I Will Fulfill the Role of the Villain

A brief silence filled the space between them. Theo still held Luke’s hand, and the two men, sitting close together on the sofa, simply stared at each other.

“You’re going to teach me?”
Luke frowned, mulling over Theo’s words, his pride clearly wounded.
“Do I look like someone who needs to be taught by anyone?”

It was true that the academy had a culture of mentoring. Students who excelled, whether in theory or practical exercises, often helped those who struggled, fostering mutual growth. Luke, however, had never been the teaching type. Despite being an outstanding cadet who frequently competed for the top position, he avoided taking on such responsibilities.
Theo, on the other hand, was different. He naturally guided and supported those who struggled, pushing them from behind and pulling them forward when needed. It was this trait that elevated Theo’s reputation as their class advanced.
Now, it seemed Theo was offering to teach Luke in the same way. Luke didn’t even know what exactly he was supposed to learn, but just hearing Theo say it pricked his pride.

“I don’t need your help. I can figure it out on my own.”
“Really?” Theo asked, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“Are you mocking me?”

“No, but that sounds like you’ve already decided to figure it out.”
Luke pressed his lips together in silence.
Lately, the atmosphere between them had been growing more and more uncomfortable. Luke hated how it felt different from before, how Theo’s presence made his mind a chaotic mess, bringing unfamiliar emotions to the surface. He wanted it all to stop. But the way Theo spoke now made him strangely unwilling to back down.

“It’s funny, isn’t it? You said you wanted to understand me better, and now you claim you’ve figured out at least part of it,” Luke said.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then I should do the same. I thought I understood you, but lately, you’ve been acting really strange. It feels like you’re dragging me down with you.”

As Luke raised his voice in frustration, Theo propped his chin on one hand and watched him, amused.
“I wanted to quit dealing with this because I hate it, but now you’ve said all this, and I don’t want to run away anymore.”
Luke stood abruptly, his silver hair gleaming under the lights as Theo looked on, his expression unreadable.

“Theo, let’s get tangled up properly this time.”
Luke glanced back at Theo before leaving the drawing room, shutting the door with a sharp thud. Left alone, Theo covered his mouth with his hand, though there was no one to see him.
He couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from curling up.
“……”

Theo’s gaze shifted to the table, where the leftover ointment and bandages sat. Luke had denied it, but Theo was certain he couldn’t ignore Dylan’s struggles and had stepped in to help him.
Before becoming commander, Luke had been reckless, driven by ambition, and focused on his own honor and future. He was the type to achieve his goals by any means necessary.
At least, that’s what Theo had thought.

But the Luke he saw at Calum was different. Though his words and actions were still sharp, there was a warmth and sincerity in them that hadn’t been there before.
Choosing between the two versions of Luke now seemed meaningless. Theo knew this because every time someone like Mile or Seth made snide remarks about Luke, recounting past rumors, he couldn’t suppress the anger that boiled inside him.
Watching Luke push himself to the point of reopening his wounds just to help Dylan, only to downplay it afterward, had stirred something deep within Theo.

He had to admit it—these days, he found himself enjoying the colorful changes in his life. Even with the dangerous conspiracy they had uncovered, Theo felt oddly unbothered. In the past, he would have obsessed over such a matter, losing sleep and thinking of nothing else.
But now, he felt confident they could resolve it. And he knew the reason for this newfound certainty. It was Luke.
Bringing Luke to the headquarters might have been a harsh decision for him, but Theo had no regrets. Returning here with Luke had been the right choice.

Even today, Theo had noticed a change in himself. Previously, he would have spent the entire night buried in work at headquarters. But thinking of Luke waiting at the estate had quickened his steps.
In the past, the confusion Luke caused him had felt suffocating and unpleasant.
The unknown is always daunting, always avoided. But as Theo began to understand its shape and color, it became less of a mystery.

Theo was becoming accustomed to the turmoil Luke caused in his heart. And strangely, realizing this made everything easier, erasing his hesitation.
“Meow.”
A small sound drew his attention. Looking down, Theo saw Monet staring up at him from under the sofa.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
Monet meowed again and tapped Theo’s leg with her soft paw, a gesture she usually reserved for expressing dissatisfaction.
Then she let out a sharp cry, as if scolding him.

“Monet, what’s the matter now? Are you upset because I said Luke is cuter than you?”
“Meow.”
Theo picked Monet up, cradling her in his arms as he stood.

“Sorry, but I can’t take it back. Luke really is cuter than you.”
He walked out of the drawing room with Monet, promising to make it up to her with a treat.
***

“Captain, is this going to be the new office for the investigation unit?”
“That’s right.”
The day after the general meeting, Leo nodded as he glanced around the newly assigned office. Behind him, members of the 7th Unit, who had been assigned to join the investigation unit, busied themselves organizing various supplies and existing files related to Welharun.

“Captain.”
Leo, who was humming a tune while surveying the office, was approached by Paul, the 7th Unit captain’s adjutant and a fellow member of the investigation unit.
“Hmm? What’s up?”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”
“Me? No way.”
“Be honest, sir. You’re happy to be part of this investigation unit, aren’t you?”

Leo pressed his lips together and shifted his gaze elsewhere, choosing to answer with another hum instead. Paul sighed deeply at his captain’s response.
“This mission is a critical operation. Please take it seriously.”
“Paul, I’ve never taken any of my duties in the military lightly. I understand the gravity of this mission perfectly well, just as you said.”

Though Leo spoke firmly, Paul didn’t look entirely convinced.
“Then why do you look so pleased?”
“Because I think we’re going to see some interesting things soon.”

“Captain, you’re the hardest person I’ve ever had to understand.”
“Paul, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
The 7th Unit didn’t uphold overly rigid or formal interactions between its captain and members, a reflection of Leo’s leadership style and personality.

“Enough chit-chat. Stop slacking off and get the Commander’s desk set up. He’ll be here soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
Paul joined the bustling activity of the other members. Meanwhile, Leo cracked open a window along one wall of the office and breathed in the fresh air.

There’s nothing as delightful as change, he thought. But once people adapt to change, they start seeking something new. For Leo, who found little interest in prestige or titles, it was this pursuit of the unfamiliar that fascinated him most.
When Theo first arrived at headquarters with Luke, Leo had been caught off guard. Hadn’t the two nearly come to blows in the past? But Theo not only introduced Luke as an ally but also spoke highly of his skills and appearance. From that moment, Leo sensed a shift between them.
Hearing Theo’s orders to the entire unit yesterday had solidified his suspicions.

Leo smiled faintly as he reflected on these events, but his thoughts were interrupted when the office door suddenly flew open.
“Leo!”
The person who entered, looking uncharacteristically flustered, was none other than Luke.

“Greetings, sir!”
The 7th Unit members, mid-task, immediately stood and greeted him in booming voices, their bows nearly a full 90 degrees. Luke froze for a moment, caught off guard by the display.
“Luke, you’re here,” Leo said, greeting him casually.

“Leo.”
Luke called out his name softly, walking past the bowing soldiers to approach him.
“Hey, what is this?”

“What is what?”
“No, listen to me. Something’s not right about this.”