After seeing the read but no reply, I put my phone back in my pocket. I thought about the conversation Tee had shown me and couldn't help but feel sympathy for Jay. He reminded me of Tiger—always ready to defend if someone bothered me—and he also messaged Tee. It wasn't surprising that Tee was confused and misunderstood the situation.
"You like that kid being so protective?" Tiger asked jokingly. I looked at him immediately.
"How do you know?"
"I guessed. I saw you smile. He messaged too, right?"
"Yeah, he messaged. It reminded me of you, Tiger, always threatening everyone," I replied, thinking that Jay might have gotten Tee's contact through Nao. I was sure Nao got it from my phone without me knowing. "What do we do about the moving situation? He has another match on Tuesday. Should I move him now or wait until after the match?"
"We need to know what's most comfortable for him. If he's okay with it, we can move him now. It's just moving his stuff from his room to here. I talk to Ryan, and you talk to Nao and Jay."
"Alright, thank you so much." I agreed and thanked him again. After that conversation, we went back home. Everyone was sitting on the couch watching TV.
When Jay saw me, he immediately stood up.
"Jay, come here for a second."
"Yeah." He came toward me as I asked. I took him to a spot not far from the living room to talk about what we had just discussed. When he heard that he could move in with me, he showed clear happiness—though he didn't smile, his eyes sparkled. Suddenly, he hugged me, which surprised me a little.
"Thank you. Thank you for letting me stay and for talking to Tiger."
"You're welcome." I hugged him back gently before pulling away, thinking it wouldn't be appropriate to hug for too long. "Do you want to move now?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'll go with you."
"You don't have to go out of your way."
"I'll take it as an excuse to keep you company."
"Alright."
I told everyone in the house that Jay would be moving in with us. Mom and Fei seemed happy, and Nao smiled, saying he had no problem with it. Tiger didn't show any reaction, only asking if Jay would move immediately. I answered that Jay would move now, so Tiger arranged for someone to prepare a car.
Tiger's people drove us to the gym and helped carry Jay's stuff. Before long, we were back home. Jay and I started organizing his belongings, and even though he didn't have much, we placed his potted rose in the backyard with my other plants. We shared the large closet because I used to share it with Nao.
By the way, I hadn't taken Jay to buy a picture frame and sunflowers yet.
"When are you free?"
"I have to ask my coach. Why?"
"I want to take you to buy a picture frame and sunflowers."
"You want something?"
"Why?"
"I want to buy you something."
"I'm not in the mood for anything right now. If you want to buy me something, pick something simple and not expensive."
"I don't know what to buy."
"Then don't buy anything."
"I will buy something."
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Operation Phoenix (3)
[Jayden]: I want to buy something for Dan.
[Jayden]: Dan said nothing too expensive.
[Jayden]: What should I buy?
[King of Disaster]: Why do you want to buy him something?
[Moonlight Dragon]: Just pick something! Why make it a drama?
[Moonlight Dragon]: It's your own money, anyway.
[Moonlight Dragon]: By the way, is this for a special occasion? So I can give better recommendations.
[King of Disaster]: You just want to scold me.
[Jayden]: Dan is going to buy me a picture frame and sunflowers.
[Jayden]: So I want to buy something for him in return.
[Moonlight Dragon]: Why does Dan want to buy sunflowers?
[Jayden]: Because I once told him that Dan is like a sunflower.
[Moonlight Dragon]: A symbol of true love?
[Moonlight Dragon]: Sunflowers only look toward the sun.
[King of Disaster]: Actually, I've seen sunflowers facing the ground.
[King of Disaster]: Always looking at the earth.
[Moonlight Dragon]: Maybe that flower was wilting.
[Moonlight Dragon]: I mean, Dan is like a sunflower because he's bright and warm.
[Moonlight Dragon]: Right?
[Jayden]: Yeah.
[King of Disaster]: So, sunflower = Dan
[King of Disaster]: What do you think you are, Jayden?
[King of Disaster]: So you can buy something symbolic.
[Jayden]: I don't know.
