Episode 11-Sloth (2)

"Why did he sit next to Marcus Santiago?"

Aliana's questions were my exact thoughts. I was incredulous. Marcus wasn't the type to sit next to others; no, he was the complete opposite. I only saw it a few times, but Marcus went out of his way to sit alone. He was one of those lone wolf types. Now, here was a newcomer, sitting shamelessly in front of him.

"That dude must have balls of steel," Aliana stated.

"Aliana," my mom scolded.

(Well, too late, it seems we can't meet the new kid, let's g-)

"Come on," dad said.

(Eh?!)

"Let's not be discouraged."

My dad walked ahead and turned to Aliana and me. He gave "the look." I couldn't explain it, but whenever a parent gives you "the look," you know they're serious. I sighed.

"Come on," I said.

We approached their table, and my mom was the one who introduced us.

"Excuse me, but do you mind if we sit here?"

The boy in the rain jacket gave my mother side-eye.

(Jerk.)

Surprisingly, it was Marcus Santiago who gave permission.

"Sure."

He answered curtly and returned to his food. I looked at where we were sitting and realized we were in the far corner of the cafeteria, hidden from many peoples' line of sight. Advance scouts were also close to his table.

(Are they bodyguards? So he isn't disturbed?)

Well, that deterrent worked well.

"So, are you the new survivor?" My mother asked.

"Yes," the boy said shortly.

(Why did we have to sit at this table?)

"My name is Theresa Carter. My husband's name is Alexander Carter. It's nice to meet you."

"Thank you. It's nice to meet you, Miss Carter."

"Ah, you called me "miss!" I remember meeting a lot of people at restaurants, and they would call me "ma'am." It makes me feel old, and I think it's rude."

"My mom taught me to use "miss," and then use the person's last name."

"Ah, she must've taught you proper manners. That's very rare these days. Well, I am married, so it should be 'Mrs. Carter.'"

"Alright then."

After that initial burst of small talk, we ate silently. Of course, my mom tried to break the ice again.

"If you don't mind telling us, what is it like out there?"

"Outside of the stations? Hell. It's insufferably hot."

"Then why do you wear a jacket?" I asked.

My mother was about to scold me for asking a blunt question, but the newcomer answered.

"I don't like being seen. It's just me being an edgy kid."

"Oh, I see," my mom said. "But you should take it off. Even if it's cooler inside, it must be uncomfortable."

"I'm fine."

My mind wandered, and I began to think of [Star Stream.] The scenario was odd because of how it functioned. There wasn't any noticeable air conditioning, but stations were cooler inside. From what I heard, it couldn't be explained with science.

"Do you mind telling us your name?" My dad inquired.

"It's Ethan. Ethan Takahashi."

"Is your last name Korean or Chinese?"

The boy named Ethan carried an indifferent expression, but when my mother asked, it morphed into disappointment.

"No, it's Japanese. Chinese and Korean names sound different, especially Korean ones. Koreans use Hangul, which is a language that uses different phonetics."

"Oh, I see. If you mind me asking, but did you survive alone coming here?"

"At the beginning, no. I was with a small group, but I didn't join any kingdoms after the King's scenario and became a wanderer. At this point, I met some people, and we survived together. We aren't friends, though."

"I see. It must've been hard."

(This is so immensely awkward.)

I thought this dinnertime would proceed silently, but Ethan attempted to converse.

"So, who are those people? They look like they're about to knock on my door every Sunday and ask if I believe in Jesus."

"Pfft."

Aliana laughed at his comment.

"Oh, the Congregation? Well, unlike other people, two kingdoms are working together. I don't know about Adler Santiago, but Mathew McFarland bases his morals on religious beliefs. Have you chosen a group yet?"

There were two major factions in Seattle: Santiago's gang and McFarland's Congregation. McFarland's Congregation was better in mental health and Constellation donations, but they were considerably weaker than Santiago's. Whenever survivors came - if any came at all - they would have the option to choose which group they wanted. The conversation resumed.

"Nah, I haven't decided. Plus, I don't want to join the Congregation. I'm an atheist too."

"Oh, I see."

"So, who are they?"

Ethan Takahashi looked in my direction.

[Your Constellation sponsor is looking at you!]

[Your Constellation sponsor is telling you to be wary of that Incarnation!]

"Oh, this is my daughter, Alicia, and her friend, Aliana. They're sixteen and used to go to this school."

"Ah, it seems you guys are one year older than me. It's also nice to meet you."

(He's fifteen?)

The boy in front of me didn't seem like someone in their mid-teens. He was sitting down, but I could tell he was short. Not only that, but he also had a slim build. It was hard to see his frame under his jacket, but his shoulders and waist weren't very wide. I could barely see his face under his hood, but it appeared pretty young.

