Fudge Around and Find Out

"No can do. As a good friend, whatever your reason may be, I won't allow it, Dani." Said Sasha like an overprotective old man.

Putting her glass of orange juice on the table, we're currently having lunch at the food court, still in the campus area. The shades of vegetation nearby help loosen up and freshen the mind, thanks to the genetic modification that allows these trees to grow underground.

Even so, her judgmental stare is radiating her heated mood. And it's affecting me.

"That's not for you to decide. Besides, I need to make something clear." I take a bite of my sandwich, sadly, it was too big, and some of the fillings ended up falling apart.

"I thought you already know what kind of person he is, yet why bother exposing yourself to the media later? Prof would not hesitate to give credit to anyone who has been helping his successful project. It's a good trait of his, but not a good fit for you at all."

"I couldn't care less, 'cause this has been bugging me ever since becoming a Ravager, you know? I… whether the project will be a success or not, it's still in the distant future. If not, why would you even bother poking your nose so early?"

"Because all of your effort and struggle to avoid media all this time would be pointless! You know better than anyone how much you hate being exposed and becoming the center of attention, right? If you didn't have any problems from way back then, you wouldn't be thinking of all of this as a hassle."

"You aren't the one to talk. Why would YOU even tail me wherever I go ever since we were children? It even got worsen in high school for you to throw your dreams away. Becoming an architect, wasn't it?"

The expression on her face changes into sour abruptly, as expected since the first time I know her.

At this point, I've been irked down to my bones by how stubborn she is. I might say too much, but, if wasn't this way, she wouldn't understand.

Since middle school, I didn't have many friends or someone I would rather consider one even. Don't get me wrong, I was popular back then and top of the school even, thanks to my parents' influence.

For that reason, kids around me would always try their best to hang out with me, putting a friendly front for me, and supporting each other, all the while I was focusing on my study.

At least, aside from my parent's influence, I have something to be proud of in my own effort. My intelligence was for helping everyone in my own capabilities other than those privileges.

Naïve.

But, where were they there when I lost someone most important in my life? Where were they when I was at my worst?

No one would even bother to look at me when I was struggling to get back on the right path. When they did, they put a pity look at me.

"Oh poor boy, I'm sure it'll be hard for him to keep his grade from now on."

"This child... is hopeless. To suddenly passed away, this is too much for him to take."

"I wonder if he could live on his own at this rate..."

"Can he even take care of himself with such an upbringing?"

Again and again, from time to time bringing up that topic of loss with an emphatic tone, to the point they assume how helpless and spoiled of a brat I was under the mask of intelligence and independence that I'd built.

What a joke…

"Hey, aren't you going to study again? You are at the bottom rank, you know?"

At that moment, I hastily raised my head while dozing off against the window next to my seat. A girl with a ponytail was calling me out. Her seat was next to mine.

"I know… What do you want?" I snarled back at her.

That time, we were in a new classroom, just starting our senior year of middle high. I was completely lost in thought during the entire introduction session first thing in the morning and didn't pay attention to any of my classmates until she greeted me first.

Quite intimidating, suddenly asked like that out of nowhere.

"Come on, don't you think it'll be a waste to keep sulking like this? This is our final year, you know at least that much, right?"

"Can't you, just stop bugging me?!" I pushed her away impulsively. Every pair of eyes then directed at me. "Ah… I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine. It's just, I don't want someone that I look up to suddenly fall out of the spot. Otherwise, I'd lose my motivation to become the top of the school."

"Aren't you selfish then…?"

"Hm? There's no such thing as selfish when it brings good to others too, right?"

"Whatever, you do you…" I turned my gaze back at her. "You're that 5th ranker from the last exam, Sasha Ardhiona, am I right?"

"You got it right! I think this is the first time we're in the same class and talking with each other, Daniel Jumantara, the ex-top ranker. From now on, I'll be here pushing you back to the top!"

She never changes, huh?

I was sure how vivid my memory is during our school days. How ambitious she was in her study, how annoying her way of encouraging me back to the right track, and how kind she was to help others in need, despite being a bit stubborn at times.

To the point, she cast her dream away when I said I was selected to participate in Ravager training during my high school years. Even taking extra jobs to move with her family out of our home country, literally tailing my steps here.

I wonder what was she thinking back then...

"Did you ever regret it, Sasha?" Back to the current time, I asked her after we finished out meal .

"About what?" She tilts her head. "Ehh... I told you many times before right? Being a researcher and an architect, both are quite similar. Tweaking with numbers and calculations, just like during our school days. It's not that bad, to be honest."

I glanced silently at her, "You're just sugarcoating it now. Like always. Not that I'm complaining, but, as long as it works, it's fine then."

"I know you might be bored if I say it, but it's not your fault for telling me back then. Because, you… will be always my best friend. At least, this much is what I can do to repay the favor of saving me… from being drafted."

"That's just so like you. Keeping your distance but still wanna get involved." I stand up, grabbing my backpack. "Well, is there anything that you want for people at home?"

"Huh? No need to! I-I have to get back to the Lab, after all."

