✔ The Hunters | Garou

TWENTY SECOND HUNT

HYPOCRISY

"I am grateful
That my suffering 
Did not force me to become cruel."

- Mandeq Ahmed (grow with care)

Two administrators entered the room; I recognized them as Ristraya and Wilkins. They greeted Bad and I with suppressed smiles and enquired after our health.

"Get to the point." I demanded with unusual rudeness that surprised even myself.

"We are here to discuss your association with the Hero Hunter." said Ristraya as she sat down on a stool in front of my bed. Wilkins followed suit.

"Go on." I said, sitting up straight.

Wilkins cleared his throat and then started, "We have heard opposing accounts of your association with Hero Hunter Garou." he said, "According to Death Gatling and Metal Bat," he glanced at the hero in the next bed, "the Hunter himself says that he forced you to support him. However, we have also heard that you willingly did so. What is the truth?"

"The latter," I answered, "I willingly supported him."

They paused for a moment, perhaps surprised by my lack of hesitation. They then requested, "We would like you to state the reasons for this."

I paused for a moment, debating whether or not I should tell them. I had two choices: one, I could tell them that I supported him for personal reasons. Two, I could also tell them that I supported him as a guise of trust to study his habits, find out his plans, and stop or capture him accordingly.

But lying is not my speed.

"Personal reasons," I replied.

"May we know what these reasons are?"

I told them that he was my childhood friend, and that was the only reason I was sheltering him.

Ristraya and Wilkins looked at each other. The lady said, "He is still the enemy of the Hero Association, and the enemy of the Association is the hero's enemy too."

Wilkins affirmed by saying, "Personal reasons or not, it is still against protocol to support the enemy in any way, shape, or form. If we did not have set rules for the Association, everything would spew out of order."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. Ristraya continued, "And since you have admitted to sheltering the Hero Hunter, thus breaking the cardinal rule, we regret to inform you that you ought to be expelled."

I huffed in response. She paused to look at me and then said, "However, there is a way out of expulsion."

"What's that?" I asked.

"Renounce your friendship with the Hero Hunter, and you will retain your place in the Hero Association as A-class Rank 5 hero." she answered, her voice sounding cold and almost forceful.

I grunted. "Before that, I have a question."

"Yes, please." Wilkins encouraged, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"I've heard that Silver Fang and Demon Cyborg have been excluded from the hostage rescue mission because they're suspected of letting the Hero Hunter escape. What do you have to say about that?" I asked.