True Route Unlocked

The soft hum of the fluorescent lights above roused me first, followed by some distant, familiar voices. My eyes fluttered open, and I slowly looked around, finding myself lying on a cot in a bright, spacious room with privacy curtains. It didn't seem like an infirmary or a hospital room but more of a medical center for visitors to take a break or get a quick checkup. A brief glimpse at my radar confirmed that I was still on the museum's premises.

"What do you mean he’s the kid you’ve been searching for? He’s an android—a criminal one at that. He’s been sitting on top of our most wanted list like it's his throne."

"And he’s on top of my list for my biggest leads yet, Kirena. I don’t know what they did to him, but I’m betting on my beard that he’s the key to breaking this whole case open! Give me some more time, and I’ll prove it.”

As the voices went on, I squinted at the ceiling, trying to clear the lingering fog in my mind and recollect my latest memories.

“...I don't know about this, Axel. I know you have a good deduction streak, but how can you be sure the kid will cooperate? He tried to kill you before, didn't he? He even killed plenty of my men last night.”

"Sure he will. He didn't try to kill me at all when he lost that collar. That proves he's still in there, Sergeant. Give him another chance."

“Yeah! Big bro Radio is a good guy now! He even saved us this morning!”

“Noah, let the grownups talk here.”

“Hmph, fiiine.”

I shifted on the cot, steadily lifting myself into a sitting position. My fingers brushed my forehead, grimacing out of the lingering pain I did to myself. With this limited alone time, I didn't get to think of my next goals before Noah abruptly drew the curtains back.

“Oh, did we wake you up?” he asked. “Sorry, big bro.”

I folded my arms. “I told you to stop calling me that.”

He tilted his head. “But are you okay? You’ve hit your head really hard back there… You still remember me, right?”

“Mhm. You’re annoying as always.”

“Hehe, yep, you’re still with us.”

“Hmph, what do you want?”

“I just wanted to check up on you. The grownups have been talking since forever, and I’m bored.”

“Were they talking about me?”

“Yep.”

Stifling a groan, I braced for the worst and forced myself back on my feet.

“Eh? Radio? Shouldn’t you rest a little longer?”

“I’m fine,” I said before proceeding to stumble around. Gritting my teeth and clutching my head, I staggered toward the detective and sergeant, interrupting their conversation.

When Axel slid in front of me, Kirena raised a brow.

“What are you doing?” I weakly asked. “You shouldn’t be helping a criminal like me.”

“Are you even hearing yourself, brat? Aren’t you scared of dying?”

I chewed my lip.

Truth be told, I… was still afraid. But, now that I was no longer of anyone's use, death was pretty much inevitable. In some way, this was the only "freedom" I could obtain, so at the very least, I should die with some integrity instead of delaying it like a coward.

It was about time that I acknowledged I’d never know my true purpose, let alone live a normal life. Ever since my creator deemed me meaningless, I convinced myself that I could be useful to someone else, but even that was but a delusion prolonging my eventual scrap.

I drew a deep breath and mumbled, “I know it's no use running away, so go ahead and finish me off. Make it quick.”

This time, Kirena raised both brows.

“No, you can’t die!” said Noah, tugging my arm. “You’re a good guy now, aren’t you? Good guys aren’t supposed to die!”

“Exactly.” Out of nowhere, Axel grabbed the scruff of my neck and tossed me over his shoulders. “I'll have him sign a contract and help me on my investigations, and since I'm working in a different division, you can’t stop me, Sergeant.”

“…Huh?” I squeaked. “Wh-Why? I’ve almost k—”

“You shut it.”

Kirena blinked at the detective and down at the pouting child before eyeing me. “Kid, you remember our previous encounter, right?”

I nodded.

She smirked. “You know, my offer still stands.”

“Eh?”

She chuckled and folded her arms. “I was serious when I said I saw potential in you. I’ve been fighting crime for over a decade—I’m not stupid enough to strictly follow protocols and categorize a victim and a monster as the same people.”

“Huh? Aren’t you here to arrest him?” asked Axel.

“Who said I was? I was only asking questions to know the situation.”

“They were fighting bad guys!” said Noah, swinging his fists. “And they were super cool with it!”

Kirena laughed and ruffled the kid’s hair. “I can imagine. What about me? You saw me fight earlier too.”

“Eh, sort of. You’re too flashy though.”

“Ehh?!”

“Hah!” Axel sneered, pointing a finger at her. “Someone else finally gets me!”

“Y-You two just don’t understand neon sword art!”

“What’s that?” asked Noah. “That sounds pretty cool.”

“Hmph! Only the strongest and swiftest soldiers can pull it off. Do you have what it takes, kid?”

"No, but maybe big bro Radio can!"

"Too bad I called dibs on him first," said Axel, tightening his hold on me.

The three of them continued to banter and exchanged light-hearted remarks, leaving me to ponder all by myself, still on Axel’s shoulder. After behaving like a rabid beast, I could never possibly imagine Axel would be so willing to sign a contract with me.

Signing a contract didn’t simply act as proof of our citizenship. It was a covenant of honor, a pact signed out of a human’s deep trust, so imagine my surprise when my former target, of all people, practically declared his sincere trust in me after trying to kill him. I still thought I wasn’t hearing things right until the detective began to move.

“Welp, time’s a-wastin’,” said Axel, holding me tightly as he walked out of the medical center. “Let’s get back to investigating!”

I snapped out of my reverie and gawked over my shoulders. “W-Wait, you’re actually serious?!” I asked. “Why?! This is the perfect chance to get rid of me!”

“Because we like you, silly,” said Noah, giggling.

“You’re both insane. I… I never wanted to…” To help them…?

“Yeah, yeah, you keep telling that to yourself,” said Axel.

“Just to be clear, you’re still not fully off the hook, kid,” said Kirena, squinting at me as she waved us off. “I’m only sparing you because the detective needs you for his case, so I’ll have him keep a close eye on you. If you screw up again, you’re done for.”

“Ugh, you don’t have to tell me twice,” I mumbled.

“Are you not coming with us, Ma’am?” asked Noah.

She sighed and pushed up her glasses. “Someone has to stay and keep guard of this museum, and that's our duty as the Elite Force Division. A shame, but it is what it is.”

“Oh, okay. Bye-bye.” The boy waved farewell before catching up with Axel and me.

I gave exasperated looks to all three of them, wholly stunned and speechless. Not knowing what else to do, I slumped on Axel’s shoulder and mumbled, “You humans are honestly incomprehensible.”

“I heard that,” said the detective.

“Hmph, I still mean it.”

“Haha, logically speaking, that would make you one of us too." He paused and pondered for a moment. "You call yourself an assassin but act like a kid stuck in his rebellious phrase. I don't know about you, but that ain't normal to see in androids.”

"Like I said, I'm an exception."

"Hmm... You don’t sound as proud as before. Do you feel ashamed of that now?"

I bit my lip and scowled.

"I'll take that silence as a 'yes' then, but honestly? You shouldn't. Believe it or not, your emotions are what’s keeping you on the right path."

"What do you mean? It's this stupid system that ruined my life!"

Axel shook his head. "Agree to disagree, but we can talk more on that later. You also think his attitude is nice too, right, Noah?"

"Yeah!” said the boy, pumping his fist. "I still think you're like the cool older brother I've always wanted, Radio!"

Too exhausted to start another argument, I sighed in resignation and stayed quiet. It was a good thing no one could see my face in this position. Otherwise, I’d never hear the end of them talking about how I smiled for the first time.