Later
"Caelus, how was the talk?" Phil asks as Caelus returns to the cafeteria.
"It's nothing much, just Qingyi returning my baseball bat after finishing their investigation," Caelus says as he shows his wrapped baseball bat.
"I still don't know what that thing is even made of," Phil can't help but deadpan upon seeing that baseball bat.
"I don't know either, but I ain't complaining. This shit is effective against Ethereals." Caelsu says with a grin, earning a reluctant nod from Phil.
"So, you're a Hollow Raider?" Evelyn can't help but ask.
"I'm on my way to get a legal permission to enter the Hollow and do any form of investigation once HIA finally contacts me to update the recruitment process, but before that, I'll enter Hollow illegally to save someone's ass," Caelus says as he sits next to Phil.
"Oh, the Canvas Street incident!" Astra exclaims as she claps her hands. "So that's why you're so familiar! You're the hero of the incident!"
"I...don't think I can call myself a hero..." Caelus says bashfully. "But, yeah, I was involved in that incident. I received a warning from the Public Security, telling me not to enter Hollow illegally. They even suggested to me about the HIA."
"I see..." Evelyn feels like he didn't tell the full story, but she decided to keep it to herself. It does explain his insane stamina and that weird power. She wonders what kind of W-Engine he got to pull such things, but she had a suspicion that it was from the black market, cause there's no way the government would approve a random civilian wielding such weapons.
"Oh, I honestly thought they were talking about your involvement with the Defense Force," Seed says casually, causing both Phil and Caelus to snap their heads towards her, giving her disbelief looks. Evelyn raises her eyebrow upon hearing this, while Astra looks even more interested. Caelus may have imagined it, but he even heard someone facepalming.
"Hold on a second," Caelus says before he and Phil drag Seed from the cafeteria.
"Seed, I thought the military operation was supposed to be a secret from any civilians." Phil quietly hisses.
"But, they're not just any civilians, though," Seed says, confused at why they were overreacting. "Stars of Lyra are under TOPS' organisation, and a lot of government secrets are nothing but open books for them."
"...right, I forgot how TOPS operate..." Phil says while facepawing.
"Still, spilling something so carelessly isn't really recommended. And did you forget there are a bunch of civilians in the cafeteria who could overhear this? And I swear one of them facepalmed upon hearing your statement." Caelus argues as Seed can't help but look sheepish.
"Oops?" Seed says as both Phil and Caelus sigh in unison.
"...I swear you're gonna be the death of us," Caelus mutters before they all return to the cafeteria.
"So...what's this about-?" Astra was about to ask more, but Caelus raised his hand to stop her.
"Let's not discuss this in a public area," Caelus says while gesturing at the apartment's residents. Astra realises this and simply nods.
"So, I can ask more privately," Astra says with a smile as Caelus sweatdrops.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't ask more," Caelus says as Astra pouts. Meanwhile, Evelyn was deep in thought. The more she hears about this mysterious man, the more confusing she feels. How does a supposed underground Hollow Raider have a connection with both PubSec and Defense Force without both sides attempted to arrest him?
Caelus being with either side is like him offering himself on a silver platter with a large sign of 'Please arrest me!' hanging around his neck. From how he casually tells everyone about his entering Hollow, he shows himself to be a terrible secret-keeper, so the PubSec and the Defense Force shouldn't have any trouble arresting him. So, why didn't they?
Could it be that he's secretly a dangerous individual with money and connections to prevent both authority figures from arresting him? It does explain how he was familiar with PubSec and the Defense Force, and how he was able to get hold of such dangerous W-Engines. It also explains how he managed to command an entire section of the black market. Then, why would he get involved with the Canvas Street?
Is it his ploy to trick people so they won't suspect him? Evelyn glances at Caelus, who simply tilts his head in confusion. She can't help but think he doesn't look like someone who would do that, not with that oblivious, stupid-looking face. But her experience with the underground world and her paranoia made her think that it might be another trick.
She observes Caelus as he casually talks with Astra, and through her observation, Caelus continues to show he wasn't the type of guy she feared. His bonds with Phil and Seed seem very genuine, as he acts like some sort of older brother for them. His conversation with Astra sounds like someone talking with a friend.
And from how Astra talks happily with Caelus, it only convinces her more that Caelus is just an eccentric, immature guy. And with how Astra feels more at ease with him than her own studio, Evelyn can't help but accept that she may be too paranoid.
That doesn't mean she would let her guard down. As Astra's bodyguard, she can't stop keeping an eye on any threat to Astra's career or life.
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A Few Hours Later
"Thanks for everything," Astra says with a smile. "You didn't have to help Evelyn and me deal with my overenthusiastic fans, but you did. So, I suppose I owe you one again."
"Let's not keep a tab on each other," Caelus says with a sweatdrop. "I simply help because I can."
"Besides, this guy is the definition of 'sweet guy'," Phil says as he teasingly elbows Caelus' legs. "Back when we were just neighbors, he risked his life to save me when I was in trouble in a Hollow."
"And now, I regret it." Caelus deadpans before picking Phil up and taking a pitcher stance, aiming at a random direction.
"W-what are you doing!!?!" Phil exclaims as he flails in panic.
"I'm planning on tossing you back at the Hollow," Caelus says with an amused expression.
"T-there's no way you could make that shot!" Phil panics even more. Even though he was sure he won't land on a Hollow, crashing into a building would surely kill him.
