The Doldrums Village
I gave Ava a mission before I left the city. Be a watchman for me, watching over Aven and every person who interacts with him. Tell me if something is urgent. I need to come back to the village 2 days early to do something to help Aven, Ava, and the Gym. But it's not totally Aven's fault. It's big for us, normal citizens who really want to find a way out to escape. But sometimes, you have to grab whatever is in front of you, even if it isn't the best solution. I try to understand Aven because I was just like that, trying to escape and get away from my own thoughts and fears.
I have to rearrange my mind. What is the first step I need to focus on first? Even if I really want to find out what the pill does and who Zhen Yong is, why does he sell the pill secretly outside the village? To help? I don't think so. I remembered what Mr. Laith explained to me about the 4th floor in the Center building, the hospital zone. The patients go there to get a diagnosis of the Shadow specifically to help prevent it. Perhaps the pills are from the hospital. And I also remember they must have a lot of money to register to be a patient there. So, not everyone can get access. Maybe the Zhen Yong guy found the opportunity.
Stop.
I need to focus on finding money first. I need to make two million in one week before that guy takes Aven away.
The Playground
"Roelle, You come back early."
One of the team members sees me entering the building.
"Hi. Where is Mr. Laith?"
"You still got a few days more."
Another team member puts down his game's controller and joins us.
"Yes. Where is Mr. Laith?"
"Wow, rushing back to see Team leader?"
Team member no. one.
"He must be pleased. Hehe."
Team member no. two.
"Yes, yes. Where is Mr. Laith?"
"He's out. But why do you hurry back to see him?"
Team member no. one.
"You miss him, heh?"
Team member no. two.
'These two can not focus.'
"Where did he go?"
I ask.
"You know, the team leader talks about you every day. When will she come back? I want to eat Kimbok with her."
Team member no. one.
"Um, then where is he?"
I interrupt.
"I want to see her, I miss her…blah–"
Team member no. two.
'Start to get annoyed.'
"I want to see him. I want to talk to him. Where is Mr. Lath!!?"
I raise my voice to pause them.
"!!!"
They stop, give me a smirk, and shift their eyes behind me.
I am about to turn around.
"Ah!"
And then a man hugs me from behind.
"I miss you, too."
Mr. Laith.
"..."
His face is on my head.
"Mr. Laith?"
I soften my voice.
He moves his face down to the back of my head, puts it on my shoulder and puts his face inside my neck.
"ha…"
I gasp.
"We should go."
Two members speak up and run out of the door.
"..."
I can feel he breathes my skin through his nose.
"!!"
I quickly turn my body and push him away, but his hands are still on my waist.
"Do you want to see me?"
He asks.
"Yes."
"Hehe."
He chuckles and gives me a smile, a sweet smile.
Where's the creepy smile gone? It's too sweet, like his hair.
"I want to talk to you, Mr. Laith."
"Have you eaten? let's go eat."
"..."
"We'll talk there."
He opens the door and waits for me.
"Okay."
The Kimbok Restaurant
"Special Kimbok noodles for two."
"Thank you."
I watch the man in front of me rest his chin on both hands, his elbows on the table, and his eyes gazing back at me.
"Mr. Laith…What have you been up to lately?"
"Nothing much…working at the Center…and thinking about you."
"...I see…"
Maybe I should not…
'Ask him.'
"..."
He notices my behavior.
"What's wrong? Is there something happening in the city?"
Mr. Laith.
"...Mr. Laith…I…want to attend the match…Can you get it for me?"
'That's not what I meant, Roelle.'
"Hmm…"
"Within this week…"
"..."
"I don't mind who the fighters are…"
"...Actually, there are two matches available, but they are arguing about it right now…because some Mid-Rank fighters don't want to fight with those two."
"I'll take it."
"...Roelle, there's a reason why no one wants to fight them."
"..."
"Because they belong to… one of the most influential people in the Doldrums…he is a big part of the shadow market and underground."
"...Shadow market?"
"There are a lot of sides to this village, like in other cities. The city has a good image for its population, people, and tourists. But there's another side that only locals know, and there's another side… that some group of locals know…same as us."
"...You haven't talked about this before."
"Yes, because I want you to stay on this side…Even the shadow fighting is part of the market and underground…but you've seen only the good side, and I want to keep it that way…"
"...Why? Mr. Laith…sooner or later, I will know about it…I am already a part of this village and the team…you said it before…if you really want me to be truly a part of this…or you think that I am just a temporary…"
"No, Roelle…I care about you…I don't want you to get involved more than just it is."
"..."
I glare at him.
Why am I all upset?
"...I care about you more than you think."
He gives me the sweet eyes again.
"Because I'm your responsibility?"
"Roelle..."
"I'll take it…the matches…I'll take them both."
The Center building
"8th floor."
Laith Kint is wearing his black suit with a deep blue tie, wearing his glasses, and walking through the hallway. He hadn't thought he would be here this soon for his new fighter because Roelle's latest match was last week. And once again, he comes back here for his girl, willingly or not, because he can't deny her.
"Laith."
"*Sigh."
Laith sighs out and sits on the chair across from the man with gray hair and black glasses.
"Did you walk here?"
"Is the Murking match still available?"
"Hmm...which one?"
"Both of them."
"...Yes."
He answers and glances at Laith.
"My fighter will do it."
"Which match?"
"Both of them."
"...Murking match?...your girl? Miss Roelle Reize is back?"
"Today."
"Aren't you going to let your kid take a break?"
"I want to..."
"Hmm...But the match with Xiao Ming is this Friday, and Da Ming is on Saturday."
"..."
Laith closes his eyes after hearing the information.
Laith wonders, picturing and rewinding the words from Roelle's mouth, the expression on her face, and her glaring eyes at him during the meal. He is worried, intimidated, concerned, fearful, but not scared, and disappointed after he says something unpleasant to her ears. He can't imagine or predict what happened to her back in the city. What kind of situation could happen to her in only a few days?
"Why..."
Laith mumbles to himself.
"Yes or no?"
The man behind the desk.
"Two days in a row with those brothers..."
Laith talks to himself out loud.
No matter how Laith wants to say no so severely but, he doesn't want to disappoint her.
"You seem hesitant."
"But not for her…*Sigh…Yes, both of them."
"Hmm."