The end of the tense conflict between the teachers and Ace was finalized with a statement on paper...
That Ace had been expelled from school on grounds of violence against a teacher.
Evening arrived, bringing an atmosphere hard to comprehend. Ace was lost in thought in the living room after the incident at his school. The sound of the television echoed through the quiet room.
He sat, leaning his head back, watching the TV while wondering, "Why did I react like that in the teachers' room..."
"DAMN IT!" he stood up, slamming a nearby cushion, his face full of regret and frustration.
Suddenly. "Ding... Dong"
He muttered angrily toward the door. "Good grief... Yeah, yeah, I'm coming..."
Walking toward the door. "Just a disturbance."
Slowly, Ace opened it. "What can I do for—"
As the door swung wide, he saw a male officer smiling, with a national aid organization badge.
He said, "Ace, this is another government assistance program, supplies for a month, okay..." The officer carried five somewhat large cardboard boxes and an envelope containing cash.
Ace's eyes sparkled, his mouth hung open before he spoke again. "Whoa, yes...."
His hand reached for the envelope the officer offered. "Here you go... Please use it wisely."
"Btw, you bring the boxes in yourself, okay? My back's acting up a bit." He smiled... Then he ran off saying, "See ya!~~~"
Ace stood frozen at the door watching him run, he said softly. "Than... Thank you..."
. . .
"WHAT IS THIS, WHY IS IT SO HEAVY, GOOD GRIEF!" Ace was drenched in sweat, having just carried the last box the officer gave into his house.
He was panting, wiping his forehead after seeing his work was done.
However, instead of eating first, he decided to do some heavy exercise at home.
"I want to bulk up... I think I need to work out again... It's been a while." Seeing the abundance of food supplies motivated him to do what he always used to do.
Back when he fought for a spot on the school basketball team's starting lineup.
But things didn't go as hoped. Strangely, he kept moving forward, forgiving his shattered hopes.
Then... He went to his room, starting something new, something that could make him forget the school incident.
He believed, he was sure, everything had a meaning—a consequence.
. . .
By the time the clock showed 7 PM. A hot, sweaty atmosphere filled Ace's room.
"Ninety-seven... Arghh... Ninety... Eight!" Ace was doing push-ups using an extremely heavy bag.
Thump! He couldn't take it anymore, immediately sat down, and put the bag away. He let out a slow breath, closing his eyes.
"Ding-Dong!!"
"Ding-Dong!!"
In the silence after the intense workout, he looked annoyed again hearing the impatient doorbell. He felt like throwing a cushion at the person.
He went downstairs immediately, even though still drenched in sweat. "Yeah, yeah, hold on, I'm coming." His voice was low, but slightly irritated.
As he started to open the door, he saw the dark night. Before his eyes, he saw a tall figure and a familiar face.
"Oh, Reiko... What's up?" He slightly averted his face, his feelings were still too chaotic to meet someone.
Then Reiko looked sharply at Ace, candy in his mouth.
Suddenly, Reiko sidestepped a little, revealing someone standing in the darkness behind him.
Ace couldn't believe his eyes, froze, his mouth felt locked by a clamp—his eyes sparkled as a few tears fell.
"Grandma... Grandma Nara!!!" He ran, greeting Grandma Nara who was very old, her white hair everywhere. And her wrinkles.
Ace hugged Grandma Nara. He was moved. "Grandma, are you better now?" Ace said, the sadness from before seemed to vanish upon seeing Grandma Nara.
Grandma Nara hugged back. But she wasn't strong; her hug was weak, yet the love and longing outweighed physical strength.
"Oh my... Ace, you've grown up and become independent." Her voice trembled, brittle, stuttering and hoarse.
Reiko witnessed the touching reunion, he muttered. "Finally." Smiling with relief, while holding the door.
. . .
Some time passed after that heartwarming meeting.
Now, they were in the dining room with warm conversation full of smiles that made them forget everything.
They began sipping the food cooked by Grandma Nara.
Like miso soup, curry soup, and beef that was so fragrant it roared through the entire room, piercing into their empty stomachs.
Ace and Reiko couldn't wait to eat it all, it looked so delicious. "Let's eat!"
Grandma Nara could only smile. How voraciously they ate, like seeing the figures of her two children who had gone who knows where.
In the middle of eating, Ace stopped, saying something with a guilty feeling.
"Grandma, I'm sorry... I haven't visited you in three years..."
Grandma Nara chuckled a little. "Hahaha... It's fine, I'm actually proud. You've learned to live on your own."
"Ace, dear. You know? People who are used to being alone, but are forgiving..."
"They are actually the ones who can truly hold control over themselves and others indirectly." Her voice was hoarse, yet full of love.
