CHANGHEOM
Many snacks are displayed on the rack. Canned foods sit on the topmost part while bags of candies, curls, biscuits, and junkies are in the lower place. I grab 2 bags of Kalbee and walk.
Reaching the counter, two older boys are already in the queue.
"That's awful, man," the boy in a black shirt says.
"But I heard some people call him a snob. Can you imagine? Richard's a womanizer!" the boy wearing a bandana says.
"Now that you say it, I think it's not impossible because of his ability."
He chuckles. "Too bad, the girls won't go now he's powerless."
"Shouldn't he be deported from the city? I mean he's no longer a Sken. Oh!" he gets the paper bag from the employee. "Thank you."
"Yeah, he should..."
They leave. On the other hand, I give my purchase to the employee. He picks it up. But he stares at me like he knows I am.
What's with this atmosphere? Maybe I should say something?
I poke the chewing on display and smile. "Good morning," I say.
He turns his head at me. "Hi sir?" his eyebrows are raised.
"You probably already heard the news, right?"
"About Richard?"
"Don't you think it's weird?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's not every day you hear someone lose his ability." and I don't know if it's even possible.
"He's really a good person."
Must be a joke. All Skens of the higher ranks is rotten.
The employee gives the bag. I exit the 11/7.
The blue skies above towers. There are not so many people around but cars and buses cross the road here and there. It's still early.
*Swoosh*
A humid wind passes. On my right, I see a group of boys.
"I have already stated that I have no desire to wander," someone says.
Taking a closer look, the one who's spoken's a boy. His hair sticks in all directions and his clothes are very wrinkly. Why is he speaking like that? It doesn't suit his appearance.
"But you're already looking like a dead body!" the other boy in a jacket shouts. Then, he points the other boy with them.
The other boy is in a black outfit. He's skinny and kinda moody.
"Hah?" he groans.
Are they gangsters?
"Come on~ I know you're sad because he's left but being sad won't do you anything."
Maybe not? But they're a weird group, I give them that.
Ok. I need to go back before he wakes up. I run.
After a while, I arrive at the house.
I walk a step at a time to not make any noise. The windows are closed. The lights in the living room are off. Seeing that the coast's clear, I head to the stairs.
A sweet fragrance tickles my nose suddenly. I stop. Uncle's awake? Oh no, I don't want to be scolded, I better act quick. So I hide the bag on my right.
"Oh! Chan!"
A voice comes from my left. I turn my head. Wearing an apron over his working shirt is uncle.
"U-uncle! Hey, g-good morning."
He narrows his eyes. "You're early. Don't tell me you bought something from the convenience store at this hour?"
"Of course not. I just woke up early. And since I can't sleep, I decided to take a walk.."
"Is that so? Then join me for breakfast." he's smirking. "Now."
Uh-oh. "Sure."
He returns to the kitchen. Meanwhile, I walk to the table while hiding the bag.
The TV shows the weather forecast for today, and it will rain this evening if I'm hearing it right. Uncle's eyes are focused on the screen. I take the opportunity to hide the bag between my legs.
He lays a plate full of pancakes.
"Thank you," I say.
"Eat up."
I take a bite of the pancake. Immediately, the taste of milk and sugar overcomes my tongue.
"This is good."
"I just threw the mix and fry it on the pan."
"But still, it tastes better when you make it."
"Thank you for that."
"News report!" the TV gets our attention.
On the screen, it displays an announcer who's staring right at me with blank eyes.
"The investigation on Ra Yeon incident, reinforced!" she says.
"They still haven't found who's done it?" I ask.
He shakes his head. "But I'm sure that it's Richard."
"But he lost his ability."
"That's what the authorities find strange too."
"Is it Cruz?"
"That must be it."
"That selfish jerk."
He puts down the fork on his plate. "Their group is taking the core of Skens just to satisfy their needs."
"I already heard that a thousand times."
"That's their condition, and with Cruz being classified as Paradigm doesn't help us either."
I take another bite of my pancake. Somehow, it tastes bitter now.
"But you don't have to fear him."
"I know... I have my own ability too."
"And you're the same level as him, if not more powerful."
"What they did was unforgivable."
"That's why I will help you avenge your parents."
"I appreciate your kindness."
"No problem because you're already my son, and I'll do anything for my child."
He turns his head to the right. On the empty chair, he lands his hand.
"The school sent this." he's extending an envelope to me.
"Where's it again?"
"At District 8."
"Ah. I remember it now."
"This fall, you'll be going back to school. It's quite far, but I know you'll be alright."
This fall...
"Are you sure that you want to study in that school?"
"Yes, uncle. It's better than attending the huge art school in the same district."
Uncle lays his hand on the table.
"I'm glad. Please do your best," he says.
"Thank you. I'll surely find him there."