Chapter 107: Old Ties

"...Professor Zenith, what the hell happened? You vanished for two whole days, and out of nowhere a bunch of people from the island came down here! We got arrested and forced through a bunch of machines!" Tanya asks angrily while they’re all gathered here.

"You six were detained and analyzed to make sure none of you are a monster. X-rays, blood draws, Maya’s analysis — by the way, Maya is the current number one for those who don’t know... and rest assured, security at the academy is going to increase significantly and become much more restrictive," I tell them, running my own scan over their bodies to commit small details to memory.

"Why, Professor? What’s the reason for all this? It’s really invasive for everyone..." Charlotte questions while the others nod in agreement.

"It’s simple — because a professor from the academy revealed herself to be an enemy." I’m not going to say it was Nemesis. No one is going to say it. Honestly, this matter is so serious that Nadir and I were threatened, something I never imagined would happen.

Even Maya was threatened with severe punishment if she let it slip that Delilah was Nemesis. The higher-ups are tearing their hair out from stress over this.

And I understand why. Our greatest enemy was living among us, studying us, and worse, had access to technology she shouldn’t have had. Astrid allowed Delilah to manage the simulator, and the simulator is packed with data on monsters and humans for simulation purposes, as well as areas of ruins and Aurora Island itself.

Without meaning to, we handed Nemesis a massive map of everywhere we’ve been, knowledge of monsters, knowledge of Kairas, and knowledge of our technologies. It would be like a country stupidly handing over all its military projects and classified information to some random person on the street, and that person delivering it to another government.

’Astrid is going to be punished...’ I’m certain they’ll punish her — not because she did anything wrong, but because she hired Delilah and didn’t uncover that she was an enemy.

Though I don’t blame Astrid. I never would have noticed either. I just thought Delilah was a strange girl because her appearance felt disconnected — her perpetually exhausted body paired with a cheerful, energetic attitude bothered me.

But that’s personal. Astrid obviously wouldn’t judge someone the way I do. I also received some new restrictions on what I can and cannot do.

’Fortunately, no one knows everything the hooded woman told me and Nadir...’ We managed to hide the truth about ourselves.

"That’s it?! They just needed to lock up that bitch! Why are we dealing with problems because of other people’s incompetence?"

"...Yeah, it’s terrible when we face problems because of others," I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"Just accept that this is how it is. Besides, I got permission to train you six down here. How about we go hunt some real monsters?" I really need to make them stronger as soon as possible.

"..."

"Professor, you’re hiding something from us, aren’t you?" Rouge speaks in a serious tone.

"P-Professor, th-this seems dangerous... w-wouldn’t it be good to tell us?" Even Ashlyn speaks up as a small criticism.

"It’s obvious, big sis. There’s clearly something going on. Do you think we’re idiots not to notice?" When even Edith sides with the others, I look at Eirwen.

"..." She averts her gaze, showing she shares the same opinion.

"These aren’t things you need to know. You can return to your quarters to rest today. I’ll need to notify someone every time we leave now, so I’ll get permission for a training session tomorrow." I can’t just share that kind of thing.

"...Knew it. You don’t trust us, do you?" Tanya says as she walks off, the others starting to leave too, as if I could speak but was refusing to.

"That seems difficult, Zenith." I look back and see Nadir.

"Yeah... trust is complicated. I understand them. Remember when we were young and hated that our commanders wouldn’t tell us things?" He chuckles when I say that.

"You’re absolutely right, but they can’t know about this. If any of them talked to others, it would be a huge problem. Honestly, this is so bad it could cause complete chaos on Aurora Island if anyone found out."

"To the point where only the two of us, Maya, and the higher-ups know that Delilah is the... well, you know."

"Yes, and I find it shocking. Honestly, how did she manage to spend so much time among us?" I always knew Nemesis was a monster unlike the others, but different enough to pull this off was already unpredictable.

"Zenith... about that... do you want to talk?" He asks, taking my hand and starting to pull me along with him.

"Are you asking or telling me we should talk?"

"...What do you think?"

"..." I follow him in silence as he leads me to his room. I see it’s a complete mess, papers scattered everywhere.

"You know, Zenith... we always had so many dreams. One of them was that one of us could be the original... I would love for you to be the original, for you to be complete, to not depend on me... I know you hate the fact that we’re so dependent on each other," he says, sitting in a chair, speaking in a heavy tone.

