Ronaldo ignored the kid and brought him over to Zane.
"Here you go, just as we agreed."
Henry turned and barked, "I'm never being friends with you, baldie!"
Ronaldo grinned with a ridiculous smirk.
"Who would want to be friends with you, weirdo?"
Just as Henry ducked his head down—clearly ready to bite the teacher's hand—
"I would," Zane said calmly, "I want to be friends with Henry."
Henry froze mid-motion. His head turned slowly, wide-eyed. Then a huge grin stretched across his face.
"Haha! I knew it! We're going to be best friends forever!"
Zane smiled gently. "Sure. Best friends. Forever."
He turned to Ronaldo. "Sir, you can let go of him now. He's harmless."
Ronaldo snorted but complied, releasing Henry's hand.
Henry now stood right beside Zane, grinning from ear to ear.
Zane reached into his silver pouch and pulled out ten skewers of grilled river monster meat—each one still steaming and aromatic.
"These are for you, Henry."
