Apart from some of the older people at work Sunny didn't talk to anyone else really, unless needed.
the only exception to that was Keys, and when he wasn't there. sunny preferred quietly doing his job and listening to music.
Keys was one of the people he met back up with from his childhood. since he moved from the part of town Keys lived in.
sometimes he couldn't help reminisce the circumstances they met under...
A boy that looked about 13 sat on a swing.
As Sunny swung back and forth, lost in contemplation about the unsettling "dream," a slightly younger boy approached, his footsteps echoing softly on the ground.
Keys, the approaching boy, was momentarily shocked by Sunny's presence, as if he had stumbled upon an undiscovered continent. Softly uttering the word "boss," his expression hinted at a mix of surprise and delight...?!
Confused by Keys' arrival and in a bad mood, Sunny couldn't be bothered to look at the stranger, snapping fiercely, "Scram, brat!" His tone carrying a mix of irritation and frustration.
Keys, unfazed by Sunny's hostility, seized the swing's chains, bringing it to a stop. With barely any distance between them, he scrutinized Sunny's face, seemingly undeterred by the earlier command to leave.
Without further words, Sunny, irritated by the stranger's proximity and disregard for his warning, threw a punch. The impact sent the stranger sprawling backward onto the ground.
On the ground, arms sprawled, Keys seemed unfazed by the punch, more concerned about Sunny's failure to recognize him. A hint of confusion clouded Keys' expression as he processed the unexpected turn of events."But how is that possible? It's as if he has never seen me a day in his life!"
Recalling the apathetic and emotionless figure in military attire—boots, pants, and a compression shirt—Keys couldn't help but draw a connection!
Examining the kid who had just thrown the punch, noting the unfamiliarity and anger etched on his face, Keys rose to his feet. Dusting himself off, he remained composed, a mix of determination and curiosity in his gaze.
"Hey kid, what's your name?" Anticipation dripped from Keys' words.
"Hmph," Sunny snorted dismissively. "None of your business. Now beat it before I beat you senseless!" His tone remained stern, doubling down on the earlier hostility.
Putting his hands up and assuming a fighting stance, Keys snickered. "Guess I'll have to beat it out of you!" The tension in the air escalated as the two prepared for a confrontation.
Sunny, feeling he had endured enough, lunged in with a powerful left hook, aiming to end the confrontation decisively.
Stepping back swiftly with the finesse of a seasoned fighter, Keys countered with a left hook, forcing Sunny to take a step back under the impact of the unexpected blow.
Thirty minutes later, both with swollen faces, Sunny and Keys lay on the ground, arms sprawled, positioned on their backs at opposite ends. The intensity of their confrontation had given way to exhaustion, each having endured the physical toll of the prolonged scuffle.
"Why the hell are you so good at fighting, kid?" Sunny asked, a hint of anger in his voice. The unexpected skill displayed by Keys had left him both frustrated and intrigued.
After a moment of silence, as if contemplating the weight of the question, Keys replied playfully, "That's a secret!" His response, delivered with a meaningful look on his somewhat swollen face.
"Well, then I'll see you tomorrow. We'll see which comes out first – my name or your secret," Sunny retorted, infusing a tone of competitiveness into their banter. The anticipation for the next encounter lingered in the air.
Day 2
"Oh, I know what your name is now. It's 'Mr. I like getting my ass whooped by Keys,'" said Keys with a tone of playful ridicule.
"Hell no!" Laughed out Sunny.
Day 3.
"It's crazy how close I live to you. Thank God I managed to avoid a menace like you for so long," Sunny said playfully, a smiling expression evident despite the swelling on his face.
"Shut it, you doofus. I moved here recently," protested Keys, laughter escaping as he held his stomach.
Day 4.
"Laruto is so much better than Goat Piece!" Keys declared with a tone so serious it could cut nails and sever iron. The intensity in his statement hinted at a passionate preference for one anime over the other.
Sunny shot him a disdainful glance, his face more swollen than Keys', as he retorted, "G.O.A.T Piece. Need I say more?" The rivalry extended beyond physical clashes.
Day 5.
Sunny's mom, Rosa, a woman with black hair tied in ponytail style, clear brown eyes, and a motherly demeanor, looked at Sunny with a worried expression. "What have you been doing the past few days? You keep coming back with a swollen face worse than the day before!" Her concern reflected in her eyes as she addressed her son.
Pretending to put on a stern countenance, which looked quite silly with his swollen face, Sunny replied, "Nothing, Mama. I just tripped while at the playground!"
Holding back her laughter, Sunny's mother grabbed his ear, saying playfully, "You dare lie to the overlord of this castle, you brat?!" The playful scolding added a lighthearted touch to their interaction, despite Sunny's attempt to feign seriousness.
Sunny wailed, "I surrender! This foot soldier shall not lie to you ever again!" His dramatic tone apparent. Laughter rang out soon after.
In a parallel scenario, a similar situation unfolded at Keys' household, echoing the blend of camaraderie and banter that marked Sunny's interactions with his mother.
Day 6
Keys had already confirmed that Sunny was the same friend from his memories, and despite the differences, he was genuinely delighted with their reunion. The nostalgia and connection fueled his desire to continue the banter, turning it into a cherished ritual between the two friends. Two more days had passed just like that.
Day 9
"Alright, that's enough! I'll reluctantly bless your brutish ears with my name," said Sunny.
Keys rolled his eyes in response, raising his arms and adopting a mock bowing posture. "Oh, how magnanimously merciful of you!"
"It's Raq," said Keys confidently.
"It's Sunny," Sunny corrected him.
This exchange left Keys with an awkward expression, while Sunny, trying to hold back a smile, explained, "You're not very far off, that's my name, but I prefer to go by Sun or Sunny, which is my last name."
Understanding dawned on Keys' face, followed by a smile as he grasped the clarification, appreciating the slight mix-up and Sunny's preference for his nickname.
"You damn brat! You knew my name the whole time! You just wanted to beat me up, didn't you?!" Sunny uttered with incredulity. The realization brought a mix of exasperation and amusement between the now two friends. Keys, playing clueless as a Kultz, replied, "Beating? Who? What's your name again?"
Holding back the urge to start another fight he would surely lose, Sunny shot a clever gleam at Keys, opting to focus on getting stronger first.
"My secret to getting stronger isn't much of a secret, really. I just go to the gym to practice my endurance, reflexes, and build up a bit of muscle," Keys uttered, sharing a straightforward insight into his approach to strength training. "Also, you have to let me decide our handshake since we're friends now!"
Observing the beams of determination charging up in Keys' eyes, Sunny quickly threw out the white flag regarding the handshake matter. The conflicting emotions of whether to laugh or cry played out on sunny's face.
The handshake involved a dap, interlocking of their index fingers, a snappy motion, and finally, both hands extending across their chests, forming bird wings akin to an eagle in full spread.
"Hahaha, since you gave me a bit of face regarding this, I'll reluctantly give you the boss title, even though you were never able to beat me in the past few days." Keys magnanimously threw sunny this counterdeal, to which the latter rolled his eyes.