Chapter 18
Adam continued to tell them more stories about his past, with some being grimmer than the last. And the more the teens listened, the more they realized that they hadn't even scratched the surface of what it truly means to become a parasite. Sure, they knew the responsibilities and duties of a parasite, but they hadn't exactly grasped the gravity of becoming one. Well, to their credit, they did graduate just recently. So their ignorance is understandable.
But now that they were hearing the experiences of someone who's essentially their senior in their profession, they now had a better picture of what awaited them. And they all had to admit, it didn't look pretty.
"Well... that's enough of that." Noticing that dinner time was close, Adam decided to end his stories there.
Honestly, he wasn't planning on telling them a short biography of himself, but the kids were just relentless with their questions. And he, ever the handsome, kind, and generous man, decided to magnanimously satisfy their curiosity, even going an extra mile to give them life lessons.
Of course, he still worded his stories in a way that doesn't explicitly portray the organization in bad light- even though using child soldiers as their military force was bad enough as it is. But hey, the teens didn't know that.
But he had to admit that it was still a little annoying that he had to watch his words because anything the higher ups deem defaming or malicious to the organization can sentence him to probation.
And by probation, that means months of exposure to their indoctrination.
Adam held back from rolling his eyes as bad memories began to resurface upon following that train of thought. He shook his mind off of it before standing up and looking at the group of teens who were deep contemplation.
"It's almost time for dinner."
His words brought everyone back from their inner thoughts and they also began standing up from the couch. As Adam observed the group, he noticed some of them giving him pitiful glances, most especially Kokoro, Miku, and Naomi. They were looking at him like he was a wounded puppy or something.
Ikuno and Futoshi were pale as sheets, seemingly either terrified or worried about his stories while Zorome refuses to look in his direction for some reason.
Weirdo.
Meanwhile, Mitsuru, Goro, and Ichigo, all had furrowed brows while seemingly in deep rumination. Seeing this, the older white haired teen merely shrugged his shoulder, deciding not to do anything about their odd mood. Let them have their existential crisis as most teenagers would do.
Then, he shifted his focus to his partner.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'm hungry after all that talking." He said with a lighthearted smile, bringing the brunette out of her thoughtful state.
"...Adam..." She looked at him with furrowed brows. Concern could be seen on her face and it was something that Adam found adorable, prompting him to pinch her cute dainty cheeks.
Seriously, a baby chick like her who barely started walking was showing concern for him of all people?
'No, stop it.' Adam chastised himself in his mind. 'Anyone can show concern for the people they care about.'
This should be a good thing and not something you look down upon, asshole.
Shaking off his self-reproaching thoughts, Adam looked at his cute brunette and smiled reassuringly, "You don't have to worry partner. I didn't tell you guys my story so you could pity me or something. Rather, I said it so that you could learn from it and grow."
Sighing, she closed her eyes and smiled softly. "...I suppose you're right. Perhaps the reason why you're so strong and confident is because of the hardships you overcame. And if we pitied you for it... it would be the same as insulting everything you went through."
Adam's smile stretched wider, a little surprised and pleased that his partner was sensitive enough to realize that.
At the same time, Miku and Kokoro also realized what they were doing and thought that their brunette best friend was right. Who were they to pity him like that?
They couldn't even imagine how they would feel if they ever lost a friend- they don't even want to think about it. But Adam, he had lost so many comrades and yet, he still stands strong today.
He truly is an admirable person.
"See? You get it. As expected of my partner." He grinned at the brunette.
Naomi smiled again, "Though, I would appreciate it if you stop pinching my cheeks now."
Adam smirked, before saying in a teasing tone, "Right. You prefer me pinching your other cheeks."
Naomi's brows furrowed for a second, before her dainty fair cheeks flared in furious red.
"A-Adam!" she glared at the handsome white haired teen who was shamelessly smiling at her.
Really, in the older teen's opinion, it was her fault that she was fun to tease.
Meanwhile, the other kids around them couldn't understand why Naomi reacted like that. Except for one particular petite girl with long ash-blonde hair, who immediately picked up on what Adam meant and in turn, made her face burned in embarrassment at the realization. Kokoro hid her flustered face by looking at the ground while holding Miku's arm as a guide. As for the other innocent teens, they remained oblivious to Naomi and Adam's words, chalking it up as an inside joke between the two.
