So, Ven walks for an extended period of time, I say this because despite the fact that the walk from the harbor on district 6 was only supposed to be 30 minutes long, Ven keeps stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to browse through his playlist to find a song to play. He's currently suffering from a music drought right now, he doesn't have anything new to listen to but he also doesn't feel like listening to old song from his playlist. He picks a song, lets it play for about 30 seconds, eventually decides he doesn't want to listen to it and moves on to another one. He even decided to use the "play random song" feature on his playlist but to no avail. Walking without music is something that no one should experience and people that walk in total silence, I mean without music, podcast, video, listening and talking to a friend, hell even the sounds of nature with the birds tweeting and the branches cackling and the leaves crunching and me dying. But that's besides the point. Why would you ever want to walk in silence? Its totally valid and justifiable if sometimes you prefer silence but silence and walking? That just seems like a roundabout way of torturing yourself. This tangent might sound weird since you would rarely experience total silence when walking normally unless its at night.
Ok maybe walking in silence at night isn't a bad idea. Even though this is an alternate reality the concept of "bad and evil" hasn't stopped existing. On that note, it cant stop existing. You cant just casually write out a defining trait of humanity like that, that's ridiculous! But back to walking in silence, why do I have such strong feelings towards it? Legit question by the way I actually have no idea. I thought that this would be something that would reveal some stuff about my characteristics and such but it really doesn't feel like that. Is this what Melissa was talking about? That not everything needs to have a complex or deeply philosophical reason behind it. I have a hard time wrapping my head around that.
If humans are such complex creatures why doesn't everything they do be complex or philosophical? Is their display of simplicity actually complex or is it their sheer simplicity that makes them complex? They're simply complex and complexly simple. I don't possess the answers to these questions because if I did I don't think I would exist. I don't think they're super deep or they make me seem like a certified intellectual, but even when I ponder these questions and try to find an answer, reach for a conclusion, I always get reminded of how stupid and meaningless these questions are. I don't need to know them in order to continue being "me" but I just cant help it. Its like asking "what's the meaning of life/death" or "why do we exist", fine questions, sure, but they are my go to answers if someone ever asks "what is the most worthless question". That question in and of itself is pretty worthless too but I digress. Point is, is there a reason as to why I feel so strongly towards walking in silence. See, the lack of a question mark insists that it isn't actually a question. Go figure. Oh yeah, music drought. Can you see just how bad I am at narrating? Sure you can sum it up to me essentially being a "rookie", but I don't feel like I was meant for this job. Look, it's not like I applied for a job or something but I really do feel as if my narration is lacking at times. I'm mostly absent during conversations and I think all my jokes are annoying. Unfortunately, I can't quit this job. I am the narrator, I have no other name, and if I had one, its gone and never to be heard again. Can you forgive me? I'll apologize thousand-fold if I'm annoying or not good, you just have to say it.
But anyways, after a solid 20 minutes of walking, Ven finally sees the grocery…store? THAT'S A HUGE BITCH! For real?! Nobody told me big box stores were so damn massive! That thing looks like a behemoth and it's a rectangle! How high are the ceilings going to be? Is there a genuine, unsolicited need to have such large stores like this? For what purpose? Are you stocking up for the apocalypse or an alien invasion? This is terribly inconvenient for people like Ven who don't plan a month ahead and usually do weekly groceries! No worries. I mean, how bad could it possibly be? Ven enters via the open area parking space, walking in the middle of the road and not paying attention to whether there are cars or not. Eventually he makes his way to the…back of the building. Meaning that the entrance still isn't in sight. But what is in sight is a band of hooligans. More specifically, a band of what looks to be middle-schoolers with a guy that looks to be in Highschool. The highschooler looks fine enough, just a guy that's smoking a cigarette. What is up with this series and minors smoking? This is the first volume and we already have two characters that smoke!
He seems like the uncaring, "not my problem" type of guy that couldn't be bothered to do anything. He's wearing clothes that aren't notable for a detailed description. Just a simple pair of pants, generic shoes and a shirt. His face is the part that gives it all away though. Imagine Ven's face, but add a lot more muscle structure and an actual resting bitch face instead of a poker face. He looks pissed but also looks like he won't do anything about it. So unbothered. Someone could get killed in front of him and he wouldn't give a quarter of a damn, a single fuck or two shits. This level of apathy deserves an award of some kind. Give his face some recognition, I beg of you! He also has glasses which make his face seem gentler, but not by much. Even though it's hard carrying this man. Young man actually. He's sitting on the pavement and sneaking glances at the middle-schoolers. As for the middle-schoolers, they look like the annoying bunch. A bunch of immature brats standing around in a circle talking loudly about something. Somehow negating the noise-cancelling of the earbuds. Three boys and one girl. They look roughly the same, two of them rocking the classic taper, one has a taper middle part, the other just a generic taper. One of them has long hair, and the girl has short hair. The girl has defining feminine aspects that make her gender known easily. The long-haired one actually looks pretty feminine too, it's just that his eyes are a clear giveaway. He looks like a musician, like he's part of a heavy metal band. They don't wear clothes to write home about. Basic street wear along with some shoes. Fake by the looks of it.