"You forget my other talent, didn't you?" Phil freezes in fear before he turns around and sees Caelus making that terrifyingly ugly grin once more. This makes Phil turn pale and start to whimper. Caelus can't help but chuckle before putting him down and patting his head.
"Y-you jerk!!!" Phil exclaims as he starts flailing his arms, attempting to hurt Caelus. Unfortunately, Caelus didn't feel a thing as he laughed. Astra and Seed can't help but giggle while Evelyn feels her lips twitch upward.
"Still, thank you," Astra says once again. "It's quite a lot of fun, despite hiding from my fans..."
"Happy to help," Caelus says as he notices Evelyn staring at him. "Something wrong, Ms. Evelyn?"
"...may I have a word with you?" Evelyn asks as Caelus simply nods. Caelus wasn't oblivious to Evelyn being suspicious of him, especially with how she kept staring at him. He didn't feel annoyed by her action since he knew Evelyn was being cautious for Astra's sake and her experience.
They walk away from the group and find a secluded area to have a private conversation. For a while, they simply stare at each other in silence. Caelus can't help but be annoyed by this and decides to break the silence.
"I know you're suspicious of me," Caelus says bluntly, catching Evelyn off guard. "I mean, it does sound suspicious. A random civilian who didn't want anything from the famous singer Astra Yao, despite helping her multiple times. Then, from what you heard about my involvement with PubSec and the Defense Force, you feel even more suspicious."
"You knew?" Evelyn can't help but voice her surprise.
"Despite my look, I ain't oblivious," Caelus says as Evelyn looks away, feeling slightly guilty for judging him based on his looks. "Look, despite my actions looking suspicious, I don't harbor any ill intent towards Astra."
"That's what everyone I met says, and look at where they are," Evelyn says while crossing her arms.
"If you look at my record, you know that I am a new resident of New Eridu," Caelus says, causing Evelyn to look at him in surprise. "I was a victim of a gang from outside of New Eridu, who captured my parents and me. They tossed us into the Hollow for their pleasure. The reason why I could survive is due to my Ether Aptitude, but my parents..."
"...I'm sorry," Evelyn mutters, feeling slightly guilty. She may had a theory that Caelus's entering the Hollow illegally is due to his trauma of losing his parents, and from Phil's words, he refuses to let anyone fall victim to the Hollow. She literally suspects a traumatized victim with a saviour complex, possibly being a secret criminal.
"Don't be, it's not something I casually say to the public." Caelus sighs. "And I understand. You have a right to be suspicious, and I am telling you this to clear those suspicions, not trying to get an apology from you. If you don't believe me, you can check my record since apparently, you guys work under TOPS. Surely, reading a civilian's record is allowed."
"Not exactly," Evelyn admits, causing Caelus to blink. "Astra and I had very limited access to government-related things despite working under TOPS. You can say, we're at the lower hierarchy..."
'That doesn't mean I couldn't sneak into one of their office and confirm his words...' Evelyn thought, choosing not to tell the young man.
"Ah..." Caelus mutters, scratching his cheeks awkwardly.
"Still, thank you for being honest, and for helping Ms. Yao in my absence..." Evelyn says, looking awkward as she wasn't used to thanking people for helping Astra. Not that she is ungrateful, but it was rare to see people help her. Most of them are either simping for her or harboring malicious intent.
"As I said to Astra, happy to help," Caelus says as they both return to the group. They both notice there's a taxi waiting for them.
"Hey, Eve. I had called a ride while you guys were having a conversation." Astra says before leaning closer to Evelyn. "So, what are you guys talking about?"
"She was thanking me for helping you and Evelyn. But, she feels a bit embarrassed and wants to do it in private," Caelus says teasingly as Evelyn glares at him, pulling out a knife with wires attached to it. Thankfully, Astra calms her down.
"Easy, Eve. We're going back to the studio..." Astra chuckles nervously before waving goodbye at the group. "See you tomorrow, guys!"
"Tomorrow!?" The trio can't help but be surprised.
"Ms. Yao, we have a busy schedule tomorrow..." Evelyn says, finally calming down.
"Oh, we do?" Astra says, acting oblivious as Evelyn gives her a dry stare. Astra simply giggles as they enter the taxi, and the driver drives away.
"...you know, I am questioning your luck of managing to get Astra Yao of all people hanging out with us normies," Phil says as Caelus deadpans at him.
"How do you think I feel?" Caelus says as Seed giggles. "Anyways, I'm gonna hit the hay."
"This early?" Phil asks in surprise as he looks at the sky, noticing the sun has just set a few minutes ago, and the moon is visible.
"Yeah, I plan on increasing our workout tomorrow," Caelus says as Phil pales.
"Come on, gimme a break! Is this a revenge for what I said earlier!!?! I'm sorry!" Phil begs dramatically.
"No, it's just your Thiren body seems to adjust to my training faster than I anticipated," Caelus says as Phil blinks before giving him a disbelief look.
"Me!?! Adjusting!!? I pant like a dog at the end of every training session!" Phil exclaims.
"No, it's mostly due to your fur and the weather conditions," Caelus says as Phil groans.
"I kinda like the training, reminds me of the Defense Force morning training," Seed says as Phil stares at her in disbelief.
"...I'm so glad I didn't have a plan to join..." Phil grumbles before the trio enters the elevator and goes to their respective room. After a shower and changing his clothes, he opens the system and glances at the file in it.
"As I've Written..." Caelus mutters before opening the file. The moment he clicks on the screen, he instantly falls unconscious.
To be Continued