In This Rebirth, The Male Lead Is Mine [BL]

Hayes fell into deep thought. Somehow, he reflected on himself. Why was he contemptuous of Rise? It was because of those rumors. Rise was really that famous, his deeds were equally so.

Of course, there had to be certain truths with it. However... Was it fine to judge Rise based on those rumors, especially when from now on they would be a team, a comrade he would spend most of his time with?

”What are you thinking?” Rise suddenly awakened him from his thoughts; he looked at Hayes in the eye. ”Are you suddenly sympathizing with me?”

Hayes shook his head immediately. ”No, not at all.”

Somehow, it sounded more like he was more afraid of his thoughts to be found than a denial.

Rise stared at him deeply. It was a look that made his heart jump out of his chest.

”I... uh really...”

”No, it’s fine.” Rise finally averted his gaze and returned to his food, allowing Hayes to breathe a sigh of relief. ”But you don’t need to be.”

”Huh?”

”Symphatize or pity me.” Rise smiled and swallowed the food heartily; his gaze flickered. ”Do I look pitiful, Vice Leader?”

Hayes paused again; he lowered his head.

”No.”

Rise laughed again, wanting to ease the atmosphere.

”Don’t be so stiff. Just act like you always do.”

Like he always does? Hayes could not understand for a moment, but he still nodded.

Hayes could not comprehend this sudden sympathy or pity, just as Rise said. Was Rise pitiful? Did he look like one? Obviously, no.

However... For the first time since he had known Rise or heard the rumors about him, Hayes began to set aside the one-sided contempt and judgments based on what he heard.

Hayes wanted to get to know him—to really know Rise outside the labels the world had given him.

Whether Rise had noticed this point or not, his smile only widened and he continued eating. The relationship with them might not yet reach the stage of being friendly, but it shifted to a more comfortable stage.

***

”Different world?”

Someone from the guild leaders repeated with an incredulous tone. In a makeshift conference room, rows upon rows of seats were occupied, with someone standing on the podium.

He wore a black uniform, a standard uniform of the Uniform. However, it also could be noticed the difference of this uniform from other Esper uniforms; the glittering medals on his chest were eye-catching, to say the least.

”Yes, it’s a different world.” The man nodded with an impassive tone. He stood straight and natural on the podium without the pressure of being in front of countless Guild Leaders.

”General, how much did the Union explore the other world?” An elderly voice then echoed inside, silencing the discussion in an instant.

Sitting front in the conference room were the respectable Guild Leaders of the top guilds. And the one who asked a question was obviously the Guild Leader of the most powerful Guild, Madame Silla.

The man on the podium, the Union’s General, responded almost immediately.

The hologram in front changed the image, an almost vivid image of a city was laid down for everyone to see.

”We did not manage to explore too much inside since the gates were immediately closed. However, we can deduce that the level of technology or their power levels were more advanced than ours.”

Discussions began to erupt after this, and various Guild Leaders were suddenly hesitant after hearing this.

The General did not mind and continued.

”But as you can see, their world or the humans in the world can only occupy a small part, and the world is now occupied by the gates and the creatures beyond it.”

It was indeed so. Based on the information they had and the image of the city, it could be concluded that the situation on the other side was much worse than on Earth.

”This time, we’re planning to explore the other side not only to search for valuable resources but to also gather information.”

Sometimes, information was far more valuable than the resource itself.

Gradually, everyone nodded and also understood this point. Aside from a few small and medium guilds’ Guild Leaders who were still skeptical, everyone basically agreed to this exploration.

The content of the meeting was mainly about the otherworld, and it also did not dwell much deeper into it, just giving every Guild Leader a heads up. As for the preparation or the actual plan, the guilds would take after entering the gate or the other world, it was already up to them.

The only general task of everyone was to make contact with the civilization on the other side. While not necessarily allies, since both of them were invaded by the same beings beyond the gate, they were certainly not enemies.

”Kamille!”

Leaving the conference room, Kamille stopped and waited after being called. A gorgeous woman arrived in front of him, grinning joyfully.

”Long time no see! Kamille, you’re still as handsome as ever.” Her tone carried a flirtatious banter.

”Thalia,” Kamille also acknowledged her and nodded calmly, ”it’s only been three months.”

The woman, Thalia, laughed at this. ”It’s still long enough. Seriously, you’re so uptight.”

Both decided to return together; along the way, some greeted them, but they did not engage in a long conversation. Walking alongside each other, until both stopped in front of the elevator, and waited. Thalia decided to speak first.

”I heard Rise is with you,” Her tone sounded enthusiastic for some reason.

Kamille glanced at her and nodded. Thalia almost jumped, smiling like a fool. She looked excited when she heard this.

She then moved closer until her lips were almost closed to his ears. Kamille seemed familiar with her and did not bother to push her away and decided to listen to what she was about to say.

”Can you help me get his autograph?” Thalia whispered, cautious but also excited. Just as Kamille was about to answer her, the elevator opened.

At first, Kamille did not care, and Thalia also did not either; both remained in that position. From this angle, they even looked so intimate.

”Guild Leader?”

In an instant, Kamille’s head turned and she looked at the owner of the voice, the same for Thalia.

Inside the elevator, Hayes and Rise were looking at them.

For a moment, the four stared at each other in silence.