[King of Disaster]: Boxing gloves? you're boxers.
[Moonlight Dragon]: So my brother can hit you in the head?
[King of Disaster]: What's wrong with you today?
[Moonlight Dragon]: Just kidding.
[Moonlight Dragon]: Seriously, if you want to buy something for Dan…
[Moonlight Dragon]: What do we always buy for him that he always enjoys?
[Moonlight Dragon]: That would be books.
[King of Disaster]: But it should be something that represents both of you.
[Moonlight Dragon]: Exactly.
[Jayden]: What do you think I am, boss?
[King of Disaster]: A dog.
[King of Disaster]: I don't mean it as an insult, more like a cute puppy.
[Moonlight Dragon]: But that's really like you. You're also Joe's puppy.
[King of Disaster]: I'm a corgi now, after being a guard dog before.
[King of Disaster]: So, Jayden, what do you think you are?
[Moonlight Dragon]: I'd say a golden retriever.
[Moonlight Dragon]: But you can't buy a dog; our house already has too many.
[King of Disaster]: Buy a plushie instead.
[King of Disaster]: To deal with your dinosaur.
[Moonlight Dragon]: No way, I already have too many.
[Jayden]: What's that?
[Moonlight Dragon]: My stuffed dinosaur.
[Moonlight Dragon]: But it's cute.
[Moonlight Dragon]: And Dan doesn't have any plushies.
[Moonlight Dragon]: This isn't old-fashioned. It's classic. Most couples usually buy plushies for each other.
[Moonlight Dragon]: Even North has a dumb duck.
[King of Disaster]: Exactly.
[King of Disaster]: What do you think, Jayden?
[Jayden]: Sounds good.
[King of Disaster]: Yes! We are the most reliable bosses.
[King of Disaster]: Now, let's spar. 🤜🏻
[Moonlight Dragon]: Cheers! 🍺
[Moonlight Dragon]: Huh? Isn't this like a toast?
[Moonlight Dragon]: 🤛🏻
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
[Jayden]: Dan, I know what I want to buy for you.
[Dan]: You consulted the bosses?
I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Jay pulled out his phone and started typing, probably to the bosses, to ask what he should buy for me. I worried they would give him weird suggestions.
[Dan]: What did they say?
[Jayden]: Do you think I look like a puppy?
[Dan]: Huh?
I raised my eyebrows, surprised.
[Dan]: Well, yeah, I've thought that before. In a loving way.
[Jayden]: What kind of puppy?
[Dan]: A golden retriever, I guess.
[Jayden]: Boss Nao thought the same. So I'll buy you a plush golden retriever as my representation.
[Dan]: Nao thought the same?
[Jayden]: Yeah, he said it in a loving way, just like you.
[Dan]: Oh.
Without realizing it, I frowned and pulled out my phone to message Nao.
[Dan]: Hey, Nao. 😤
[Moonlight Dragon]: What's up?
[Moonlight Dragon]: Why are you mad?
[Dan]: You're not allowed to call Jay a puppy.
[Moonlight Dragon]: I didn't call him a puppy.
[Moonlight Dragon]: I said it in a loving way.
[Dan]: Still. 😤
[Moonlight dragon]: Why? I can't even do it in a loving way?
[Moonlight dragon]: Are you jealous?
[Moonlight dragon]: Ah, I see, you want him to be only your little puppy, huh?
[Moonlight dragon]: And you're so mad that smoke is coming out of your nose.
[Dan]: Nao.
[Dan]: I'm going to hit you.
[Dan]: What are you writing?
[Moonlight dragon]: You're blushing, and you're going to hit your big brother?
[Dan]: Whatever, you're annoying.
[Dan]: Your attitude is terrible.
[Moonlight dragon]: Hahaha, alright, I won't bother you anymore.
[Moonlight dragon]: I only meant it in a loving way. He's like a little puppy, Dan.
[Moonlight dragon]: Didn't you say you weren't jealous?
[Dan]: A little jealous.
[Moonlight dragon]: What do you mean?
[Dan]: It's just that he's cute.
