Gadeon stands alone in the hallway, feeling utterly defeated. The realisation that the boy he thought had special needs had been trolling him the entire time—and wasting his time—stings more than he'd like to admit.
In both of his lifetimes, no one has ever wasted his time like that.
He's so annoyed that he can't even stay angry at Bean. Instead, he blames himself for entertaining the nonsense in the first place.
"Hey, Gadeon!"
Gage's voice echoes through the hallway as he hurries toward him.
"What's taking you so long? Class is about to start. You're already late."
"So why are you out of class?" Gadeon asks.
"To come looking for you."
Gadeon visibly cringes.
"Okay, I know what's been going on with you these past couple days, but it isn't cute. Stop trying to get all buddy-buddy with me. It's weird."
"Well, right now you've got no friends in this dojo because of that attitude. So the least you can do is be quiet and come with me to class."
He just ignored me, didn't he? Gadeon thinks.
"Wow! You guys have definitely gotten close! I'm starting to believe maybe you did hug and ki—"
Gadeon shoots Kurtiz such a murderous glare that he immediately swallows the rest of the sentence.
"Anyway, Gadeon, you made your decision yet?"
"Decision?" Gage chimes in.
He casually steps between the two boys, almost as if shielding Gadeon from Kurtiz.
This guy...
He could've waited and asked me when it was just the two of us. Why would he bring it up in front of Gage?
"Gadeon, stay away from this weirdo! He's—"
"I'm in!"
"I just told you not to follow this—"
"Shut up and calm down! It wasn't me that just said that," Gadeon cuts him off.
Ami suddenly appears beside them.
His usual cheerful demeanour is gone. His expression is serious.
"I want to make money, and fast!" Ami blurts out.
Gadeon immediately slaps a hand over his face.
You might as well tell the whole school you want to sell drugs too. Scream it louder, why don't you?
Kurtiz's eyes immediately flick toward Gadeon.
He wants to bring a plus one?
And it's one of the strongest students in our year group?
"I don't know if Ami can join."
"Why?"
Immediately, Ami's serious expression breaks as he latches onto Gadeon.
"You promised me we'll make money together and move into a house together!"
"YOU PROMISED HIM WHAT?!" Gage freaks out upon hearing that claim.
Gadeon immediately tries to pry Ami off him, but struggles. Ami's grip is surprisingly strong, clinging to him like a baby refusing to let go.
"Let go!"
"No! You lied to me! You said we'd be rich together! You meanie! Were you trolling me?!"
Eventually, Gadeon gives up trying to peel Ami off him and turns to Kurtiz.
"Why can't Ami join me?"
"I'm honestly surprised you even have friends," Kurtiz says.
"Same. I thought I was your only friend," Gage adds.
"You guys are purposely trying to provoke me, aren't you?"
"Nope."
"Yep." Kurtiz admits.
"Anyway…" Gadeon begins.
As Ami continues hanging off his shoulder, lightly punching him while throwing a tantrum, Gadeon finds himself remembering what Silas told him the day before. For all Ami's whining and annoying habits, he can somewhat relate to him.
"Ami wants to make money, and so do I. Our goals align, so it makes sense to help each other out."
"Even after he kicked your ass a couple days ago?" Kurtiz casually says.
"Language!" Ami immediately corrects him. "And that was a long time ago, right Gadeon?"
"Then I am your friend, since apparently you befriend people who kick your ass." Gage mentions
"YOU DID NOT KICK MY ASS!" Gadeon shouts.
"I DEFINITELY DID SO!"
"You both fought?! When?!" Ami blurts out. "Giddie, you really need to stop getting into fights!"
"And stop calling me that! Are you my mother?!"
"Giddie? I like that. I'm gonna start calling you that from now on too."
"DON'T YOU DARE, GAGE!"
"I shouldn't dare what, Giddie?" Gage says with a smirk.
Kurtiz watches the three boys bickering.
Honestly, I really can't bring Ami. Since he can already Flex, there's no point, and the others won't like him because he can use his Chi-Lungs.
However... they'll probably find Gadeon weird too. He can't Flex, yet somehow he can breathe underwater. They won't see him as one of ours either.
And Gage...
I already know he wouldn't come. Besides, the gang hates him. Who knows how they'd react if he showed up?
...
Kurtiz falls deep into thought as the three continue arguing.
But bringing in these three anomalies might be exactly what's needed if I want to counter fate.
THIS IS PERFECT.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN...
BUT I'M EXCITED.
"I changed my mind, all three of you are welcome to come!" Kurtiz exclaims.
"Huh?" All three boys freeze and stare at him.
"I already told you, Kurtiz! I don't want any involvement in your dirty money!" Gage says outright.
I've already seen where dirty money takes people. My parents were killed for it. I don't have the luxury of risking my life for—
Gage pauses mid-thought.
Hold on.
For my family, I'm the oldest. Dad always said that if he's not there, then I'm the man of the house…
Gage glances at both Ami and Gadeon.
Ami tilts his head in confusion.
Gadeon simply frowns.
How old are these two?
"How old are the both of you?" he suddenly asks.
"I'm eleven!" Ami answers immediately.
"What?! You're older than me?!" Gadeon's jaw drops in shock.
"I'm eleven too. When's your birthday?" Gage quickly asks Ami.
"So... no one's going to ask how old I am?" Kurtiz says, feeling left out as he watches the two compare birthdays.
"So I'm the oldest?"
"I guess so," Ami says.
"Technically, I'm the oldest," Gadeon says, folding his arms and sulking.
"You sound silly, Giddie. How can you be the oldest when you're the only person here who's ten?" Ami says jokingly.
He reaches over and pats Gadeon on the head as if comforting a child.
Gadeon immediately slaps his hand away.
"Why are you asking our ages?" Ami asks.
"Nothing," Gage answers quickly.
However, his thoughts say otherwise.
The man of the house doesn't just apply at home—it applies here too.
These two are innocent young boys. Leaving them in the hands of Kurtiz, especially at their age, wouldn't be right.
As the oldest, I have to make sure they're safe.
"ARE THERE STILL STUDENTS WHO AREN'T IN LESSON?!"
The booming voice of a teacher patrolling the corridor instantly alerts the boys.
"LESSONS STARTED THIRTY MINUTES AGO! THAT'S IT! YOU'RE ALL GETTING DETENTION! STAY RIGHT THERE!"
The teacher's voice echoes throughout the hallway.
They haven't been spotted yet, but the threat of detention is enough.
Especially for Gadeon, Gage, and Kurtiz.
Without another word, all three immediately dart off down the corridor.
"AHH! WAIT FOR ME!" Ami shouts as he sprints after them.
"GET BACK HERE!" the teacher roars.
The hallway erupts into chaos as the four boys make their escape.