Chapter 898: NO．21：Ma Zhongpeng's Melancholy

NO．21：Ma Zhongpeng's Melancholy

Having had enough drink and food, I wanted to say that, but because there are minors at the table—including a certain someone who slept for five thousand years, making him over five thousand and some odd years old—there are three of us in total, hence the situation.

Besides, having just arrived in this new world, one's mood might be somewhat special, so Aomo didn't let alcohol appear.

But even so, it didn't stop the atmosphere from indeed becoming relaxed and cheerful.

Accompanying the explanation at the dinner table of the current world's social structure and standard of living, especially the livestock farming and worship culture of monsters, even the usually taciturn Chen would occasionally raise questions, truly joining in the table's big talk.

Of course, if Miss Xin Tiao hadn't brought up Aomo's deeds on some voting website in this explanation, and even personally taught the new friend beside her how to search the forum URL, Aomo would have enjoyed this willing exchange and popular science even more.

But this doesn't mean that lecturing transmigrants about this world, this society, and the federation's achievements makes Aomo feel a sense of pride as if he shares in the honor.

He simply enjoys observing 'how otherworldly people raised in different civilizations and social environments react when they come into contact with and learn about the current civilization and society,' a feeling akin to recording the control group's state during a comparative experiment, which is exactly why he gladly and tirelessly introduces the present to transmigrants.

That's also why, in high school, he wholeheartedly assisted the director of education in organizing the 'basic knowledge package' specially prepared for transmigrants.

Moreover, in this process, further communicating with them to understand their 'feedback' and simultaneously learning their thoughts makes it even more enjoyable.

Such 'valuable conversation' brings a joy different from chatting nonsense with friends, a joy that cannot be overshadowed by the embarrassment of being the topic itself.

But this meal also let Jie Si Ti Si further understand what Aomo's words meant.

What is 'this bunch's mentality is rather abnormal, no wonder they can stay with monsters as monster users'?

Although they had previously gone through life-and-death conflicts, the conversation at the dinner table showed no trace of estrangement; even the person who once threatened them, Aomo, who had caused a rift in their team, also let go of grudges over this meal. Looking at Aomo's coat that he hadn't yet taken off, a stranger might think they were originally a team.

—At least for Jie Si Ti Si, when he just saw Aomo return, he really thought Aomo had joined the other side's organization.

The result……

The result was that he annexed the other side's organization (x).

"Aomo-san."

"What's up? Ah Peng, aren't you going to rest at this hour? As a first-year high school student, you need enough sleep to grow tall."

At 11:20 p. m., Aomo Lindun, having already taken off his lost horse coat, first prepared some preserved foods that needed advance preparation, then went to the balcony to catch the breeze.

As it turned out, someone had already beaten us to the spot.

The melancholy Ma Zhongpeng sounds like the title of some Western fantasy mercenary, but the person Aomo first saw upon arrival, whose side profile gazing from the balcony edge indeed carried such an aura.

As for titles… frivolous 'young guy'-style naming is merely a facade erected when we don't know each other well enough.

Since we've all been invited to the office for a meal and overnight stay, our forms of address naturally no longer need to be either distant or deliberately formal.

"Aomo-san, Miss Xin Tiao told me you not only often work overtime but also keep adding to your workload— isn't it fine if you don't rest early?"

Although his initial gaze was rather melancholy, after hearing Aomo's joking tone, Peng also smiled and retorted.

"Qian and they keep pointing at this to mock me, but I can't change it," Aomo said, walking up to him and placing both elbows on the balcony railing, gazing at the city nightscape, "and my current workload also includes you guys— tomorrow I might even have to run errands for your paperwork."

"Is there no problem? Including us all in your office, etc., I heard from Jie Si Ti Si-san that this would cause many troubles."

"We can't just let a few minors and a few twenty-somethings who behave like minors handle adult responsibilities on their own, can we?" Aomo said, lifting his right hand to lightly tap the railing with his fingertip, "In fact, my office's scope of work actually includes handling certificates, but honestly, no one would come to me for help."

"Hmm, Bi Ze-san also said that hardly anyone would come to our office to entrust the handling of cases below the criminal level."

"That alien, when persecuting brothers, uses remarkably strict wording— he can even say such a vicious phrase as 'cases below the criminal level,'" Aomo laughed angrily and shook his head, "Kicking him home to sleep was indeed the right move."

"Although Aomo-san is a monster controller, he's quite different from everyone."

"That's why I brought you all here; if you wish, you can be just like me."

"Having friends and a girlfriend who aren't monster controllers?"

"Qian isn't my girlfriend."

"Eh? Could it be the girl with horse ears in that video?"

"That's my student, not my girlfriend; why are you so sure I must have a girlfriend?"

"Um… probably because Aomo-san looks reliable, speaks interestingly, has good looks and physique, and also has such a career?" Peng analyzed seriously, then looked surprised, "Moreover, can you cohabit without being a girlfriend?"

