Kindness That Will Vanish Anyway
After the training session for the recruits—who would vanish anyway—ended, Lucia and Kelun said their goodbyes and left first. But Tiny Bell didn't even acknowledge them properly, merely nodding her head without looking up. It wasn't that she truly meant to ignore them. She was just too tired to respond. Someone approaching, striking up a conversation, offering kindness—it was all burdensome and exhausting now.
'It won't last forever anyway, and I can't protect it.' That thought always lingered in a corner of her heart. The more expectations she harbored, the deeper the abyss that dragged her down—it felt like an unshakeable truth. Maybe that's why. She pushed away anything worth expecting from the start. It was Tiny Bell's chosen way to survive.
The now-empty training ground fell quiet, save for the occasional sound of panels being manipulated. Adolf glanced over from where he was organizing the training materials beside her. In the adjacent field, Tiny Bell sat huddled, manipulating holograms with a blank expression, the profiles of Kelun and Lucia still displayed.
'She's been writing something nonstop...' Obsessive notes, revisions, analyses. It even gave the illusion of anxiety. She seemed to pour excessive time into handling trainee matters, far beyond mere affection for them. Adolf couldn't help but worry about her relentless pace.
Her slender neckline peeked from the collar of her uniform, and he quickly averted his eyes. He wanted to say something. Even he felt awkward about his own desire to get closer to her. What should he say? It felt harder than any problem he'd faced.
After agonizing for a while, Adolf blurted out to Tiny Bell.
"...It suits your hair nicely."
A brief silence followed his words, and he added hastily, startled at himself.
"Sorry."
Tiny Bell was the one truly caught off guard. She nearly crushed the panel in her hand, though she didn't show it.
"...What the hell was that, out of nowhere?"
Overly kind guy. Now throwing compliments? What's his angle?
She slowly turned her head and glared at him. What are you planning to do to me? She laced her gaze with a hint of contempt. But Adolf's eyes met hers with pure sheepishness and apology.
What the— That innocent look.
Tiny Bell was dumbfounded by his childlike behavior. People like him actually exist?
She whipped her head away.
"Save the flattery. I can't do shit for you."
"No, really. It just suits you so well, it slipped out. Sorry."
Adolf added earnestly. Tiny Bell flicked her eyes to meet his briefly. She stared into them as if trying to read his mind. But he just blinked and smiled warmly.
She withdrew her gaze and pressed her lips tight. Then turned back to the hologram—a silent signal: Don't say another word.
At that moment, her receiver beeped softly. Tiny Bell automatically raised her wrist terminal to check. Not from the management bureau, but an unfamiliar sender.
Tiny Bell pressed her temple with her other hand. That energetic tone. The endless chatter from a face always smiling. Even in text, she could hear that voice.
Ah, the black short-haired proxy with the cheerful vibe. She'd chatted her up recently, asking if she wasn't tired.
...Right, her. The face came back to her. It was the day she'd received her first mission with Adolf—the girl who'd approached her then.
'What is it with me and black-haired people liking me?'
Tiny Bell turned back to Adolf with an irritated scowl. Their eyes met, and he smiled that haha face again.
'Kindness that'll vanish anyway.' A low, pessimistic voice echoed in her mind.
Rather than gratitude for the approach, her twisted emotions surged first. Kindness, goodwill, smiles—all of it would prove fleeting, just like before. That conviction dominated her.
She quietly closed the message.
"...If you're done, go."
"Anything I can help with?"
"Nope. I'm leaving too."
Her fingertips felt sluggish and heavy. She muttered so softly it wouldn't reach him.
"Like you could help anyway?"
She undid the tie holding her hair back. She saw Adolf's face grow even more awkward, but she slammed her heart's door shut.
She had no room left to care about every person's feelings.
But Adolf's actions stirred memories long buried—school days, her dad, and everyone after. Back when she'd just become a proxy, she was different. She could smile, hold hands without fear.
But not now. Nothing left. She didn't want her emotions showing, making her look like a kid desperate for comfort.
'I just wanna rest in my room.'
As she hurriedly packed up, the door hissed open.
A graceful woman stood there. Gentle smile, voluptuous figure, flowing blonde hair, and a striking red armband.
Eligos Caliela.
Tiny Bell gripped her panel tightly.
"Bell~! Oh, already done? I came to observe since you were teaching—"
As Tiny Bell's expression shifted from surprise to murderous, Adolf instantly sensed their bad blood.
Eligos finally noticed him, grinning as she extended a hand.
"Oh, sorry. There are two proxies for this training, right~? Captain Eligos Caliela."
"Lieutenant Adolf Mandel."
She shook his hand lightly, then turned straight to Tiny Bell.
"Too bad~ I really wanted to see the great Bell teaching."
Tiny Bell shot her a contemptuous glare, then turned her back without a word.
Eligos's eyebrow twitched. She strode forward and grabbed Tiny Bell's shoulder—no, pulled her into a hug from behind.
"Let go."
Adolf's eyes darted, assessing the scene. Tiny Bell didn't look good. Her fingertips trembled; her eyes burned with rage.
But Eligos just smiled contentedly, refusing to release her.
Tiny Bell knew better than anyone she couldn't shake Eligos off. The whole situation pissed her off. Everything did. Nothing ever went right anyway.
"Captain Caliela, please let her go."
Eligos looked at Adolf's stiff tone with mock surprise.
"Oh my, Lieutenant Mandel. Can't girls greet each other~?"
"You call this a greeting?" Tiny Bell growled.
Adolf chimed in.
"Captain Caliela, to me, this looks like harassment."
"Harassment?"
