Chapter 38:
Chapter 38 — Domestic Bliss & Global Threat
My New Home
◽That evening at JJ's house◽
Mei looked around the large, quiet living room. 「Is JJ still at the beach?」Jiyeon nodded. 「Yeah, he said he’ll be back in three days...」Miyeon sighed, leaning against the counter. 「Guess we have to eat without him then.」Hana chuckled softly. 「Yeah.」Emiko frowned. 「So we're not going to talk about the sharks he fought?」Hana calmly poured herself a glass of water. 「No. It's already clear who sent those to him.」Emiko was slightly confused. 「Wait, is his beef with the New World Order real?」「Yeah! Don't tell me you didn't believe him?」Emiko laughed, a soft, self-deprecating sound. 「No, I didn't. I thought it was a delusion of his due to his Dissociated Identity Disorder.」Hana laughed gently. 「Wow, ignorance truly is bliss!」Emiko laughed too. 「Yeah, you’re right about that. But wow...」 She rubbed her stomach. 「Seems like the father of my baby will have an eventful life...」Hana rubbed her own stomach. 「Yeah, I know how you feel.」Miyeon watched them, a touch of jealousy in her voice. 「Could you two not rub your bellies like that? You're only in the first months of your pregnancies anyway.」Hana chuckled, looking at Miyeon. 「You jelly, Miyeon?」「No! Tch. Just annoyed at that belly rubbing you two are doing.」Hana giggled. 「Alright, we'll stop... for now.」
◽Area 51.1: New World Order Secret Base◽
Akuma slammed his fist onto the table. 「Why didn't those sharks of yours work?!」???#01 sighed calmly. 「Calm down. You don't have to be this angry.」「What do you mean I don't have to be angry?! You said it would work, but it didn't!」「Look, Akuma, remember what Cain did to General Liu?」「Oh yeah, that bastard was turned into a Cyan crystalline-human tree, right?」「Yes. Now, for you to understand the situation, every fight makes him stronger, but the backlash on his body would be more damaging to him.」「So you’re saying the more we force him to switch to his strongest alters, the more his body won't be at its peak in the future?」「Yes, and it will be easier for us to kill him, too.」 ???#01 chuckled. 「Besides, currently, you're not up to par yet.」「I see. So what’s your next scheme?」「Well—」
Suddenly, alarms began to blare throughout the facility.
「What is it now?!」Guard#01 spoke over the radio. ⟦It’s Experiment B! It escaped! Should we get it under control?⟧???#01 smiled faintly. 「No, leave it alone. I know where it’s going.」Guard#01: ⟦Understood, sir.⟧The radio went quiet. 「Alright, Akuma.」 ???#01 watched a monitor showing a creature labeled E. Blue running through the base. 「Where were we?」Akuma sighed. 「Aren't you going to catch it?」「Huh?」 ???#01 chuckled. 「Wait, don't tell me you don't care about it anymore.」「You expected me to care about a monster that was too weak to handle the training here at the base?」???#01 laughed. 「I see. What do you think it will do when it reaches him?」「To fight that bastard, of course.」「And what would you do if JJ kills it?」Akuma scoffed. 「Then it is what it is.」???#01 laughed again. 「Wow, I see. Guess there isn't honor among thieves...」「Tch. I never said I was at the same level of that lower being.」「Alright, if you say so.」
◽1km away from the secret base◽
Experiment Blue {E. Blue} ran through the desert, its voice broken and chopped. 「JJ... Samuels!」◽Back in Japan◽
Joshua watched JJ butchering the massive megalodon carcass.JJ looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. 「Ay, little brother!」 He chuckled. 「You're going to help me with this, or are you just going to stand there?」Joshua chuckled. 「Fine.」 He crossed the police line and walked up too it.「So, Joshua, where’s Big Bro Devon?」「He’s busy with the politics behind all of this.」 Joshua jumped up to the carcass.JJ sighed, then chuckled. 「I have to thank him for doing the jobs I don't want to when shit like this happens.」「Yeah, you’re right, you should thank him.」 Joshua chuckled. 「But we're low key jealous...」 JJ handed him a machete, and Joshua started butchering, too.「Wait, why?」Joshua looked directly at him. 「You don't think I know whose intellectual property was the reason for this monster coming into existence?」JJ sighed. 「Alright. Please don't tell Grandma about this, because I told her about it when I was twelve, but she said no...」Joshua stopped cutting, stunned. 「Let me get this straight: you had a blueprint to make monsters, sent it to Grandma, she said no, and...」「I put it in a base that had bare minimum guards and was hoping the USA would send peeps to 'extract world ending data'!」Joshua laughed out loud, holding his side. 「You're telling me, you staged your own robbery when we were kids?!」「Yes, I did! It was the only way I was going to fight something like this, since every country with genetically modified human soldiers were pissy about me fighting them.」「Well, damn. You were fiending to fight monsters, huh?」JJ chuckled. 「I mean, you know what they say in Militia: 'It's only theoretical until the Samuels make it practical.'」Joshua chuckled. 「Yeah, facts.」
◽The Next Day◽ (Wednesday, 20 July 2050)
As news around the world sensationalized JJ's terrifying power against the 10,001 modified sharks, the life of his family was weirdly peaceful—if you ignored the journalists from around the world buzzing around them.
