Arknights: Dr.(Y/N)'s Riposte

21. Behind the Curtains

3rd P.O.V

[Carren... you're an agent?] - (Y/N)

[Believe me or not, I'm your pop's only student] - Carren

(Y/N)'s eyes widened in interest, realising that his father had kept another secret from him. Yet, he doesn’t not make a fuss about it because there may have been a reason for (F/N) to not tell him. 

Though, there is a bit of scepticism in (Y/N) as he could not really trust Carren's words. In addition, the fact that Wiya; his crush had been dishonest about herself changed him.

[...I can tell that you're being wary of me, judging by your expression] - Carren 

She sighed before taking a seat across the room, facing (Y/N) with one of her knees up while he on the other hand, sighed; pulling something out from a packet and toss it towards her 

It had a long white stick and a light-brown coloured edge at the bottom of it. She shrugs as she places it on her lips and uses her lighter to ignite it’s white tip, but nothing was burning. She carefully thought about what this was before realizing what the familiar taste was...

[Hah? A candy version of the smoke? No wonder this tastes sweet] - Carren

[It was his favourite. He always gave me a pack per week back in the good old days] - (Y/N)

*CRUNCH!*

(Y/N) flinched from the crunching sound before turning his attention to see Carren biting and munching on the candy instead of sucking on it. She had a bored expression as she continued eating. Her thoughts were mysterious to him now as he thought he knew her, till he met her…‘Agent’ side

[I know... you should’ve seen how excited your pops was whenever talking about his son. He still has a good taste in candy brands as always] - Carren

[He told you about me?] - (Y/N)

Carren nodded as she slightly tilted her head and pulled out a small metal container. She slides it over to him as (Y/N) catches it in his palm. 

[Yes he did, everything about you...] - Carren

[Yes, that's good...] - (Y/N) 

He immersed himself in inspecting the tiny box before realising something as he blinked his eyes towards Carren. She raises her brow at him, confused as she gave him a 'I didn't do anything wrong' look. 

[What?] - Carren

[Could you... repeat that again?] - (Y/N)

[Ha?] - Carren

She scratches the back of her head as she tried to remember. (Y/N) felt the hairs on his arms stood up after processing the sentence she said a moment ago. A horn protruded between her bangs as his expression perked up. He didn’t know she even had one 

The horn surprised him for a second before he concluded that she has some kind of disguising ability, so disgusting that she had to hide her own race. Now that had recovered most of his energy, his observation skills were almost back to top gear. 

[The one about your pops told me everything about you?] - Carren

[...yes, that one. How much did he tell you?] - (Y/N)

She ponders with an index finger on her chin while looking up, thinking as (Y/N) gulped. He began to think about why would his step-father tell her everything about himself? This father complicates things if...his...father...said...something…...questionable...

[I think... literally everything?] - Carren

(Y/N) began to question his step-father's sense of privacy as his expression changed to a deadpanned one. Carren giggled at the sight and laid on the ground as she folded her arms behind her head.