MCLE | Chapter 5

“The transport vehicle should be here soon.”

“You mean that piece of crap we rode on the way here?”

“Yes, so…”

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Before Elijah could finish his sentence, a loud thud-thud-thud-thud sound began echoing above them. The wind blew fiercely, making Hexion’s neatly combed hair flutter. Elijah dumbly looked up at the sky, and Zero Nine widened his eyes and followed suit. The thing suddenly descending above them was—

“…Did you call a helicopter?”

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Elijah asked blankly. The helicopter’s body cast a large shadow over them. Hexion’s smile tilted slightly.

The helicopter hovered for a moment, searching for a place to land, before settling behind Hexion on a relatively flat surface. The rapidly spinning blades gradually slowed to a stop, and Elijah pressed his fingers against his forehead as if he had a headache.

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“I told you I’d be back in an hour.”

Had to go through some trouble finding the closest helicopter. At Hexion’s words, Zero Nine pressed his fingers against his temple for a moment. He thought about just smiling along, but he, too, felt a little dizzy—probably just like Elijah.

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“…My guide has quite the grand scale.”

“You should start getting used to it.”

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Hexion slightly turned toward the helicopter and extended his hand toward Zero Nine.

“My catastrophe.”

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Zero Nine let out a short, incredulous laugh. At first, Hexion had just called him by his number as if it were natural, and now he was outright calling him catastrophe. And yet, strangely, Zero Nine didn’t find it unpleasant. Why was that? He stepped forward and took Hexion’s outstretched hand. Their eye level was slightly different, with Hexion being just a little shorter, yet he was tilting his chin up lightly, looking down at him. His gray eyes were calm. Ah, Zero Nine realized—there was no fear in them.

Feeling his lukewarm body temperature, Zero Nine asked, “You’re not afraid of me?”

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“Why would I be?”

“…You know better than anyone that there’s more than enough reason to be.”

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Zero Nine’s voice dropped low. His face settled into that usual, unreadable expression. Hexion tilted his head slightly as he looked at him. His gaze was still locked precisely onto those pale violet eyes. His answer came without hesitation.

“I could handle four or five of you.”

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Zero Nine let out a laugh, completely dumbfounded. Hexion, still gripping his hand tightly, led him toward the helicopter.

Zero Nine mulled over Hexion’s words. Four or five of you. It was the tone of someone who was clearly underestimating his existence. And yet, for some reason, it didn’t feel bad at all.

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“Where exactly are we going in a damn helicopter?” Elijah asked.

Then, out of nowhere, Hexion dropped a completely unexpected answer.

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“The Theobald U.S. branch. But before that, we should stop by a department store.”

Elijah blinked, certain he had misheard. “Did you just say… a department store? No, hold on. We’re talking about an esper who could go off at any moment—”

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“Not anymore.”

Because I’m here. Hexion cut him off, raising an eyebrow.

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“Let’s do something about that beggar-like look first.”

Zero Nine paused. Just how bad did he look right now? Having spent most of his life locked away in a lab, he had no clue.

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Hexion, ignoring Elijah, who was still holding his head in disbelief, practically shoved him into the helicopter before pulling Zero Nine inside with him. Zero Nine silently watched Hexion for a moment before allowing himself to be led up onto the aircraft.

٠ ࣪⭑𓂃

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The three of them landed safely on the rooftop of the Theobald U.S. branch and took the elevator down. The Theobald U.S. branch, consisting of a total of 208 floors, was well-known for its excellent employee benefits. However, that didn’t change the fact that employees naturally felt uneasy around members of the Theobald family.

As soon as they saw Hexion’s face, the people who had been about to board the elevator instantly put on bright smiles.

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“Please go ahead, Executive Director.”

“Close the door.”

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At that, Elijah pressed the close button with a sour expression.

When they reached the first floor, it was bustling with employees and visitors. The bakery located on the first floor was packed with people.

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Zero Nine found himself momentarily captivated by the crowd—something he hadn’t seen in a very long time. Like a lost child about to wander off, he was quickly pulled in by Hexion, who naturally wrapped an arm around him and guided him to the waiting limousine. Once inside, Hexion turned to Elijah and asked,

“How long are you planning to follow us around?”