"Don't be so reserved. You can just cache it for now and give them later. Come on, my treat."

"What do you mean YOUR treat? I've paid for our lunch though?"

"When did you? How? I was sure you haven't!" I impulsively whip my head at her, "Fine. Then this time, at least I wanna give something to your siblings."

"As I said, there's no need to! Thank you for your consideration, but, it's fine. I'm the one who dragged you here in the first place after all."

Oh boy, she's as stubborn as ever, like an immovable object she is.

Exactly explaining the situation of her effort of pushing my body away, while both my feet are unbudging. In the end, I don't have any choice other than listen to her.

"I'm off then." I wave my hand at her, walking away. "Thanks for the lunch. And send my greetings to all those kids."

"Will do! Straight to part-time?"

I replied with a nod before walking again. As soon as I got a few steps away from her, I realized something. I hurriedly browse my contact. There's someone that I need to give a call. An urgent matter.

"Michelle? Right, please send the amount to the account I gave you. Yes. True, that's the address and the menu. I'm counting on yo-"

"WAIT, WAIT, WHO AND WHAT DID YOU JUST DO BEHIND MY BACK, DANI!??"

Crap, I got found out.

Cutting my call, I hastily run away as soon as Sasha yelled at me. Her reddened face is what caught my eye as she keep chasing my back. She is slowing down with each second passed and breath exhaled. Slowly get left behind.

"My win! Thanks for the treat and family banquet, Sasha!" I teased her while keep on running.

"D-Dani, you!"

.

.

Back to the surface, the heatwave reflected from the road and building's windows is a total contrast to the atmosphere underground. I don't know if I can even managed to survive if I weren't in the car. Michelle picked me up as if a good mother does to her children after school.

"We've arrived, sir."

The car stopped on the side road, in front of a small store between big buildings squeezing it in the middle. I quickly grab my backpack and put on a hat, getting off the car. Taking a deep breath after under the hot sunny day.

"Thanks for the ride, Michelle. You may leave now." I wave a bit at her.

"Wouldn't it be better if I wait until you finish your part-time, sir? Considering that there might be a paparazzi or journalist tailing you…"

The worried look in her eyes pierced into mine. I sighed, "It'll be fine. There's not much you can do here, except get bored out of your head. Just have some rest or something."

"Understood..."

The car left. The door opened. I entered the small store with some people waiting on the chairs inside. As soon as the breeze of the air conditioner hit my face, feels like I'm back on where I normally belong.

My comfort zone other than the campus, is a barber shop.

"Welcome! Please wait for a- Oh, it's you, Daniel! How's your day?" A man with red-tied hair greeted me, while currently serving his customer.

"…Eh… not bad I guess? Like any other day, assignment, long-ass lecture, morning hustle, something like that."

"Huh? You mean, there's a class even when there was an incident this morning?" I replied with a shrug, raising my eyebrows, "Oh, poor you. My condolences, comrade."

"Said the one who was absent today…"

"Gah… I-I have my reason, okay? It's only sensible to cease any activity after the incident. Anyway, thanks for taking care of my sister, Da-"

"Rio!"

I snapped my finger reflexively, then pointed my chin to the customers behind me. Signaling him with a glance. Rio nods nervously after, while I continue to head to the backroom. Holding my hat tightly.

Five minutes later, I changed into my uniform. Dark blue with an accent of light brown. Without wasting any more time, I politely invite the customer to take a seat. Giving a smile.

"Good afternoon, sir. What style do you prefer today?"

Even though I said so, I hope this person doesn't ask anything weird.

A while back, a customer asked for a hairstyle that he found on the internet. Quite an eccentric one, with some part of skin showing. I perfectly did what he requested, with a pattern of play buttons, yet I didn't know why he seemed to be upset after that.

If he didn't like such a hairstyle, why bother to request it in the first place?

"Welcome! Please wait for a while, sir."

Another customer entered the shop. Three in total. Rio swiftly greeted them while handling his customer. Out of reflex, I naturally followed where he directed the word, only to be surprised before my eyes.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, but Mister Ezra needs you right now."

A blonde man with a black suit stands right behind me. I only take a glance at him. With the buzzing noise of the cutter filling the empty air, I have something more important to do.

"Mister Daniel, I'm sure you already know my presence here, yes? We don't have much time to waste." He repeated and got close. Again, I'm busy with this buzzing machine. Can't he see it?

"Do I have to repeat myself? Your father-"

*Bzzt!*

F*ck around and find out.

As his patience drew thinner, he grasped my arm suddenly. But, who the hell did he think he was facing? Of course, that was nothing for a Ravager, for me to evade and counter it.

In the end, he got a glimpse of my signature style.

Stretching baldness in the middle, from the front to the back. In contrast with his fluffy blonde hair left on the sides.

Oh Lord, his face when in shock, something worth roasting at for the next generations to come. No, I don't feel guilty at all despite his teary eyes.

"Please, if you want to get our service so bad. Kindly wait in line after the current customer. I would LOVE to personally give you special treatment, Michael."

With a smile I gave, the irritation of his is becoming clearer.

Even sending his aide here, what a troublesome father…