Chapter 20. I'll cure you

Leaving the Zemtsu club, Kaas found himself on a bright and spacious street.

Right in front of him, in his augmented reality, he saw luminous arrows, which, carefully passing along the paths past all obstacles, were supposed to lead him to a cafe.

"Just follow them", Aska told him. "So you definitely won't get into trouble."

So, Kaas began his first, conscious walk through the new world.

As he walked, he paid attention to the people who were around him. As Aska explained, this was not something strange, because many did it, looking at the people themselves, their statuses, and the information available.

However, Kaas's interest was much greater, since to him it was all for the first time. And he was absolutely shamelessly staring at people and their behavior, which was sometimes quite strange. But after a little thought, he realized that they are most likely going about their business in their interfaces.

For some reason, he wanted to run. Not somewhere specifically, but just to run, as if his legs themselves asked him about it, but remembering the possible fines, he held back his impulses. Moreover, he had already seen the place where the arrows were leading him.

It was a fairly conspicuous building, distinguished by its color and signs, one of which had the same sign as its interface for food.

Going inside, he saw only tables and chairs, some of them were occupied, and some were free. And at one of these empty tables, in the farthest corner of the room, the route of the arrows ended.

"This is the table I have reserved", Aska explained. "Go to it and sit down at it."

Kaas obediently sat down at a table with his back to the wall, so that he could see the whole room. To his surprise, the chair in front of him pulled back on its own and Aska, who had appeared in his augmented reality, sat on it.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I also want to sit in a cafe." She said.

I haven't dined with anyone for a long time, especially with such a beauty as you. Kaas thought in her direction, overwhelmed with excitement from the impressions after the fight, making this awkward compliment.

Aska only smiled brightly in response, which made everything around seem to darken, as if it was at their table, the sun suddenly rose and thousands of flowers bloomed. Then she simply said: "in the interface you have a menu, just click the 'Normal' button, if you want to order something special, you will have to use the search."

Indeed, as soon as he sat down at the table, the icon of this cafe appeared in his interface, and when he touched it, only 2 buttons appeared, 'Normal' and 'Order'. He chose 'Normal' and after a local second, at the edge of the table, his usual set of food and drinks "grew", which smoothly moved in his direction. The food was in a box and drinks in cans, it was no different from what he saw at home.

Kaas looked more closely at the tables nearby, and noticed that they were unusual. The table had only one, massive leg on one side, which did not interfere with sitting at it, and on which, most likely, orders were delivered.

Aska 'conjured' herself, her virtual dish, but this time, she did not create any exotic and exquisite serving, everything was almost the same as his.

Aska, how did it happen that Adri turned out to be a coach at a local club? Kaas asked as he tasted the food.

"It's not a coincidence", she replied. "I chose locally produced programs, and quite a lot of them have been done all the time. In fact, this is the case in every city, but usually, the preference is given to local designs and services, which of course does not prevent you from ordering anything."

But why didn't you say that my coach is Adri?

"And you didn't ask", she simply answered, as if nothing had happened, starting her meal. But there were mischievous sparkles in her eyes that could not hide from Kaas's gaze.

He chuckled to himself and felt a comfortable warmth in his heart. Such easy communication was not familiar to him. Perhaps this was facilitated by Aska's virtuality, or their age difference forced him to look at her from the bottom up.

What should I do next? he asked.

"When we eat, we need to go to school and add PAK to the wish list." Aska replied.

But what if it already gets bought out? How can I make sure I get it?

"This cannot be guaranteed, you just have to wait for the opening of the store on the very first school day and buy it out. You already know what you need and will not waste time exploring other products. This is done by those who have already made their decision."

Kaas listened to Aska and rested with his body and soul while eating his portion of food. He had never felt this way in his life, or perhaps he just couldn't remember it.

"You did well in the gym", she continued, "and on the street as well, so we don't have to spend money on transportation and you can get to school on your own."

Same as before by the arrows?

"Yes, first to the elevator, on it, to the 15th floor and further, on foot to the school, you have already seen how ex-Kaas went to it."

What if I meet friends at school?

"Not necessarily friends." she corrected, "We will act as in the club. But since you must know them, I will give you information on the people with whom you will meet."

Kaas was hungry and quickly finished his portion. After that, he just sat and looked at the room, other people and Aska, not knowing what to do next.

Aska calmly finished her virtual dish, waved her hand and her cutlery just disappeared, and Kaas's cans and boxes smoothly headed towards the table leg and literally 'drowned' in it.

