> Well... seems like it.
we walked in.
The fairies notified everyone that a new member was here.
Ironveil
"So he brought him, as expected,"
—while working on a Mecha-tech robot body.
Then we were all prepared for a meeting.
Then I took Junpei with me.
He was rotating around, saying this and that about the place.
I took him into the castle, and he was so astonished by it.
Then I took him to the Queen.
Junpei
"Holy shit... she's a big fairy!"
—his eyes were glowing, face smiling like crazy, excited as hell.
He kept yapping non-stop.
I tripped him, bent his back while he fell, and caught him up by the hand.
I said:
"Now first — she is a celestial being, you know."
Junpei
"So sorry! Sorry for real!"
—bowing again and again.
Fairy Queen
"It's okay, dear child. I'm expecting you joined us."
Junpei
"Yes, mother…"
Then I cut him off.
I said:
"Say 'Your Highness,' you moron."
Junpei
"Sorry! Sorry…"
—getting flustered, bowing again and again.
Junpei
"Anyway, I mean… I'm gonna help with all my heart, Your Highness."
—cute smile.
Fairy Queen
"Go with Kurai and see the place for now."
Junpei
"Thanks for your kindness, Your Highness."
—bows deeply.
Then I took him out and we began to walk.
I showed him the tree that teleports people.
I showed him the castle… and even the mini-castle.
Junpei
"What's that castle? Why is it alone over there?"
—pointing his hand to it up in the sky while flying with a confused face.
I said:
"That's a place where… you know, where fairies came from."
I was kind of unsure how to put it… but I just told him about it.
Junpei
"No way… so that must mean they can grow huge."
—puts his finger on his chin, thinking.
I said:
"Well, that's just how it is. I'm gonna show you their big form when you get back."
Junpei
"Really? That's good."
—smiling.
Then I told him to listen.
I said:
"I wanna know about your ability. You know that you're unique, aren't you?"
Junpei
"Well… I'm not that unique. I'm actually worried about how I would even benefit you all."
—gazing down.
I replied:
"Well, it's not about that. It's about your system. Just tell me about it."
Junpei
"My system is called… NEXIS."
He just locked in. He doesn't like to talk about it, I guess.
I said:
"And what does that mean?"
—laying on my back in the air.
Junpei
"I mean, it's not that big of a deal. I can use it as a computer or PC, and it makes coding and programming easy."
—gazed down again.
I said:
"Well, you're gonna talk about your skills and abilities whether you like it or not.
So it doesn't matter if you tell me or not… but I ain't gonna force you."
Junpei
"I'm just so uncomfortable talking about it."
I said:
"Better not be though. I don't know why… but you're gonna begin a new life, so you need to lift your head up."
Junpei
"Wait… why? I mean, we are villains. Aren't we gonna die fighting heroes or stuff like that?"
—he turned around fast.
I said simply:
"Nah bro, it's okay. You're doing good.
It's just that we never actually care about the 'villain' stuff.
I mean, we are villains because we must be — not because we are evil.
Evil is a very dangerous name.
So, tell me: who is the one you would believe — the hero or the villain? Just choose."*/
Junpei
"I will choose the villains."
—he is looking calm now, a bit different than before.
I asked him why.
He said:
"It's because I'm not into heroes as I'm into villains.
I'm strong because I'm evil.
It's just that… it feels like villains are heroes in the dark.
These days, heroes forget about heroes. Even nobles are becoming demons.
Heroes just follow orders like dogs and accept things,
even though they know about it.
That's just how messed up this world is.
How can the one who is trying to put an end to this… be considered evil?"
He was raging, full of hatred when he said it.
Then I asked him:
"Who is your favorite hero and your favorite villain?"
Junpei
"My favorite hero… I would say Dad.
Yes, Dad is my favorite hero."
—he was smiling, but it was a very sad smile.
I asked:
"Is it because he is your father, or is there more to it?"
Junpei
"Nope. It's because of something related to my past. Maybe… or… nah.
Maybe you're willing to hear me."
—he was hesitating but said it anyway.
I said:
"Sure, tell me about it."
Junpei:
> "When I was born, my father and mother were scientists.
My father… he was a very genius person.
He was the one who created the DNA storage system —
modernized it into technology rather than doing it by hand.
> When he created that, he met my mom. They got married and gave birth to me.
> But the kingdom wanted something even more —
something like a mana analyzer.
> The experiment needed more and more work,
so Dad rarely came home after I turned one.
> He kept working hard until the project finished.
> Dad kept an extra replicated system and the information about it.
Then one day, he came back home — he was in critical condition.
> He got healed and spent time with me.
> When I turned three, he began teaching me how to use a PC.
Just me, Mom, and Dad.
> We enjoyed our time together.
> Then I turned four. I started noticing things too fast.
> I felt like my mother didn't want Dad there anymore.
She didn't seem happy.
> But I was a kid, so I didn't really understand. I just chilled.
> The next day, Dad asked me to help him with something.
> I was so surprised. I even joked about being his successor,
like I was on my first mission.
> Dad was doing well financially.
My school life was full of friends and love.
> Then I turned seven.
> I became very good with tech.
He got excited and bought me a very high-end hologram PC.
> Just when I thought everything would last…
Dad made a mistake.