Chapter 12 The Lion, the Reaper, and the Boy
"Um… Hei… what was that all about? I did not make any conclusions regarding anything back there…"
Catching up with the man in front of him, Tatsumi slowly examines Hei's facial expression, but of course, it seems that the man does not display anything interesting on his surface.
"The smile on your face was demonstrating your positive subconsciousness toward the future in this capital, while your actions suggested a great abundance of hope."
"And how is that a bad thing?"
…
"Fool."
Taking off his glasses, Hei slowly drifts into the massive population on the main street, while taking another bite from the apple in his hand.
CHOMP. CHOMP. CHOMP.
Not knowing why, but the way Hei eats his apple is just boring. Extremely boring. It seems like the only reason for Hei to eat the apple is that he is simply eating it, nothing else. It may sound stupid, but he is definitely not showing any sign of joy when he is chewing and swallowing that thing. Hei's eating gestures are more like a structured program than a person…
Unknowingly, the cold sweat starts to emerge on Tatsumi's forehead again.
"Why do I have the feeling that he is chewing on a block of ice instead of a red apple?"
Can you blame him? Hei is not Li, he is an incomplete clone of the black reaper, a clone without any senses of taste, smell, or emotions. From the cold expression with which he usually covers himself, he is, metaphorically, a block of frozen ice, because nothing in the world can make him feel personally happy, sad, angry, surprised, frightened, or other human affections.
…
Tatsumi has been in innumerable dangerous fights with all kinds of danger beasts, but none of which has brought him this type of feeling – a feeling of being completely defeated.
"Your expressions told me you want to join the military. The application location is there."
Ignoring Tatsumi's forced smile, Hei points to a small post on the other side of the street.
"Oh… yes… yes… okay… then… um… I will be gone for a while… can you wait for me right here?"
Deliberately studying the emotionless man, Tatsumi would really like a reply now.
Hei informally takes out a notebook and start drawing down numbers and diagrams that Tatsumi does not understand, while completely ignoring the former's request.
"I… think I will take that as a 'yes' then…"
Turning his stiff body, Tatsumi slowly walks toward the military post with a blank mind.
…
"Status followed. Position compromised. Angle of potential danger – 43.7 degrees south of east. Direct distance around 51.6 meters. With average human launching velocity in this world, this position will be approached in less than 4 seconds in the current traffic congestion."
Eyeing the tailgater from the reflecting of his glasses, Hei slowly draws down many calculations on his notebook, planning the details of his options for the potential conflict or escape.
All of a sudden, Hei closes the notebook in his hand, and directly takes a small step to the right side.
And Tatsumi is sent flying out of the military post, landing right at where Hei was standing a second ago.
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Attempting to get up, Tatsumi rubs the part of his back that received the most amount collision, while objectively looking completely embarrassed.
"…"
"Um… Hei, I can explain…"
"I know."
Turning his head aside, Hei decides to continue walking. Being tailgated is not a reason to stay put at the same position.
"I think you misunderstood me!"
"I have not."
"Then why aren't you looking at me?"
"Only your fallacy."
Turning his head to face the poor boy on the ground, Hei looks straight into Tatsumi's green eyes.
…
"AHHHHHH! Hei! Why do you have to be so mean!?"
Tatsumi helplessly shouts out his inner thoughts to the man in front of him, trying desperately to receive a word of encouragement or two.
"Nonsense."
…
"Hi, boys! Are you planning to become successful officers in the military?"
A blond woman casually walks out of the corner, viewing the drama caused by the two with her golden eyes. Her revealing outfit is definitely showing a large portion of her assets to everyone around her. Within a second, many men passing by the drama unintendedly refocus their eyes and stare at her beautiful body with empty minds.
"Um… And you are?"
"It's okay if you don't know who I am, Nee-san here can help you with your desires in the military. Do you want some advices?"
The blond woman quickly approaches the two young men and straightens her back, showing off her assets in front of the duo.
"Woah… Um… That's… huge…"
Tatsumi swallows his salvia before it comes out of his mouth, saying the embarrassing statement inadvertently.
Soon, he quickly realizes what he was doing, and a deep blush suddenly takes over his cheeks. Staring into a woman's breasts is not a polite thing to do here.
Not knowing how to act next, Tatsumi turns futilely to look at Hei, and Hei looks…
Just like Hei.
Nothing appeared on Hei's face. Not even a single flinch.
"Is he a priest or something?"
Tatsumi bites onto his lips, and then the picture of his impoverished village comes to his mind. Sighing heavily, he adjusts his expressions and faces the woman in front of him again.
"My goal is to save my village. How can I be distracted like that?"
Mentally slapping himself, he turns back toward the blond in front of him.
"Yes, my dream is to become a high-ranking officer in the military so I can raise enough money to save my village back home."
Tatsumi opens his mouth with a calmed voice.
"I can help you with your dreams," the blond turns her head to observe the expressionless Hei, "but you would need to buy me a drink first!"