"Let's go?" she asked shortly.

Without waiting for Kaas's answer, the glowing arrows reappeared, leading to the exit from the cafe.

Will you come with me? he asked, seeing that Aska hadn't disappeared.

"Yes, I also want to take a walk, anyway no one will see me but you."

Kaas sighed, got up, and headed for the exit. Aska walked with him. When they got out, Kaas had to follow the arrows, but Aska was more energetic and free, walking around, looking at the flowers and trees. It seemed that she was just having fun running around like an ordinary child. And there was everything for this, fresh air, beautiful surroundings, all that was missing was the fluttering butterflies.

So they calmly walked to the reserved elevator and drove off. Although the club was on the 4th floor of the city under the 4th residential area, Kaas's apartment was on the 98th floor of the 2nd district, and the school was on the 15th floor of the city under the 2nd residential area, but the transit times seemed to be the same.

After only 1 or 2 local minutes, they had already reached the school. The arrows took him directly to the second floor, to an empty table in the same blue section Kaas had seen before.

Are we not going to class? he asked.

"You don't have to go to class for that. In addition, there may be too many acquaintances at once."

Kaas sat down at a table and noticed that the same menu appeared in his interface as in the cafe earlier.

Aska, if we could eat here, why did we go to another cafe? he asked.

"For the same reason, right now, it's better not to stay too long at school. A brief acquaintance on the first day is enough." she replied, sitting down opposite him.

Then what next?

"I will help and do it for you to avoid any mistake", she said and began to do something in her interface.

Actions began to occur, in Kaas's augmented reality. First, a large school menu appeared, with a large number of comments that he did not have time to read. Aska did everything quickly, giving only brief explanations:

"This is a general school interface. It has everything to do with school. Now, I went to the school store, the wish list for this year has not yet been completed, and it's time to find the PAK that we need in the general catalog and add it."

Meanwhile, a window with a merchandise appeared in front of Kaas, similar to what he had already seen when Aska showed the simulator. Only there were no photos or videos on it, only a colorful logo, name and characteristics. Before he had time to familiarize himself with them, the image had already disappeared, and with it all the windows that Aska had opened.

"Done!" she announced solemnly. "now, you will have to come to school in 3 days, early and buy it."

Excellent! answered Kaas and was about to get up, but Aska stopped him with a gesture.

"Wait, you might have to talk to a classmate now." she said. And before Kaas appeared an impromptu annotation form with a full-length photograph.

When he saw the name, he involuntarily flinched. Bizz! Why him? It was obvious that there would be no pleasant conversation.

According to the data in the form, Bizz was slightly larger than the rest of his classmates. He was also an arrogant and determined guy. In itself, this was not a disadvantage, only, he focused too much on being number one. And although he was not, his desire to assert himself was clearly exaggerated.

One of the reasons was that he came from a rather large and ambitious family, the Kaudak. Although in the Kiva it was impossible to transfer funds to each other and there was no opportunity for inheritance, this did not mean that family and corporate foundations could be violated. And the family upbringing was appropriate.

In such families pride in the family and involvement in the family was bred. All family members had shares in common companies, which were considered their property and were under their control. But no one could give the share, these shares were sold at auctions, like everything else. And family members of the same generation competed for them in these auctions. Which often cost much more than their face value. But these shares in the business were not only for profit, but were part of their family hierarchy, which gave respect and prestige.

The Kaudak family was not some great family, but just one of many. But this did not prevent their ambitions from flourishing and fighting for a position in the ratings of families.

Kaas sat with his back to the stairs and, carried away by studying the form, did not see that Bizz and two of his friends had already gone up to the second floor.

Noticing Kaas, Bizz stopped, assumed the dignified air of an important person and called out to him with a grin in his voice:

"Kaas!"

There was no answer, Kaas, although he was used to his new name, but he was used to hearing it only from Aska's mouth, and he perceived everything else as extraneous noise.

"KAas!" Bizz shouted with impatience in his voice and noticeably louder.

There was no answer. Bizz began to boil, clearly not experiencing such disdain to such an extent earlier.

Aska decided to distract Kaas from the Bizz annotation form by showing signs with her hands, with the words: "Kaas, Bizz has already arrived."

Kaas finally got distracted from the annotation, but before he could turn around, Bizz shouted:

"KAAS !!!"

So shouting?! Let's see what you can do besides this! he thought.

Aska heard his thoughts as he was looking in her direction at that moment and protested, - Just no fights, they are completely forbidden!

