Love at first sight

“Damn, they never leave us alone!” someone complained.

Another explosion was heard.

“What is happening?” asked Olive.

“Probably an attack from silent monsters. We’re very close to the border, it’s the norm here” replied Alice.

“We won’t intervene until the artillery doesn’t call for our help” added Alan.

The close combat division’s members were waiting patiently in the room, while the artillery division of Unit 1 and Unit 5 went to help the artillery division that was already at the fort.

“Which Unit is this fort in charge of?” asked Natsuo.

“Unit 23, even if they lost many members because of its dangerous position” replied Alice.

After some time, no more explosions were heard and the bell didn’t ring, so it meant that the artillery got rid of all the monsters.

“Now that the situation is calmer, it seems the right time to purify the area. What do you think?” said Alan.

Natsuo nodded. “Yeah, let’s go. Gregory, Olive, we’ll perform the last song we practiced.”

“Got it!” replied Olive.

“Yes, I play it better than the other one!” Gregory cheered.

They got out of the shelter accompanied by William, Alan and Alice. William put on a disgusted expression.

“No, no, I’ll be infected now!” he complained.

His voice was high-pitched, probably he was still a teenager. Being part of a special unit like Unit 7 at such a young age was remarkable, but it was hard to believe that this guy was actually strong: his attitude didn’t show it at all.

“Don’t worry, the infection doesn’t stand a chance against our rock” Natsuo reassured him.

He used the skill OUTFIT and summoned the instruments.

“Are you ready? One… Two… Three… Four…”

Natsuo and Gregory started playing the intro, while Olive waited for her moment to start singing.

Alan glanced at them, skeptical.

“How this thing can purify—”

Alice motioned for him to stay quiet. “Wait and see.”

When Olive started singing, some changes could already be seen: the white dust on the ground was vanishing, leaving room for a green lawn.

Alan’s eyes widened in shock. The rumors were true: Himura Natsuo was really able to heal and purify Silence. He never doubted Captain More, but believing that someone who could oppose Silence existed without seeing it was difficult.

When Natsuo started his guitar solo, William, who had his gaze fixed on the ground all the time, looked up. Natsuo’s hands plucked the strings in a magnetic way and his expression screamed confidence and passion.

Every note that came out of his guitar seemed to give rest to the environment and, also, to William’s heart. There was no fear in this song, it was like Natsuo was inviting him to step up from his shyness with those sounds.

William’s eyes sparkled and a tear ran down his cheek. Himura Natsuo was the coolest!

When the song was finished, the environment inside the fort’s walls was completely purified. Now the trees were in bloom and the lawn was green and fresh, there was no sign of Silence.

Alan was frozen by the shock. He couldn’t believe his eyes. On the contrary, William was crying, moved by the song.

Alice glanced at Natsuo and slightly smiled. She was happy to have seen another Rockstar Isekai’s performance.

Natsuo noticed that William was crying. He approached him and summoned a pen with his System.

“I’m glad you liked our performance, William. Our band’s name is Rockstar Isekai” he said.

He lifted his sleeve and signed his arm with his autograph, then winked at him.

New skill unlocked: MEET AND GREET.

William stared at Natsuo’s name written on his arm, moved.

“T-Thank you! I-I love you!” he exclaimed.

“Eh?” Alice and Olive turned to him, astonished.

“Why did you say that you love him?” asked Alice.

William realised what he had done and reddened for embarrassment.

“N-no, it’s just that I liked the song…” he mumbled.

Natsuo burst out laughing.

“Don’t worry, it’s normal for fans saying that they love their favourite artist.”

William seemed reassured by his words, but he was still embarrassed. Gregory chuckled and patted his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Natsuo has this effect on everyone!” he exclaimed.

William glanced at Gregory, still a bit reluctant. His tattoo was clearly the Children of Dragon’s logo, but that guy helped them purify the area, he couldn’t be a bad person… Right?

But Alan wasn’t of the same idea. As soon as Gregory opened his mouth, his expression stiffened.

Natsuo noticed it. “If there’s something wrong, you can say it.”

Alan seemed startled that someone had seen his change of mood. He glanced at Gregory with disdain and turned his back.

“I’m fine, it’s better if I help prepare the wagons” he said and went away.

“I’m sorry for his behaviour, but he hates the Children of Dragon” said Alice. “Later I’ll talk to him. It’s not worthy of a soldier to create tension because of personal reasons.”

Hearing those words, Gregory lowered his gaze, upset with himself.

“It’s not his fault, I can’t blame him for hating me.”

“But you can blame him for letting it show during a mission. Let me handle it” Alice insisted.

“No, I would prefer to settle the matter myself. I don’t want to cause even more trouble.”

Alice stayed silent for a moment, then sighed.

“Fine, I can turn a blind eye this time.”

After that, they all went to help prepare the wagons for the next day. Gregory did his best to help the soldiers, but they were still skeptical about him. Alan didn’t even deign so much to look at him.

While carrying a box of food, Olive approached Gregory.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

She was a bit worried for him. He was trying his best to be accepted, but nothing seemed to work.

“Yes, don’t worry.” Gregory forced a smile.

Olive noticed his gloomy expression hidden behind it, but didn’t know what she should do to make him feel better. Gregory took the box from her hands with one arm.

“Let me carry it, it’s heavy for you” he said, then walked away.

The last thing he wanted was to involve Olive in his problems.