It seems that the sound of the wheels coming from the trolley attracted the attention of the bunch. They look at Ven's direction a bit skeptically, and I don't particularly blame them. A relatively menacing guy is walking in the middle of the road, one hand in his pockets and carrying a bigger than normal grocery trolley. A bizarre sight. Doesn't compare to that one bizarre adventure though. Ven is looking straight ahead, trying to avoid eye contact at all costs. His plan was to take a sharp turn to the right and avoids getting close to them as much as possible. It was his plan because the middle-schoolers seem to have moved to their left. Essentially blocking Ven's path. Next plan, walk directly forward and then take a sharp turn to the right. It's no use! The middle-schoolers have moved backwards and completely blocked Ven from moving forward. The only thing left to do is increase the walking speed to the max and scare them enough to the point they move sideways. Except that they've now walked directly in front of Ven, not allowing to increase his walking speed enough to initiate his plan. Forcing him to halt. He opens the case of his earbuds like a ball used to capture pocket monsters, and places the earbuds inside.
-Can I help you?
The shortest of the bunch, kid with a taper and dumb grin speaks up.
-What do you think you're doing around our turf with a trolley like that? Ya think you're an ol' grandma or somein?
Voice as insufferable as his entire being. How fun.
-Turf? Show me the lease.
The one with the long hair speaks up, his voice raspy and deep as all hell. You know, he could actually be a pretty good rockstar if he knew how to play the guitar and committed to the bit. He's the second shortest.
-What you mean punk?!
-You said this was your turf, which insinuates that you own this property. So I'm asking you to show the lease for the property.
The high-schooler sat on the pavement speaks up, looking intrigued.
-They don't have anything or the sort. They like to pretend that they're in a gang cause they think it's cool.
The girl speaks up, not to be sexist but her eyes are inherently feminine. She also have a crap ton of makeup on her, only the eyes and eyebrows. She's the second tallest.
-Come on boss Clover! Try to indulge us, please!
-Don't call me boss. Plus I only came because you guys kept bothering me. I told you guys that you should seek validation from someone else if you wanted it.
-But Clover! You're the best and coolest and sickest person out of the whole organization!
Organization? Did Ven stumble upon something that he shouldn't have?
-Don't call it that. It's unofficial. But can you guys stop bothering the…eccentric man.
-Well thank you very much.
The tallest one speaks up, he actually seems like a pretty solid kid for a middle-schooler. You know, since middle schoolers are the worst. Kids are bad in general. We hate kids.
-Don't talk to boss Clover so casually! A low life like you doesn't deserve that honor.
-Stand down guys, don't bother the man. Let him go and let him to his groceries.
-But boss Clover!
-Also stop calling me that.
-Kids are the worst.
The middle-schoolers all look at Ven in hatred. And talk in unison.
-EXCUSE YOU?!
-Nah. It's my opinion.
-Are you trying to pick a fight with us punk?!
-I just don't like kids. I despise them. Kids are the worst. Kids stop being kids when they reach Highschool.
-But what about your inner kid?
Actually good question. Great job girl, you're barely tolerable.
-Lies. No such thing exists. There isn't an "inner kid", you were a kid once, you stop being a kid and that's it.
-That's a terrible thing to say! You're insulting all humans inner kids with that!
-It doesn't matter. Now can i go?
They say again in unison.
-HELL NO!
-Huh?
-You're gonna stay here and fight us!
-I'm not gonna fight kids.
-What, did you get scared? Or are you one of those condescending pieces of shit that underestimate kids cause of their age?
-I don't want to get in trouble with the law.
-No problem. There aren't any cameras here and no law enforcement either.
-You guys would lose big time.
-All bark and no bite! Just fight us and we'll put you in your place!
-Hey man, aren't you supposed to intervene or something?
-You pissed them off, you should indulge them a bit. Don't go too hard on the guy ok? And don't gang up on him. That's not a fight that's just a beating.
-But he deserves a beating!
-Then kick his ass in a fight and then beat him.
-Thanks man that was hella helpful!
-No problem.
-Now are you ready to fight with us?
-Well…Fine. I will fight you. But I won't use my fists.
-Huh? But then how will you fight?
Ven lifts the trolley up and points his finger to it.
-This is a weapon.
Yeah, how surprising would it be if all of them burst into laughter? It wouldn't. They all laugh in unison. They have the same laughter. If they have something notable it's chemistry and synergy.
-Rahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! -Seriously?! Man, I was right, you are totally an ol' grandma. That's not a weapon! It's a comedic tool that would be used by a third rate comedian doing something that barely counts as practical comedy.
-*sigh*. Can we get started already?
-You asked for it!
The four middle schoolers get in a semi-circle formation as Ven raises the shopping trolley and places it on his right shoulder like the captain of the eleventh squad.
-Here I come!
-Wait a damn second!
-Huh? What is it? Are you tryna escape this ass whooping?!
-No it's not that. It's just that…your battle theme is too damn good dammit!
-…Wut?
-I mean, for minor characters like you who'll probably never appear again, your battle theme is just too good! From the guitar riff, to the buildup to the drums, you guys don't deserve such a good battle theme!