◽At The Supermarket◽
Thomas and Sergei were each pushing shopping carts overflowing with bags after Hana and Shizuko finished shopping for the girls' soccer summer camp.
Hana smiled at the two teenagers. 「Thanks again, Sergei and Thomas, for helping us with this.」Sergei shrugged. 「It’s okay. You'll be our sister-in-law soon, so it's natural we help you.」Thomas agreed. 「Yeah, besides, considering what our day and night job is, this is way more peaceful than that.」Shizuko was curious. 「What do you do at your job, Uncle Thomas?」「Well, at ten we had to go to military school. It was mandatory to live there until we were eighteen, and when we turn eighteen, we have to serve for five years.」Shizuko was intrigued. 「Wow, really, Uncle Thomas? What about school and university?」「Oh, that? We do it there, too.」Sergei added, 「But since we’re big brother's younger siblings, we get to go on missions with him, Big Brother Joshua, and Eldest Brother Devon to gain field experience, of course.」Shizuko gasped in awe. 「Wow, that’s so cool! Can I do that too?」Hana giggled. 「No, young lady, you can't.」Shizuko pouted. 「But Mama, why?」「Remember, you made a promise with Great Grandmother and your Papa.」Shizuko sighed. 「Oh yeah, I forgot about that... Wait, Uncle Sergei, does that mean Papa is also serving in the military?」「No, but he’s on the deployment list of everyone of Militia’s forces, be it the army, military, air force—well, you get the point.」Hana gasped in surprise. 「Really?」Sergei nodded. 「Yeah. Even though the Emperor is strong and Militia is a well-known but sleeping powerhouse, Elder Brother JJ is Militia’s backbone. Without him, Lord knows Militians will panic.」Hana was concerned as they reached the car and started packing the groceries. 「If that’s the case, then why is he here?」Thomas gave a simple, grim explanation. 「It’s simple: if you tell him to work, then that’s all he's going to do until he’s told to stop.」Hana looked worried. 「So the nights when he beauty sleeps...」Thomas gave a sad chuckle. 「Yeah. Those are the only times he gets to fall into actual sleep. Most nights he and the alters are planning to make products that will be beneficial for Militia.」
Their conversation continued as they finished packing. Suddenly, journalists rushed up to them, asking questions.Shizuko nervously hid behind Hana.
