There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 706

Chapter 706: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 41

"Has something...happened?" Laurel looked at his son and ’supposedly’ son-in-law.

There was something different between them, a different vibe that made the dinner table seem...tense. It was not usual for Radia to be quiet ever since Han Joon returned from the hospital. Laurel knew it was his effort to hold back from getting too close to Joon and unconsciously crossing the line.

This time, however, the tension was coming from Han Joon.

Laurel hadn’t seen the boy since his afternoon run. All she knew was that Radia suddenly came home, and they talked, and Han Joon had been very quiet ever since. Of course, Han Joon was reserved by nature, but he was also very good at conversing at the dining table and had been letting himself go more or more.

And so, it was very apparent when aside from ’good evening’ and ’thank you for the food’, the boy hadn’t said anything. It was almost as if he reverted back to how he was when he just woke up as a seven-year-old.

The answer, however, came from an unexpected source. "Joon found out about what happened in the Western Republic."

"Grandma..." Radia sighed.

Laurel widened her eyes. "What? Oh..."

Han Joon promptly stood up and bent his waist, speaking solemnly. "I’m sorry to cause you all the trouble."

"Not this again," Laurel frowned and pulled Han Joon down again. "Joon, I’m going to get angry, okay?"

In response, Han Joon only smiled stiffly. "I know, but please understand."

"You look like you’re angry at yourself," Calix remarked from across the table.

Again, the only response Han Joon gave was an empty smile. The already tense dinner table got even quieter until Radia put his utensils down and confronted Han Joon in frustration.

"I told you we can’t do it now, and I told you I won’t leave you behind once the time comes, so what are you being angry about?"

Laurel blinked. That was the problem? The boy sulked because he couldn’t do anything to get revenge?

How...adorable.

"Ah..." Han Joon stroked his lower face. "I guess...I had used up all of my patience before I got sick."

"At any rate, we can’t do it now," Radia sighed harshly, before adding in annoyance. "I would rather do something about that lab that had messed you up."

This time, Han Joon blinked in confusion for a while. "...the lab?" he tilted his head, and then added in surprise. "Did I tell you about it?"

"Yes," Radia replied sharply. The ball of anger had shifted from Joon to Radia. "I have no idea how you could talk nicely about them, but I want them to be gone."

"Ah, well..." Han Joon rubbed his nape awkwardly. "I’m not sure about the moral of their activities, but...the researchers were kind to me."

From the way not only Radia, but also his parents and grandmother, frowned slightly, it seemed like they all knew about the artificial awakening lab. And it was clear that they did not like it.

But, well...what could Joon do?

"They spoke kindly and always made sure I was comfortable--ah, they even allowed me to play with some toys while waiting for the experiment," Han Joon elaborated.

He had never been allowed to have toys before, so Joon couldn’t help but like it. Sometimes, the researchers also gave him chocolate milk. Of course, he knew that it might be nothing more than a part of the experiment; the chocolate milk might also be spiked with something. But did he care?

He didn’t. He didn’t want to. Even if it was fake, he loved the pat on his back, the brief hug, and the praises he received after the experiment. He was just...craving it too much.

If it had happened when he was a bit older, it might not have affected him. He would face it with cynicism. But when he was a child? He ate it. He was actually disappointed when he got awakened because he knew he wouldn’t go to the lab again afterward.

That kind of feeling, just like how Radia’s words affect him, carried over to his adulthood.

"I don’t know about their bosses, but the people who take care of me were rather nice, and they believed what they were doing would help the world," Han Joon shrugged.

Radia held his head and sighed heavily, cursing so many things inside his head. "Haa..."

"But if you want to get rid of them, I won’t prevent you," Han Joon continued calmly.

Radia raised his head, blinking. After talking so fondly about them?

"...are you sure?"

Han Joon smiled sweetly. So sweet it actually started to make Radia blush. "You can do whatever you want, Dee," the young incubus in an adult body spoke in a soft, slightly bashful tone. "I’m just happy you get angry on my behalf."

Damn it! Radia had to lower his head again to hide his gritting teeth.

"Phew~" Laurel patted the boy’s back. "Strong game, Joon."

Staring at the advanced closet and neat, luxurious bathroom woke him up further. This is the future. Yes. He had dinner with Radia last night. Radia was alive.