“Look,” Jun showed both of his hands, there was a red string looped around his thumbs and pinkies.

Takumi was slurping on his post-meal Royal Milk Tea as he watched Jun playing with the string. His fingers went up and down the taut string in his palm, and by the end of it, the string formed a long rectangle with diamond shapes along its length. He pinched one end of it and turned it vertically.

“Tokyo tower!”

“Oh, that’s cool.”

Takumi exclaimed. Curious, Saki walked over from her table.

“What are you two doing? Is that cat’s cradle?”

“Yeah. It’s been popular in the soccer club for some reason, everyone taught me how to do it.”

Explained Jun as he undid the shape, returning it back to a loop of red string.

“I’ve got a better shape to show you. This one’s amazing, just watch.”

Saying that, Jun played with the string again. He looped the string around his thumbs and pinkies, put his fingers under it, over it, turned his fists around, letting the string loose, then pulled the strings taut again.

“Rice paddy!”

““Ooh.””

“But it’s not done yet.”

With his pinkies, Jun took some of the string and pulled it. He let go of the strings from his thumb, put his thumb inside the palm, pulled some string down, then turned his palm over.

“Hang on,” Jun paused, trying to remember something, then continued. He pinched the string, pulled it, made a knot, then let the string loose again. After some deft finger wiggling, he opened his palms again.

“Smaller rice paddy!”

“”Ooh!””

“Don’t be impressed just yet.”

Jun turned his index fingers under the string, pulled some string from the center with his thumbs and index fingers, then opened his palms.

“Seven diamonds!”

““OOH!””

“And finally—!”

Jun put his index fingers and thumbs into the middle hole, turned his hands around, then wiggled the strings taut.

“Spider’s nest!”

“”OOHH!!!””

Clap clap clap!

Takumi and Saki clapped their hands at Jun’s performance with the string. That was when the speaker boomed.

“Kurogane Takumi-san from Class 2 A, please come to the faculty room. I repeat, Kurogane Takumi-san from Class 2 A, please come to the faculty room.”

The trio of Saki, Takumi, and Jun looked at the speaker at the ceiling corner of the classroom. It was lunch break, and they were just goofing around after they finished their lunches.

“…do you think it’s about yesterday?”

Asked Saki, a hint of worry was heard in her voice.

“Maybe. I’ll go and see what it is about,” Takumi stood from his seat, bringing the empty Royal Milk Tea pet bottle and rice ball wrappers with him.

“I’m going with you.”

“It’s okay, I’ll go alone. I’m the one being called, after all.”

Jun wanted to accompany him out of worry, but as always, Takumi couldn’t read the clues and refused him.

As Saki and Jun watched Takumi’s back, their thoughts returned to the night before.

Daniel’s defeat in the hand of Takumi didn’t actually make that much of a ripple in the social media, as that night various famous and fan-favorite Omega Fighters fought in the arena after them. Household names such as Magician Momo, Killgan, and Juggernaut showed up, drowning Takumi’s life-and-death Battle into obscurity. Being a newbie, Takumi was given the “appetizer” slot, the opening of the night.

However, unexpectedly, the screenshot of Takumi holding Daniel’s Ame-no-Masamune clad in darkness had become a bit of a meme overseas. It wasn’t that they were particularly impressed by Takumi’s fight. If anything, Takumi’s popularity was riding off Daniel’s notoriety in the western world.

Many hated Daniel and were waiting for his downfall, and the idea that he was defeated by an unknown newbie with eyes closed in the homeland of Anime that he worshiped so much seemed to strike an ironic sense of humor.

Just as most memes go, it probably would only last 3 days until the internet found something else to laugh at.

As for Takumi, he stayed unconscious until the end of the night and he had to be carried by Jun to his bed. Apparently, he slept for 10 hours straight, and immediately had a fight with Shizuka when he woke up.

He only said “I had a fight with my mom” in the group chat and didn’t elaborate further, but Saki and Jun figured that it must be about the Omega Battle. After all, what kind of mother wouldn’t be worried when seeing her son was on the verge of death?

That was why Saki and Jun were apprehensive about bringing up the topic.

“How was it?”

Jun asked Takumi once he returned to the classroom.

“Ah, yeah. Apparently Sasaki-sensei just wanted to know if I’m having Omega activities at all since she hasn’t heard anything about it from me, so I told her about the Battle last night. She also told me the headmaster wants me to promote the school using Omega.”

“Promoting the school how, announcing to people we go to this school? That baldy, does he know that it’s vital to protect private information?! Promote some hair growth before thinking about promoting the school!”

Commented Jun spitefully, quoting Momo. Saki opened her mouth, a hint of worry was in her voice.

“Are you okay, Takumi-kun?”

“? What do you mean?”

“I mean, you and your mom fought because of Omega, right?”

“…eh?” That was Takumi, not understanding what Saki meant.

““…eh?”” That was Saki and Jun, confused to see Takumi confused.

