Finally out of the dojo, Gadeon releases a heavy sigh, thinking to himself that today has been such a long day.
"Gadeon!"
Someone calls his name. Even before turning around, he rolls his eyes, already tired of all the encounters he's had today.
"Wow, you look tired."
Gadeon turns to see who it is—it's Ami, and beside him is Gaedric, wearing a mask to breathe underwater since they're outside the dojo.
"Why are you two together?" Gadeon asks.
"You're forgetting the new dojo rule—we now have to be with a guardian or a parent when getting picked up and dropped off," Ami answers.
"Well, to be honest, we're being lenient today since parents were only just told, so not all of them can pick up their child. But tomorrow, there's no excuse," Gaedric adds.
"I see," Gadeon says.
"So that means, Gadeon, you don't need me to drop you off today, since I know you won't—"
"I'm tired, so I don't care anymore," Gadeon says, completely drained.
"Oh," Gaedric says, surprised by his response.
The three of them begin their journey home, but first, Gaedric heads to drop Ami off, so they make their way to his house.
I told him earlier that we need a parent or guardian to drop us off, and now he sees his own father dropping me home—but he's not asking any questions? Ami thinks, glancing at Gadeon.
"Hey,"
"What do you want?"
"You not gonna ask why you and your dad are dropping me home?" Ami says, which triggers a memory—back to when Jason got into a fight at school because a kid asked him a question during a drawing activity. Why did Jason only draw himself and his mum? And why was his dad the only one not drawn in his picture?
"It's none of my business," Gadeon answers.
Ami frowns, annoyed by his response—especially the couldn't-care-less tone he senses from him.
"Just for that, I'm gonna tell you!" Ami says, attempting to be annoying, which makes Gadeon click his teeth, too tired to argue back.
As Gaedric walks with both of them, he sees Ami chatting away. From Gadeon's expression, he can tell he's fed up, looking away to ignore him—but the more he does that, the more Ami keeps talking, going on about his past and life.
Watching this, Gaedric begins to smile, enjoying the sight of his son socialising—even if it's obvious Gadeon wants no part of it.
Moments later, they arrive at Ami's home—a large, fancy house.
Gadeon is amazed, a quiet "wow" slipping from his lips.
Ami gives him a smug look. "I bet my house is better than yours."
"It's not your house, it's your dad's," Gadeon shoots back.
"Then that means it is my house!" Ami argues.
"Do you pay rent?" Gadeon asks calmly.
"No."
"Then I rest my case."
That winds Ami up immediately.
Suddenly, the door opens—without anyone knocking to check if Ami's father is home.
"Oh? I thought your dad was still at work around this time," Gaedric says.
"He should be, and I don't remember hearing that he's sick," Ami says. To his surprise, it's his father at the door, wearing a strict expression. Ami immediately looks away, avoiding eye contact.
"Hello, sir. As usual, just dropping Ami home, but I'm surprised you're at home today too. Are you not feeling well? Or maybe just taking the day off?"
"He couldn't have taken the day off—I saw him leaving for work this morning."
"He wasn't talking to you. Don't insert yourself when grown-ups are talking," Ami's father says.
Ami squeezes his face and clenches his fists, knowing he can't do anything but listen. Gadeon watches him.
"Also, I always tell you, Gaedric, that you don't have to keep dropping my son home. He can make his own way, and it's embarrassing that a boy his age isn't capable of doing so."
"I can make my own way home, but I just prefer if Gae—"
"First of all, don't talk back to me!" his father says sternly.
The tone paralyses Ami—to the point that even Gadeon flinches. His father's voice shifts sharply, treating Ami's response as utter disrespect.
"Gaedric is a member of the SLT; therefore, he's extremely busy. And you, with your childish games, just attention-seeking—when are you going to—"
"MAYBE I'M ATTENTION-SEEKING BECAUSE I GET NONE FROM MY OWN FATHER!"
"Ami! Don't shout at your father!" Gaedric says.
"Do you also want me to play gardening and sewing with you too? Will that stop you from bothering Gaedric?" his father says with a straight face.
"Oh, sir, that wasn't necessary to say," Gaedric says, turning to Ami. He sees that Ami is about to cry, but the nasty look directed at his father shocks him.
"Don't you dare look at me like—"
"I fricking hate you," Ami says with venom.
His father's heart twists. In that moment, he remembers his own wife saying the exact same thing to him before she left.
"I can't wait to leave this house! I swear! All I need is money, and I'll be out of this place—this hell!" Ami shouts as he storms inside.
Gadeon replays Ami's words in his head—all I need is money and I'll be out—which triggers the memory of Kurtiz offering him a way to make money.