"Your original identity doesn't matter... huh?"
Andrew looked at the silent Evelyn, having a vague idea of what was going on. But since she hadn't brought it up herself, Andrew had no intention of calling her out.
After all, everyone has their own past. Simply exposing it would be meaningless. As long as her feelings were genuine, that was all that mattered.
Who doesn't have a few secrets, after all.
So, Andrew looked into Evelyn's eyes and said seriously:
"Trust me, if Astra heard this question, she would definitely give you the same answer."
Without answering, Evelyn couldn't help but close her eyes again, as if afraid to agree, and continued to ask evasively:
"What if her original identity is tied to a secret organization that will bring endless trouble, and anyone who stays in contact with her is bound to get involved?"
But Andrew cared even less about Evelyn's follow-up question.
"I'd say that after finding out her friend is me, the ones who should be scared are the organization hiding behind her."
He let out a cold smirk and continued:
"I don't go looking for trouble, but I'm never afraid of it. If those things that can't see the light of day really try to stir something up and threaten my friends, I don't mind wiping them all out."
Having never seen the consistently gentle Andrew become so... forceful, Evelyn was momentarily stunned.
During her time with Astra Yao, although the thought of completely abandoning her past identity had begun to sprout, the existence of the secret organization had always lingered in her mind like a shadow of the past.
But as Andrew's words fell, Evelyn felt a new strength surge within her heart. The shadows of the past were dispelled by Evelyn as if they had been frightened away.
The shackles that had been tripping her up, preventing her from daring to step into the life a normal person should have, were also completely broken.
Seeing the resolve solidify in Evelyn's eyes, Andrew's attitude gradually softened once more. He returned to his previous gentle state.
"So don't worry. I don't just become friends with anyone, and don't let Astra Yao hear you say things like 'don't mind me' again."
Having gotten to know Astra Yao quite well over the past two days, Andrew said seriously:
"I'm sure I don't need to tell you how she'd react, right? And if anything happened to you, both Astra Yao and I would be very sad, so don't say things like that anymore."
This time, Evelyn didn't insist. She nodded, accepting Andrew's words.
She had now fully resolved to sever ties with the organization. Already starting to make plans in her mind, Evelyn took small sips of the porridge before her, saying no more.
But the silence didn't last long before the sound of a door opening was heard.
"Creaak~"
As Astra Yao's door opened, a fully dressed Astra Yao emerged from her room. Her meticulously styled hair cascaded over her shoulders like satin, and her face was adorned with exquisite makeup.
Her face, adorned with light makeup, became even more dazzling and eye-catching. It was, one could say, twelve-tenths perfect, paired with the outfit meticulously prepared for the concert.
For a moment, Andrew was completely captivated.
"S-So? Does anything look off?"
Noticing Andrew staring at her blankly, a hint of joy welled up in Astra Yao's eyes. Just then, Andrew snapped back to reality.
Looking at the Astra Yao before him, he couldn't help but praise her profusely:
"You look beautiful, Astra."
"Hehe~"
After a careful inspection, Evelyn also found nothing wrong, but she asked with some curiosity:
"Young Miss, didn't you always say doing your own makeup was a hassle, and that you'd always have me do it for you at the venue?"
Hearing this, Astra Yao became a little flustered, then immediately came up with an excuse:
"I... I just suddenly wanted to see if my makeup skills have gotten rusty."
Before Evelyn could think further, Astra Yao immediately pointed at the time and said:
"Ah! Eve! Shouldn't we be heading out?"
Looking at the time, even if they accounted for taking the stairs, they still had about ten minutes to spare. But although Evelyn was puzzled, she cooperatively nodded and didn't press the matter further.
She had originally thought it was because Astra Yao was starting to find her recent skills unsatisfactory, but now it seemed that might not be the case?
Relieved, Evelyn began to methodically make preparations for their departure, and soon the three were on their way to the venue.
Before long, the trio arrived at the same venue where they had rehearsed.
Unlike the last time when it was completely empty, even with a good while to go before the start, long lines had already formed outside the venue. The dense crowd, however, maintained a tacit order, everyone entering as quickly as possible.
And this time, the journey to the venue was finally free of any incidents.
