I walked out of the mansion, my face a mask of cold determination. The sting of Emilia's betrayal cut deep, but I refused to let it show. I kept my head high, my steps steady as I passed through the grand entrance.
Mr. Bigdalen, noticing my abrupt departure, called out teasingly, "Are you leaving so soon, Dio?"
I didn't respond. Instead, I bowed slightly in respect, then turned and continued walking out the gate. The manicured gardens and lavish surroundings faded behind me, their beauty tainted by what had just happened.
Behind me, I sensed Mr. Bigdalen's realization setting in. His teasing tone was replaced by a concerned frown as he pieced together what had transpired. The sound of my footsteps on the gravel drive was soon drowned out by the rustle of the mansion's heavy doors.
Inside, Mr. Bigdalen stormed back into the mansion, his expression dark with anger. He found Emilia alone in her room, tears streaming down her face. She looked up as he entered, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
"Dad," she cried, running into his arms. "I ruined everything. Now Dio will never talk to me again. It hurts so much," she sobbed, her words punctuated by gasps of anguish.
Mr. Bigdalen held her tightly, his anger tempered by the sight of his daughter's distress. "What happened, Emilia?" he asked softly, though his voice carried an edge of frustration.
Emilia's sobs grew louder as she tried to explain. "I didn't mean it, Dad. Hugo and Clara...they pressured me. They said it would be embarrassing to be friends with Dio and Aria, and I just...I didn't want to be left out. But now I've lost him, and it's all my fault."
Mr. Bigdalen's jaw tightened. He was furious with Hugo and Clara for manipulating his daughter, but he was also deeply disappointed in Emilia for succumbing to their influence. "Emilia, you have to understand that true friends don't judge you based on your status. Dio is a good kid, and you let peer pressure drive him away."
Emilia clung to her father, crying harder. "I know, Dad. I know. I was stupid and cruel, and now I've lost a real friend. What should I do?"
Mr. Bigdalen sighed, his anger softening into sadness. "You need to apologize, Emilia. Not just for what you said, but for how you made him feel. And you need to mean it. Dio has every right to be upset with you."
He paused, then added firmly, "Forget about Hugo and Clara. I've seen all types of people in my field, but someone like Dio... that boy has no brakes. He will go farther in life than anyone else. If you don't stay near him, you'll miss out on knowing someone truly exceptional."
As Emilia nodded, her face buried in her father's chest, I was already far from the mansion, my mind swirling with a mixture of anger and sorrow. The weight of betrayal sat heavy on my shoulders, but I kept walking, determined to leave the pain behind.
I had trusted Emilia, seen her as a genuine friend, but now I felt the sharp sting of betrayal. Determined to move forward, stronger and more cautious, I resolved to build my future with people I could truly trust.
Back in the mansion, Mr. Bigdalen comforted his daughter, his mind racing with ways to mend the rift that had formed. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to help Emilia learn from her mistakes and, hopefully, regain my trust.
Aria's voice cut through the silence as we stood waiting for the bus. "Dioooo, talk to meee, tell me what happened," she urged, her tone filled with concern.
Annoyed, I snapped back, "Leave me alone."
Tension hung heavy between us as we waited for the buss to arrive in silence, the weight of unspoken words pressing down on us both. My frustration and anger bubbled up inside me, and I snapped again, "You know what, I can go home by myself. Bye."
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, leaving Aria behind. I walked a while until I arrived in an alley. As I entered to take a leak, I noticed a crying drunk man slumped against the wall. He seemed lost, his eyes reflecting a deep, haunting despair.
A startling realization washed over me—the man bore a striking resemblance to my own past self, lost in a sea of despair and desperation. I knew all too well what that look meant. My heart raced as I watched the scene unfold before me.
Without a second thought, I dashed forward, knocking the broken glass out of the man's hand and sending him tumbling to the ground. The man landed with a thud on his back, looking up at me with a mixture of confusion and despair.
"What in the...?" the man muttered, his voice thick with emotion. "Can't a man take his own life in peace these days?"
My chest tightened as I took in his tear-streaked face. A surge of empathy washed over me, overriding my own turmoil. In a softer tone, I said, "Hey, it's gonna be okay. You don't have to do this."
But the man shook his head, his sobs growing louder. "You don't understand," he choked out. "I've lost everything. There's nothing left for me."
I hesitated at first, unsure of what to say or do. But deep down, I knew I couldn't just leave the man alone in his despair. Gathering my courage, I reached out a hand to help him up. "Listen, I know things seem hopeless right now," I said gently. "But there's always a way forward. You're not alone."
The man looked up at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief. Slowly, hesitantly, he grasped my hand, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
"Thank you," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I don't know why you're helping me, kid, but... thank you."
My heart clenched at the man's words. Amid the darkness, a glimmer of hope flickered—a chance to make a difference, to offer a helping hand in a world plagued by despair. With a steadying breath, I leaned in close to the man's ear, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Take this," I murmured, slipping a small piece of paper into the man's trembling hand. "You can use it however you want. Buy Bitcoin and wait five years. If you still want to end it all after that, be my guest. But if you want a chance at a fulfilling life, find me again in five years."
The man's hiccups subsided as he looked up at me, a glimmer of hope in his bloodshot eyes. "What's your name, boy?" he asked, his voice rough with emotion.
"Dio," I replied quietly before turning and walking away, leaving the man to ponder the unexpected lifeline he had been offered.
As I waited at the next bus stop, my thoughts drifted back to Emilia. I couldn't shake the image of her tear-stained face, filled with regret and sadness. Despite everything, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. But then my mind wandered to the hurt and disappointment I had felt when she made those hurtful remarks. It was a stark reminder that not everyone had good intentions, even those you thought were your friends.
Lost in thought, I boarded the bus and found a seat, the events of the day swirling around in my mind. Emilia's betrayal stung, but I knew I couldn't let it consume me. There were bigger things at play, and I had to focus on my own path forward.
With a deep breath, I made the decision to skip my childhood. It was a significant choice, one that would catapult me into a new phase of life, bypassing the formative years of my youth in favor of a more expedited path to adulthood. I clicked the button without hesitation, setting in motion a new chapter of my life.
As the screen faded to black, I braced myself for the unknown challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.
Dio Stat's Info:
Lvl: 5
Skill Count: 1 (Key selling point analyze)
Strength:22
Agility:15
Intelligence:8
Endurance:8
Charm:17
Dio influence, power & riches:
Money - 0 krone
Associate - 0
Asset - 10 (Gogimon pack)
Digital Asset - 0
Goons - 0
Car - 0
Guard - 0
Company - 0