise reactions every time.
Nera was a machine following protocols, even while alive.
'No brainwashing, I thought...'
Instinctual revulsion toward the alien. And pity for the girl out of sync with others welled up.
Nera left soon after. Carmen lingered in place for a long while.
What a chaotic day it had been. The rescue vehicle arrived earlier than expected, at dawn. We were prepping to leave as the sun rose.
"I'll drive, like I said before."
Carlos's eyes narrowed. Nova's gaze stayed glued to her detector. Rira wouldn't even look at me.
Hmm... Still cold. Wonder what face she'd make if she did? Scary just imagining it!
You know how it is. Quiet's fine normally, but when the loud one goes silent, the world feels wrong.
"Not a joke?"
"Trust me. No license, but I'm confident."
Carlos eyed me with the resolve of a lifetime decision. As if staring would conjure a license.
"Fine. Give it a shot."
...Why'd that work? I asked, but Carlos acting weird too. Anyway! Starting today, I'm the chauffeur!
Great. Passengers. First drive in 19 years, but I'll get you there fast and safe.
I hopped into the front without hesitation. Nova took her usual spot right behind the driver. Rira, unusually, skipped shotgun for the diagonal rear seat.
Uh... Her sitting there silently is throwing Carlos off. And my heart's pounding.
Better if she hated me outright. This passive vibe feels like my lifespan's draining in real-time. Like a bomb about to blow.
Carlos glanced at Rira but sat shotgun without a word. Fine, ignorance is bliss~ Gripped the wheel—eyes forward now.
But...
"No seat adjustment?"
A bit uncomfortable. Specifically, can't see great ahead?
I naturally glanced at shotgun. Those amber eyes were already on me.
"...Hah."
...What? Did he just sigh at me?
I mean, it's a fair question! Stop with the 'hopeless kid' look!
"...Here."
Oh, it has one. Nice vehicle. Ignition on—let's roll.
Carlos's glare was intense; any hesitation, and he'd yank my spot.
Hit the pedal—smooth acceleration. Hit max speed quick, kept steady. My perfect skills meant no shakes.
Good. You're Boom-Boom from now on. First car in my life.
"Better than expected..."
"I always tell the truth."
So don't underestimate me carelessly from now on.
Back in the sector, I got isolated immediately. Doc wanted the sample ASAP, apparently.
News travels fast—hasn't been long since the report.
Not bad, though. Dodged all the annoying faces. Especially Rira's glances felt awkward.
She looked my way when I got home, mood lifted a bit. But no words = same anxiety! Still expressionless and scary!
Anyway, a week of movies, games, chilling—time flew.
I teared up leaving isolation, but lab staff dragged me straight to the research room.
Hmm... Big welcome feels VIP. Doc finally recognizes my feats? Nah. Better if he doesn't—too suspicious.
I went a bit wild this time, though...
Eh, no way they spilled every detail of me saving rookies~ I brushed it off as minor.
Soon, in the dreaded underground lab. Doc spoke.
"Heard you had quite the exploits."
Oh crap...
"Heard the news. You brought a 5.1 stage sample?"
"Yes."
Same eyes as when I was five.
"Heard you had quite the exploits."
"Yes."
Answers without hesitation. Same vacant gaze. Nothing unusual.
"With your power, heroics should be impossible."
"Simple task."
Dr. Licht found the reply brazen. Mocking him knowingly. But he knew it was delusion—brainwashed dolls are dim; even simple orders need spelling out.
Yet rage boiled despite logic.
He hid it. No point wasting emotion when Guardian's completion neared. Stuck at 5.3 stage, but this sample could push higher. Maybe even mythical 6.0 stage Overlord.
Heart raced. Joy at forging life's limits himself.
No time for petty anger before that.
But.
'Need to test.'
Couldn't ignore anomalies as researcher.
"Follow. Simple check."
Whoa, Doc's dragging me along. Wait, weren't we done? I could've played it low-key!
It was simple! Even frail me, puking blood-level effort saves one person!
"Doctor."
Emma beside him spoke.
"Isn't wasting time on such a useless specimen a shame?"
Gasp... Mama...?
What? Am I... useless?
"P.V. Virus evolves fast. Subject Nera's not standard Star Adaptation Procedure—raw virus fused to cells. Could evolve anytime."
What. Smart Emma? When'd you get so clever?
"Conversely, she evolved herself and only saved one? Total failure now. No test worth."
Ugh... Every word stabs my heart...
"Hmm..."
Doc looked down at me. No, Doc, I'm useful...! You loved me at birth!
You won't buy a brainwashed doll's word, right?! Take me to the lab quick!
"Emma, that reflects a prior 'order,' right?"
"Yes. Following your directive to treat subject Nera as unnecessary."
Boom! Lightning in my heart! Staggered in imagination.
While I was gone, Emma got brainwashed by the vile Doc!
"Exactly. No time to waste. I'll study the sample—you organize data here."
"Yes."
Emma replied mechanically. Calm outside, but I watched in despair.
Sob sob, thought Doc had dementia and revoked orders. Human heater Emma: service over.
Now paid plan—enjoy her sturdy bod at great risk.
Doc's the same, though. All pose, just wants to torment me. If quick peek, why call? Send someone!
Of course, week's isolation was bliss. Very satisfied.
Greedy wish: someone fetch box instead next time? Seeing Doc's face is hard labor.