World's Best Protagonist [BL]

I finally looked up and glared at him, a bit irritated. "Okay. I understand. Can you move now? I need to change..."

Claude smirked. He fucking smirked.

So, now that he was fine, he was back into the annoying guy he was. He looked calmer and more sincere. I don’t know. I just felt like, after meeting his eyes and seeing the glint of mischief in them, made me think we were somehow closer than before.

It was probably because we shared something personal. Mine was more shameful while he was...

I took a deep breath. Thinking about that woman just boiled my anger hundred percent. I should call Noir and confirm what he did to her.

"Alright. Then, I’ll prepare dinner while you change. Let’s eat together," he waved his hand, deliberately ignoring my inner crisis, and walked away.

"Damn him."

I had to change very slowly and had no plans to come downstairs. But then, I remembered we share the same bed. So, now, I have to force myself to forget that, so I can sleep in peace next to him.

No. I should probably move to the storage room. Yup. The guy made my former room his storage. He keeps the boxes of his parcels in there. Whose mother did he even meet, that he started with that custom?

I checked and there was none inside. He doesn’t even use them and just throws them inside without folding. The boxes had occupied half of the room already, from floor to ceiling. It made me wonder what the hell he was buying so much that it piled like that.

His room still had no furniture. So, I don’t have an idea what they were. They were large boxes, too.

After putting up a nonchalant mask and burying the earlier events at the back of my mind, I returned to the kitchen, helped him set the table, and ate with him as if nothing happened.

Two days later, after Commander Lan convinced us to take at least one day off from raids, another mission came down again.

I pulled my long coat up to my shoulders while walking behind Etienne and Terrius. A tap on the back made me look behind. Noir winked at me when our eyes met. I grinned. He chuckled.

"You won’t see that woman lingering around here again."

"Forever?"

"Hmm. Not sure. But in the meantime, yes."

He’s in a good mood. I called him that night and asked him what he did, but he didn’t tell me anything. He just made sure that what he did was not going to jeopardize the team. I sighed in relief after hearing that.

More than anyone else here, Noir was the one who wanted to go back most. So, I trust what he said. Also, lately, I noticed the change in his behavior. Perhaps Etienne’s influence.

He was beginning to be more honest with himself and us. Still sly and a bit annoying, but more sincere now. I don’t have to be afraid of being his puppet when I let my guard down.

He waved his hand and caught up with Etienne, jumping on him and putting his arm over his shoulder. I saw Terrius frown, but Noir was oblivious and even pulled Etienne closer to him.

I was eyeing Terrius with curiosity when another tap on my back caught my attention. Before I could turn around, Allen’s figure appeared next to me. I looked up at him, wondering what made him approach me now after a few days of ignoring me.

"I heard what happened the other day," he muttered, breaking the silence between us.

"Ah..."

I don’t know what to say. Should I ask him what he meant? Or let’s just assume he was talking about the deranged woman and not what occurred in the Sanctum. Why the hell would he even know about that anyway?

I shouldn’t feel this guilty over something that I wasn’t able to control. But looking at his sad face slipping from his stoic mask, I felt utterly unpleasant.

I think if everything is put to words, I’d be able to move forward.

But, what the heck with this walking on eggshells and waiting for a confession to happen? If I’m wrong, I’d be ashamed for a long time. But if I’m right, the relationship between us will never be the same.

I hope I’m just overthinking things and that there’s another explanation for his behavior.

"Jade," Allen called out, pulling me back to reality.

I blinked and gaped at him. "What?"

"About...my behavior this past few days..."

"Ah..."

Damn. Is it coming? I just wished for it, but I haven’t prepared myself yet.

"I’m sorry for ignoring you."

"It’s fine. It bothered me a bit, though."

"That’s good to hear," he replied with a subtle smile.

What’s good to hear, Allen? That you’re forgiven, or that I’m bothered? Who else would not be bothered if someone suddenly ignored them without explanation or reason?

"Also, I’ll make sure that woman won’t be dispatched in our team ever again."

"How? Doesn’t she have connections in the NMA?"

Sabrina came from a wealthy family. On top of that, she’s a high-ranking Minder. So, her father must be part of the NMA’s board members.

"I have connections too." Allen winked at me.

Right. I hope his brother helps. It’d be good for the captain, but I didn’t voice it out.

Also, if his brother could meddle with what was going on with Claude, why did Allen only suggest it now? Did they really not care for each other before I arrived, at all? How was the team before I met them? Another thing on the list of what I wanted to know.

We arrived at the site where another vortex appeared.

Terramourn Swirl—a vortex of earth and rock, swirling with soil, stones, and debris, capable of breaking apart structures and landscapes with its raw force.

It appeared in the suburbs, fortunately. The vast rice field was rained down by soil and pebbles coming out of the vortex. Allen’s barrier was already activated even when we were just standing outside.

A lower-ranked team has already finished installing Aetherlock spheres, and when the vortex’s exterior hazards subsided, we prepared to step in.

However, everyone halted when Claude’s voice echoed from behind us.

"You came."

We all looked behind, and my eyes widened a bit after seeing Lexie, wearing the same uniform with our team’s initials on the collar of her long coat. Etienne gasped, but a grateful smile was plastered on his face.

"Welcome back," Terrius commented.

"Geez. It took you too long to make up your mind," Noir teased.

Lexie just rolled her eyes at him and approached me. "I thought about what you said. Thanks for reminding me what’s important."

I shrugged. "Yeah. No problem. I’m glad you’re back."

I hugged her. I want her to feel she was appreciated. Tell her that a family won’t stop being a family just because they’re separated. But then, I remembered this team probably hadn’t reached that point yet.

Only Lexie saw everyone as family. Because she never had any before. So, she holds everyone dear to her heart.