-Hey! We're badasses if you haven't noticed! Of course it's natural we would have such a great battle theme!
-*eugh* It's still playing over this conversation! That's it, I've had enough! Your battle theme shall be mine!
Ven gets in an actually badass battle stance and takes a deep breath. The song cuts off, but comes back again after a while. A new instrument or two has been added to the bunch. Ven goes back to just standing around normally and opens his eyes. Oh and don't forget to do a close up shot of his eyes in the anime adaptation. And don't forget to add tv static noises because his pupils are made out of TV static. Not in reality, it's a metaphor of course but it very well might be true!
-Magnificent! Now that it's mine…it has lyrics now!
-No way! Our battle theme! You'll pay for that!
-Secret technique number 1, animation and artstyle change!
The shortest one lunges at Ven with a very wide step and at incredible speeds with a punch from his right arm coming for the right side of his face. He puts a good amount of strength into it, and completely extends his body, most likely to make up for his short stature. Ven pushes his arm slightly with the trolley and uses the wheels on the right side of the trolley to ride the wheels up the inner side of his arm and eventually ride them through his face diagonally, benefiting from his lack of balance, he pulls the trolley and get into an offensive stance and lunges it at his chest, like he was trying to pierce his enemy with a lance. The impact sends him back and causes him to tumble on the floor.
Ven doesn't get a chance to breathe and say some cool one-liners but is forced to direct his gaze towards the long haired one who comes flying towards him with a mean left kick on the face, Ven quickly adopts a defensive stance and manages to block and deflect his kick, only to realize that another one will come flying towards him, probably towards his inner thigh area, and prepares to go into defensive mode. He does as Ven expected and Ven blocks the blow except that Ven experiences the same situation on the next blow. He manages to come to the conclusion that this guy's strategy is to relentlessly stay on the offensive and not let him take a moment to attack, taking into account the effort needed to move the trolley. Kid has some good battle iq that's for sure. Ven keeps on blocking and occasionally deflecting the kicks but to absolutely no avail. But not to worry, he uses an uncommon weapon; it's impossible that he loses. After deflecting another kick, he realizes the next one will come towards his face, which is what he was counting on. As the kick flies towards him at insurmountable speeds, he position the totally just perfectly so that the his foot would get caught on the space in the inside of the wheel. It works, he stops his foot just before it crashes straight into the hard metal part of the trolley and this is the moment he messes up. Ven pulls his foot, causing him to lose his balance and come towards him, unable to release his foot. Ven takes premium advantage of the situation that he so carefully planned out and releases his foot, using the momentum he got from pulling the trolley, he swings the trolley in a circular motion, gaining enough force to hit his chin with the wheel and following it up with a sideways swing, maintaining the momentum via a spin and hitting the right side of his stomach causing him to go flying sideways and fall on the floor.
Immediately after that, the girl and tallest one are in the air, going to punch him with at the same time. He decides the best course of action is to grab the lower part of the trolley and hold it up with both of his arms, Ven knows he has to deflect both of the blows at the same time and one hand just won't suffice. He'd lose his grip and drop the weapon easily. He immediately does that and blocks the blows. He feels that he's losing his footing. This is a bad time to mention that the trolley is actually really sturdy, it's made from metal, wood and the cloth is actually pretty durable. He jumps backwards but the trend just doesn't stop and the moment he lowers the trolley he sees that they're running at him. I guess it's time for Ven to use some actual skill innit? Both of them are pretty skilled in martial arts, I think it's kickboxing but they're also using knees and elbows. I think that was Thai boxing, I think it was something Thai. But Ven is more skillful than them so this is just a case of not wanting to put all your cards on the table. Ven actually starts to move his legs and gets into a proper fighting posture instead of just standing around in one place. As the blows start to come pouring in, he jumps backwards again, he swings the trolley to deflect the blows, but uses the wheels to comfortably pull the trolley back and gain some momentum while doing so. It seems like a never-ending barrage of kicks and punches and knees and elbows and other types of techniques that I don't know the names of but I digress. Every single one of them is blocked and deflected without fault. It's especially easily to block the blows in quick succession due to the wheels riding up their body and making it easy to maintain and continue to keep deflecting. See, that's the problem, it's easy to maintain the position and deflect, but the problem is stamina and endurance. Callback to this morning where Ven got completely washed after a 10km run. So Ven is forced to finish this fight quick before he starts panting like a dog. Ven jumps backwards a few times, then gets lowers and body and starts running, pulling the trolley with him. It's inspired from scenes of characters running while their katana is planted on the ground, causing the blade to go through the ground and leave marks before eventually slicing their enemies upwards. So he attempts to do exactly that. Running straight ahead non-stop as they run towards him, which doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things since he had gained enough momentum. Meaning that it's time for the slice, except that it's not really a slice just a blunt blow but who gives a dime! Don't forget the twist though, not really a twist if your familiar with these type of blows but it's fine. He does the classic upwards slice, managing to hit the girl and send her into the air, then follows it up with one of the coolest moves you can do with any weapon. Ven flips the trolley to the other side and comes crashing down with a downwards blow straight for the tallest guy. It connects and Ven lands safely on the ground. Now all of the damned kids are on the floor. Great, now's the perfect time for cool one-liners!