Soon enough, the group of teens made their way to the mess hall.
Along the way, Adam felt someone discreetly tugged on the cuff of his sleeves. Looking at the bluenette who walked beside him without facing him, he turned his gaze back to the front, acting as if he didn't notice a thing, but he understood that she wanted to tell him something later. Ichigo glanced at him, as if asking him whether he got her intentions and he subtly nodded in return. Ichigo also returned a subtle nod and confirmed their secret rendezvous later.
As for why Adam indulged in her secretive act, it was because he wasn't an entirely insensitive asshole to not realize the awkwardness between the squad, especially between Goro and Ichigo. Although the two of them thought they could hide it by acting professional, it was painfully obvious to him that something was bothering the two of them.
But acting cordial to them was the extent of his consideration. He sure as hell wasn't going out of his way to act as some kind of medium for them to get a long and resolve their issues. Because, honestly, in his opinion? The bluenette could simply undergo the same 'procedure' as Naomi so she could synchronize with her partner with ease.
The same case with Miku who was clearly not getting along with the delusional shorty.
'Hmm... come to think, HQ told me to use my 'specialty' in my own discretion, which essentially means that they're allowing me to power-up the doctor's units. As for why? I don't even need to think about it. Those arrogant old fucks are probably curious and wants to see where the doctor was going with his plans.'
His musings ended when they arrived at the mess hall. However, just as right as they entered the mess hall, the hem of his coat was tugged.
"Hm?" This time, Adam stopped and turned behind him where he saw a bespectacled freckled teen, Ikuno, wearing a very troubled expression.
"Adam-san... Can I ask you a question later? ....alone?" asked Ikino with a voice laced with hestiance and nervousness.
***
Ikuno had always been a cautious girl. Unlike her friends, she didn't become a parasite out of a sense of duty, obligation, or even recognition. It wasn't anything grand like any of those. Rather, it was because of one simple reason.
She wanted to live.
Ever since she found out the reason for the disappearance of her friends and acquaintances back in the garden, she realized that she had to struggle with everything she could or she would be discarded or exiled like them.
And fortunately for her, it seems that her desperation is what helped her pull through the struggles and become a parasite.
But oh, how naïve her thoughts were to think that becoming a parasite was the end-goal.
It turns out that rather than the end-goal, it was actually the starting line.
The starting line to a dreadful never-ending battle between them and the klaxosaurs.
Adam's stories were like an eye opener for her, making her second guess everything she'd ever worked hard on.
And now, she felt utterly terrified and paranoid of everything.
What's worse is that she didn't know what was causing it.
After coming to the realization of what a parasite truly is, she suddenly felt an irrational and nonsensical fear inside her head, making her feel like she was moments away from having a panic attack.
She had never felt so alone and terrified right as of this moment.
Which was amplified when Adam advised them about wholeheartedly trusting their partners.
Hah! She almost snorted out loud when she heard that. Not that she's being malicious to Adam, but it's just that her partner was an ego-centric bastard who's only focused on himself.
He doesn't care one bit about her as he only sees her as a tool to be used and discarded when she loses her worth.
His complete indifference towards her is what greatly added on to her anxiety and fear.
After all, between the two of them, he was the more stable and proficient one.
It was a humiliating and infuriating fact to acknowledge.... but what can she do? No matter how hard she tried, she was barely average at best.
Even though she trained and studied just as hard as him.
'I guess we're just fundamentally different.'
But this realization didn't help her situation at all.
'What do I do?' She anxiously pondered in her mind.
If she stays the way she was, she would be nothing more than a replaceable pistil parasite who could be discarded by either her egotistical partner or by the higher ups.
Klutching her uncontrollably twitching arms, Ikuno was so deep in her thoughts that she didn't even realize that they were already heading towards the mess hall.
"Hey Ikuno... are you okay?"
The bespectacled girl immediately snapped out of it and fixed her expression as soon as she heard Kokoro's voice.
Facing her concerned friend with a forced smile, "I-I'm alright..." Ikuno replied.
Kokoro furrowed her brows at her, showing evident worry and concern but Ikuno shook her head and reaffirmed her petite ash-blonde haired friend.
"Don't worry, I'm fine." she said with assurance.
"Are you really?"
"Maa, maa," Ikuno sheepishly smiled and waved her hand at Kokoro. "It's really nothing. I guess I'm just a little shaken up by the klaxosaurs that Adam showed earlier."