"You're fifteen? You look twelve."

"..."

My mother and father's faces didn't show disappointment; they resembled the neutral emoji where the lips form a straight line.

"It's actually because of this common hereditary disease that makes me shorter," Ethan admitted.

"Oh my god? What is it?"

My mom was genuinely concerned.

"It's called being Asian."

"Hahahaha!"

Aliana laughed, which was a rare form of expression besides her usual moodiness.

[Some Constellations don't like the racial humor.]

[Some Asian Constellations admit that it's true.]

"Dang, didn't expect that! So, what were you before the scenarios?"

(Why did you have to ask that, Aliana?)

It wasn't taboo, but some people didn't talk about their everyday lives before the scenario introduction. It reminded them of simpler times and made them realize the hell that existed. It made them reflect, and that introspection would eat them alive after committing murders to survive the first scenario. So, they wanted to forget and lose themselves in the moment. People would do anything to distract themselves.

"Hm. Well, I didn't have a job," Ethan answered, "and I didn't do anything interesting. I was just a homeschooled student that read webnovels and webcomics. Tower of God, unOrdinary, Parallel City, stuff like that."

I could barely see it, but Ethan's formed an expression of concentration.

"I remember reading "Solo Leveling," but there's another webnovel I'm forgetting. I think it began with "The World" and ended with something else."

"Oh, what are webnovels? I've only heard about them," my mom asked.

"Well, I think most webnovels are Korean, but anyone can write one, American, Hispanic, Japanese, etcetera. What constitutes a webnovel is whether it's posted online. Anyways, that type of media features cliché tropes like systems, harems, monsters, and levels."

"Hmph, just like our lives. It's kinda like a novel, isn't it?"

I thought Ethan Takahashi would laugh along with my friend's comment, but his face froze into something serious. It only lasted for a second, though.

"So, how about you? What did you do?"

"Well, I used to own a salon. I would wash and cut people's hair. My husband used to work a regular office job. Alicia was just a regular student, but she chose art as an elective. Aliana was also in a film class."

"I see."

When Ethan said that, his face was painted in deep melancholy. He stared into my soul, and I saw his dark, nearly black eyes. It was unnerving.

"You're quite fortunate to have your parents, Alicia."

Ethan's voice didn't carry a congratulating tone. He said it as if stating a fact.

"Oh. You must've lost some people. We're sorry."

To console him, my mother reached out and tried to place a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder, but before she could-

"Did I say you could touch me?"

-he grabbed and tightly clenched my mother's wrist.

(My god.)

That hateful glare in his eyes... that dark grimace full of anger and rage. I only saw one person carry such an expression.

("You bitch.")

I gasped from the memories. As that happened-

"I-I'm sorry."

Ethan seemed to snap out of it and got up from his seat.

"I think I should go now. Uh, see ya later, Marcus."

Ethan looked at my mother and bowed. Was it a Japanese custom?

"My apologies."

"Uh, no, I shouldn't have tried to tou-"

Before my mom could finish her sentence, he was already gone.

"I think I should go too."

Marcus Santiago finished his meager dinner and left. The remaining people were me, Aliana, and my parents.

"Well, that went horribly," my dad said. "Honey, are you okay?"

"Yeah. Although, it stings a bit."

I looked at my mother's wrist.

"My god, did he hurt you?"

"It was wrong of me to place my hand on his shoulder. He must not like people touching him. I can understand."

"Mom, the skin is red!"

(What a damn jerk.)

I brushed my thumb over the abrasion-

"God, that's hot."

-and felt heat stemming from it.

(What the? Did that Ethan kid bruise my mother?)

Or did he burn her?

***

It was nighttime, and everyone in my classroom would be asleep. As I prepared my sleeping table, I turned to my only friend.

"Aliana, I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"It's about that Ethan Takahashi kid."

"Okay, shoot."

"There's something not right with him. I can feel it."

"Alicia, I think there's a lot wrong with everyone here. But I get what you're saying. He seems sus."

"He had... that look."

"What does that mean?"

I kneaded my fingers.

"Like... he killed people before."

I thought about it, and Ethan seemed so full of... malice at that moment. The way his face contorted in rage and anger was so vicious . I only saw it once but knew people who can make such a face are dangerous. Aliana crossed her arms over her chest.

"Ethan might not be a murderer. He could be like us. People who killed bugs or animals instead of humans."

"Right."

(He could be like you.)

"Still, there's something off about him."

"I think you're too paranoid. Plus, what can Ethan do?"

"One person can do a lot of damage, y'know."

"Also, aren't you bad at reading people?"

"That was in the past!"

"I think street smarts are something you're born with, Alicia."

