It was time for Jaden to return home because nothing abnormal had happened, or at least that's what the doctor believed. He was eager to leave because he didn't want to be mistaken for a squatter… again.
He had died twice yesterday, which was enormous. Who could believe such a thing? Coming back to life. However, all of these thoughts were just lingering in the back of his mind.
'Becoming a CREDHOS, just thinking about it exhausts me.' Jaden thought to himself.
He still had a choice to make, and he had stayed awake for a long time just for that choice. He still believed that living without becoming a CREDHOS was the best thing to do.
'I admit they have a cool side to them. Everyone knows them, everyone loves them, and almost everyone is grateful to them.'
Those were the benefits of being a CREDHOS to the population. They weren't unknown heroes to the public; everyone knew them, at least the most famous ones. Some preferred to keep a low profile, while others were the kind to make themselves seen – that's how the world worked.
Jaden couldn't stop wondering if he could really become one. Besides, what kind of team would they put him in? As for people's reactions towards him, he had just learned that when the stakes were high, he had to give up.
But if he ended up in a team where all the veterans were high-profile, they would block him out, leaving him in the shadows.
'I'll never be as famous as Rei and Rush.'
*Sigh*
He felt almost tired because of all these strange things. It had only taken one day to turn his peaceful life into a storm.
'Could it be my destiny to become a CREDHOS? Did life know all this?'
Destiny was certain for some and just superstition for others. Jaden had never really thought about it, but at some point, he felt like everything was predetermined.
Everyone around him believed he would become a CREDHOS, except him. Maybe he simply didn't want to see the truth – he was avoiding it.
'Ah, I'll go home, and we'll see what happens next.'
Wrapped in a warm feeling as he exited the hospital, Jaden decided to walk home. He wasn't in a rush to get back, just to leave the hospital.
He was a Lavender, but he had decided that the driver would only come to pick him up if he requested it. He wanted to live a life he considered normal – a mindset of the rich kids.
A few steps from the hospital, a modern district stretched out, exuding life and energy. Elegant buildings rose gracefully, reflecting the sun's rays and creating a soothing contrast with the neighboring medical environment. The sweet scent of coffee wafted from open-air cafes, where passersby stopped for a moment of relaxation.
The district hosted a variety of activities and flavors, from small stalls selling local dishes to trendy restaurants offering cuisine from around the world. Cobbled streets wound their way between buildings, welcoming a mosaic of pedestrians enjoying urban life, far from the hospital's hustle and bustle.
'It smells so good that it's making my mouth water. I think I'll grab something to snack on.' Jaden thought on his way back, continuing to admire the neighborhood.
Green spaces dotted the neighborhood, offering peaceful havens where residents gathered to read, rest, or simply enjoy the moment. Shaded parks were populated with welcoming benches, inviting people to sit down and soak in the relaxed atmosphere.
'These places have surely witnessed many beautiful stories.' Jaden pondered.
The number of parks was quite high, as were the numbers of other relaxation spots, perhaps due to the HOUMs. The fact that people were dying despite the organization was a reality, so there had to be plenty of places to relax and forget about it.
That was one way to look at it, but it could also be because people had been increasingly inclined to party and have fun lately.
'Well, life must be lived, and what's better than having fun?' Jaden was the type to believe that one should have fun as much as possible, although he didn't have much fun himself.
He kept his eyes on the architectural details, which seemed like a blend of what science fiction authors put in works depicting Earth in the distant future.
He gazed at the flowers lining the sidewalks and the smiles exchanged between neighbors. He felt the invigorating breath of the neighborhood, experiencing the return to normalcy after that day at the hospital.
'How beautiful.' he remarked. There was a kind of harmony in the diversity of things he saw, the mixture of colors, cultures, and scents blended together perfectly.
Every street corner revealed a new perspective, a new story. Jaden walked slowly, absorbing the simple beauty and diversity of life flourishing in this wonderful neighborhood until he was interrupted.
"Hey there, kid! What a coincidence! Is it just me, or have you gained some muscle, and you're radiating something... new?"
A man with a less than tidy appearance said this. His white shirt was slightly wrinkled, with one button too many undone at the top. Physical appearance probably wasn't very important to this person.
His unruly hair revealed a man with an energetic and chaotic nature. It was a shade of blue, making it clear that he was far from low-key or conventional.
His face bore a mischievous smile and sparkling eyes, indicating a somewhat playful and mischievous side. His facial features might seem a bit neglected, but it was part of his natural charm.
Despite his unconventional appearance, he exuded an aura of confidence and determination that set him apart from everyone around.
'A coincidence?' Jaden let out a smile at this 'coincidence' and was quite delighted to meet this person.
"Uncle Louf! A coincidence, huh?" Jaden replied after his uncle had created a 'coincidence.'
He had been in the city for a while, probably didn't want to stop by the house, so he arranged to meet his nephew secretly for reasons unknown. Harrison – Jaden's father had mentioned him at the hospital when he noticed he wasn't there, but nobody pursued the topic further, as if that was just how he was.
"As you can see, I just came out of a café, and you happened to be passing by. What could it be if not a coincidence?" Louf Lavender asked his nephew, adding just before the latter could respond as he slung his arm around Jaden's shoulder.
"Come have a cup, the coffee served here is excellent. I would have never believed coffee could be this good."