As the car parked in the lot, Evelyn's somewhat tense nerves relaxed slightly.
After all, Thorne, the leader of the Vanishing Wolves, had not yet been apprehended, while his brother and subordinates had all been taken down by them. If he wanted revenge, Astra Yao would definitely be his first choice.
But now, it seemed she might have been overthinking it?
Then again, with Andrew around, the other party probably wouldn't choose now to come looking for trouble.
Afterward, the arrangements for the three were the same as yesterday. Evelyn and Astra Yao went backstage to make the final preparations for the concert.
And Andrew, once again, began to patrol (stroll around) the audience seats. He was then led to a private box by staff arranged by Evelyn.
The reason was that Andrew, with his attire, wandering around the audience seats could easily scare the audience members. The fact that wherever Andrew went, a dead silence fell, proved Evelyn's point.
After all, who wouldn't be afraid of a nearly two-meter-tall giant in heavy armor, carrying a weapon as big as himself, wandering around?
Helpless, Andrew had no choice but to go to the private box.
And as a private box specially prepared for Andrew, it offered an excellent view, and if something unexpected happened, he could jump straight down to the stage. After all, things were different from yesterday. Andrew, in full armor, was a bit too conspicuous in the front row of the audience.
What Andrew didn't notice was that in the seat where he had sat yesterday, there was another large man. He was wrapped up tightly, sitting silently in his seat, forming a stark contrast with the excited and lively fans around him.
Looking down from the upper floor at the completely filled venue, Andrew felt he might have underestimated Astra Yao's popularity.
Looking down from the second floor, it was a sea of heads.
Even though it was her first concert, it seemed she had already achieved something many stars never do in their lifetime: completely filling a stadium.
Seeing there was still some time, Andrew took the opportunity to make a video call to Belle.
The waiting tone rang for only a brief second before it was answered. The screen showed Belle in a hoodie, leaning on the sofa in her room.
Judging by her slouched posture, she was most likely watching a movie. But Andrew noticed the grave expression on Belle's face; she didn't seem as engrossed as usual.
It was as if she had simply found something to do, but her mind was already far away.
On the other end of the line, Belle, seeing Andrew for the first time in almost two days, immediately brought her face close to the screen to get a good look at him before asking impatiently:
"Andrew, how have you been these past two days? What's Astra Yao really like in person? Is she nice? Is she one of those people who are rumored online to have a bad personality behind the scenes? Did she bully you at all?"
The barrage of questions left Andrew a bit dizzy, unsure of where to even begin answering.
So he immediately raised a hand to stop Belle's stream of words and said:
"Hold on, hold on, one at a time."
But thinking back on the events of the past two days, Andrew couldn't help but show a slight smile and said:
"Don't worry, Astra and Eve are really nice people, let alone bullying me. Besides, I'm not the type to get bullied and not fight back."
"Shh~"
Hearing that Andrew was fine, her worries were put to rest. But after thinking about his words, the next moment, Belle found the crux of the matter.
The expression on her face immediately became suspicious.
"Astra and Eve? It's only been two days! Andrew, have you and them already gotten that close?!"
At that moment, the realization hit Andrew, and he froze.
As natural as his interactions with Astra Yao and the others had been, that's how nervous he was now facing Belle's suspicion. He could have just brushed it off by saying nothing had happened between them.
But between his interactions with Astra and Eve, and not wanting to lie to Belle, Andrew couldn't bring himself to say they had no relationship.
His eyes began to shift unconsciously. Andrew immediately tried to change the subject to make Belle forget about it.
"How have things been at the video store these past two days?"
At the mention of this, Belle couldn't help but puff up her cheeks and say indignantly:
"Don't even get me started! Ever since we got back from the Outer Ring, my brother has been making me watch the store while he goes fishing!"
The more she spoke, the angrier she got.
"He said since I didn't get a ticket anyway, I might as well take the opportunity to watch the store more. He left his own sister all alone and lonely in the video store. Isn't he just the worst?!"
After saying that, Belle glared at Andrew on the phone screen and said:
"Andrew, you can't be a jerk like my brother. You have to spend lots of time with me after your commission is over!"