-Is that all you-
They got up. All four of them got up. This fight won't end until Ven gets serious won't it?
-Fine. I guess I'll get "serious".
-Without the quotation marks!
-Nah. I'm good.
All four them run towards Ven, looking distinctly fierce. What a bother. Time to increase Ven's power by 10%, I don't know. This situation is too extreme for me. Ven starts jumping up and down and left and right, mimicking boxer footwork, and starts to breathe fast, he's overbreathing. To the point where he finally starts to briefly hyperventilate which is what he was hoping for. After finally managing to start hyperventilating, he stops. Which is the moment that all four of them attack at the same time. Left kick to the face from the long haired one, right uppercut from the shortest one, left overhead blow from the girl, and axe kick from the tallest one. A nice assortment of blows. Such a shame that none of them managed to hit their designated target. All of them were deflected by Ven. And now it's time for the counter. Ven hits all of them with jabs, swings and blunt force strikes that aren't strong enough to leave bruises. They don't go down easily, unfortunately. They keep on the barrage of kicks and punches and interesting martial arts moves that are impressive for people their age. Kids. They're not people, they're kids. There has to be a difference.
Do NOT forget the 360 camera for this scene. It's essential to capture the greatness of this…extreme situation. Extreme salutation. You know, that isn't necessarily wrong. Ven actually does something new here, he actually starts to parry instead of deflecting. From the start, he never followed up his deflections and stayed mainly on defense until the perfect opportunity showed itself. That's why I called it deflecting. But now he starts to follow the up with blows of his, really putting the pressure. Of course, he's still not going full force on these kids. Ven despises kids but he won't go out of his way to purposefully hurt them, he picks up the pace and swings the trolley at speeds that far surpass those of the kids. Ven continues to use the wheels to his advantage and after a helluva long amount of time, spots the perfect opportunity. Ven notices that the shortest one falters and hops over to him and proceeds to leapfrog over his dumbass and deliver a nice blow to his ass. Ven then moves over to the long haired one and spots a nice spot to roll the wheels and after doing so he swings the trolley in such a fashion that when it's time to make contact with him stomach, he instead does a stabbing motion and sends his towards the shortest one, causing the both of them to fall on the ground. Two down, two to go. Ven incapacitates the girl with a soft blow to the the cheek and sends her to the ground, next to her fallen comrades. Last one. Shouldn't take long. A left kick to the stomach, simplistic but-a feint. It's actually heading for the face. Ven can't defend with the trolley. One choice left. Ven defends with his right arm, absorbing the damage delicately, it doesn't hurt much but it kinda pissed off Ven. He remembered something that he wanted to forget about. Reconciliation. That's what he will get. Ven takes a deep breath and starts swinging the trolley rapidly, the wheels constantly roll on his body with each swing, he doesn't have a chance to deflect or fight back, until the moment where Ven has had enough and swing for the last time, the wheels leave a distinct mark on his victims clothes and his legs give out, he loses his balance and falls on top of the already defeated kids. Goddamn! That fight scene took a hell of a long time to describe! The author must be super tired after writing all that. Too bad the chapter still isn't over. Ven is a bit exhausted, to the extent that he can't say cool one-liners that are actually foreshadowy stuff about him that we won't learn until later.
-Man! I'm tired. Can I sit on the pavement?
-Why do you even ask?
-Politeness.
-That's funny. You can sit next to me. Does the smoke bother you?
-Nah it's fine. I'm used to people smoking near me. In fact my new frie- someone who can maybe, possibly, rhetorically count as a friend, smokes.
-Interesting. Black lily right?
-Yeah, how'd you know?
-There's only one place where people like you would attend. I've never went there but the rumors concerning the school manage to reach even us.
-Neat. So you're in Highschool too right?
-Yeah, I'm in my senior year. Normal public school. Nothing special. And those kids go to a normal public school near mine.
-So…what are you to them?
-Caretaker.
-You're a babysitter?!
-No, not really. I'm part of a…gang of sorts. A gang that doesn't really count as a gang. Group is a better term.
-What's the purpose of the group?
-Hanging around kids mainly. Fuck, we're not a pedo ring I promise! It's just that, you know what screw it. I'm not gonna explain.
Hold on! That was juicy information right there, don't stop!
-Is it hard to explain?
-More like insufferable to explain. I'll tell you some other time if I ever see you again. You seem like a decent guy.
-Even though I beat up those middle schoolers?
-They asked for it. We throw the word "gang" around a lot so they thought they should try to harass people. They're pretty gentle so people just see them as cute attention seekers. You probably see them as pests.
-Damn right. I detest kids
-Why? What did kids ever do to you?
-I'll tell you the next time I see you. You seem like a decent guy.
-Bastard.
-Mustard.
-That wasn't funny.
-I'm doing what I can here. Anyways, I need to go and do my groceries.
He looks at the kids and sees the semi-pitiful state they're in.
-And I'll get something for the kids too.
-You said you detest kids?
-That's the truth. There's just more to it.
-You're not cool or edgy!
-Right back at ya!
