System Mission: Seduce the Final Boss [BL]

"This is beyond concerning."

"I know. He usually texts to warn us, even if it’s two days later."

"Maybe it’s because he got hurt? Or maybe it’s his family?"

"To be honest, I don’t know. Myles also stayed absent for a while, even if he returned after four days."

Silence settled between them.

One stared at the phone screen again, thumb hovering over Blake’s contact as if another message would somehow make a difference. It had already been several attempts.

Still unread and undelivered.

The other quietly continued working, the sound of metal filling the room instead of conversation.

Only after a long moment did the first finally let out a tired sigh.

Asher leaned back in his chair, rubbing both hands over his face.

"This is all getting far more suspicious."

He lowered his hands.

"Maybe you were right, after all."

He frowned deeply.

"Those two are definitely up to weird stuff, right?"

Clang.

Clang.

Anthony tightened the final screw securing one of the armor’s shoulder plates before reaching for another tool.

"I think we both already knew that, Asher."

His voice remained soft.

"In either case, Blake’s phone isn’t receiving anything."

He glanced toward the workbench where his own phone rested.

"It isn’t turned on. A broken phone would give similar results, but someone intentionally keeping it off would as well. There isn’t enough information to tell which it is."

Another metallic knock echoed through the room.

Asher walked over before sitting beside him on a nearby stool.

"...Is the armor going to be okay?"

Anthony inspected the damaged section, a smile appearing.

"It isn’t too bad, don’t worry about it."

He adjusted a bent joint with a specialized wrench.

"I just need to straighten a few support pieces."

His smile became slightly more amused.

"I wanted to fix it properly. Your hands were shaking earlier, are you anxious?"

Asher fidgeted a little.

"Sorry I’m making you do it. I’m just..."

He searched for the words.

"...Getting a little restless."

He stared at the floor.

"I don’t want Blake to end up being a criminal, since he’s my friend."

Anthony didn’t immediately answer.

Instead, he finished tightening another bolt before setting the tool aside.

"If that turned out to be true, tthen whether he’s your friend shouldn’t be your first concern."

Asher blinked.

"...Would you even stop caring?"

Anthony looked at the repaired armor.

"Of course not."

His answer came immediately.

"Blake has always been a good friend to me. However, there is always the possibility."

He scratched his cheek.

"Especially considering who we are."

His gaze shifted toward Asher.

"...Or rather, who you are."

Asher lowered his eyes.

"Blake can’t be that kind of person. I hope that’s not the case."

Anthony sighed quietly.

"I hope so too, but there are things that bother me."

He rested both hands on the workbench.

"Think about it, we’ve known Blake for months, and he has always listened whenever we talked. He always helped, both of us, even in dangerous situations. However..."

Anthony frowned.

"...He almost never volunteered anything about himself. He never started conversations about his own struggles, or what truly bothered him. He rarely spoke about things he genuinely liked or disliked. He answered when asked, but in a limited wag."

He looked down.

"Even though I knew him before you did, I don’t think he ever told me something he hadn’t already told you. He kept everyone at exactly the same distance, apart from Myles."

The explanation made the room feel strangely quiet.

Asher stared at the floor.

"Why would anyone go against AL-TECH? Or Mr. Alfred? He’s doing the right thing, he protects people and saves lives, so the world is safe."

His fists slowly tightened.

"Whoever stands against that, what good reason could they possibly have? He always helps people and wants villains gone. So..."

His voice softened.

"...Why would anyone oppose that?"

Anthony didn’t answer immediately.

"...I don’t know."

Which, strangely enough, worried him more than having an answer.

Asher sighed again.

"I tried investigating, but... I’m just not very good at it."

Anthony couldn’t help smiling.

"Yeah, you’re definitely not."

Asher immediately looked offended.

"You’re one to talk, you got caught by that weird guy."

Anthony frowned.

"If those bullies hadn’t interrupted, I wouldn’t have been discovered that quickly, I was caught only because of them."

Asher burst into laughter.

"Your only physical talent is sneaking around, but you only realized that recently, so naturally you’re behind."

He smiled reassuringly.

"You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself."

Anthony looked away.

"You can be surprisingly offensive."

Asher laughed harder.

"Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that."

Anthony let out a small chuckle as well.

"I know."

For a brief moment, the atmosphere lightened.

Then, his smile slowly faded as he stared quietly at the armor lying on the workbench.

Something continued bothering him.

There were many patterns and tiny inconsistencies.

Things that, separately, meant nothing.

But, when together, they refused to leave his mind.

This world was supposed to become better.

AL-TECH.

The government.

His father.

Asher’s uncle.

Researchers.

Scientists.

Everyone important was cooperating toward the same future, toward protecting humanity and creating something better.

...So why couldn’t he shake this feeling?

Why did every answer somehow create another question?

Anthony unconsciously tightened his grip on the wrench.

His gaze drifted elsewhere.

To a certain man plastered on the wall.

Alfred Hicth.

He was someone he admired deeply since he was child.

Someone whose accomplishments inspired thousands.

And yet, sometimes, when Alfred looked at people, there was something in his eyes Anthony couldn’t describe.

It was not anger or kindness.

Just, something that made him instinctively look away.

’We’re on the right side... aren’t we?’

Before the thought could linger, arms suddenly wrapped tightly around him from behind.

Anthony jolted.

"Asher?!"

His cousin laughed loudly.

"You deserve praise!"

He squeezed him tighter.

"Thanks for fixing my armor, I would’ve made it even worse!"

Anthony froze for a second.

Then he couldn’t help laughing.

"You are horrible at being humble! Have you forgotten we’re on the same level?"

Asher only laughed again.

The room echoed with the familiar sound.

Anthony closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Then smiled a little wider.

Yeah.

The two of them.

Together.

They couldn’t possibly be standing on the wrong side, could they?

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