Hana raised her voice, making it ring out clearly. 「ALL OF YOU QUIET!」 The journalists, surprisingly, instantly fell silent. 「Thanks. Now, you.」 She pointed to one. 「What do you want?」Journalist#01: 「Hi, Ms. Allen. I'm from Foxx News, and I’d like to ask: What happened yesterday at the beach—is it real?」「Wow, American journalists travel fast these days. But yes, it is. Were you at the beach and saw JJ and Joshua working on that science project?」Journalist#01: 「Yes, I was. But still, it's hard to believe one man had the strength to kill that. Do you think your boyfriend performed a stunt so that the rest of the world could keep fearing Militia?」Hana sighed calmly. 「Don't compare my boyfriend to the United States of America’s presidents or any of the corporations who benefit on keeping the poor people poor. JJ doesn't need to perform so that you can fear him. Him existing is enough of a reason world leaders and politicians fear him, even if they don't tell it to you guys.」 She pointed to a second journalist with a raised hand. 「Yes, you over there.」Journalist#02: 「Good afternoon, Ms. Allen. I'm from JNN. My question is: Do you believe your lover is being targeted?」「Yes. He's been targeted ever since he was a kid.」Journalist#02: 「If that’s true, along with all the available information on him from the internet, shouldn't this be an incident that will lead to war? And why has Militia not declared war?」「Well, first, this should lead to war, but JJ's been fighting in those ever since he was born. So, no...」 She paused. 「And second, the reason why they didn't is simple.」 She smirked. 「It's illegal for him to go to war unarmed...」Journalist#02 and the others looked confused. 「I'm sorry, I don't follow.」Hana chuckled. 「Sorry. It's just JJ isn't considered a 'World Ending Event' when he's unarmed... for laughs and giggles.」 Her tone turned cold and serious. 「It’s because using weapons limits how much of his true strength he's allowed to use...」Thomas stepped forward. 「What she means is, Big Brother is more dangerous unarmed than he'll ever be with a weapon.」Sergei concurred. 「True. It takes time for one to get used to seeing a human being ripped in half...」
After that statement from Sergei, all the journalists froze in genuine fear.
Thomas laughed wholeheartedly. 「Oh yeah! I forgot he can do that when he's really annoyed!」Journalist#02: 「Annoyed?」「Yes. Big Bro JJ's most creative kills—you know, the ones that make headlines to keep the normal citizen scared—were from him being annoyed at the opponents.」Sergei mused. 「Hmm... It's crazy that there were people who got him that annoyed, because he's usually a chilled guy!」Thomas finished the thought. 「Facts! But anyway.」 He looked at the journalists. 「Can you make way now? We need to go home.」
The journalists immediately parted, giving way so Hana and the others could drive home.
Mei looked around the large, quiet living room. 「Is JJ still at the beach?」Jiyeon nodded. 「Yeah, he said he’ll be back in three days...」Miyeon sighed, leaning against the counter. 「Guess we have to eat without him then.」Hana chuckled softly. 「Yeah.」Emiko frowned. 「So we're not going to talk about the sharks he fought?」Hana calmly poured herself a glass of water. 「No. It's already clear who sent those to him.」Emiko was slightly confused. 「Wait, is his beef with the New World Order real?」「Yeah! Don't tell me you didn't believe him?」Emiko laughed, a soft, self-deprecating sound. 「No, I didn't. I thought it was a delusion of his due to his Dissociated Identity Disorder.」Hana laughed gently. 「Wow, ignorance truly is bliss!」Emiko laughed too. 「Yeah, you’re right about that. But wow...」 She rubbed her stomach. 「Seems like the father of my baby will have an eventful life...」Hana rubbed her own stomach. 「Yeah, I know how you feel.」Miyeon watched them, a touch of jealousy in her voice. 「Could you two not rub your bellies like that? You're only in the first months of your pregnancies anyway.」Hana chuckled, looking at Miyeon. 「You jelly, Miyeon?」「No! Tch. Just annoyed at that belly rubbing you two are doing.」Hana giggled. 「Alright, we'll stop... for now.」
◽Area 51.1: New World Order Secret Base◽
Akuma slammed his fist onto the table. 「Why didn't those sharks of yours work?!」???#01 sighed calmly. 「Calm down. You don't have to be this angry.」「What do you mean I don't have to be angry?! You said it would work, but it didn't!」「Look, Akuma, remember what Cain did to General Liu?」「Oh yeah, that bastard was turned into a Cyan crystalline-human tree, right?」「Yes. Now, for you to understand the situation, every fight makes him stronger, but the backlash on his body would be more damaging to him.」「So you’re saying the more we force him to switch to his strongest alters, the more his body won't be at its peak in the future?」「Yes, and it will be easier for us to kill him, too.」 ???#01 chuckled. 「Besides, currently, you're not up to par yet.」「I see. So what’s your next scheme?」「Well—」
Suddenly, alarms began to blare throughout the facility.