No fights so no fights, just try not to change the content of my words too much. I hope we can fight with words?

"If without direct insults, and what may be the immediate cause of harm, then almost everything is possible."

Okay, Kaas thought towards Aska, and added what he wanted to say to Bizz. Then, looking lazy, he turned towards Bizz, who no longer knew what to do, clearly on the verge of breaking the rules.

"Oh, Bizz, hello", he said with a happy and surprised expression on his face, as if he saw his bosom friend, "while I was busy with my wish list, I heard a pig's roar, do you know what it was?"

Bizz's face, which until then still resembled a human, turned red with anger.

"Youuuu ..." he almost roared, taking a step forward. His friends did not know at all what to say and how to react, and with dull expressions on their faces, they simply watched the development of events.

In a past life, Kaas would have been afraid of this development. Bizz was half a head taller than him and noticeably stronger. And what is important, he also went in for martial arts, which was reflected in his profile. Therefore, teasing such a person with impunity would be problematic. But not here.

"Yes, it's me, Kaas, do you recognize me?" Kaas asked excitedly.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" he shouted.

"No, really, it's me, Kaas, look carefully, Bizz", said Kaas with sincere participation in his voice.

"Ahhh ... I get it, you're just messing with me", he replied, recoiling.

Aska, did he figure it out himself or did the assistant help him?

"From the way he moved, I think that the assistant suggested, but I can not guarantee it."

At that very moment, Bizz's companions came to his aid.

"Bizz, do not react to provocations, he is not worth it." Said the one who was on the left. Kaas drew attention to his profile, this guy's name was Prett. And the one on the right was called Vursich, which sounded like a surname, but obviously it was a name.

Vursich joined the conversation: "Exactly, what's the point of talking to a loser."

Bizz, having received moral support, calmed down and seemed to perk up:

"Kaas, how could I not recognize you, that's just, I came to say goodbye to you."

"How is it? Has something happened to you?" Kaas continued to play the part of a worried classmate.

"With me, nothing, but here you can quite go down to a lower rank", he grinned.

"Oh, at first, you did not recognize me, and now you are talking some nonsense. Something has obviously happened to you!" Said Kaas, nodding several times, as if confirming the correctness of his words.

"Ha-ha, say whatever you like, but I found out that several people in the ruby ​​class at once showed themselves excellently and will most likely go to sapphire. Who's at the bottom of the list? Should I remind you?" sneered Bizz, gesturing intensely.

"My memory is all right. I am more worried about your condition, because you are still my classmate."

"What condition?" Bizz was surprised.

"Of course, the state of your health."

"What does my health have to do with it? I am much healthier than you!" he declared proudly. And in many ways, he was right, Kaas, compared to him, looked a year younger.

In response, Kaas only sighed heavily. And after a little thought he said:

"Bizz, you shouldn't worry, modern medicine can definitely help you." Kaas said in a soothing tone.

"What are you talking about? I was recently at the medical center! I am completely healthy!" he declared proudly.

"And this is already beginning to bother me."

"What are you talking about?" Bizz's eyes were goggled in bewilderment. His assistant, either has not yet deciphered exactly what Kaas is seeking, or he was not going to help Bizz, as long as there are no special risks and violations.

Kaas shook his head in distress. And in a sad voice he said:

"Of course, I'm talking about your head, because the brain is the most complex organ of the human body. And your training, your hard work for academic success, perhaps it did not go without consequences."

Bizz's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists with all his might. He wanted to beat Kaas, even if he was fined. But the fight will not end with the usual fine. He will have to pay compensation for treatment, moral damage and it will be necessary to undergo preventive work with specialists who will definitely repeat medical research with an emphasis on his brain.

"You can say whatever you want, but that does not change the fact that I am at the top of the class rating, and you are at the very end." calmed down Bizz, and continued with a grin, "But you can comfort yourself with the fact that in the ruby ​​class, you will be at the top."

"Ahh, Bizz, you see what you've brought yourself to!" continued to lament Kaas, "at the top of the rating of our class is Amelia, not you. You're only number 2. And even that didn't come easily to you. But don't worry, I will definitely help you!"

Bizz looked at Kaas in bewilderment. At this very moment, Vursich intervened:

"Number 2 is also the top! All the first 5 places can be considered the top!"

"And how can you help? You can't help yourself in any way! Coming soon to the ruby ​​class!" said Prett indignantly.

"Guys, I wasn't going to help Bizz in my studies, we have too different interests", he replied.