“…eh?” That was Asa, who just walked into the classroom and saw three people confused at each other. “What’s happening?”

Saki didn’t seem to take notice of Asa as she continued.

“B-but you said you had a fight with your mom, so I thought she doesn’t want you to take part in an Omega Battle anymore, Takumi-kun?”

“There’s that too, but the real reason is a bit private…”

Takumi looked around the classroom. The students were busy with their own thing, save for Asa who sat down at her desk and tried her best not to join the conversation even though she looked like she was dying from curiosity.

After judging that no one was listening, Takumi continued.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“…I told my mom I want to get us a condominium with the money we get from Omega.”

““Aah…””

Saki and Jun immediately understood what Takumi meant, while Asa, who was definitely not pretending to play with her phone as she was eavesdropping, looked confused.

That night when Saki and Jun carried Takumi to his bed, they naturally came to the apartment where Takumi and Shizuka had been living.

Seeing the current living condition they were in, it was no wonder Takumi wanted to get a condominium for him and his mother. Going for a higher quality of life was a no-brainer.

“But…”

Takumi recalled the event that transpired that morning.

♤♠♤♠♤

“I cannot say I agree with how you stake your life just for a condominium, Takumi-san. If you don’t like living in this apartment, you can just tell me. I’ll find a better place, it’s my duty as your mother to bring you up in the best environment.”

Spoke Shizuka sternly. Her eyes were red and weary, perhaps she had been up the whole night.

Takumi rarely saw Shizuka mad at him like this. It honestly hurt him as well seeing her like this, but he didn’t back down. He felt like his genuine hard work was denied when Shizuka turned down his suggestion to get the condominium.

“They have procedures, mom, my life is never at risk. Besides, it’s not any condominium, it’s the one that dad left for us.”

“But you still got hurt. I don’t have it in me to see you like that again.”

“…It’s just the opponent this one time.”

“Besides, what would your grandmother and everyone say if they saw us return to that condominium? We’ll be a laughingstock—”

“Mom! Are you really concerned with what they said, now of all time?!”

Takumi already shouted before he knew it. He was as surprised as Shizuka was.

“…dad left us that condominium. That’s my childhood home too, there are a lot of memories there. I know you want me to use the money for my future, but ever since the start, I’ve decided to get the condominium back.”

A choking silence was in the atmosphere once Takumi finished talking. After some time, tears began falling from Shizuka’s eyes.

“Both Takumi-san and Isamu-san, why does no one ever talk to me about anything?”

Spoke Shizuka as if blaming herself.

With his father’s name being brought up, Takumi didn’t know what else to say. He left for school as if trying to get away from there as soon as possible.

♤♠♤♠♤

“I see, so your mother doesn’t like it that you get hurt to get her a condominium.”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Takumi validated Saki’s words.

“But it’s not like she’s against Omega Battle itself, right?”

Asked Jun.

“I don’t think so. She would tell me to resign if that was the case.”

“I guess so.”

“Have you properly apologized to your mother?”

That was when Asa suddenly chimed in from the side. She acted like she didn’t want to be in the conversation, but in the end her meddlesomeness bested her.

Takumi, Saki, and Jun turned to Asa who sat at her desk next to Takumi’s, and Asa opened her mouth again.

“I don’t know the full details, but you made your mother worry, right? Then you should apologize to her. Even if you think you haven’t done anything wrong, you should still apologize. That is just how it is.”

Takumi silenced after that, his expression was hard to read. After a while, he suddenly stood from his desk, walked away, and pulled out his phone.

“I don’t mean now,” Asa added, but Takumi already made the call. A minute later, Takumi walked back, he seemed like a great burden had left him.

“Thanks, Imai-san.”

Takumi bowed his head, thanking Asa. Asa shook both of her hands, a bit embarrassed.

“No, I didn’t do anything. I’m just saying the obvious.”

“Now, don’t be like that. Sometimes it needs a third person’s perspective to see the bigger picture. At least that’s what they said in this YouTube video I watched.”

Chimed Jun from the side. That’s when Saki clapped her hand, as if she just thought of a good idea.

“I know! While I won’t exactly say safely, Takumi-kun has made his debut and won his first Battle, so why don’t we hold a celebration party after school? The four of us!”

“Me too?”

Asa pointed to herself. Saki nodded at that.

“Yup! You’re part of the Karaoke Friendship, Asa-chan, and you helped choose Takumi’s outfit too.”

“Karaoke, aah, the bed-wetting…”

“Continue that sentence and you’re dead.”

Asa threatened Jun mid-sentence. Jun raised his hands in surrender, but his mischievous smirk remained as he said “Sorry.”

“I’m sorry, Saki. I have training today, and Hajime-san told me he wanted to review last night’s Battle, so I can’t come. The three of you can have fun without me.”

“What’s the point of a celebration party if the star isn’t attending?”

Asa retorted Takumi, but Jun also put his hands together as he made an apologetic look.

