Kyle and Damian sat side by side at the bar, both wearing expressions of utter defeat, sipping slowly from their free drinks as if each sip could somehow wash away the embarrassment. Neither of them said a word for what felt like hours, the silence heavy with frustration and failure.
Kyle finally broke the silence after finishing his drink, letting out a long sigh. "Well," he said, his voice laced with disappointment, "there goes our easy way to earn money. Now what?"
He turned to Damian, who was still sitting with his head down, sulking. "I mean, it was you who said we need a lot of money," Kyle added, sounding more annoyed. "And now you're sitting there with that look on your face, like I did something wrong." His tone shifted slightly defensive. "Okay, fine, I admit—maybe pitching you against Asura wasn't my brightest idea, but how was I supposed to know you'd get beaten so... one-sidedly?"