[Dan]: Can't I be a little jealous?
[Moonlight dragon]: Hahaha.
[Moonlight dragon]: That's not just a little jealousy.
I sent Nao a sticker before putting my phone away and returning to talk to Jay.
"It's already two in the afternoon. We don't have enough time to go shopping today. How about tomorrow? Tomorrow is Sunday, after all."
Jay nodded.
"In that case, let's go to Uncle Jerd's gym, the place where you'll be training. We need to talk to him first."
"Okay." I brought Jay and Nao along with me. Of course, Nao agreed since the gym wasn't too far, so we decided to walk. Back when Nao used to train in boxing every weekend, we also walked there. Besides, the parking lot was almost always full. As we walked, Nao started talking.
"You know, Jayden, I used to come here often to train in boxing every weekend."
"I didn't know that."
"At first, I brought Dan along, but there were always people trying to approach him, so I stopped bringing him."
"What do you mean by 'approach'?"
"It means they were trying to flirt with him. I don't know if they were serious or just joking, but I always called them flirts."
Jay turned to me. "Do you have a lot of admirers, Dan?"
"Not really," I answered.
"A lot!" Nao responded firmly before telling Jay some stories from my high school days. Some were true, but many were exaggerated by Nao. Then, he ran his fingers through his hair and squinted at me. "Ah, beauty is a sin, isn't it?"
"..." I paused for a moment. Why was he running his fingers through his hair like that?
"No, Nao is just exaggerating. It's not that bad."
"That's because Dan is kind-hearted, he's always friendly to everyone."
"Nao, you're kind-hearted too."
"No, I'm a bad kid," Nao said while running his fingers through his hair again. "A bad kid like me isn't easy to handle."
"I don't know what's up with you today, Nao," I said, chuckling. "You're usually weird enough, but today you're even weirder. Is something bothering you?"
"I think I ate too many candies. I'm really hyperactive. North got affected too."
"Oh, Fei's homemade candies from the fridge?"
"Yeah, Fei is getting better at making them. I'm also starting to gain weight."
"You need to exercise. Are you going to start boxing again?"
"Yeah, I came today to start again."
"Good. Watch over Jay during practice."
Nao gave a thumbs-up. "Don't worry. This boss will take care of his little brother!" he said, patting Jay's shoulder.
I couldn't hold back my smile. "Being in the gym, doesn't that mean Nao will have another little brother? The 'Rusty' gang still has members in school."
"What's that?" Jay asked. "Does Boss Nao have other little brothers? Do I have to meet them?"
Nao made a displeased expression, which made me laugh again. "There are a lot, both older and younger. The gang is pretty big and influential."
"Really? Am I part of the gang now?"
Nao rubbed his face and sighed. "It's just that…"
"What does the gang do? I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Don't worry, we don't hurt anyone," Nao said, waving his hand. "You don't have to join. A calm Jayden is already great. Don't turn into Jayden the Rusty."
"Jayden the Rusty? My name is Jayden Mckay."
I tried to hold back my laughter as Nao attempted to explain clearly, looking visibly uncomfortable.
"It's just a nickname, like a gang name."
"How did Nao become Rusty?"
"Yeah."
"Tiger was also in the gang," I added.
"Really? Then this gang must be cool," Jay said with a smile.
"Dan," Nao grabbed my arm. "Why are you bringing this up? Now how am I supposed to explain this to the kid?"
"Explain what? Jay didn't misunderstand anything. Are you trying to say that your gang isn't cool? I think it's cool," I kept teasing Nao. "Fei always wanted to be the leader."
Nao sighed and let go of my arm. "Ah."
"Phi Nao!" When Jab saw Nao, he immediately stopped what he was doing and ran over with a big smile. "Long time no see, even though we live so close!"
"You look busy. No work today?" Nao asked.
"It's Saturday, let me rest a bit. You're here too, Phi Dan." Jab smiled at me. "And who's this?"
Jay leaned in and whispered, "Dan, are you also a boss?"
"No, it's just a way of addressing people. I have nothing to do with this."
