Later
"..." Soldier 11 glances at her partner silently, and Trigger simply stands there without any reaction. Soldier 11 had decided to confront her partner while the rest of the military squad took care of the rebels.
"If you're wondering, I didn't regret my decision," Trigger says, breaking the silence.
"I know, it was clearly written on your face. I'm wondering why would you involve civilians in this mission," Soldier 11 frowns. "Our mission as soldiers of the Defense Force is to keep the civilians safe, away from any danger, not to drag them into the battlefield."
"Caelus and Phil have shown themselves to be capable individuals, and based on our reports, they are suitable to be part of the mission. You have witnessed them yourself," Trigger says. "Caelus could walk out of the dangerous zone without a single scratch, while keeping everyone safe with his strange powers. Phil's skill is on par with a seasoned Proxy and his handle in tech-,"
"Even so, that doesn't mean they should be out there risking their lives!" Soldier 11 raises her voice. "And I know you, Trigger! What you said was a goddamn lie! So, tell me the truth!"
"...honestly, it's because I want you to be safe," Trigger says honestly, causing Soldier 11 to freeze. "I know how capable you are, but whenever a 'traitor' is involved, you tend to get hasty, emotional, and irrational. This isn't the first time you have acted that way. It didn't help that our enemy today was very good at gathering information. He could've figured you out and used it against you. I have every right to be concerned."
"..." Soldier 11 didn't say a word, merely lowered her head.
"...I didn't force those two to accept this mission; they had the choice to reject my offer. But, they choose to accept, despite knowing the risks." Trigger says before sweatdropping. "Even if it's out of selfishness..."
"...I hate when you're right." Soldier 11 sighs. She was clearly aware of her own flaws, but she couldn't help herself. "...so, did the higher-ups ask you to hire them into the Defense Force?"
She knows how the Defense Force works; when they see potential, they will try to get them in every possible way. Caelus and Phil had a particular set of skills that might have caught the Defense Force's attention.
"Yes, but they rejected my offer," Trigger says as Soldier 11 blinks in surprise. "Their reasons are quite interesting. Caelus hates paperwork, and Phil had a dream of joining H.A.N.D.'s Sector 6. Truthfully, I had to agree with Caelus."
"Paperwork is one of the most important skills needed to be learn, even if they don't have the talent to do so..." Soldier 11 mutters the last part quietly, earning a chuckle from Trigger. "...still, I don't agree in dragging civilians into military matters."
"I know," Trigger says with a nod as Soldier 11 sighs.
"...how did Seed get involved with this?" Soldier 11 decided to change the topic. Trigger simply points at her eyes, which confuses Soldier 11 for a moment before realization strikes. "Oh, right..."
"Yeah..." Trigger response, the corner of her lips twitches upwards.
"...is there a reason why Captain and Orphie are absent?" Soldier 11 asks awkwardly, trying to shift the topic.
"I don't know the details since Seed didn't fully explain the entire situation, but she said Orphie is being punished by Captain," Trigger says with a light chuckle, while Soldier 11 could only sigh.
"Of course she does..."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile
"Aww, can you at least give this big sister a hug~?"
"No!"
Caelus chuckles as he watches Seed continue to chase after Phil from a distance while the military is busy dragging the rebel army into the prisoners' trucks. The moment the military arrived and arrested the rebels, Seed had been focused on chasing after Phil since she has been captivated by how fluffy Phil's fur is since the beginning.
He honestly can't blame her. Phil is a literal walking bunny plushie.
"Caelus, save me!" Phil begs as he hides behind Caelus' legs. Caelus chose to help Phil, mostly because he had enough amusement.
"Okay, that's enough, Seed," Caelus says as Seed pouts while giving him the puppy dog eyes. Caelus smiles in amusement before looking at Phil with a mischievous glint in his eyes, causing Phil to widen his eyes before he growls.
"If you so much as hand me over to that woman, I'll skin you alive!" Phil threatens Caelus, which only earns an amused chuckle from the guy.
"Okay, okay," Caelus chuckles before turning his head, facing Seed. "Sorry girlie, but you gotta do better than that."
"Ou..." Seed pouts before walking away.
"...thanks, I owe you one," Phil mutters as he keeps an eye on Seed.
"I'll hold onto that," Caelus says before ruffling Phil's head affectionately. "Great job by the way,"
"...it was mostly Seed who blasts them all off," Phil mutters while looking away, not noticing his cotton tail wags excitedly. Caelus, however, did notice it and simply smiled.
"One thing for sure, you got experience that none of those bullies had, and in my opinion, I believe experience beats any type of training," Caelus exclaims.
"...I don't know if I could consider that wild takes as a compliment," Phil says honestly.
"Geez, you ungrateful brat," Caelus says in mock annoyance. "Can't even appreciate a compliment."
"Is it really necessary to act so immature?" Phil deadpans.
"If I go full emo and be all serious, then I don't enjoy my life as much as I could," Caelus says before smiling sadly. "It's...what my parents always told me to do, leave the past behind to blaze a trail into the future."
"...oh," Phil mutters. "...that's good advice."
"It is," Caelus says with a small grin.
"... have you ever considered taking revenge on them?" Phil asks, "On your parents' murderer?"
"...I heard the PubSec got their hands on them and sent their asses to jail. I doubt they're going to see the sunlight ever again," Caelus says, remembering how Qingyi and Zhu Yuan had told him about them not long ago. "As for your question. Honestly, it was tempting, but I would rather not. I already got myself into legal trouble, and I would rather not get myself in jail. If I did, my friends in PubSec and my parents would be disappointed in me."
