Chapter 7

Katsu's juvenile chuckles came to no one's surprise within the walls of one of Level 6's many meeting rooms. Facing him are a bunch of old coots who know very little about the psyche of a young blooming esper. On their face is a myriad of reactions; some conflicted, some stern, but, most importantly, a few look like Katsu has just spat into their coffee.

"Why the gloomy face? All I'm saying is that the kid would do good by growing some balls and I'm glad that he did! Any one of you would gladly give Segawa Hide a punch to the nose if you could -"

"The one with a bruise on his face is your ward, Katsu".

"Good God, you're speaking like we're sending the kid to some pre-school. Well, he's not; you lot are sending him to face deadly mutants, and you're fussing over a single punch from Segawa Hide?"

Arilio Banks sighs heavily from one end of the long table; hands crossed as he looks left and right. "And how about the team dynamic? Is this okay for the team? What if Segawa Hide and Narukami Shuu can't make up?"

"Oh, come on! Don't act like no one in the team hasn't tried going against Segawa Hide. Our dearest Sora kicked him in the ass before that brat even joined the team!" Katsu blurts, causing everyone to hide their fists behind their crossed arms. Careful gazes make their way to the opposite end of the table where a figure clad in a colorful hoodie sits next to Abe Koukichi. Takenouchi Sora has yet to say a word in this review meeting for Narukami Shuu's performance.

Katsu does not care what Takenouchi Sora thinks, to be honest.

"And you all forgot to mention that Segawa Hide does not get along with his brother," Katsu adds.

" - They are starting to. There are reports of them joining the Garuda's for a game of basketball on some evenings".

"Exactly! If those two can get along, and you know the brothers have difficult personalities, then surely Segawa Hide can learn to get along with someone like my ward. Have you seen the kid? He's the most unproblematic kid in the building. Heck, Team Phoenix needs at least one member like that, don't you agree?"

"Yesterday tells a different story".

Katsu rolls his eyes, "It's always a different story when Segawa Hide is involved". He watches everyone considering his words, "What you can take from the event yesterday is the fact that Narukami Shuu got some spunk, and that will prove to be good for the team".

In fact, Katsu had been in doubt over Shuu's addition to the team specifically because the kid lacks something the rest of the member has; and while everyone uses different words to describe what this is, Katsu often says everyone in Team Phoenix is desperate to prove something.

But the same could not be said about Shuu, which if Katsu could say so himself, is perhaps part of Narukami Ryuu's genius. That is, what none in Team Phoenix has, is a proper family life. The way Katsu would phrase it, however, is that Narukami Shuu grows up sheltered. His mom dotes on him, his father gives him enough support and discipline, he's close to his sisters, and he has a gigantic figure that protects him from the exploitative hands of Neo Japan's exploitative esper industry when he was too young. This figure is, of course, his Grandfather.

And all of that leads to a teen who is secure with himself. But Katsu has always seen this as Shuu's own downfall.

Perhaps it's cruel to say that one needs to lack something to want something so strongly, but it is clearly true for Team Phoenix. This is the fuel to their never-ending fire; something that pushes them beyond.

However, the fight between Segawa Hide and Narukami Shuu shows that Narukami Shuu can be tipped off of his comfort zone. For the first time ever, Katsu saw the kid showing something close to frustration - and what is frustration if not the perfect recipe for progress?

"What causes the fight?" Someone asks.

"It's Ren," Katsu readily answers. The kid confided in him that time Segawa Hide threatened him in the hallway of Level 4's Gym. He remembers the haunted face the kid sported - perhaps never having experienced such a heated reaction from someone else before.

Katsu's answer unfortunately starts a round of murmurs. Everyone always panics when Hinata Ren's name is brought up so abruptly, as though they needed to be prepared beforehand that, yes, they're talking about him. It's funny because out of everyone in the building, Hinata Ren is the one person who could cause anyone the least harm. Heck, the kid would literally give his everything to save you.

The problem is, obviously, the people around Hinata Ren. And you don't want to piss them off when it comes to that boy.

"There are reports of Narukami Shuu having contacts with Ren," someone informs.

"Where?"

"The Medical Bay. It took place yesterday, to be exact; after the fight".

"Shouldn't Ren be with the team sent out yesterday?"

