The afternoon sun shines through the pine branches and leaves in the courtyard and slants on the wooden corridor of Japanese Manor.
There is a hint of laziness in the air after eating and drinking.
After Minister Sato sent them to the door, he fled in a car as if he were avoiding the god of plague, using the excuse that there was an emergency meeting in the branch.
The calmness far away from the hustle and bustle has returned to the Manor.
As soon as Reggie entered the house, he couldn't wait to tear open the packaging box of Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the plastic protective case and instructions inside were scattered on the floor.
He held the gray rectangular game console and wandered around in front of the TV for a long time, but he didn't understand how to connect it.
"Get out of the way, don't break the thread."
Lynn took off his light gray windbreaker and put it on the back of the chair. He walked over and took the red, yellow and white video cable from Reggie's hand.
He skillfully walked around to the back of the bulky Sony picture tube TV and fumbled to insert the connector into the corresponding hole.
Accompanied by a soft sound as the power was turned on, the TV screen flashed for a moment, and then accompanied by a cheerful eight-bit electronic synthesized sound, the classic colorful game screen popped up.
"Cool!" Reggie cheered, sat down on Tatami, grabbed a handle and didn't let go.
Annie pulled Tommy to join in the fun. The little girl was full of curiosity about the little pixel people jumping around on the screen.
Kevin was holding his water bottle and sitting quietly cross-legged not far away, watching Reggie randomly click on the person selection interface.
Lynn took two cans of ice-cold Coca-Cola from the carton next to it. There was a hint of cold air coming out of the aluminum cans.
He walked to the dark corner at the far edge of the room, where Black Noir was sitting cross-legged as usual.
He was still wearing the black uniform with no eyes exposed, as if the killing in the Kamo Family's main house just now had never happened at all.
Lynn conveniently placed a can of ice coke with water droplets on Tatami in front of Black Noir.
"Isn't it quite easy to work with us?"
Lynn leaned against the wooden pillar next to him, pulled open the can of Coke Griphook in his hand, and with a hissing sound of bubbles surging, he raised his head and took a big sip.
Black Noir raised his head, and despite the thick black mask, Lynn could feel the other person's eyes falling on the can of Coke.
"Edgar How much salary will I give you every month? I can give you double it, and not only will food and accommodation be included, but you won't have to do the dirty work."
Lynn's tone was like chatting with an ordinary neighbor, without the seriousness of recruiting a top killer. "John, that kid is actually quite insecure. He needs an elder who can not only play with him, but also resist his tossing. I think you are quite suitable. At least your physical fitness is much better than mine."
Lynn said these words very casually, but they are not light in weight.
He is not only poaching Vought International, but also paving the way for John's future.
A Black Noir that is not controlled by Edgar is absolutely a perfect puzzle piece for their little family.
Black Noir was silent for a long time.
He did not touch the can of Coke, but slowly put his hand into Tactical Vest's pocket.
Lynn's hair stood on end.
Just when Lynn thought he was going to take out something, Black Noir took out a palm-sized black notepad and a short pencil.
He scribbled a few words on the paper, then turned the notebook over and held it up in front of Lynn.
I am the shadow of Edgar.
I belong to the company.
Refuse.
The handwriting is stiff and even a little distorted, like that of a primary school student who has just learned to write.
But the absolute loyalty and refusal to communicate revealed between the lines were like a cold and hard wall.
Looking at this line of words, the expression on Lynn's face did not change at all. There was neither anger at being rejected in person nor the slightest regret.
"Okay."
Lynn shrugged indifferently, pushed the notepad back, then bent down and forced the can of ice-cold Coke directly into Black Noir's black-gloved hand.
"But since you are now under this roof, you are considered one of us. Don't be nervous all the time. Drinking something sweet can make people feel better. Even if the mask is inconvenient, there is always a way to drink it."
After Lynn finished speaking, he turned around and walked back to the TV regardless of Black Noir's reaction.