"...that's nice," Phil admits while scratching the back of his head. "...can I tell you something?"
"Sure, what is it?" Caelus asks with a raised eyebrow.
"...you know how I was a runaway, right?" Phil asks as Caelus nods.
"Yeah, Ms Meilian had told me before," Caelus admits. "Honestly, I was curious. Why did you run away from your home? Is it because of your family being abusive? Disagreement? Or anything like that?" Caelus pauses a bit when he notices Phil grows uncomfortable.
"...sorry, you don't have to tell me," Caelus adds before Phil cuts him off.
"It's...close," Phil responds. "I...think it's only fair if I told you, especially since you told me about your past, albeit unintentionally."
"...right," Caelus sweatdrops. He honestly didn't mean to tell anyone about his fabricated backstory, but one thing leads to another, and everyone knew.
"I run away because of...many things involving my family. They are part of the TOPS higher-ups, owning a successful multibillion-dennies company. They had a lot of kids...." Phil explains.
"Because they're both bunny Thirens?" Caelus can't help but ask.
"Okay, that's a stereotype," Phil says defensively before sweatdropping. "...but, yes. Neither of them had tried to beat the allegations. I still remember those sounds a few times a month during my childhood..."
"..." Caelus regrets saying that because this is too much information.
"A-anyways, my parents...they were too much. They want their family business to continue and wish either of us had inherited it, hoping that once they have retired, money will still be pouring into their bank account. My siblings were very ambitious, wanting to inherit the company's business, but they tended to be discarded because they ... 'lacked talents'."
"...let me guess, you were born with all the talents that your parents desired, and they pressured you to inherit their company, but you have a different dream, which is to be a member of H.A.N.D's sector 6 like your idol. This leads to disagreement with your parents, and your siblings are jealous of you, and they are all out for your blood." Caelus guesses as Phil blinks.
"...okay, that's scarily accurate. How did you know?" Phil asks in surprise.
"...will you be offended if I say it sounds like a backstory of a runaway main character from a fantasy story?" Caelus asks as Phil sweatdrops.
"I would, but that won't change the fact that it's true..." Phil mutters.
"..." Caelus simply ruffles his head affectionately, earning a surprise yelp from Phil.
"W-what-!?" Phil asks in surprise.
"Did you expect me to treat you differently because I heard your backstory?" Caelus asks as Phil was surprised at his friend's question, wondering how he knew before realizing something. "If you're wondering, yes, you act like that same character I mentioned."
"...I honestly expected you to chastise me for being a fool, questioning how I foolishly threw away a life of wealth for a stupid dream," Phil admits nervously.
"Then clearly, you don't know me well enough," Caelus says. "Sure, everyone wants wealth. But what was the point of money if you can't be happy? In my opinion, people who believe happiness can be bought by money are like drug addicts; they are addicted to the happiness they receive temporarily from buying the stuff they like, but over time, they lose interest and try to find something else to replace it. It's an endless cycle, and honestly, a sad fate."
"...who are you and what have you done with Caelus?" Phil asks as Caelus looks indignant before pulling Phil closer and giving him a noogie, earning a laugh from the bunny Thiren.
"You brat! What did you expect from me, huh?! Acting like a complete fool!?" Caelus asks in amusement.
"Ahaha! S-sorry!" Phil giggles.
"It seems you two are doing well," They both yelp in shock before they turn around to see Trigger standing behind them, smiling in amusement.
"We really need you to stop sneaking up on us," Caelus says in exasperation.
"Why? Both of your expressions are hilarious," Trigger says in amusement.
"...anyways, how's Soldier 11?" Caelus asks, trying to change the topic.
"She reprimands me, no thanks to you two throwing me under the bus," Trigger says, earning a nervous chuckle from the duo. "But, she's fine. She wasn't pleased that I got you two involved, believing it was a dumb idea."
"...is it because we're officially civilians or is it something else?" Phil asks curiously.
"Yes," Trigger responds in amusement.
"...that doesn't answer my question." Phil deadpans.
"Well, anyway, before I forget," Caelus and Phil blink when they receive a notification on their phone. Upon opening it, they were surprised as they received a transfer of around 37.5 million Dennies each.
"Uh...this is more than the amount you promised, including the bonus," Caelus says as Trigger smiles.
"My companion's life is more valuable than any amount of money," Trigger says with a smile. "Oh, also, you may keep the weapons, but I'll keep an eye on you two. It's an order from the higher-ups!"
"...please take it back," Phil whimpers as he immediately gives his newly-made weapon, which had turned into a mini handgun, back to Trigger. Phil had designed the weapon with the ability to transform into a smaller weapon so he could carry it anywhere. Trigger simply laughs at the bunny and walks away.
"...I regret taking this. It ain't worth getting stalked by a sniper." Phil whimpers in fear.
"True," Caelus agrees as he pats his head.
"Did I hear it right?! A mission from the higher-ups?!" Seed exclaims before looking at Phil.
"Why do you come back? And tag along...?" Phil whimpers as Seed ignores him.
"Awesome! I could convince them to let me tag along! Ooh, I wonder if I could get to join Phil and experience the life of being a college student! Wish me luck, you two!! And Phil, you still owe me a hug!" Seed says before she drives her scooter away to follow Trigger.
"...well, that was something," Caelus says as Phil starts to shake on Caelus' arms.
"...Caelus, please help me," Phil begs, tears comically fall from his eyes.
"...I ain't a miracle worker, buddy. Begging for my help is as useless as frying an ice cube."
To be Continued