"No, he stays behind to recover - but we don't know how Narukami Shuu is even there -"

"I sent him there," the Gym Director raises his hand, "He was injured so I figured he should get treated as soon as possible. I was not alerted of Hinata-kun's presence in the med bay".

Katsu watches them all bicker for a while before he too puts his opinion out there, "Are you serious? Of course, you can't prevent them from meeting each other. The kid is allowed more hours in the headquarters and he's joining Team Phoenix. Hinata Ren is the heart of Team Phoenix - of YES! You can't seriously be saying that they shouldn't see each other until Narukami Shuu is fully accepted into the team, can you?" Katsu groans, "And why are we even talking about this when you asked all of his trainers to tell you about his wonderful progress? Narukami Shuu has shown tremendous improvements, and you're thinking of giving him penalties for protecting himself against Segawa Hide just because, what, that punk doesn't like to share Ren?"

Katsu turns his swivel chair so he can face Abe Koukichi and Takenouchi Sora, "You all know you're going to share Ren with Shuu, right? It's bound to happen. They're going to get to know each other sooner or later".

Arilio Banks nervously taps his fingers onto the smooth surface of the long table. His mouth opens and shuts as he considers his next word. He settles with addressing their younger participants to the meetings, "Well, then, Sora, what do you think?"

Finally, after spending the whole meeting just laying back on the large swivel chair reserved for him, Takenouchi Sora straightens up and pulls back the hood that had been covering his face. Here comes the bright childlike smile and the winning wide-eyed gaze.

Katsu has always speculated someone switched the soul inside the body of a teen idol with a serial killer to create Sora. "Oh, you're addressing me now?" The guy states rather innocently.

Katsu rolls his eyes.

"If that's the case, Ari, then I'd be happy to share my thoughts," Sora starts, "Now, about Hide-kun..."

***

"Segawa you say? Is he related to Guide Segawa from the World Guide Association?" Wakanari, one of Shuu's Grandfather's healers, points out mid-healing.

"Guide... Segawa?" Shuu murmurs. Thankfully, it isn't as painful to speak as it was yesterday.

"Yeah, Segawa Yasuo. A very influential man, by the way - I mean, he represents not only Neo Japan but the whole East Asia region in WGA. Your Grandfather's guides all come from his agency," Wakanari explains while maintaining his hand position on Shuu's cheek. "Oi, Tohru, Guide Segawa has a son who's an esper right?" Wakanari turns his head to the left and raises his voice so that the person behind the partition that separates them from everyone else on the other side of the room can hear them.

"Two sons," Tohru, a guide who has worked with Shuu's Grandfather for years, answers, "He has one kid with that Korean S-Class esper, Kwon Seo Yeon, and another kid with that American esper - I forgot the kid's name though, it has one of those weird letters like Q or Z, ummm..."

"Whatever, but one of those kids might be the one who punched Shuu-kun in the face".

Tohru pokes his head from behind the partition, "What are you saying?? Out of everyone, it's Guide Segawa's son?? Which one??"

"Dunno, Shuu tell him which one".

Shuu hesitates. After all, he's not sure if Segawa Hide is really related to this guide. "Uhh, his name is Segawa Hide -"

"OH MY GOD IT IS GUIDE SEGAWA'S SON!" Tohru shrieks in horror, "Out of everyone, it has to be him. All the guides in the agency have heard about Segawa Hide. Strong, just like his mom, but a mess. He causes a lot of trouble for his dad, got into many fights since primary school. I know he's in YES now, but I didn't know that he still gets into fights like he used to. I thought he has found a good outlet for all those... anger". Tohru then tsk-ed, "And with our Shuu-kun, too. Seriously, who would want to fight with Shuu-kun?"

"Some privileged brat, apparently. You should tell Guide Segawa how poorly his son is behaving, Tohru," Wakanari scolds.

"Why me? And it's not like just any guide could come up to the Head guide and tell him shit, okay. Guide Segawa is rarely in the country anyway; he barely sees any of his sons. I'm not surprised his kids end up being what they are," Tohru mulls as Wakanari finishes up Shuu's healing. "Ah, I know! Shuu, you should tell your Grandfather about this and get him to tell Guide Segawa to teach his son a lesson".

Wakanari's hand leaves Shuu's cheek. Shuu is glad he barely feels any ache on his face after just two healing sessions. "No".

"Why not? That Segawa Hide needs some whooping in the ass!"

