Confrontation

The next morning, Shawn woke up as usual. He yawned and, catching sight of a large figure sitting on the opposite bed out of the corner of his eye, was instantly wide awake from the shock.

When he realized it was Calvin, he patted his chest, feeling a bit drained. "...Why are you just sitting here so early in the morning? Aren't you going to morning practice today?"

Calvin just stared at him silently, without answering.

Shawn sat up as well. "...It's really rare to see you skip morning training."

"From today onwards, I'll try to watch you every moment," Calvin suddenly said.

"Huh?"

"Ms. Moly instructed me last night."

Shawn raised an eyebrow slightly. "...Why does that old woman always find trouble with me?"

Calvin looked at Shawn. "Did you do something last night, Shawn?"

"Me? What else could I have done? I stayed in my room the whole time." Shawn jumped out of bed and walked towards the coffee machine not far away. He was wearing a white tank top and loose dark blue shorts, with flip-flops on his feet, each step making a slap-slap sound.

Soon, the coffee machine started working. Shawn leaned on the table with both hands, turned back, and continued chatting with Calvin. His gaze swept across the square table not far away, and he suddenly noticed something different. "...Where's my computer?"

"I put it away."

"Where did you put it?" Shawn frowned. "...Why did you put my computer away?"

"Fletcher will be here shortly," Calvin said, looking at Shawn. "She'll take your computer to the base's Order Division for inspection. They suspect you did something bad again last night."

Shawn chuckled. "Then let them check. If they can find anything this time, I'll admit defeat."

"...Did you go bother Hesta again?"

"Did Fletcher tell you?"

"No, I guessed," Calvin sighed softly. "What are you thinking, Shawn? I warned you to stay away from her."

"Please believe me, I've fully considered your opinion, brother. I've been staying far enough away from her lately."

"Then why—"

Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the door. Shawn glanced sideways, saying "Coming" as he reluctantly went to open it.

Liz Fletcher stood outside, her expression icy.

"Good morning, Miss Fletcher," Shawn bowed slightly towards Liz. "You don't look very happy. Didn't sleep well last night?"

"Move aside."

Liz strode in. Calvin stood up and picked up a dark gray metal case from beside the bed. "Shawn's computer, phone, and several spare hard drives he uses daily are all in here."

Liz checked them. "When did you collect them?"

"As per Ms. Moly's request, I collected these items by surprise after Shawn fell asleep last night," Calvin replied. "I didn't inform him beforehand, so the computer, phone, and hard drives are all in the state they were in before he went to sleep last night."

"Alright," Liz took the case. "Thank you for your cooperation... If any problems are found, your assistance will be considered a partial confession from Shawn—"

Shawn crossed his arms and leaned casually against the wall. "And if there are no problems, can I sue you for infringing on a student's privacy?"

Liz, carrying the case, walked up to Shawn. She grabbed the hem of his tank top with one hand and shoved him hard against the wall. "I've checked your file... I know it was you."

"Then you'll need evidence, Miss Fletcher. You're about to transfer professions, and it's not right to bully a junior like this."

"I will find out who you are," Liz narrowed her eyes slightly. "You'd better pray you don't fall into my hands."

Shawn spread his hands in a gesture of helplessness, and then Liz shoved him forcefully to the side. He staggered back several steps before managing to regain his balance.

A door slammed shut from the outside.

Shawn smiled and looked down, pulling at his tank top, which Liz had distorted.

"I don't understand, Shawn," Calvin stood in place, looking at his somewhat disheveled brother. "Why are you so focused on that girl?"

"I don't understand either."

Calvin's brow furrowed. "...What?"

"I mean you," Shawn looked at him. "And everyone else in this base... I don't understand why you all trust these training officers so completely after being here for such a short time. They watch over us, control our training data, and even measure how we see the world... Have you never considered that one day this information could become a weapon against us?"

"It's been two years, not a short time," Calvin replied. "Most of the time, Ms. Moly is fair."

"Then do you believe she genuinely cares about you, about us?"

Calvin paused for a moment. "I never expect such things from others. But many people in the base, Valenti, Moly, Lavette, Will... even Fletcher, they are different from the people at Hekla. You can't always judge new people by old standards."

Shawn clicked his tongue and shook his head. "...You're too young, too naive, my brother. The more you let your guard down, the more I can't slack off. After all, I promised Mom I'd take good care of you."

Calvin scratched his head, looking somewhat perplexed.

"Say whatever you want... In any case, I will never let you act recklessly again."

"You want to schedule a meeting with Miss Chiba this week?"

In Ms. Moly's office, Moly's young secretary looked at Hesta with some surprise.

"Yes," Hesta nodded. "If possible, I'd like to schedule it for this Thursday."

"I'm sorry... I don't have the authority to do that at the moment. Although Miss Chiba is your guardian, she is also a restricted-level contact person, and we can't always reach her—"

"Could you please relay this request to Ms. Moly for me?" Hesta asked softly. "She should be able to help."

The young secretary paused for a moment. "Oh, certainly... Are you going to wait here for her to return? Ms. Moly has a meeting this morning, it should be ending around now."

"No, I have class next," Hesta replied. She didn't turn to leave immediately, instead looking at the floor with some hesitation. "...I also wanted to ask you a question. Is now a good time?"

"Of course."

"Can I... apply to carry a firearm within the base?"

The young secretary thought she had misheard, so Hesta repeated herself. The secretary stood up on the spot. "I don't know why you would have such an idea, Miss Hesta... but no, Tanyi City is a gun-free zone. Ordinary citizens do not have the right to bear arms, and non-combat personnel within the base are also forbidden from carrying firearms."

"But I saw an old leather gun holster in Liz's room?" Hesta asked quietly.

"Miss Liz has participated in several real combat operations against Chelated Beings, so she does have a firearm, but it's only temporary possession," the young secretary said, looking at Hesta. "I... I understand how you're feeling right now, but please don't resort to extremes. Not only will this not solve the problem fundamentally, but it will also land you in even greater trouble."

Hesta seemed to be contemplating this.

"...I understand. Thank you."