"..." I sit in a chair too, listening to him in silence.

"I... went through that folder she gave us. I didn’t let anyone know we have it... it seems frustratingly accurate..."

"So we really are a monster, huh... I guess that was already pretty obvious. She was very honest just to see how we’d react."

"..."

"I really don’t think I care. I’m human. What about you?" I ask what he thinks.

"Me too, but we can’t deny reality. If we don’t ’refuel’ each other’s energy... hmm... you know... I’m between 50 and 45 percent energy right now... you don’t need to worry or get angry..." I can see he’s carrying a heavy weight.

"You idiot, I don’t hate you or feel anger toward you. Where did you get that from?"

"Huh?... I just... didn’t want to be a burden to you. It’s like I’m your anchor." I stand up from my chair, walk over to him, and straddle his thighs.

"Hey, don’t feel that way. We’re a team. We always have been. I would never trade that. You and I are Zenith and Nadir... I can be a bit harsh with you, but I genuinely like you."

"...Zenith, I wasn’t talking about that... now, with this problem, you and I definitely don’t have a very bright future. Nemesis will clearly come after us, and she’ll probably kill us once she gets what she wants."

"Because we could be an obstacle to her plans. If we’re monsters who became human, we’re a real possibility for humanity to maybe rid itself of this monster problem... but if we talk about it, we’ll become lab rats. If we don’t, Nemesis will still try to get rid of us."

"...You’re such a pessimist... but I agree with that. You’re absolutely right—"

"Zenith, I... I love you, Zenith."

"Huh? Well, I love you too, but—"

"No, Zenith, not like that. I love you as a woman, Zenith. For a long time. But I never said anything because I didn’t want to be a burden to you or make things awkward."

"I hid what I felt because I had hope you were the original, that I could let you be free... but now? Hahaha... it’s just chaotic..."

"Oh... that..." I get a bit embarrassed by this confession, though I can’t say I didn’t suspect.

"...You took long enough."

"!?"

"...I already knew, you idiot. Honestly, I’d be a little angry if you didn’t love me. After all, you know my body like the palm of your hand. If after all that you didn’t like me, I’d be offended and sad."

"I..." His face turns embarrassed and he averts his gaze at being found out like this.

"Seriously? You... you knew... I always thought you hated it. You’re always so critical when we have sex..." I turn his face toward me.

"You idiot, of course I’m critical. I criticize everyone. Sorry for being an annoying woman, but I love you too, you idiot. Seriously, did it take a situation threatening our future for you to work up the courage to say it?"

"...I feel like an idiot..."

"You are an idiot, but you’re my idiot. Why the hell do you think I hate women around you? Are you really that dense?"

"...Well, I... okay... okay, I think I was being really insecure... sorry about that. It was really stupid of me not to realize that you knew and liked me. I think I was being too negative..."

"So you love me?" He gets much more direct.

"...What a terrible moment to confess, Nadir. Only us to turn romance into something that feels like work... yes, I love you, you idiot."

"...I love you, Zenith. Since we were very young. I spent many years liking you. I turned down a lot of girls just because I liked you."

"Ohohoho, so you’re a man in demand? Though no woman compares to me. I may be half-woman, half-metal, but no one is better than me."

"So arrogant... you are the best." He grabs my ass, lifting me from the chair while smiling.

"So can I make you mine today? The situation is already shit, so let’s at least get something good out of it."

"What an attitude, Nadir. So no more excuses about energy exchange?"

"None of that. I want you, without considering benefits or drawbacks."

"Hmmm, I like it when you take charge. Though I also liked that weepy boy who used to follow me excitedly into all my harebrained ideas."

"Well, since we’re a slug at the end of the day, I guess that means we’ll never merge and become one. That means I’ll have you forever, right, Nadir?" This cheers me up. I was so afraid of leaving him alone.

"...That’s true. That is good. We’re already in my room, so Zenith, tonight I’m feeling wild."

"Oh? Then come, my beast. I’m really irritated today, so take this frustration out of me with force." He gives me such a stupid smile. He looks so happy.

"You’re smiling."

"Oh really? Didn’t even notice. I guess this is how couples are, right? Though we’re a bit old to be dating." He throws me onto the bed, which sinks under my weight.

"Age really doesn’t matter when I’ve finally, after years, made clear what I felt. I really do love you so much, and I’m immensely happy right now."

"Me too." I set all these problems aside. One day of fun and love won’t change anything in the future.