Shuu sighs and stands up carefully from the plush cushion on the tatami mat and makes his way to leave the room. "I have to go and visit the old man, he must want a game of shogi before I go home. Thank you, Wakanari-san". He ignores Tohru's suggestion of telling his grandfather and proceeds to slide open the shoji sliding door. "I'll be on my way," he excuses himself before closing the semi-transparent door and crossing the engawa, the outdoor corridor commonly found in traditional Japanese houses, passing his Grandfather's beloved Japanese garden all the way to the old man's office.

He only needs to take one more turn before his grandfather's office when his phone buzzes in his pocket. On the screen, he finds Abe-senpai's name. Shuu makes no delay in answering the call, "Hello, Abe-senpai".

"Shuu-kun, hi! So, I was wondering if you had plans today".

Shuu purses his lips. To be honest, he is avoiding meeting anyone related to Team Phoenix after his fight with Segawa Hide. And then there's what he said to Hinata Ren. Shuu doesn't have an inkling of what that boy's relationship with Team Phoenix is but they sure seem to care about him. If what Shuu said to Hinata Ren ever reaches them, then that plus the fight with Segawa Hide might affect his trial into the team.

Shuu is not ready to hear the news of him getting kicked out of the team before properly joining it. It's that, or a punishment. Either way, Shuu fears the day that Abe rejects all of the progress he has made just because of that stupid fight.

"No, not really," Shuu answers slowly. His mind is looking for a way to avoid a meeting if possible. It's a Sunday, and he and Takao usually join a public qigong session at a nearby park around this time. However, that plan was canceled thanks to Shuu's injury. Shuu has a feeling Abe knows about that. He can, perhaps, use his Grandfather as an excuse, but his Grandfather would be suspicious if he spent too much time with him today. Knowing his Grandfather, he would rather have Shuu face this head-on instead of delaying it further.

"Great! We're thinking of inviting you to our hangout. Rika and Sora will be there too".

Are they trying to make this easy on him by making it sound like a casual meet-up? Are they dropping the bad news there? "Uh, okay. Do I need to bring my lawyer?"

"What? No, it's just a hangout, nothing business-related. Rika and Sora want to meet you. I'm going to send you the location - Oh, do you need a ride?"

Shuu doesn't know what to expect. "No, I'll get my driver to drive me there".

"Okay then, we'll see you there in about an hour?"

Shuu swallows, "Yes. See you there, Senpai".

**

His Grandfather was definitely suspicious when Shuu started making many errors in his shogi game against the older man, but he didn't say anything when Shuu excused himself to leave. What is worse is that, when he arrives, Abe texts him that he and Rika will be late thanks to an urgent matter. Sora, he said, will make his way to the meeting place from the Ministry - and knowing how busy Sora is, especially when involving the ministry, he will most likely be late too.

So Shuu is left alone, at a shopping center, with nothing to do but wait. The meet-up is supposed to take place at a rooftop lounge in the shopping center but Shuu doesn't feel like sitting down and playing the waiting game. He decides to go window shopping at an electronic store to check out accessories he could get for the new smartphone he got from YES. He knows a store for that two floors below.

In the shop, Shuu is glued to the wireless earbuds aisle. He already has his hands on a new dark green phone case; a new pair of matching earbuds would complete the look. He's inspecting the latest pair in the market when he hears hushed voices from his right.

"You should ask his name".

Somehow, the conversation feels like it involves him.

"Maybe his number too".

Shuu catches the sight of three girls all obviously stealing glances at him no matter how hard they try to hide it. When they notice Shuu looking back at them, their heads jerk as they hurriedly look down at whatever is on display in front of them.

One of them, the one on the right, puts one hand in front of her hand as she whispers to her friend. "He's looking at us! Maybe he's interested".

No. Shuu is definitely not interested. The one thing he learned from dating is that he can't seem to read any girl right. Next thing he knew, his then-girlfriend cried about him being too cold, too insensitive, and too uncaring while all he did was follow her whims. No. Shuu would not risk going through that emotional rollercoaster again, especially not while he's in the middle of transitioning into being an esper.

Soon Shuu finds himself at the register to pay for the stuff he's buying. He has to pass by the girls on his way out. He could see two of the girls pushing one towards him. Shuu quickens his pace.

