The next morning, Shawn woke up as usual. He yawned and, out of the corner of his eye, saw a big figure sitting on the bed opposite him. The sight immediately sobered him.
When he saw it was Calvin, he patted his chest in relief. "…Why are you sitting here so early in the morning? Aren't you going to morning training?"
Calvin just looked at him quietly, without answering.
Shawn sat up as well. "…It's really rare to see you skip morning training."
"From today onward, I'll try to watch you every moment," Calvin said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Ms. Molly instructed me to do so last night."
Shawn raised an eyebrow. "…Why does that old lady always pick on me?"
Calvin looked at him. "Did you do anything last night, Shawn?"
"Me? What could I do? I stayed in my room the whole time." Shawn jumped off the bed and walked toward the coffee machine a short distance away. He wore a white tank top and loose dark blue shorts, with flip-flops on his feet that made a soft thumping sound with each step.
Soon, the coffee machine started working. Shawn leaned on the table with both hands and continued chatting with Calvin. His eyes swept toward the square table nearby, and he suddenly noticed something odd. "…Where's my computer?"
"I put it away."
"Where did you put it?" Shawn frowned. "…Why did you take my computer?"
"Miss Fletcher will be coming by soon," Calvin said, looking at Shawn. "She'll take your computer to the Base Order Department for inspection. They suspect you were up to something again last night."
Shawn laughed. "Go ahead and check. If you find anything, I'll admit defeat."
"…Did you go bother Hester again?"
"Did Fletcher tell you?"
"No, I guessed," Calvin sighed lightly. "What exactly are you thinking, Shawn? I've warned you before—stay away from her."
"Believe me, I've fully considered your advice, brother. I've kept my distance from her long enough."
"Then why—"
Suddenly, there was a rapid knocking at the door. Shawn glanced sideways, muttering "Coming," as he lazily walked to open it.
Liz Fletcher stood outside, her face cold.
"Good morning, Miss Fletcher," Shawn said with a slight bow. "You don't look very happy. Didn't sleep well last night?"
"Step aside."
Liz strode in. Calvin got up and lifted a dark gray metal box from the bedside. "Shawn's computer, phone, and several backup drives are all here."
Liz checked them one by one. "When did you take them?"
"Per Ms. Molly's instructions, I confiscated them last night after Shawn fell asleep," Calvin replied. "I didn't inform him in advance, so the computer, phone, and drives remain as they were before he went to bed."
"Good." Liz took the box. "Thank you for your cooperation… If any issues are found, your assistance will partially count as Shawn's voluntary disclosure—"
Shawn crossed his arms and leaned lazily against the wall. "And if there's no problem, can I sue you for violating a student's privacy?"
Liz walked up to him in two strides, grabbed the top edge of his tank top, and pushed him hard against the wall. "I checked your file… I know it was you."
"Then you'd better have evidence, Miss Fletcher. You're about to transfer, bullying juniors like this isn't proper."
"I'll catch you," Liz narrowed her eyes. "You better pray you don't end up in my hands."
Shawn shrugged helplessly and was pushed several steps back before barely regaining his balance.
A "bang" echoed from the door as it shut.
Shawn laughed, tugging at his tank top that had been stretched by Liz.
"I don't understand, Shawn," Calvin said, standing in place, watching his messy brother. "Why do you care so much about that girl?"
"I don't understand either."
Calvin frowned. "…What?"
"I mean you," Shawn said, looking at him. "And everyone here at the base—I don't understand how you all can completely trust the trainers here so quickly. They monitor us, control our training data, and even measure how we view the world… Haven't you ever thought these things might be used against us someday?"
"It's been two years, not that short," Calvin replied. "Most of the time, Ms. Molly is fair."
"And you believe she genuinely cares for you, for us?"
Calvin paused. "I never expect that from others. But many people here—Valenti, Molly, Lavitte, Vail… even Fletcher—they're different from the Hekla people. You can't judge newcomers by old standards."
Shawn clicked his tongue and shook his head. "…You're too young, too naive, brother. The more relaxed you are, the more I can't let my guard down. I promised Mom I'd look after you."
Calvin scratched his head, a little confused.
"Say what you want… Anyway, I'll never let you run wild again."
---
"Do you want to meet Miss Chiba this week?"
Inside Ms. Molly's office, her young secretary looked surprised at Hester.
"Yes," Hester nodded. "If possible, I'd like to schedule it for this Thursday."
"Sorry… I don't have the authority right now. Although Miss Chiba is your guardian, she's also a restricted-level contact. We can't reach her freely."
"Could you forward this request to Ms. Molly?" Hester asked softly. "She should have a way."
The young secretary paused. "Oh, of course… Do you want to wait here until she returns? Ms. Molly has a morning meeting, which should be ending soon."
"No, I have classes next," Hester replied. She hesitated slightly, looking at the floor. "…May I ask you another question, if it's convenient now?"
"Of course."
"Am I… allowed to apply to carry a firearm within the base?"
The young secretary thought she had misheard. Hester repeated it, and the secretary stood immediately. "I don't understand why you would have such a thought, Miss Hester… But no. Tay City is a gun-free zone. Ordinary citizens cannot possess firearms, and non-combat members in the base cannot carry them either."
"But I once saw an old leather holster in Liz's room?" Hester asked quietly.
"Miss Liz has participated in a few live exercises with the chelates. She did have a gun, but it was temporary," the secretary said. "I… I understand how you feel, but please don't go to extremes. That won't solve anything fundamentally and may put you in even greater trouble."
Hester pondered.
"…Understood. Thank you."
---
(End of Chapter )