"I see," Jay nodded. "I'm Boss Nao's little brother. I'll be training in boxing here."
"Wait," Nao tried to stop him, but it was too late. Jab's eyes immediately sparkled.
"Really? A new gang member! Hey, everyone!" Jab shouted, and the teenagers turned to look. "This is our new gang member. What's your name?"
"Jayden."
"Jayden!" Jab called out his name. "A name as interesting as your appearance. How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
"Okay, not much older than them. Guys, this is Jayden," Jab introduced. "Get to know him." Everyone responded in unison, proving that the 'Rusty' gang had been passed down from generation to generation. "Don't forget to greet the boss."
"Hello, Boss!" the kids said. Nao could only give a stiff smile.
"Hello, everyone," Nao replied before they returned to their training.
"So, what are you doing here? No work? If not, go find a job!" Jab turned to Nao.
"You just greeted me with respect," Nao shot back.
"I was just joking."
"Joking about what?"
"The greeting earlier was just a joke."
"Ah, damn." Nao sighed. "Tell me, how have you kept the 'Rusty' gang going all this time? I graduated eight years ago."
"It's passed down through generations. So, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to train in boxing. I want to exercise. I'm gaining weight, I miss having six-pack abs. I also want to bring Jayden for serious training because your father is a great Muay Thai instructor. Jayden just won his debut fight."
"Oh, really?" Jab nodded. "Go talk to my dad. He's inside."
"Okay," Nao replied before Jab went back to helping the other kids train.
This gym was a place for people who wanted to exercise as well as those who wanted to become professional fighters. While it wasn't as nationally famous as Tiger's gym, it had a strong local reputation. They had trained several champions, though I wasn't sure of all the titles.
"Hello, Uncle Jerd," Nao greeted while bowing. Uncle Jerd, who was writing something, looked up and smiled widely upon seeing Nao.
"Oh! Long time no see! How have you been? Have a seat."
"I came to train, sir. I want to exercise."
"Of course, no problem. And your husband isn't coming?"
"Tiger is busy."
"And you, Dan, do you also want to train?" Uncle Jerd asked, looking at me.
"I want to try if I have time," I answered honestly. "I came here today to train this kid."
I offered a seat to Jayden. He greeted Uncle Jerd before sitting down. I explained to Uncle Jerd that I wanted Jayden to train seriously here since he had just made his professional boxing debut.
"Oh, I see. Will he have a personal coach here? And I'll be teaching him Muay Thai, right?"
"Yes," I nodded. "Is that possible?"
"Hmm," Uncle Jerd crossed his arms, thinking. "He won his debut by knockout, no problem. Even though I'm old, I still love teaching. I want to train talented kids to become champions again. What's his next fight? Muay Thai?"
"No, boxing."
"Ah, so he can train here. Do you want to train in Muay Thai and kickboxing too? Have your coach talk to me to coordinate his training schedule." Uncle Jerd said. "Is your coach foreign?"
"Yes."
"Can he speak Thai?"
"Yes."
"Good. Tell him to come and talk to me," Uncle Jerd easily gave his approval. We bowed in gratitude. He handed us forms to fill out. Uncle Jerd, Jab's father, was still as kind as ever. Nao mentioned that he had only ever seen Uncle Jerd get serious when coaching or arguing with Jab about education. Uncle Jerd wanted Jab to follow in his footsteps and take over the gym, but Jab wanted to become an architect. Jab thanked Nao for helping him, and now he was an architect. On weekdays, he worked, and on weekends, he helped at the gym.
"Fei too?" I asked as we walked home.
"Is this a good idea?" Nao scratched his chin. "No, it's better if I train with Tiger for now."
"Okay." I turned to Jayden. "Are you okay with this?"
"Yeah."
"If Nao and Jayden are both training here, that's great. I'll check in on them if I get the chance."
"Jayden, did you notice anyone watching Dan earlier? I didn't see anyone."
"There were. I remember their faces," Jayden replied. "If I get the chance, I want to fight them."
Nao raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Knock them."
"Yeah."
"...Wait."