Chapter 63: How to Keep a Rebellious Teenager from Running Away
When Kobayashi raised his right hand and eagerly approached Wave to say he wanted to join the organization, the simple young man from the seaside had initially refused.
Because you can't just join whenever you say you want to; they were a secret unit, after all. But when he saw RyuZU, he immediately hesitated, not knowing what to do.
It was Run who stepped in, saying that a precious Teigu user was a rare talent, and that they should take him back to be judged by General Esdeath.
This proposal received unanimous approval.
"So, they brought you here."
The proud and domineering Esdeath looked at Kobayashi, who was sitting opposite her, and asked with great interest, "Interesting. You really are a strange one. What is your reason for wanting to join the Jaegers? Let's hear it."
"Because I have ambition. An incredibly vast ambition. It is this ambition that has driven me to come here."
Kobayashi took a light sip of his hot tea and said this plainly.
"Then why did you refuse my previous invitation?"
"Because the nature of it was different."
At that time, Esdeath was also recruiting, but she had hoped for Kobayashi to join the army, be tempered by war, and become her adjutant. Now, Kobayashi was taking a different path.
"You seem quite certain that I will agree to let you join?"
"At the very least, the General will not refuse, will she?"
Teigu users were rare talents. The abilities of a Teigu could even change the course of a war. Furthermore, with a war against Night Raid about to begin, they needed strong allies, especially since Kobayashi's Teigu was a humanoid type.
Most importantly, Esdeath appreciated Kobayashi. From their two encounters, she could see that he had talent, and his caliber and potential, which far surpassed ordinary people, were of great value for cultivation. There was also that inexplicable sense of familiarity, which she was also very curious about.
"Alright, I agree to let you join. From now on, don't call me General. Call me Captain."
Esdeath let out a light snort, agreeing to let him join midway.
Dr. Stylish was somewhat resistant. He said in a pinched, feigned voice of surprise, "Oh my, I also welcome a new companion, but will the Prime Minister agree?"
"No problem. What does the person I've taken a liking to have to do with the Prime Minister? At worst, I'll just go and have a word with him," Esdeath replied casually.
The supremely arrogant Esdeath would naturally not care about what others thought. Not even the Prime Minister could command her at will.
Seeing that Esdeath would not back down, Dr. Stylish couldn't say any more and could only feign a headache and touch his forehead in acceptance.
It seemed the suspicious man had noticed something was amiss. People in scientific research were usually quite intelligent. Although he didn't know what the problem was, he had keenly sensed a trace of strangeness. Furthermore, he was completely loyal to the Prime Minister and was currently the person closest to Seryu. If he could successfully take his place in Seryu's heart...
It's decided! Dr. Stylish is the first one to be eliminated.
Kobayashi gave him an incomparably kind smile.
"This issue is settled. Now it's time to talk about my problem."
Esdeath clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention to herself, and to Tatsumi, who was tied tightly to a chair.
"As you can see, this is the Teigu user candidate, Tatsumi."
"Why is he tied to a chair?"
"Because I'm afraid he'll run away."
"Then why did you put a collar on him?"
"Because it's cute."
Nope. I have no idea what the General is thinking.
All the members of the Jaegers had speechless expressions.
Run spoke up. "If you want him to join, please remove the collar to distinguish him from a pet."
"...You're right."
Esdeath thought for a moment and removed the collar. At the same time, she asked, "Speaking of which, are any of you in a relationship or married?"
Kobayashi and Bols raised their hands.
"Eh?... EHHH?!!!"
Wave cried out in surprise. "I can understand Kobayashi having a lover, but Bols, you too? Don't tell me you're already married?"
"Mmm, I've been married for six years."
"S-six... years?"
It seemed that everyone was having a hard time accepting this. If they were to see Bols's cute daughter and beautiful wife, their jaws would surely drop.
"Then how should one get along with their lover?"
"Hmm... just get along normally, I guess."
Kobayashi pinched his chin and ultimately could only give this ambiguous answer.
Wave felt something was wrong and asked, "Kobayashi, if you don't mind my asking, your lover is..."
"It's RyuZU."
"I knew it!"
Wave slapped his forehead.
Kobayashi continued, "The process of how RyuZU and I got together was very simple. She swore her loyalty to me, and I responded to her loyalty. There was nothing special. Right, RyuZU?"
As he spoke, he extended his right hand to the automaton beside him.
"Yes! I swear to you, Master Kobayashi, to offer my absolute obedience and loyalty, until the moment the gears on my body are damaged and cease to turn."
RyuZU also took his hand, their fingers intertwining.
The two leaned against each other, emitting a dazzling light that dealt heavy damage to all the single dogs present.
"No, no, no, there's no reference value in your case at all, is there?" Wave couldn't help but retort. "Miss RyuZU is a Teigu, right? Since she's not human, her feelings are different from a human's, aren't they?"
"...True."
Esdeath also nodded in agreement and then looked at Bols, the only one who was married.
"To capture the other person's heart, the trick is to never give up!"
Bols explained his love story to the group. He said with some happiness, "Actually, I was rejected twice. But as soon as I found an opportunity, I took the initiative to conquer her heart. Captain, you have to be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort."
"Mmm... I see. I've learned something."
Esdeath seemed to have understood something, but from the looks of it, she had misunderstood.
"But don't be too forceful, and definitely don't use violence," Kobayashi took the opportunity to remind her. "Please try to give Tatsumi some space so that he doesn't develop a rebellious mindset."
"...What do you mean?"
"Because Tatsumi is only 15. He's in his rebellious phase right now. The more you push him, the more he will resist and want to run away. So, being forceful and violent is absolutely not allowed. Isn't that right, Bols?"
"Is that so, Bols?"
Esdeath turned to look at Bols.
And the burly man who never took off his mask also nodded in agreement. "You must pay attention to this! I was too eager and forceful at the beginning, which made my wife resistant. That's why I was rejected twice."
Bols might look scary on the outside, but he was very gentle on the inside. He knew very well what he was doing and what kind of retribution he would face in the future. But it was precisely this gentleness that had moved his wife.
Of course, this was all Kobayashi's speculation. After all, it was impossible for a domineering man to be rejected twice by a weak woman.
"That's right, that's right! Don't ever force me, or I'll definitely run away!" Seeing that there was a chance, Tatsumi quickly chimed in. It had to be said, the boy had some brains; he knew Kobayashi was helping him.
But this, in turn, troubled Esdeath. She asked, puzzled, "Then what should I do?"
"Of course, you should use your... ahem, your charm as Captain to capture him."
Kobayashi suggested, "Your strength is your strong suit, Captain. Let Tatsumi be captivated by your immense power."
"Immense power..."
Esdeath fell into thought.
Coincidentally, a soldier burst in from the door.
He said loudly, "Report! Lady Esdeath, the investigation of the area around Fisheye Lake that you previously ordered is complete!"
"At a time like this... perfect."
An excited smile appeared on Esdeath's face. She said to the members of the Jaegers behind her, "You all have a big mission right from the start!"
(End of Chapter)