'Crap! I can't change my direction now or it will be even more awkward. There's also the possibility of them finding out something is wrong since I can't recognize my father.' Dean's brain went into overdrive as he tried to think of a way out of his current situation.
"Uncle… Given how close we are, I no longer see you as my uncle, but as a second father." He said as he continued walking towards Mason, not even flinching as he lied.
'This is the best solution I can think of, hopefully, it works.' He thought while still hugging Mason.
Leon who was watching all this stifled a laugh. He found Dean's excuse quite witty.
"Haha, good kid, I'm glad you see me that way." Mason burst into laughter.
Since Dean was his best friend's son, he didn't mind if he called him father. He also took Dean as his son. Although this was the first time Dean called him Dad instead of Uncle, it didn't really change anything.
"Brat! Acting like you didn't see me, I see you've grown some nerves, Hmph!" A cold snort came from Anthony.
Seeing Anthony's reaction, Dean let go of Mason and darted in Anthony's direction.
"Dad, those rats nearly got your son killed." He complained while putting on a look of someone who just escaped from the clutches of death. And he did it so well because he truly did escape from death's hand.
After saying this, he hugged Anthony tightly.
Leon by the side was dumbfounded.
'Isn't he playing his role a little too well?' He thought.
This would be the way the dead Dean would definitely react if he truly experienced something like this.
Leon remembered he only told Dean some details about the previous Dean's antics, but Dean is acting so well that he even started doubting if he truly died or maybe this was one of his antics as usual.
It was like he never changed.
'Hehe, who would have thought we had the same personality.' Dean thought while flashing his best smile.
When Leon told him about some of his predecessor's antics and personality, he was taken aback, because they shared exactly the same personality.
"Had you listened to me and focused on training, this wouldn't have happened. At least, you wouldn't have had to run from them." Anthony said while shaking his head in disappointment.
He had told Dean multiple times to focus on his training, but he never listens. Hopefully, this experience will motivate him. What annoyed Anthony the most was the fact that not only was Dean not training properly, he also dragged Leon into goofing around as well.
"From now on, I'll practice diligently." Dean said with a serious expression.
"You said that two months ago, but look at you, there has been no improvement in your level." Anthony said with a sigh, he truly didn't know what to do with this child of his.
"But it's good that you're fine." He patted Dean on the head.
"So, Dad, are we going to get revenge? I heard you caught one of them." Dean asked.
Although the group wasn't the one who killed his predecessor, they had a hand in it, so revenge was a must. And, this was the least he could do, so his soul could rest in peace.
"The boy isn't an important figure, so there's a good chance they'll deny it since both of you are perfectly fine. Even if the boy says they were the ones who did it, they will just say it's a scheme to spoil their image, so calling them out might actually be bad for us." Anthony spoke after giving the issue some thought.
"You're right. But we shouldn't let them get away with this easily." Mason agreed with Anthony's words.
If the boys were harmed, then they would've been able to justify their reasons for attacking them. But now, the boys were fine without a single scratch, so attacking them now will not be taken lightly by the public and also the other families. They also had to think of what the mayor of the city would say. The mayor was the only reason the families hadn't declared war on each other.
"I know. But given how things turned out, I can already guess it wasn't the handiwork of those old fogeys, else, the kids would already be dead. Even though they're shameless, I know they wouldn't stoop this low and plot against kids. So this was the idea of those little brats. I don't think this was their initial plan either, they just went with the flow when they saw the predicament of this two." Anthony said what he thought about the issue to Mason and the boys.
"Uh! Kid, are you alright?" Anthony suddenly noticed Leon hasn't said a word the entire time since they entered the hall.
"I'm fine, uncle." Leon faked a smile.
"I'll be heading to my room first." He bowed to his father and Anthony before leaving the hall.
'His room? Seems like this is not my house but his.' A realization hit Dean as he stared at Leon's lonely back view.
"I think he's upset about the fact that we were chased by those mongrels. I'll go cheer him up." Dean quickly added before following behind Leon.
"Call me when you're about to leave." His voice traveled from inside the mansion.
When he was chasing Leon, he recalled this wasn't his house and he didn't know the way to his house. It would be embarrassing to ask others where he lived.
...
"Hey, wait up." Dean called out to Leon.
"What do you want?" Leon asked coldly.
"You almost blew our cover." Dean complained as he caught up.
"I need some time alone." Leon sighed sadly.
He knew he was being quite inconsiderate towards Dean, but what else could he do? No one would react calmly when their best friend dies, and his body is occupied by another soul.
"I know. Do you have a library here?" Dean approved of Leon's current thought process.
He knew Leon needed some time to clear his head, and he also didn't expect him to accept him immediately.
After getting the direction to the library, he left Leon alone and went to the library. The library was the best place for him to get the general knowledge of this world.
Two hours later, Anthony called him over so they could head home.
By the time they wanted to leave, Leon still hadn't left his room since going in.
Dean decided to leave him alone and continue his research at home. At least, within these first weeks, he wanted to know as much as he could.
Leon on the other hand stayed in his room all day, not even coming out when it was time for dinner. The same thing happened the next day, and Mason was forced to head to his room to check on him, after telling him he was okay, Mason left.
The week ended in this fashion with Leon locked up in his room, and Dean locked up in the library, neither of them showing any signs of coming out.
Dean usually hated reading books, he preferred reading novels and manga. But his situation made it impossible for him not to read.
….
One month went by quickly.
After an entire month of Leon and Dean not coming out of the library or room respectively, their parents were alarmed.
It's not surprising that they were locked up, what surprised them was that neither of the duo had attempted to see each other since that day.
Just as Mason and Anthony had decided to call them up for questioning, Leon and Dean both came out from their seclusion-like state.