After about an hour of shopping, Ava finally chose a comfortable yet stylish outfit: a pair of Nike shorts and a matching Nike shirt.
Ava: "It looks nice on you, don't you think?"
Dakota: "Yeah, it does. I actually like it. Thanks for picking it out."
Ava: "No problem. But now it's time for us to head home."
Dakota: "Yeah, I think it is."
They both left the shopping mall and decided to order a taxi to take them home.
Ava: "Actually, Dakota, why don't you come to my house?"
Dakota: "Huh? Why should I?"
Ava: "Because it's gonna be fun!"
Dakota: "I don't know..."
Ava: "Oh, come on! You haven't visited in a while!"
Dakota: "Ah, fine. Let's go to your house."
Ava: "Yes!"
Dakota: "I'm gonna call my parents first and let them know I'm coming to your place."
Ava: "Okay."
Dakota took a few minutes to call his parents, then they both settled into the taxi. After half an hour, the taxi finally arrived at Ava's mansion.
Ava: "We're finally here!"
Dakota: "Yes, we are. Let's go inside."
They both stepped out of the taxi and headed toward the grand entrance of the mansion. Ava opened the door with ease.
Ava: "I'm home!"
Sophia: "Oh, Ava! You're finally home! And... oh, Dakota! You're here too!"
Dakota: "Yes, I am. I hope you don't mind me intruding."
Sophia: "Of course I don't mind, future son-in-law."
Ava: "Ah, Mom, I told you not to say that anymore."
Sophia: "I know, but I couldn't resist! I wanted to see you blush."
Ava: "Ugh, Mom, I hate you!"
Franklin, who had been quietly sitting nearby, smiled as he turned to them.
Franklin: "Now, now, don't be too mean to your mother, Ava."
Dakota: "Oh, hello there, Franklin."
Franklin: "Again, not treating me with respect."
Dakota: "You're the one who told me to drop the honorifics."
Franklin: "Yeah, I know. And now I regret saying that."
Ava: "Anyway, Dakota, let's go up to my room."
Dakota: "Okay."
They both made their way upstairs to Ava's room. As they entered, Dakota looked around.
Dakota: "So, what do we do now?"
Ava: "I don't know. You decide."
Dakota: "...Huh? You invited me over, and you don't know what to do?"
Ava: "Yeah, I thought you would think of something."
Dakota sighed, then grinned.
Dakota: "Really, I have to think of something? Oh, fine. Does your brother have the new Sparking Zero game?"
Ava: "Oh, the new Dragon Ball game? Yeah, he does. Why?"
Dakota: "Then let's go to your brother's room and play it."
Ava: "Do we really have to go to his room? You know how excited he gets when he sees you."
Dakota: "Yeah, I know, but still, let's go."
Ava: "Ugh, fine."
Ava reluctantly agreed, and they made their way to Andy's room.
Dakota: "Hey there, Andy."
Andy: "Oh, Dakota! You're here!"
Andy's eyes widened, then he snapped out of his surprise and ran toward Dakota, giving him a big hug.
Dakota: "Yes, I am here. Do you have the new Sparking Zero game?"
Andy: "Yes, I do! Wanna play?"
Dakota: "Yes, I do!"
The three of them spent the next few hours playing the game, laughing and talking between rounds. Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was time for Dakota to leave.
Dakota: "Today was really fun, but now I think it's time for me to go."
Andy: "Goodbye, Dakota! Make sure to visit us soon."
Dakota: "Don't worry, I will."
Sophia, who had been watching them from the other room, couldn't resist another comment.
Sophia: "It's a promise then, future son-in-law!"
Ava: "MOM! What did I tell you about saying that?"
While Ava and her mother continued their playful argument, Franklin made his way over to Dakota.
Franklin: "Goodbye, Dakota. And the next time you visit, make sure to treat me with respect."
Dakota: "We'll see, Franklin."
Franklin sighed, shaking his head in mock exasperation.
Franklin: "Oh, why did I even bother?"
Dakota chuckled and made his way to the door.
Dakota: "Oh, my father's here. It's time for me to go. Goodbye, everyone."
They all waved as Dakota left the mansion, heading toward his car. As he got in, his father was already waiting for him.
Father: "So, was today fun, Dakota?"
Dakota: "Yeah, it was. I really hope nothing bad happens tomorrow."
Father: "Hmm? Will something bad happen tomorrow?"
Dakota: "I hope not."
With a sigh of relief, Dakota leaned back into the seat as they drove home. Life seemed calm for now, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.
---
A month passed, and everything remained uneventful.
Dakota: "Well, would you look at that. Two months gone by without anything bad happening."
Dakota smiled as he walked outside, feeling a sense of peace.
Dakota: "This is truly a blessing."
His friends had all been discharged from the hospital a few weeks ago, and they were back to their normal routines.
Dakota: "I hope nothing bad happens today..."
Dakota greeted his friends as they met up in the park.
Dakota: "Oh, hey, guys! Nice day today, huh?"
Lucas: "Yeah, it is a nice day."
Liam: "Looks like it's a sparring day too."
Dakota: "You're gonna get your ass kicked, Liam. Calm down."
Liam: "Yeah, you're right..."
Liam's voice trailed off, his confidence shaken by Dakota's words.
Mia: "But what should we do today?"
Dakota: "I think we should just chill today."
Ava: "Wow, didn't know the word 'chill' could come out of your mouth."
Dakota: "Yeah, well, it did. Plus, I don't want anything bad to happen today, so let's just relax."
Just then, the principal's voice came through the PA system.
Edward: "Hey, my dear students, we need your help for something."
Dakota: "Oh no, I feel like it's gonna be something bad."
Edward: "I will announce it at the cafeteria, so all students should gather there."
Dakota: "Oh, crap. Something bad's definitely going to happen."
They all made their way to the cafeteria, where the rest of the student body had already gathered.
Edward: "Now that all the students have gathered, I will announce something new."
Dakota: "Something new? Wait, it's January, right? That means this is the time they added that."
Edward: "We've added something called 'A Battle Test.'"
Dakota: "I was right. Things are going back to being bad again."
Edward: "The Battle Test is a challenge where we grade each student's strength. All students will have to compete in this test."
Henry: "Sounds interesting."
Jack: "Yes, it does. I wonder what kind of test it will be."
Lucas: "A test, huh? Looks like it could be fun."
Liam: "Yeah, it does."
Dakota: "It would've been fun, if it weren't for those bastard Djinns and humans breaking in and running the test."
Dakota: "What a pain in the ass. I should've never written this arc."
Dakota muttered under his breath, but he couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes.
Dakota: "Let's just get this over with."
Edward: "The Battle Test will be tomorrow, so make sure you're ready for it."
Edward paused, then smiled.
Edward: "Okay, you may now leave."
The students shuffled out of the cafeteria, their conversations buzzing with excitement and apprehension.
Lucas: *"What do you think Dakota, will it be fun?"
Dakota: "I guess so, but it will also be a pain in the ass".