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In this world, the trust we need to succeed does come from the people around us, but more importantly, it comes from within. That’s why I set a goal to graduate in two years, not so they’d call me a genius. I have another goal. To trust myself and change this world by becoming a hero.
…This is the reason I want to become X. I will guide this world toward the order it deserves. As X, finding peace shall be my platform. I’ll abolish trust, the system that no longer serves us, and greatness will rise from its ashes. Then, I’ll usher in that greatness and vanquish chaos for good. I will be the hero who creates order.
...For us, X represents our yearning. It is a symbol of mankind’s limitless potential. One day, I shall wear it as my crown!
That was most of the famous valedictorian speech that shook the world four years ago. Some laughed at her and called her a naive child, while thousands of others’ hearts were captured, and one of those belonged to Little Johnny. The moment he heard Queen’s words on his TV screen at the age of fifteen, he was instantly taken to her. She reminded him of his dad.
Near the end of his life, he hated this trust system. No matter how hard he tried, it wouldn’t even allow him to save his sick wife — Little Johnny’s mom — despite him having the power of healing and recovery, and despite him becoming X only months after Little Johnny was born. Little Johnny clearly remembers the words he overheard his dad say to Vortex, the X right after him, in their home that one fateful day.
No matter how many people believe in you, if you can’t believe in yourself, it’s just a meaningless number.
Based on her speech and following interviews Little Johnny caught live or rewatched several times over, Queen believes the same thing.
Except she wishes to reform the system. His dad abandoned it, but for two good reasons: his son and grandson. That was thirteen years ago, and Little Johnny lost him three years later. He still believes it’s because his dad refused to leave their happy countryside home far, far away from the city, and Vortex, as a returning X, became resentful, especially after Big Johnny got angry, went berserk, and basically destroyed him. At only nine years old, Little Johnny tamed Big Johnny, which made Vortex a laughingstock and Little Johnny a hero. Unfortunately, all clues disappeared with Vortex in the mysterious plane crash a year later, and Little Johnny had no choice but to give up on finding the answer and follow along with the broken system he grew to hate as much as his dad did.
That is, until he heard her speech five years later.
Even if they are at a distance, even after all of the countless merchandise and boring events or missions he’s suffered through, Queen is the reason he keeps going. She’s the biggest reason why he still wants to be a hero.
Today, in 32 AC, a hero named Bowa became the second female X as a result of Queen’s initial efforts. Queen also signed with DOS, and she managed to reach her personal goal of ranking in the top 10 by age eighteen. Little Johnny has been working under FOMO for the past ten years, but since FOMO and DOS have been on good terms, he decided it wouldn’t be too strange to meet her. To introduce himself, but also to celebrate. If she’d let him.
Little Johnny eagerly paces toward the DOS building, with Big Johnny not far ahead of him.
Hey, you!
Little Johnny’s ear twitches. Bowa? But… why does she sound so mad?
Heard Mickey spent a fortune on your speech.
Speech? Queen?!
Now I don’t know if you’re his cousin or you’re screwing him or what…
Little Johnny gasps and frowns. No! Queen wouldn’t do that! There’s no way!
…but I’ve got a news flash for ya. Pretty words don’t make you a hero.
Pretty words?! But they’re not just—
Believe me, I know. That’s why I’m changing things. If pretty words could solve problems, fools like you… wouldn’t eat up so much of my time.
Queen! Don’t provoke her!
Foot after foot, Little Johnny begins to run, followed by Big Johnny. He hears a fist getting clenched, then fresh sneakers glide across a glossy floor.
Don’t talk to me like you’re above it all!
The Johnnies dash through the door to the DOS lobby. They witness Bowa try to touch Queen’s back, but Queen immediately blocks her with her arm. Bowa scoffs.
“Stand back,” Queen’s voice echoes, and with a pristine, glass-like sound, the Johnnies watch as her power, her rules, freezes part of the room in front of her with a beautiful, golden boundary, which concentrates into Bowa’s body. Bowa begins to grunt and clench her fist again, but she struggles to move.
Little Johnny’s eyes widen. He can’t say a word. If they notice him, things may get worse.
He turns down to Big Johnny and frantically gestures with his eyes toward the women. He read online that Queen really likes cute things, so Big Johnny should be able to break the tension. He must!
Big Johnny tilts his head playfully at him, in understanding, then he bounces forward.
“Stop it. My time is too valuable for this,” Queen asserts, but she’s barely keeping it together.
Bowa only gets angrier, forcing her fist closer to Queen’s face by the second.
“Pretentious bitch! I’m gonna kill you!”
Bowa nearly breaks through Queen’s rules, causing Queen to flinch her head back. But just in time, with a small whirring noise, Big Johnny bounces through her rules just like a rabbit prancing in a field. He mrows at Queen’s feet, then she freezes, drawing her eyes down to him. She subconsciously releases her power, and even Bowa lowers her guard to stare at Big Johnny.
Yes! It worked!