Looking at Belle's puffed-up, round cheeks, Andrew couldn't help but smile and agree:
"Alright, alright, no problem. I'll go with you wherever you want to go then."
Hearing Andrew agree without hesitation, Belle finally nodded in satisfaction.
"See, Andrew is the best. That heartless, stinky brother of mine can spend the rest of his life with his fishing gear. There's no place for him in this family anymore!"
Then Belle suddenly remembered and stared at Andrew again.
"Wait! You almost succeeded in changing the subject! Hurry up and tell me what's going on!"
Andrew, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, felt his heart sink. He realized his attempt to change the subject had failed, and the now highly alert Belle wouldn't be swayed.
Andrew had no choice but to explain everything in detail:
"At first, it was Astra's request, but then, without realizing it, I just got used to calling them that."
But to Andrew's surprise.
Hearing this, Belle first pouted, but it wasn't out of anger. Instead, she looked at Andrew with envy and said:
"Damn... I'm so jealous... I want to be that close to Astra Yao too..."
Looking at the screen in front of her, which was playing a video, Belle said with some regret:
"But I couldn't even get a single ticket. I can't even see her in person. I can only stay home and watch movies to satisfy my cravings..."
"You're not mad?"
Andrew looked at Belle with some surprise, unable to tell if she was being sarcastic out of anger or genuinely complimenting him.
"Why would I be mad?"
Belle, in turn, looked at Andrew with some confusion, not knowing what he was asking about.
"That I'm... close with other girls, you're not mad?"
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Belle burst out laughing. But she quickly composed herself and asked seriously:
"Well, did you stop liking me because of it, Andrew?"
Hearing this, Andrew immediately replied firmly:
"No!"
"Since you still like me, and I still like you, why should I be mad?"
Belle giggled, covering her mouth as if stating a simple fact. But before Andrew could react, she suddenly seemed to remember something and said with regret:
"Oh, right! I just thought of it. I should have asked you to take Eous with you! That way, I could have used the H.D.D. System to watch the concert live through Eous!"
"I don't think the H.D.D. System is supposed to be used for that..."
He reflexively retorted, but after realizing Belle really wasn't angry, Andrew subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.
But this reaction still felt a bit off, didn't it?
Of course.
It was the same with Caesar before, and Anby, and now Astra Yao. Though he didn't know why, Belle seemed to not care about this at all. And no one else seemed to place much importance on it either.
Although he had felt it before, this feeling was becoming more and more obvious, which in turn made Andrew a little bewildered.
But looking at the unconcerned Belle on the screen, Andrew felt that he, who was always Dilemma on this matter, was the weird one in New Eridu.
In the end, unable to figure it out, Andrew could only temporarily set aside the worries in his heart.
Looking at Belle on his phone, Andrew comforted her:
"It's okay if you can't see it this time. There will be plenty of opportunities later."
Seeing Belle's slightly confused face, Andrew continued:
"I made a promise with Astra. When she wants to eat something, she'll sneak over to my shop. I'll call you then, and you can meet her."
"What?! You've already made that kind of promise?!!"
Belle was already starting to chew on her collar in frustration.
"Damn it, if I had known, I would have been bolder! I shouldn't have just thought of asking you to bring Eous, I should have just asked you to get me an insider ticket! Then I could have gone to see it in person!"
Belle felt she had been too conservative. The carefully selected movie playing in front of her had completely lost its appeal.
She looked at the screen before her, her face full of regret.
"Now I can only watch movies here and wait for DGA Entertainment to start selling the videotapes to watch it. That's going to take a long time..."
Looking at Belle, who was so full of regret she was lying motionless on the beanbag chair, Andrew sighed helplessly.
Then he said:
"How about I turn my phone sideways and set it up here, and you can just treat it as a remote livestream of Astra Yao's concert?"
Hearing this, Belle immediately perked up. She sat up straight and nodded excitedly:
"Yes, yes! Wait! Aren't livestreams and recordings prohibited at concerts like this?"
Andrew waved his hand to reassure her, saying:
"Don't worry, I'll just clear it with Eve, and it should be fine. But remember not to record it, or at least don't let anyone know you did."
"No problem, this will be my top-secret videotape! The kind no one else will ever know about, not even my brother!"
___
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