"Once upon a time, in a far away land, a dwarf named Eisen made a revolutionary machine. One that surpasses every and any technology made so far. But then one day, he made a mistake. A very huge mistake. 'Machine, can you fix the world temperature?' he asked. Then the Machine answered 'It is possible by the destruction of your species.' Then without any warning, the world in a blink of an eye lost the very species that made it suffer. The end."

After our teacher read the short story, everyone went silent. They stopped playing around, chatting with each other or sleeping and napping. They focused their attention solely towards him.

"Now then everyone," he smiled. "Can anyone tell me who the dwarf is?"

I looked around. 360 degrees. No one. None on my left, back, no one. This is bad.

I don't want to but I have no choice. I raised up my hand. He looked at me in surprise.

"Oh? Mr...." he said before staring at the class roster. "...Meyumin? Oh! Meyumin, what's your answer?"

"Uh..uh......... I-I-It's Eisen," I answered.

"Uh... Can you level up the volume, we can't hear..." He leaned forward with his hand on his left ear while looking at my eyes.

"It's Eisen!" I gave my loudest voice which sounds NORMAL enough to them. Well, I'm actually the one who decided that this is my loudest voice.

"That's correct! I'll give you an extra points for this. The rest of you! Will get an extra of.... negative points!" He declared happily in a welcoming pose before clapping his hands together. Everyone grumbled at his declaration rebelling against him but they cannot do anything so they just sat still at their seats glaring at me.

I sat down trying to hide from everyone's stares. Then I looked over to my left, the girl who rarely speaks like myself met me in the eye. She smiled.

Badump! What was that about!!! W-w-what's her deal!! Why did she smile at me!!? What's all that about!!

image [https://nullme5.art.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/28illustrations29jambow_013786583900737485779.jpg]

I looked away and buried my face in between my arms. This is embarrassing. We've never talked before why would she smile at me?

I guess I'll never know. Or maybe I'm just weird.

1.1

The lunch time bell rang. It's been a very tiring day, I want to at least get some peace and quiet while eating.

I never thought that my classmates would interview me about the story our teacher read. Well, we have not received any textbooks after all. Sigh!

I thought I was going to die.

As I made my way through the hallway leading towards the school canteen, I caught a glimpse of the 'smile girl' through the window. She seem to be having a fun conversation with three upperclassmen. They are all boys. They doesn't seem to be flirting with each other. Well nevermind.

It's none of my business so I'll just head towards the canteen.

Upon my arrival. I noticed that there seem to be less students than usual. About 20 or so, around 70% less.

There also are less choices on the menu. I ordered a rice and a sunnyside up egg. This is always what I eat at school. I am broke after all. My parents rarely give me allowance, therefore, I have to find my own money.

I was shocked at the taste. How could this be! It tasted more bland than usual. Perhaps they used a lab grown egg. But the price is the same. I guess not.

I gulped it all in 2 minutes.

With a lot of free time on hand, I wandered around the school garden. Rarely are there anyone visiting this place. It would be a nice place to take a nap.

While walking towards my favorite bench, I saw three people from a distance. They seem to be pulling the smaller one.

I approached them stealthily and stopped to watch them, close enough to hear them.

"I said I don't want to!" The small figure shouted. The voice is that of a girl.

"Come on! It's just a few minutes, it won't even hurt," one of them kept pulling her.

"He's right. It won't hurt. You will even feel good about it."

"I won't!" She tried pulling herself away but it was in vain.

"You left us no choice but to force you then. We just want to do it with you. We won't be rough."

What are they talking about!? Is it that!!!!!?? No way!! Am I just witnessing a kidnapping and a .....

"Agh!! I said I'm not coming with you!" One of them carried her legs while the other is carrying her with her arms.

"It's fine, you just have to accompany us."

"We'll be gentle."

They then disappeared from the view upon entering the school building to their left.

Once they're gone, I approached my beloved bench to lay down and to look up at the skies. Forget about what I just saw. I never saw anything!! Haha Haha Ha!

The smell of moist grass. The sound of birds chirping, some background noises of people talking and the relaxing heat from the sunlight enveloped me until I fall asleep.

1.2

I got awoken by the sound of someone calling my name while tapping my cheeks.

"...Meyumin wake up! Hey wake up! Wake UP!" That person shouted through my ears followed by a sharp pain on my cheeks.