Ven starts walking towards the grocery store, he puts his earbuds back on and makes his way inside the grocery store. It's is indeed a huge bitch, the ceiling is super high and the shelves are stacked to the limit. The store is empty for a Saturday which is unusual.
And then grey, all gray and nothing but gray. Ambiguity shows up, sitting on top of a weirdly placed forklift. He looks the same as ever, with the only difference being that there is something resembling blood coming out of his chest where the big-ass sword is located. Rainbow blood. Blood that resembles rainbows, like rainbows were pouring out of the wound. Not much though, just a bit. How you doing ambi?
-Grocery shopping eh? I remember the days that you went to the grocery store only for snacks and frozen food.
-Shut up. Wait, why are you here?
-Well, you were alone so I decided to appear.
-But wait a second, the time gap between when you first appeared and the second time was a month. The gap between last time and now is a week. Why?
-No reason, I appear when I want to, when you're alone mainly. Anyways let's get start with the shopping already!
-Go away.
-Not possible.
-I said go away, so move your ass.
-I can't. I can't go away. Not now.
-Fine, I guess you can accompany me.
-But this store is so empty, for a Saturday no less! It's just like those creepy pastas you used to watch when you were-
-SHUT UP!
-Ok, ok, I won't bother you about that. First order of business, the protein.
Ven and ambiguity walk towards the meat aisle, both getting confused and wandering around and they eventually find it.
-A great variety of products, but it's no biggie.
-Hmmmm. I guess I'll take some meat.
-Some steak maybe?
-No shit.
-Chicken perhaps?
-Indispensable.
-How about beef?
-Never forget it.
-Woah, that lamb looks really good!
-Pricey, but acceptable.
-Turkey? As good as the country, I think. I've never been there.
-I haven't eaten that in a while…sure why not. But it's such a shame they don't have a charcuterie around here. This meat isn't bad per se but I would have preferred to go to a proper place to buy meat.
-Hold on is that cordon bleu?!
-It is cordon bleu! A French delicacy, the second best thing to ever come out of France! Wait, since I'm here…let me get some sausage too and some burger patties , it's not bad to have it lying around in the freezer if I ever want to eat something simple.
Ven puts the cordon bleu and sausage in the trolley and walks around the store along with ambiguity, trying to find the dairy aisle. They eventually find it, but they spend a long time trying to find it.
-Now time for the cheese!
Ven and ambiguity look around the dairy aisle. They look again. They look a third time. They look a sixth time
-Where the hell is the good shit!?
-And why in the ever living hell is it so expensive?
-I mean, sure, they have variety but these are the most basic types of cheese! And where is the goat cheese! The best cheese!
-How dare they not have goat cheese in the supermarket!
-This is an outrage, blasphemy even!
-That's certainly true. Their dairy aisle is very lacking. But maybe they're just out of stock?
They look around once again until Ven calms down.
-Ok, maybe they didn't restock today, it is a Saturday after all.
-But wait, why wouldn't they restock on a Saturday, it's usual the busiest day.
-…But there's no one here.
-What a weird city.
-No worries, I can go a week without goat cheese. Now let me get some cheese. -Cheddar until the end?
-Oh good. Why that's very good! Yes, I like that.
-Cream cheese till my bones decay?
-It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life!
-Mozzarella to live properly?
-Nice.
-Gouda to appreciate existence?
-That's why it's the goat, THE GOAT. Ok, maybe it's not all bad. They don't have mimolette. The third best thing to come out of France. Thumbs down.
He then walks around the grocery store randomly, putting items that he thinks is necessary in the trolley.
-So I got eggs, orange and pineapple juice, fries, some rice and what else?
He then stumbles upon the pasta section. -Victory!
-Incredible! Now this is what I call a desirable variety!
-They have farfalle, fusilli, penne, they even have lumaconi!
-Also spaghetti.
-Spaghetti is very overrated. It's too thin and doesn't taste all that good.
-Come on, spaghetti is good.
-Not that good.
-But Fettucine is way better.
-Speaking of which, they have fettucine! This is way better than I ever could have expected! Now time for the fruits and veggies.
They walk around, the sheer magnitude of the store confusing him. On the way he picks up two frozen pizzas.
-Chicken barbecue and Quattro fromagi. -Ain't that right? I guess it's fine if you get two frozen pizzas. At least you cook now so you're excused.
-This is great, no doubt, but they don't have goat cheese pizza. Another l.
He carries on and finds the vegetable aisle.
-Nice, nice.
-Tomatoes, lettuce, onions, potatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, mushrooms.
-Certainly no carrots.
-My eyesight is good enough, supreme even.
-Apple, bananas…nothing else.
-It's fall alright, the best fruits are always in spring and summer. They don't even have any summer fruits left.
-Well that's something.
They walk around without a purpose, thinking if he forgot anything.
-Wait a minute! Bread!
-Yeah, how could we have forgotten it.
They actually couldn't have forgotten anything because Ven never made a list in the first place. They find the bread aisle quite easily. They both do a double take at the same time because of how quickly they found it.
-Well, it's a respectable selection.
-Sandwich bread?
-White or multigrain?
-…
-…How about both?
-That's great. Small bag of white bread and big bag of multigrain bread.