"Excuse me," he hears her say, but he's out of the shop before she can continue with whatever she has to say. Shuu dives into the wilderness that is the vast halls of one of Shibuya's largest shopping centers, walking aimlessly, a little miffed.

Then he sees Segawa Hide handsome face plastered over one of the larger billboards within the building. "What the...," he almost finds himself cussing, but stops. Segawa Hide is dressed in stylish sporty clothing, eyes not even looking at the camera as he poses to show off a designer brand sneaker well-known among Neo Japan's younger generation. Shuu has purchased a couple of shoes from that exact brand and he had no idea they had Segawa Hide as an ambassador.

Then again, Segawa Hide does have the face for the job.

Shuu doesn't know why he feels even more pissed, but soon he finds himself in the store of that designer sporty shoes, facing the huge display for the exact model of shoe Segawa Hide was wearing in his pictures. It's the brand's latest and most expensive model in the market. 

Shuu can afford them. His platinum credit card is linked to a bank account his father transfers a huge sum into on a weekly basis. He likes the shoes; it looks like the kind he would wear himself. But if he purchased them, would Segawa think Shuu was trying to copy him?

Shuu hesitates. The same kind of irk he felt two days ago after the fight brews within him. He puts back the shoes on their display and decides that he'll think about it later.

"They do look good on him".

Someone retorts from Shuu's left. Shuu turns to his side to see the person.

"Don't you agree?" The person continues, "Hide can dress like a homeless person and still look good". He is exactly Shuu's height and dressed very stylishly in colorful clothes that remind Shuu of Kpop Idols. He has a matching mask covering the lower part of his face, but Shuu recognizes those eyes.

"Sora-san, would you like to get your shoes now?" The shop assistant magically appears by their side, "Your custom-ordered ones are finished. We can box them now and hand them to you today".

"Yes, please. Oh - and can you put one more pair on my tab? It's for these pair right here," Sora points at the pair Shuu just looked at, "What size do you wear, Shuu-kun?"

"Uhh, I..., Senpai, I can buy them myself".

"Would you like for your measurements to be taken? We can make a pair that is measured for you specifically," the shop assistant offers.

"Um, no, I -," Shuu is a little overwhelmed, but knowing he can't weasel his way out of this, he relents. He tells them the size he bought from this brand which fits him perfectly and the shop assistant goes to get him a pair. "Takenouchi-Senpai, you don't need to do that. This brand is quite pricey," Shuu states to the older guy, who is busy eyeing different pairs as they wait for their shoes to be packaged.

"Oh no, it's cool. I'm one of their ambassadors too so I get a hefty discount on every purchase, with the occasional free pairs every time they have a new model out. Or I can just put you on Hide's tab," the famous esper turns to Shuu. While Shuu can't see his mouth from behind that mask, the mischievous smirk can be seen through his gaze alone. "And by the way, call me Sora. No one calls me Takenouchi anymore".

"Sora-senpai".

"Sounds better".

It does. Sora has always been addressed as Sora ever since his rise to popularity. People young and old adore his bright happy-go-lucky personality. He comes from a mold of a typical protagonist - always good, always lucky, always winning, always knows what to say. He is the perfect hero Neo Japan needs.

And he is the perfect hero in Shuu's eyes too.

Sora hands him his paper bag once the shop assistant finishes boxing their shoes. "Let's go to the lounge. I think Koukichi and Rika should be there by now already," Sora suggests. Shuu realizes he spent an hour just wandering aimlessly and shopping. 

They take the elevator to the upper floor. Shuu follows Sora to a rather exclusive-looking lounge and cafe called The Sky Lounge. The lounge has a wall of glass facing the view of the city. Its interior is luxurious and cozy, with warm wooden furniture and rich warm artistic lighting. Sora takes off his face mask when speaking to the front desk, asking for a desk reserved under the name Kikuya Rika before he leads them to one seating area in one corner hidden by wooden partitions.

"Heey, oh my Gosh, come sit you two!" Kikuya Rika calls out once she sees them both, whilst Abe Koukichi frowns with a phone still in one ear.

"You both didn't pick up my calls!" The bespectacled young man accuses.

"Sorry about that. I told Shuu not to answer because we're on our way here anyway," Sora explains as he sits on the curved booth. Shuu follows his example and sits down. "Can we order now? I'm parched," Sora adds as he grabs the menu. 