Kokoro stared at her for a bit before nodding her head.
"I agree... they looked really fearsome. It makes me wonder how Adam-kun could muster uo the courage to face them."
"Yeah..." Ikuno nodded her head in agreement while inwardly sighing in relief in successfully concealing her feelings.
It was while the bespectacled freckled girl thought about Adam, that she suddenly remembered his unique constitution.
'How could I forget?!'
She wanted to mentally slap herself for forgetting such an important information.
'Naomi had already confirmed the effects herself as she successfully synergized with Adam without any prior meeting or training. Therefore, if it worked on her, then it could also work on me!'
Her eyes flickered as she gazed at Adam's tall back just a few steps in front of her.
'I need his help... I need to undergo the same 'procedure' that Naomi did.'
That way... she can be reassured.
Making up her mind as they reached the doorway to the mess hall, she pulled on the hem of Adam's coat.
"A-adam..."
"Hm?"
She was a little afraid that Adam might find her annoying for bothering him, but that fortunately didn't seem to be the case when he looked at her.
'Yeah... Adam is a nice person.... surely he'll help... right?'
Facing his handsome amiable face, Ikino spoke, "Adam-san... Can I ask you a question later? ....alone?"
"Sure." Adam nodded with certainty.
Oh thank goodness.
Ikuno couldn't help but feel a little relieved.
"But when though?"
"Um..." The bespectacled girl thought about it for a bit and then suggested, "How about we take a walk from the garden to the bridge towards the pavilion in the middle of the lake? That way, we can burn off the dinner we would be eating."
"No problem." Adam agreed with a smile.
Ikuno's face brightened.
"T-thank you Adam!"
"No problemo. So, shall we?" Adam invited her to eat.
Ikuno smiled and nodded, feeling light on her feet as she followed behind him inside the mess hall.
***
Dinner passed by relatively quickly. The girls chatted among themselves with Adam sitting beside Naomi. The girls, most especially Miku and Ichigo, actively asked him more questions while eating and Adam answered them amiably.
Meanwhile, the other boys wanted to point out that he shouldn't sit there in the girls table, but no one had the guts to say anything to him. Besides, it was just a rule that they made among themselves as to feel more comfortable while eating.
If the girls were fine with him sitting there, who were they to disagree?
After dinner was over, Adam told Naomi that if she met with his sister, tell her that he would be a little late due to some kids wanting to consult to him about something. Naomi asked if she could come with him, feeling a concerned for her friends.
Adam shook his head and told her that it may not be polite to the other party since they were expecting to talk to him and him alone.
"Okay...." Naomi nodded her head and said, "Get back soon, okay? And also, thanks for taking the time to hear them out."
Adam smiled and patted her head, "It's no big deal. No worries. Just tell my sister I'll be a little late, okay?"
"Okay." Naomi agreed with a faint blush on her cheeks, knowing full well that Adam and Zero Two would probably do that again as soon as he gets back into their room.
"Alright, see you."
"Yes..."
Staring at his back as he entered a different hall, the one leading towards the west ward of the boarding house, the brunette immediately turned and headed to Adam and Zero Two's room, feeling a little anticipation to the 'forbidden acts' that were bound to happen later.
Although she said it herself that they should only be doing this every now and then, she couldn't control herself after experiencing such mind blowing pleasure. The way her entire body drowned in ecstasy- no matter how short while it was, which was regrettable (she passed out), it was still very unforgettable.
She wanted to do it again and this time, she aimed to do better and last longer especially now that she knew what to expect.
'I won't pass out!'
(Spoilers: she will.)
It was while she was in the midst of her musing that Miku suddenly ambushed her with a mischievous look.
"Naomi-chan~" She spoke with a sing-song tone.
"M-Miku. Hi!"
The twin-tailed red head girl wore a cheshire smile as she stated, "You don't seem to be heading back to our dorm so... can I ask where are you heading?"
"That's um...." Naomi looked away, trying to think of an excuse and not expose the fact that she plans on 'sleeping' with Adam and Zero Two.
Unfortunately however, the brunette wasn't the best liar and Miku beat her to it.
"Are you planning on going to Adam-san's room?"
Naomi was surprised. She didn't think she was that obvious and couldn't help but think about how either Miku was uncharacteristically observative of her, or she simply luckily guessed the right answer.
