Later
"...when I asked for context, this isn't what I expected at all," Wise admits as Caelus rubs his head.
"Neither do I. That woman just popped out of nowhere like a wild Pokémon, and everything around me went insane." Caelus sighs.
"Pokémon?" Wise tilts his head in confusion.
"A monster taming game I used to play, and somehow isn't available in the city anymore, but anyway," Caelus shrugs. "That's how Grace and I ended up acquaintances, but honestly calling it that is a stretch."
"Right..." Wise sweatdrops. "Also, are you planning on letting go of Eous?"
"Huh?" Caelus asks in confusion.
"You're choking my Bangboo," Wise says plainly as Caelus blinks before glancing down, and sure enough, Caelus is choking the poor wabbit with nothing but his biceps. Wise can't help but be nervous at the scene, not expecting Caelus to be ripped at all. With his clothes, it's easy enough to hide his well-built body.
"Huh, I didn't even notice," Caelus mutters before he lets the poor Bangboo go. Wise notices Caelus shows a hint of hesitance when letting go of Eous, which didn't convince the Proxy that Caelus did it unintentionally.
Especially when he remembers what Eous said and Caelus admitting he can understand his words perfectly. In a way, Eous kinda deserves it.
Belle was lucky to drop the connection because she would rather not experience being choked by others, even if she just experienced it visually.
"I would appreciate it if you leave my baby alone, Caelus," Belle speaks through Eous as the Bangboo points its stubby hand at Caelus. "Or else I will gouge your eyes with these hands."
"Hello, Belle. I see you're still obsessing over my eyes," Caelus asks dryly.
"Duh, it's easily the greatest gift a space god could ever gift tohumanity," Belle exclaims. "A much better alternative for a certain chattyA.I."
"I would appreciate it if you didn't replace me so casually, Master's 3rd best assistant." Fairy speaks through Eous as well, followed by Belle's frustrated growl.
"Hey, Fairy. I hope you have good days," Caelus greets warmly.
"Hello to you too, Mister Caelus," Fairy greets, and Caelus could notice she sounds a bit more chirpy. "I will make sure Master's third best assistant didn't try to gouge your eyes out. You have my word as Master's second best assistant."
"Oh, now you act nice towards Caelus. What, do you have a crush on him?" Belle asks in annoyance as Caelus' left eye twitches. He hoped not.
"No, I am simply respecting him as a great Author for writing such a beautiful story about humanity," Caelus blinks, as he wasn't expecting that. "I have never felt so...free."
"Fairy read the 'As I've Written,'" Wise explains, noticing Caelus' confused look. "And it's easy to say that Fairy loves the story. I never expected to hear her cry with so much emotion, especially since we're already used to her monotone voice."
"...I admit, I wasn't expecting that at all," Caelus says honestly.
"I wasn't expecting you to write a good story," Wise says humorously, earning an annoyed stare from Caelus as Wise chuckles. "But, seriously, it is a good story. I admit, I shed tears when reading it."
"Yes, and Master's third assistant bawled her eyes out like babies." Fairy adds with a teasing voice.
"Will you not tell him about it!?!" Belle groans.
"Everyone's admitting their embarrassing moments without any shame. You should learn a thing or two, third assistant," Fairy answers, to which Belle responds with a frustrated groan. Caelus and Wise sweatdrop hearing their interactions through Eous.
"A shame, Phaethon's greatest Proxy tool has become a mere glorified speaker," Caelus says in a tone filled with nothing but false pity, causing Eous to 'Eh-nah' indignantly.
"Why do I have a feeling you have a grudge against my Bangboo?" Wise sweatdrops.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Caelus responds with an innocent voice, but Wise didn't believe him at all.
How could he? Caelus just tried to choke his Bangboo to death. Sure, Bangboos don't have a windpipe similar to any organic beings, but they're still machines and, like all machines, they have internal circuits. Wise swears he hears a loud metal groan coming from his Bangboo when Caelus is choking him.
"Anyways, you said that you're here because Grace commissioned you. Does this count as Phaethon business?" Caelus asks curiously.
"You could say that," Wise nods. "Being a Proxy isn't limited to Hollow-related commissions. You can receive a mundane one like helping people with chores and all that."
"Hiring a Proxy for chores is..." Caelus sweatdrops, unsure how to complete the sentence.
"There was a moment when Proxy wished to take a break from Hollow-related dangers." Wise shrugs. "And if they need money, they are desperate enough to do this kind of task."
"What? Did you expect us to go into the spherical domes of death every day without a break?" Belle asks sarcastically.
"Honestly, yes, especially with your tools and Fairy," Caelus admits honestly. He knows about the missions that were similar to chores back when he played the game, but hearing the Phaethon confirm it as an official commission is surprising.
"Why thank you for the compliment," Fairy says happily.
"That's not a compliment..." Belle grumbles.
"Well, if we still had our old Phaethon account, we would receive fewer chores. But to be honest, not receiving so many Hollow-related commissions is...relaxing," Wise admits.
"Fair," Caelus mutters.
"...also, why are you still here? No offense, but I honestly thought you were bolting right away since Grace is completely distracted," Wise points out. Caelus froze before realizing Wise is right, and he planned on running away before Grace somehow teleports next to him and grabs his arm.
