Every Male Lead love Me

Chapter 8:

Summer thought, perhaps Matthew Dennish was born a hunter.

He stepped forward. The six-year-old moved across the old floorboards in a way that miraculously produced no sound. Matthew climbed onto Summer’s bed and sat neatly in front of her, so close that she could hardly hear his breathing.

In the dim room, his blue eyes nearly blackened, radiating a chilling, indifferent aura.

“I… can I ask you something?” Summer whispered. “Why did you want to kill Lyra?”

Matthew’s gaze dropped to Summer’s right hand resting by her leg.

It was indeed because Lyra had shoved her.

After all, he was a child, Summer realized. Even without socialization, Matthew Dennish’s way of thinking was more direct than other children. His favor toward her was only two or three points, yet once he considered her a companion, he could act effortlessly on her behalf.

His actions were like a small animal helping another to survive—nothing more.

Summer had misunderstood.

In her eyes, killing for her should imply an oath-bound bond. But for Matthew, the psychological weight of killing Lyra was no heavier than crushing an ant.

He lacked empathy, and thus could not understand the value of life.

This was the first lesson Summer needed to teach him.

“I’m glad, Matthew,” Summer said with a smile. “You protected me. When you grow up, you’ll be a man I can feel safe with. Thank you… so now, we’re really friends, right?”

[Objective: Matthew Dennish Favor +1; Current Favor: 3]

It had risen again so quickly!

Previously, the increase had come from fulfilling an immediate need; now, it came from recognition of his personal value—a different kind of satisfaction.

Summer exhaled slightly. At least the reason for Matthew’s favor increase was clear.

Moreover, he had a need for recognition, proving that the boy had potential for socialization.

“I don’t want to part with a new friend so soon,” Summer said, taking Matthew’s hands. “If you killed Lyra, not only would you be taken away, but Mrs. Smith might no longer be able to care for any foster children. Even if I wanted to find you later, I couldn’t.”

Matthew didn’t speak.

He silently examined Summer’s hands, his gaze lingering on the scrape on her palm.

After seeming to confirm she posed no threat, he mimicked her movements, gently taking her fingers in return.

Summer: !

He had understood.

“Do you understand what I mean, Matthew?” she pressed on. “To adults, taking a life is a very serious matter… Well, every life has its own value, we’ll discuss that later. But human life is the highest value in their rules. Killing a field mouse scares Mrs. Peter, but killing Lyra—no matter what you do—you won’t be forgiven. I mean, no adult in the world would forgive you!”

She feared Matthew might not comprehend, so she emphasized further: “If they don’t forgive you, they’ll take you away. I don’t want to be separated from you. So… don’t kill Lyra, don’t hurt anyone, okay?”

Matthew didn’t look up, only fiddling with her fingers—she couldn’t tell if he was considering her words.

“She pushed me,” Summer continued, “I could push back, or play another harmless prank. At most, put half a bottle of chili powder in her pasta, and that’s it! Anything more, and it breaks the rules set by adults—they’ll be angry.”

She shifted slightly closer to Matthew.

“Frank, Justin, and John hitting you—that completely breaks adult rules. Mrs. Smith punished them for days, right? After that, they probably won’t bully you openly. We just need to be careful not to leave any evidence.”

“You see, Matthew? It’s simple. You don’t need to do things against your will. Just think a little and use the adults’ rules to your advantage—why not?”

Summer lightly tapped Matthew’s forehead.

“You’re smart. I believe you can understand. Don’t hurt others, don’t do things that would separate us, okay?”

She wasn’t entirely confident.

She had hoped her previous attempts at closeness and communication would stop Matthew from going too far. His favor had risen, his Dark Index decreased, yet he still misinterpreted her words in ways that suited him.

Now, she delivered another long lecture—how much Matthew could actually comprehend was uncertain.

“I used to have a little brother, but he lives on the West Coast, far away,” she added softly.

Bloodshadow Killers hadn’t given Summer a background story, but the system provided her with the original character’s history: nine-year-old Summer’s parents had gone to prison for financial crimes, and her younger brother, four years her junior, had been adopted elsewhere. Summer, awaiting adoption, had been placed with Mrs. Smith.

“Seeing you reminds me of when my parents and brother were around.”

She added quietly, “Honestly, I’m as selfish as Mrs. Smith. She protected us for the foster subsidy, I protect you because I wanted a home.”

[Objective: Matthew Dennish Dark Index –2, Favor +1; Current Dark Index: 82, Favor: 4]

Strictly speaking, Summer hadn’t lied. Her motive was purely self-interest—aligned with the system’s requirements. She was fostering Matthew’s favor because she needed him… for now, as family and friend. She had little other thought.

Progress was good. Summer’s anxiety eased.

When the system had earlier indicated favor loss, she had considered changing her approach.

If Matthew Dennish was inherently flawed, could he be raised into a good person? Perhaps she would need to become his accomplice or rival to gain his attention and respect.

But that thought was immediately discarded: unsafe, beyond her capability, and cooperation or competition required socialization too advanced for him.

Thank the system for placing her at Matthew’s age of six! Children’s cognition is simple, needs are direct, making it easier for Summer to manage Matthew’s favor increases and decreases.

Even though he had nearly become a killer decades early, Matthew was learning, little by little. When Summer first arrived, he was like a puppet; after only a few days, he could respond to her. That was progress. The missteps could be corrected as she noticed them.

Imagine the adult version… Summer shuddered to think.

“Can you promise me not to hurt others?” she asked again. “If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as a yes.”

Finally, Matthew lifted his gaze from her fingers to her face, staring thoughtfully.

Just when Summer thought it was over, he slowly nodded, without a hint of warning.

Summer: !!!

Her eyes widened.

This was Matthew Dennish’s first official response to her.

No wonder his Dark Index had dropped—he agreed with her reasoning, at least the part about hurting others leading to separation.

A huge breakthrough!

After hours of tension, Summer felt a sudden sense of relief and happiness. She reached out and ruffled Matthew’s hair.

“That’s great, thank you!” she said sincerely. “You really want to be my friend. Now it’s your turn.”

Matthew remained expressionless, blinking his blue eyes as if asking her what she wanted next.

“I’ve taught you so much; now you teach me.”

With children, it wasn’t enough to just speak—you needed interaction. Socialization is learned through communication and engagement.

Matthew refused to talk to others, believing communication pointless. Summer had to find a way to encourage him to take the first step.

She reflected: at six, she hated listening to long lectures—who could understand that? Yet Matthew not only listened, he absorbed and thought. That alone was remarkable.

Of course, misinterpretation was another matter.

“I’m curious,” Summer admitted. “How do you walk so quietly? How did you find Lyra in the woods? She’s a light sleeper and always complains about my noise next door. Can you teach me to walk quietly, to track someone?”

She deliberately elongated her words, a hint of playfulness in her tone.

It wouldn’t hurt to try, she thought. At worst, Matthew wouldn’t respond, like talking to a wooden doll.

“I’ve already taught you, now you try,” Summer coaxed, holding his hands pitifully.

Matthew raised his eyes.

It might have been her imagination in the dark, but she thought she saw a flicker of emotion in his glassy, beautiful eyes—surprise—but it vanished too quickly to grasp.

Then the system chimed in, giving her confirmation.

[Objective: Matthew Dennish Dark Index –3, Favor +1; Current Dark Index: 82, Favor: 5]

In the dim room, a second, delicate yet clear voice emerged.

The child’s voice was so unfamiliar, Summer froze, realizing in shock what had just happened.

Matthew spoke: “Okay.”