"Ouch! What the hill!" Upon opening my eyes, the smile girl appeared.

"The lunch break is over! We'll be late you know."

"Oh, sorry." Why does she care anyway?

We arrived at our classroom 10 minutes late. I thought we are about to get scolded really bad but the subject teacher is absent.

I sat down back to my chair. I took a glance of the smile girl. She looked back at me, smiled then waved at me with her right hand.

"Want to play JamBow?" She asked.

My posture straightened. Looked directly at her face with a hint of confusion.

"Jam.. bow? What's that?" I asked.

"It's a VR game. Haven't heard about it?"

"No. I'm not a rich kid."

"Aw..." She turned her face to her desk, looking a little disappointed followed by an awkward long silence.

"Uh.." I tried reaching my hand to her but I stopped midway. I can't bring myself to tap onto someone.

After my useless try call, she turned her eyes towards my direction then smiled before opening her mouth. "Then, want me to come with you when you buy it?"

"W-what? Uh..." I averted my eyes from her gaze. I can't... I don't know if I should. I don't know if I can. I don't even have the money to buy it.

"Then that's decided~" she nodded before showing to me her brightest smile.

"B-uh...."

I can't say no.

1.3

The school bell rang, dismissing all of the students inside.

I don't know what to do. Should I wait for her or not?

She's still asleep, with her arm acting as pillow, her face facing the direction of my seat. "Uh.. girl..." I called out while tapping her shoulder. She is sound asleep. I drew nearer to her face. Nearer.

Now that I saw her face closer. She's kind of cute. Cute! Cute! Cute!

"Hey girl. Wake up. Hey..." I tapped her cheeks. They are soft. I want to touch it forever. "Ughreehhge–" she grumbled. Her eyebrows are twitching. "...wake up or I'll kiss you."

"Kiss me?" Her eyes that should have been shut close a second ago immediately opened up.

"OUAAAAAAH!" I fall back hitting my bottom down on the ground making a thud sound.

"It's not good to steal a kiss from a sleeping maiden, you know?" She asked pointing to her lips.

"Y-Yes of course. I'm just joking! Ehe ehe–"

I can't look at her!! Ugh!! This is too embarrassing!! Uwahh!!

"What's wrong?" She asked tilting her head to the side.

"L-look! T-those fat sacks are visible!!" I shouted while pointing at it, flustered at what I saw in a second glimpse.

"Oh~" she giggled. "Want to see them up close?" She stood up and drew closer to me. She lifted her left hand before pinning me to the wall. Her face drew in closer and closer to the point that I can hear, smell and feel her breath. By the way, it tastes like the strawberry flavor in one of the popular yogurts.

"W-what is this? Why's a girl pinning me!? W-w-waaaa what did I do to deserve this!!"

Stolen story; please report.

"Look this way," she said in a whisper-like voice.

"No! W-w-what's happening!?"

"I'm coming."

"Co... ming!!!?"

"Don't make it sound weird. I'm coming. You're going to buy the game aren't you?" The arms that are pinning me disappeared from the view.

My vision turned towards her, slowly, bits of her are appearing. She is ready, with her backpack on, looking at me with a smug on her face. Her right hand stretched towards my direction with her fingers opening and closing her palm back and forth.

I gathered my belongings and stepped out of the classroom together as the last people there. Now it's empty. We locked it from the inside before closing the door, as what our homeroom teacher told us—before leaving the school grounds.

Once we are outside, I followed her lead. As only she knew where the shop is out of the two of us.

"So... Where are we going?" I asked feeling doubtful.

"Don't worry I won't kidnap you," she laughed.

"That's what kidnappers say," I distanced myself from her a little.

"There," she pointed. "That's the shop of games and consoles!" Her eyes sparkling with joy.

The shop has transparent walls and door at the front, displaying numerous shelves full of VR games and some consoles. Inside is a huge space filled with said shelves except for a long space which seem to make out a path to make the store's counter stand out.

"Here!" She shoved to me a box with a name 'JamBow' printed on it. "This is the game. By the way.." I looked towards her. "Do you have a VR console yet?" she asked.

"No, I don't."

"Then, let's get you one!" Her eyes brightened, blinding me.

