Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 64
The spaceship “Muse”, belonging to the Galactic Diva Camilla, was now hovering over the outskirts of Leyting. The ship was shaped like a hexagonal pyramid, resembling a gigantic glass artwork. The sky of Leyting, half in daylight and half in darkness, tinted it with a faint golden-red hue, making it look like a shining jewel in the twilight sky.
Leyting lacked a well-equipped theater like Neo Venice, so the governor specially approved the Muse to enter the planet’s atmosphere, allowing Camilla to perform with various special effects projected from above the stage. After the performance, the Muse left the urban area and stayed in the countryside, partly to facilitate acceleration during takeoff and partly to prevent curious onlookers from approaching.
After notifying the spaceship’s staff, the hatch at the bottom of the ship slowly opened, and the driver piloted the flying car into the ship’s hold.
“Alright, we’re safe on the ship,” Rita said with a smile to the two fugitives as the flying car came to a stop.
Alois stepped out of the car, surprised to find that the floor was a smooth display screen, resembling a mirror-like lake. When he stepped on it, ripples immediately spread out, making it seem as though he was wading through water.
“The entire spaceship is designed this way,” Rita explained. “The walls, floor, and ceiling can all be used as touch screens. This is Camilla’s preference, so the ship was specially customized for him.”
“It’s different from any ship I’ve seen before,” Alois said, kicking the floor experimentally, which caused realistic splashes. “Thank you for bringing us aboard, Miss Rita,” he sincerely thanked the manager.
Rita shook her head. “If you want to thank someone, thank Camilla. I wasn’t going to help, but he insisted on rescuing you.” She pointed in Camilla’s direction. Alois followed her gaze and saw the diva surrounded by staff, seemingly discussing the upcoming schedule. Halfway through, Camilla turned around, caught Alois’s eye, and quickly looked away, sulking.
Alois turned in another direction, where Joshua stood in a small, shadowy area. His black and gold eyes had darkened, resembling an abyss with unseen things stirring within, trying to break free.
Joshua had been acting strangely since earlier. Alois thought. He must have misunderstood something between me and Camilla… What could it be? What is going on in that guy’s head?
They stared at each other silently, neither willing to speak first.
“The ship is about to accelerate out of the atmosphere. Let me take you to the lounge,” Rita said, patting Alois’s arm, freeing him from the awkward silence. “Do you want to stay in the hold and get crushed by the acceleration?” The manager, with her years of ironclad professional experience, also gently called out to the icy Joshua.
The assassin hesitated, but ultimately succumbed to the threat of acceleration. Even the most notorious killer couldn’t defy the laws of physics. He followed Rita and Alois, keeping a few steps behind.
He wasn’t sure if he was overthinking, but Alois couldn’t help but notice that Joshua’s footsteps seemed unusually chaotic.
In the lounge, as the spaceship exited the atmosphere and entered space travel, Rita excused herself to handle some affairs. Joshua stood up to follow, explaining to the puzzled manager, “I need a place to smoke.”
“The smoking room is over there. I’ll show you.”
After they left, Alois was left alone in the lounge. He huffed, crossed his arms, and sank into the sofa.
Joshua never smoked unless necessary, and he never carried cigarettes. He usually borrowed them from others (often from Joanna). Now he claimed to need a smoke, clearly to avoid Alois. What was there to avoid? They had fought together to escape the police just hours ago, and now Joshua was sulking! Who had time for that!
The more Alois thought about it, the more irritated he became. He wanted to find Joshua and explain things, but he also felt it would be a waste of time. Getting angry at such a critical moment, unable to prioritize!
The lounge door slid open with a “shhh”.
“You’re back,” Alois said without looking, his tone sour.
The newcomer didn’t speak. Only after the door closed did light footsteps approach. Alois recognized they weren’t Joshua’s.
“…It’s me,” Srosie said timidly.
Alois awkwardly scratched his head. “I-I thought you were Joshua.” He tried to force a smile. “What brings you here?”
Perhaps his smile was too awkward, scaring Srosie. The cross-dressing youth clasped his hands behind his back like a student being punished, cautiously approaching, afraid of accidentally angering him. “I-I came to check on you.” He finally reached Alois, blushing and looking around nervously. “You didn’t seem happy… Are you mad at me? Because I keep bothering you?”
Alois smiled wryly. “No such thing.”
“Really…?”
“Yeah.”
Srosie’s face lit up instantly, as if a beam of light shone on his face. “I thought you hated me…”
“How could I!” Alois patted his head. “I like you a lot.” He said, “Thank you. If it weren’t for your help, we would definitely…”
Before he could finish, Srosie threw himself into his arms, hugging his waist tightly. “I-I like you too!” he said excitedly. “You’re so good to me. You even saved my life… Rita says if you like someone, you should be brave and confess, or someone else will take them away.” Blushing, he looked up. “I like you. I want you to stay with me. Stop being a pirate, okay? Come with me… We can travel the galaxy—go anywhere we want. You won’t have to hide, won’t be hunted… If you don’t like my performances, I’ll quit singing… I’ll still sing, just for you…” He sniffled. “Just the two of us…”
Alois’s mind went blank.
What’s going on?! He thought in panic. A confession? He’d been confessed to before, but never this directly! And by the Galactic Diva Camilla! Camilla! Although he was a cross-dresser, he was the real Camilla! Camilla said he liked him! Camilla confessed to him! How could this be so sudden! Couldn’t there have been a warning first?
But something felt off! Alois tried to push Srosie away and stammered, “But… but why do you like me?”
“Like means like. There’s no need for so many reasons!” Srosie pouted. “You said you liked me too. We have mutual feelings!”
—That’s not right!
“Wait! That’s not the kind of like… I… I have…” I have a lover!
A gunshot interrupted Alois. The laser beam grazed Srosie’s ear, cutting off a few strands of hair and leaving a scorched mark on the floor.
The youth stiffened and turned in disbelief to see Joshua standing at the lounge door.
“Get away from him,” the assassin coldly ordered.
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