"...Don't forget protection."
Even though Silver Wolf's true feelings were a complicated mix, like an overturned spice rack, the girl who liked to act cool and collected would never show it. She casually dropped a line that made even Kafka's blood pressure rise, then prepared to go to the game room next door to eavesdrop...
Ah, no, she meant to do her daily quests. They gave sixty Stellar Jades, after all.
"Stop. I didn't say you could go."
Kafka was the second-in-command of the Stellaron Hunters, the right hand of the "Destiny's Slave," Elio. Even though Silver Wolf was a rebellious girl with a lot of personality, she had to obey. Otherwise, Kafka was fully capable of dismantling Silver Wolf's gaming rig.
As for the tall, handsome man with his left eye covered by his bangs and possessing black hair and red eyes, his name was Blade. At this moment, Blade was staring at the boy on Kafka's lap with a rare look of interest that was somewhat unnerving. In his palm, his shattered sword, Shard Sword, emitted a faint red glow.
Zāwù had never met strangers before. He immediately showed a timid expression and burrowed deeper into Kafka's embrace.
This time, Kafka's body didn't stiffen; it softened. Her arm instinctively wrapped around the boy's slender waist, protecting him.
"Tsk..."
Seeing the look of disdain growing in Silver Wolf's eyes, Kafka's lips twitched. She realized she had to correct the improper thoughts in the girl's mind, and fast. She had to clarify that this was all a misunderstanding and explain everything about Zāwù.
Or rather... about "Creation."
With her Synesthesia Beacon, it was impossible for Kafka not to have understood the true meaning of the boy's original word. And yet, she had taken it upon herself to give him a name. She gave him the name "Zāwù," a name that suited him so well. This extra bit of tenderness might be called weakness. It might one day turn into a blade that stabbed at her.
But she had never known fear.
So, if she wanted to do something, she did it.
Just like how, even now, being misunderstood by Silver Wolf and stared at by Blade, she still hadn't loosened her hold on the boy.
From Kafka's body, Zāwù obsessively drew in a warmth and sense of security he had never experienced before. He was like a mayfly with no tomorrow, born at dawn and dead by dusk.
"Do you two believe someone could ignore all the shielding and defense systems we have in place and just drop a person right in front of me out of thin air?" Kafka began.
"Huh? If you're going to make something up, at least make it believable," Silver Wolf retorted. "Like, you were shopping at the intergalactic market and just happened to pick up a beautiful, homeless boy. At least then I'd be willing to sacrifice my IQ to believe you for a second."
Hey guys, I picked up a boy, and he wants to come home with me! Kafka felt a bit foolish just imagining it.
"I believe you," Blade said, standing with his arms crossed around his sword, looking tall and dashing.
"Thank you, Bladie."
Blade was the only one who didn't complain when Kafka gave him a nickname. She had previously called Silver Wolf "Wolfie" and Sam "Sammie," and both had demanded she stop, or they'd die of cringe. Especially Sam.
Oh, right. We haven't introduced the other member of the Stellaron Hunters, who was currently away on another mission from Elio. Sam, one of the earliest members to join besides the founder Elio, was a man of iron, completely covered in power armor. It might sound incredible, but he was actually the most popular member among men... Sam would have also believed Kafka's story without hesitation.
Two against one. Although Silver Wolf was a bit dissatisfied, when she thought about it, Kafka didn't really have a reason to lie to them. Because the woman came from "Pteruges-V," a planet where, due to the influence of a Stellaron, the inhabitants didn't know fear and indulged their desires, often degenerating into "devils." Kafka also didn't understand fear, so her behavior had always been different from ordinary people. An ordinary person caught in the act... would definitely panic and worry about their reputation, which would lead them to make up excuses.
But Kafka wouldn't be afraid of her reputation being damaged. If one day she really did order an interstellar prostitute for home service and was unlucky enough to be caught by Silver Wolf, the most likely thing she'd say wouldn't be a defense, but an invitation for her to join.
"...Interesting."
Changing her perspective, Silver Wolf immediately dragged a chair over and sat down backward, her chest pressed against the chair's back. She was observing the boy in Kafka's arms.
For a rare moment, she found this more interesting than any game.
So it was true, some people were so beautiful it was "breathtaking" and "unforgettable."
—I really want to hear him call me 'Big Sis.'
Silver Wolf shook her head, trying to get the strange, tempting thought out of her mind.
"Is he a succubus who traveled between stars?"
"No, his body seems to be that of an ordinary human."
"I don't believe it. He must have some kind of special talent, right?"
"A special 'talent'... I suppose you could put it that way."
"I suspect you're making an inappropriate joke. Show me your starship driver's license."
"Stop being a smartass," Kafka said. She actually quite liked chatting with Silver Wolf. The kid was small, but she had a lot of thoughts, many of them crooked.
Time passed. Under the warmth of the fireplace, the chill from the outside world gradually faded. Zāwù was lost in Kafka's embrace, his tense body slowly relaxing after the sudden arrival of Silver Wolf and Blade. He didn't care that they were talking about him right in front of him, making one assumption and guess after another. What he sought was always pure and simple. Just a warm embrace, a mother who was willing to love him.
He learned a lot from their conversation, the most important of which was the purple-haired big sister's name.
—Kafka.
She is a woman who can become my mother.
Zāwù made his judgment with all his heart.
As for Big Sis Silver Wolf...
The boy's gaze swept over her briefly, landing on the silver-haired girl's loose-fitting leather jacket before quickly retracting.
Assessment complete: lacks the outstanding qualities of a qualified mother.
"Did he just sneak a peek at me?" Silver Wolf clutched her chest defensively, biting her lip as if unwilling to accept it. "And it was a really rude one!"
"You're overthinking it. He's just a child," Kafka said with a smile, defending Zāwù. The maternal instinct that shouldn't have existed seemed to have been stimulated by the boy who was so attached to her.
Silver Wolf sounded a bit sour after hearing that. "What's with that... I used to be the youngest and most pampered member of the Stellaron Hunters."
"This little brat shows up and steals my position!"
"I'm going to throw a tantrum! I'm really going to do it!"
"Unless you let me play with him for a while!"
"Zāwù is not a doll..."
Blade just smiled silently, which, combined with his gloomy expression, was a little creepy, but otherwise fine.
In this base, for the first time, Zāwù's lonely heart felt the lively, bustling taste of life. It made him involuntarily tug on Kafka's sleeve.
She looked at him curiously.
The boy's lips trembled. He finally mustered up the courage to actively make a bold request.
"Mother Kafka."
"I want to..."
-------
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