Unfortunately for Naomi, her delayed response made Miku more sure of her words.
"C-can I come too?" Miku stated, a blush adorning her cheeks as she looked to the side while playing with her hair.
The red head already knew what her words entailed and... she would be lying if she wasn't anticipating it.
'Kissing Adam...' she thought dreamily.
She snapped out of her fantasy when Naomi asked with a confused face, "Why?"
"Oh come on! We're friends, aren't we?" Miku pouted.
Naomi tilted her head, waiting for her to state her reasons.
Seeing that the brunette wasn't budging, Miku sighed and murmured, "I-I want to ask the both of you about something..."
"And that is...?"
"Umm...." Miku's already embarrassed face turned even more red. "I-It's about the procedure thing you did with Adam..." she looked at her with a resolute gaze, "Do you think I can do it too?"
Receiving that look, Naomi remembered the red head's relationship with her partner so it makes sense that she would want to do the same thing.
'But...'
Knowing Adam's special ability, this would mean that Miku would need to do 'forbidden acts' with him as well and for some reason, she felt a little possessiveness about it.
But that nasty feeling only lasted for a second before it disappeared.
Her friend was asking for her help and she would do her best to help her.
Finally, Naomi nodded her head and answered her friend, "I'll ask Adam and Zero Two if you can and I'll tell you if they agree."
Miku's beamed a smile as she hugged Naomi and expressed her thanks.
"Thank you!!!!"
"Uhh... it's nothing..." Naomi replied while awkwardly rubbing Miku's back.
***
On the long monolith-white bridge that stretched across the large lake, a young man and a teen could be seen walking beside each other. The young man had neat shaggy white hair with a pair of mesmerizingly beautiful blue eyes. With his tall and fit stature as well as his immaculate handsome face, he seemed like a prince charming straight out of a fairytale.
Meanwhile, the girl walking beside such a person seemed like an ugly duckling, unworthy to even walk beside him. In terms of appearance, if the young man was a prince, then the girl was a peasant.
At least, that's how it felt like in Ikuno's opinion.
All of a sudden, she felt very self-conscious the moment she realized that she was alone with Adam. The teenager herself felt surprised because throughout her life, she had always been indifferent to what others thought about her. After all, she was busy enough trying to survive and improve herself to be chosen as a parasite.
Ikuno was brought out of her thoughts when Adam initiated the conversation after reaching a quarter of the bridge.
"It was a nice meal, wasn't it?"
"....Yes, it was." Ikuno awkwardly nodded.
'Actually, I was too nervous and anxious that I didn't taste anything.'
But she kept her thoughts to herself.
"So..." Adam turns to her with a gentle expression, "what did you want to talk about?"
"It's... um...."
Should she really just state her true intentions? And if she did, isn't that too straight forward? Wouldn't that make it seem like she just wants to use Adam?
As if sensing her inner conflict, Adam decided to change the topic.
"You can tell me about it later. For now, why don't you tell me about yourself, Ikuno-san?"
"There's nothing really interesting about me though..."
'Ah...' She immediately regretted her statement. 'What the heck is wrong with me?'
Why was she so self deprecating?
"See, that's where you're wrong." Adam took a step forward and faced her. Continuing to move while walking backwards, Adam said, "I believe that everyone, no matter what kind of person they are or what kind of life they lived, have stories to tell. Sure, some people may not find them interesting. But in my opinion, the fact that you lived an entire different, has a different personality, has different beliefs and opinions, is already interesting to me."
With a dangerously handsome smirk appearing on his face, Ikuno felt her heart skip a few beats as the older teen stopped walking and tilted his head, asking her, "Don't you think so too?"
"I-I guess..." Ikuno answered while shifting her gaze away.
She then coughed, regaining her composure and replying to him, "But really, compared to your life, I don't have anything much to tell about mine."
"Hmm... how about this," Adam moved back to her side and they continue to walk the bridge.
"Tell me everything you can say about yourself. Like, what are your hobbies? What are your likes and dislikes? What's your favourite dish? How were your experiences during your time at the Garden? How did you become friends with your other squadmates?"
"I- uh..." Flustered by his spontaneous inquiries, Ikuno felt a little overwhelmed but she steeled herself and thought about his questions for a bit before answering them one by one.
***
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