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“…Until I confirm that you’ve taken him to the government-designated facility.”

“Well, do as you please.”

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Hexion simply sat next to Zero Nine and shut the door with a sharp click, leaving Elijah, eyes brimming with unspoken complaints, to hurriedly scramble into the limousine from the other side.

Their destination? R, the largest department store in the city.

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It seemed someone had been informed in advance, as a VIP personal shopper was already waiting at the entrance for them. Without acknowledging her, Hexion walked past naturally, and she, accustomed to this, maintained a polite distance of about two steps behind him.

“I have gathered all the latest collections from every men’s clothing brand available in the store. If there are any specific items you wish to see, please allow us about five minutes to prepare them for immediate viewing.”

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The personal shopper followed behind, explaining in an even, professional tone. Truly, a perfect pro. The sharp sounds of both men’s and women’s shoes echoed through the polished floors.

Zero Nine, unintentionally matching Hexion’s stride, took in the sight of the people who were subtly watching them. It had been so, so long since he had seen a place like this. For a brief moment, he turned his head. And there, just within his vision, was Hexion’s calm, gray-toned hair. The slightly tousled pomade style somehow steadied his mind.

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“Do you come to places like this often?” he asked.

“You will too, soon enough.”

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The VIP room, which they reached via a private elevator, had a chandelier glittering overhead. Along one wall, a neatly arranged row of suits and casual clothing hung in an array of colors.

Without hesitation, Hexion picked out a toned-down beige suit and then selected a shirt that seemed about the right size before pressing it lightly against Zero Nine’s chest.

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“Change into this and come out.”

It was undeniably a command.

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Well, I don’t know what exactly we’re doing here, but I guess I just have to go along with it, right?

Zero Nine blinked a couple of times before slowly shuffling toward the fitting room. With his broad frame, he probably looked imposing, yet the personal shopper merely smiled and politely held the door open for him.

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Meanwhile, Hexion sat on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, scrolling through a tablet the personal shopper had handed him. Was he browsing new arrivals? Elijah, curious, subtly peeked at the screen, catching a glimpse of what looked like someone’s personal information. But just as he tried to get a better look—thud—the screen suddenly went black. Hexion ignored Elijah’s puzzled expression, setting the tablet down and waiting for Zero Nine to come out.

“There aren’t any price tags.”

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Since Hexion remained silent, Elijah awkwardly looked through the clothes and commented.

“Because I don’t need them.”

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“Right….”

“You’re making the place feel cluttered. Why don’t you sit down?”

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“Understood.”

Elijah, after all, was the Director of the Esper Special Management Bureau. How much was his salary again? As he was lost in such pointless thoughts, fifteen minutes had already passed since Zero Nine entered the fitting room. Hexion glanced at Elijah and asked,

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“Does he not know how to dress himself?”

“…No idea.”

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I’ve never dressed him before. At that, Hexion pressed his fingers against his forehead for a moment.

“Completely useless. Why are you even sitting here?”

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“It’s not like I want to be watching you throw money around.”

But I have to see you take him to the government-designated facility before I can leave. It’s not like I want to be here! Elijah scratched his head in frustration. Hexion jerked his chin at a nearby staff member, and the personal shopper, catching on immediately, knocked lightly on the fitting room door before speaking.

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Knock, knock—

“Sir, may I open the door for a moment?”

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From inside, a voice answered hesitantly, “Uh, um… yeah, sure.”

Hexion rose from the sofa and walked toward the fitting room. As the personal shopper opened the door, he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at what he saw inside.

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Zero Nine had dressed himself—sort of.

The buttons were mismatched, the hem of the shirt was sticking out awkwardly, and the jacket was practically draped over him rather than worn properly. It wasn’t doing its job at all.

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So, I have to teach him how to dress from scratch?

Hexion quickly came to terms with the situation, stepped inside, and shut the fitting room door with his own hand. Zero Nine looked up at him with an expression that practically said, I don’t know anything.

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Clicking his tongue, Hexion moved closer and reached for the shirt buttons first.

“Oh, I buttoned it wrong. I was wondering why it felt off.”

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“Just knowing that much is impressive.”

“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?”

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“As I’ve been saying—you’re quick to catch on.”

“You’re not even trying to hide it.”

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“Why should I?”