Too much information, my mind feels like exploding. She kept informing me about the pros and cons and some of the perks of the different consoles. In the end, I ended up buying the cheapest one. It is surprisingly well within my daily budget. Never thought that it's this cheap.

1.4

Oversleeping is my hobby every weekend. It feels good but is unhealthy. I have to fix my sleep habits. Junk sleep.

I have not made any contact with the smile girl ever since yesterday.

"Come down the stairs!!" My mother shouted.

Downstairs, my mother and sister are sitting at the dining table across each other—waiting for me, fork and spoon on each of their hands. My mother's sharp stare pierced through me as well as my sister's.

"Oversleeping again!" My mother said in a harsh tone.

"You could have just eat it instead of waiting for me."

"There you go again, just fix that habit of yours."

"I won't."

She sighed, exasperated at my usual reasoning. I sat down to the other side, forming a T-shape. No more conversations proceeded through lunch until we finished eating and walking our separate ways.

I walked out of the house. Upon stepping outside, the beaming sunlight burned my eyes. The lid of my eyes immediately closed, tears coming out from the pain. I went back inside grabbing my handy portable umbrella.

Looking around, everyone seem to be doing the same as me, holding up an umbrella. Sometimes, the temperature would reach up to 44° Celsius, hot enough to cause dehydration from too much sweating or worse, a heat stroke. Mostly everyone outside are wearing white clothes and white rubber boots in order to reflect as much light and heat as possible.

A chiming sound of bell is approaching me from behind. I turned around to look at what it is. The vehicle stopped. There was a huge parasol shading the cart, a person on the right side is driving it with a bicycle. Kids are gathered around him buying the ice cream he sells.

"How much is this?" I asked, pointing at the biggest cup to be found.

He looked surprised, looked at me in the eye before his answer. I bought it—with a discount.

I walked down the park nearby in search of a bench to enjoy my ice cream. In one of the bench, the smile girl is there talking with a boy who seem to be the same age as us. I walked slowly, then sat at a bench near them. Eavesdropping is also one of my hobbies.

"What did you get from that Unique Monster?" asked the boy.

"Oh! I got the 'An Eye of Cyclops' item. I don't know what to do with it so I just kept it in my inventory," she answered, twirling her hair.

"Do you have a smithing skill?"

"No. Who would do that!?"

"Idiot," the boy muttered.

"So, what do I do with it?" She asked pleading him for answers.

"Go to a smith. Ask an NPC not a player, they are cheaper but with less quality"

"Then I'll ask you. You will not ask for a fee right? Right? Right?"

"Fine! Just give me the necessary materials I need! Don't complain about the cost of them, understood!?" He sat firm, locking his arms on each other acting as a form of shield.

"Okay~" she kissed him on the lips.

Gah! What!! I covered my eyes. I'm too innocent for this!! Don't show it to me! I'm just 17 years old! I don't understand! Why are they doing those!! Huhuhu! Sobs.

"...if it isn't Meyumin~"

Ugh! Seems like all my squirming notified them of my existence. I looked away from their direction, munching on my ice cream. "It's not Meyumin, I'm Mei. Just your normal ice cream eating kid."

I can't see their reactions. I think they probably know I'm lying. I stood up then ran fast. I almost spilled my ice cream.

I lost them. Finally!

"You think you can escape?"

"Owah!!!" Thank me! My ice cream did not spill. This time, I did not fall over.

She laughed, holding up her stomach, pounding at her thin thighs. "You run slow you know... Hahahihi!" she wiped off the tears on her eyes.

I don't know what to say. This is why I hate talking to people.

Ah!!! I forgot my umbrella!!

"...you...saw my umbrella?" I asked.

"Here you go!" The umbrella I asked of her was thrown at me hitting me on the face. "Uh.. sorgy accident."

"You're too fasht Lia!" The boy she was talking to earlier arrived in a state of lacking breath.

Lia? Is that her name?

"My bad my bad." She looked at me smiling. "This thing is my cousin, Shina. I'm Liliana," her right hand reached out to me asking for a handshake. I gave it to her.

Cousins kissing? Maybe it's a normal thing, I don't know.

"Feminine name.." I murmured.

Shina dropped down on the ground as if a brick just fell down on him.

"Ew! What is this!!" He complained.

"What's wrong?" Liliana asked.

