…
"I'm not a bad person."
Leon looked at Hughie with utter sincerity in his eyes.
Seeing that, Starlight—who had been ready to press him further—found it hard to keep pushing after such a straightforward apology. Instead, she turned to Butcher and mouthed silently:
Are you sure? Is he really Soldier Boy? Isn't he… kind of a good guy?
She had never seen a Supe with such a normal personality.
And he was that good-looking..
How could someone like that be a villain?
Maybe his past had just been exaggerated. Twisted by rumor and propaganda.
Who knew?
Butcher only shrugged, lips pursed, saying nothing.
Truth be told—
He was beginning to doubt the intelligence Mallory had given him about Soldier Boy.
So far, there was no concrete proof that Soldier Boy had been a monster. Just Mallory's word. No video. No audio.
It was decades ago.
Even if evidence once existed, it was probably long gone.
"So… hurting innocent people like that won't happen again, right?" Hughie asked cautiously. "Since you're a good person and all?"
"Of course," Leon replied smoothly.
"Unless they're asking for it."
And who defined that standard?
Leon did.
He didn't elaborate. The best lies are built entirely out of truth.
"That's great."
"Leon, thank you."
"Stark, you're a damn good guy."
The Boys visibly relaxed. The tension in the room dropped by half.
Some of them were even starting to think Soldier Boy could truly be brought into their team—at least temporarily.
Only Mother's Milk kept a dark expression, saying nothing. His grudge ran too deep.
"Leon, I should apologize too," Starlight said, stepping forward and extending her hand.
"I shouldn't have raised my voice before I fully understood what happened. You're a good person. Welcome to the team—even if it's just temporary."
"Understanding brings peace," Leon replied warmly.
Instead of shaking her hand, he stepped forward and pulled Starlight into a bold, full embrace—right in front of Hughie.
"Uh…"
Starlight froze.
Her hands hovered awkwardly in midair, unsure whether to return the hug.
Hughie was right there.
But… maybe it wasn't a big deal?
Leon seemed to mean it politely. There was no inappropriate movement, no wandering hands.
As for Hughie—
He had zero objections.
He was still basking in the relief of having Soldier Boy on their side. If anything, he almost wanted Leon to hug her tighter.
Maybe even help.
After all—
Leon was a good person, wasn't he?
The psychological imprint formed in Hughie's mind from Leon's dramatic shift in treatment—first brutal, then apologetic—had taken root without him even noticing.
At that moment, Leon thought to himself:
What a wonderful thing a well-crafted persona is.
Even if only one out of a hundred idiots buys it—it's still profit.
"Oh, sorry," Leon said lightly, releasing her at just the right moment. "I got carried away."
"You know, Annie, I haven't been around women in a long time. Especially not someone as cute, petite, and considerate as you."
After savoring the limited softness on her slender frame for an appropriate amount of time, he stepped back with impeccable restraint.
"I-it's fine," Starlight said, cheeks flushing faintly. "If it's just a hug… you can hug me whenever you want. Hughie and I don't mind."
"Y-Yeah," Hughie added quickly. "I don't mind."
Though something faintly uncomfortable stirred in his chest, he trusted both Starlight and Leon.
Leon's lips curved ever so slightly.
Perfect.
He said he didn't mind.
Well then—
Leon wouldn't hold back.
And just like that, he blended almost seamlessly into The Boys.
Everyone, that is—
Except Mother's Milk.
He was the only one whose world felt cracked.
Even he found himself wondering:
Was this really the same Soldier Boy he'd sworn revenge against?
…
Vought Tower
The Seven Conference Room
Maeve had disappeared for a full day and night without notice.
Not unusual—but as her former lover and current team leader, Homelander made a point of coming to "check in" the moment she reappeared.
The moment he stepped close—
He recoiled, covering his nose and backing away like he'd nearly stepped in something foul.
"Oh, shit!"
"Maeve, smell yourself. I swear you've been soaking in lily-of-the-valley perfume for the past twenty-four hours. It's saturated!"
"Is this your idea of self-destruction? Trying to disgust me?"
"Is that so wrong?" Maeve replied coolly, rising from her chair and walking toward him step by step.
Strangely—
As she advanced, Homelander retreated.
His facial muscles twitched as he backed up, until his shoulders hit the wall.
"Maeve," he said tightly, "you've been acting suspicious lately."
"You'd better not be plotting against me."
With that, he casually punched through the conference room wall as if it were cardboard—
Then fled.
Yes.
Fled.
He instinctively resisted breathing the same air as her. It made him nauseous.
Even… afraid?
Pathetic, Maeve sneered inwardly.
A paranoid narcissist with a coward's heart.
She lifted her arm and sniffed herself.
Nothing.
She had showered thoroughly.
So how could he still "smell" it?
And that panic in his eyes…
Was he afraid of Soldier Boy?
Like a territorial scent marking left by a stronger predator?
The thought lingered.
Just then—
Her phone rang.
Beep. Click.
"Talk."
"Miss me, sweetheart?"
"…"
Her silence thundered through the line.
Then, slowly—
A faint smile touched her lips.
Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to test her theory.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 200+chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789