Jerry fell asleep, and Kopi returned to the couch.
He soon returned to his deep contemplation.
'Should I ask for Elder White Beard's permission?
I mean. He must be looking for a successor if he did not have one now that he is dying, right?
If it is me, then I will look for it.
I can't just let my legacy die.'
When Kopi wickedly thought of it, he soon frowned.
'However, I think Elder White Beard deemed me not suitable for it.
After all, I didn't possess an Ice elemental gift.
But… How much possibility there is if he is looking for a successor?
And in the first place… why would the strongest person live in the worst sector?
Now that I get it, he doesn't have a neighbor in a radius of a hundred meters on his house in the intel he gathered, for it was too cold to live in.
And… why am I not affected?'
Kopi scratched the back of his head. The more he pondered, the more itchy it got.
With a scratch like a slash of a claw of a dragon, Kopi grumbled, 'I hate overthinking it. I may, as well, just confront Elder White Beard.'
An idea emerged in his mind, scaring him to his wits.
'But, what if the Extraction made him covet it? Would he also have the same idea as me?'
To assure him, he asked the Extraction, 'Extraction, can you be extracted by others?'
[...]
[Replying to the host's delusional question.
No.]
Kopi heaved a sigh of relief, ignoring Extraction's first sentence.
'Then, I'm safe.' Kopi contemplated for a while before reaching a resolution. 'I will visit Elder White Beard as soon as possible then. Maybe, tonight.'
However, a bad premonition arose when he concluded when he would visit.
'What's up with this negative feeling?' Kopi frowned.
Kopi glanced at his younger brother and sighed.
'I will go right now, then. I think Father will return soon anyway.'
Kopi stood up and was about to prepare for everything before leaving, writing a letter and making sure the food would not get stolen by the cats when he perceived a noise.
It was footsteps.
He recognized it.
The rhythm.
He was familiar.
It was… his Father.
He quickly looked at the door and saw his stunned Father staring at him.
They gazed at each other in silence, but his Father broke it with a smile on his face.
It was the smile that always brought assurance to Kopi.
But now, recalling the call and his Father's condition yesterday that also affected his younger brother, he couldn't bear to face the smile.
After all, that smile… he hated it.
The smile that neighbors loved to see when they looked for a favor.
The smile that his mother loved to gaze at.
And the smile that would always appear even in their darkest times.
It was the smile that made Kopi difficult to gaze at.
Sensing his son staring downward with a downcast expression, he couldn't help but be worried.
Increasing his pace to arrive at his son, he asked with a gentle voice, "Are you okay, son?"
Kopi tried to recall that sentence and voice, but there were just numerous of them.
Kopi always had the same reaction, meekly nodding his head and then getting comforted by his father.
But right now… he tilted his head upward, with an intense gaze, and stared directly at his father's eyes.
His father was obviously startled and grew even more worried.
He didn't know what he had done for his son to be so infuriated at him.
He recalled it must be because of him getting fainted, so he tittered.
However, before he could even start the conversation, Kopi's furious voice opened his eyes wide.
"What is it you find funny? Is it funny you returned yesterday with an injury in the head and was mercilessly thrown away by your fellow worker that caused Jerry to worry?
It was the reason why Jerry kept shouting yesterday until he almost lost his voice.
He crawled on the ground while screaming for the neighbors whom you helped in the past because of your goodwill, ignoring Jerry.
One of them even told me If I didn't shut him up, they would kill him.
Do you find it funny?
Furthermore, do you also find it funny that I receive a call?
He stated that I should tell you that you owed them fifty thousand dollars. And to pay it, you have to sign an agreement to work for ten years in your beloved company?
Do you find it funny?
Huh?"
Kopi restrained from calling his father "Father."
He was so furious that he trembled while tears began to appear on his eyelids.
Witnessing his oldest son's act, he didn't know how to react.
"I-I…"
He tried to think, but he failed.
What Kopi had said was also too much for him to assimilate.
In the end, what he could only say was…
"I'm sorry…"
He bitterly smiled.
"You still smile in the end, huh?" Kopi mumbled with an ambiguous expression.
"I will give you some time to think about it, then. The call…" Kopi paused for a while and continued, "It will be up to you, Father.
But remember this no matter what you have done.
Even if you embarrassed yourself and me just to accomplish my goal.
You will always remain as my Father.
You may have set a good example, but only from my younger brother's perspective.
I will not follow it.
But I still respect you as my Father."
Kopi took a deep breath and continued:
"I hope you realize that no matter how kind you can be to other people, not everyone will reciprocate."
Kopi brushed his father's side and walked to the door.
"Where will you go?" His father asked in concern.
"None of your business."
Despite his reply, Kopi's heart ached.
He was guilty stricken from his actions on his father.
Regardless, he believed it was the right thing to do.
Gazing at his son, leaving, Fernando exhaled and smiled.
He mumbled, "No matter how you try to be so mature, you are still inexperienced. Just this setback, you let it change you.
But, right now, All I will do is to watch over you.
You are not a kid anymore.
I think you are now ready."
He smiled.
For some reason, remembering his child berating him, scolding him for what happened to him, brought him assurance.
He wasn't infuriated by the rebellious action of his child since he had already anticipated it.
However, his words and his formed convictions… Fernando believed Kopi was ready to face the reality.
What Fernando had to do was let nature shape Kopi into what he became.
"You're right. You should not follow me." Fernando produced a sweet smile. "You finally realized it.
Go and create a version of yourself."
He turned his back and glanced at his son.
He smiled again.
"Will you look at your older brother?"
He shook his head and accidentally landed his gaze on the table.
There, he saw food packed with cellophane.
He was utterly astonished and beamed a smile.