"Then what are you talking about here?" Bizz returned to the conversation.

"I just thought that when I become an adult, it would be nice to become a doctor! And if I become a doctor, I will definitely take care of your problem, find a medicine for your head and cure you."

Bizz stamped his foot in anger. If Kaas had not been sitting on the chair, he would have instinctively jumped away from him.

"You see, you're already angry, for no reason. I understand that being in 2nd place, after all your hard work, is a real shame! But you don't need to worry like that! You will succeed! After all…"

Kaas paused mysteriously, attracting the attention of the entire trio.

"Amelia will most likely move to the emerald class, and you will finally become number 1."

Bizz could take it no longer. He had long run out of words, and he could hardly restrain himself from hitting Kaas. Only the intervention of the assistant kept him from fighting.

Prett took a step forward, saying, "Bizz, stop listening to this loser, let's go to class."

"That's right", Bizz said, "we still have a lot of things to do."

The whole Bizz trio immediately put on an important look and, as if nothing had happened, headed towards the passage in the blue zone, which apparently led to the classroom.

How did I show myself, Aska? he asked, turning to her after Bizz and his friends were out of sight.

Aska laughed sincerely. "You're mean, to make fun of the children in such a way."

Didn't they ask for it themselves?

"You constantly walked along the edge, I had to pretty much correct your texts so that you did not cross the line."

What could have happened? asked Kaas.

"It's hard to say, but it's better not to check. After your injury, diagnostics might have been assigned to you, not Bizz." she replied.

Aska, I definitely won't go along with those idiots. I've seen enough of them in my life, and I know for sure that you should not yield.

"And if he beats you?"

Even if he beats me! As far as I understand, in Kiva, he would have suffered more than me!

"Who knows ..." Aska said thoughtfully. "After all, there are also emotional gains and losses."

Kaas thought about it and asked What if I beat him in self-defense?

"If you win and stop in time, then you will not receive any sanctions at all. But if you go further, then you will definitely be punished."

But how do you know when to stop?

"Victory over the enemy is quite enough, if he stopped the fight, then you must stop. And the assistant usually prompts to avoid violation."

What if he attacks again?

"He will have 2 penalties in a row." Aska simply answered, and said, "it's time for you to eat, since you're already here, let's have a snack here and go home. You have sports in an hour."

Regular school food seemed to Kaas the same as cafe food, although Aska claimed that it was usually much better. After a quick meal, they went home.

This time, Kaas walked fast enough without stopping.

Once at home, he immediately took a shower and changed into a dynamic suit, setting the load to 5%.

"Aska", he called, "when will Adri's training program be ready?"

"it's already ready", Aska replied.

"So fast?"

"What did you expect? I just received it and have already paid him 2 rubies."

"He also takes money for this?"

"Of course, he does, otherwise how will his club work? Classes in the club cost money, personal lessons cost money, and in general, any work costs money."

Kaas just sighed while Aska continued.

"And right now, in accordance with his requirements, I have already bought 2 more training programs, and one simulator program so that you have a bronze-level sparring partner."

Going in for sports is really expensive. Kaas thought.

"Everything costs money, right now, you have a little more than 20 rubies left, so you should be more economical. Tomorrow you will have to go to your grandfather, and this is 2 more rubies for the road, there and back."

"Can I not go to my grandfather? Why not meet remotely?"

"First, you're invited. Secondly, you usually went to see him because he doesn't like this kind of connection."

"What else will we have for tomorrow?"

"For tomorrow, nothing more, there is only sports and a trip. You won't have time to do anything else."

After a busy day, Kaas was full of energy. He had a meeting with his parents, a fight in the club, a skirmish with Bizz and a walk around the city. And if the events in the club were relatively neutral, and with Bizz he had more fun, even having received emotional satisfaction, then communicating with his parents was not a game, and the forced lie to this cute couple made him very nervous. Everything that happened during the day twisted his nervous system to the limit, and he decided to start training a little earlier.

Now he no longer had to set up anything himself, it was enough just to start the training plan that Adri had made. This time, the bag has already taken the form of the same opponent as the one that he had in the club. But now it was motionless, only withstanding the blows of Kaas, who circled around it, following Adri's commands.

So the rest of the time passed. Adri no longer stopped training, giving Kaas only short breaks to rest.

During these almost 2.5 hours of training, Kaas was completely exhausted and, against his desire to go to a cafe, asked Aska to order food home. After eating and taking a shower, he fell asleep, forgetting even about his breathing exercises.