「What is it now?!」Guard#01 spoke over the radio. ⟦It’s Experiment B! It escaped! Should we get it under control?⟧???#01 smiled faintly. 「No, leave it alone. I know where it’s going.」Guard#01: ⟦Understood, sir.⟧The radio went quiet. 「Alright, Akuma.」 ???#01 watched a monitor showing a creature labeled E. Blue running through the base. 「Where were we?」Akuma sighed. 「Aren't you going to catch it?」「Huh?」 ???#01 chuckled. 「Wait, don't tell me you don't care about it anymore.」「You expected me to care about a monster that was too weak to handle the training here at the base?」???#01 laughed. 「I see. What do you think it will do when it reaches him?」「To fight that bastard, of course.」「And what would you do if JJ kills it?」Akuma scoffed. 「Then it is what it is.」???#01 laughed again. 「Wow, I see. Guess there isn't honor among thieves...」「Tch. I never said I was at the same level of that lower being.」「Alright, if you say so.」
◽1km away from the secret base◽
Experiment Blue {E. Blue} ran through the desert, its voice broken and chopped. 「JJ... Samuels!」◽Back in Japan◽
Joshua watched JJ butchering the massive megalodon carcass.JJ looked up, wiping sweat from his brow. 「Ay, little brother!」 He chuckled. 「You're going to help me with this, or are you just going to stand there?」Joshua chuckled. 「Fine.」 He crossed the police line and walked up too it.「So, Joshua, where’s Big Bro Devon?」「He’s busy with the politics behind all of this.」 Joshua jumped up to the carcass.JJ sighed, then chuckled. 「I have to thank him for doing the jobs I don't want to when shit like this happens.」「Yeah, you’re right, you should thank him.」 Joshua chuckled. 「But we're low key jealous...」 JJ handed him a machete, and Joshua started butchering, too.「Wait, why?」Joshua looked directly at him. 「You don't think I know whose intellectual property was the reason for this monster coming into existence?」JJ sighed. 「Alright. Please don't tell Grandma about this, because I told her about it when I was twelve, but she said no...」Joshua stopped cutting, stunned. 「Let me get this straight: you had a blueprint to make monsters, sent it to Grandma, she said no, and...」「I put it in a base that had bare minimum guards and was hoping the USA would send peeps to 'extract world ending data'!」Joshua laughed out loud, holding his side. 「You're telling me, you staged your own robbery when we were kids?!」「Yes, I did! It was the only way I was going to fight something like this, since every country with genetically modified human soldiers were pissy about me fighting them.」「Well, damn. You were fiending to fight monsters, huh?」JJ chuckled. 「I mean, you know what they say in Militia: 'It's only theoretical until the Samuels make it practical.'」Joshua chuckled. 「Yeah, facts.」
◽The Next Day◽ (Wednesday, 20 July 2050)
As news around the world sensationalized JJ's terrifying power against the 10,001 modified sharks, the life of his family was weirdly peaceful—if you ignored the journalists from around the world buzzing around them.
◽At The Supermarket◽
Thomas and Sergei were each pushing shopping carts overflowing with bags after Hana and Shizuko finished shopping for the girls' soccer summer camp.
