As Ahiro's fish neared perfection over the crackling fire, the tantalizing aroma filled the forest air, making his mouth water in anticipation. He was just about to savor his well-earned meal when a sudden rustling from the nearby bushes snapped his attention away from his dinner.
His instincts kicked in as he instinctively grabbed his trusty multi-knife, the blade glistening in the firelight, and his heart began to race. He watched intently as a human figure emerged from the dense undergrowth, their movements cautious yet deliberate.
Ahiro remained silent, his grip on his knife steady, ready to defend himself if necessary. The forest around him seemed to hold its breath, and the dancing flames cast eerie, shifting shadows, heightening the tension of the encounter.
The approaching individual was rather chubby, dressed in what appeared to be mismatched attire, with a colorful assortment of clothing that hardly seemed fit for the forest. His round face bore a perpetual grin, and he waddled forward with his pudgy hand held high in a non-threatening manner.
Ahiro, however, remained cautious and pointed the gleaming blade of his multi-knife toward the unknown newcomer. "Who are you, and what do you want?" he demanded, his voice firm and laced with suspicion.
The chubby stranger stopped a few feet away, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "No need for hostility, my friend," he replied, his voice carrying a cheerful and slightly whimsical tone. "I don't have any intention of fighting. I just have a simple request." His eyes twinkled with an odd mix of sincerity and mirth.
Ahiro, perplexed by the stranger's odd demeanor, eyed him warily. "What is it you want?"
The chubby visitor grinned even wider, revealing a row of crooked teeth. "That delightful-looking grilled fish you've got there," he answered. "I'd like to have it."
Ahiro blinked in disbelief, almost unsure of how to respond to this unexpected request. "You want my grilled fish?" he repeated incredulously.
The stranger nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, absolutely! That aroma is simply irresistible." He took a step closer, still keeping his hands in the air to show he meant no harm. "I'll make it worth your while, though. How about I trade you a badge in return for that fish?"
Ahiro was taken aback. The thought of someone willingly parting with such a valuable item for a meal struck him as absurd. He couldn't help but stare at the round-faced stranger in disbelief.
Before Ahiro could react, the chubby boy swiftly tossed the badge in his direction. Reflexively, Ahiro extended his free hand and deftly caught the badge mid-air. He held it up, examining the unfamiliar emblem etched into its surface with a mixture of awe and suspicion.
The chubby man grinned even wider, seemingly unphased by the impromptu trade. "You can check the authenticity of that badge any way you like," he declared, his jovial demeanor still intact. "But first, I've got to check on that fish. If it's overcooked, you might just find me taking my badge back." He chuckled, the idea of rescinding such a deal seemingly an amusing thought to him.
Ahiro's astonishment continued to grow. He couldn't fathom the confidence the stranger had in their agreement, but he had a reputation to uphold. Slowly, he lowered his multi-knife, though he kept it in hand, and reached for the grilled fish he had prepared with care.
"All right," Ahiro said with a hint of wariness. "I'll give you the fish, but once you have it, you need to leave immediately. Deal?"
The chubby visitor nodded eagerly, his eyes fixed on the mouthwatering meal that Ahiro held out toward him. "Deal".
As the visitor hungrily devoured the grilled fish, his eyes sparkled with delight. His mouth full, he managed to squeeze out words of praise between bites. "You've got a good hand in cooking, my friend," he mumbled. "If you can pass this test, you can show me more of your culinary skills."
Ahiro, now grilling another fish, had been pondering the situation. He couldn't help but wonder if this chubby visitor was incredibly confident or perhaps just a bit on the foolish side. The latter seemed unlikely given his affiliation with the Goldbell company.
The visitor swallowed the last bite and patted his satisfied belly. "Oh, by the way," he said casually, "I forgot to mention my name. I'm Melvin Goldbell."
Ahiro's eyes widened with shock. The Goldbells were renowned as one of the biggest producers of smart bands, and Ahiro's own band was of the Goldbell brand. He had never expected to encounter a member of the prestigious family in the middle of this forest survival test.
Stuttering slightly, Ahiro introduced himself. "I'm Ahiro... Ahiro fate."
Melvin smiled warmly, offering a friendly handshake. "Pleasure to meet you, Ahiro. I won't forget your name."
Ahiro couldn't help but scratch his head in bewilderment. "But why would you give a badge in return for a fish?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Melvin, with a mysterious smile, leaned back on the ground. "Well, in my family, we have a saying," he began. "If you want something from someone else, you need to give them something of much larger value in return. It's not about equal trade; it's about showing that what you want is worth more than what they have."
Ahiro raised an eyebrow at this peculiar saying, but he decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
Melvin continued, "But there's another reason. You see, I already have enough badges to pass this test. The one I gave you was just something I had extra. So, I wanted some fish, and you wanted a badge. It's a win-win."
Ahiro's shock deepened. He had spent the entire day searching for badges and only managed to find a single one. In contrast, Melvin had casually handed over a badge as if it were pocket change.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Ahiro asked, "How did you manage to collect so many badges?"
Melvin shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, it's simple. I just beat every student that came my way. You were lucky that I already had more than enough badges before meeting you. Plus, you had fish, so I spared you."
Ahiro couldn't help but gulp at the revelation. Sitting beside him was someone who had effortlessly defeated multiple students and collected a pile of badges as if it were a walk in the park. He couldn't deny that he was now a bit more than frightened, wondering what kind of person Melvin Goldbell truly was.
On one hand, he was in awe of Melvin's strength and confidence. On the other hand, he couldn't shake off the feeling of vulnerability. He was now acutely aware that the forest wasn't just filled with badges to be collected; it was teeming with students like Melvin, each possessing their unique abilities and determination.