Ken had been planning on learning this about Max from the very beginning.
Ken: ..... Max?
Max: Yeah?
Both of their faces were still glued to the T.V screen, playing Warring Dimensia 2.
Ken: Would you mind if I'd asked you a serious question?
Max: Huh?
For him to make such a statement, moreover so seriously and at such a moment....
Max: Sure, I guess.
Ken remained silent for a moment, almost as if to further stress Max out. What on earth did he want to know?
Just before another word could escape Max's mouth, Ken continued....
Ken: Why do you want to join the team, anyway?
Max: Huh?
For a second, Max was completely stunned by the question. What on earth could he have been talking about? Didn't he say it was to save people from the Wolframs?
He remained silent for a moment.
Ken: I know you said you wanted to help people, and while that is something that most people would statistically consider doing, most people would run with their tails between their legs if and when things got tough or their lives were threatened. However...
At that point, Max turned to Ken as he started to understand the question.
Ken: ...when that happened to you, that did not happen. Instead, you willingly put your life on the line for people you hardly knew.
Max flinched.
Ken: And so, what I'm asking is... why?
Max was too stunned to think of an answer. His player character remained in one spot on the T.V screen. Ken, too, stopped playing as he awaited an answer.
If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
A few more seconds passed, during which Ken decided that he may have gone too far.
Ken: (slight sigh) You don't have to answer that.
Ken went back to playing without skipping a beat, and as did Max, albeit slowly.
This silence went on for a few seconds before Max suddenly started.
Max: Hey, Ken.
Ken: Hmm?
Max: Saving people. You know what it's like, don't you?
Ken paused. An odd answer, to say the least.
Ken: Hmm. Well, I suppose I have my fair share of saves. Why?
Max: It's...... amazing, isn't it?
Ken: Huh?
The before solemn look on Maxs face was now covered with a somewhat grateful smile.
Ken: Amazing?
Max: Yeah...
Ken: How so?
Max: That rush... that feeling when you... save someone...
Ken: Hmm?
Max: I don't know how to describe it, but....it's like.... I don't know how to describe it, you know?
Ken: Max....
Max: But I.... you know.....
Ken: I see.
He had also felt that feeling before. He knew full well how intoxicating it felt, but had long since grown accustomed to it.
That odd feeling of gratefulness. That gratefulness... that you were able to save the world.
Max: You know, my dad died a long time ago.
Ken: Oh....
Max: No, not that. He died saving a lot of innocent lives from some bad people.
Ken: Hmmm... I see.
Max: I guess in some way, I.... I'm glad I got to feel how he felt when saving all those people.
Ken: Max....
Max: And also...
He paused for a moment.
What he wanted to say was that he was glad his father probably died proud of himself rather than in pain. But he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Max: Ahhhh.... nevermind. That's about it.
Ken: I see. (thinking: This just gets more and more interesting.)
Max got his character back on track, having miraculously not been shot at once, and went on to win that campaign with Ken.
A few hours later...
Max and Ken were at the doorstep.
Ken: They'll be here in about 20 minutes, so you best get a head start.
Max: Sure
Come what may, Max had no qualms with not meeting Ken's parents.
Max. Wait, how do you know that? Do you have a tracker on them?
Ken: No. That would be an invasion of privacy.
Max: Then how...?
Ken: I simply have my eyes on the security cameras in the city.
Max: Th.... that's the same thing.
Ken: Hehehe... I suppose it is.
Max: Mmmmmmm (sighs) Whatever... see ya at school, Ken.
Ken: Yeah, see ya.
They cautiously exchanged fist bumps before Max left off on his skateboard.
Max waved one last time, and Ken waved back before returning to his room.
Ken: Mission, 90% complete.