“Sorry! The truth is, since next month is Inter-High, I need to attend soccer practices more frequently. The seniors in the club are chewing me out for missing club activities so much. I don’t think I can go to the party either.”

“Aah, I see. You’re part of the soccer club, aren’t you, Jun-kun?”

“Just a bench-warmer though.”

Jun shrugged in self-humiliation.

“I guess the party is just me and Asa-chan.”

“No, what kind of sad party is that?”

Asa retorted again, while Saki looked dejected. It seemed like she really wanted to hold the celebration party.

In the end, they promised they would hold the party at a later date.

♤♠♤♠♤

“I’m going this way.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow!”

“You too!”

After parting ways with her friend, Saki crossed the road and walked along the busy street, the numerous pins on her bag clacking as she stepped.

Saki then took a turn to a less crowded street. This wasn’t a shortcut, but there was a hole-in-the-wall store that sometimes sold unique and rare Omega merchandise down this street, and Saki made a habit of visiting it since it’s on her way home.

The setting sun painted the sky orange, and there was no one else but Saki on that road. However, oddly, Saki felt like she heard another set of footsteps that weren’t hers.

Saki turned around and saw a man in black jacket that was zipped all the way up, his face obscured by a black baseball cap, walking a few meters away from her. The man seemed to be listening to music from his phone.

Summer was getting closer so it was weird to see someone in such a hot-looking jacket, and there was nothing down this road except maybe a small park.

Saki thought that the man might be an avid Omega fan like she was and headed to the same store, or maybe he was meeting up with someone in the park, or he was just taking a stroll and his house was in the area, so she didn’t give it further thought and resumed her walk.

Much to Saki’s disappointment, the store was closed. Apparently, the old lady who’s been running the store threw her back. After praying for her health, Saki decided to just head home for the day.

When Saki took a turn and entered the busy street, she just happened to see that the black-jacketed man was still walking behind her. Some doubts began to appear in Saki’s heart, but she brushed it off.

A few minutes later, Saki had come to the realization that the man was indeed following her. He took every turn she took, and he sped up when she tried to walk faster.

She wanted to be at home right away, but she felt like it would be a bad idea to show the man where her house was. Should she go to the police box? But what if he realized what Saki was about to do and made a run to catch her?

Saki’s heart was gripped with fear. She didn’t know the man. All kinds of worst-case scenarios flashed through her imagination as she tried to hold tears back. She didn’t know what to do.

Right then, as despair was about to take over Saki, she saw salvation in the form of a convenience store.

There should be CCTVS in a convenience store, the man wouldn’t dare to do anything funny inside.

With that naive hope, Saki hurried her steps towards the convenience store. The moment she stepped inside, hearing the deadpan tired “welcome” from the clerk, there was a slight sense of relief washing over her.

Saki walked to the magazine compartment, pretending to pick something to read, while her eyes looked outside the window. There, just right on the corner, she saw the man seemingly waiting for her to come out.

Fear began to take form in Saki’s heart again, but she told herself she was safe inside the convenience store. But, Saki couldn’t possibly stay in the store forever. She had to go home otherwise her family would be worried.

In a bit of a panic, Saki browsed through her phone’s contact list. Maybe if the man saw Saki walking with a guy, he would back off.

But, who could she call?

Takumi was having a training session, and Jun had club activities. Saki wasn’t particularly close with any other boys, they were her chatting friends at most.

It took Saki an embarrassingly long amount of time until she remembered she had an older brother.

“Please pick up, Haru-nii…!!”

Saki prayed as she looked at the screen of her phone. After 30 seconds that felt like an eternity, the call was picked up.

“Saki? What do you want, I’m a bit busy right now.”

“Haru-nii…!!! Can you pick me up, there’s this man, I don’t know who he is. I’m scared!”

“…tell me your position. I’ll be there right away.”

After telling her brother where she was, there was a commotion sound coming from the other side of the call followed by a loud thud.

“What was that?”

“Don’t mind it. Keep the call open until I’m there.”

“…okay.”

Replied Saki weakly.

Every now and then, Haru would ask Saki if she was still on the phone, and Saki answered with “yeah.” 10 minutes later, Haru showed up on a bicycle, huffing heavily. He wiped the sweat off his lips with the sleeve of his shirt.

After parking the bicycle, he walked into the convenience store to see his little sister, Saki, was crouching on the further end of the store.

“Haru-nii!”

“Where is he?”

Saki’s face lit up when she saw his brother. Haru looked around, and Saki pointed out the window.

“He was just around the corner before…but I can’t see him now.”

Hearing that, Haru let out a relieved sigh. He didn’t see anyone on that corner when he came.

“So he left, huh. …Let’s go home then.”

Haru turned around, but Saki pulled him by the hem of his shirt.

“…Häagen-Dazs.”

Looking at her being unusually meek, Haru cursed in his heart as he begrudgingly pulled out his wallet from his sling bag.