Kill and Run

Chapter 17 Rejointed

"Well, the reason was simple. I still care for you. I felt that you shouldn't give up on the nunchucks because you were the person to not give up easily in my eyes," Kasumi gently replied.

"Really? I thought you hated me so much that I left the basement just now," Nesby embarrassedly answered.

"Nah, I wasn't. Since you have experienced high expectations from people before, you might think that they scolded you was because they dislike your outcomes,"

Since it was late already, Kasumi gently offered Nesby a piggyback home. Slowly, Kasumi carried Nesby and she walks back to her basement.

While they are in the streets, Kasumi continued her conversation: "I felt you put too much perfection into things sometimes and it caused irritation to you, right?"

Nesby answered with a shaky voice: "Yea if I don't reach perfection, my parents will never look at me once. They ignored it to the point that my life can be a horrible nightmare. The greetings they did to me every day was after I got a perfect score on a test,"

Kasumi continued to listen to what Nesby is trying to tell her while digesting everything into one story. "So, you are saying that your family's relationship depends on your exam marks?"

"Exactly, I got super bad grades once and they ignored me for a few days because of it,"

"How much were the marks?"

"99,"

"What? That was good actually, I believe your parents' expectations are way too high on you. Don't you have any siblings at home?"

"No. That's why I feel stressed,"

"Ah, I see. Let me tell you, we people were born to be good and bad at something, and it is totally normal. Maybe I am good at martial arts, but I am actually bad at cooking,"

"What?" Nesby was shocked to hear that. "Really?"

Later, Kasumi explained that she ever tried cooking once in the basement they are currently living in before, and because of a small mistake she made, she almost burned down the whole basement. From then on, Kasumi only bought food from the convenience store to solve her 3 meals.

"This is just an example to tell you that we are all not born to be perfect, and in fact, we have weaknesses and strengths, so if you feel that you are bad at something, it's ok to practice again and again,"

Finally, Kasumi also told Nesby that there is nothing bad to feel because this is what people are born to do. They fall, climb back up and continue to fight. With all of the advice Nesby heard, she finally understand the real meaning of life and wanted to say something.

However because she was exhausted from everything today, Nesby accidentally fell asleep and this lasted for a while before Kasumi reached home, took off her shoes and gently put Nesby down.

When Nesby woke up, she noticed that Kasumi is already using medicine to treat the bruises on her face and arms.

"Wait, when did we get home?" Nesby asked with a drowsy voice.

"Yea, we just reached home not long ago and your shoes are still with you,"

"Wait, really? Guess I can do that later. Also, I heard the advice you gave while are on our way home,"

So you were listening to this whole time?"

"Yea. I was just too tired to answer. That is why I wanted to tell you I wanted to continue learning nunchucks not only for the revenge but also to improve my own defensive skills,"

"You thought all of this while you are sleeping?"

"Sort of," Nesby answered. "Anyways, let me cook dinner now since it's late,"

"You know how to cook?"

"Yea. I will always do that when my parents are not at home because of work,"

Soon, Nesby headed to the kitchen as Kasumi looked at her with an expression that she can finally put down. "Do wanna give her pats and hug her later. I'll see how,"

Later, Kasumi went to the kitchen and check on what Nesby needed help with. With a little time and effort, the duo was able to make dinner successfully and enjoy it before they took the rest of the day for themselves.

After dinner, the duo played their phone before turning off the lights and do a certain sanitary job just before they sleep. Out of nowhere, Nesby asked:" I'm so worried for the day we are having a real battle, what should I do?"

"For now, you don't have to worry about that first, because I actually plan to bring you to do something else tomorrow before practice," Kasumi answered calmly.

"What would it be, I wonder,"

"It's a secret. All you have to do is to wake up early tomorrow, and hopefully, it will help you a lot,"

"Well, then I should close my eyes and sleep then,"

"Yup," Kasumi said. "Get some good sleep, today has been a chaotic day for you,"