Chapter 17: No. 17: Will To Change
[Analysis Complete!]
[Congratulations on successfully protecting Bonded Target from perverse hands and proving your dominance]
[Bonus Reward: 150 Rebate Coins has been awarded based on your spectacular performance in completing the Emergency Task]
{5% has been deducted from the amount earned}
{Current Rebate Coins: 194.75}
Seeing the amount rewarded, Bruce was surprised by how large it was compared to his past rewards. Plus, he didn’t know some rewards were also dependent on his performance before completing the task.
But considering how difficult this task might’ve been had he not prepared beforehand, Bruce realized it was worth it.
On escorting the rich prat into his vehicle, Officer Hans glanced one last time at the collapsed Bruce.
After briefly interrogating the duo about what had happened before the young prat used his Ability, Officer Hans got the gist of the story, resulting in him gaining a better understanding of what had occurred.
Though he was aware the duo could also be lying to frame the rich prat, as they were the only eyewitnesses in the area, he also knew the truth would come to light after interrogating the rich prat as well.
Lingering a bit longer on the chubby blob lying on the ground, Officer Hans briefly stared, as he was able to recognize from the voice during the interrogation that Bruce had most likely been the one to make the call that resulted in the prat’s arrest.
A thought he’d settled on, as the contrast between how panicked Bruce had sounded when he initially made the call, compared to how composed he remained while being interrogated about what had happened, was like night and day.
Having seen all kinds of people throughout his years on the force, Officer Hans knew maintaining such composure was rare, unless the person in question had already made some sort of preparation beforehand.
Noticing this, he realized it most likely meant Bruce had anticipated and planned for what would happen, while toying with the unsuspecting rich prat, unaware he was merely a marionette dancing as Bruce pulled the strings designed to inevitably lead to his downfall.
’Such a scary kid.’
Though, practically speaking, he could detain Bruce for a few days in a cell for the prank call, there was no need, as it had eventually turned out to be true.
And honestly, Officer Hans was secretly glad he didn’t have to, as he didn’t want to end up on the bad side of someone like that.
With that in mind, Officer Hans started the vehicle, causing it to roar to life before zooming off into the air.
Glancing as the vehicle flew into the sky, Summer looked back at Bruce and inquired, noticing he wasn’t groaning in pain as badly anymore and even seemed to be in a good mood for some reason.
"How’re you feeling now?"
Sighing lightly as he decided to lie fully on the grass instead, he replied.
"I think I’ll live."
Chuckling a bit on saying this, he immediately regretted it as he felt both his abdomen and face ache once more from his attempt to laugh.
Thinking back to the fight, however, Summer’s expression dimmed a bit.
Recalling how the officer had shown up at the exact moment the rich pervert had used his Ability, coupled with how Bruce had barely seemed surprised, even smiling subtly at the cop’s arrival, she suspected he’d planned it.
But how could he have planned something like that within the limited time since they’d encountered him? She couldn’t seem to wrap her head around it.
She also sensed the change in Bruce, as he had felt... different ever since they’d met today.
But could it be because of his breakup with Sydney? Was that really enough to change someone so much?
Steeling her nerves, she decided to ask him rather than continue coming up with vague assumptions in her mind.
"Hey... Are yo-"
Before she could finish, Bruce’s raspy voice pierced the night as he interrupted her mid-sentence.
"Summer! I can’t keep living like this..."
Pausing as he looked at his plus-sized hands, Bruce continued, his eyes drifting toward the night sky as he stared at it in a daze.
"Like this... a fat, useless blob of flesh that’s nothing more than a burden to everyone around him. Constantly conscious of the gazes directed at me whenever I go out."
Surprised, Summer hadn’t expected him to suddenly say something like this out of the blue, causing her to pause her question as she listened to him.
Meanwhile, on saying this, Bruce suddenly felt something trickle down his face.
Touching it, he was surprised to find that it was actually tears, as his body had subconsciously reacted to his words.
Then again, on closer inspection, he shouldn’t have been surprised, as the memories were already ingrained deep within this body.
So, it would’ve been strange had it not reacted to Bruce’s reminiscence of the pain it had endured in the past.
Noticing his reaction as he spoke, Summer realized she’d been wrong about him.
It wasn’t that he’d changed.
Rather...
He was trying to change.
Yet she’d begun doubting him before he’d even had the chance.
Blaming herself, she quickly clarified, hoping to avoid another misunderstanding like last time.
"I never once saw you as a burden to me! And I don’t see your size as a bad thing."
A faint smile appeared on Bruce’s face upon seeing the sincere look in Summer’s eyes, as well as the slight tears that had begun welling up at the sight of his vulnerable state. Unable to help himself, his hand moved involuntarily before his mind could react.
Placing his soft palm against her face, Bruce gently wiped away the tear threatening to fall from the corner of her eye with his large thumb, lightly rubbing her cheek in the process.
Surprised by Bruce’s sudden move, as he’d never taken the initiative to touch her before, Summer suddenly felt her heart flutter at a pace she didn’t know was possible.
Yet, for some reason, she didn’t pull away. A part of her was even enjoying it.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, Bruce simply replied.
"I know."
Looking back at the sky on saying this, he lowered his hand back onto the ground where he lay.
"But I’m a guy as well. So I can’t just rely on another without having anything tangible to offer in return. It wouldn’t sit right with me. And I’m tired of having to watch from the sidelines while everyone else gets to choose a better life for themselves."
Briefly closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before opening them once more. A look of determination appeared on his face as Bruce raised a hand toward the sky, as though attempting to catch a star.
"So, I have to change, no matter what. To become someone better... stronger. Someone who wouldn’t have to resort to petty tricks just to deal with petty scum. Someone who’s able to command respect wherever he goes. Someone who can stand tall with a smile, face any challenge ahead of him no matter the difficulty, and always come out on top."
Pausing briefly, he glanced at Summer with a smile.
"And someone who’s able to protect those he holds dear."
"But I can’t do any of that as I currently am."
Looking down at his pudding-like body, Bruce gazed back at the stars.
"So, I have to work harder than ever before if I’m to become someone like that.
Someone at the pinnacle of Power."
Clenching his fist toward a star as though he’d caught it, Bruce smiled.
"That way, I’ll have enough power to not just survive... but to protect all those who choose to stay by my side."
Listening to Bruce as he poured his heart out, Summer couldn’t help but feel her cheeks burning a bit, as she’d never seen him so determined to achieve something before.
Yet, for some reason unknown to her, she felt like he wouldn’t just achieve it...
He would surpass it in time.
Dropping to the ground as well, she decided to lie next to him, resting her head on the arm that still lay on the ground.
No words were spoken after that.
Yet she couldn’t help but feel this silence wasn’t as awkward as before...
But rather...
’Pleasant.’
With that, she closed her eyes as she quietly lay beside him.
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