"A poop!... A poop!!... A poop!!!!! It's on my jacket!!!" He wailed. Tears gushing out of his eyes as if it was about to pop out any moment. He screamed and wailed before throwing the jacket far, far away from his vicinity. "A poop! A poop just..." She approached him and comforted him by patting his head.

I can't help but burst out laughing inside. I feel like dying inside. I can't! I can't! This is way too funny! Skull emoji! Skull emoji! For real! For real! Hahahahhaha!!!! Hahhaha! Hahahaha!

I never thought I'll see someone accidentally fall down on a poop! Ahahahahha!!! I can't stop laughing!! Ahahahhah!!! Hahahahah!!!! Ahahhahaah!!!!!!

"Hey! Stop laughing!!" With that push, the laugh under my control bursted out like a nuclear bomb.

"Hahahahhahaaha!!!! I can't! I can't stop laughing! Hahahhaha! I never thought I'll see... Hahahah!!" I sealed my laugh but it's still leaking even just a bit. "Sorry, I just can't... I never saw someone fall down on a poop," giggles leaking out.

A small nearly inaudible giggle came from Liliana before she covered her mouth.

"Hey Lia! Even you!!" He grumbled.

"Sorry. Let me buy you a new jacket."

"Thanks."

"You are coming with us, Meyumin," she proclaimed while pointing at me, smirking.

1.5

Upon entering our local department store, we made our way inside. The place is... not that confusing. There are tags of what that or this area is about. In front of us are the stairs and the moving stairs.

I stepped on the stairs waiting for them to join my departure. I stared at them, busy talking to each other. "Are we not going up?" I asked.

"We'll ride the escalator," Liliana said.

Now this is life threatening to me. "Sorry, I'll go up the stairs. See you up there," I waved a temporary goodbye to them before rushing upstairs.

Slowly but safely, I made my way up and managed to arrive at the second floor. I looked to my surroundings, walked around from section to section, they still are not visible.

That's right! I never asked them which floor it is!!! Ughhh!!!

I don't want to move up anymore. Fearing that my life would end here, I took the time to look around each section I stumbled upon. Right now, there are glasses and eye glasses in front of me. It's not this section.

I turned around to scan my surroundings. There, at the very far corner of the place, I can see some jackets and clothes hanging over the walls. I felt relieved.

Upon arriving at the clothes section, I spotted two familiar backs.

"Um... Lilian—," I asked tapping her back. She turned around revealing her face.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else."

Eek!! This is it! I'm done with this place! I'm leaving!

Even when I walked downstairs, they are nowhere to be found. I walked out of the store with a plan of waiting for them outside. But, the very same people that I am looking for are now in front of me busy talking with each other.

"Oh! Meyumin!!! Where have you gone!?" she asked, "We waited for you at the fourth floor but you did not appear so we just bought it and waited for you here."

"I got lost."

"Pffft!!" Shina laughed. "Wow! I never thought I'll see an adult get lost!!" He looked at me directly to my eyes, smirking.

"No. I just thought you would stop at the second floor." He looked at me annoyed after giving my comeback. "This wouldn't have happened if you did not fall on a poop," I added.

He did not seem to hear it. It might have gotten lost in the wind that just passed by. "Can I go home now?" I asked.

"No not yet. Let's eat some ice cream," she raised her arms grabbing me in my arms. "Don't you dare leave."

This is definitely a threat. A world class threat.

"You need to forget that scene. The kiss," she said casually, staring at me with her blank eyes.

I wish I did not eavesdrop earlier.

At the ice cream shop, both of them are seated next to each other while I was across them, watching them flirt. Is this really a normal cousin behavior? I asked myself.

"Here you go!" The server served us our short waited ice cream. It's free, they will pay for my share. Both of them.

"Now then, back to the topic," she leaned towards me, her forearms pointing upwards with her fingers entwined to each other locking it. It's the same gesture you see during a negotiation.

She looked at me, sharply, piercing through me before opening her mouth releasing the first sentence that might spell my doom. "Did you see that? The kiss?"

I nodded. I do not want to die sir!

She continued, "We told you that we are cousins, right?" I nodded. "Just so you know, we did not kiss. That's just an illusion you saw." I nodded, sweat fell down from my chin down the table, splashing.

"I see... I get it. I won't tell anyone."

"So you really thought it was huh!!"