-Burger buns and hot dog buns too. I'll keep them in deep-freeze so they don't go bad.
-They expire in 2 months.
-Maybe not.
-Wait, not those! Those buns suck, get brioche buns instead!
-Thanks, brioche buns are really the best. They were hidden so that's why I didn't see them.
-Wow, they have baguettes! Let's get one!
-Baguettes are overrated. I despise them. They're not even that good.
-Come on. You like baguettes.
-No I don't. They're the second worst thing to come out of France outside of French people.
-But you like baguettes.
-I don't. I also hate France if you haven't noticed.
-So what? You can hate France and still like baguettes. Like mimolette and cordon bleu.
-No I don't. Forget about baguettes will you? Baguette bought in stores like this are bad anyway. You should go to a bakery if you want a proper baguette.
-You know, you're basically French with how much you insult the french.
-Shut up!
-I know. You and your vendetta against France and French people.
-Forget about France for now. Let's wander around to see if there's anything else.
They wander around a bit, trying to see if there's something they missed. And they do find something that Ven wants.
-Is that tiramisu!? And cheesecake!? And profiterole!?
-"Creme Puffs"?
-Pardon me, "cream puffs"? That isn't a "cream puff", that's a profiterole! How could they have renamed profiterole into such a mediocre name. Profiterole just rolls off the tongue!
-And it's correct!
-I don't care if the other name for profiterole is "choux a la creme", it's still profiterole.
-Good grief.
-But don't mind if I just put these in the trolley real quick. Tee-hee.
He looks behind him and notices the soft drinks aisle. It's separated from the juice aisle, weirdly enough.
-Ooohh! Store-brand iced tea!
-The best type of iced tea.
-It has a distinctive salt to it that just makes the drink taste even better.
-And there's something special to the cheapness of it, you can almost taste the cheapness in the drink itself.
-It's just sublime. Wait? Is that a store-brand soft drink variety pack? That's very suitable actually. Especially since I said I'd get something for those kids.
The trolley is filled to the brim, it's time to checkout. They take a concerningly long amount of time trying to find the checkout line. They eventually do and Ven spots a lonesome cashier.
-Oh there it is!
But something's off.
-Ambiguity? Ambiguity? Where are you?
Ambiguity left. Suddenly. And without saying anything. Ven sees his reflection on a piece of metal. He looks distressed but quickly turns away.
-Screw him! He's just an annoying piece of shit anyways!
Ven walks over to the check out line and the cashier scans the items. Ven then proceeds to pay for his items. 100 dollars. To the cent. That's right, since this is an alternate reality, we have an actually stable economy! Poverty hasn't been erased though. Ven pays with the card that Melissa gave him. He should thank her later. She deserves it. He loads everything in the trolley again, this time properly and orderly. He quietly thanks the cashier and walks out of the store. Ven then starts walking back to where he came from. Only to stumble upon the kids and clover bickering with a woman. Adult woman by the looks of it. Not beautiful but a looker that's for sure. I hope the author's female friend doesn't mind if her proportions are a bit large. Not ridiculous or overly exaggerated or like a balloon but the natural type of large proportions. Please? She has crimson lipstick on, superb pick. She's wearing a very attractive, distinctly feminine clothes that serve to increase her charms. She's also wearing high heels. VERY high high heels. She looks incredible, she's not the normal kind of beautiful or stunning, she's unique, a uniqueness that Ven has never laid eyes upon until now. She's tending to the kids. They don't have serious injuries, just some light bruises here and there.
-You're so cold Clovey! Your friends got hurt and you didn't do anything to help?
-Don't refer to me like that. And they asked for it.
-Still, you're supposed to take care of these kids! You're really detached Clover, you're breaking my maidenly heart.
-Your feelings are not important to me. Here comes the perpetrator.
The woman looks at Ven, he removes his earbuds and is absolutely exasperated.
-You! How could you hurt these poor middle-schoolers!
-They asked for it.
-That's no excuse! You're supposed to go easy on kids, how could you hit them with your fists?
-My fists? I did no such thing, I fought them with my trolley.
-S-Seriously? You fought these kids with…a grandma trolley?
-I went easy on them. In addition, they didn't go particularly easy on me. I took off the cast just this morning.
Ven pulls the sleeve of his trench coat and shirt on his right arm, revealing a nasty bruise. One that's already purple. He lets go and the woman looks at the kids angrily.
-So you didn't tell me that this kind man fought you with a trolley, went easy on you, kicked your asses and you guys went full-force on him and his arm just healed?!
-We're so sorry miss scarlet!
-It was just so embarrassing!
-We got demolished!
-We overestimated him! Oops, we underestimated him!
-So, what will you guys do?
-Apologize to the kind man. We're so sorry…errrr, what's your name?
-Ven. Ven Sinclair.
-We're so sorry sir Ven!
-I apologize with all of my soul!
-I apologize with my chance to get into college!
-I apologize with the entirety of my future human relationships!
-I apologize with all of my…musical skills!
Heh, the long haired one has musical skills. That explains the appearance. Called it!
-Funnily enough, I'm not interested in any of that. Here I got you guys something to make up for your loss.
Ven pulls out the soft drink variety pack from his trolley and gives it to them.