Little Johnny dashes forward with his arms outstretched, loudly grunting and chasing after Big Johnny innocently cooing. “Nyeh-nyeh-nyeh-nyeh-ah! So sorry, ladies!” He awkwardly smiles as they go between them. They circle Queen a few times, causing her to dance with her feet and twist in place, gripping the edge of her long, black coat. “Stop, Big Johnny! Come on, you’re killing me here! Gah!”
Bowa has to take the hint with that! Heroes should not be killing each other! Especially when they have the title of X!
A few moments later, Bowa huffs and turns to walk the opposite direction. Her tone is defeated, dull, disinterested. “See you at the ranking.”
Success!
And another success — Big Johnny also senses the accomplishment and stops, allowing himself to get picked up. Little Johnny pops up from the floor with a smile on his face.
“Heyo!”
Queen jumps, startled.
Okay, first thing to do now is apologize.
“I’m sorry about the interruption. I hope we didn’t cut your convo short.”
Although that’s exactly what he meant to do, and he’s relieved that they did. And… “convo” is definitely underselling what just happened, but it needs to be that way in order to get Queen on his side. Hopefully she’ll accept the apology and won’t hate them forever. That’s the last thing he’d want.
She remains silent, staring at them. Then, she lifts her head with curiosity. “Hm?”
Alright, yeah! She’s willing to listen!
Little Johnny hugs Big Johnny into his chest. Then, he playfully twists his fist on Big Johnny’s head, who innocently coos back. “Are you done being a little rascal? Tell the nice lady you’re sorry!”
It pains him to pretend he doesn’t even know her name, Queen — Liu Yuwei — even though he’s eager to roll it off his tongue and get closer.
So he’s trying another apology, this time a cute one. Cute. What they’re experts at by now. What Queen likes. If that trivia is true.
“No need,” is what she says monotonously, then she starts to turn away.
Nooooo!!! Does she hate them?!
Little Johnny feels his stomach drop. This is the worst possible—
But suddenly, her feet stop. With another whirring sound, her breath catches, and she robotically twists her legs and torso toward them, heels glued to the floor. She begins to blush as her eyes sparkle and watch Big Johnny.
So it’s true!
And her eyes… they’re champagne, just like Big Johnny. Another constant reminder of her over the past four years. A good constant reminder.
This is their best chance. Little Johnny casually walks in front of her and beams, raising his right arm high.
“Sup! I’m Little Johnny. And, not to brag, but ya boy’s rank 15. And you must be the legendary Queen! We love you!”
Ha… that wasn’t subtle at all!! Why does he always have to be so impulsive with his words?!
“I can’t believe I’m meeting you,” he continues, trying to play it off like he’s just a total fanboy. “That’s so sick!”
Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like she heard a word of what he just said. She’s just staring at Big Johnny in a blushy daze. A rare look on her face. He wants to see more of it.
“Ooh, right! Intros, duh!” He holds Big Johnny in front of her. “This is my son, Big Johnny!”
“Your son?” she asks, baffled.
Everyone seems to have that reaction whenever he says that, and she’s no different, haha.
Okay, next step is petting and holding Big Johnny. That is the ultimate sign of trust. And on the plus side, Big Johnny seems to be on his best behavior right now. Time to butter him up. He better enjoy this.
“Here! Give him a pet. My little man’s a real sweetie. He won’t bite-cha.”
She slowly brings her arms up, like she intends to hold him. When he takes another look, her hands are shaking.
So even the cool, confident Queen can get nervous and excited. How cute!
And despite her efforts, when she goes to reach for Big Johnny, he licks her!
Not! Helping!
“Don’t lick her, dude!” he snaps, then he tries again with another “Nyeh!”
This time Queen is able to take Big Johnny and hold him. She rubs his cheeks all over, and Big Johnny coos in response. Queen brings him to his chest and sighs in awe, petting his head, and he completely melts into her.
“So soft,” she breathes.
So cute!
The sight makes Little Johnny chuckle.
“I know! He seems to really like you.”
Like, really like her. He normally doesn’t get attached this quickly. Not even with him as a kid.
He really needs to shoot his shot.
“Hey, are you busy? Wanna hang out on our floor with us?”
And with zero hesitation: “Sure.”
He can’t hesitate either, instinctively raising his arms in the air. “Yaaaaay! Let’s go!”
It’s happening! It’s really happening! And his heart is about to burst!
Big Johnny continues to cling to Queen, nuzzling his head into her and cooing. Has Big Johnny ever been this happy before?
“Oh, wow, he loves you!”
Agh! Not subtle again! Empathetic link! Anyone who knows anything about them would know!
But seeing them together like this, it’s almost like she’s Big Johnny’s… mom. The thought of it makes him blush.
“—You hold onto him for a bit.” He quickly, awkwardly struts forward with his arms stiffly outstretched. He raises his hands behind his neck, making the blush disappear, which allows him to turn around temporarily. Casually. “So, are you officially moved into the tower?”
“Yes.”
That was fast! So she’s already moved in! It’s official!
“AWESOOOOME!” he sings. He can’t hide how he feels. “Heh, that makes us neighbors! Drop by whenevs, okay?”
Hopefully that’s not too forward of him…
He catches a glimpse of her blushing again, pulling Big Johnny even closer to her chest.
And so, for the next seven years, she did.