His nonchalant and casual attitude actually made Black Noir, who was sitting in the shadow, stiffen slightly.
As Vought International's most deadly weapon, he is used to obeying, used to being used as a tool, and used to others being afraid of him.
But he was not used to this kind of pyrotechnic acceptance.
Black Noir looked down at the can of Coke that was still steaming in his hand. After a long time, he silently placed the Coke beside him.
In front of the TV, the battle between Street Fighter has become intense.
Reggie was beaten by John with a set of the most basic tortoise punches and was unable to fight back. The character on the screen let out a scream and fell heavily to the ground, with a big K. O word popping up.
"That's not fair! You must have secretly used Super Reflexes!"
Reggie dropped the handle angrily.
John sat cross-legged on the mat, Azure's eyes were full of pride, and his golden hair tilted up slightly as he swayed. "I only used one hand, Reggie, it's because you pressed the keys too slowly."
"That must be because I didn't use Super Speed well!"
"Let me do it instead."
Lynn smiled and sat down next to John, and picked up the handle that Reggie threw on the ground.
"Lynn, do you want to play too?"
John rubbed the cross keys of the controller excitedly, "I'm very powerful. Just now Reggie didn't even knock out half of my health."
"Really? Then I have to be more serious."
Lynn raised his eyebrows and chose the role.
The moment the countdown ended, John's fingers turned into an afterimage on the handle.
With Super Reflexes and muscle control far beyond ordinary people, he can perfectly press all attack buttons in the shortest time.
But fighting games are not just about hand speed.
Lynn's fingers rubbed the cross keys leisurely, and every time he retreated and defended, he was stuck in the blind spot of John's attack.
At the moment when John's character froze due to a heavy punch, Lynn pressed the key combination without hesitation.
The little man in red on the screen rose into the sky with flames, directly knocking John's character into the air, and then carried him away with a set of skillful combos.
John looked at the health bar that instantly emptied on his screen, and was stunned.
For the next half hour, the room was filled with the clicking sound of plastic keys being frantically rubbed.
Although John reacted extremely quickly, he was still suppressed unilaterally in front of a veteran like Lynn.
Seeing himself falling down again on the screen, John dropped the controller and puffed up his cheeks in frustration.
He turned his head and looked at Lynn, who was sitting next to him and drinking Coke leisurely, with an inexplicable light flashing in his eyes.
"It would be great if you were this powerful in reality, Lynn."
The boy's voice was muffled, with a seriousness that didn't suit his age, "If you were so powerful in reality, those bad guys in white coats and those pretentious guys outside would never dare to look at you like that again."
Hearing these words, the originally noisy voices in the room seemed to quiet down.
Lynn put down the can in his hand.
He looked at the blond boy in front of him who had the power to destroy the world, but showed such a worried look in front of him, and he felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.
He stretched out his hand, rubbed John's golden hair with his gentle palm, and pinched the boy's cheek.
"In reality, I don't need to know how to make combos, John."
Lynn's voice was very soft, but with a reassuring certainty, "Because in reality I have you, and with you here, I don't need to fight by myself at all."
John's eyes lit up instantly, and the entire summer sunshine seemed to be reflected in those Azure pupils.
The frustration he originally felt because of losing the game was swept away, replaced by a huge sense of satisfaction in being deeply needed and trusted.
The boy nodded vigorously and leaned his head directly on Lynn's shoulder, like a little lion who finally found a safe haven.
"Well! I will drive away everyone who wants to hurt you."
John said quietly but firmly.
Lynn smiled and patted his back. The two of them snuggled in front of the TV. The picture was so warm.
After a while, Lynn moved his wrist and picked up the handle.
He turned around, raised the gray game controller in his hand, looked past the chattering children, and looked at the black shadow in the corner of the room.
"The winner will continue to defend the ring. Hey, Mr. Security in the corner, Edgar can't see you now. Do you want to come over and try a few games?"