Episode 18: Bodyguard Mission… Clumsy!

  The Organization received an unusual request.

  A famous scientist had made a discovery considered dangerous across several systems, and because of that, enemies were already after him. He needed protection immediately.

  To everyone’s surprise, Leon and Lara were chosen as the escort team.

  For the first time… the two of them would go alone.

  They stood side by side in silence while Liu watched them with a mischievous grin.

  “Take good care,” he said. “And try not to let the scientist become a hostage of your romance.”

  Both of them instantly turned red.

  “W-What romance?!” they answered at the same time.

  Liu only laughed harder.

  The city was crowded, loud, and full of distractions.

  Leon tried to stay alert, scanning rooftops and alleys like a professional guard. Lara walked beside the scientist, attempting to act serious and composed.

  Then she saw a clothing store window.

  For just one second, she looked away.

  That second was enough.

  She bumped into Leon, who lost balance and crashed directly into a fruit stand. Apples, oranges, and strange alien fruits exploded into the air and rolled across the street.

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  The scientist slowly turned to look at him.

  Leon stood up, brushing fruit juice from his jacket, trying to keep dignity.

  “That was… a tactical maneuver,” he said seriously.

  “I needed to test the firmness of the apples.”

  The scientist’s expression didn’t change.

  His confidence clearly dropped.

  They hadn’t even recovered from the embarrassment when three masked thieves rushed forward and grabbed the scientist.

  “Finally! Easy target!” one shouted.

  Leon ran forward — and slipped on a loose crate.

  Lara fired a beam of light to stop them — but hit a street sign instead, causing a giant metal banner to collapse behind them with a loud crash.

  The thieves stared at the chaos… then burst out laughing and ran away.

  “Those are bodyguards?!” one yelled. “We’re completely safe!”

  The scientist sighed deeply.

  “I should have hired a guard dog…”

  Later, they rested in a quiet alley.

  Leon sat with his back against the wall, staring at the ground.

  “I wanted to be better,” he said softly. “Not just as a fighter… but as someone you can rely on.”

  Lara blinked, surprised. She wasn’t used to seeing him that serious.

  She tried to respond but became shy and spoke the first thing that came to mind.

  “I do trust you… as long as you stop slipping on banana peels.”

  Leon looked up.

  They both laughed.

  For the first time that day, the tension disappeared — replaced by something warmer.

  Suddenly, footsteps echoed.

  The thieves had returned.

  This time they attacked without warning.

  Leon stepped forward dramatically, exaggerating his movements and drawing their attention.

  “Hey! Over here!”

  They focused on him.

  That was enough.

  Lara used her light powers and formed chains of radiant energy, wrapping around the thieves and locking them to the ground.

  Within seconds, the fight was over.

  The scientist looked at the captured criminals, then at the two of them.

  “Well… you’re a disaster,” he admitted.

  “But somehow… you work.”

  On the way back to the base, the sun was setting across the horizon.

  Leon and Lara walked side by side in silence.

  After a moment, Leon nervously pulled something from his pocket — a small chocolate space cake.

  “I… bought it earlier,” he said. “For you.”

  Lara accepted it and smiled gently.

  “Thank you… dummy.”

  Leon scratched his head awkwardly but smiled back.

  Right then Liu suddenly appeared behind them.

  “So… successful mission?” he asked with a grin. “Or a romantic date?”

  Both of them turned completely red.

  “SHUT UP, LIU!!!”

  Their voices echoed as the sun disappeared behind the skyline.