-Here. It's good for you. Wait this thing has store-brand iced tea? I'll be taking that.
Ven takes out the can, opens it and starts drinking.
-A…soda variety pack? Really? Thank you.
-Woah! You're so nice! You must really appreciate kids!
-Ya kidding? I loathe kids. Every single one of them.
-You hate kids?! But why, kids are adorable.
-I just don't like kids. There's more to it, but that's not a story for today.
-I understand. I respect for being honest at least. My name is Scarlet Moon. Nice to meet you, Ven Sinclair.
Someone…who has a weirder and cooler sounding name than Ven Sinclair? I never would've thunk.
-That's not your name. That can't be your name. You can't be serious.
-But she is, that's her name alright, I thought she was trolling the first time I met her too.
-Clover! You lit another cigarette? I told you to stop, how many cigarettes have you already smoked today?
-This is the third. And you're not my mother, stop bothering me.
-I keep telling you how bad it is for your health, listen to me would you, I'm a licensed doctor!
-I don't care, let me smoke in peace.
-You were such a nice and gentle kid Clover, I know what happened but-
-You don't know jack SHIT about what happened with Zebulon! The only guy who truly knows what happened abandoned me! He left, didn't even call, I lost all contact with him. So leave me alone for fucks sake! I'm not the kid you knew and I'm not interested in you! You're too old anyways. You're ancient.
-I'm only 27 years old. And I'm not going to just leave you alone, I'm going to try to help you.
She's calm and composed, she's talking like an adult. A proper adult.
-You can't, so give up already.
-It feels like every time I talk to you, you try to push me away. You really are breaking my heart.
-I don't give a damn about your heart. But if it means you'll leave me alone, I'm not afraid to break it even more.
Meanwhile Ven is just standing there like a dumbass, so he sneakily scoots over next to the middle-schoolers. And starts whispering to them.
-So, what's their deal?
-Apparently, miss scarlet knew Boss Clover for a long time, when he was "such a nice and gentle adorable kid". But something happened, Boss Clover changed but miss Scarlet still stayed with him. She saw how he changed but is still trying to help him. She never said it outright but she's probably in love with Clover.
I get the feeling she's going to critique that line to the depths of the void.
-But Clover is still a minor so she just tries to be a mother to him. He doesn't have a mom.
-That's…it's something alright.
-But we all admire Boss Clover, so that's why we'll stick with him until death does us part!
-Do us part.
-Crap! Anyways, that's why their relationship is a bit icky. Miss scarlet is a strong woman though, her heart is made of gold and iron. That's how she can bear Clover's insults.
-Hey, this might seem random but is your boss the "strongest"or something?
-Do NOT say that! Boss hates that title. He says that placing him in the top 3 strongest is an insult to the "strongest" title.
-But is he strong?
-Yes, he says he's probably fourth on his "strongest list". He says it's a bit outdated but he still believes that it's the actual list.
-Number 1 is a guy who wears colored shirts with flowers on them all the time.
RAINS!? Actually? So rains is the strongest person clover knows? Wait, clover knows rains? Oh who cares, that's bothersome, better stay quiet and not ask about it.
-Number 2 is a guy that wears purple all the time and uses unorthodox and unique fighting styles that constantly put him in harms way. "Risky dude" as Boss says.
Interesting. A guy who wears all purple. Ven would get along with that guy.
-Number 3 is a guy that claps his hand four times like he's dapping himself up, two claps with the right hand on top and two claps with the left hand on top. And then he brings his 2 hands together and claps them like he's praying. The quality of the claps and how good they were determines how good he would fight. One good clap meant that he wouldn't fight all that good and five meant he was a beast.
How…unique. So it's like a randomizer? Gambling? Luck? He is intriguing.
-Those guys are probably the strongest all right. The strongest always possess unique qualities. Your boss is certainly a beast. And that woman is a force of nature.
-I know! That's why we like them so much!
-So, what're you guys's names?
-Ronnie!
-Bonnie!
-Donnie!
-Connie!
Oh great. Their names all end in "nnie". And they rhyme. Woo-hoo.
-Are you guys fucking with me?
-Not at all, it's really just a very elaborate convenience.
-*double sigh* I do comprehend, it's getting late, I should go.
They all say in unison:
-Goodbye!
-Don't hesitate to say hi if you see us!
-And maybe spar with us on the occasion?
They all fidget, trying to act all innocent and cutesy. That's kinda annoying. Ven gets up and gets ready to leave, he finished his can of store-brand iced tea and is refreshed.
-You're leaving, Ven?
-Yeah it's getting late and I really don't the meat to go bad.
-Wait, can I just treat your bruise real quick?
-No it's fine. It doesn't hurt. But thanks for offering.
-I…Ok, you seem responsible enough, be careful on your way back home. But wait, how old are you, Ven?
-That won't be a problem. And I'm in my last year of high school.
-You didn't tell me your age?
-It's obvious isn't it? Anyways I should get going.
-Wait, Ven. Why did you hold back? I mean, it would be kind of shitty of you to go full force against middle-schoolers but you could've ended that fight way earlier.
-I could, but I couldn't.