Hana smiled at the two teenagers. 「Thanks again, Sergei and Thomas, for helping us with this.」Sergei shrugged. 「It’s okay. You'll be our sister-in-law soon, so it's natural we help you.」Thomas agreed. 「Yeah, besides, considering what our day and night job is, this is way more peaceful than that.」Shizuko was curious. 「What do you do at your job, Uncle Thomas?」「Well, at ten we had to go to military school. It was mandatory to live there until we were eighteen, and when we turn eighteen, we have to serve for five years.」Shizuko was intrigued. 「Wow, really, Uncle Thomas? What about school and university?」「Oh, that? We do it there, too.」Sergei added, 「But since we’re big brother's younger siblings, we get to go on missions with him, Big Brother Joshua, and Eldest Brother Devon to gain field experience, of course.」Shizuko gasped in awe. 「Wow, that’s so cool! Can I do that too?」Hana giggled. 「No, young lady, you can't.」Shizuko pouted. 「But Mama, why?」「Remember, you made a promise with Great Grandmother and your Papa.」Shizuko sighed. 「Oh yeah, I forgot about that... Wait, Uncle Sergei, does that mean Papa is also serving in the military?」「No, but he’s on the deployment list of everyone of Militia’s forces, be it the army, military, air force—well, you get the point.」Hana gasped in surprise. 「Really?」Sergei nodded. 「Yeah. Even though the Emperor is strong and Militia is a well-known but sleeping powerhouse, Elder Brother JJ is Militia’s backbone. Without him, Lord knows Militians will panic.」Hana was concerned as they reached the car and started packing the groceries. 「If that’s the case, then why is he here?」Thomas gave a simple, grim explanation. 「It’s simple: if you tell him to work, then that’s all he's going to do until he’s told to stop.」Hana looked worried. 「So the nights when he beauty sleeps...」Thomas gave a sad chuckle. 「Yeah. Those are the only times he gets to fall into actual sleep. Most nights he and the alters are planning to make products that will be beneficial for Militia.」
Their conversation continued as they finished packing. Suddenly, journalists rushed up to them, asking questions.Shizuko nervously hid behind Hana.
Hana raised her voice, making it ring out clearly. 「ALL OF YOU QUIET!」 The journalists, surprisingly, instantly fell silent. 「Thanks. Now, you.」 She pointed to one. 「What do you want?」Journalist#01: 「Hi, Ms. Allen. I'm from Foxx News, and I’d like to ask: What happened yesterday at the beach—is it real?」「Wow, American journalists travel fast these days. But yes, it is. Were you at the beach and saw JJ and Joshua working on that science project?」Journalist#01: 「Yes, I was. But still, it's hard to believe one man had the strength to kill that. Do you think your boyfriend performed a stunt so that the rest of the world could keep fearing Militia?」Hana sighed calmly. 「Don't compare my boyfriend to the United States of America’s presidents or any of the corporations who benefit on keeping the poor people poor. JJ doesn't need to perform so that you can fear him. Him existing is enough of a reason world leaders and politicians fear him, even if they don't tell it to you guys.」 She pointed to a second journalist with a raised hand. 「Yes, you over there.」Journalist#02: 「Good afternoon, Ms. Allen. I'm from JNN. My question is: Do you believe your lover is being targeted?」「Yes. He's been targeted ever since he was a kid.」Journalist#02: 「If that’s true, along with all the available information on him from the internet, shouldn't this be an incident that will lead to war? And why has Militia not declared war?」「Well, first, this should lead to war, but JJ's been fighting in those ever since he was born. So, no...」 She paused. 「And second, the reason why they didn't is simple.」 She smirked. 「It's illegal for him to go to war unarmed...」Journalist#02 and the others looked confused. 「I'm sorry, I don't follow.」Hana chuckled. 「Sorry. It's just JJ isn't considered a 'World Ending Event' when he's unarmed... for laughs and giggles.」 Her tone turned cold and serious. 「It’s because using weapons limits how much of his true strength he's allowed to use...」Thomas stepped forward. 「What she means is, Big Brother is more dangerous unarmed than he'll ever be with a weapon.」Sergei concurred. 「True. It takes time for one to get used to seeing a human being ripped in half...」
After that statement from Sergei, all the journalists froze in genuine fear.
Thomas laughed wholeheartedly. 「Oh yeah! I forgot he can do that when he's really annoyed!」Journalist#02: 「Annoyed?」「Yes. Big Bro JJ's most creative kills—you know, the ones that make headlines to keep the normal citizen scared—were from him being annoyed at the opponents.」Sergei mused. 「Hmm... It's crazy that there were people who got him that annoyed, because he's usually a chilled guy!」Thomas finished the thought. 「Facts! But anyway.」 He looked at the journalists. 「Can you make way now? We need to go home.」
The journalists immediately parted, giving way so Hana and the others could drive home.
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