"Uh... I DON'T!!"

"What are you flustered for? Just spill it. SPILL IT!" I turned over my mug and spilled the ice cream. "Not that!" I scooped up the ice cream back to my mug.

"Don't misunderstand! We definitely did not kiss okay?"

"Okay. It's not like I care or anything"

"That's fine then," that intimidating gesture and aura disappeared.

I scooped a mouthful of ice cream and gulped it down. The cream, the flavor, it was great. You can feel the ice cream melting in your mouth and the creamy texture it has. The Maccha flavor just added a whole new experience to it. I can't explain it in words. It's just so much better than the ice cream peddler.

"Did you play the game?" Liliana asked.

"No. I haven't touched it yet," I shook my head. "I tinkered with the console last night. It's ready to run but I still haven't played the game"

"I see," she put her hand below her chin, thinking of something. "Do you have a Deezcord account?"

"I do," I showed her the app on my phone.

"Here," she shoved her phone screen on my face, "Join my deezcord server."

I copied the sequence showed on her screen and clicked join. I was welcomed by a welcome page telling me the server rules.

"I'm the moderator, both of you are just members. Is that okay?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Mei? Pffttt!!!! Now that's feminine!" Shina exclaimed, making fun of my username on deezcord.

"At least it's not my real name." The pitiful guy looked at me with contempt. "Femboy," I muttered.

Unexpectedly, tears began sliding down his cheeks while eating his share of ice cream. I was just joking. I never thought he'll take that one seriously. Now I feel bad.

".. s-sorry. I did not mean to make you cry."

The atmosphere turned awkward. No more conversations proceeded as we eat up our ice cream. I really do have the curse to make everything awkward don't I? I hate myself. It's probably better for me to not talk to anyone anymore. I should bring back my turtle shell.

After we finished eating, I waved goodbye to them and went home—looking down the road I am walking on.

1.6

I somehow cannot lift up my head. My vision is stuck down the ground. I can't look up. When did my head got this heavy? I don't understand.

This feeling... it's familiar. I think I've felt it before. Ah. I see... I'm depressed again.

"Hahahahaha! Who would've thought... my daily depression is back. I found it strange that it disappeared yesterday, but who would have thought it will be back just like that..." grins. "Hahahahaha!"

"Eh!" Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind.

"Don't step forward!" He shouted. "Do you want to die!?"

"Eh?" I looked forward, the pedestrian light is red. "I see... sorry..." I stood still, stared at the traffic light, waiting for it to turn green.

A truck passed by, fast. A strong wind followed by, blowing my hair bangs to the side. It messed it up. My long grown hair covered my right eye, rendering it visionless. I should have had it trimmed up.

While fixing my bangs, the traffic light at last, turned green. The whole crowd behind me began advancing forward forcing me to go along with the flow.

I should have died. A voice echoed through my mind.

Well, nevermind. I still have a tomorrow.

1.7

Another morning another day. Surprisingly, I woke up very early today. It's still just 6 in the morning. It would be nice to do some jogging.

After taking a morning bath, I stepped outside the house in a jogging suit. I stretched my legs right and left, right and left.

There are not that much people awake. I thought there will be more morning people, but I guess it's Sunday after all. It's a day off for most people.

After finishing my warm up stretch, I began jogging.

There are some people coming out of their homes. Some are cleaning their share of the sidewalk. It's their job to clean it after all. Some are just there, outside, sunbathing.

Ah~ this is uninspiring. I don't have anything to observe.

The sun in front of me is slowly shrinking as it move far away from the horizon. Its orange tint slowly gets replaced as its light becomes less and less saturated.

The department store that we bought from yesterday is still closed. There are some stalls and stores opening up.

Sigh!

I went back home.

Upon opening the front door, a scenery surprised me. My father is here. I swear, he wasn't here last night.

"Good morning dad!"

"Good morning! I got back just now. Seems like the two are still asleep," he greeted me waving his hand. On his other hand, there seem to be a big box he was holding onto. "Son. This is yours. You need this right?"

I nodded. The contents of the box inside is a laptop along with its own accessories. "I never asked for this though, why?" I asked tilting my head to the side.

"Just take it as a gift, I know you need it," he said before turning around and sipping at his coffee. His eyes glued to the screen of his tablet, reading a news article.