"Why not? As long as we respect each other's life freedom and privacy…" As he said this, Aomo's voice lowered.

It feels as if I've constantly had my freedom and privacy invaded?

Recalling everything with my housemates— not just one housemate's— Aomo movingly discovered that Chazuo and Bo Pang are really good kids.

"Aomo-san?" Peng looked at Aomo's face— first a slight stunned look, then contemplation, finally a moved emotional shift— feeling it was too profound.

Thinking that Aomo-san is indeed worthy of being a monster controller— although he looks reliable and normal, he also has an unconventional side (without any negative connotation).

"Ah, sorry for zoning out."

This counts as a rare instance of zoning out; Aomo, who usually can easily multitask his thoughts without hindering real-world interaction, was almost completely distracted by this not-so-profound question.

It's a pity that Peng, who still doesn't understand Aomo, missed this point and was easily led away by the other's topic: "Never mind me, you're still in first year of high school, right? As far as I know, teenagers like you from other worlds always have some youth and romance."

Aomo said with a tone of 'don't underestimate my information network,' firmly.

He indeed has an information network— referring to the original of 'SSSS. Electric Light Machine King,' he knows well and doesn't mention the famous Dove King southern team member; Ma Zhongpeng's classmate, because of his witty speech, fashionable attire, and somewhat cute boyish appearance, has become the center of his small social circle, and at least one female classmate clearly has a crush on him.

—So! Does that lady have a chance to win this time!?

"How could that be? Aomo-san, you've read too much manga; I don't like anyone."

Oh duh! Ms. Jin Shi still hasn't found the track!

What the heck, any prospects?

Holding such a feeling of resentment at iron not becoming steel, Aomo feigned profundity by shaking his head: "Maybe someone who likes you has been by your side all along; you just lack the eye to notice."

"Is Aomo-san introducing himself?" Peng blinked.

"? Using such a counter move is something even elementary schoolers disdain; first-year high school student Ma Zhongpeng."

"Your attitude will surely make you regret it later; once I recommend you an animation that starts with four S's, you'll realize you were wrong."

"Does Aomo-san seem a bit anxious?"

"Heh heh, after I share the resources with you, you'll know who's really in a hurry." Aomo crossed his arms, almost emitting a 'keke' sound, but then caught sight of the other's faint smile as they looked back toward the distance, revealing a familiar gaze.

"Miss home?"

He also turned his gaze back to that distant scenery.

There will be searchlights shining into the sky, and occasional floating cars flashing their headlights as they speed by; the skyscrapers glittering with lights even have big screens showing horse-girl races, making the city nightscape. For someone like Mazhong Peng who has crossed over, it's basically like a dream.

I thought Aomo-san's earlier words were all meant to avoid this topic.

First-year high school students have rich imaginations; there's no need to avoid this topic. Feeling homesick is normal, just like I occasionally think of my old home in the residential complex, especially with so many people needing to live here today.

Aomo raised a hand and rubbed the bridge of their nose.

But indeed, I neither want others to enter there nor want to leave this place to others—like a fussy hamster, wanting everything.

Aomo-san being able to say something like that seems unbelievable to me.

Could anything be more unbelievable than a first-year high school student joining an organization based on monster eugenics? You said I read too many comics, but this kind of experience I can only have—or only see—in comics.

"... Yeah," Peng looked up at the dim sky, then turned to look at the youth beside them, "So, Aomo-san, do you want to know the reason for this?"

No, because I can actually guess it.

Although having intelligence as a base is more important; otherwise, guesses based on scraps would still make Aomo want verification.

The reasons that would make a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old willing to join a dangerous organization, or even outright agree to leave the whole world, are only a few; and those who can look at an unfamiliar environment with a desolate expression, yet refuse to answer frankly why they miss home, are only two or three.

Aomo-san, so you're a Detective?

No, but the skills I have are indeed consistent; you can get used to it, so you won't always assume I can read minds like some ordinary folk.

It's also normal to guess that demons can read minds, right?

Not a demon, but a demon-person; my half-human bloodline is feeling upset, Mazhong.

Moreover, being a demon doesn't necessarily mean one can read minds; if you stay here long enough, you'll see all kinds of demons, even those from other universes or worlds. Aomo recalled meeting Miss Niyan in the work of the Blessed Gospel Class.

Because there was no further overlap in work after that, although we exchanged contact information, we ultimately became just electronic tombstones.

Just hearing about it really makes one look forward to it.

When lying, please be more expressive; otherwise, you can't even fool half a demon.

Then, Aomo-san, how do you want me to regard you?

The decision is yours; I have nothing to say, but there's no need to feel wistful about leaving home or school life." Aomo said, crossing their fingers, raising them, and stretching.

Again, Aomo shrugged their shoulders at the doubtful Mazhong Peng.

Anyway, to investigate the matter of Mr. Shima and Nate, we will go back again in a few days.