"Ugh, whatever. Dad, where's mom?"

"Hm, I don't know."

It was strange. It was close to lights out, but mom wasn't here yet.

(Maybe she's running her make-shift salon.)

It wasn't much, but my mother would offer to cut people's hair for a fee of ten coins. She would do it in the commons area.

"Hey, guys, I'm going to look for mom. I'll be back in a bit."

"Alicia, wa-"

Before my dad could finish his sentence, I closed the classroom door on him.

(This is kinda creepy.)

The school's hallways were dyed in shadows, and the moon wasn't present to provide natural illumination. Walking through these dark halls was similar to stepping into the void. My heart began to beat quickly.

(It's okay. This is the school I've been going to for years.)

I trekked through the halls and found myself in the public area. It didn't take long, but I found my mother and saw her in the distance.

"Please, I can't take this much! It's only a haircut!"

(Why does my mom sound flustered?)

"It's my way of apologizing. I feel bad for reacting horribly. Also, the small things in life are valuable."

(Eh? Why is Ethan here?)

My mood began to sour. I only met Ethan once, but I didn't like him.

"Well, I have to go now. Goodnight."

"Ah, yes. Goodnight!"

My mother waved goodbye to Ethan, and he walked into the hallways, fading into the darkness. It suited him.

"Mom?"

"Ah, Alicia! Sorry, I'll walk back with you in a bit. I need to clean up first."

My mother bent down and started to sweep up some black hair from the floor.

"Mom, why did you cut that kid's hair?"

"Well, he apologized. Ethan wanted to make up for what he did by paying for a haircut. Here, hold this."

"Yeah, but what about how he grabbed you?"

My mother placed a plastic bag in my hands and told me to open and hold it.

"Alicia, something traumatizing must've happened to him. Please, understand."

"Ugh, mom."

As my mother said this, she dumped the kid's hair into the bag I held.

"Ew. Why does it smell like smoke?"

I didn't sit next to him, but this is what he smelled like? Ethan had the scent of a bonfire.

"He must've been out there for a long time. I didn't know where his hair began, and the ash ended."

"Cool, great"

"Okay, that's pretty much it. Make sure to wipe your hands afterwards. Here."

My mom passed some hand wipes to me, and we walked back to our sleeping area. I was wondering about something, so I decided to ask.

"Hey, mom."

"Yes?"

"You seemed shocked after he paid you. How many coins did he give?"

(Twenty? Fifty? One hundred coins?)

"Uh, I don't know if I should tell you," my mother said sheepishly.

"Eh? C'mon, tell me."

"Okay, but you have to keep it a secret."

My mother leaned close and whispered the number to me.

"Five hundred coins."

(What?!)

"That much?"

"Yeah. It seems a lot of Constellations watch him."

My mother's comment made me nervous. I remember what one Dokkaebi said at the beginning of the scenarios.

("Only the greatest, the smartest, the craziest, and the most interesting will survive.")

The Constellations wouldn't pay attention to anyone. There IS something about Ethan Takahashi, and I'm the only one that can see it.

(I need to watch him closely. I should talk to my sponsor.)

When bedtime finally came, I slept restlessly.

***

(I can't believe I actually met him.)

Marcus Santiago, a character I read for a long time, was finally before me in the flesh. I only met him a few hours ago, but the experience was still etched into my mind. Marcus was a lanky but muscular young man, and he had shaggy black hair like a messier Keanu Reeves. He always craned his neck and stared into his food, but I saw his eyes: they were full of sadness, regret, and self-contempt. Some might think it was a form of cool aloofness, but I knew exactly.

(I'm gonna have to meet him later. I'll have to avoid some other characters, though.)

I hated two very annoying people in the story: a brother and sister.

(I'll deal with them soon enough. I only have five days left.)

If I was right, I defeated the Disaster of Lasers on the sixth day of this twelve-day scenario. That means I had five days to set up my plans and get close to certain characters.

(I should say four days now.)

I opened my phone, scrolled through my apps, and clicked on my notepad. I read through the names.

[Characters to Befriend]

Name: Marcus Santiago (17)

Name: Maxine McFarland (14)

Name: Jacob Brice (15)

[Characters to Savagely Murder]

Name: Mathew McFarland (Old motherfucker)

Name: Alexa Dalton (16) Side-note: (Massive Bitch)

Name: Jace Dalton (18) Side-note: (Massive douchebag)

After combing through my plans, I decided to reflect and this day. I didn't do it often, but sometimes I would write something in my journal app.

[Today, I met some interesting people. They weren't in the original novel, and for some reason, I couldn't scan their attribute windows with Character Profile.]

I continued to tap my phone's keyboard.

[Their names were Alicia and Aliana.]