"Sorry about that. I was receiving calls from the Three Gates company discussing the technical cooperation they planned to provide Belobog by helping with solving issues with the prototype. They say they had a change of plan involving a new partner from another company." Grace says as she tightens her grip. Caelus tries to break free but is surprised at how tight her grip is. "I know this is a commission for you, but you don't need your Proxy disguise for this."
"I see," Wise nods, somewhat distracted by Caelus's hilarious attempt to escape from Grace but failing miserably. Belle had to mute her voice just to laugh at Caelus.
"And why am I here again?" Caelus groans, giving up on escaping from Grace. What's with women and their absurd strength behind their noodle arms?
"I hope you would help me rate my works and even help with some issues. Maybe seeing my work will convince you," Grace says shamelessly.
"...convince me what?" Caelus, out of annoyance, decided to play dumb. Unfortunately, it was his mistake.
"Oh, you know, becoming my partner at making more beautiful children," Wise should expect this after what happened earlier, but he was still caught off guard. Koleda's remark was still fresh in his mind, and seeing her like this really shocked him.
Belle was lucky she didn't turn on her speaker, or else everyone would hear her laughing like a dying hyena. Unfortunately, Fairy is with her, and she records everything before saving it to 'Proof why the third assistant will always be inferior to me' files.
"First, you really need to watch your phrasing," Caelus deadpans. "Second, is it hard for you to just say your machines instead of children? Because people will make assumptions!"
"Why would I need to change it when you understand it clearly?" Grace asks in confusion. "Also, why would I care what people assume?"
"Because some people's assumptions could lead to a false report, which leads someone like me to investigate." They all turned around and froze as Qingyi walked towards them. "Apologies for the sudden arrival. I am Qingyi of the New Eridu Public Security, and I am here to investigate a report of 'a crazy woman chasing after a man while screaming about baby-making partners while causing disturbance.'"
"...oh," Grace mutters, and for the first time, she looks sheepish as Ben, overhearing everything with his enhanced hearing, groans in dismay.
"I told you, Grace! Your actions will lead you to trouble one day!"
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Later
"You seem to attract all sorts of peculiar situations, huh?" Qingyi asks in amusement as Caelus sighs.
"Don't even get started, Officer," Caelus mutters, earning a chuckle from her. "She's not in trouble, is she?"
"Caring about her like that will not beat the allegation of you being her 'baby-making partner,'" Qingyi chuckles as Caelus glares at her. "Jokes aside, she's not in trouble. Thankfully, she didn't attempt to harm you in any way, just a harmless chase for simply wanting to have a conversation with her...snrk, 'future baby-making partner.'"
"I have a feeling you won't let me live that down, and even telling this to your fellow officers," Caelus deadpans.
"Yup," Qingyi says shamelessly. "But still, how did you even get to this situation?"
"I was just testing my drones when one of them accidentally flew straight to this construction site. Trying to get it back, I talked to Mr Ben and apologized for causing trouble. When he tried to get it back for me, he was arguing with Grace, who tried to dismantle it, and then she found out I was the inventor. The rest is history." Caelus sighs as Qingyi blinks.
"...I admit, I expected you to flirt with her, and by sheer dumb luck, you succeeded. Your explanation makes more sense." Qingyi responds, causing Caelus to look at her incredulously.
"Do I look like that kind of person!??!" Caelus asks in disbelief.
"No," Qingyi says bluntly, causing a metaphorical arrow to pierce straight through his chest. "You don't have the looks or the charm of a playboy. That's why I said 'by sheer dumb luck.'"
"...ouch," Caelus mutters, clutching his heart in pain.
"Anyways, the Public Security won't get involved with this since no one was harmed," Qingyi explains before looking at Caelus. "You could just decline her, as she has no right to force you. Given you haven't agreed to anything or signed any contracts."
"...I think I would like to check this machine of hers," Caelus says as he watches Qingyi's lips forming a teasing smirk. "Don't start it. I was curious about the machine she's talking about."
"You are!?!" Grace suddenly pops next to him, startling both Caelus and Qingyi as she grabs his arm. "Oh, you definitely won't regret it! I'll show you my precious children, and you'll definitely love them!"
"Straight to greet her children, huh? You sure move quite fast," Qingyi chuckles as Grace drags Caelus away.
"For the love of all gods, you crazy woman. CONTEXT!!!!" Caelus exclaims before they hear a scoff from a distance.
"I see you have caused quite a lot of trouble since you left the Roose Institute." They all turn around and see a brown-haired woman wearing a mechanic outfit with goggles dangling on her head. "I know one day you'll bite off more than you can chew, but I admit, I wasn't expecting Public Security to get involved as well."
Silence~
"...I'm sorry, but who are you?" Everyone nearby may have imagined things, but they swear they could hear a loud sound of glass shattering as the woman's left eye twitched violently.
"I know it's been years, but did you seriously forget me!?! It's Betty, your rival from the Roose Institute of Technology!" The woman, Betty, snapped in irritation.
"...I'm sorry, I don't remember you," Grace admits, and once again, everyone hears another glass-shattering noise, but louder. Some construction workers try to look around to find the source as Betty's right eye also twitches violently.
"...well, this is awkward," Caelus sweatdrops as he feels an imaginary fire burn wildly at the back of Betty as Grace looks oblivious, scratching her head in utter confusion.
To be continued