Esper X Family – Chapter 632 – Capture Successful!

Ye Yao had discovered a memorable detail about all known members of the Watcher Civilization.

Their names all began with a color!

White, Gray, Silver, Black…

It seemed to be a cultural tradition.

“Black Haze, my name is Ye Yao. You look like you need some help?”

“Do I… need help?”

Black Haze had finally found an opportunity, but it went so smoothly that she didn’t know what to say.

She wasn’t really good with words, and she couldn’t even manage basic flattery.

Even though she worked under Deputy Commander Gray Marsh, she had earned her position as a trusted aide through sheer action and combat prowess.

Winning people over wasn’t exactly her strong suit.

That Gray Marsh had thrown her into this situation was really asking for too much.

But since things had come this far, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and keep the conversation going.

“I probably don’t need it.”

Black Haze seemed to reject Ye Yao’s goodwill.

“Huh?”

Ye Yao blinked.

Playing hard to get?

Interesting.

Was that sincere, or was she trying to string me along?

Either way, it didn’t matter.

As long as the system certified her as “family”, her thoughts would be laid bare.

If Silver Frost could be brought in, there was no reason Black Haze couldn’t.

“You’re lying. If you really didn’t need help, you’d be able to show a smile.

Rеаd oո КаtReаԁіոɡСаfе

Technically, I’m the head of the Countermeasures Bureau, so I have a duty to care about everyone here.

And you’re no exception. Don’t blame me for meddling, since this is my responsibility.”

Ye Yao’s motives and reasoning were solid, perfectly matching the personality she projected.

She seemed to have accepted the status and authority granted by the Countermeasures Bureau.

And naturally, she felt that she had to shoulder the corresponding obligations.

While major matters were still handled by Fu Qi and Lou Wei, minor issues fell within Ye Yao’s purview.

Not causing trouble was already a win!

In a way, her role at headquarters was something like a pillar of emotional support.

If she spotted a problem during her rounds, Ye Yao had every right to step in.

Black Haze hesitated, then repeated what she had said earlier.

She couldn’t smile.

Or rather, she hadn’t smiled in a very long time.

When working under Gray Marsh, that kind of facial expression wasn’t needed.

Everyone was the same.

Ye Yao furrowed her brow, thinking seriously.

“Hmm, it’s probably from too much stress. That’s why you can’t smile. That won’t do. We need to find a way to relieve your pressure.”

At those words, a thought crossed Black Haze’s mind.

If anyone was the source of her stress, it was Deputy Commander Gray Marsh.

Like this mission. It was clearly not suited to her skills, yet she was still sent to carry it out.

However, out of gratitude to Gray Marsh, Black Haze had no choice but to push herself.

Just then, the instructor from earlier returned with an experienced veteran.

“I’m back. This senior should be qualified to teach you for a while. You…”

At that moment, the instructor noticed an extra person on the scene.

Rеaԁ on ΚаtRеαⅾіոɡCаfе

And it was an extremely familiar face!

Good heavens!

The actual, true Bureau Director!

Not the workhorse buried under endless duties, but the unshackled, all-seeing, invincible number one.

Unlike Lou Weiwei, who was jokingly called the “Light of the Countermeasures Bureau”, Ye Yao was the Bureau’s true “Sun”.

Both instructors froze on the spot, their faces full of reverence.

After all, Ye Ge had beaten up instructors and mentors alike, a clear sign that Ye Yao already had some lingering resentment about such matters.

Even if those who got beaten had brought it on themselves, no one knew whether Ye Yao held a prejudice against their profession.

Not getting targeted by Ye Ge already counted as a win.

Otherwise, you would end up stuck to the wall like a pancake.

“May I ask why you’re here?”

The instructor asked cautiously.

Ye Yao pointed at Black Haze, her face practically radiating “concern” and “care”.

“I noticed she seems a bit unhappy. She’s probably under a lot of stress, so I came over to check.”

At these words, the first instructor stood frozen in place.

The one who had been brought in felt his vision go dark.

Had he been set up?

Those earlier veteran instructors who were obsessed with the meta had neglected their trainees’ mental well-being and paid the price, nearly becoming part of the wall.

But both instructors had just met Black Haze.

The one brought in later had met her for the first time.

So, why did it feel like they were about to be framed?

Both felt a chill run down their spines, as if Ye Ge were watching them from the shadows.

Scared to tears!

Fortunately, Ye Yao quickly added a reassurance.

Rеаⅾ οո ΚatRеαԁіոgCafe

“But this probably has nothing to do with you. Don’t worry, I won’t blame you unfairly.”

Hearing that, both secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Later, they felt a twinge of shame.

They had projected their own worst fears onto her, assuming that they would be caught in the crossfire.

But she was still the same little angel.

She saw through the truth at a glance, and even offering comfort in return.

In the end, all they could express was their loyalty.

The two instructors glanced at Black Haze, who was still rooted to the spot, then back at Ye Yao.

“What do you plan to do?”

“Hmm, let me think. Since I’ve already seen it, I can’t just look away.

And she’s about my age too, so let me help her adjust to the environment and relax.”

Ye Yao was full of confidence, like a child playing at being an adult, equal parts heartwarming and amusing.

With just those few words, Ye Yao used her authority to “capture” a new playmate.

Black Haze was now free as well.

Even she hadn’t expected things to go this way.

Just because she had been standing there looking troubled, and failed to smile after being asked…

For such trivial reasons, she had been taken under the wing of her target?

She could care that much about someone she had just met?

Black Haze suddenly felt a kind of attention and concern she had never experienced under Deputy Commander Gray Marsh.

It was warm, leaving her with complicated feelings.

Black Haze left the training ground and obediently followed behind Ye Yao.

Reαⅾ οո ΚаtRеαⅾіngСαfе

The cheerful white-haired girl walked ahead as if leading the way.

“Stay with me for a while, and don’t worry about the pressure those adults have put on you. I’ll introduce you to a few friends, and I guarantee you’ll forget all your stress and relax. No matter what, your mood comes first!”

“Can I really do that?”

“Of course! Speaking of which, I met a girl named Silver Frost about a week ago. She has the potential to be a magical girl. I think you could give it a try too.”

“So I have to become a magical girl too?” Black Haze hadn’t expected to be dragged into that particular fate.

“Yep.” Ye Yao nodded.

Black Haze recalled the task Gray Marsh had given her, then thought of the warmth that had welled up in her heart just moments ago.

“Then, I’ll give it a try…”

“Don’t worry, there’s absolutely zero pressure.

Hmm, I know this might be a little late, but Black Haze, would you like to be my friend?”

Ye Yao extended her hand toward Black Haze.

In that moment, the white-haired girl seemed to glow in Black Haze’s eyes.

For a moment, Black Haze even forgot the Deputy Commander’s orders.

“I… I do.”

【New family member detected. Successfully added to the family section. Host may now categorize them.】

Ye Yao’s heart brimmed with joy.

Old dog Gray Marsh, your subordinate is mine now!

Author Note

I’m starving! Thank goodness it rained before I went out yesterday, otherwise I’d be soaked to the bone. This rain is probably going to last for half a month, so annoying!

Text: I’ll get myself together

And beat you to death, you little brat.