âReally?â Abigaile turned around, âLogan just seems like a middle-aged man with too much energy, and⦠his interest is in another man?â
âWatch your language,â Ethan corrected. âWe should refer to him by the gender he identifies with and not assume his gender.â
âAnyway, I trust Mr. Logan,â Ethan said, glancing over the mission description.
âLast wish: Logan wants Lily to truly admit she loves him.â
He had never really encountered someone like Logan before.
But the mission seemed quite doable,even if Logan was a bit odd, all they needed to do was make Lily fall for him.
âAre you coming with me?â Ethan asked, turning his head.
âLetâs go,â Abigaileâs eyes lit up, eager for some entertainment, even if Logan was a bit strange.
Their car sped through the streets of Capitol City.
The setting sun cast its last golden rays.
Together, they headed to the school where Lily studied.
Ethan rested his chin on his hand, his gaze shifting from the window to Abigaileâs faceâshe was really beautiful.
Even while driving, she looked like she was ready for a photoshoot, sitting up straight, a perfect picture just waiting to be snapped.
âAbby, donât you like Mr. Felix?â he asked.
Abigaile gripped the steering wheel tighter: âKid, donât start with me!â
Ethan chuckled, enjoying the gossip as they drove. âIf you liked Mr. Felix, why spend your holiday running around with me instead of with your beloved?â
Their days together had built a friendship, and their conversations had become increasingly uninhibited.
Ethan found that Abigaileâs real personality was quite ordinary, and she gradually stopped maintaining her persona around him.
âHow could I not like him?â Abigaile pouted. âFelix is likely to become a judge in the future. Heâs got a great personality. We grew up together, and heâs never dated anyone else, always devoted to me.â
âOh, so you started playing hard to get,â Ethan spread his hands. âWhen something comes too easily, you take it for granted and stop caring.â
âHey, you little brat!â Abigaile clenched her teeth, her voice tight. âItâs not my fault if I donât fall for him!â
âThen you should make it clear,â Ethan shrugged. âYouâre just leading him on.â
Abigaile fell silent for a full half-minute. âIâm planning to accept his proposal.â
She looked ahead. âMarriage isnât the same as dating.â
As they talked, the car stopped outside the school.
It was five in the afternoon, and the area was lively with groups of students laughing and playing, full of youthful energy.
âSheâs pretty,â Ethan said, staring at his phone screen, which showed a girl with long, blonde hair and big eyes, giving off a first-love vibe.
âWhere did you find her?â Abigaile asked, peering over. âSheâs good with makeup.â
âYou can find her on the school forum,what era do you think this is?â Ethan said as he opened the car door. âThe smartphone is the new organ for the youth. But sheâs no match for your cuteness.â
âNo way, your taste must be off,â Abigaile retorted, putting her sunglasses and mask back on.
Ethan stopped a slightly chubby student with glasses on the sidewalk: âHey, handsome, do you know Lily?â
He handed his phone to him.
âAh, I donât know her,â the guy with glasses quickly waved his hands.
âListen, youâd better just tell me,â Ethanâs face hardened, his hand on the guyâs shoulder. âYou donât want trouble, right?â
The guyâs face changed, his voice lowered, his eyes darting around: âHeâs usually at the basketball court, waiting for Kyle Jefferson from sophomore class 3.â
âOh, whatâs his relationship with this Kyle Jefferson?â Ethan asked further.
âTheyâre probably dating,â the guy with glasses clenched his fist.
âAlright, thanks,â Ethan patted his shoulder, signaling he could leave.
âHow did you know he would know?â Abigaile came over, her expression curious.
âItâs simple,â Ethan said as he headed toward the school. âHe was playing a magical girl game, totally into anime culture. Glasses, a bit chubby, into animeâhow could he not know? They always notice someone like Lily, especially since sheâs pretty attractive.â
âHey, I canât just ignore thatâI debuted as an anime idol, you know,â Abigaile placed a hand on her chest.
Ethan shrugged. âIf you were a guy, your fan base would probably double.â
Abigaile was speechless.
They entered the school together. It was after school hours, so they didnât attract the attention of the security guard. After asking around, they made their way to the indoor basketball court.
A game was in progress, and the clash between the two teams was causing bursts of screams from the female spectators.
âThere,â Abigaile pointed towards a spot near the court.
Lilyâs makeup was heavier than in her photos, but it wasnât the exaggerated type often seen on party girls. It was more like a young woman trying to look innocently youthful.
Ethan glanced at Abigaile.
âI think youâre thinking something rude,â Abigaile narrowed her eyes.
âI was thinking youâre actually the pretty one here,â Ethan said as he walked towards where Lily was sitting with a bottle of water and a white towel, quietly observing the game.
âHello, Lily,â he greeted.
âAh? Hello,â Lilyâs voice was soft, her gaze curious. âCan I help you with something?â
âHi, Iâm here on behalf of Mr. Logan,â Ethan got straight to the point. âIâd like to know your thoughts about him.â
Lily paused at the mention of Logan.
âHey, what are you doing next to my girlfriend?â A tall, handsome basketball player approached them, about 6 feet 5 inches tall, his forehead glistening with sweat, his eyes unfriendly as he looked at Ethan.
âIâm just gathering some information about Lily and Logan,â Ethan frowned, realizing this must be Kyle, the boyfriend the nerdy guy had mentioned.
Kyleâs expression darkened when he heard Loganâs name. He stepped up to Ethan, towering over him. âKid, go back where you came from.â
Ethan, just over 18 and rather slender due to a long illness, didnât look much older than him.
Kyle put his hand on Ethanâs shoulder and pushed down hard.
Ethan winced in pain, his face darkening.
Kyle saw Ethanâs pained expression and smirked. âI donât know where you came from, but maybe you should ask around about who Kyle is.â
His teammates laughed.
Abigaile frowned and stepped forward.
Ethan squinted, adjusting his stance, and summoned his skill, Void Dick. He grabbed the 10-inch, rock-hard Dick and swung it at Kyleâs jaw.
There was a crisp âsnap.â
Kyleâs eyes glazed over, his body losing balance.
Ethan, his expression cold, picked up the Dick and struck Kyleâs head again. Blood flowed as he snapped, âA delinquent, huh? Iâm a terminally ill patient with hospital proof. You sure you want to mess with me?â