"Why can't I choose both?" Isabella looked genuinely puzzled. "Can't we all play together?"Jojo replied seriously, "No.""Why not?" Isabella asked."No reason. You can have many friends but not many best friends," Jojo stated bluntly."Are you upset because I spent more time with Ash today and didn't play with you as much?" Isabella might be absentminded, but she could be observant too.Jojo remained silent, indirectly admitting it. Throughout the summer, he had been Isabella's constant companion. Whenever she called, he would come running, except when he was angry. Today, she was celebrating his birthday, yet she had spent most of her time playing with Ash. Hence, it was only natural for him to feel a little hurt."I played with Ash because it was his first time here, his first time meeting us," Isabella explained. She was not wrong, but she did not consider everyone's feelings. "I was afraid he might be shy or uncomfortable, and I couldn't just leave him alone."Jojo responde
Isabella's confidence waned instantly. She hung her head and poked her fingers together. Isaiah continued to scold her, "Pretending not to know the answers to problems you actually know, is that not lying?""I just wanted to spend more time with him. Ash doesn't talk much, and I couldn't just leave him alone," Isabella tried to find an excuse.Isaiah exposed her true motives, "Are you sure it's not because he's good-looking?"Isabella pouted, clearly frustrated. "Go stand in the corner and think about what you've done. Stand there for half an hour and promise not to do it again, and I won't tell Mommy and Daddy.""Isaiah!" Isabella had no other recourse.However, Isaiah was not giving in this time. "That won't work either." "Are you really willing to make your cute and obedient little sister stand in the corner?" Isabella tried another angle."Will a good sister spread lies about me?" Isaiah retorted.Isabella remained quiet."Is being angry at me what a good sister will
It was the hottest day in August, and seventeen-year-old Cynthia, Mitchell, and others participated in the organization's selection process. The assessment took place in the jungle, and Cynthia dashed toward her destination like a cat.The assessment was relatively straightforward; the first ten participants to reach the destination would proceed to the second round. Cynthia did not know where the other participants had gone; she only knew she had to give it her all. Along the way, there were organization members trying to block her.Bang! A gunshot rang out, and a blank round narrowly missed Cynthia. She did not have any weapons; they were not allowed. She had to rely on her agility to evade the dangers. Hidden in the trees, observers watched the scene. One of them raised an eyebrow and commented to the person next to them, "This girl is quite impressive; she managed to dodge that."The man beside him, his face covered in camouflage paint, concealing his true identity, was
Cynthia had never realized just how tough a person could be. Now, she knew. Every time she clashed with Matthew, it felt like her blows landed on an impossibly solid iron rod while he remained unaffected, causing her intense pain.Bang! Another hit sent Cynthia stumbling back several steps. Despite the pain coursing through her body, she pressed forward, clutching a handful of mud and sand she had quickly scooped up from the ground. Just as they were about to collide again, Cynthia feigned an attacking motion, swiftly throwing the muddy mixture at him and darted to the side.It was a deceptive move, and Matthew noticed it. He turned, allowing the mud to hit him on the back of his head, and reached out to intercept Cynthia, who was attempting to escape.Cynthia struck out at him without hesitation, taking advantage of the brief opening. Matthew, maintaining his composure, intercepted her strikes. In just a matter of seconds, they had exchanged several blows.Bang!With a decisi
After leaving the jungle, Matthew saw Cynthia sitting on the ground, furrowing as she rubbed her arms and shoulders. It was evident that Matthew had used his full strength during their encounter.Upon his arrival, Cynthia glanced at him but quickly averted her gaze. However, she made a silent decision: someday, she would defeat this man!"Does it hurt?" Matthew tossed a water bottle to her.Cynthia caught it and murmured in agreement. Matthew opened his own water bottle, and he said as casually as he could, "Cherish the comfort you have today because there will be even more painful challenges awaiting you."Cynthia pondered why she had thought he was expressing concern just now."Captain, she's just a young girl. Don't scare her away," one of the team members spoke up."Exactly!""She's the first to finish.""We should handle girls with care."The team members chimed in one after another.Matthew cast a nonchalant glance over them and asked, "Are you sure you want me to handl
Matthew's expression remained unchanged as he spoke in his deep, clear voice, "Would you like to help her with the rest of the training as well?"The others were frightened.No need for that! And so, Matthew led Cynthia away.Cynthia had not anticipated having to compensate him for anything. She was ready to take off the coat and transfer the money for the watch as they walked. However, just as she moved her hand, Matthew quietly uttered, "You have something on your pants."That one sentence froze Cynthia's hand in place. She could not help but recall her awkward behavior earlier when he tossed the coat over her head.Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the organization's convenience store. After leaving Cynthia there, Matthew instructed her to wait. Before departing, he exchanged a few words with the store owner.Unfamiliar with the area, Cynthia stayed put. Following Matthew's instructions, the store owner provided her with sanitary supplies and directed her to the restroom
Accepting the watch did not violate any of the organization's rules, so Matthew took it. After putting the watch back on his wrist, he gave her a meaningful glance and said, "In return for this watch, I'll have someone look out for you during training.""That's not what I meant," Cynthia quickly explained. She was simply offering compensation and thanks. She did not understand why he brought up this idea of looking out for her.Matthew glanced at her but remained silent. Seeing him this way, Cynthia felt compelled to clarify her intentions. At that time, her innocence led her to misunderstand what Matthew said. She had no idea that his 'looking out for her' meant intense, almost brutal training, the kind that would yield harsh results."Are you even listening?" Cynthia asked again after getting no response from him. She was becoming anxious."I heard you. You can rest assured about the 'looking out for you' part. I won't be in charge of training you guys after this. I don't control
"That's the same place, dealing with the same matter, so it counts as one," Matthew explained.Cynthia was curious. "So, you fell for me during the training?""No.""Then when did you?" Matthew urged her to think harder about it.Cynthia sighed, realizing that if it were something she could easily recall, she would not have been guessing all this time.Putting the pieces together, Isaiah softly asked, "Did you appear in front of her with camouflage paint before formally training them?"Cynthia answered confidently, "No." She could guarantee that because she had wanted to ask his name when they met the first time, with the intention of challenging him when she felt ready. However, she did not see him again until the second assessment, as if he had vanished into thin air."The third time didn't involve camouflage paint. It was about disguises." Matthew offered a hint when he noticed her lack of recollectionIsaiah and Cynthia were confused.Disguises? Cynthia tried to re