-That doesn't say anything. Point is, you don't use all of your strength. You're under-utilizing it.
-Because I know what happens when I over-utilize it. Listen, weapons are dangerous. This technically isn't one but I could use it as one. I'm strong with tools. But I don't use tools because I'm good with my body, I use them because I'm good with tools.
-That still doesn't say anything. You're trying to escape giving a straightforward answer.
-There is a very distinct yet transparent line between a fight and violence. When I use all of my strength, i don't fight, I'm just violent. It's just violence. Violence isn't the answer or solution, it's the inescapable conclusion. But I can delay it and cancel it out completely. But violence won't leave. It's not human nature though. Human nature doesn't include violence.
-Ven, what have you done in the past?
-Mistakes, majoritarily. But, I'd like to believe that I was even worse than i think I was. I'd like to think I wasn't myself at all. I'd like to think I wasn't me.
-That's a whee bit complicated there Ven, but I don't see an irredeemable, garbage person in front of me. So you're not that type of person. Cause you're not searching for redemption. You're probably just searching for peace, inner peace mayhaps?
-Who knows?
-You do. Only you know you.
-That's great, you're a smart guy Clover, and that makes me happy.
-Well, I'm glad. See ya, Ven. Can I interest in you in some cigarettes?
-CLOVER!
-Nah, I know I'll get addicted easily.
-Good call.
Miss moon starts bickering with Clover again, I want to make a comparison to a married couple, but it's more like a tsundere and a dandere. Maybe not, I don't really know what Clover thinks of Miss scarlet. But I think he likes her. Something is up with Clover. Ven puts on his earbuds and starts walking away, feeling weirdly glad that he had these interactions.
At home
Melissa is checking what Ven bought from the supermarket.
-Meat, chicken, turkey, pork and others. That's good, you need protein at your age, I approve. Tomatoes, lettuce, onions and other vegetables. Good for your health, vitamin c and such, that's good most kids your age don't like veggies. A variety of pasta, carbs are important you'll need the energy even if it's for dinner. A very vast selection of cheese, no surprise, cheese is great and it's a very swell dairy product. Calcium too. Orange and…pineapple juice? I'm not judging. Rice, eggs, frozen pizzas, that's valid, sometime you just don't want to cook and that's totally fine! Bread, white and multigrain, along with burgers and hotdog buns. That's good, it's good that you got some multigrain bread too, it's good for ya! And you even got the good type of burger buns, brioche buns! Store-brand iced tea? Why not normal, brand iced tea? Moving on…Oh? Well isn't that adorable. Tiramisu, cheesecake and cream puffs…I don't mind, a little sugar never hurt anyone. You even picked proper deserts instead of snacks, I congratulate you, you did a great job!
Melissa grabs Ven's head again and starts aggressively patting and caressing it.
-It's not a cream puff! It's a profiterole!
Melissa seems pretty caught off guard by Ven's reaction. She just grins.
-Well, well, well, I see you're a big fan of "cream puffs". I completely understand where you're coming from, their "creaminess" and "puffiness" is certainly splendid. They must have spent a long time perfecting these "cream puffs".
-They're called profiterole dammit!
-I love "cream puffs" too.
-I said they're called profiterole!
Ven says in a dramatic, frustrated way, Melissa's ragebaiting tactic worked on him. She just smiles pleasantly and warmly, proud of getting Ven so worked up.
September 12th: morning
Wait, we even did a end of the day type of segment yet the chapter still isn't over yet? Weird. Anyways, Ven is running a bit late today, he walks faster than usual and the music is on max volume. But there is a weird sound, is that ringing? Ven turns around only to see a mysterious figure biking towards him at mind-boggling speeds. Is this individual mad?! Use the road please! I don't care if there's no bike lane, you're putting people in danger! The mysterious individual is going too fast to describe, they're going to collide! Except that the cyclist goes right, towards a skillfully placed and very sturdy fence, they jump towards the fence and they jump again, jumping over Ven in an unexpected manner. This person legit double jumped using the bike. Ven gazes at the cyclist and the bicycle as it flies above him. The cyclist is carrying a guitar case on their back along with a normal backpack, their bicycle isn't particularly sophisticated or flashy but still looks very cool. It looks like the type of bicycle Melissa would be proud of. After a very impactful amount of air time, the cycle lands on the ground gracefully and the cyclist pedals off, not bothering to stop. Ven stands there, he hasn't felt this type of stress and adrenaline in a long time. He resumes walking, his breath shaky and his legs moving at a faster pace.
At school
Ven is in the corridors, trying to find his classroom. He's having a hard time and Rains is nowhere to be found. He's looking for room number 1.048596, he thinks the room number is clever and funny but is confused as to who would name the classroom that particular number. He's feeling defeated and hates to admit that he wants help.
-Hello there!
A friendly voice. And a very pleasant sounding voice at that. The voice has an accent, probably Italian. The voice is enough to stop Ven's breathing, the voice is just that powerful and melodic. Ven turns around and-IS THAT A GROWN ASS WOMAN!?
-My name is Aurora Luciano, I heard you were new here, Ven Sinclair!
"The perfect girl". Isn't that just too perfect.
End of chapter and end of volume