Chapter 332: What a complicated pair
"Oh. That’s what happened."
Nolan, Primo, and Sammy — Raka’s son — sat on the high stools of the counter table in his home. For some reason, Nolan and Primo had ended up staying the night after Lucian stormed out.
The trio nodded along as they listened to Raka recount his side of the story. Naturally, a few embellishments found their way in, just enough to paint himself as the hero in Sammy’s eyes.
"Daddy, you’re so cool!" Sammy’s eyes lit up as he clutched his glass of milk.
Primo nodded along, and both children chugged their drinks. Nolan smiled quietly as he watched Raka rub his nose with obvious smugness.
"Thank you, Sir Raka," Nolan said warmly. "Thanks to you, the mas—" He paused and cleared his throat. "Lucian woke up and is safe."
"Heh," Raka smirked. "Of course. I am the great Raka Jean! You don’t know this, but back in the day, everyone would do anything just to get to me. Even the president of this nation would seek me out if he fell ill."
Primo and Nolan’s mouths formed identical O-shapes. They nodded, listening to the bragging, while Sammy smirked at them from across the counter with pure pride. They truly were father and son.
[Then, why did you change careers?]
Raka paused, brows furrowing as he caught Primo’s sign language. "What are you saying? Are you badmouthing me?"
"Primo, how can you badmouth my dad after he gave you milk you could never afford?!" Sammy frowned.
Nolan pressed his lips together. These two are definitely father and son.
What a complicated pair, he sighed inwardly.
Primo shook his head and glanced around. He hopped off his stool, reached for the pen and paper at the end of the counter, and returned to his seat before writing:
[Why did you change careers, Mr. Great Raka?]
"Ahh..." Raka rocked his head, brows lifting, and glanced at his son.
"Because my dad wants to help everyone!" Sammy answered before his father could. "Being a diagnostician, he helps people. But he wants to help the world — like a hero!"
Raka coughed and looked away. That was the reason he’d told his son, and it wasn’t a lie — not entirely. It was one part of it. But there was a deeper reason behind walking away from a title the whole world recognized him for.
A reason why, even when the entire world called him crazy, he still chose to do it.
Primo glanced at Raka, then nodded at Sammy.
[So cool.] he wrote.
Sammy’s smirk widened. "Of course! My dad is amazing!"
"Eh, stop asking questions." Raka waved his hand. "Eat your breakfast."
He turned to Nolan. "Also, why would that guy leave the second he woke up? What could possibly be so important?"
It had been bothering Raka since it happened. The moment Lucian came to, his first question was, "Where is she?"
When no one answered, Lucian ripped out his IV and pushed himself upright. They tried to stop him, of course. Raka tried too, but all he got for his trouble was a deadly glare. So he settled for telling Lucian to take some medicine, just in case.
And yet, before walking out the door, Lucian had the nerve to ask him to look after Nolan and Primo for the night.
"Ah." Nolan smiled awkwardly. "It’s probably... work."
Raka scrunched up his nose. "What’s so important about work when he almost died? Health is wealth. His body needed rest."
Nolan could only smile in response. Raka wouldn’t understand even if he tried to explain.
Before the conversation could stretch any further, the doorbell rang. Raka perked up.
"I’ll get it," he said, already heading out.
Nolan watched him go, then shifted his gaze to Sammy and Primo. Sammy was still going on about a new game Raka had gotten him while Primo listened patiently. Nolan hadn’t kept track of all the games Primo owned, but he recognized this one.
"Only a few copies were ever made," Sammy boasted. "My dad got it through his connections."
Primo nodded, quietly keeping to himself that he’d had that same game for months.
"If you want, I can teach you —" Sammy stopped as Raka’s voice carried back into the room.
"Your friend is here to pick you up." Raka jerked his thumb over his shoulder.
Primo and Nolan looked past him.
Gin.
They nodded.
"Sir Raka, thank you for taking us in for the night," Nolan said, helping Primo down from the stool. "We truly appreciate it."
Raka clicked his tongue and tipped his head. "Just go."
"If there’s ever anything you need, please reach out," Nolan continued, dipping his head as he stood before him. "I mean it."
Raka leaned back, hands on his hips. What could these people possibly do for him?
"Fine, fine. Go," he waved them off.
Primo and Nolan offered their thanks once more before turning to Gin, who gave them a short nod and led them out of the house.
Raka and Sammy watched from the doorway until they disappeared.
"Daddy," Sammy looked up at him, beaming. "You’re so cool!"
Raka smirked and leaned against the counter. "Of course I am. Sammy’s dad is amazing."
"Hehe," Sammy giggled. "Are you going to treat Primo’s dad?"
"Hmm," Raka considered it. His job was to identify the exact illness; Sammy wouldn’t know the difference. "I’ll look into it."
"Are you going to be busy again?"
"Me? Of course not. I mean, I’m always busy — but not when Sammy needs me."
The father and son went about their day without another thought of their unexpected visitor the night before.
*****
Meanwhile, the moment Nolan, Primo, and Gin stepped out of the house, they stopped.
Gin turned to face them, catching the curious, expectant looks on their faces.
"Gin," Nolan said. "What’s the situation?"
A quiet exhale left Gin before the corners of his mouth curved up. "I got a call from the Madam. She said they’re coming home... with everyone."
Primo’s eyes lit up. Nolan’s did too. They looked at each other, both breaking into full smiles.
"It’s safe to go back to the neighborhood," Gin added with a nod.
Then Primo raised his hand to get their attention and began to sign. Gin glanced at Nolan for help, only to find the latter with furrowed brows.
Primo smiled at them both and blinked.
"Well..." Nolan glanced at Gin, then back at the boy. He smiled. "I think that’s a great idea, young master."
