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Ollis figured something was going on with M and Delphia the moment he noticed the purple haired Agent didn't react to the girl grabbing his arms. On other days, M would have reacted violently and jerked away from the touch, but instead he rolled his eyes and glared at her. Curiously, Ollis once questioned him about the exception.
M merely replied with, “Why are you so concerned with it?”
Even with a response like that, Ollis still kept watching. He witnessed how the two were practically in sync, their fighting styles almost being direct copies of each other, despite their low-leveled EGO Suit and EGO Weapons. He noticed how they both knew how to suppress certain Abnormalities as well as work with said Abnormalities. It was so odd that it started to border into uneasiness and—
… jealousy?
Ollis tried to shake off the second emotion, but no matter what he did, every time he saw Delphia grab M's arm or when she brushes against his side he couldn't help but desperately shove those emotions away— the emotions of wanting to be like Delphia. He wanted to be the one to grab M's arm, he wanted to be the one that synchronized their fighting styles, he wanted to be everything she was.
But those were silly emotions. He was only lucky he could perfectly hide those emotions.
===
Delphia leaned against the lockers as M adjusted the cuff of the EGO Suit known as Lamp. In her own hand, she let a small shard of ice flip between her fingers, eyes focused on it before tossing it in the air and catching it, letting it melt into her skin.
“Ollis is getting jealous.” She started, only to be stopped by the loud slam of M's locker, his glare following. “You've noticed it, don't bother to lie. Your ears turn red when you do so.”
“That's not even true, but sure,” He sighed. “And yes, I know he's jealous, you've told me this at least a hundred times now.”
“Incorrect. This is the 45th time.” She corrected him, crossing her arms. “Perhaps in this loop you can get close to him. Our lovely manager certainly will be resetting to Day 1 at the rate we have been getting horrid Abnormalities, so maybe you should take your chance.”
“What's the point?” M questioned, gritting his teeth as he looked away. “He won't remember anything. Why confess to a wall when you know you won't get an answer?”
Delphia narrowed her gaze. “You are aware that Ollis would kill himself a thousand more loops if it meant wanting to keep you safe. By the City's stars, if you asked him personally to kill you, he would do it if that meant making you happy.”
“Are we even talking about the same person here?” M retorted back. “Ollis would hesitate to kill me and even if he did, he'd kill himself out of guilt.”
“And how would you know?” Delphia grinned. “Have you been studying him?”
“ … Fucker.” M knocked his fist against her head as he walked away to the main room of his department, knowing she would catch up quickly. “My point still stands, however.”
“Do you never experiment with your loops?” She questioned, barely sounding out of breath as she reached his side. “Well, I suppose it explains your hesitation.”
“What? Have you experimented with them?” He scoffed.
“Plenty of times,” She replied. “Before you and your hundreds of deaths, I was on a roll to see how many times I could die through the hands of our own Agents.”
“That's stupid.” M mumbled. “That's like keeping track of how many times you've committed suicide during the loops.”
Delphia hummed as the two entered into the Information Department hallway and into the main room. Almost instantly, M turned around and walked out, leaving Delphia behind with a just-as-equally confused Ollis who sat at a desk, file in hand.
“ … Hello, Delphia…” Ollis slowly dragged out his greeting, eyes fixated on M's sudden removal. “I didn't expect you and uh, M, to be here this early…”
“I would've expected Captain Mika to arrive here, considering he is your Captain.” Delphia pointed out, walking over to Ollis and leaning against the desk.
The other chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. “Well, he did mention leaving for a meeting, so that could possibly explain it.” He gestured to the door with his index finger. “Is uh, M, okay? I've never seen him just… woosh.”
She sighed, shaking her head. Oh well, if M wasn't going to tell him, then perhaps she could nudge those feelings forward.
“He was just talking about you; perhaps he was embarrassed to see you there.” Delphia started her lie. “I must say, the two of you must be rather close for him to continue to talk and talk about you. It's like he had no end.”
Ollis’ face slightly flushed. “Eh? N– no, we aren't really that close…” He rubbed the back of his neck, setting the file down on the desk surface. “At least… not as close as you are to him…”
Delphia tilted her head. “He's bearable to work with. I wouldn't say we're close,” It was technically the truth; even with their little “practice” of being an item, M was more distant than before. “With the way he talks about you, however, I almost believe the two of you are a thing.”
“Not really!” Ollis jumped, clearly taken aback by how calmly Delphia was referencing everything. Taking a deep swallow, Ollis coughed into his hand. “Um… what exactly did M say about… me?”
She hummed, thinking back to previous loops. “He's a fan of what you do. He once told me that he would trust you to take the lead, and it says a lot when he doesn't even trust a lot of people.” M is going to hate her for using their knowledge of loops against him, but it was a risk she has taken far too many times now.
“Not even Mika?” Ollis questioned. “I mean– I would have never expected that he would trust me that much…”
“He never likes to admit it himself,” She replied, looking back at the door. If her memory was correct, he wasn't by the door anymore. With that in mind, she leaned closer to Ollis and whispered, “He likes you. And not in a coworker way.”
The other’s face flared with blush so red that Delphia could easily understand why people would confuse Ollis as a tomato. He stumbled over his words. “Wha– wait, what did you– you mean he—?” He brought his hands to his cheeks before covering his entire face, his muffled voice barely getting out. “Are you– is this a… prank?”
Oh by the City's stars, how long has M been dragging this man's feelings, Delphia thought. She gave the best convincing smile she could to Ollis. “I'm serious. He's been in love with you for quite some time.” Their whole relationship didn't really mean much to her; M was Ollis’ at the very end. “You also like him, don’t you?”
With some hesitation, Ollis gave a small nod, bringing his hands down to have his eyes just barely peek over his fingers.
“You should tell him,” Delphia offered. “After all, you guys have all the time in the world.” Ollis didn't, but M certainly did.
The Information Department Agent groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. “But how do I bring this up…” He opened one eye to peek up at Delphia. “Do I tell him now or wait till after the day is over?”
She shrugged. “Up to you.” Her eyes fixated on the digital clock overhead, clicking her tongue. “Ah, times up. I'll see you around, Ollis.” Without bothering to look back, Delphia walked out the opposite door of the main room, just in time for a couple of Clerks to rush by with papers.
...
Upon the chime of the elevator and her stepping out, M was waiting for her. With a small hum, she swiftly moved towards him, hand resting on his shoulder.
“Best return my favor, M.”
With a sputter of confusion, Delphia moved onwards, the day starting once again.