Ace and Reiko stopped eating, they focused on listening to Grandma Nara's words, for some reason.
Reiko spoke afterwards. "But I heard something. Ace... You got expelled from school, right?" His voice was heavy and focused on Ace, accompanied by the clinking sound of chopsticks.
Instantly, Ace's face went still upon hearing it, he turned his face away, full of irritation for not wanting to remember the school incident again.
But, Grandma Nara let out a sigh, smiling as if she knew how to soften Ace. Before speaking again firmly, yet gently. "Ace."
Ace answered flatly. "What?"
Her arm reached over, slowly stroking Ace's hardened fingers.
"Grandma doesn't know what problem you're facing, or what you're feeling."
"Remember this one thing... Keep holding onto the truth, even if it..."
"Can kill you."
She stroked deeper into Ace's fingers, which began to soften under a touch he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Anchor it in your young soul. Don't be afraid to create a wave with virtue." Her small, hoarse voice began to rise.
"The truth won't help anyone, but anyone can help guide that truth onto the straight path."
Ace shuddered hearing that advice, he felt his hollow soul being treated with great empathy.
He stood up. "But, Grandma—" Instantly cut off.
"Listen when an elder is speaking." Her words were firm, sharp, trembling in the dining room.
Ace fell silent, knowing he shouldn't argue, so he decided to sit back down, feeling annoyed and confused.
He looked down, his eyes full of self-doubt.
Grandma Nara smiled at Reiko, took a slow breath before speaking again gently to Ace, who was still irritated with her.
"Grandma believes... You are someone who will help every soul, no matter how small..." Her voice grew softer, gentle, full of conviction.
Her gaze... Full of love and great concern.
Strangely, those words felt magical, making the hair on Ace's neck stand up. His hardened face now full of vulnerability and a hard-to-understand emotion.
During that conversation, Reiko tightened his fingers holding the chopsticks. Remembering something upon hearing Grandma Nara's words.
However, he brushed it off like passing wind. His serious and dark face now returned to friendliness.
"Yosh, seems like we should head to bed soon, Ace."
Ace's fingers, playing with his chopsticks in his rice bowl, felt puzzled. "Huh? Why? I still want to eat, Reiko~"
Reiko stood up, collecting the used bowls, chopsticks, and plates. Grandma Nara smiled, "Alright, I'll head home in a little bit."
Ace, who was drinking ocha, immediately choked, spraying water everywhere. "Cough!... Why doesn't Grandma just stay over?" His face was full of worry, he put his glass down while grabbing a cloth for the water he sprayed on the table.
Grandma Nara thought deeply, before speaking carefully again. "You want Grandma to stay over? Hmm."
In Grandma Nara's heart. (If I sleep here... I can't take my medicine. And I want to sew dolls again, oh dear, what to do...) She frowned while stroking her chin.
CRASH! Suddenly, the noisy sound of plates and bowls being washed in the kitchen echoed throughout the room.
"ACE, GO TO SLEEP ALREADY! TOMORROW I HAVE TO TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE!" He yelled while washing the dishes, to Ace.
But, to Grandma Nara, so gently and sweetly. "Grandma Nara, after washing up, let me take you home, okay? It's 8 PM now. It's dangerous..."
This made Ace narrow his eyes while staring at Reiko washing dishes. "Ugh... Typical. A thirsty validation-seeking guy." He then walked towards the stairs to go to sleep.
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU DAMN BRAT!" The sound of water running from the tap, Reiko responded to Ace's remark with irritation, making him stop scrubbing the bowl he was washing.
"Ace..." Grandma Nara called him.
He stopped, turning his head to the left where Grandma Nara was at the dining table calling him. "What is it, Grandma?"
Grandma Nara answered softly. "Ah, nothing, Grandma just wanted to see your face again... It feels like it's been so long." However, her face darkened, Grandma Nara suddenly looked down.
Ace, seeing Grandma Nara suddenly lower her face, decided to go to his room without asking anything else.
Just as Ace was about to step onto the last stair, he heard Reiko's worried voice below. "Grandma, let me take you... It seems you should rest soon."
"Just a moment more, Mr. Reiko..." The last sound Ace heard before closing his bedroom door.
. . .
However, outside the door. A fairly tall man could be seen. His movements were very suspicious, he crossed his arms.
Smiling in the darkness, his teeth sharp and glaring. "Family warmth, huh... He's quite cunning too." The man muttered, his voice soft yet dangerous.
Strangely, a flashy red-and-black dragon emblem was visible, like the mark on Elevanour's back.
Before, this man vanished in an instant along with a calmly blowing wind. The wind seemed to carry him toward the appearance of the moon, which had taken on a slight blood-red hue...