Eligos released her and plopped a hand on Tiny Bell's silver hair.
"We're close, Lieutenant~ We've known each other for years."
Tiny Bell slapped her arm away and shook her head.
"Is that so? Doesn't feel like it."
Adolf smiled immediately. Calm words with bite. Eligos glared at him, dusted her hand, and stood.
"Hoo... Wondered how Bell made friends to teach with~"
Eligos eyed Adolf appraisingly, then covered her mouth, chuckling.
"Feels like that guy. Same taste, huh."
Tiny Bell shot up like lightning, grabbing Eligos's collar.
"Shut up...!"
Her eyes blazed with rage and inexplicable pain. Due to their height difference, she stretched up; Eligos found it adorable, chuckling as she gently brushed her hand off.
She glanced at Adolf with a foxlike smirk.
"Don't misunderstand, Lieutenant. I care for Bell."
Her cold gaze pierced, then she smiled warmly as if nothing happened, waving as she left the room.
Out in the corridor, Eligos walked while thinking. A hazy memory surfaced—the man from that flower shop years ago.
'Ah, I shouldn't do this.'
Her beautiful face twisted dangerously. She touched her thin lips as a figure appeared at the corridor's end, wearing the same red armband.
A muscular, bronze-skinned giant. His proxy uniform gave off an armored, intimidating aura. Towering height made him unmistakable from afar. He silently fell into step beside her.
"Knew you'd come here. Why obsess over that kid?"
Eligos pouted prettily.
"Who's the proxy training with Bell? Makes me worry~"
He tilted his head at her thorny tone.
"Code Heavy Sword. Combat specialist, no special enhancements. Balanced type. Just an ordinary proxy."
Eligos smirked.
"Really? Seems fun. That look in his eyes was intriguing."
He sighed.
"He's no threat. Don't overthink. The Grand Marshal won't tolerate more failures."
Eligos shrugged with a smile.
"Not tolerating yourself~? Even the mighty Grand Marshal."
"As his guard, show some awareness. To him, it's keeping a 'promise'—proof itself."
He emphasized "promise." Eligos's face flickered with mixed emotions.
"Yeah, can't see it anymore. Can't get closer."
Unlike her usual energy, she looked wistful. He gazed at her, then offered blunt comfort.
"You saw those memories. It was your best choice, what you wanted."
"Haha~ Guess I should thank the Grand Marshal~?"
She tilted her head coyly, her voluptuous figure accentuated.
"Restrain that behavior. Men misunderstand."
"Jealous?"
He shook his head at the absurdity and turned away.
"Don't be ridiculous. I'll be away from Lumen Guard a few days. Some idiot found something weird."
"Busy, huh. Good luck."
Even to her casual words, he looked down warmly.
"Yeah. See you in a few days."
They parted in opposite directions.
Even after Eligos left, Tiny Bell stood frozen like a statue. Adolf debated leaving her alone but approached when he saw her clenched fist trembling.
"You okay...?"
She felt ashamed and humiliated for showing this side.
"I said go."
She gritted her teeth, waved it off like she was fine.
As her small hand shook, Adolf spotted blood.
"Captain, your hand's bleeding..."
She glanced indifferently—a small scrape from slapping away Eligos's collar grab.
"Ah. Caliela's... nails. So damn annoying..."
Before she finished, Adolf gently reached out and took her hand.
The unexpected touch made her shoulders twitch. Warmth from his fingertips jolted her heart.
Not unpleasant, not fully comfortable. Her defenses faltered.
She reflexively pulled back but stopped. Adolf looked at her hand with deep concern.
"You okay?"
Why? Why care this much? How long have you even known me?
She bowed her head, relaxing her grip.
"I'm fine."
"Even scratches from nails can get infected."
His serious tone drew her curt reply.
"You're such a busybody... I'm not a kid."
"Doesn't matter if you're an adult or child—pain's pain. Wait here. I'll grab the first-aid kit from the classroom."
He released her hand softly and dashed out.
In the space he left, Tiny Bell stood dazed. Her fingertips felt oddly warm.
Soon, he returned with antiseptic and bandages, sweat beading on his forehead.
"May I see your hand?"
She huffed in disbelief but started to extend it—then froze.
What am I doing? Swept up in the moment. Did I miss this?
She bit her lip.
"I'll handle it."
She snatched the bandages and antiseptic from his hand.
That night, Tiny Bell tossed and turned in bed. In the dark ceiling, Eligos's words echoed.
'Like that guy.'
Not similar. Eyes, speech—nothing.
'Always grinning like an idiot. Such a busybody. He'll get hurt someday acting all nice.'
She muttered, turning away, but his smile lingered.
It nagged at her. Full of openings, irritatingly so.
'That face, those eyes. Someday...'
Someday, like others. Twisted or gone forever.
That scared her more. So she had to distance herself. Tilting heart, warming feelings—all poison to her.
The heavy thought choked her. She forced her eyes shut but sleep evaded.
The next morning after a sleepless night, Tiny Bell woke to sunlight filling the room. Later than usual.
"...!"
She scrambled into clothes and shoes, sprinting down the hall. Class started in 10 minutes.
Bursting into the classroom, disheveled hair and panting, she headed straight to the podium without greeting.
The room hushed. Lucia and Kelun exchanged glances; Adolf blinked at her.
They saw it for the first time—her earlobes faintly red with embarrassment.
She handled the lesson skillfully, back to her usual self. But seeing her disheveled side worked positively for them, Adolf included. It let them adapt happily to her brusque demeanor.
And contrary to Adolf's subtle worries, Eligos didn't show after the first day. Fortunately.