"Hey. You're not going anywhere?"
"Mhm. I have nothing to do."
"You've been saying the same thing these days. Don't you have friends?"
"Friends.. Let's see, hmm... Nope."
"...."
"Don't bother me and go to that side."
"You think I will listen just because you told me to?"
"What? What are you gonna do, brat?"
"Brat?! Come say it again, you stinky woman!"
"You dare call me stinky? I shall show you what power is!"
Oliver stuck out his tongue. The veins in Ruby's temples bulged.
"You better ran for your life before I caught you. Or I will smack that little butt until it turns into a monkey butt!"
Gyahh Gyahh
Bang!
This scene had been a common occurrence lately. Noah had lost interest in them long ago. He gave up trying to mediate between Oliver and Ruby.
Noah plunged his ear with tissues, then scurried over to an inconspicuous corner of the room while minimizing his presence. It was better to stay sane under the siege of these barbarians.
Noah coldly watched them in disdain. He decided to avert his attention to the storybook. But he hadn't even had the chance to read past the middle section when Noah was pushed and his nose bumped the wall.
"Ah. Sorry, Noah, I didn't me-"
Oliver threw a mocking face at Ruby and wiggled his butt to taunt her.
"Y-Y-You!" Ruby roared angrily and chased with red eyes.
The hands holding the storybook trembled.
Noah, Noah is.... Noah is.. super angry!!
He slowly stood up with a blank face. His eyes were empty as they stared at the two foolish people. The air swirling around Noah was freezing. Noah walked extremely quietly to the center of the battle and muttered dangerously.
"Stop."
"No can do brother. Not until she surrenders first!"
"Hahahaha. Go on! Keep dreaming!"
Ruby threw the last pillow in her hands to Oliver which was dodged at the last minute. It sadly ended up hitting Noah's face. Afterward, the pillow slid down, revealing Noah's black face. His expression was thoroughly heavy with thunders up in his head.
Oliver's memories were struck by lightning. He suddenly remembered that expression from their childhood. The moment Noah showed this side of him, everybody would soon face doom.
Oliver's mouth clamped shut. He ran faster than a rabbit to hide, leaving Ruby behind.
Ruby inwardly roared again. What are you doing comrade?!
You have deserted the squad!
Knowing that one lamb had fled, Noah's attention was glued to Ruby. Her back was covered with cold sweat. She wryly laughed.
Coughing, Ruby murmured, "I.. remember I have to buy groceries.."
"Is that so?"
"...Yeah."
"Right now?"
"...Seems like it."
Ruby waited and waited with her head facing the ceiling. Her eyes wandered aimlessly. Yet, Noah was quiet.
Curiosity got the better of her. Ruby lowered her head. "Uaak!"
Her heart almost stop after it jumped to her throat. When she faced down, she was greeted by Noah's rounded empty eyes right below her. It's hella scary!
His voice sounded hollow, "Take us too."
Ruby shivered, "Sigh. I got it."
It was her defeat.
Ruby took them to the mall nearby because Noah wanted to buy books. Meanwhile, Oliver was interested in movies. He had always dreamed to watch movies in the big cinema. Since it was their first official outing, she supposed it won't hurt to go with their wishes.
Ruby considered the route and chose to watch the movie first.
"Which one do you want to see?"
Oliver gleefully pointed at one poster. Ruby glanced at the romantic characters having a loving stare on the poster before flatly refusing. "Choose one suitable for your age."
"Then, this?"
Ruby looked at the poster with the tank and guns being displayed and her mouth twitched.
"Do you think it's suitable for you to watch?"
Oliver was surprised, "It's not?"
Ruby was speechless. Well, according to common sense then it's too early for you to watch. However, the two boy's surprised expressions made Ruby even more speechless.
"I've seen a lot of people carrying guns in the black alley, though."
Even Noah had to agree. In their eyes, it was normal for people to carry such weapons in everyday life.
Ruby stared at the two of them. This time, no jokes could be seen coming from her. Her eyes were dead serious as she explained.
"They have a gun to protect themselves because the environment they live in is not safe. You should have known how dangerous it is to survive in the black alley. It's not a place where people could hope for days to pass without the need to remain cautious about the safety of their life. If you are staying in that kind of place, that is indeed understandable for you to get a gun. Although the weapons circulating in the black alley usually don't come from legal means."