They all open the menu with minimal talking, eyeing each item with interest. Shuu hears Abe making comments about ordering alcoholic beverages, as he is already of the legal age to drink, which is instantly rebutted by Kikuya who doesn't feel like driving. "It's not like we get drunk easily!" Abe groans but orders a coffee drink in the end. Both Kikuya and Sora order mocktails and Sora actually suggests the same for Shuu. Then they proceed to order a lot of snacks.

"Bailey is going to kill us for eating junk," Abe says without explaining who Bailey is, but the guy does not stop them from listing more and more food to the waiter.

"It's all right. We're celebrating," Sora says once the waiter leaves. He winks at Shuu, "Although, this is not really our favorite hangout. It's just the one place with good privacy in the same building as the shoe store I want to visit. We'll take you to our top hangouts next time". The guy then pulls off the hood that is covering his head to reveal his dark hair that is tied up messily. He also has earrings on - which surprises Shuu a little. Silver accessories seem to be more of Abe-senpai's style.

Shuu can't help but feel somewhat dwarfed by the three S-Class espers. They're all older and dress like they fit the role of celebrities. Surely, when these three hang out, they would invite stares and admiration. They're not only skilled, but they look charismatic. They know all the cool places and they look like they have their lives together. Shuu cannot measure up to that.

"Um...," Shuu is a little nervous and starstruck to be in their presence, "Are we... are we celebrating something?"

Shuu watches Sora smacking Abe's upper arm lightly before the latter jumps slightly. "Yes! We are!" Abe claps his hands once, then he coughs to start on a more serious note, "So, Shuu, after a review of your one-month progress, the review team has decided that you..."

Kikuya Rika starts thrumming her knuckles to the table for dramatic effect.

"Shall move on to the next step of the trial!!"

The three espers then clap their hands while chorusing a couple of "Whoo!"s and "Hooray!"s. Kikuya then exclaims, "And Sora is paying for all our meals today!!" to which both she and Abe respond with another, "Whoo!" but Sora rushes to deny that, "Hey, I didn't agree to that!!"

Shuu, however, is stunned. He did not expect this turn of events when he came here. He was expecting the exact opposite. His line of thought is only disrupted when two waiters bring their food and drinks to their table. After a couple of thank yous, both waiters leave and Abe continues.

"So, yes, the three of us decided we should invite you for a mini celebration. Plus both Rika and Sora want to meet you properly out of training".

"I'm so glad to finally meet you like this!" Kikuya Rika, the Esper with the biggest fanbase in Japan, cheerfully states, "Last time we talked I was in the middle of training. I was hoping to speak to you more, but, you know, things happened".

"My mission was given to Rika as I was summoned by the ministry to deal with stuff," Sora adds apologetically, "In fact, none of this was ever part of the plan. The plan was to have me mentoring you personally, with Rika".

"Yes - but with this we have to hand it to the one in charge of household affairs".

" - and that person is me," Abe deadpans, "I still have to deal with Hide and Felix too".

Kikuya puffs up, "And I have to deal with slimy mutants, which was supposed to be Sora's to deal with!"

"Hey, if you think that's worse than facing the old coots from the ministry, then you're outrageously wrong!" Sora defends himself.

Shuu silently watches the three bicker as he sips from his drink. The level of familiarity these three share is something to be jealous about. Shuu, in the meantime, doesn't really have friends he hangs out or bicker with, although he does have some he would often speak to about school. He gets along with everyone, and sometimes that means he's not necessarily close buddies with anyone either.

"Wow, this chicken is good. Shuu try some," Abe pushes a plate of Korean-style fried chicken his way with his mouth still full of the same dish. More plates are pushed his way so that he tries some whenever one of the older three tries something good. "Yo, take some home for the two brats and Ren," Sora says.

Ren.

The name that leads to the fight.

And the person Shuu was being rude in the Med Bay.

"Senpai, I... I thought you were about to give me a punishment or kick me out from the trial," Shuu admits.

Abe, who is in the middle of trying out the okonomiyaki, frowns, "No, of course not. That's stupid. Why did you think so?"

"... the thing with Segawa Hide". And Hinata Ren.

