"Yo," Kurtiz says as he walks over to Gadeon, one eye still fixed on Sir Judah, who is observing the room.
At this point, the rest of the class is doing whatever they want. With Gage gone and the countdown frozen, they've lost hope entirely — talking freely, no longer caring about the noise level.
Should I just end this detention and force total silence? Judah thinks as he folds his arms. Maybe these kids are incapable of learning. And now that Gage has left, things have only gotten worse. They've stopped caring altogether.
I think I should just—
"I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!"
A thunderous voice rips through the room, jolting even Judah.
It's Kurtiz.
His expression is tight with frustration, jaw clenched as he grabs Gadeon by the gi and yanks him forward until their foreheads press together.
"If I have to ask someone for help to reach my goal, then so be it!" Kurtiz snaps. "There's nothing shameful about that! So I'm asking you — do you think you can bring Gage back or not?!"
Gadeon freezes, completely lost for words.
This kid… just seconds ago—
His mind flashes back to moments earlier — Kurtiz calmly asking him what he thought about the detention, whether he'd learned anything, saying Gadeon seemed smart. Gadeon had brushed him off, questioning why Kurtiz was even asking him for help.
And now it's led to this.
"Do I look like someone who can bring him back?" Gadeon fires back, even as Kurtiz keeps his grip tight. "Why don't you ask his minions?"
"Yeah, why don't you ask us?" one of Gage's goons chimes in.
"There's a better chance of Gage convincing them to leave with him," Kurtiz says sharply, "than there is of them bringing him back if I ask."
"WHAT?!" one of Gage's goons yells.
"I'm his enemy! What do you expect me to—"
"Unlike everyone here—no, in fact, unlike anyone in this whole dojo," Kurtiz cuts in, "you think you're better than all of us, right?"
That catches Gadeon off guard.
What is he saying? Gadeon thinks. I mean… I am better. You're all kids, and I'm a grown adult stuck playing children with all of you. So yeah, I am more mature than you.
"You don't act like the other students," Kurtiz continues. "You move like you've lived a different life from us. Honestly, I don't know how you'll do it—but you have a better chance than any of us to bring Gage back. So please… help me."
Me? Not us? Judah thinks, frowning slightly as he watches.
Gadeon stares at Kurtiz's desperate expression. His eyes drop to the way Kurtiz is gripping his gi—
and it reminds him of how Ami grabbed him earlier.
But this is different.
This isn't someone trying to oppose him.
This is someone who needs his help.
Like a child clinging to their parent in a shop, refusing to let go because they want something—need something.
This is embarrassing…
Not for this kid. For me.
Kurtiz is willing to submit himself. Willing to ask for help because he has things he needs to do—at ten years old. Even if it means shamelessly begging.
Shit.
Gadeon thinks of Ami—how he isn't ashamed of himself.
Then Rotalia, calmly teaching him about the Battle Royale.
And now Kurtiz, swallowing his pride and asking for help.
Suddenly, a memory from his old life surfaces.
Young Jason, crying and clinging to his mother in a store, begging for the latest video game. She'd said they didn't have enough money. He'd kept insisting anyway.
In the end, she bought it.
He remembers how happy he was—how she hugged him, kissed his cheek, and whispered:
"I'm sorry I can't give you what you want all the time… but still ask. I'll try my best, my baby."
Gadeon snaps back to the present.
What is wrong with this world? he thinks. Why are kids this young so… built different?
He runs a hand through his hair and gently pulls Kurtiz's hand off his gi.
"You're all damn annoying," Gadeon says out loud.
This Kurtiz kid reminds me of how I used to act with my mother… shit. They're all annoying. God, I hate kids.
Then he exhales.
"As an adult," Gadeon says, turning away, "I'll help you kids." As he walks out of the classroom.
"What the hell is he talking about? Isn't he the same age as us?" one of Gage's goons mutters to the others.
"But where do I even find Gage? He's long gone by now," Gadeon says.
"Trust me, he's not," Kurtiz replies calmly. "He may act bad, but knowing what he's got going on in his life, he'll probably be wandering around the school right now—thinking about whether he made the right decision."
Gadeon glances at him. "How do you know that? Why are you so sure?"
"Information is power," Kurtiz answers.
Gadeon exits the detention room and walks through the hallways, his mind replaying everything that just happened.
Did I just get scolded by a kid?
Kurtiz said he wouldn't let anything stop him from reaching his goal—even if it meant asking for help.
Gadeon thinks back to his old life, when he was Jason, standing on stages giving public talks to younger men. He used to preach the same message over and over:
Don't let anyone stop you from reaching your goals.
Don't accept handouts.
Do it yourself, so when you make it, nobody can say they built you—you're self-made.
But Kurtiz is different.
He's willing to ask for help if that's what it takes.
Maybe in this world, Gadeon thinks, people don't take ownership of others' hard work the way they did back where I'm from.
Still…
Asking for help…
Lost in thought, Gadeon walks past the toilets—without any real plan of where to find Gage.
Then the door opens.
"Huh?" Gage mutters in shock as he steps out.
Gadeon turns just as surprised. Kurtiz wasn't kidding?
"What are you doing here?" Gage snaps.
"I could ask you the same," Gadeon replies. "You left detention a while ago. Why are you still in the dojo building?"
Gage breaks into a nervous sweat. "Answer my question. Why are you out? You're supposed to be in detention!"
"And you're not?" Gadeon fires back. "The only reason I got detention was because of you."
"Oh really?" Gage sneers, shifting into a stance. "So what are you gonna do about it?"
I knew this wouldn't be easy, Gadeon thinks, already tired.
Is he the only one who left? Gage wonders internally, panic creeping in. Did others leave too? If a bunch of us walk out, they can't expel all of us… right?
Maybe I shouldn't have left in the first place, Gage thinks, regret tightening in his chest.