"But, you have to remember. You are now living in a safe and protected environment under the authority of the police uncles. When you are in trouble, you can go to the police station or search for the police uncles closest to you to ask for help. So you don't need a weapon of that caliber such as guns. You could, however, bring another kind of safety protection tool with you."
Which reminded Ruby that she had to buy it for them later.
Noah tilted his head in wonder. It was rare for him to have a complicated look. "What if the police couldn't help us and we don't have a choice but to rely on ourselves?"
Ruby also wondered. "Huh. That's right."
"You can protect yourself by learning martial arts. At the very least you won't easily die."
"Martial arts? What is that?" Oliver's eyes are basically sparkling.
It sounds so cool!
Ruby contently accepted the stars of his eyes which were stabbing her heart. Her sight turned to the left.
"if you want to know, let's watch this instead."
The title of the movie was perfect to help Ruby answer Oliver's question. Because she was too lazy to explain it.
It was "Kung Fu Foxy"
Very nice.
"Okay! Go go go!" Oliver rubbed his palms excitedly like some fishy old man. Ruby's eyelids twitched but she pretended to be blind.
Ruby felt a tug on the hem of her shirt. and found Noah gripping it tightly. His expression was still stoic as usual, however, there were faint fireworks exploding inside his dark eyes.
Noah felt a sting on his cheeks. He looked up at Ruby who froze. Puzzled, Noah asked, "Not going?"
"Eh."
Ruby awkwardly said, "Go. Why not go?"
Noah nodded earnestly. He hadn't realized where his hands were because of the happiness bubbling in his little tummy. Noah struggled to keep his feelings checked.
The boys watched the movie in relish. They were staring straight at the screen, never straying. They weren't annoyed even when Ruby poked at their fleshy, plump cheeks.
Ruby felt gratified. She hadn't fed these little things in vain.
"Awesome! So cool and powerful!!"
"Yeah. You're right."
"I felt like I had become foxy who punch and kick handsomely~"
Oliver mimicked the punch and shouted "Bam, bam!"
"You don't have the necessary skill."
"Of course, I know that!"
Ruby listened to their chattering and snickered. Her mood was lifted for an unknown reason.
"Do you understand now? That's how you defend yourself with martial arts."
The two nodded like chickens pecking at rice. Oliver was sly, he wanted to strike Ruby while the iron was hot. Since he somewhat knew Ruby was in a good mood.
"Can we learn it?"
Noah's ears perked up. He took a glimpse at Ruby and saw her smile.
"Sure."
Ruby silently thought, 'I saw it coming.'
They went to the bookstore for the next stop and stay for another hour. Behind the shelves, Ruby gave Oliver a stern warning look. Yet, Oliver ignored it. He kept doing what he wants.
Fine. You asked for this.
Ruby lightly slapped Oliver's butt when he naughtily hid Noah's chosen book to study.
Oliver blushed in shame. Even though he almost blew up from embarrassment, he adamantly tried to hide the books again. Ruby found out about it, but this time she didn't do anything.
She just whispered into his ear, "There are witnesses who saw your butt was slapped."
Oliver... is going to die from anger and shame!
He indignantly clung to Noah and recounted the whole thing in grief.
Noah patiently listened. Though, in the end, he also said, "I think there are some people who take pictures of it."
Oliver, "...."
Oliver couldn't take it anymore.
Beads of tears hung on his beautiful bright eyes. His dense eyelashes fluttered pitifully.
When they felt that it was enough, Ruby nudged Noah to go.
"Promise me, you wouldn't do this again."
"Uh.. Sniff.. sniff.."
Noah sighed, "I know you don't like studying. But you should give your best shot before giving up, Oliver."
"This is for your future."
Ruby poked Oliver's red nose. She helped Noah to console the little guy, "I lied. No one cares about your monkey butt."
Oliver glared at the other, but reluctantly let her poke again a few times more. "I know."
He knew. But he was embarrassed when he truly imagined someone saw his butt being slapped.
His dignity as a man is being questioned.
"Good."
Ruby patted his head before moving onto Noah's smooth hair and patted him too.
They hurried over to buy some groceries after realizing it was getting late. By the time they arrived home, the three were really tired. Nobody said a word as they lay on the sofa, waiting for Auntie Lyn to cook dinner.