Brownie Points

"So? Why are you here and where is big sis?"

"Well, it's complicated, so I will tell you on the way." Linri turned around and started to walk away from the orphanage.

"On the way? Where are we going?" Brie was confused, but she followed him all the same.

"To meet someone."

"Are you being cryptic on purpose?" Linri was walking fast so Brie was having trouble keeping up with his speed on her comparably shorter legs.

"Come on! Everybody loves a little mystery. Also, honestly, I don't know how to explain it."

"Who loves a mystery? How about you start simple: where is big sis? Did something happen to her?"

"Of course not!"

"Are you sure? You are not lying to me, right?"

"Yes, I am sure. You can even check up on her if you want. Just don't tell her I am here with you." When Linri put it like that Brie did not have any choice but to believe him. However, that gave way to another question.

"Then why is she not together with you?"

"You sound like she always has to follow me wherever I go."

"I mean, aren't you two dating? I thought you two would always be together." Linri almost tripped upon hearing this question.

"Dating? We aren't dating, what even gave you the impression that we are dating?"

"Weren't you the one who told the guy at the pool you were a thing? You were a jerk afterwards, but wasn't that just a joke? After all, I have seen the way she looked at you." Brie sounded genuinely confused.

"That was just to get her out of that sticky situation."

"It still doesn't explain the way she looked at you though. Don't tell me, is she not good enough for you?" Linri found it weird that, even though Brie seemed like she didn't like him, she was trying to get him and Jaime together. Just how did her brain work?

"Look, it's complicated, alright?"

"Come on, it's never complicated. It's always you guys making it complicated. Just tell her you like her and get together already. You are handsome, she is beautiful, both of you are smart and you two seem to share some kind of connection. Honestly, I don't think I have ever seen big sis rely on a guy so much."

"It's never that simple. There are things that you don't know about. To be fair, I am surprised that she hasn't killed me yet."

"Like what then?"

"For one, I already have a girlfriend, but she is far away now, so I can't see her for a long time." Brie stopped talking for a second, but that didn't stop her for long.

"Isn't it perfect then? Just leave her and date big sis. She is already gone so it's not like she can have a say in it. Don't tell me she is more beautiful than big sis? Is that why you are waiting for her?" Linri's face soured a little.

"No, she is not. But I love her and that's all it matters, isn't it? I mean, what kind of a man I would be if I left my girlfriend just because I found someone more attractive? I would be shallow and if I was shallow who is to say I wouldn't leave your big sis the moment I found someone better looking than her?"

"That is still not an excuse! I could see your hesitation there. You are lying so tell me your next excuse then."

"You really wanna know? Okay, at most I can live for another 6 months! I am dying, alright!" Linri stopped and faced Brie.

"You... are not joking. Are you?" She was observing Linri's face to find any indication that he was lying, but in the end, she didn't find one.

"Does she know?" Brie couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, she does."

"Isn't there any way that you can survive?"

"Maybe? I am hoping there is one, but it is still not for certain. Just that I am doing everything I can to make it happen, that's all you need to know."

"... How high?"

"With all the things I have done maybe about 70%, but that number keeps dropping and I don't like it"

"Is there anything I can do?" Brie asked with sadness. She didn't really want him to die no matter how much of a jerk he was.

"Yes, actually. You can help me tonight"

"With what?" With all the things they have talked about Brie actually kind of forgotten to ask about the purpose he came to her and why they needed to keep it a secret.

"We are going to talk with someone who might try to kill me.

"WHAT!?"

"Shh, don't make a scene! Do you want the whole empire to hear of it? Anyway, the point is my goals coincide with her goals, so I want to cooperate with her. Still, she doesn't really trust me, so I think she might try to kill me if she ever gets slightly suspicious of me. That's how big the matter is." Linri put his hand on Brie's mouth and pulled it back once he was done talking and making sure she was not going to scream any more.

"Okay, I understand... So you are bringing me to be your bodyguard. You can trust me that I will protect you, but why didn't you bring big sis? She could have done that too." Brie said proudly. To be honest, she was actually looking like a child that was acting all grown up or one that got an A in her exam and was proudly showing it to her parents.

"Pfft, protect me? In your dreams" said Linri while laughing.

"What? Isn't that why you called me here?" Brie asked looking confused.

"Wait here." Linri then proceeded to go one of the stands and bought a pack of Marlboro and a lighter. After that, he returned back to Brie's side, opened the pack and got one cigarette.

"You don't mind if I smoke one do you?"

"Don't, it's bad for... your health." It was like she was going to berate him about how dangerous they were, but suddenly remembered he was already dying so found it hard to finish her sentence.

"Then we are on the clear right? After all, I am going to die 6 months from now." So he lit his cigarette and took a giant puff from him, but then a coughing fit followed right after. Even though he was a heavy smoker in reality, it was still the first time this body smoked, so it couldn't be helped. However, seeing him cough heavily brought a worried expression on Brie's face.

"Are you alright?"

"*Cough* Hm? Oh, yes, I am. Anyway, want to see a magic trick?" Brie looked at him weirdly. She was worried about his health, but it was like the guy didn't even notice and talked about things like magic tricks.

"Can't you be more serious?" The look of the little doll in front of him almost made Linri laugh, but he managed to hold it in. Looking serious did not really suit Brie, but he was not going to tell her that. I mean, she might look like a child, but she had a nasty pair of teeth in her mouth.

"I am always serious. Just watch me." Linri answered her cheekily. After that, he lit the lighter one more time, but this time the pinky-sized flames were not straight, instead they seemed like they were alive and started to dance between his fingers, making Brie surprised.

"You.. how? Wait! Are you a magician too?"

"Kinda. Right now I don't know any magic, but I can learn it whenever I want, just didn't have the time yet because of you know what. Anyway, this is just my innate ability. Now you see why I found it funny? If push comes to shove I can just burn the whole place down or freeze it." This made Brie feel like her pride was hurt but also at the same time she was confused. Just why doesn't he ever tell her anything and always just keeps her on the edge?

"Okay, I get it. You have abilities and can protect yourself, but I still don't know why you brought me here."

"Oh, that? Just because you look cute."

"... Huh? What does that even mean?"

"You know, just to get brownie points with her. She is also a mother too, you see. So I thought that she wouldn't want to kill me if I bring along a child with me. Anyway, we are here now"

Edited By: ZombieCat090