Adam paced his room, stopping only to glance at the system. His brow furrowed.
*Explain this Binding Protocol.*
There was no response from the system. No notification. Nothing.
*Of course there's no response.*
He put his head in his hands. "Okay, okay. The system doesn't want to explain it…"
Letting his hands fall, Adam looked outside his window.
*Doesn't matter, just focus on what I can do for now.*
He mentally ran through his checklist.
It only took him a few seconds before he let out a breath. "Okay, stat grinding… as per usual."
Adam put on headphones, setting the tablet his parents bought him after he realized he could learn via watching on his desk.
He pushed play on an informative video for first aid as he ran through some simple exercises.
Exercises were mainly stretching, light weights, and breathing exercises.
Adam had asked his dad for advice, using the excuse for Judo to explain the sudden interest in working out.
Dad had gone into a long explanation that as a child he couldn't strain his body due to his age and immature bone growth.
When Adam saw how serious his dad seemed to get about fitness, it changed how he saw the man he usually saw as more humor oriented.
Once he got into a rhythm, he saw the notifications from the system confirming his progress.
*This is slow, but slow and steady wins the race.*
He ignored any further notifications and continued his grinding.
***
An unexpected event happened before the end of the school year.
Adam stared at the invitation to Rachel's birthday, genuinely surprised.
"You're… older than me?"
"I am…?" Even Rachel seemed speechless.
But that only lasted a second before she wrapped an arm around Adam's neck.
"I am! Which means you gotta listen to me now!"
"No. Wisdom before age. That I outrank you on." Adam playfully flicked her forehead.
"Not fair!" Rachel said as she held her forehead with a pout.
"Not fair? Then do you wanna be the planner for us?"
Rachel sucked her lips in, face paling, hands still on her forehead as she frantically shook her head.
"Heh." Adam let a small laugh escape as he rubbed her head.
*Oddly comforting.*
Rachel hummed as she dropped her hands to the side, leaning into Adam's hand.
"So you're coming right?"
"Of course. I won't miss my friend's birthday."
"Hehe." Rachel giggled as she pulled away.
"Okay! I'll tell Daddy, bye-bye Adam!"
Adam watched as she ran to Mr. Morgan.
Ever since Selena tried to pick up Rachel, he had been making it on time to pick her up, or at least called to make sure that she went with Adam.
Adam found his own ride, sliding into the passenger seat.
"No Rae today, Buddy?" His Dad asked as he buckled up.
"Not today, Mr. Morgan came by. But her birthday is coming up."
"Oh, that's important, any ideas for what you're going to get her?"
"Not a clue."
Dad chuckled as he shook his head. "That's more relatable than you think."
The car started to move.
*A birthday present, huh?*
Adam hadn't really learned what Rachel would like, he had a few ideas now that he was thinking about it.
But not one of them stuck.
*Just think, Adam, it can't be that complicated. She's six.*
Adam closed his eyes as he continued to think of a gift.
*Hairpin? Necklace? Bracelet? Too girly or just girly enough?*
Before too long, Adam felt the car click off.
Opening his eyes, he was surprised to see he was already home.
"Did you like your nap, buddy?"
"Not really."
"Some advice–go with the first thing your head goes with. It's usually the most sincere." Dad patted his shoulder then climbed out of the car.
*The first thing, huh?*
The first thing that Adam had thought of was a hairpin. He was getting annoyed by her hair always falling in her face.
"Thanks Dad." Adam climbed out of the car.
***
The birthday was small. Rachel didn't have many friends and those who did show up did so because their parents were friends with Mr. Morgan.
All except Adam.
"So you really won't tell me what you got me, Adam?" Rachel pouted.
"Nope~ Stop asking or I might take it back."
"Eek!" Rachel put her hands over her mouth.
Adam smiled as he watched the other kids play in the Morgans' yard.
"Are you going to play with them, Adam?" Rachel asked after dropping her hands, her voice lower than usual.
"Eh, they're a little too slow compared to what I'm used to."
Rachel's face widened into a smile. "Right! I'm the fastest in our class after all!"
"You are. For now." Adam couldn't help but tease.
"No! I will be forever!"
"Then you better get to training."
"Eek!" Rachel took off running.
And after a few seconds, Adam shrugged and chased after her.
By the time the kids were called for cake, both Adam and Rachel were exhausted from playing.
"You're getting faster…" Rachel said between breaths.
"Yeah... I am." His own breathlessness caused him to talk slower.
Adam looked at his latest notification, Agility had hit 10% already.
*Looks like grinding is paying off. Rachel is still faster… what a brute.*
They gathered around the table and the party continued in the classic fashion.
Birthday song, blowing the candles, and cutting off the cake.
But last but not least was the gifts.
Rachel got classic kid toys or clothes from most of the guests, but she didn't see a box for what Adam got her.
"Adam?" Rachel asked, a little subdued, almost fearful.
"Close your eyes."
Rachel closed them without hesitation.
Adam brought out the hairpin he picked.
The style wasn't cutesy nor playful. It was a simple hairpin that was styled after a sun-ray.
Adam brushed up her hair and put the hairpin in.
"There. Now you can keep your hair out of your face, even without me."
Rachel opened her eyes, bringing her hand up to touch the hairpin. "I love it…"
Adam smiled. "It's practical."
Rachel giggled and hugged him. "Thank you."
Adam returned the hug gently. "No need to thank me, it's a gift."
"Just a gift… but it's yours."
Adam didn't respond, just patted her back as he let her continue the hug.
A clap from Mr. Morgan drew their attention away.
"Alright, folks! Time to wrap it up, thanks for coming, don't be afraid to take cake home. There's plenty to share."
"Eek! My cake!" Rachel pulled away and went to go defend her leftovers.
Adam chuckled as he followed slowly.
***
Adam lay in bed that night deep in thought.
Kindergarten was just weeks away from ending.
*I guess when you're busy grinding, time just goes by.*
Summer.
That was a new hurdle. Realistically it's a time where Adam could ask his parents to take him to as many places to grind out "trials" as the system put it.
*But Rachel's situation…*
He felt a surge of frustration as he let out a breath.
*Playing with Rachel isn't a loss either. I can always go to the 'trials' later or do a few with her. The system might even give more rewards for tugging a 'Juvenile Mutant Brute' along.*
Adam rolled over, looking towards his wall. *Just grind. Protect Rae. And repeat.*