There is a second of silence before all of them laugh. "No, no. That's nothing new, Shuu-kun. We all fight with Hide on a regular basis," Kikuya Rika explains, "I get into shouting matches with him every time we're on a mission together. He, Koukichi, and Sora fight - like, all kinds of fights. Sora beat him to a pulp before he even joined the team, and Koukichi - well, let's just say Koukichi gets scary angry, you wouldn't want to witness that."

"You don't need to worry about Hide," Sora pitches in, "He only acts up when he doesn't get enough... attention". The team leader eyes his other two teammates, who all nod knowingly. Shuu doesn't fully understand...

... but he does wonder why he hasn't heard the name Ren mentioned again in relation to what Shuu said to the boy. Plus, it is all because of that boy that got Shuu in trouble with Segawa Hide in the first place. Furthermore, wasn't Abe also behaving differently when Shuu mentioned the name to him? Abe was on a call with someone named Ren that one time and agreed that he and Ren were in some sort of relationship when Shuu suggested it?

No. It's best that Shuu stop pondering the subject. His latest experience surrounding this Ren debacle has told him that it's a touchy subject for the team. He should follow Katsu's advice; DO NOT MENTION THAT NAME.

"Starting next week, we're going to give you longer training hours," Abe informs, "And you'll have one extra mentor".

"It's mee~," Kikuya Rika poses cutely and winks - a complete reenactment of that gif of her that is everywhere on online forums. Shuu flushes.

"Sora will show up whenever he has the time. More trainers, more lessons, and, oh, I'll be taking you to actual missions too".

Shuu perks up, "Missions? Like, actual mutants??" His heart thumps in excitement. Finally!

"Not exactly meeting high-level mutants just yet, but I'll be taking you on patrols in high-risk areas and perhaps a tour of our secured portal. Also, some investigation skills. I'll get you around on that one," Abe puts more food into his own mouth with a pair of chopsticks.

Sora hums, "Koukichi is our investigation guy, but we all do our share of investigating. This guy has his own computer room in our den - and speaking about the den, Shuu, we're having a proper dinner sometime next week at our place on Level 5 to introduce you to the team".

Shuu cannot believe it. He will finally gain access to Level 5! "Yes, Sora-senpai".

Abe frowns, "Hey, you're on a first-name basis with Sora already? You should start doing the same with me. Everyone in the team calls me Koukichi".

"And me!" Kikuya points at herself.

Shuu nods shyly, "Koukichi-Senpai, Rika-Senpai".

"And Hide will behave, you don't need to worry," Abe - no, Koukichi informs casually.

"Right," Sora takes another bite of the Chinese dumpling, "So, do I really have to pay for all of you?"

"Yes," they all answer.

**

Katsu watches as Segawa Hide finishes up cleaning the pool in Level 1 - without using his ability too, wow. He whistles as the tall teen walks past him. "Cleaning looks good on you, punk," Katsu jeers. He can't help it. He sees Shuu as his own brat, and with that comes a protective side that would not allow any other punk to bully him. 

Segawa Hide returns his jab with a murderous glare, but Katsu has his own share of experience against dangerous mutants to back his confidence. If the punk wants a punch, Katsu will be glad to give it to him. 

"Katsu-san?"

Katsu turns around to find Hinata Ren standing behind the open door to the pool. He looks better now - not as pale and subdued as days earlier that week. For the last couple of weeks, Hinata Ren had been busy assisting Kikuya Rika in pacifying the latest opened portal in one of Neo Tokyo's outer districts. And with that, Segawa Hide is like a wild dog without its owner, wild and unleashed.

"Hide-kun has done his punishment," Ren states carefully as though he reads the tense atmosphere. Ah, but how can Katsu be all angry when Ren looks a little scared? Unlike the rest of Team Phoenix, Ren does not have an air of intimidation to him. And with that, Katsu tends to feel protective of him too.

"That's good," Katsu smiles to the teen just to assure him he's not going to whack the punk in the back of the head no matter what his guide of a father would say.

Segawa Hide looks somewhat irked that the other teen's attention is not on him. Yet when Ren turns to him, the glower transforms into a pout. "All right, let's go back. Please excuse us, Katsu-san," Ren, as polite as ever, bows his head a little as he walks alongside Segawa Hide out of the pool area.

Honestly, Hinata Ren's return to YES and his quick recovery are the only reasons Katsu wouldn't give Segawa Hide a beating of his own for bullying his brat. And so he let the two teens be...

... a dog and its owner.

**

To be Continued.