"Thanks," expressing my gratitude before climbing back upstairs.

I took off my jogging suit to putting on my casual clothes — t-shirt and shorts.

A sound of notification. At the lock screen of my phone, a notification popped up.

"Meymin tommorow Don't forget to be online on our Deezcord!! \_(>o<)_/ UNDERSTAND? Don't you daire forger! we'll play together tomorrow. Also! cpnnect your dezcord account to your vr account! Bye bye!!!"

What's with this message!? It's a mess. Wait! How did she found out about my phone number!!

Knock! Knock! I approached the door of my room and opened it. It was her. The smile girl.

"Wa-What are you doing here...?" What a pain.

"Sorry! I just don't know if you really know how to set up the game... Hehehe~" she raised her left hand scratching the back of her head.

"I do. Just leave already." I shut the door close. "How did you even got in."

"Your dad let me in. He probably thought I'm your girlfriend," she giggled.

What the!! What!!?

I rushed out of my room downstairs. "Dad! Why did you let this thing in!?"

"She said she's your girlfriend. Am I wrong?"

"YOU ARE!!" I shouted. "This is not my girlfriend! I want to be a 'Great Sage'!!"

"I-I see."

I turned to face her with a frowning expression, "Leave."

"I won't. You probably don't know how to connect deezcord to VR." That hit right through me. But she's right.

"Fine! Just leave once it's done."

"Don't do something bad!" My dad said in a loud voice.

"I won't! I will definitely be a 'Great Sage'!!"

"Don't be!"

I walked inside my room followed by Liliana. I didn't lock the room.

"Wow! I never thought you'll have a pretty neat place!"

Of course! It's not like it's gender related.

"Of course. It's not like all girls are clean."

"Woah! That's really a sharp tongue you have there."

"It's just the truth. I mean it's not like all girls have clean room. It's not like all boys have dirty room. Why can't anyone just stop with that stupid stereotype! I don't understand! It's not like a clean and dirty room is anything related to gender." I went back to setting up my brand new laptop.

"Eh..." She took a step away from me.

What did I do wrong!?

After I finished setting up my 'brand new laptop', I took out my VR headset out of its box. The light from my window made it look luster.

"I've already installed the game. I now just have to connect it...you know..."

"Do you know?" She looked at me straight in the eye while grabbing my shoulders, "We can talk in-game without deezcord chat call."

"I see. Then it's not needed. Please leave."

"Ahhh!!!! Don't!!! Let me do it!!"

"Leave please."

"We can't talk in-game if we're not friends!!" She stared at my face, grinding her teeth.

"Then set a rendezvous tomorrow. And then add me as a friend or add me to your club."

"Fine! Let's meet at spawn!" Spawn?

"Okay." I pushed her out of my room, out of our living room, out of our house until she's out, outside our gate.

"Bye," I waved her a goodbye. "Bye, don't forget to play the game tomorrow," she waved back before walking away not looking back. I watched her as she continuously shrink away from me.

She's gone.

As soon as I open the door, a smell of food hit my nose. It's salty and sour.

Three of them are seated down waiting for me. My mom and sister, sitting across each other. I sat down at the empty seat. Conversations proceeded throughout our breakfast. Your usual family breakfast conversations. It's been 6 months since dad came home, therefore, the conversation consisted mostly about dad's work and how much research they have done on this and that kind of subject and topic.

Gah! I almost forgot! It's Monday tommorow! "Dad, don't you have work tomorrow?"

"You want me to leave already? That's sad.."

"No. I just want to know why."

"It's no work week you know. I'll be back at work next Sunday."

"I see."

"What? You have date?"

"Huh!? Where did that come from? Of course I don't!"

"Eh~ I would be happy if she really is yours."

"No. Sorry, that's a never... probably."

"Could you stop? It's disgusting!" My sister who rarely speaks voiced out a complain, looking at me in disgust.

"Huh!? Shut up messy woman!"

"Shut up pervert!"

"I'm not!"

"You literally just added 'probably' at the end there! Disgusting!"

"Yeah. You're probably right. I'm disgusting."

"That part of you is also disgusting. Self deprecating? Stupid!"

"Hey don't fight, we're eating."

"Sorry dad," she lifted her spoon and began sipping her soup.

Conversations about dad's work continued after our fight.